| From: Toban Dvoretzky President, Ancient Harmonious Society of Woodshedders, Inc. 5 June 2001 Dear AHSOW member: AHSOW News (with possible Response Items) Greetings! This is one of several AHSOW newsletters that you will receive this year. If you have an e-mail address other than this one where you prefer to receive AHSOW notices, please report it, or report any pending changes to your e-mail address, to TBone@selec.net. Some possible Response Items are below. You need not reply to the first item if you are not going to Nashville, and you need not reply to the second item if you have no specific opinions. If you do respond, please make your comments as noticeable as possible, preferably at the top of your return message or (even better) alone in a new message to TBone@selec.net by June 11 at latest. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= WELCOME YOUR NEWEST AHSOW BOARD MEMBERS At the Jacksonville Mid-Winter, the AHSOW Board members were polled as to whether they wished to run for another term, and/or whether they wished to step down early if a midterm replacement were found. At-Large members Terry Clarke and Bud Hillier indicated their willingness to step off early. Terry's term was to expire in July 2001, and Bud's in July 2002. AHSOW is grateful to Terry for his contributions despite his very busy professional obligations. Each of us owes Bud Hillier more than we may ever know, because it was Bud who saved AHSOW from administratively imploding during its earliest years. Please write Bud at BudAHSOW@aol.com to thank him for his dedication and many years of service. AHSOW is fortunate to have found two outstanding Barbershoppers to fill these Board slots: Don Dobson (for Clarke) and Gil Lefholz (for Hillier). Don Dobson served as President of the Northeastern District (1959-1960). He was Associate International Secretary for SPEBSQSA (1953-1955) when Society headquarters were in Detroit. He directed the Marblehead, Mass. chapter chorus. He was a certified Harmony Accuracy/Balance & Blend judge; he has sung Tenor with the silver medalist "Four Rascals" (1959-present); he's a proud AHSOW member and an Assistant District Educator & Certifier for AHSOW in the Dixie District; and he is a Standing Ovation reviewer in Dixie. He has been a Society member for 53 years. He remains an active member of the chapter chorus and a quartet in the Wilmington, NC chapter. Don served in the Air Force for three years. He has five children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Professionally, he was the president of two banks in Massachusetts, spending 35 years in the financial industry. In his short time on the AHSOW Board, Don has already provided much valuable insight that will be put to use on your behalf. He plans to run for a full at-large term of his own on the AHSOW Board this July. Gil Lefholz joined the Society in 1954 and remains an active member of the Kansas City chapter. He has held virtually every chapter office, and he has held every office in the Central States District. He chaired the 1989 International Convention in Kansas City. He served as an International Board Member from CSD from 1976 through 1979 and on the Society's Executive Committee from 1981 through 1984. He was SPEBSQSA's International President in 1985 and 1986. He was certified as a Harmony Accuracy judge in 1974. He served as the Society's International Ethics Committee Chairman (1978-1979). He was a Trustee on the Board of Directors of the Institute of Logopedics for a three-year term. He has sung in numerous quartets, notably with The Kippers (1961-1971) -- this quartet was an International semifinalist from 1962 through 1966, finishing as high as 12th place. During the Vietnam War, The Kippers were accepted the U.S. Department of Defense's invitation to do a 21-day entertainment tour of the Pacific Circuit for the Armed Services. Last but not least, Gil is a charter member of AHSOW. Gil has been married to the same wonderful lady since 1954, and their daughter is a medical doctor in Texas. Gil also served for nearly four years as a Flight Engineer in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. In 1992, he retired from Trans World Airlines after nearly 39 years of employment. Please extend your congratulations to Don and Gil on their willingness to apply their immense capabilities and experience to the benefit of AHSOW. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= PERSONAL UPDATE #1 Last time, we learned that AHSOW member Bob LeClair (Illinois) was about to undergo aggressive cancer treatments. Your message of support meant so much to Bob that his family printed it out and included it in a 3-ring binder. Bob has been taking the treatments well, and hopes are high that he will lick this thing. It isn't over yet, so write Bob again at TyronesBud@webtv.net to let him know that you're still thinking of him. