The International Board election process is now complete. Betty Clipman, Marilyn Cox, Renée Porzel and Cammi MacKinlay were elected to serve three-year terms beginning May 1, 2008 and ending April 30, 2011.

Harriette Walters and Patty Cobb Baker were appointed to serve one-year terms beginning May 1, 2008.

Patty Cobb Baker
Harborlites Chorus, Long Beach, Calif. (#21)
Vocal Coach

List five significant leadership roles you have held in Sweet Adelines International:
Education Coordinator (Region 21), Regional Treasurer (Region 10), Harborlites Chorus President, Harborlites Chorus Vice-President and Board Member, Regional Faculty

How do you feel you can contribute to Sweet Adelines International as a member of the International Board of Directors?
I am equipped to bring several very important perspectives to the International Board of Directors. As a trained vocal coach and education administrator, I bring the perspective of the music educator/personal coach, and will work to ensure that the development of our members as singers and performers is always our number one priority. As a retired cost analyst and project/financial manager, I bring the perspective of the businesswoman, understanding that a well-managed and fiscally sound organization is paramount to achieving our educational goals. As a 24-year member, I bring the perspective of the enthusiastic chorus and quartet member, always remembering the amazing benefits of our affiliation.

What specific skills, ideas, talents, etc., would you bring to the International Board?
In addition to my strong project management skills, I bring the vision of “everything is possible” that a leader needs to embody to continually grow and advance an organization. I have experience building teams and leading organizations through intense change and have the energy, creativity, and tenacity to produce effective and valuable results. I am committed to excellence in every project I undertake. I am never afraid to chart a new direction, try a new idea or embrace a divergent plan. My work as a coach has taught me how to bring out the best in those with whom I work, whether individually or in groups.

It has also taught me how to listen and respect the brilliance that is in all of us.

What is your vision for the International organization?
During my 24 years in Sweet Adelines I have seen the remarkable results of the visionary women who have led us. We have come far in two decades. My vision is to see us continuing to improve our performance skills through the provision of premier musical training, broadening the educational talent we bring to our members from even more arenas of the music world than we already have. I also see an organization that presents its exceptional musical product to the world in a professional, contemporary and savvy manner that appeals to a large and diverse female population, opening new membership markets. Always exploring new possibilities, I see us remaining true to our barbershop roots and craft.

What should be the priorities for the International organization over the next five to 10 years?
Continuing to develop a credible musical product across our entire organization must be our leading priority. This includes an emphasis on the basic, fundamental principles of vocal production so that every singer, every director, every chorus no matter its size, can enjoy creating and performing beautiful music. In addition, we must develop the marketing skills of our chapters so that our musical product is presented in a manner that can compete with the mass, global media of our age. Professional and strategic marketing at the grass roots level is crucial to the development of performance and membership opportunities that can ensure a vibrant future for our organization.

Describe what you think Sweet Adelines International will be like 25 years from now.
Twenty-five years from today Sweet Adelines International will be THE organization for women of all ages and cultures to join to fulfill their singing and performance dreams. Young women around the world will have the opportunity to learn the joys of singing barbershop harmony at a very young age in the majority of their schools. We will have developed effective new methods to market ourselves, and the world will know what it means to be harmonized! Forty thousand members strong, the possibilities will remain endless for women who embrace the sisterhood of Sweet Adelines.

 

Betty Clipman
Houston Horizon, Houston, Texas (#10)
Vocal Coach

List up to five significant leadership roles you have held in Sweet Adelines International:
International President, Education Direction Committee Chair, Judge Specialists Moderator, Regent, DMA

How do you feel you can contribute to Sweet Adelines International as a member of the International Board of Directors?
My experience in many areas of our organization has brought me a global view of our strengths and areas of need. I believe that I’m able to prioritize the use of our resources for the greatest benefit of the majority of our members. I am also able to be objective about issues.

What specific skills, ideas, talents, etc., would you bring to the International Board?
The organization benefits most when the leadership is strong musically and administratively. I have good skills in both of these areas. I’m also a creative thinker and bring fresh ideas to the table.

What is your vision for the International organization?
My vision for Sweet Adelines International is multi-faceted. I see us putting more of our resources on membership growth and retention. We can go back to being an organization that is steadily growing by taking advantage of our members who have strength in the area of membership growth and retention. I also see us continuing our musical growth for all quartets and choruses through even better education opportunities.

What should be the priorities for the International organization over the next five to 10 years?
Membership growth and retention should be a huge priority. Stronger musical leadership in all of our choruses should be another priority and seems to be directly linked to growth and retention. When our members are musically fulfilled on a weekly basis at chorus rehearsal, they make being a Sweet Adeline one of their top priorities.

