—introducing harmony’s equality and diversity · pdf filethese ideals must be...
TRANSCRIPT
August 5, 2017 1
August 5, 2017 Please enjoy and share the August 2017 issue of the E-Note. Archived issues of the E-Note can be found in the members-only section of the Harmony, Inc. website. In this issue:
President’s Message—Introducing Harmony’s Equality and Diversity Committee
Huge Congratulations!
Chapter Tax Filing Reminder (ALL Chapters)
Convention Corner
We Need You
Song Registration
Chapter Bylaws Review
Out of Area Chapters
Another Issue of The Key-Note
Directors First Soaks Up Barbersmarts
International Chorus
Big Screen Ads
Quick Links
Parade of Champions News
Agenda Item Submissions for Annual Meeting 2017
Condolences from the Membership
For the Love of Harmony
Calendar
August 5, 2017 2
Introducing Harmony’s Equality and Diversity Committee Christina Lewellen, International President ([email protected])
Hello, Harmony family! I’m really excited to share with you that your International Board of Directors has recently established a new standing committee. No, really… this is exciting. Committees always excite me, but I’m probably in the minority on that. This committee, however, is one worth getting excited about. The IBOD has established Harmony, Inc.’s Equality and Diversity Committee. Allow me to share with you some language taken directly from the introduction of the committee charter:
“It’s rare for a woman to become a member of Harmony, Incorporated without being indoctrinated—either formally or informally—to our history, traditions, and reasons for existing. Members of 2 months, 2 years, and 20 years and more all carry with them the stories of our founders, the culture we aim to facilitate, and the creed to which we all aspire. Though Harmony, Inc. was founded on a platform of inclusion and diversity, in order to remain a thriving, evolving organization positioned to meet the needs of today’s women, these ideals must receive constant care and feeding. Harmony, Inc. is not only an organization to which “all women can belong” but one in which all women feel as if they belong. For this goal to be achieved, we must move beyond what we say we are to behaving in a manner reflective of what we aim to become. Encouraging a diverse, harassment-free organization falls to the shoulders of each member of Harmony, Inc. However, Harmony, Inc.’s leadership cannot assume each member is equipped to encourage and facilitate diversity and equality. These ideals must be woven into the fabric of our communication, education, and actions in ways both pervasive and permanent to engender the welcoming, positive environment we aim to offer all women. With this charter, we endeavor to launch Harmony, Inc.’s Equality and Diversity Committee. Its goal is simple—striving to make our organization one in which all women feel as if they belong. Accomplishing this goal, however, is easier said than done. It will take commitment, time, and resources. In establishing this committee, the leaders of today’s Harmony, Inc. pay homage to the founders of the organization, reiterating and reinforcing our dedication to these principles and ideals for our members today and in the future.”
Tell me now you don’t agree that this is exciting!?! This committee will be charged with the opportunity to not only develop and suggest to the IBOD policies and procedures, but will take an active role in educating our membership about inclusion and helping our organization continue to live up to our founders’ ideals. This is the first step on what I hope will become a meaningful and impactful journey. Your board approved this charter, which essentially established the committee, on July 22, 2017. I don’t know about you, but I’m so very PROUD of our elected leaders for making this a Harmony, Inc. priority. If you’d like to share your support and thank them, feel free to shoot me an email ([email protected]), and I’ll forward it to the whole board. I love Harmony, Inc. Sorry. I had to say it again. Now I’ll go. But, one more thing…yay!!! (PS-I love us.) Working for Harmony, in harmony. Christina
August 5, 2017 3
Huge Congratulations! Jacquie Jensen, International Contest and Judging Chairman ([email protected])
For the first time EVER, the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) has invited women to seek certification in their judging program. Three Harmony, Inc.-Certified Judges applied to this new program, were accepted, invited to attend, and successfully completed the recent 2017 BHS Judges' Candidate School. Please join me in congratulating Linda Muise (Chairman of Judges/Contest Administrator), Theresa Weatherbee (Performance) and Sandi Wright (Performance) who are three of the eight women who are part of this historic first class of candidates to include women candidates in the BHS judging program. Linda, Theresa and Sandi -- we are SO PROUD of you and look forward to your continued journey in this program.
