The Northwest Campanologist

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Greetings Handbell Musicians.

     I am pleased to announce that we have a new Membership Chair.  Ann Pomazal from Milwaukie, Oregon has accepted the position which has been vacant since last October.  Ann comes to us with a wealth of experience working for other non-profit organizations and was highly recommended by Ellie Hodder, our Regional Membership Coordinator. We are very excited to have Ann on board.

     Over the past several weeks, the Area 10 Board has been working hard on some of the initial planning for the 2014 Area 10 Conference, scheduled for June 27-29, 2014 in Yakima.  While the event is still a year away, we wanted to get some information out to you now so you have an opportunity to review the specifics around some of the changes we're planning, and so you can start thinking about any fundraising efforts you may need to consider to attend the event.

     As I mentioned in an article earlier this year, we are making changes to the event format to make the event more accommodating to individuals and smaller groups as well as full choirs.  On Friday and Saturday, we are planning four 3-hour sessions (two sessions per day).  During each session, you may participate in a single 3-hour class which requires pre-registration, you may participate in two different classes 60-90 minutes in length which do not require pre-registration, or you will be participating in a Tins/Coppers/Bronze rehearsal.  On Sunday, there will be no classes, and the day will be focused on rehearsals for those who participate in the Massed ringing division.  We will be offering full weekend registrations as well as single day registrations for those who are interested in participating in the event and having some time over the weekend to take advantage of the various tourist activities the area has to offer.

     Another component of the 2014 Conference I need to address is the cost of the event.  Our 2012 event in Tacoma took a significant loss due to low registration numbers and high expenses for the facility and the clinicians.  I have taken steps to significantly reduce the costs of the 2014 event, but even with these measures, it will become necessary for us to increase our registration fees for the event to be financially viable.  A full weekend registration for the 2014 event will be $250, or $220 if you meet the early bird registration deadline.  We are also offering a single day registration for $100 per day.  Registration includes one meal per day.  We are in the process of working out deals with hotels in the area to get a conference rate for lodging during the event.  It is my hope that by announcing this pricing now, you will be able to plan appropriately over the next few months and can include the 2014 Area 10 Conference in your budget.

     Information about the 2014 Area 10 Conference is available on our website at http://area10.handbellmusicians.org.  So far we have posted a list of the 3-hour classes we're offering for pre-registration and some other general information.  We are in the process of finalizing the music list for the Tins, Coppers, Bronze, and Massed ringing divisions, and hope to be able to post this on the web site over the next few weeks.  We will be updating the web page as information becomes available, and we will continue to share the highlights in upcoming editions of the Campanologist.

     Last month, I offered a list of interesting and unique techniques, and asked for folks to submit anything they've seen or done that they thought was unusual.  I received one story I'd like to share.  A couple years ago during an event at Camp Magruder in Oregon, there was a participant who was unable to stand, and had difficulty doing a tower swing. Someone had suggested swinging the bells overhead to accommodate.  During the event, others also adopted this new style of tower swing to show support.  I want to thank Jim Culbert from McMinnville, Oregon for submitting this technique.

Brian Tervo

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Musicality in Motion

Like traditional? We've got it!

Want something different?

We've got it!

Come to the Yakima Convention Center,

Yakima, Washington,

for the 2014 Area 10 Handbell Conference.

Friday, June 27 - Sunday, June 29, 2014

National board elections are just a few months away. Who are you nominating?

A butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker?

A lawyer, a banker, a marketing major?

A teacher, a ringer, a strategic planner?

     Who should serve on the next national board of directors of the Handbell Musicians of America? Whoever it is, you will play a vital and essential roll.

     A nomination form is available at handbellmusicians.org.  Just click on the National Board Nominations news item on the home page to find the form.  This form is the only means to nominate someone for consideration to the national board of directors.

The nominating deadline is September 1, 2013.

Online voting begins February 15, 2014 and ends March 15, 2014.

     The membership will vote for president-elect and for two at-large candidates. The results will be posted at handbellmusicians.org, in Overtones, through E-Notes, and through communication with the area chairs

Who would make a desirable candidate for the national board?

     The national board of directors must be diversified with individuals who share an interest in our instrument without gender or ethnic bias. To achieve this diversity, the qualities listed below are among some for which the national board will pursue in finding potential nominees and candidates.

• Historical experience with AGEHR/Handbell Musicians of America
• Business experience such as in finance, policy governance, marketing, law, human resources and fundraising
• Music and handbell experience such as directing, ringing, music education, church, community, and specials needs choirs
• Strategic planning and/ or not-for-profit

     This diversity of backgrounds and experiences will broaden the national board's  perspective, enabling them to design the type of forum for strategic planning and futuristic leadership that Handbell Musicians of America requires in order to be successful in a more competitive non-profit environment.  We need a range of personalities for a board that can collectively become skilled to:

• think ahead
• brainstorm
• be probing in terms of how "this" goal will relate to our mission
• reason what the costs, as compared to the overall benefits, are for our members
• be a servant/leader

     The best possible future for the Handbell Musicians of America board of directors will come from good communication between diverse individuals who share our mission, vision, values and goals. You know these people. Therefore, the best possible future for Handbell Musicians of American ultimately rests with you. But, before you nominate someone, check with her or him to insure they are able and willing to be considered for one of the most fascinating and rewarding responsibilities they could imagine. Then place that person into nomination by completing the attached form and mailing it to the address specified on the form, or by going online and voting at handbellmusicians.org.

Who are you nominating?

Philip L. Roberts, nominating committee chair

 Sunday, July 21 - 3:00 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 212 East Third Street, Emmett. Ring Praise Music Ministry (Phyllis Tincher, handbell soloist, and Sean Rogers, pianist) is giving a benefit concert for the two churches in Emmett that had fires caused by arson, Community Bible Church and First Baptist Church. An offering will be taken to go to these churches.