From the nominating committee:

A Nominating Committee has been appointed to collect nominations for officers for the 2004 Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Convention and for the new non-profit corporation's Board of Directors. The last date for nominations is Sunday November 23, 2003 at midnight. The election will take place on Sunday December 7th following the Amherst sing and by email.

Please remember that to vote for officers and board members (and to run) you need to be a member of WMSHC. If you haven't paid dues since October 1st 2003 you are not currently a member. Any singer that pays WMSHC $1 or more and SPECIFIES that the donation is intended to cover membership dues has the right to vote in all matters from that date until the next October 1st. Give your dues to any current officer and specify that the money is for your dues. If that's not possible, send them to:

WMSHC P.O. Box 633 Northampton, MA 01061-0633

Here is an overview of what being an officer or board member entails (more detailed descriptions of individual officer responsibilities are also available - contact the nominating committee):

Convention officers: The convention officers will be responsible for planning the annual convention, appointing committees, delegating convention work as required. The convention officers are: Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary.

(NOTE: instead of a treasurer the convention officers will appoint a finance committee.)

Board of Directors: The directors oversee the operations and finances of the organization. Their responsibilities include developing and implementing policies and goals, budgeting, fundraising, community relations, and disbursing funds. They will delegate and coordinate activities such as CD projects, singing schools, sponsored singing events, and any other projects the group decides to take on. They should expect to meet a minimum of six times per year and should be ready to put some time and energy into the group outside of meetings.

Corporation Officers: The first board of directors will select corporation officers from amongst themselves. The corporation officers are President, Clerk, and Treasurer. The corporation officers oversee day to day operations and represent the group in legal transactions. Members who are running for a position on the board of directors should indicate whether they are willing to be an officer and if so, which one(s). Corporation officers are similar to the officers in the current group, minus the convention duties.

If anyone wishes to nominate themselves or someone else please contact:

Sheila Kelley rkelley@berkshire.edu 413-536-7547
Greta Holbrook gretaholb@aol.com 413-253-5451
Lydia Vernon-Jones vernonjone@aol.com 413-335-2990

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The Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Convention "WMSHC" promotes community-based singing from The Sacred Harp through Sacred Harp Singing Schools, an annual Singing Convention and other educational and outreach activities. The Convention has no institutional, religious or political affiliation, but fosters the fellowship Sacred Harp singing engenders, and all who wish to participate are invited to lift their voices in song, regardless of musical training or ability.