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Taft Room, Marriott Hotel, Kansas City, MO The following Board members were present: President Toban Dvoretzky, Vice-President Steve Shannon, Manager/Treasurer Ed Hartley, Secretary Fred Hinesley, Immediate Past President John Plazek, Bud Hillier, Tom Millot, and Ken Wheeler. Also present were Jim Stone, Don Dobson, and Bob Folk. At-large Board members absent with excuse: Terry Clarke, Russ Seely, and Bob Walker. President Dvoretzky opened the meeting, and the group sang "Down Mobile." TUCSON MID-WINTER BOARD MINUTES John Plazek made a motion that the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting in Tucson be approved. Ken Wheeler seconded the motion, which passed. MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCIAL REPORTS Ed Hartley presented the membership and financial reports. He noted that we had 1457 members -- 54 more than last year at this time. Our renewal rate was 66%. In his discussion of the section "New Members Through DCC Program," he pointed out that the district to which a new member belongs receives credit for his joining, rather than the district in which he renews. The section "Comparison of Annual Figures," he noted, discloses that our receipts for 1997, 1998, and 1999 significantly exceeded our disbursements. Our income for these three years was somewhat more than $9,000, he said, while our spending ranged from $4,200 to $7,500. In the discussion that followed, it was suggested that the surplus could be lowered by reducing dues or making donations to worthy causes. Toban noted that board members had previously objected to donating AHSOW funds because they did not believe that the Board of Directors had the authority to do so. Steve Shannon observed that we have a real need in education and suggested that instead of thinking about reducing our income, we consider ways to increase it so that we can fund AHSOW educational programs. President Dvoretzky expressed concern because we don't give District Chiefs money to do their work even though we have a surplus. They are not reimbursed, he said, for attending conventions, traveling to do chapter presentations, or for performing other tasks. We expect them to bear these expenses themselves, and the time has come, he added, for us to consider allocating funds to the District Education program. Ed Hartley mentioned that the money budgeted for districts this year has already been spent. Steve Shannon related that at the time he became membership chairman of the Southwestern District several years ago, the District had been losing members. No money was being spent to promote membership growth. He proposed spending a sum to promote membership growth that amounted to 25% of the existing budget. District dues were increased to support the program, and the district experienced a substantial increase in membership. He added that he believes that AHSOW district personnel feel that they are left alone, and that they need assistance. Although people in the districts are working, they have no success stories to use as models. We could, he said, have had a woodshedding class at a recent Evergreen District HEP school if we had been able to pay to get an instructor there, but no funds were available. AHSOW needs to develop a long-range program, he said, for providing a woodshedding class in every district school, as well as to develop a program for training Certifiers. John Plazek reported that the Land O'Lakes District recently had a woodshedding class which only six persons attended. Steve replied that in the Southwestern District, woodshedding classes are the largest classes. He attributed this, in part, to an effective marketing program that targets chapter officers and chorus directors. Our problem, he noted again, is that we have people working on their own with no success stories to go by. Don Dobson suggested that our problems are, perhaps, similar to those in the early days of our Society, when many people were working without the benefit of others' success stories. When success stories were shared throughout the Society, he said, effective Society-wide programs were developed. Perhaps, he continued, we need to develop training programs based on things that people are now doing successfully. In addition, he added, we should develop a program of accountability so that we can be sure that our techniques are effective. In response to a question about the cost of the Southwestern District membership program, Steve Shannon replied that it had been a few years since they had begun the program, but that he had spent a couple of thousand dollars a year on telephone calls and mail. He recalled that he had called every chapter once a month and that he had to make two calls a day. He asked people to tell him the kinds of things they were doing, and shared these things with the others in a newsletter. Soon, he said, people began feeling that they were part of a team -- that they had similar problems and were profiting from sharing information. The result was a helpful synergy. We have men in the districts, he said, who sincerely want to do constructive things and to be successful. Some of them, however, are hamstrung financially and find it difficult to do mailings and to make phone calls. We should consider allocating funds to help these men do their jobs, he continued. Following these comments came a general discussion of the problems of finding people willing to assume leadership roles and of the fact that some formerly productive districts are no longer productive. Toban related that he had received some