Sweet Adelines International Corporation

Newsline International

The International Board of Directors met in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 14-15, 2008. Following is a partial résumé of actions taken:

The Board granted prospective status in the Satellite Area to two prospective choruses, one located in Honolulu, Hawaii and another in Bonn, North Rhine Westfalia, Germany.
The Board enthusiastically authorized the charter and chapter membership for eight prospective chapters.

The Board reviewed the teller’s report from the 2007 election of members to the International Board and applauded the high percentage of chapters that voted. The Board recognized Regions 8, 10, 13, 14, 15 and Satellite Area 30 for achieving 100 percent participation in the International Board election. Congratulations to regional management team members in these regions for encouraging their chapters to participate in the election.
The Board advanced Ruth Ann Parker to the Certified Level (sound) in the International Judging Program and Sharon Babb to the Master Faculty Level of the International Faculty Program.

The Board revised Competition policy to:
1. Provide feedback on the entertainment packages of international contest finalists by the Resource Judge.
2. Include a time penalty assessing one point for every second over the prescribed limit, up to a maximum of fifty (50) points, for all contests.
3. Eliminate the rule that calls for a minimum score of 400 points to receive any Regional Most Improved Award.

The Board amended the competition rules to allow regions to record their contests on the digital media of their choice. The recording that is sent to International headquarters must still be in DVD format.

In an effort to obtain more music arrangements for Young Women in Harmony, the Board established a fee structure for arrangers of YWIH music, in which an honorarium of $250 will be paid for each arrangement, accepted for publication by Sweet Adelines International, with no further royalties, effective May 1, 2008.

The Board discussed in considerable detail the increasing costs of managing program applications, competitions and registrations. In an effort to cover the costs, the Board agreed to increase the following fees:
Regional Quartet Competition Entry Fee: $100 (Effective in 2009)
Regional Chorus Competition Entry Fee: $150 (Effective in 2009)
Regional Chorus and Quartet Competition Late Entry Fee: $100 (Effective in 2009)
Quartet Registration Late Fee: $50 (Effective 5/1/2008)
Program Application Fee: $75 (Effective 5/1/2008)

The Board enthusiastically agreed to expand the Webcast coverage for the 2008 international convention by broadcasting the Music Education class with Harborlites.

The Board agreed to continue to offer the convention Webcast as a free service and to encourage viewer donations to subsidize the cost.

The Board agreed that on or before April 30, 2008, $23,385 will be distributed to the Young Singers Foundation of which $10,000 is designated for grants and scholarships and $13,385 for the endowment fund.

The Board adopted the budget for fiscal year May 1, 2008, to April 30, 2009, as prepared by the Executive Committee and revised by the Board. Budget details are published in the Annual Report in the July issue of The Pitch Pipe.

The Board authorized the following appropriations from cash reserves for the 2008-09 fiscal year: An amount representing 50 percent of annual operating expenses will be designated for working capital; 60 percent of the remaining cash reserves will be designated for technology and 40 percent for building/infrastructure.

The International Board offered thanks and recognition to three directors who are retiring from Board service: Rita Hull, Dorothy Jurs and Patty Warren.

How Much Does It Cost To Produce A Convention?
Effective in 2009, the Board approved registration fee increases for International Convention. The increases will offset escalating operating costs while keeping attendee registration fees in line with other similar types of conventions. The subsequent information illustrates convention expenses in relation to the convention registration prices.

Prices effective for the October 20-24, 2009 convention in Nashville:
$140 competitor
$150 member
$165 nonmember
$75 convention assistant
After the April 1, 2009 early bird deadline, fees raise to:
$160 chorus competitor
$200 member
$215 nonmember
$100 convention assistant

When comparing average costs from the past 10 years, busing costs per attendee increased 33 percent, and range from $250,000 to $390,000, depending on the city and location of hotels. This high per attendee busing cost is attributed primarily to the significant rise in fuel costs.

Competition costs have increased 40 percent over the last 10 years, with expenses ranging from $900,000 to 1,100,000. Convention site costs include, but are not limited to, facility rental, staging, lighting, sound, video, video projection, freight, ushers, security, support personnel and all expenses for the Official Judging Panel. Other costs associated with convention include production of education classes, staff expenses, operating expenses (insurance, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC fees, signage, etc.), arranger’s preview, headquarters and ticket office set up, convention program, tickets, VIP ribbons, and postage.

As announced, with the departure of IES comes the exciting addition of the Harmony Classic contests to the 2009 international convention agenda. The Board is pleased to include the contests as a part of the registration fee. Registrations also include all sessions of the International quartet and chorus competitions, educational classes including a specialized class by the current international champion chorus, shopping in Harmony Bazaar, busing to and from competitions and hotels, Mass Sing and more.

To ensure the financial viability of the convention, it is a priority to look for effective ways to reduce expenses without compromising the quality of the convention experience that our members have come to expect. Rest assured that the executive management team and Board will continue to closely monitor costs, seek competitive bids, and book conventions in cities that offer competitive rental fees and pricing incentives.

Convention Costs Allocation of Member Registration Fee ($155 average fee paid)
Competition Site: $85
Busing: $50
Other Expenses: $20