January 2006

Dear Regional Leaders,

It’s hard to believe it’s 2006! I do hope you all enjoyed some down time with your families over the holiday season. It’s now time to look forward.

As you know, January 15 is the deadline for submitting input to the Regional Leadership Coordinators, via headquarters, regarding the proposed restructure of the Regional Management Teams. Thank you to those who have already responded. We are looking forward to receiving more this week. Please be aware that it is really important to meet the deadline. Our staff at headquarters plans their schedules to meet each international committee's and does a great job of keeping those balls in the air. Let’s make sure we keep up our end of the deal.

The international appointments have been announced and I would like to thank you for the excellent work in nominating suitable candidates for the two positions this year. I do hope you can find jobs for the candidates who were not appointed as they have many talents to offer. Congratulations to our incumbents and new appointees and special thanks to our team members stepping down at the end of April for the hard work and commitment to your regions.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2006.

Ellen Gallacher
RLC Moderator

Volunteering and Volunteerism
By Toula Oberlies, Capital City Chorus
Chapter Coordinator Region 4, International Faculty Associate
 

What is volunteerism? What does it mean to be a volunteer?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word volunteer as “A person who performs or gives his services of his own free will.” And, “A person who renders aid, performs a service, or assumes an obligation voluntarily.” 

This same dictionary defines volunteerism as, “The theory, act, or practice of being a volunteer or of using volunteers in community service work.”

Why do people volunteer? Volunteerism makes some people feel good about themselves. Others volunteer to use talents they may not use at home or at work. A guitar-playing store manager, for example, may play for special needs children at the Special Olympics, or a creative stay-at-home mom may create brochures and flyers on her computer for her child’s school fund-raising efforts. Others volunteer because it increases exposure and thereby helps promote their business. 

We in Sweet Adelines International rely on volunteers for the success of just about everything we do in our organization. Our chapters and our regions are managed and governed entirely by volunteers. Our events are planned and accomplished entirely by teams of volunteers.   

Whether one can volunteer a lot (or a little) of her time and talents, volunteering is extremely valuable in many ways, as long as it’s done correctly. Here are a few things to consider regarding volunteerism: 

A)     Don’t be afraid to volunteer especially if it’s something you’re good at. Everyone has talents and skills, and is able to use them at different times in their life. Hopefully your talents match your interests and they’re ones you’d enjoy offering for free. 

B)     If you say you’re going to do something, do it. It does more harm to you, your reputation, and the organization for which you’re volunteering, if you say you’ll do it and don’t. It’s actually worse than not volunteering at all.

C)    If you need assistance or guidance completing a task, ask for help. There are other volunteers eager to help you and the organization succeed. 

D)    Don’t use the excuse that you’re too busy. Everyone is busy. If you really can’t squeeze in the time to volunteer, just say no.

E)     If you’re one of those who are being told no, please don’t judge. We all know our limitations, and a few lucky individuals actually know their boundaries.

 There are limitless opportunities to volunteer in Sweet Adelines International and to grow from the experience. Hooray to those who choose to serve and follow through with their commitments. They have the power to make a difference and our hats are off to all of them!

Director Search/Music Leadership


The Membership Committee has suggested that the Director Coordinators in each region compile a list or pool of DCP-trained assistant directors, and others, who can lend assistance to choruses if they lose the frontline director.

Additionally, the Director Education Coordinators (DEC) are working to enhance the information available to help chapters as they conduct a Director Search. One of the first suggestions has always been to check with available assistant directors in the area to provide musical leadership while the chapter is in transition.
REMINDER
 
Regional standing rules should be reviewed and updated at least every two years.  Once the team has agreed upon any proposed additions or revisions, the standing rules are sent to the Director of Meetings & Corporate Services at headquarters for approval.  After approval is received, copies of the revised standing rules should be sent to each member of the regional management team.  The standing rules are then adopted at the next meeting of the regional management team.  It is suggested that team members receive a minimum of 10 days' notice of the meeting to adopt the revised standing rules.
 
The Guide for Regional Standing Rules is available on our Web site under "Forms."
 

SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL
PO Box 470168 - Tulsa OK 74147-0168
Tel: 918.622.1444 - 800.992.7464
E-mail: jane@sweetadelineintl.org
www.sweetadelineintl.org