Worldwide Barbershop

Quartet Association

SPPBSQSUS

Lodges In Motion

February 2025

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK . . . . . . . . .SPPBSQSUS Newsletter Issue 24-6

Hello Roger

WBQA BOARD APPROVES NEW PROVISIONARY LICENSE FOR NEW LODGES

The Society established ten steps to form a Lodge several years ago. But realizing that accomplishing all ten steps before approval is a difficult task, the Board decided to issue a provisional one-year license if the first five steps are completed. The first five steps require that you have at least ten WBQA members, have a leader, pick a name and submit an application. Once approved, your organization will receive all of our Lodge benefits, which include insurance, for a period of one year in order to complete steps 6 through 10.

Our hope is to get the process started to help groups of Barbershop harmony singers come together and enjoy the fun, fellowship and harmony! Our goal is 25 Lodges in 2025!

NEW LODGE ANNOUNCED - EAST ALABAMA #15

At the WBQA Board meeting on January 8th, our 15th Lodge was issued a provisional license. Tony Ivey, the driving force behind the group is anxious to build the group into a force.

Tony said that among their 17 members so far, that some are long-distance members. The Lodge believes that "No member should EVER be Lodge-less" and all are treated as full members and included in every aspect. The new Lodge's mission is:

• Be Kind
• Do Good
• Sing Well!!

They state that they "are not a singing organization that happens to be fraternal, but a fraternal family who happens to love singing".

Members are Tony Ivey, Dylan Mitchell, Rick Nichols, Michael Gibbons, Jordan Pierson, Mel White, Dennis Brannon, Jimmy Tompkins, Curtis Ivey, Davis Ivey, Jack Donaldson, Bob Hodges, Derrick Sturke, Ed Wharton and Lifetime Elder/Mentor members George Gipp, Rick Taylor and Kenny Ray Hatton.

We wish them much success achieving their goals and having fun!.

LODGE FORUM AT CONVENTION A SUCCESS

Over 60 men attended the three day Lodge Forum at the Convention to find out, not only how to form a Lodge, but tips on making it successful. Some of the speakers included Artie Dolt, founder and director emeritus of San Antonio's Friends in Harmony Lodge which has over 100 men singing, plus the Richmond brothers, Keith, director and Garth, President of the Sussex, British Columbia Lodge. Speakers included Kenny Hatton, founder of the North Alabama Lodge, Bobby Gray, from Joplin Lodge #8, Brian Sparks, Ashland, KY Lodge #7 as well as others.

Hopefully, these speakers were able to inspire those interested to create a Lodge in their area, give a lot of 'how to' experience and one-on-one advice.

Lodge Happenings:

There has been a lot of activity happening:

Lodges in Action:

1. Granville, Ohio has organized and held their 4th meeting in January. Leader, Darren Whitman, said that they will be ready to apply for a Provisional License in February.
2. Memphis, TN, the "BBQ Lodge" is preparing for their Provisional License application in February.
3. The Lake Erie North Ohio Lodge says that "they are ready!". They are an offshoot from last year's 'Cleveland Gathering' of Barbershoppers in the area. Al Downey will direct the group and George Zent-Kiraly is the 'spark plug' to 'getter done!'
4. Northern New York - Brad Lundquist has 12+ men ready to form a Lodge

What joy it is to perform for a group and see the good feelings that we bring to them!

Lodges, we would love to hear about your activities and feature them in the next issue of Lodges in Motion. Please send a description and any photos to George Gipp at gggipp@att.net

SPPBSQSUS / Worldwide Barbershop Quartet Association

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