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= AHSOW IN NASHVILLE Be sure to attend AHSOW's meetings and singing in Nashville -- all in the "Davidson C" room of the headquarters hotel: Board Meeting: Tuesday, July 3 -- 7:30 p.m. Every AHSOW member is welcome. Come hear what's been accomplished and what's in the hopper. Approximate agenda: Call to order; review of the responsibilities of AHSOW Board members; review/approve Mid-Winter minutes; membership/financial reports; Board nominations; discuss organizational growth/income streams; discuss overhauling the membership-renewal process; establishment of new Marketing/P.R. division; District issues; discussion/approval of revised Bylaws; discuss Mission Statement; practice the "How It All Began" mini-show; discuss customer service. The proposed revised Bylaws will require Board approval, membership approval, SPEBSQSA approval, and endorsement by the Texas Corporations Section in order to comply with AHSOW's incorporated status in Texas. Highlights of changes: Redefine officerships by renaming the Vice-President "Executive Vice-President & Chief Educator" and establishing a new Vice-President of Marketing & Public Relations; permit flexible membership-renewal plans; permit electronic voting; permit reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses for official AHSOW business; and eliminate the requirement for two years of membership in SPEBSQSA before one can be eligible for AHSOW membership (under the proposed revision, either a SPEBSQSA member can woodshed, or he cannot -- his years in SPEBSQSA become irrelevant). DEC/Woodshedding Enthusiast Meeting: Friday, July 6 -- 8:45 a.m. All AHSOW District Educator & Certifier personnel are expected to attend, and all supporters of woodshedding are highly encouraged to attend. Member Meeting: Saturday, July 7 -- 9 a.m. Come elect your new AHSOW Board and hear about other happenings. Every such meeting in recent years has ended in time for everyone to depart for the SPEBSQSA chorus contest in unhurried fashion. Election: The nominated officers and directors up for election are: President: Toban Dvoretzky (SWD), 2-year term (re-election) Vice-President: Steve Shannon (SWD), 2-year term (re-election) Secretary: Fred Hinesley (DIX), special 1-yr. term (re-election) Manager/Treasurer: Ed Hartley (EVG), 1-year term (re-election) At-Large: Don Dobson (DIX), 3-year full term At-Large: Bob Folk (SUN), 3-yr. term (succeeding Tom Millot). Any voting AHSOW member in good standing may, with the second of any other voting AHSOW member in good standing, nominate a member in good standing for an elective position. The nominee who agrees to serve, who meets the qualifications for an elective position, and who has been duly nominated may be elected to an elective position. This election will be by voice-vote at the annual meeting of members (Saturday in Nashville). While AHSOW plans to investigate the feasibility of voting electronically in the future, it's important that you attend the Member Meeting to cast your vote in this election. Naturally, woodshedding will occur before, after, and even during the meetings. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= PERSONAL UPDATE #2 AHSOW Board member Ken Wheeler lost his father a couple of months ago. In response to your extension of support, Ken says: "You have no idea of the goodness of your fellow man. The outpouring of love, sympathy, and concern has been overwhelming! Everyone from old dear friends to people I've never met have called, written, and e-mailed me with words of support, friendship, and caring. It has been said for years that 'Barbershop is Love,' and these messages have proven it in spades. Please convey my sincerest thanks and gratitude to all who have helped me in so many ways." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE: MISSION STATEMENT We had asked for your ideas about a possible Mission Statement for AHSOW. Dozens of fine ideas poured in. It may be that AHSOW will adopt as simple a statement as possible, perhaps along with a Vision Statement. The idea, of course, is to have something that people can remember and be able to repeat. Stay tuned for future word on this. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= CONGRATULATIONS (#1) AHSOW Secretary Fred Hinesley was named Dixie District Barbershopper of the Year. Besides Fred's tireless service on the AHSOW Board, he has produced an international-medalist bulletin more than once, and he has performed many other duties for the Dixie District for many years. You may write Fred at Hinesley@juno.com to congratulate him on this highly deserved award. