eNews
from the Far Western District of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

January 11, 2008

In This Issue

Message from Bob Lally, FWD President

Happy New Year to all of you! As we start the New Year I look forward to meeting many of you and not only singing a song or two, but working together with you to keep barbershop harmony alive and kicking for all to enjoy. I know there are many opportunities to share our wonderful music with the public and urge you to take advantage of them. After all, there's no point in keeping all the fun to ourselves, right? First off, if you haven't already done so, take a moment to go to our Far Western District web page and check out the information on the 'Singing for Life' Society sponsored blood drive for May 10. It's a great opportunity to spend a day in a great cause and at the same time spread the barbershop gospel. Do it now while you're thinking about it, and register your chapter to take part. Let's get together and use this opportunity to grow!

Bob Lally, President, Far Western District

Arizona COTS 2008--Next Week!

On Saturday, January 19, 2008, the Arizona class will be held in Mesa, AZ. This one day seminar will start at 9am and finish at 5pm. The fee is only $30 per person and it is a valid chapter expense, so get your whole board to attend.

You only have a few days left to register, so now is the time to do it.

Full details of the Arizona classes are online at COTS 2008. You may register as an individual, or a chapter officer can register all the attendees from your chapter as a group. And it doesn't have to be only officers that attend. If you are thinking of becoming a chapter officer in the next year or two, then get a head start by attending a class now. If you are part of the chapter music team, feel free to attend the Music and Performance VP class. If you just want to come and share your past experiences in offices you have held---DO SO!

Barbershopper Of The Year

If you have already had your Installations and have identified your Chapter BOTY, please take a minute to visit Submit BOTY and fill out the simple form so your BOTY can be seen by all. What a great way to let him know how much you really appreciate what he has done for you and the chapter in 2007.

SoCal Novice Contest

The Westminster Chapter is hosting the 47th Annual SoCal Novice Contest on January 19, 2008. Checkout the following links for all the details. And register your quartet now.

SoCal Novice Memorandum
SoCal Novice Flyer
SoCal Novice Contest Rules
SoCal Novice Quartet Entry Form

If you don't have a qualifying quartet, then plan to attend the contest and cheer the quartets on. It's grand fun and you'll get to hear the future champs in their early days. Someday you'll get to say "Hey, I knew those guys when ...".

NorCal Novice Contest

The Central California chapter is hosting the NorCal Novice contest this year in Ripon, CA, on Saturday, February 23.

Details are available by clicking www.gvc.org/novice.

There is plenty of time to form your quartet and hone your two songs. Invite your friends to join in as audience and be your private cheer leaders. And don't forget the fun afterglow too.

New Contest Entry Requirements

As of 2008, competing quartets and choruses must register for FWD contests no later than 28 days before the event. The main reason for this is so we can secure the correct size judging panels within a reasonable time frame as not to burden the district with excessive travel expenses. Contest entries can be completed via the Society's old Members Only website for all Spring Division and Prelim Contests.

For more information:

Russ Young
russ.young@cox.net

New Chorus Qualification Score for Fall District Contest

Also new for 2008 is the average qualifying score for choruses to be invited to the Fall District Contest. ALL competiting chorus with an average of 58 points will qualify for the District contest. A new MINIMUM score or 50 has been established for all district chorus competitors. Wildcards will be invited to bring the slate to 25 choruses or those scoring 50 and above, whichever is reached first.

For more information:

Russ Young
russ.young@cox.net

Spring Conventions

Be sure to put March 13-15, 2008, on your calendar so that you won't miss the Spring Prelims and the SoCal West Divison Contests. You can register for the convention now by printing the form at 2008 Spring Registration and mailing it in. Remember, early birds get the best seats.

This year we'll be back at Bakersfield and the contests will be at the Harvey Auditorium on the Bakersfield High School campus. For Hotel arrangements see Prelims housing form.

And plan now on attending some fun classes on Friday afternoon. We'll start it off with a Harmony For Lunch Bunch at a local restaurant, followed immediately by the classes.

As details arrive on the other division conventions, the links will be posted at 2008 FWD Conventions.

High School Quartet Contest

Each year at the Spring Prelims convention we also have the High School Quartet Contest and what an enjoyable time it is. Surprising at times too—you just can't predict what the youth will think up.

If you have a quartet at a local high school, it's time to tell them about this contest. There's prize money to be had and a trophy too. You will find all the details at HSQC Information.

Singing For Life

The Singing For Life blood drive is your chapter's opportunity to meet and entertain members of your community. It is not an effort to get the men in your chapter to give blood, although they certainly may. This is a program to help your chapter develop new contacts in your area and to grow your customer base for your shows.

Go to Letter to Presidents and Frequently Asked Questions to get the background you need. Then check out the Getting Started document and get your chapter signed up.

The FWD chairman for the Singing For Life program is Kevin Smith, FWD Marketing and PR Chairman, at kpsmith2007-fwdmktgpr@yahoo.com.

Harmony College West 2008

Harmony College West 2008 will be held in Redlands, CA, this year on July 18-20. The early bird fee will remain at $150 again this year, but after June 20 the fee goes up to $175. We'll once again use the POD quartet coaching method that has been getting rave reviews and we'll offer many classes for individuals again. If you have a class you'd like to see offered, please send an email to hcw@spebsqsafwd.org.

There're be more details later, but for now the two important items are to put July 18-20 on your calendar and to get your chapter to commit to being there. HCW is a valid chapter expense and HCW is a great way to grow the skills of your members.

Train to be a Contest Emcee

For those of you who have ever thought "I could do a better job of emceeing the contest than THAT guy", here is your chance.

The FWD is looking for members who are able to speak comfortably in large groups to become qualified emcees. You don't have to be a comedian, just be able to think on your feet.

If you are interested in becoming a FWD contest emcee, e-mail me and I will tell you how.

Thanks,

Tom Schleier
FWD Emcee Chairman

fredsdad2001@yahoo.com

For Presidents and Treasurers

Required for All Chapters:

  1. Annual Financial Review - must be submitted to Frank Santarelli at the Society HQ in Nashville by May 15th.
  2. IRS 990 Tax Return - a copy must be sent to Frank Santarelli by May 15th.
  3. Gross Receipts Report - All Treasurers will receive a letter/form from Frank Santarelli in March that must be completed and returned to Frank.
The Annual Financial Review and IRS requirements are explained in the "Treasurer's Manual and Exhibits" located on the Society Website.
Treasurer's Manual
Treasurer Exhibits Manual

If you have any questions, contact Jim Sherman, FWD Treasurer at jassherman@msn.com. This link http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=169250,00.html is to the "IRS Website" and states that the "Form 990-N" will be required to be submitted by all Chapters that "Gross" less than $25,000 per year starting with the year ending 12/31/07. This will be due by 5/15/08 and will be an "electronic (no paper)" transmission. The actual form and "How to process" is not available as of October 2007. Each Chapter will be receiving additional instructions from the Society by March 2008.

Attention Chapter Secretaries

Members of your chapter without E-mail will not receive this information and we ask you to print this and share it with them.