BIRDS 2008--Please Read, then Drum and Dance!!!

topic posted Sun, January 13, 2008 - 6:56 AM by  Daveed
Respects...
You might see this letter cross-posted all over the place. I wish to reach the widest community possible and your understanding is appreciated. Should you know someone who might benefit from this information, please pass it along.

I apologize that it has been a while since I last wrote. This past BIRDS festival was a smashing success. Thanks to everyone who participated in making it a most memorable event.

There are some fantastic pictures posted on-line for all to see. These pictures are from the two evening concerts and have been provided by Eric Willison, President of the Mill Valley Cultural Arts Umbrella (www.millvalleyarts.org); click on the BIRDS link under the Latest News banner. We will be posting many of these on the BIRDS’ site shortly. If anyone took pictures during the Saturday street fair, we are looking for new photos for the website. You will receive proper photo credit and a link to your web page, should you have one and wish a link.

On to other matters, John Millen has informed me that he wishes to step down as president of the board, after many years of dedicated service to the festival. I congratulate John on his extensive commitment and dedication to the community. He has expressed his desire to continue serving on the board in a sort of emeritus capacity. Institutional memory is vital to the success of any organization.

So where does this leave BIRDS? Well, to put on a festival that can reach a maximum potential public requires people who can work together to create the event. We need people who have fundraising & grant writing experience. Additionally, we need people who have skills in promotion & marketing…audio, photo & video production… programming & logistics... community education, etc. We are looking for imagination, innovation and creative problem solving.

This is a tall task!!! However, it cannot be done successfully by just a few people. This is especially true when taking into account that everyone has a life outside BIRDS: i.e. work, school, family and other obligations. BIRDS is a community-based organization that needs a strong community behind it.

Now, to next topic: the BIRDS’ Board. I am announcing that there are six to ten openings for new board members. We are looking for people who want to be community builders and who wish to influence the future direction of the Baltimore International Rhythm Festival. The board needs people who can do all those items I addressed above, plus bookkeeping and general office assistance.

There are no limits to the possibilities that can be accomplished if we work together. That said, it is important for everyone to realize that for BIRDS to move forward we need people to step up and take on these various tasks.

The beauty of this is that no one will be asked to do anything outside their expertise. If we can get enough folks to become involved, then no one will have to work too hard and much more will get accomplished. It is truly up to the community to decide the direction of the organization. It should never reflect just one point of view, but many.

Well, there you have it. I am challenging everyone to get involved. It’s now up to all of us to make this wonderful organization achieve its fullest potential.

Aleichem Shalom…

Daveed Korup
posted by:
Daveed
Maryland