Describe what you think Sweet Adelines International will be like 25 years from now.
My dream is that in 25 years Sweet Adelines will be a musically thriving organization with all groups singing from a B level on up to A+. I also dream that Sweet Adelines will have close to 50,000 members who are passionate about being a part of our thriving organization. In addition we will still be achieving our long-range goals. Sweet Adelines will still be the primary provider and resource for education, training and coaching in the development of women’s four-part harmony.
Sweet Adelines will continue to be financially stable and secure. And Sweet Adelines will be recognized throughout the world as the leading organization for women’s four-part barbershop harmony.

Marilyn Cox
Velvet Hills Chorus, Colorado Springs, CO (#8)
Retired

List up to five significant leadership roles you have held in Sweet Adelines International:
International Board of Directors, Certified International Faculty Member, International Faculty Coordinators, DMA/Regional Education Coordinator, Chorus Bass Section Leader.

How do you feel you can contribute to Sweet Adelines International as a member of the International Board of Directors?
As a 40-year-member of Sweet Adelines who has been actively involved at all levels, I continue to be excited about the directions we are taking. That elation coupled with historical perspective and a desire to expand on creative ideas would be among my contributions to the International Board.

What specific skills, ideas, talents, etc., would you bring to the International Board?
I write well, enjoy synthesizing ideas and concepts, and speak and perform with enthusiasm and believability. I am constantly looking for “another right answer” and am open to new ideas that promote creative and lively discussions. I am supportive of my teammates and recognize the power of synergy.

What is your vision for the International organization?
My vision is that we continue to grow in numbers as well as improved recognition in the musical world and that each member is so proud of her personal achievements and excellent musical growth she receives from being a Sweet Adeline that her community constantly responds with “I want what she has!”

What should be the priorities for the International organization over the next five to 10 years?
We need to continue presenting a variety of marketing concepts and tools to increase the public’s awareness as well as our own members’ pride. We also need to continue exploring different membership options for the women of tomorrow as well as searching for more ways to expose younger women to our type of music.

Describe what you think Sweet Adelines International will be like 25 years from now.
Our musical art form will be one of the highlights of every worldwide conference/workshop for music educators. The membership of Sweet Adelines International will be extremely diverse and will include a large number of the young women introduced to our harmony when they were growing up -- either as family members, through Young Women in Harmony programs or through some
assistance from the Young Singers Foundation. The organization will continue to meet the current needs of women who want to sing and perform, whatever their age or chorus size.

Cammi MacKinlay
Lions Gate Chorus, Vancouver, BC, Canada (#26)
Assistant Department Head/E.S.L. Instructor at Community College

List up to five significant leadership roles you have held in Sweet Adelines International:
International Vice President (3rd term), Membership Committee Chair, Education Coordinator RMT (4 years), Vice Regent, Regional Board

How do you feel you can contribute to Sweet Adelines International as a member of the International Board of Directors?
As Vice President of the International Board of Directors since 2005, I have worked collaboratively with international members to support forward-thinking leadership. Thirty years of teaching adults complemented by my experience in sales and marketing has given me the ability to think creatively and problem-solve instinctively. I am a visionary, can-do person who looks at the world as a glass
half-full. I am also practical and recognize the importance of fiscal management.
I step up to the plate when asked, always willing and able to take on any challenge.

What specific skills, ideas, talents, etc., would you bring to the International Board?
I possess strong administrative and communication skills. I am a positive, outgoing, enthusiastic, committed people person who believes in the value of teamwork. I encourage and recognize the contribution of colleagues and do not try to take all the credit myself. I am an objective, patient, unflappable, compassionate person who relates well to others and is a good listener. I am passionate about the organization and its members, and as such, a committed ambassador for Sweet Adelines International. I write well and speak well, and have a good sense of humour.

What is your vision for the International organization?
We will expand our worldwide appeal and embrace diversity. As becoming a Sweet Adeline changed by life in so many positive ways, I envision focusing attention on offering significant opportunities to more women so they can also have this experience. I see us continuing to embrace the support, openness, and accessibility for women of all ages and backgrounds. I also envision a financially stable organization that does not have to rely on member dues to fund its activities.

What should be the priorities for the International organization over the next five to 10 years?
Membership retention coupled with membership growth must continue to be our main priority. To that end, director education in music and people skills must remain a focus, so that the members’ weekly rehearsal experience is fun, worthwhile and keeps us coming back for more! Finding innovative and economical ways to get education to the members, coupled with solid management of our financial and human resources, are also priorities.

