Goals & Membership - Continued from page one
new member who quit our chapter because he wasn't getting the attention he felt he deserved, and had been promised, as a new member. Who's fault is that? Everybody's, especially mine. It was pointed out to me by a trusted member of the board that it behooves the president to recognize and converse with each new member on a regular basis. I fully agree, and I will be doing more to rectify this in the future.
It is also imperative that any member who brings in a new member assume a responsibility to follow up and make sure the new member feels welcome and gets what ever assistance he needs to assimilate into the chapter. Losing a member, such as in the case of John Matusz, is deadly. That person will talk to other potential members, who will talk to others, etc., etc. This creates a domino effect that can continue for a long time. We cannot afford to let this happen.
Bringing in new members is normally done through personal contact. We should treat every man as a potential member. The use of business cards and flyers is a must. The other way to bring new members to the chapter is more difficult. We have to develop a reputation that will encourage someone to want to sing with us.
During our recent chapter visitation to the Metro Chapter, there was a young man present who had just moved from Erie to Pittsburgh. He is a barbershopper and was looking for another chapter to transfer to. I sang with him at the afterglow and thought he would make a wonderful addition to our chapter. He has a beautiful lead/tenor voice and reads music. That night he asked for a membership application to the Metro Chapter. Why not Greater Pittsburgh?
I think we all know the answer to that, so what can we do about it? There is no easy solution and we will all have to put much effort into solving this problem. Ralph Rock has been doing a fantastic job getting our chapter publicized, but we need more help from individual members. Ralph would love to get your input and thoughts regarding membership. If you need help on how to approach potential members, see Ralph and also go to the Society web-site where there are many suggestions and pointers.
Let's all add this to our private goals... earn two men-of-note awards by the end of 2005. That would surpass our goal of eighty new members. "Can we build it? Yes we can!" "Bob the builder."
A Change Of Pace
By Jay Garber, chorus manager
As a member chapter of a national society, whose mission is to encourage and preserve the barbersbop art form, our public performances are the most visible vehicle in accomplishing that fact.Not only do we let our audience hear and appreciate the expanded sounds of four-part harmony, we also demonstrate that age, race, education, musical accomplishment or even vocal excellence are not determining factors in producing our desired sound.
Singing with our chorus is easy, entertaining, satisfying and just about anyone can do it. Hopefuliy, we demonstrate this to our audiences every time we perform in public. This is how we attract new members.
Since our repertoire is normally vintage songs that are most familiar to older listeners, it is only logical that most of our performances are to AARP groups, senior clubs, retirement residences and medical facilities. The smiles we get are usually all we need to know our efforts are appreciated.
This year I have tried to not only have the chorus continue performing for our primary age demographic, but to expose the barbershop stye to a cross-section of the population. In addition, I have tried to give our singers a better understanding of how we fit into the entire entertainment community.
We have sung in the past with female singers, high school & college students, banjo players, and quartet champions. In the main, they have all performed "our kind of music." I went looking for diversity.
In 2004, for, the first time, we have shared stages with brass bands, drum & bugle corps, mimes, clowns, dancers and actors. We have sung for kids, teens, and young adults. This not only expands the public awareness of barbershop harmony, but it expands our personal experience as singers and performers.
I have heard positive comments from those in our audiences and from the members of the chapter. Let's see more or our men enjoying the experience by attending these programs and feeling the pride that goes with it.