Chapter Tax Filing Reminder Donna Clarkson, VP Finance ([email protected])
As stated in the Harmony, Incorporated manual, Section 4, Page 4/14, under “Chapters”, item #3: All Chapters operate with a fiscal year of April 1 – March 31. U.S. Chapters should be gathering the necessary information to prepare their U.S. tax return, form 990. Most, if not all, Chapters will file the 990-N postcard, as you have done in the past. Form 990-N is filed electronically and must be filed by August 15, 2017. If your 990-N is rejected, it will mean you must complete form 990EZ, and mail it to the IRS by August 15, 2017. I would recommend mailing by some traceable delivery confirmation form. Please do not wait until the last minute to handle this task. Form 990EZ asks for our Group Exemption number, which is #6067. Canadian Chapters must file a corporation income tax (T2) return every tax year even if there is no tax payable. This includes non-profit organizations, tax-exempt corporations; and inactive corporations. Most corporations can file their return electronically. Please refer to the CRA brochure posted in the members-only section of the Harmony, Inc. website. All Chapters are also reminded they are required to send the VP Finance their respective taxing agency’s acceptance email, if filed electronically or a copy of their return receipt, if mailed. Please email your chapter acceptance or delivery confirmation, and/or any questions to: [email protected]
August 5, 2017 4
Convention Corner Jan DelVecchio, Convention Manager ([email protected])
ICC 2017 Halifax, Nova Scotia
It is time to start the countdown: only 12 weeks until IC&C 2017! A tentative Schedule of Events is now posted to the IC&C website. (Go to the Harmony, Inc. website and click on the lighthouse). Please keep checking back because there will be changes! Accommodation Thanks for the patience of those for whom booking a room was a challenge especially with regard to adding the names of all members sharing a room. You can have the names added to your reservation by calling the hotel (1-902-425-6700). I am trying to determine how many more rooms we might need. Contact me – [email protected] If you do not yet have a room reserved. If you booked a double/double room for two people and you are willing to switch to a King so that
people with 3 or 4 in their room can be accommodated. If you have reserved more rooms than you actually need, please assign rooms ASAP and contact
me before cancelling any. Instructions Please read carefully the instructions sent out by the Convention Team and Executive Secretary, especially in regard to:
1. To whom checks should be made payable. 2. To whom each payment and/or accompanying form should be sent. 3. Filling out forms according to instructions. 4. ADHERENCE TO DEADLINE DATES.
HAR 080 ICC Registration Forms are available on the IC&C website and are due September 15. HAR 117 ICC Dinner Pre-Purchase Forms are on the IC&C website and are due September 29. Forms may be returned by ground mail with a check or money order or by email with payment through PayPal, PopMoney or by E-Mail Transfer through a Canadian Bank. All prices are in Canadian funds but may be paid in U.S. funds with exchange calculated on the day of payment. Rehearsal rooms are available on Thursday through sign-up in the Hospitality Room. There MAY be space available for Chorus rehearsal rooms and/or Breakfasts on Friday morning. For a spot on the waiting list, email [email protected].
August 5, 2017 5
Out-of-area chapters interested in a sales table in the Hospitality Room should contact the Director of Business Services, Nancy Arkin ([email protected]) for further information. Quartets and choruses interested in selling their recordings in the Hospitality Room should contact the Convention On-Site Manager, Barbara-Ann MacIntosh ([email protected]). American members are reminded that: You must have a valid passport. (see instructions for renewing or obtaining one in the April 5 E-Note). You should talk to your cell phone provider about an international add-on. Without it you may be
face expensive roaming charges. You should get some Canadian money. All sales in the Hospitality Room will be in Canadian funds.
Area restaurants MAY or MAY NOT accept U.S. money. You will not get the best rate of exchange and you can plan on receiving your change in Canadian funds.
Jan DelVecchio [email protected]
We Need You! Anne Leinen, Volunteer Manager IC&C ([email protected])
Hello Harmony – I believe that by the time you read this article, there will be a tentative IC&C schedule posted on the Harmony, Inc. website. Very soon I’ll be sending a blast email about using SignUpGenius to volunteer at IC&C in Halifax. Below are the easy steps needed to sign up as a volunteer. 1. Hit the link that will be in the blast email – this will take you to the ICC signup sheet. 2. Click the tab for the event where you want to work. For this example, let’s use “Chorus Contest”. 3. Pick the job you’d like to work - how about door monitor? Find the listing for door monitor on the left-hand side. You’ll see the location and time slot you’ll need to work. Click on the “sign up” button and a checkmark will appear. 4. Hit “Submit and Sign Up” at the bottom of the screen, and you’ll be asked to submit your name and email address. You do NOT need to create a SignUpGenius account, even if you need to change your job at a later date. Hit “Sign Up Now!” and you’ll be done. Your name will appear in that slot on the signup sheet, and you’ll receive an email confirmation from SignUpGenius. 5. Go back and sign up for other jobs! Need to change jobs and/or times? Use one of two ways to let me know: 1. Go back to the signup sheet using the blast link, click on the envelope icon in the top general description area on any of the event signups, and you’ll be able to leave me a message. 2. Email me directly at [email protected]. Feel free to email me at the above address with any questions about signing up – we need your help to make IC&C in Halifax a success!! .
