Membership Report for 10-21-20 Board Meeting
1. We are still averaging 21 members on our weekly Zoom meetings. Rochelle is no longer attending our zoom rehearsals. Chuck Brooks is coming on at the beginning of our meeting. Karen and Kevin are still out . Now that the High Holidays are over, maybe they will return. The breakout rooms are working out very good. The feedback from our section leaders and their assistants is very helpful. I would like to see the Program V.P. schedule a visitation with Santa Clarita Men in Harmony Chorus on one of our Monday night meetings . This would have to fit into the weekly schedule set up by Tom and music team.
2. On September 17,2020 I sent a letter to the Babershop Harmony Society stating the status of our chorus at this time, and all the things we've been doing on Zoom. The BHS has a new program called Project Connect. This project is designed to help chapters recruit, retain, and make their virtual meeting more interesting and enjoyable for all the members. Here is their reply sent on September 25,2020.
Thanks for the email. Apologies for the delay in getting back to you.
Sounds like you are already doing a lot " right" even in the midst of the complications of COVID. I'd recommend starting with a virtual visit from Kathie Macdonald ( bass of GQ and our Recruitment & Retention Manager ). She does a great job of giving some tools and tips for engaging your own members and getting them more likely to invite guests to your virtual rehearsals. She's also got some great in sight into adding some variety and other techniques into your rehearsals to keep everyone interested even though the experience isn't what we're used to.
If you decided to do a specific " virtual guest night" let me know and i can have marketing mock up a promo poster for it that you can promote. What night are your virtual rehearsals on and I'll see if Katie is avaiable and can join you ?
Nate Ogg, Chapter Success Manager Barbershop Harmony Society. Tel 800-876-7464
I already sent this letter and responce to Tom and the Music Team to decide on a date.
3. On October 6,2020 I received a letter from Howard Moon, past chorus member, and member of Encore. When Tom Mayfield passed away in 2018, Howard donated to the chapter money for a two year Tom Mayfield Memorial Award. This award was given out for years of community service.The last award given out in 2019 to Phyllis and Bill Cohen.
Tom Mayfield was an active member of the Valleyaires Barbershop chorus for many years. He served on the board as president, He was B.O.T.Y. in 1994. Tom also started Encore ( Entertainment Community Outreach Ensemble in 1990. He was manager and director up until 2006 when he left to be with his family in Libreville, Illinois. That when I took over Encore for the next 6 years. On our new website Latest Galleries yiu'll found several Encore performance and annual luncheon pictures. Please enjoy these pictures and reflect on all those wonderful chorus members who are no longer with us.
I sent Howard a picture of our chorus on zoom. Here is Howards letter; Ben, Words fail to express my pride and joy to see so many of my Valleyaires ( our former name ) friends back on their feet singing their little hearts out under their incomparable director, Tom Raffety. What a pleasure. We have public men's chorus locally but did enjoy a full roster barbershop chorus in 1980, a 27 member community men's chorus from 1990 - 2007, and a terrific 23 member summertime choruses in 2010- 2011. , until our director moved back to Fresno. A former member is formenting for a church based men's chorus. I'll do what I can to spread the barbershop harmony virus. I'm pretty busy with a classical guitar group but if we can make it back to California next Spring or Summer, I would love to fill a space on the risers with you. Please add me to your newsletter list and say hi to the guys.
Thanks a lot, Howard Moon [email protected]
Ben Marder, Membership V.P. VHS 10-16-20
