Sweet Adelines International Corporation

Newsline International

The International Board of Directors met on November 1-2, 2008 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Following is a partial résumé of actions taken:

Changed the maximum on-stage size of a small chorus competing in Harmony Classic to 40 singing members and of a mid-size chorus competing in Harmony Classic to 75 singing members.

Set the registration fee for the 2009 Directors Seminar/Judge Training at $450 (early bird fee through March 16, 2009) and $500 after March 16, 2009.

Advanced Joni Bescos to Master Faculty in the International Faculty Program.

Authorized the charter and chapter membership for four new chapters.

The Board was excited to learn that a simplified computerized score sheet will be tested by Sharon Babb during the Hawaii competitions. If successful, computerized judging could be implemented at the 2009 regional competitions.

The Board was ecstatic over the introduction of the new Web site design. The site went live on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, after it was introduced to the RMT members on Monday.

Announced that Kathy Carmody will interview Joni Bescos and Karen Breidert will interview Renee Craig to begin an "icon" series of podcasts.

Approved the Director of Education's proposal to hold the international YWIH festival at an off-site location in the convention city the weekend prior to the international competition (Friday-Saturday), beginning in Nashville 2009. Regional YWIH coordinators will be included in the planning process.

Agreed to allow the Young Singers Foundation to develop either an annual or biannual electronic newsletter to be distributed to members of Sweet Adelines International to describe Foundation activities and request their financial support.

Learned that the Foundation will initiate an "It's in the Can" canister collection program for chapters.

Revised language in International Policy and the Standard Form Regional Bylaws to include in each RMT job description the responsibility for membership growth and retention.

Named several volunteers to participate in a revision of the Chapter Guide, which was last revised in 2002. The revised Chapter Guide will be made available on-line in the members-only area.

Agreed to provide cash prizes for a second Youtube.com contest with the same prize amounts as 2008.

Assigned Membership Committee to write an article for the marketing center using quotes from worldwide members on the benefits of membership.

Agreed to establish a People's Choice Award for one competitor in Harmony Classic contests.

Approved offering Rising Star participants a 45-minute barbershop class/orientation prior to the Quartet Finals at annual conventions, class to be presented by the Rising Star panel chair.

Revised language in the strategic plan to read "Enable directors to create an atmosphere where joy and happiness are critical components of the learning process."

Agreed to design a gold Master Director pin be produced for directors whose choruses earn 700 points or more in competition.

Asked Cammi MacKinlay to develop a proposal to provide "sister choruses" for prospective choruses in the Satellite Area.