Far Western District Westags for May 2003

President John Krizek called the meeting to order with the singing of The Old Songs at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning, May 31, 2003

All elected officers and directors were present.

The reports of the attendees follow:

Nominating Committee - Deane Scoville:

A slate of 2004 Officers/Committee Chairmen has been tentatively completed - details will be finalized and available prior to the FWD Fall convention.

Revised SOP - Dick Girvin:

A number of items were revised in accordance with practices and needs of the district. Look for the revised and complete SOP to be available on the FWD Website in the near future.

Secretary - John Ford:

A review of chapter incorporation status continues - there are still a number of chapters who have not completed the process.

Member Services - Peter Feeney:

FWD membership continues to decline. FWD Membership, as of April 30, 2003, stands at 3353 --down 153 members year to date. This decline reflects a general membership decline in Society membership. Possible reasons:

· Late renewals,

· advancing age/death,

· Chorus Director/Chapter Leadership

· communications, increased options for leisure time activities, etc.

A task force was formed to investigate focus on Senior/Retirement communities (i.e. Sun City, Leisure World, Eskaton) as sources of membership.

The need for a possible realignment of divisions is indicated to achieve numerical membership balance - the Long Range Planning Committee will be asked to investigate the situation.

New expansion sites include West Hollywood and Bullhead City, AZ.

Music and Performance - Jim Crowley:

Harmony College West 2003 will be held at Cal State University Hayward August 22-24, featuring Nightlife and Gotcha!

Classes offered are: Music Reading, Emcee Workshop, Vocal Production, Arranging, Grant Writing and Woodshedding/Tag Singing.

Marketing and Public Relations - Clark Abrahamson:

A new WESTUNES advertising program was introduced, featuring the acceptance of Barbershop-related commercial ads and a special "Barbershopper-to-Barbershopper" Business Services Directory.

Phillip Pettus was welcomed as the new WESTUNES Advertising Director, reporting to Managing Editor Ray Rhymer. Look for details in the July/August

Edition.

Chorus Director Development - Jim Turnmire:

Five Chapters have reported Director vacancies (Bakersfield, Lompoc, Phoenix, Rincon Beach, and San Diego).

Look for Chorus Director Workshop Intensive (CDWI) sessions in SoCal for Fall 2003, and in Arizona (likely Phoenix) in February 2004.

Events - Sam Barger:

2003 Convention Cycle results indicate an overall shortfall in budgeted attendance.

Keith Eckhardt is working diligently on plans to

increase attendance at conventions (read: "make them more fun").

Future Convention plans include 2005 Fall Convention in Pasadena, and the probability of 2006 Fall Convention in San Jose (pending completion of convention center remodeling).

The Events Team is investigating the possible exchange of Spring Convention 2005 from Reno to Burbank, and 2007 Spring Convention from Burbank to Reno.

Division Contests, to be held in conjunction with International Spring Prelims will be priced in accordance with FWD Convention Manual with the profit split for combined International Spring Convention/Division Convention will be 70% District, 30% host Chapter.

Contest and Judging - Dick Girvin:

Look for a reevaluation of current Plateau alternatives

presented earlier this year by Don Gubbins and the Plateau evaluation committee.

There are currently five new C&J applications – four e in Administration, one in Music.

The draw for order of appearance for the Fall Contests was conducted for the 26 quartets (including Seniors) and 27 choruses. In accordance with tradition, the announcement of the OOA will be provided via WESTUNES and the FWD Website after the results of the Montreal contests are known.

Chapter Support and Leadership Training - Bernard Priceman:

FWD COTS 2004 will be at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton, November 15-16, 2003. Expected cost will be $125 per person.

Three new Chapter Counselors have been named: Bob Lally, Larry Goodfried, and Deane Scoville.

A new FWD Chapter Counselor quarterly on-line report format was introduced.

Young Men in Harmony - Ed Bejarana:

Look for a proposed YMIH class on "How to Administrate/Direct a Youth Harmony Day".

The NorCal East Youth Harmony Camp will be September 6-8 at Sly Park, near Placerville.

Look for Youth Harmony Camps next year in San Diego and Arizona.

Youth Festivals are planned for Chico, San Diego, Tucson, and Aloha chapters.

Look for Novice Quartet/High School Quartet Contest venues to be combined - with separate contests for each.

College Quartet limited participation is being examined.

Immediate Past President - Deane Scoville:

VP report data will be analyzed and incorporated into the planning process.

Treasurer - Jim Sherman:

The FWD remains solvent - but revenues are down, largely due to shortfalls in Convention attendance.

The FWD 2004 Budget recommendation was reviewed and accepted - to be presented at Fall HOD meeting.

Old Business/New Business/Good of the Fraternity:

Prizes are needed for the Harmony Foundation Raffle at FWD convention - contact Joe Salz re donations of same.

Further investigation is ongoing re possible combination of Division Contests.

Chapters are urged to consider hosting Novice Contests.

The meeting adjourned at 5 p.m. with the singing of Keep the Whole World Singing.

Board Meeting Highlights