August 5, 2017 6
Song Registration Erin Cassidy, Copyright & Licensing Coordinator ([email protected])
Performing Choruses and Quartets: The time approaches for your completion of the Song Registration forms (HAR-082) (link: http://www.harmonymembers.org/docs/ICC/HAR-082-ContestantSongRegistration.pdf) submitted each year prior to your appearance on the International stage. Forms are found on Harmony’s website in the Members-Only section. One of the easiest ways to gather info is checking your manuscript of the songs intended for the contest/performance stage. Failing that, go to: https://secure.harryfox.com/songfile/public/publicsearch.jsp. This is a public search of the songs on file with Harry Fox Agency. It does not oblige you to buy anything but takes you to the HFA Search page where you enter the correct song title and composer information. Once you see the correct song (with HFA letter/number identification), click on the title. You will be directed to the song’s current publisher/copyright information. This MAY include a “Copyright Control” statement, which means there are other owners. Just include that on the form, and we will figure it out from there! The following information is needed for each song in your contest set:
- Correct song title (correct spelling). - Composer and/or lyricist name(s) – again, with correct spelling. For instance, Gus Kahn and
Sammy Cahn. - Copyright date (NOTE: if 1922 or prior, song may be in Public Domain. PD = royalties no longer
apply to composers, but do to arrangers). Copyright date may be found on the Internet or may be listed in Variety Music Cavalcade, which lists songs before 1800 up to 1974.
- Copyright owner (again, if PD, song’s arranger gets the royalties). NOTE: Copyright ownership is a “slippery slope,” and changes with regularity—what is true one year may NOT be true the following year OR copyright may be held by joint owners!
If you run into problems, contact the me at [email protected] ALL performers must submit the form. This includes the Silver Division Chorus Contest, both semi-final and final rounds of Quartet Contest, the International Chorus Contest, Friday’s Parade of Champions and the Saturday Showcase. That means that this coordinator must have received ALL of the song registration information for EVERY song presented and performed during the Halifax convention! Think about your upcoming presentations and PLEASE ADHERE TO ALL DEADLINES!
Chapter Bylaws Review Debbie Parmerter, International Parliamentarian ([email protected])
Are your Chapter Bylaws up to date? Bylaws should be reviewed at least every 5 years. If it has been a while since they were last looked at, maybe now is the time to review them. Need help with this? A good place to start is our Corporate Manual, Section 6 – Pages 6.15 through 6.19, Model Chapter Bylaws. Pay particular attention to Article III: Membership, Section B and Article XII: Dissolution Clause. These two sections might need to be updated in your bylaws. Any changes to your bylaws should be sent to the International Parliamentarian for review and approval prior to a chapter membership vote. Questions? Contact [email protected].
August 5, 2017 7
Out of Area Chapters Nancy Arkin, Director of Business Services ([email protected] )
The Harmony Mall has openings for Harmony members who are interested in selling their wares. This is a unique opportunity for you or your chapter to become a vendor in our Harmony Mall and share the excitement and enthusiasm of approximately 1,000 women barbershop singers who love to shop. This is a great opportunity for your chapter to earn those extra funds for coaching, costumes, music, learning tracks, etc. If you are a chapter outside of Area 1 and you’d like to have a sales table at IC&C, please go to form HAR – 124 on the Member Only section of the website. The Harmony Mall is a highlight of our convention. Our ladies love to sing and shop!! Please contact Nancy Arkin, Director of Business Services, at [email protected] for more information.
Another Issue of The Key-Note Amy Johnson, Director of Communications ([email protected])
As you know, for many years now, The Key-Note has been an annual publication, mostly a yearbook commemorating the latest IC&C. Last year, however, we thought we’d expand our coverage with an extra mid-year (Summer/Fall) issue to cover all the rest of the many activities that are Harmony. We’re continuing that process for 2017. The Summer/Fall issue is an opportunity for Areas to celebrate the activities at their AC&C’s, and let our Harmony sisters in other Areas know what’s going on in our backyards. It’s also a good forum for announcing coming events in the Area and posting flyers of same. We’d also like to highlight the community outreach activities and performances of our quartets and chapters. And don’t forget to tell us about your Find Your Voice campaign and what it has meant to your chapter and your community. The Key-Note staff and its brand-new editor, Sara Wood, are standing by to edit your copy, process your pictures, and get this fun publication onto your computer screens. I promised Sara she’d have LOTS of material to work with, so…
Please, right now, sit down and write a little something about your recent Harmony experience, either at AC&C, in your community, or at your chapter meeting. Attach a couple of photos and email it all to [email protected] by August 15. Plus, if you have a show flyer for your Fall or Holiday show, or an Area education event, why not send it along, too? It’s great fun to see what our sisters in song are up to.