complaints from the Rocky Mountain District because there was no one to staff the AHSOW room made available by the District this year. When no one in a district is able to provide staffing, then we should provide funds to send someone to the district to staff the room and to publicize it, he said. This sort of thing should be only once a year, he added. The Illinois and Mid-Atlantic Districts were mentioned as other examples of areas to which outside help could have been profitably sent. Steve Shannon said that we have a responsibility to help in those districts where there are problems. In some districts we have some wonderful people who are doing marginal jobs, he noted, and we ought to be able to send someone to help them perform adequately. We are, he added, at a critical point. We are struggling desperately for members, and many of our members are frustrated for a variety of reasons. We need to do something to give our current members a leg up and an interest in AHSOW. We also need to let our AHSOW members know that we are better organized, and, he continued, we need to budget funds to take care of our problems. Tom Millot stated that we have a shortage of people willing to take jobs and added that he wondered if simply allocating funds would solve the problem. Steve Shannon then put the following question to the group: Is it possible that one of our problems is that our people perceive that they are going to have expenses and that these are going to present a problem for them? John Plazek observed that, if people are going to the convention anyway, assuming AHSOW responsibilities presents no additional expense. Bud Hillier related that he had gone to conventions simply because no one else was available to work in the AHSOW room. Perhaps, he said, someone would have been willing if his expenses had been underwritten. A discussion of problems encountered in various district followed. In some districts, rooms were assigned and then taken away. In some cases scheduling was inconsistent. Sometimes men who had accepted responsibilities didn't show up. Steve suggested that since districts have differing needs, we might need an omnibus program which pays for solutions to the problems. For example, if there were a man in a district who could get an AHSOW room, but the District wouldn't pay for it, we could provide for the room without convening the Board of Directors. When subsequent problems like these arise, however, we should try to get the District to provide the funds in the future. Ken Wheeler suggested that we need to prove to the districts that we are worthy of their help. Toban agreed, and added that when our guys don't show up, we can't make a showing to the districts. Additionally, he added, we run into problems of having weak personnel in some districts. Steve Shannon pointed out that, on the other hand, we have districts like the Southwestern District, which for long periods of time had no programs going. Now, when the Southwestern District has its annual Harmony Ranch, those who set up the school ask for woodshedding classes. They put on 15 classes at the school, and four of those are woodshedding classes. SWD has four divisions, and each division has its own convention. There are woodshedding rooms, classes, or opportunities at all of these events. He suggested that we can do this sort of thing in other districts, but not without some sort of presence there. Having a presence there, he added, requires funding. Ken Wheeler agreed that we need to be more professional, but he noted that the problem of finding volunteers to do the work still exists. He related that several years ago he went to the Cardinal District to help DCC Ralph Dear. Ralph had arranged for a room, had advertised its presence, and had materials in the room. Despite these efforts, however, only two persons showed up all weekend. We can pour thousands of dollars into this situation, he observed, but this won't improve it. We must, he observed, have somebody who is motivated to take the job and who is willing to face rejection over and over again. Steve noted that this was a good observation, but pointed out that the same sort of situation existed in the Southwestern District. Promotion and advertising were not effective there in getting people to come to the AHSOW room. It was not until they started putting on classes in woodshedding at the division level and having classes for three or four chapters which came together on Saturdays that men were motivated to go to the AHSOW room. Ken related that, during each of the last three years, Johnny Appleseed District HEP school offered a woodshedding class and an AHSOW class, which he taught four times. One new member joined AHSOW and three other men who were auditioned were not accepted. There was very little interest, he said. Steve pointed out that in the Southwestern District, the classes were advertised by stressing the fun of ear-singing and all of the benefits that go with it. This caused people to show up, and they had fun. Even guys who didn't do very well at woodshedding were excited by the classes and would go back home and talk about the fun they had had in the class. We need to spread the word throughout the Society, he said, that woodshedding is the best singing we can do. Instead of reducing our surplus of funds, he added, we should increase it, and use our funds to change the way people perceive AHSOW. The change in perception also needs to be made by some of our members. We have some extraordinarily talented people in AHSOW, and we need to get the word to them that they should be proud of what