Re: [Harp-L] Is this standard for SPAH?

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Fortunately, SPAH board members are also harp-l denizens, and now that the matter has been raised, steps have been taken both to help the individual and to address what we can do to improve service. As SPAH President Tom Stryker says, SPAH is nothing if not its members.
But Doug rightly points up the need for volunteers. One thing we consciously do these days is to recognize the need for continuity. Which means not only inviting members to volunteer at the annual SPAH convention, but also identifying talented, capable, and willing people to step up and be the next membership director, the next editor of Harmonica Happenings, the next treasurer, convention director, entertainment director and even the next president. Under Tom's direction, we're documenting our processes for our successors, and recruiting our successors, who then get to work with us and learn the ropes.
Volunteering for SPAH can be a lot of work, but it can also be a huge amount of fun, and it's very satisfying to successfully put on a great convention as we just did.
Winslow

Winslow Yerxa
SPAH Entertainment DirectorAuthor, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
Harmonica instructor, The Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
Resident expert, bluesharmonica.com
Columnist, harmonicasessions.com

--- On Sat, 9/4/10, Doug H <dough.harpl@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Doug H <dough.harpl@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Is this standard for SPAH?
To: "Chris Michalek" <groovygypsy@xxxxxxxxx>, "Harp L Harp L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Saturday, September 4, 2010, 9:19 AM

I'm with Chris on this one! (but with less bite!)

For many years I was on the board of our provincial home inspectors association here in Alberta.  It involved a lot of time, effort and stress, and was more or less thankless.  That experience gave me a real appreciation for anyone who volunteers for anything.  

Every issue of Harminca Happenings makes mention of the need for volunteers, and I believe that it has even been specifically mentioned that someone was needed to train to take over the membership duties.  (?)

Of course everyone who volunteers should try and do a good job, but anyone who thinks the service is not up to par, should consider taking on a little of the load themselves.  Sort of like: Ask not what your harmonica club can do for you -- ask what you can do for your harmonica club. 

Doug H
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Chris Michalek 
  To: Harp L Harp L 
  Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 11:32 PM
  Subject: [Harp-L] Is this standard for SPAH?


  Hey Bud, chill out, the convention of the year just happened two weeks ago,
  and weeks before that they were getting ready and it's not like they are
  some huge corporation with Customer Service reps in Pakistan.  Besides that,
  it's not like they are going to send you a medallion or anything. What are
  you expecting?


  ***

  Is this standard for SPAH?
  attached below is a copy of an email I just sent
  Mark

  I'm still waiting patiently some 33 days.
  On August 2nd I sent in  membership and still
  have not heard a thing on membership, I did get a  message a couple weeks
  ago stating sometime after the spah convention they will  get to it, it is
  now 14 days after the convention and have yet heard a thing.  approaching day
  34 and getting  very  discouraged.
  Regards
  Mark