August 5, 2017 8
Directors First Soaks Up The Barbersmarts! Roxanne Powell, Vice President Education ([email protected])
DIRECTORS FIRST CLASS ONE – (clockwise from back left) Bonnie-Sue Bonell-Dowdall, Baytones Harmony; Susanna Kember, ScotianAires; Sara Stone, Covered Bridge Harmony; Wendy Arnold, Toronto Accolades; Christina Tramack (inset), New England Voices in Harmony; Janice Westphal, Sound Celebration; Randy Parish-Bell, California Note Catchers; Pam Ringo, Bluegrass Harmony; Nancy Oliver, Harmony Falls are the leading edge of Harmony, Inc.’s five-year initiative to send a musical leader from each Harmony chapter to Harmony University on scholarship.
We Did It!
Nine Harmony directors attended Harmony University last week courtesy of the hundreds of donors to the Directors First initiative in the U.S. and Sing Canada Harmony. They were immersed in a week-long learning experience where they expanded their knowledge and raised their skills to new heights, to better serve their home chapters.
“Harmony University is AMAZING!” exclaimed Bluegrass Harmony Director Pam Ringo in a Facebook post. “My favorite two classes so far, were my last of the day yesterday with Larry Dodge, which was Melding Techniques for Directors (SO much GREAT stuff) and my lunchtime elective with the wonderfully awesome Kim Wonders, where I learned SO much I can take back and immediately share with my Bluegrass Harmony girls next week! WOW! What a blessing from Harmony, Incorporated for giving me this opportunity!”
Harmony, Inc. members have long known that the strength of our organization rests in the hands of our musical directors. Strong directors contribute to strong chapters, which are the basis for strong Areas and a strong international organization.
We are off and running.
Now we need to build momentum for Class Two.
You know how there’s never been a Harmony, Inc. initiative so singularly focused on supporting our directors and musical leaders, right? The time to embrace the power of Directors First is right now!
Watch the video. Learn about the program. Organize your donation.
Get your whole chapter in on the campaign and make a group donation to Directors First! We’ll be happy to recognize your effort on social media and in the next issue of the E-Note. And you never know what sort of recognition will be in store if you're the chapter with the greatest degree of support for Directors First.
Watch Harmony, Inc. grow and flourish. It all seems pretty simple when we put our directors first, doesn’t it?
Stronger directors = stronger chapters = stronger Areas = stronger Harmony, Inc.
August 5, 2017 9
International Chorus Nancy Flagel, Music Coordinator ([email protected])
Hard to believe it is only three months to IC&C! If you have not submitted your names from your chorus, please do so in order that music and learning tracks can be distributed. Music and learning tracks have been distributed to all names I have received to date. If you did not receive please let me know. There may be room for a few more participants, so if you are interested please send me your name, email address and the part you sing and I will start a list. Thank you and looking forward to singing with the International Chorus.
Big Screen Ads Nancy Arkin, Director of Business Services ([email protected])
IC&C will be here before we know it – here’s a great opportunity to cheer on your favorite quartets and choruses, thank a coach, the Convention Team, or IBOD – the possibilities are endless! For only $33 CAD, any Harmony, Inc. member, quartet or chorus can place an ad on the big screen which will be displayed throughout the convention. You can find the form (HAR-092) with all the pertinent instructions in the members-only area of the Harmony, Inc. website. Deadline for ads is September 1, 2017. Questions? Contact Nancy Arkin at [email protected].
Quick Links
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HarmonyIncorporated YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/HarmonyInc59 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarmonyInc Barbershop Harmony Society Convention: http://www.barbershop.org/vegas/ Barbershop Harmony Society Webcast: http://live.barbershop.org/17/index.php Barbershop Harmony Society Everyone in Harmony So you THINK you want to serve Harmony, Inc.? Check THIS out! Leadership: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHnnKQYo--o&feature=youtu.be
August 5, 2017 10
2017 Parade of Champions
You don’t want to miss this fantastic show! Why?
A number of wonderful Harmony, Inc. championship quartets will perform for you, including our current International Quartet Champions, TAKEN 4 GRANITE!
The ASSOCIATION OF HARMONY QUEENS chorus will blend their voices together to sing some beautiful songs for you!
We will honor the anniversaries of past International Quartet Champions, including the 50th anniversary of the Debonaires who won in 1967!