they're doing. There should be a team of people in each district who are clamoring to work in AHSOW rooms at conventions, he said. Bob Folk suggested that instead of concentrating on gaining new members, we should think about letting our present members know that they are also wanted. He sent the newsletter to some members who had not previously received it, and they very much appreciated it. Don Dobson added that he had been shocked to learn recently that the communication he receives four times a year doesn't go to every member of AHSOW. Toban observed that, while the content of Bob's newsletter is excellent and would be well-received by the general membership, it was originally meant as an internal communication for district personnel. An e-mail newsletter is now going out to members about once a quarter, he said. We now have 993 e-mail addresses for members, and we need to consider how to get this letter to people who don't have computers. Don Dobson recalled that at the last Board meeting, a motion had been passed to put funds into an interest-bearing account and that the money generated by this account was to be used to assist districts in education projects. Ed Hartley replied that the funds had been recently deposited in a Vanguard account and that he was going to ask for a resolution to have someone assigned to administer the money which they generated. Bud Hillier suggested that since all of the districts but Southwestern seem to be having difficulties in setting up and manning convention rooms, we might consider depositing $10,000 in an interest-bearing account and use the interest generated to set up rooms and send in personnel to run them. Ken Wheeler made a motion to accept the financial report, and Bud Hillier seconded the motion, which passed. Toban announced that Larry Gilhousen (of Harmony Foundation) had recently informed him that Harmony Foundation manages an AHSOW endowment fund which has $1,000 in principal and $553 available for distribution to AHSOW. A copy of Gilhousen's communication was in the folder distributed to Board members. Toban suggested that we might want to consider combining the $553 with other funds, perhaps from the money-market investment, to support district programs. John Plazek suggested that, perhaps, one good way to use our surplus funds would be to donate $1,000 a year to our endowment fund. We could, he suggested, donate this money in memory of our deceased members. Bud Hillier related that, around 1985, AHSOW had put $1,000 into the Harmony Foundation endowment fund, and that we also put $553 into the Memorial Fund. The $553 represents the amount for distribution to us. This does not, he said, represent accrued interest. Don Dobson called attention to the fact that Larry Gilhousen's communication related that during the years 1993 through 1999, earnings from the SPEBSQSA endowment fund had averaged 9.96%. John Plazek related that he had looked at last year's report, which showed that we had around $20 less than the amount reported in the present report. The board members agreed that it was impossible to understand the figures from the information available. Don Dobson suggested that, since Gilhousen's communication contained an offer to talk with us about the fund, we ask him to clarify the matter. He added that we might use the Harmony Foundation funds to underwrite an AHSOW class at Harmony College. Bud Hillier related that AHSOW classes, which he had directed, had been held at Harmony College several years ago. Although well-attended and interesting, they were cancelled after the second year. Don Dobson mentioned that an AHSOW class had been held at Dixie's HEP school at Clemson a few years ago and that it had also been highly successful. Several new members passed auditions there, he said. He attributed the success to the fact that the class had been aggressively advertised. The discussion returned to the Harmony Foundation funds, and John Plazek agreed to communicate with Larry Gilhousen to learn about the history of the AHSOW funds in Harmony Foundation, the manner in which they had been invested, and the amount of interest which has accrued. Ed Hartley presented the following resolution: Be it resolved that the AHSOW president, administrative secretary/treasurer, and treasurer emeritus may act on behalf of AHSOW in connection with any Vanguard shares owned by AHSOW. John Plazek moved that the resolution be adopted, and Tom Millot seconded the motion, which passed. IN MEMORIAM Instead of the usual moment of silence to honor our deceased members, Ken Wheeler was asked to lead the group in singing "I'm All Alone," a favorite song of former president Jay Ward, who was among the following members who had passed away since the Anaheim meeting: Darrell Bailey C CA; Clarence Beck 90 NM; Peter Charge 79 BABS; Richard Dick 93 MN; Dick Finlinson 90 CA; Bill Laskie C MA; John LeBoldus 83 SASK; Sam Lux C NY; Claire MacLachlan 98 ONT; Dick Moyer 91 IN; George Peters 89 AZ; Donald Staires 94 OK; Bill Stevens 87 WA; Jay Ward C CA; Bob Welter 98 ONT. CANADIAN FUNDS Ed Hartley announced that AHSOW member Bruce Dibble, who is also the Ontario District treasurer, had suggested that AHSOW establish a Canadian account (as SPEBSQSA has done). Dibble has agreed to manage this account, deposit Canadian members' dues into it, and transfer the funds to the AHSOW United States accounts once or twice a year. Ed explained that he now accepts checks on Canadian banks. This involves a fee on the part of the sender, and Ed asks for a higher rate than the exchange rate because his bank charges a higher rate