We are not only greatly in need of new members in all age categories, but there is a particular need for singers in the under 60 year old range. For our chapter to survive the next decade, we need younger members. I don't say that to be morbid, but just a fact that can no longer be ignored. Our new Membership and De velopment VP, Ralph Rock, will have his work cut out for him. We all need to back him in all his efforts, and to offer viable suggestions that will help increase our membership.
2. Membership Involvement - As in most organizations it seems like 10% of the members do 100% of the work, while the rest of the membership offers excuses, some reasonable, but most fairly lame. To paraphrase JFK, "ask not what your chapter can do for you, ask what you can do for your chapter!" For this chapter to survive and thrive, we need a commitment from every member to either take an office, be on the board, serve on a committee, actively search out new members, or whatever else it takes to keep the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter alive and well.
3. More Variety in Tuesday night rehearsals - In order to attract more members, old and new, to our weekly rehearsals, we need to make our rehearsals more interesting, more educational, and with a lot more variety. I would like to restore some of the activities we have had in the past, but no longer have, such as; (a) visits to other chapter, (b) other chapters visiting us, (c) show exchanges with chapters outside the state (e.g. Scottsdale), (d) seminars presented by staff from inter national or individuals in the Greater Pittsburgh area who can help the chorus sing better, (e) more time allotted for presentations of various forms of barbershop craft, (f) re-establish the Barber Pole-cat program, (g) get more members involved in quartetting, (h) etc. (TBD as the year progresses).
4. International Society Support -The largest portion of our dues goes to international society. We need to start taking more advantage of what the society has to offer our chapter, and demand their assistance when we need it.
5. Support for New Members - When a man visits the chapter, shows an interest in joining, and then is left out on a limb to dry, we are all at fault. The new members need to feel that they truly belong to an organization that will help them when they need the help and will accept their help when offered. We need to spend more time on the E of SPEBSQSA!
6. Weekly, Monthly, Yearly Awards - We have to start letting members know they are appreciated for all their efforts. There should be awards for attendance (not only at sing-outs, but for showing up at weekly rehearsals), and awards for all involvement in all aspects of chapter activities.
7. Discipline - I don't like the word. It reminds me too much of my former profession. I would prefer to use the words, common courtesy. We are all (including myself) guilty of not giving our undivided attention to whomever is in charge at any given particular time. This has been a problem with the Three Rivers Chorus for as long as I can remember. There are no easy solutions. Let us all make a vow to be more considerate of those individuals who are in front of the chorus endeavoring to help us.
8. Open Communication - I have heard members complain that they never know what goes on at board meetings, in particular our fmancial position. As you know, Tom Koch reports most of what transpires at board meetings in the Pitchburgh Press. It would be inappropriate to report on the financial status of our chapter in a publication that makes its way into the hands of non-members. Board meetings are open to all members, and I would like to encourage all members to attend occasionally. If you would like to know our financial status, any board member would be more than willing to share that information.
9. Positive Attitude - All of our goals may look good on paper, but if we don't approach the year 2004 with the attitude that anything is possible, that is where the goals will stay, on paper!
10. 2003 Officers and Board members - I would personally like to thank all the 2003 officers and board members for doing an outstanding job.