AMCA Geography
     From my perspective, most of the present AMCA members would consider they are in the northern portion of the states, and the Association. When I look at the map it seems my location is about level with the southern border of Minnesota, just to give some perspective that many of you live "north" of my home. This spring the next meeting of the Executive Council will be in the Michigan Upper-Peninsula area around Marquette. I would guess that is close to the most northern area, excluding the chorus up in Canada plains above the Dakotas. The trip will mean more to me than traveling, but it will give me an opportunity to state that I have traveled east-to-west (NY-MN), and north-to-south (PA-north MI) for AMCA business.

Council Meeting Location
     I think of those that went before me doing the business. Times past, we held most of the meetings in Milwaukee, not exactly central to all but not terribly inconvenient either- for air services. The chance for interface with individual members is better with this rotation of venues and I appreciate those taking a moment to stop and talk. I find it valuable for the Executive Council to hear directly from folks with their feelings and nuances of items affecting our Association. I invite anyone attending the Big Sing in Marquette to talk with us while we are there.

     Think about this premise for a moment:

• We used to send a large number of men to a central meeting whom we hoped had the right ideas of our desires to do the business of the Association, or at least would consider the best probable impact that any actions brought up for business would be given address. It sounds costly but very "representative" of the membership from each district.
• Now we move the smaller council around from district to district assessing the needs from individuals that wish to talk with us. Less costly with smaller numbers traveling, but the difference being that you, the individual member, now hold a greater responsibility to be sure your voice is heard.
• You must speak your concerns through the officers of your chorus, verify their interface with the district officer, monitor actions of the Executive Council to ensure these reflect your best interests, and challenge any deviation that is not of your best judgment. The more efficient of the two methods will only be determined by how effective it works for you.

Effectiveness
     The discussion of effectiveness must become part of any discussion of efficiency. The competence of the leadership must be reviewed and improved persistently, as the methods of their governance must also. The last change in By Laws should not remain the last change. If conditions for improvement are warranted the corrections should address the need. Yet, when do we hear of needs? Should we wait for things to get disorderly, as has been done in the past, we could sacrifice this Association. Don't let any opportunity for communications with your leadership go unspoken, and make opportunities if they are not obviously present. Also, if you are not hearing of what is happening in your district, you may want to ask the chorus representatives to give a report soon. It is this time of year when many are getting the AGENDA prepared for the next meeting, and you may want something of interest to be placed in the meeting discussions.

Eau Claire in 2008
     St Patrick's Day is upon us! Though the Irish in our family is on my wife's side, I get very much involved looking for corned beef and cabbage, potato soup, and a good Irish brew to pair it with - I prefer Beamish Cream Stout, but Guinness is fine enough. Whether your Irish or just of persuasion to celebrate the time with hearty, outgoing folk, please have a grand time of it with your Irish friends and sing a tune for me while your at it. I'd love to be there to hear it. (Our chorus will be singing at St Patrick's Church in Lockport.) Reminder: Celebrations will come our way next year near this time with the 2008 AMCA Big Sing at Eau Claire, WI. I hope all choruses are getting in the planning mode for this event. It will be centrally located for most choruses for travel, and we anticipate good response for the host. Hope we will see you there.

Chorister
     Apparently, we shall be discussing items of interest about the newsletter, the CHORISTER, at the next meeting of the Executive Council. It would be good to hear some comments from others - concerns for what we should do with the newsletter.

Comments
     I ask you to post them through email to the website (see COMMENTS link bellow). I may add a few thoughts regarding the discussion so far in my next article.

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Feedback Post your comments Two email contacts	Best regards Ric Addenbrooke