when it converts the funds. The fee is charged by the check rather than by the amount. The cost of a Canadian bank account will be $5 a month plus 16 cents for each check deposited and 80 cents per check issued against the account. Ed calculated that it will cost about $66 a year to maintain such an account. This amounts to about 10% of the annual income from Canadian members. Opening a Canadian account will provide a means of providing fair play to our Canadian members, he added. Steve Shannon made a motion that Ed Hartley be authorized to establish a Canadian bank account for the purpose of accepting AHSOW membership renewal fees and new-member fees from Canadian members. Ken Wheeler seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. BOARD RENOMINATIONS John Plazek moved that Ed Hartley be renominated to serve as Manager/Treasurer. Bud Hillier seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. John Plazek moved that Ken Wheeler and Russ Seely be renominated to serve three-year terms in their at-large positions as members of the Board of Directors. Bud Hillier seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. DEC PERSONNEL, ACTIVITIES President Dvoretzky called attention to the new Operations Manual, formerly the DCC Guidebook. He announced that after consultation with several people, including Dr. Lou Chacos, a decision was made to change the title District Chief Certifier (DCC) to District Educator & Certifier (DEC). Ken Wheeler, he related, suggested this more-accurate title. The title Assistant District Chief Certifier (ADCC) has been changed to Assistant District Educator & Certifier (ADEC). President Dvoretzky reviewed the manual and encouraged Board members to become familiar with it. He called particular attention to the description of the ADEC position and noted that, if a DEC wants to appoint someone in his district as an ADEC, he should submit the nominee's name to the president, who can then consult with others who know him before approving the appointment. He also stressed the importance of the "DEC Activity Report" and of its being completed by DECs and ADECs and sent to the president after they conduct activities. In reviewing the DEC roster list, President Dvoretzky noted that Bob Walker had conducted a successful session at the recent BABS convention. Southwestern District, he reported, is gaining personnel, and Hank Hammer is moving to San Antonio from Hawaii. In the Sunshine District, Bud Hillier has traded positions with Bob Folk, with Bob becoming DEC and Bud assuming ADEC duties. Jerry Noda has decided to live in Florida full-time after September or October and has promised to offer his services there. President Dvoretzky commented that in the Seneca Land District, personnel are very stable and continue to be active. Phil McCabe has reported that AHSOW members had a great time at the last convention, staying up until 3 or 4 a.m. More active personnel are needed in the Rocky Mountain District. Similarly, in the Pioneer District, DEC John Smith has no assistants. Ontario District has a number of capable personnel, Toban noted, including the District President and three other past district presidents who are AHSOW members. In the Northeastern District, Vin Zito has done a number of chapter presentations. More personnel, however, are needed in that district. In the Mid-Atlantic District, Mike Stoll, nominated as DVP-Events, has agreed to succeed Lou Chacos as DEC. Land O'Lakes DEC Paul Smith had a nice showing at a recent HEP school. Ken Wheeler has become DEC in the Johnny Appleseed District, succeeding Bob Bokman, who retired because of health reasons. President Dvoretzky commended Ken for his fine work and dedication. Lee Seligman, a former ADCC, will soon be active again in that district as ADEC. A DEC is still needed in Illinois, and there is a need for active personnel there. Far Western District, Toban reported, is probably our biggest success story this year. This is because of Casey Parker's efforts. Evergreen District now appears to be in good shape with Chuck Olson as DEC and Rolf Anderson as ADEC. A new DEC will probably be appointed in the Dixie District. Bob Boone, who has been active in the North Carolina Harmony Brigade, has expressed interest and may be able to assume a post after the October convention. Tom Millot has said that he wants to turn over DEC duties in Central States District to someone else. He has suggested Dick Richards as his replacement. Richards, however, has said that he is quite busy; discussions with him will occur when he arrives later this week. Ralph Dear, who wishes to be replaced, has expressed frustration with progress in the Cardinal District. He has had difficulty in generating interest there. DEC POWWOW ON FRIDAY, JULY 7 President Dvoretzky, noting that past DCC powwows had been extremely stimulating and productive, encouraged everyone to attend this meeting. He announced that, thanks to an almost superhuman effort by Tom Millot, a new videotape is now available. Tom related that after running into numerous difficulties, he decided to use the tape of the AHSOW mini-show which he had recorded in Tucson. He put a header on this tape, he said, and it turned out very well. Enough copies have been made so that AHSOW personnel in every district can have one. Toban commended Tom on the high quality of the tape and suggested that it is too good to be confined simply to AHSOW circles. He mentioned that Steve Shannon had co-authored the script, and Tom said that he would edit the tape to include this credit. Steve Shannon noted that the tape provides a