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= POSSIBLE RESPONSE ITEM #1 Your AHSOW Board must make a number of decisions each year. Some are guided by codified rules and some are guided by tradition, but most result from an ineffable sense of what is "right" for the membership. Typically, these decisions boil down to the question of what to do with the financial resources that you have entrusted to AHSOW. When there is a spirited discussion in an AHSOW Board meeting, it's a good bet that it involves how your money is being spent. AHSOW is one of the financially strongest subsidiary groups in the Society, and if there's one organizational area that one wants to be excellent, it's the treasury. AHSOW's treasury has grown every year recently, and thousands of dollars of unrestricted funds reside in a money-market account. On one hand, a single year of fiscal irresponsibility could easily wipe that out. On the other hand, endlessly adding more cash to the bank accounts is not the goal of this organization. Historically, AHSOW's administrative expenses have been kept to a minimum through parsimonious financial management. Elected members and appointed District personnel have functioned almost totally "out-of-pocket," absorbing AHSOW-related expenses in service to you. The perennial challenge for the officers of this organization is how to make the most appropriate use of the funds available for disposal. Questions include: - How much should be spent in pursuit of new members? (Long-term group strength depends upon new members replacing lapsed ones.) - How much should be spent on expanding current members' opportunities to participate? - Should AHSOW put out more "hard-copy" newsletters and other productions? (The fundamental purpose of a newsletter is to promote activities. Other items, such as folios, tapes, and printed educational material, increase knowledge and enhance enjoyment of membership.) - How much should AHSOW spend on "identity" items (e.g., new badges)? - How much should AHSOW spend on promotion of woodshedding in Barbershop circles? Should this promotion include seminars, demonstrations, "road shows," etc., including at HEP schools where a District budget will not permit a woodshedding leader to be brought in? The answers to these and similar questions depend on what the membership expects in return for its dues. Putting yourself in a position of decision-making, please tell your AHSOW leadership what YOU would do. Please respond to TBone@selec.net by June 11 at latest. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= CONGRATULATIONS (#2) At the Illinois District's 2001 Spring Convention, Jack Baird was honored for competing in his 100th quartet contest. The implications of this accomplishment are staggering, and they're all positive. You may write Jack at JackBaird@aol.com to congratulate him on this phenomenal feat. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= POSSIBLE RESPONSE ITEM #2 At last year's International, volunteer "Greeters" manned the AHSOW room. The purpose of a Greeter is to welcome members and guests to the room, find out what they desire, and guide them accordingly. This is to avoid complaints from folks who may be left standing around while the room staff is busy. Last year, Greeters were asked to dedicate 45 minutes, with 15 minutes of subsequent "woodshedding for fun" with the best singers in the room. Virtually every Greeter stayed far longer in the room than the 15 minutes. One Greeter noted, "I sure am glad I volunteered -- I'd forgotten how much fun this is!" The same opportunity exists again. Every Nashville attendee is encouraged to volunteer for duty as a Greeter (and for the subsequent fun). Pick a "window" of time on each day and night of the convention when you can be available -- e.g.: "Wednesday, 2-5 p.m. -- after 3:30 is optimal." "Thursday, from after the last quartet round until midnight." "Friday, anytime from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 - 4 p.m. All who volunteer will receive some guidelines. This year, we'll add refinements and even double-schedule some men during peak times. If you're willing to serve more than one shift, or back-to-back shifts, please so state. Compiling a "Greeter" schedule is an intricate business. Please respond with your availability to TBone@selec.net at your very earliest opportunity. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= WRAP-UP FOR THIS MESSAGE I am grateful to work on your behalf, and I intend to lead the charge throughout 2001 and beyond. Your responsiveness to administrative items and to requests for service will enhance the AHSOW Board's effectiveness and your experience as a member of our elite "discovery singing" society. Thank you for the privilege of serving as your President and writing these words to you. Yours for an old song, ANCIENT HARMONIOUS SOCIETY OF WOODSHEDDERS, INC. Toban Dvoretzky, Pres. TBone@selec.net (H) 14531 Ella Blvd., #3806 (281) 876-0888 H; FAX 281.876.2241 Houston, TX 77014-2558, U.S.A. http://www.ahsow.org http://www.ahsow.org or contact Toban Dvoretzky. Previous news. |