[Perform-talk] Talent Show: Whose Responsibility Is It?

[Marion Gwizdala]

Kevin,
    I appreciate your message and your willingness to be "a part of the 
solution". I am not on the PAD Board, but serve the Movement as president of 
another division. I know how important it is to have the membership involved 
in the work of the division. I also know how frustrating it can be to face 
the criticism of the membership, only to face resistance and excuses as to 
why the critics cannot help!
    I also want you to know how much I enjoyed the presentation you made on 
behalf of PAD last year. It was very informative. I got a lot out of it and 
didn't realize you were new to the Movement! As you mature in the NFB, you 
will be an awesome asset! Keep up the great work and continue to be 
involved!

Fraternally yours,
Marion




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Reeves" <lists at kevinreeves.net>
To: "Performing Arts Division list" <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 2:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Talent Show: Whose Responsibility Is It?


>I completely agree. I'm the new guy here in the NFB, but I intend to help 
>out the division as much as possible this summer, as it is my second 
>convention, and I will be less overwhelmed by the information overload I 
>experienced last summer. Thanks so much for this concise yet poignant 
>message.
>
> Kevin
> On Apr 28, 2011, at 9:24 AM, Marion Gwizdala wrote:
>
>> Dear All,
>>    I have been reading the numerous messages on this list about the 
>> quality of the talent show and I wanted to offer my perspective. Several 
>> of the messages criticize the quality of the broadcast and a few comments 
>> shared the challenges they faced hearing themselves while performing. 
>> Though there were one or two individuals who offered input on how such 
>> issues could be resolved, a majority of the messages were only criticisms 
>> with nothing constructive offered to remedy the issues.
>>    The Performing Arts Division is a membership organization. As such, 
>> the organization belongs to the members. Membership carries with it 
>> certain privileges, among those, the right to speak on the floor, vote, 
>> and hold office. With every privilege, there are concomitant 
>> responsibilities. Our speech should be respectful and the leaders we 
>> elect should be diligent, accountable and responsive.
>>    Producing a talent show takes quite a bit of work and providing good 
>> sound takes a little bit of money. Membership dues are not intended to be 
>> a fund raising program but a token of commitment. PAD raises funds 
>> through its other endeavors, such as the sale of albums. I believe that 
>> last year's talent show featured about 30 performers. yet, only a handful 
>> of those performers volunteered to staff the PAD table and raise funds to 
>> help defray the costs associated with the show and the other initiatives 
>> of the division. In fact, to the best of my memory, it seemed that the 
>> same few individuals staffed the table the entire time the exhibit hall 
>> was open.
>>    If this division is to be successful achieving its goals, it requires 
>> the support of its membership. This means more than just paying dues; it 
>> requires you to be involved. If you want the division to produce a 
>> quality Showcase of Talent, you must do more than just show up! As the 
>> adage says, "You are either a part of the problem or a part of the 
>> solution!" Which will you be?
>>
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion Gwizdala
>>
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>
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