presentation of AHSOW which is not unduly long and thus is ideal for presentation at chapter meetings. He recommended that we market it to chapter program vice-presidents and chorus directors. Marketing it, he suggested, could be a responsibility of the DECs, who could point out that woodshedding improves ear-singing and thus enhances the quality of performances. He said that the tape could probably be mass-produced for about $2.50 per tape. Steve noted that there is a format which goes with the tape and said that DECs should be trained before they show it. Jim Stone observed that the tapes can be used in a number of ways. For example, they could be played periodically in AHSOW convention rooms, and be used in classes and chapter meetings. A question arose about the possibility that "Down Mobile" is not in public domain and that its use on the tape violates the copyright law. Steve Shannon said that he would check into the matter before we market the tape. He suggested that we should not send the tapes to chapters, but that DECs should make them a part of their chapter presentations and then make them available for purchase. The proceeds can be used to finance district education programs. The group commended Tom for his efforts with a round of applause. CUSTOMER SERVICE -- AUDITIONS, GREETERS Toban announced that, at this convention, we were going to use greeters for the first time. Several volunteers had agreed to spend 45 minutes later in the week doing nothing but greeting the visitors who visited the AHSOW room. They were to be given guidelines to review before commencing their duties. They were to spend 45 minutes acting as greeters and then be entitled to 15 minutes of recreational woodshedding. We were going to review the greeters' experiences in order to evaluate the procedures. HEALTH UPDATES Toban announced that Lou Chacos is recovering from his heart ailments. He has now moved to Annapolis and is enjoying his new home. He had wanted to attend the convention, but had been unable to do so because of his walking limitations. Bob Bokman, he reported, is housebound, but he is philosophical about his situation. John Grosnick, a charter member who lives in the Houston area, suffered a stroke some weeks ago and faces a lengthy period of recuperation. Get-well cards for John and Bob and a "sorry you're not here" card for Lou had been placed in the AHSOW room for signatures. Toban encouraged everyone to sign these cards. Steve Shannon related that John Grosnick was placed in intensive care for 10 days following his stroke and had not been expected to live. He had lost his vision, his ability to speak, and half of his ability to move his body. A quartet of which Steve was a member went to his hospital room, and even though he appeared to be unconscious, they began singing to him. Suddenly, John began singing a fine baritone part along with them, and this, Steve said, was the beginning of his recovery. On July 3, Steve continued, John did a show in which he sang bass in a quartet. He is still having a real struggle. Although he is beginning to regain his vision, and his ability to speak, John still has pronounced problems in each of these areas. Despite his difficulties, however, he performed beautifully for 15 minutes without missing a note or a word. Steve attributed this amazing recovery to the power of Barbershop. Toban suggested that we sing a song in John and Lou's honor. The assemblage sang "Why Don't My Dreams Come True?" (a song which Lou Chacos had requested). RENEWALS Ed Hartley distributed a report entitled "Renewals in 2000." He called attention to the fact that, at the time of this meeting, we had a 66% renewal rate for the year. At the same point in 1999, we had a 77% renewal rate -- a difference of 57 people. This year, for the first time, e-mailed notices had been sent to members with e-mail addresses. Those who were notified by e-mail had a lower renewal rate than those who had received postal notices. In September, he said, notices will go out again to those members whose dues are still unpaid. At the end of the year, President Dvoretzky will send a personal letter to those who have not responded to the previous notices. In past years, an additional 2% have paid their dues in response to these letters. In addition to the other notices, Ed plans to send notices to districts with active DECs, even though this practice has never been very effective. At the time of the meeting, 226 members had not renewed. Bob Folk said that one reason that members don't renew might be that, unless they attend conventions at which there are AHSOW hospitality rooms, they feel that they receive no benefits. He suggested that sending newsletters to the entire membership might help. Tom Millot suggested that, to some people, passing the AHSOW audition is like earning a merit badge -- they take pride in the achievement, but they're not really interested in the organization itself. Steve Shannon suggested that we should ask, "What motivates 1,300 people to renew each year?" If we don't offer something that people perceive as being worthwhile, he went on, they won't renew. If, on the other hand, there is a perception of value, people will pay the price to renew. We have an opportunity, he said, to help our people feel that they are a part of something that gives them stature. If there is a feeling of recognition and belonging, they are more likely to renew. Sending regular communications to the entire membership, as Bob suggested, is a good idea, he added. Don Dobson suggested that it might be helpful to list in an AHSOW bulletin the names