Describe what you think Sweet Adelines International will be like 25 years from now.
We will have doubled our membership, expanding even further abroad. We will have more corporate sponsors to cover a sizable percentage of our International activities, including printing and mailing of The Pitch Pipe, and our convention expense. A large cosmetics company will provide performance makeup for all our members free of charge. Quartets will be lining up by the thousands to enter televised “Barbershop Idol” contests. Sweet Adelines will be a household word
and my granddaughters will be proud to sing with me every week!

Renée Porzel
Melodeers Chorus, Arlington Heights, Ill. (#3)
Visual Showmanship Coach/Choreography Designer

List up to five significant leadership roles you have held in Sweet Adelines International:
International Board of Directors (Member), Education Direction Committee (Member 2005-present), Certified Showmanship Judge, Certified International Faculty, Associate Director/Choreographer Melodeers Chorus

How do you feel you can contribute to Sweet Adelines International as a member of the International Board of Directors?
With my leadership roles in my chorus, the International Board, Education Direction Committee, International Judging Program and International Faculty Program, I have a unique view of Sweet Adelines International. I would contribute a global view of the administrative facets of the organization, coupled with my passionate belief in musical excellence for all members.

What specific skills, ideas, talents, etc., would you bring to the International Board?
I am highly involved in chorus management, and thrive in a team setting. My extensive showmanship coaching and teaching keeps me on the cutting edge of choreographic trends in our quartets and choruses. Today’s society demands that we continue to improve our visual product. I am motivated to represent the general membership, and the visual part of our craft, by using my creative skills in an administrative way.

What is your vision for the International organization?
Sweet Adelines has the power to change lives. We need to secure our future in order to continue helping women realize their full musical and administrative potential. We must gain wider recognition in the music community for the high level of training we offer, while continuing to take advantage of technological advances to educate women all over the world.

What should be the priorities for the International organization over the next five to 10 years?
We must remain financially solvent to keep our organization healthy. We need to continue raising the skills of our directors so our musical growth will continue to steadily improve. It is essential that we increase membership with motivated, energetic singers so that we can continue to provide a viable option for women of all ages that love to sing.

Describe what you think Sweet Adelines International will be like 25 years from now.
We will be on the cutting edge of musical excellence and visual creativity. We will continue to use competition as an educational tool for musical advancement, and our membership will be devoted to bringing barbershop music to women of all ages. We will remain true to the barbershop style of singing in contest, while developing creative and entertaining four-part arrangements of contemporary songs for performance settings. Our membership will remain strong and focused on the future by involving young women in barbershop singing.

Harriette Walters
Greater Nassau Chorus, Baldwin, N.Y. (#15)
Regional Service Manager

List up to five significant leadership roles you have held in Sweet Adelines International:
Director Education Coordinators (Moderator), Master Director (Greater Nassau Chorus), Certified International Faculty, Region 15 Education Coordinator, Director of Musical Activities

How do you feel you can contribute to Sweet Adelines International as a member of the International Board of Directors?
My contributions to Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors would include exceptional and creative vision, with the ability to instill and perpetuate the core values of the organization. This, along with strong team building and effective collaboration, I could generate excitement and a positive energy transfer for the possibilities of what can be in our organization, of any scope, be it large or small. This would enhance the already strong alignment of the Board of Directors, creating a more powerful momentum to initiate and bring to fruition any pertinent or feasible project or endeavor.

What specific skills, ideas, talents, etc., would you bring to the International Board?
My strengths include passion, ability to inspire, leadership, authenticity, humility, flexibility, positive demeanor, consistency, and a strong sense of humor. With these attributes, I will successfully manage projects through appropriate goal setting, team building, collaborating and delegating until their completion, and have fun doing it!

What is your vision for the International organization?
My vision would include but is not limited to creating the environment globally for each member to have the opportunity for personal growth along with fulfilling individual and ensemble musical experiences. Additionally, to foster extraordinary interpersonal relationships, sense of family and community, freedom of creative expression, and provide opportunities for and cultivate diversity in an inclusive culture would also be paramount. To accomplish these endeavors, we must be able to inspire all leaders in our organization at every level – one step at a time. By further developing the leaders in our organization, we are in the best position to not only create vision for the organization, but to make it reality!

What should be the priorities for the International organization over the next five to 10 years?
Our members are our strongest assets. To that end, membership growth and retention, cultural appeal for diversity to thrive, as well as and certainly as important, musical growth and excellence should be the driving forces for our direction and energies.

Describe what you think Sweet Adelines International will be like 25 years from now.
I think Sweet Adelines International will be meeting the musical needs of women in 2030. We will still be educating, inspiring and validating our members, and we will still be entertaining our communities hopefully with a greater worldwide scope.

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