Re: [Harp-L] Undiscovered Talent Grant

[Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

David,
Maybe I am reading either Bob or you incorrectly, but I do not think Bob is
talking about a youth scholarship.  He is talking about an unknown pro
scholarship.
MIchael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com

On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 1:59 PM, David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> I'm glad you took it in the spirit I intended. Don't get me wrong. I
> wasn't talking about leaving SPAH out of it entirely. If you come up with
> some thing that makes it possible for some kid to get a free ride to SPAH,
> the SPAH officers aren't going to turn this kid away at the door. I might
> say you could work to change SPAH, but you already did run for president
> and lost. For that, you are already not living in that grey world of
> twilight, neither in victory or defeat that T.R. spoke of. For us, it was
> good to have two people who wanted the job competing, as opposed to having
> to find somebody who will take the job. Keep in mind, it's not a lifetime
> appointment, either.
> You've demonstrated a desire for leadership and here it is on a silver
> platter, you can make something positive happen to do or not do things is
> relevant. Just send the kid.
> SPAH is where the things are happening and that's where the kid needs to
> go. As the leader, your job would be to focus the energies of those who
> want to help you.
>  First thing, is something Brad Harrison used to talk about at HH "put the
> aces in their places." There is a group you can work with on this and they
> are doing some great things. They sound like they should have their own
> comic book series - they call themselves  Young Harmonica All Stars
> International - but are active, young and doing great things. They can be
> of great help with this, including helping pick your kid. Get in touch with
> Brandon Bailey or  Connor Frontera. They are young, energetic, love the
> harmonica and are looking for positive ways to focus their boundless
> energies. But, I don't think SPAH is necessarily out of it
> participation-wise. Once you guys get the ball rolling on this and it takes
> shape you can put another ace in his/her place, somebody designated to work
> with SPAH to try to get support of some form, regardless of how small, even
> if it's just "OK, we'll buy the kid a sandwich on Friday." In perfect
> honesty, this would need
>  to be somebody who had not just engaged in a heated election with the
> current leadership because it's very hard to establish a positive rapport
> for negotiation when relationships have been formed that way.
> It's OK to have the kid work for it. Maybe he/she could do a presentation
> at a school. Maybe other stuff, I don't know. Things are more valuable to
> you when you have to work a little for them.
>
>
> David Payne
> www.elkriverharmonicas.com
>
>
> Elk River Harmonicas Forum now available via Iphone app,
> www.elkriverharmonicas.com/forum
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 11:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Undiscovered Talent Grant
>
> On Oct 3, 2012, at 1:03 AM, David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > I believe, that for every situation in life, there is an applicable
> Theodore Roosevelt quote.
> > This one applies now:
> > "Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an
> oyster."
>
> David,
>
> What an inspiring post! I'm a big TR fan myself. (We could use a leader
> like that right about now.) I'm tired but not an oyster. Thank for the kick
> in the tuchas.
>
> Don't get me wrong, the SPAH convention is amazing and the attendees
> wonderful. However, SPAH, both management and culturally, seems unwilling
> or unable to engage in meaningful self-reflection and adjust to the times.
>
> Perhaps you are right. It's time for me to to leave SPAH to its
> self-prescribed niche and to create a new harmonica organization that is,
> in my opinion (and perhaps others) more reflective of the larger harmonica
> community and that more fully embraces the preserve and advance mission.
>
> You are good man and a generous soul David Payne. I'd roll with you any
> time! Maybe others will as well?
>
> Bob Cohen
> Writer, Internet Consultant, Teacher
> w: bobjcohen.com
> t: #itsabobworld
>