of those who renew. People will see their names in print alongside those of prominent barbershoppers. It might also help, he added, to include a good woodsheddable song in the bulletin from time to time. Bud Hillier noted that most members who don't renew fail to renew at the end of their first two years. They pass their audition, become members, do nothing with their woodshedding for two years, and when they receive renewal notices feel that they haven't received much for their money. Sending a newsletter to all members might encourage these people to renew, he said. Bob Folk believed that there should be four bulletins a year. The December and June issues would be sent to all members, and the September and March issues would be internal communications to the leadership. The letters to all members would be newsletters, containing items of interest to all. The other two would serve as a basis for planning, like our present internal communications. It is important, he stressed, for us to communicate to all members. Steve Shannon related that he had had great success in the Southwestern District by calling all of the membership vice-presidents in all of the chapters on a monthly basis to share ideas with them. He made notes of their ideas, and published them in a newsletter. The result, he said, was that people began feeling that they were part of a team. Perhaps a similar strategy might work with DECs, he suggested. A discussion regarding the numbers of publications to be done annually, the schedules of mailings, and the merits of sending the newsletter by postal service and of sending as many copies by e-mail as possible followed. Ken Wheeler then moved that Bob Folk be authorized to publish one issue of a newsletter for the entire membership before the Mid-Winter convention in 2001 and that the Board of Directors at that convention consider the publication and distribution of future newsletters. Bud Hillier seconded the motion, which passed. RESULTS OF MEMBER SURVEY President Dvoretzky reported that, as a result of the May membership survey, some of our members had investigated possibilities of renewing membership on-line without the complications of applying for a merchant credit-card account and establishing a secure server. Larry Seltzer of New York sent information regarding the PayPal organization, which was described in a packet distributed to the Board of Directors. PayPal, President Dvoretzky explained, makes it possible for people to send money instantly and securely to and from anyone with an e-mail address. It is free to users. AHSOW can set up a business account with PayPal and provide the web link to our members with e-mail capacity. Renewal notices can be sent by e-mail. Members can click on the web link, provide their credit-card numbers, and renew by depositing $10 into AHSOW's bank account. They can also update demographic information and purchase items marketed by AHSOW, such as shirts and folios, with this service. The cost to AHSOW is 1.9% per transaction. There is the possibility that, in the future, PayPal will reduce the fees for nonprofit organizations. A list of people who have paid their dues will be available to the treasurer at all times. Toban noted that 58% of the survey respondents had said that they would be receptive to renewing on-line if they could be sure that the transaction was safe. Members who do not want to be sent unsolicited marketing offers can click an appropriate box, and they will receive none. Toban related that members with computer expertise had looked at PayPal, and that their reports and his own investigations had satisfied his concerns about user safety. Steve Shannon reported that he also had checked on PayPal and had found that it is a legitimate outfit. He related his wish that such an avenue had existed during his own past efforts to establish merchant credit-card accounts for businesses. He observed that AHSOW members are free to use PayPal or the postal service, as they choose. Toban related that Frank Santarelli had said that we may collect our fees in any way we choose, and that Frank was very interested in the results of AHSOW's interactions with PayPal. Tom Millot moved that we agree to use the PayPal method of collecting dues and of collecting for other items, subject to Ed Hartley's approval. Bud Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with one dissenting vote. CASSETTES OF MELODIES President Dvoretzky reminded the group that an article in the last Board newsletter had reported that Mo Rector had planned to record the songs in the "Discovery Singing" folio by singing the melody line and playing the underlying chords softly on a piano. This would enable novice woodshedders to get an idea of the implied harmony without learning an arrangement. Mo is working on the project, and when it is completed, he will donate it to AHSOW. At the time Mo made his offer, determination had been made to produce a woodshedding cassette of melody lines sung a cappella. Steve Shannon volunteered to participate in making such a cassette, if help is necessary to complete it before the Mid-Winter convention. Toban stated that a Houston sound engineer had agreed to record the cassettes free of charge. John Plazek suggested that a committee be appointed to consider the project (its packaging, the number of songs, etc.) and report its findings at the next Board meeting. Following a discussion of the amounts to be charged for the tapes and whether to make them available to AHSOW members at a discount, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Fred Hinesley, Secretary |