Our current International Chorus Champions – A CAPPELLA SHOWCASE – will entertain you in a style that only they can do!
And both TAKEN 4 GRANITE and A CAPPELLA SHOWCASE will perform their swan package on the Parade of Champions
AND! Taken 4 Granite will receive their permanent crowns!
So obviously you really don’t want to miss it! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
What does it cost to experience this FANTASTIC show?
Attendance at the Parade of Champions is by donation. SUGGESTED DONATION: $10
WHY? The Association of Harmony Queens puts this show on every year to raise funds for the Queen’s
Travel Fund, which is a fund that helps finance the travel expense of bringing any registered Harmony Queens Quartet to your chapter show or Area educational event.
(Donations will be accepted at the door.)
See you there!
August 5, 2017 11
Agenda Item Submissions for Annual Meeting 2017 “D” Dyer, Executive Secretary, ([email protected] )
The official Agenda Items Submission Form (HAR 009) for the International Board of Directors Annual Meeting is available on the members-only section of the Harmony, Inc. website. When submitting agenda items for the Annual Board Meeting please be sure to complete the entire form and send a copy to the International President and the Executive Secretary. Deadline return date: SEPT 30, 2017 (postmark date). (Mailing and email addresses are noted on the form). Please remember that this is your opportunity and your RIGHT as a chapter or individual member to submit items for consideration by the International Board at the Annual Meeting. Agenda Items submitted after the deadline date will be considered at the Annual Meeting if time allows. If not, they will be carried forward to the next meeting of the International Board of Directors.
Condolences from the Membership
To Debi Fouts, Harmony Magic (Area 4) on the loss of her mother in-law, Doris Fouts.
To Debbie Bradley, ScotianAires (Area 1) on the loss of her brother Kevin Bradley.
To Theresa Hurlburt, ScotianAires (Area 1) on the loss of her husband, Errol Hurlburt.
To Nanda Landers, Women of Note (Area 2) on the loss of her father, Boudewijn van Roijen
Those we cherish will always live on in memory ****************************
For the Love of Harmony
Your donations to the For the Love of Harmony program enable you to identify individuals or groups to receive special recognition, while at the same time, provide a monetary gift to Harmony, Inc. families, friends, members, quartets, chapters, may all make a gift in honor of someone who is celebrating a special day or event...or, you may wish to memorialize a special someone who touched your life, or who enhanced your barbershopping experience.
Medium Heart on the website: From: Bev and Bill Jackson in celebration of Ellyn and Harry Hakomaki’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations!
CALENDAR
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
2017 Annual Meeting of the International Board
October 30 - November 1 Halifax, NS
2017 IC&C November 1-5 Halifax Convention Centre, Halifax, NS
2018 IC&C
October 31 – November 4 Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Lake Buena Vista, FL
2019 IC&C November 6 - 10 Kalahari Resort & Convention Centre, Sandusky, OH
August 5, 2017 12
2020 IC&C November 4 - 8 Galt House, Louisville, KY
AREA EVENTS
Area 2 FLASHMOB “Something Inside So Strong”
August 19, 2017 Rehearsal: 11:30am Singing at the Mall: 2:00pm
Rehearsal: Grace Baptist Church 353 River Rd. Hudson, MA Performance: Solomon Pond Mall Marlborough, MA Sign up/Contact: Ashley Lang
CHAPTER EVENTS 2017
Sisters of Sound Show August 26, 2017 (6pm) East Ridge Middle School Clermont, FL Contact: Emily Kurz
Harmony in Motion Show September 17, 2017 3pm Kittany Regional High School Contact: Diana Sheeran
Barre-Tones Show September 23, 2017 7pm Barre Opera House, Barre, VT Contact: Julia Morgan
Women of Note Show September 23, 2017 2pm Maynard High School Contact: Janet Billings Sarah Gerlt
Harmony Sound Waves Show
September 24, 2017 (3pm) First Presbyterian Church 509 Magnolia St. New Smyrna Beach, FL Contact: Phyllis Fairley
Northern Blend Chorus Show
October 14, 2017 (7pm) Dulles State Office Building Watertown, NY Contact: Mary Ann Wert
Sound Celebration Show October 20, 2017 (7pm) October 21, 2017 (2pm)
Plymouth Arts Center, Plymouth, WI Contact: Val Hunt
Crystal Chords Show October 21, 2017 (7pm) First Presbyterian Church 2943 Westinghouse Rd Horesheads, NY 14845 Contact: Jessica Rhodes
Toronto Accolades Show November 12, 2017 (2pm) York Woods Library Theatre Contact: Toronto Accolades