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ATTENDEES ~~~~~~~~~ DECs: Toban Dvoretzky (SWD), Casey Parker (FWD). ADECs: John Fisher (MAD), Warren Grant (FWD), Bud Hillier (SUN), Earle Holt (FWD), Tom Millot (CSD), Phil Richards (MAD), Dave Rislove (LOL). OTHER: Russ Seely (PIO), AHSOW BOD. Dvoretzky, who chaired the meeting, opened by acknowledging the lack of administrative support traditionally provided to the DEC program. He unveiled a proposal, to have been voted on by the AHSOW Board had there been a quorum at the meeting the day before, to completely revise and restructure the Board positions in favor of the DECs and AHSOW. (NOTE: This proposal was approved by electronic ballot in March 2002.) The positions and changes pertinent to the DEC program: A Vice-President of Education would oversee the overall strategy of the program, and two Vice-Presidents of Logistics would relieve some of the administrative burden from the DECs so that the latter could concentrate on the musical considerations for which they had been initially appointed. It was noted that, due to the pending retirement of Manager/Treasurer Ed Hartley, the Membership and Treasurer functions would be split between two new offices. Hillier, who for many years had handled both roles, questioned whether the positions could truly be split. Dvoretzky responded that Glenn Schilberg of Pennsylvania, a computer expert, had agreed to assume the Membership function. Richards revealed plans to bill AHSOW renewal dues automatically via access to and tie-in with SPEBSQSA membership records; he foresaw an increase in renewals and enough advantages so that problems could be withstood. For example, changes of address would be available automatically, overcoming the long-standing problem of correcting AHSOW records by hoping that members would notify AHSOW, or of stumbling onto changes accidentally, or by waiting for mail to be returned with updated addresses. The possibility of establishing budgets for DECs was discussed. It was noted that a meal allowance was a "soft" figure, depending on whether personnel ate burgers or steak. Seely suggested allowing $200 for defined items, period. The ideas were taken under advisement. Audition protocol was discussed. Hillier emphasized the importance of capable Qualifying Teams, with four part-experts and an adjudicator to listen. The QT should practice the melodies first. Parker suggested having standard "covert" arrangements of qualification songs; Holt recommended having six Q-songs ready. Parker asked for ideas on how to attract more members to District AHSOW rooms. The group agreed that DECs should acknowledge the general understanding that convention attendees have commitments and that there is limited time in the day, and should couple this with healthy appeals to ego. Holt observed that, often, recruiting is a matter of dragging men by the elbow. Regarding qualifying the busiest of men, Dvoretzky suggested testing them under any circumstances, and keeping track of voice-parts passed months ago; this way, the DEC need not wait for the man's undivided attention for a block of time that the man may not have. The concept of having "Greeters" at Society conventions was addressed. Rislove recommended scheduling the first two days in advance, then asking others to sign up for the days following. The next item was how to handle men who fail their audition. Millot suggested giving the man an idea of the positive and negative possibilities ahead of time. The group agreed that giving the man something in his hand was a wise idea, to be followed with a thank-you note of encouragement later. Parker suggested a "Woodshedder-in-Training" or "Novice-in-Training" badge, to be abbreviated NITWIT. Grant recommended a two-part AHSOW card, with half to be retained by the DEC and half to be torn off and handed to the auditionee. Parker recommended several promotional ideas for woodshedding, such as "Listen Louder," "Naked Harmony," and "Full-Frontal Harmony." Fisher reminded the group of the Baltimore Woodshed Weekend in February. The goal of the organizers and of AHSOW M-AD DEC personnel was more synergy. The meeting ended on a highly positive note, with the attendees more committed than ever to the AHSOW DEC program. Previous meeting minutes, |