Hi Andrew and all NZABSers,

> Hello NZ barbershoppers,
>
> Today I listened to an mp3 recording of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS)
CEO discussing the future plans of BHS worldwide. It was a very interesting
discussion. He mentioned that it wasn't yet time for BHS to become a worldwide
organisation such as what Sweet Adelines International is.
>
> The interviewers asked the question about whether BHS was thinking about
expanding itself into the affiliate countries. I realise this topic is
provocative and may stir deep emotions in people (such as topics like politics
or cultural issues), but it also seems like a good place to start an interesting
discussion.
>
> 1) Do you personally believe that NZABS would benefit in being changed into
BHS International.
> 2) If it ever happened, when do you predict that will be ?
>
> This is a fun discussion, so know need to throw punches or offend people...
I'm not trying to change anything, and have no opinion on this matter - but I
love debate, discussion and innovation.
> :-)

Yes, this might be a VERY provocative discussion! As a former
staff member of the BHS, as well as a former Staff Liaison to the
World Harmony Council (WHC), during my 10-plus years working in
Kenosha I held many a discussion with BHS and WHC leaders about
this very topic. I was never in favour of the BHS integrating the
affiliates into the Society, however, for four reasons:

1) The Society would not be able to provide the same level of
member service to International Districts as it can to North
American ones (staff visits, free judges' travel to contests, etc).

2) The Society recognized point number one above, but was also not
willing to discuss providing a lower dues rate to the
International Districts.

3) Because of the sheer size of its North American membership,
decisions by the Society Board would be heavily slanted toward
North American needs and projects.

4) The mixed associations (BinG!, IABS, SPATS) would not be
eligible for membership in the Society because of their female
members.

As someone who now lives outside North America (and who is working
to start a new national barbershop association here in Israel), I
remain opposed to the BHS integrating other national associations.
While the first three points are still valid, my primary reason
for this feeling today is because Israel will also be a mixed
association, and therefore would not be eligible for such
membership either.

Therefore, and in short, I am opposed to the BHS absorbing the
affiliates, or any other non-North American association.

Of course, since "the price of criticism is a better idea" ...

Instead of "the world" joining the BHS, I believe that ALL the
barbershop associations in the world, including the SAI and the
BHS, should "affiliate" together within the World Harmony Council,
and that each association should pay a per-member fee to the WHC
as "dues". These "dues" would provide resources to the WHC so it
could help promote barbershop in member countries, as well as in
new countries like Israel and Japan.

In the "good old days", the Society provided vital support, in the
form of music, supplies, and even visits by Society leaders, to
fledgling associations. Today, that support is completely gone. If
the WHC was the umbrella organisation for ALL barbershop
associations, part of the "dues" that each association would pay
to it could go to help fund development projects. This would help
existing associations to grow stronger (and faster), as well as
provide assistance to new start-up associations in new countries.

In my opinion, this is the only practical way for the World
Harmony movement to regain its momentum. "Father SPEBSQSA" is no
more. The BHS has made its decision to remain a North American
based association, and that is the correct decision for it and, I
believe, for the world.

The next step is for the WHC to take center stage as the
organisation charged with developing barbershop around the world.
This can only happen, however, if the exisiting associations rally
to make this happen. This change won't come from leadership by the
SAI or the BHS, however. They have no reason to move such an
agenda forward. If it is to happen, it will only come from the
efforts of the world's other associations.

Once these associations have decided that this is the proper way
to move forward, they will need to begin the patient process of
educating the SAI and the BHS. This will not be an overnight
process, and it will probably take several years to accomplish. If
it does not happen, however, I fear that whatever momentum there
is left in the World Harmony movement may slow even further.

I believe the question for the twenty-first century is whether
leadership in the World Harmony movement by the North American
groups is either needed or wanted? My feeling is that it is not. I
believe the WHC is the proper venue for such leadership, and I'll
be interested in hearing others' thoughts on the matter.

Thanks, Andrew, for opening the discussion. All the best from the
West Coast (of Asia).

Patrick


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Patrick Kelly, Vocal Coach
Tel Aviv, Israel
pkelly@...
www.singisrael.co.il
Home: +972 3 696-4253
Cell: +972 54 660-SING (7464)
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"There is really only one quality of great
music and that is emotion."
Frederick Delius
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