[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 60-04, October - December, 2006 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

We Are Not Alone

By Chuck Alexander, Ontario District President

While attending the Leadership Forum this year, there was a lot of discussion within the class of district presidents regarding financial problems, low attendance at conventions and reduced participation at district Chapter Operations Team Seminar and Harmony Education Program schools. A host of ideas were being bantered around from an increase of dues to a fee increase at the various functions. Three other districts were even proposing an increase similar to that presented at our House Of  Delegates whereby registrations to conventions would be prepaid.

The reason for the lower attendance is similar to those expressed by many of our members through our YahooGroup system. Travel, accommodations and food costs at conventions continue to increase while disposable income is reducing.

Many members questioned why our dues were so high in comparison to those in other districts. The fact is that we in Ontario face significantly more costs when running our conventions than our counterparts in the USA. Whether we hold our convention in a school or a church, we are forced to pay thousands of dollars in rent while school auditoriums in the USA are available for little cost while many of the amenities at their convention are provided through corporate donations or municipal arts grants.

The Society looks to the International convention and the Midwinter convention to realize monies to run our Society headquarters and programs over and above revenues from member’s dues. Districts must do the same.

Suggestions have come forth to cancel programs. One district has cancelled their HEP school three times in the last four years. Is that fair to the members who want to attend the school? One district faced a significant financial penalty for not meeting contractual obligations just as we have at some conventions due to lower accommodation bookings.

Your District Board (BOD) and Management Team (DMT) work extremely hard to provide Ontario District with programs and events to better our musical skills while allowing us the opportunity of the fellowship that this organization provides. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Should you wish to volunteer to be a member of the DMT, we would welcome you as we continue to seek chairmen for various committees including a Chairman of Conventions to look after future site selections, bookings of convention hotel headquarters and all other related convention duties. If you are interested in assuming this task, contact me at <president  @  ontariodistrict.com>.     k