RE: [Harp-L] SPAH Election

[Marc Molino <mmolino54@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm curious to hear from the candidates as to what they think is a realistic projection in terms of maxing out SPAH membership and how SPAH's membership size compares with other similar organizations (e.g., the National Harmonica League or Harmonicas de France Fédération). And where does SPAH's current membership count (800+ if I read correctly in a previous e-mail) stand in terms of a trend for the organization (is it a peak or somewhere in the middle)?
 
For what it's worth, I'm not a SPAH member. I've been playing the harmonica for 4 or 5 years and have really fallen for the instrument, but it's a hobby for me, and one toward which my money tends to go toward either equipment, music, and/or learning materials. And realistically, Harmonica Happenings is probably the only reason I'd sign up for membership since I'm not likely to spend the time or money on the convention (it sounds like a fantastic event and I'd love to meet some of the people I've befriended over the years via Harp-L, it's just nowhere near the top of the list of priorities for me). On top of that, I just don't tend to join many groups/associations (the draw of which would be the social aspect which I wouldn't likely take advantage of due to my schedule--fulltime employed/father/husband with parents and in-laws facing medical issues).
 
It seems like SPAH could probably better leverage technology to gain broader exposure and interest through social media (YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, etc.). I know they've started to do a bit of this, but while it may not be expensive necessarily, it does require dedicated, talented volunteers (having worked for and volunteered for a number of nonprofits, I realize how hard this is to come by and that relying on volunteers is not necessarily a sustainable model for longterm growth).
 
The current discussion reminds me a lot of a nonprofit art association that started in the city I used to live in. There were many wonderful ideas and lots of momentum to pursue different avenues to promoting and supporting the arts, but once we started holding an annual art festival, that took up 95% of our time and energy (and pretty much all of our funds). So the big questions seem to be what is a realistic goal in terms of expanding and sustaining membership, and how to improve/sustain the quality of the current convention while adding benefits to members as a whole (and what would these benefits be)? Would music stores or harmonica manufacturers give a discount to SPAH members? Would pros hold exclusive on-line chats with SPAH members? 
 
Anyhow, just wanted to share a few thoughts and hear what the current candidates thought about these issues. I'm mostly a lurker on the list, but I've grown very fond of this community and am continually impressed by the endless talent, dedication, passion, and support.
 
-Marc Molino
 

> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH Election
> From: bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:33:34 -0500
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> 
> Hi Folks,
> 
> I think it's been a long time since people have given much thought about SPAH. After 48 conventions and nearly 50 years, we've come to take it for granted that every August there will be a gathering of some 400 harmonica players someplace in the U.S.
> 
> That may not always be true if SPAH doesn't make some changes to how it does business. That's why I decided to run. And that's why a contested election is good. Regardless of the outcome, we'll at least have had a very necessary discussion about SPAH's identity and future direction.
> 
> To that end, my running mate Warren Bachman recently announced his candidacy as VP here on harp-l and elsewhere. My opponent the esteemed Winslow Yerxa responded in great detail.
> 
> Tit-for-tat campaigning is a zero sum game. Therefore, I've picked out a few comments which engage two of our central campaign themes inclusion and growth. My comments clarify the debate about SPAHs identity and whether we're going to be what we've always been or hazard a course correction so that we can remain relevant to the next generations of harmonica enthusiasts.
> 
> So, please read on.
> 
> 
> On Dec 12, 2011, at 5:37 PM, Winslow Yerxa [IN RESPONSE TO AN EMAIL ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY WARREN BACHMAN] wrote:
> 
> > ===WINSLOW
> > says: SPAH includes anyone who wants to join. To my knowledge, SPAH does not
> > exclude anyone. SPAH members self-select and all are made to feel welcome. To
> > imply otherwise is simply untrue, and is unfair to the hardworking and
> > welcoming staff and board members who organize SPAH. 
> 
> SPAH's business model and institutional inertia makes us elitist and unsustainable by design. The organization exists to plan and execute the convention.
> 
> Accordingly the exclusion occurs BEFORE joining, not after. The people of SPAH, of course, are wonderful. The current leadership team--including Winslow--are nice people and are very welcoming and generous to anyone who can afford the price of admission.
> 
> Looking at the situation as a business owner with lots of experience in the non-profit arena and as elected official in charge of a $32 million dollar budget and hundreds of employees and volunteers, our situation does not bode well.
> 
> After 50 years in existence, we have only 800 +/- members (and dwindling), approximately 400 of whom attend the convention in a given year. 
> 
> As we parse the business practices and dissect our financial situation. a clear picture emerges. we must make some adjustments sooner rather than later,
> 
> (1) The 2010 CPA's report describes the three major sources of revenue: dues ($31,453), net convention receipts ($10,851 from a gross of $54,701) convention merchandise sales (net $4,116). 
> 
> Our biggest expense is was the convention followed by management and general ($11,039) 
> 
> Zero dollars were spent on marketing and membership growth. Note the number isn't clearly delineated in the report and Profit and Loss Statements were requested and not made available)
> 
> (2) There are no tangible membership benefits except a discount on the convention fee and a subscription to HARMONICA HAPPENINGS.
> 
> (3) Our long-term members are frequent convention attendees.
> 
> (4) Our membership demographics are extremely narrow. Take an honest look at our membership (i) most of us over 40--in most cases well over. We're overwhelmingly male and caucasian. (ii) we have the resources to take a week off from work and spend $1500+ on airfare, hotel, food, and (iii) most of us have family situations that permit our absence for five days, unlike younger folks.
> 
> Yet there are thousands upon thousands of harmonica players. Inclusionary to Warren and I means building upon the foundation set in 1963 and nurtured with love and care over the years. 
> 
> In addition to putting on wonderful conventions, our first priority will be to add value to the membership and develop and execute a membership drive. To accomplish this we will leverage Warren's extensive background in sales, marketing and public relations and my business, technology and non-profit experience.
> 
> 
> > ===WINSLOW
> > SPAH membership doesn’t cost much, and membership revenues alone don’t cover
> > SPAH’s liabilities.
> 
> That's where the membership drive comes in. Imagine if we had several thousand members instead of 800. Right now we have no tangible marketing plan. We spend $0 on growing the membership in 2010--even though we have approximately $90k in the bank. At a minimum creating as membership marketing plan and investing some of the money into expansion and membership benefits profits everyone.
> 
> There's much to be said for what SPAH has been and for the people who have carried the organization to this point. They deserve our gratitude and respect. So, I say thank you!
> 
> But the we're at a crossroads. Membership numbers are declining and the population aging. At 54 I was the second youngest member of the Board.
> 
> My vision for SPAH is to make the changes necessary to set us on a course to be vibrant and relevant for another 50 years. The time to have the discussion and to make the adjustments is now while there's still something to save.
> 
> Bob
>