By Laws: Prior to the holidays I wrote of plans to try to explain some questions of the new By Laws, mainly because I helped with most of the authoring and research for this important document to our governance. Along the interval of writing the text came many questions, research and rewrites to obtain a draft. The best options were chosen and then presented once the draft was finalized, and reviewed by the executive board in preparation for publication. It was a simple process in reality, but time consuming and intricate.

     One Step At A Time: My plan remains to select various segments which I have received questions on to clarify as best I can from the perspective I own. I declare up front that it may be an imperfect assessment; please remember that others had part in writing the document as well. I ask that anyone send comments or questions regarding the subject(s) and I shall attempt to answer all, asking for outside assistance if necessary.

The Executive Council is first to get some commentary. Let's review necessity, former structure, responsibility and expectations.

     Necessity: An organization needs a system, an order, of leadership to assist in operations, for guidance and example. The form this takes can vary considerably, but the basic function is to maintain a daily operation, look for opportunities of growth, preserve financial stability, and serve as models for the organization to follow. Many corporations have a Board of Directors or a set of officers to suit the purpose, or both, and these people serve to maintain the organization accordingly.

     Former Structure: The past executive board was a representation of members from each district sent to meet twice a year, of which were elected the officers of the Association. The assemblage of the numbers had significant resources in talent but was cumbersome and costly. We may have stubbornly held to old traditions too long by using that form, as cost were rising and insufficient tasks were assigned to those of talents to move forward,.. resulting in "much ado of nothing!" Perception became that we sent all those people to meetings to sit around and decide what not to get done at the next meeting,.. a poor showing. Now, I attended those meetings and know better, but I do admit we did not live up to a potential we clearly held. So the old made way for a new mode when the By Laws were again revisited. Size has been trimmed (considerably), costs also are cut by reducing meetings, and now perception needs to be changed (given time to prove).

     Responsibility: So what exactly do we end up with for this new "board of directors/ executive officers" entity - the Executive Council. Each district is to send the head of the district, a president or governor (or one appointed by him), to the now annual meetings. The members of this group elect the chair and vice-chairman, and the districts from which those men came are responsible to send replacements as representative for their districts. Add to this the appointed officers of a now Executive Director (the old Exec. Secretary position expanded) and, currently, the Treasurer position to fill out the membership of our new Executive Council.- (Please understand that any meeting requiring committee chairs or other outside resources can be requested to join a meeting for the sake of particular business. Also, provisions are made to allow members to address business at a meeting.)- The basis for the "board" remains that the district sends the best leadership available to the Association, and this Executive Council chooses who the best selection for running oversight of operations will be - responsibility is shared across the Association; we in the district send our best, they do their best!

     Expectations: What we can anticipate coming from the Executive Council, and what we impose on them for our future, near and far terms, can be partially expressed. Our first meeting signals some indications that we may harvest cost savings desired by the lesser expense of sending fewer people and some ideas for monthly routines. Yet to be seen are the results of establishing methods of conducting business between meetings for efficiency, but there is respectable promise for such. Cohesion within this group seems remarkable, as all focus much toward establishing better from the best we held formerly. The future could aspire to growth, better music available and methods of monetary assistance. You can build and grow with some good ideas contributed from anyone.

     Let Us Hear From YOU: My quick view of the Executive Council - necessity, former structure, responsibility and expectations - may leave some unanswered questions and I would like to hear from members about the issues. Members need to have a sense that chosen leaders allocate judiciously, and recognize the needs of assessment we approve -perhaps a hopeful vision of the future. Current polling may be mixed, perhaps on a choice of separation or resolve. The Association has seen districts and choruses leave for lack of confidence recently. Also there are those of us inclined to forge ahead, to resolve difficulties.

     Do you have Attitude or Gratitude?
     Well we do need both, don't we! The attitude of fellowship, willingness, constructive progress, contribution; a positive attitude that we will do well. We need to be grateful for the companions in our journey, the opportunities to develop, and the reasonably good foundation to improve on.
     For now, I choose an "Attitude of gratitude!"

- attitude that we corporately can solve problems and grow as an organization to support, and expand, male chorus music;
- gratitude that my peers feel I am capable of assisting them to find these solutions and wish for me to join the search.

Best regards
Ric Addenbrooke