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2000Cadet
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Posts posted by 2000Cadet
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Well, this is what happens when you put your hands on people you're not supposed to. Though I'm extremely sad about this outcome, I'm more ANGRY at the adults who committed these crimes and put the corps in this position. The HATE I have in my heart toward those people is beyond any measurable order of magnitude. No amount of innovation, influence on the activity or World Championships excuses putting your hands or other body parts on CHILDREN or adults who do not consent.
Let this be a lesson for STUPID adults who consider committing these types of crimes. I hope you're punished to the fullest extent of the law.
This will probably be my last post on this site as I really see no more motivation to be here. I'm grateful for the way Cadets have changed my life, as well as the lifelong friends I've made from marching there. But the anger I have in my heart right now is taking over the excitement of participating in any type of drum corps discussion or watching drum corps again.
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Imagine, for a moment, that you are a kid auditioning for your favorite corps. You take look around as you stand in the horn arc, drumline or guard line and realize you’re the only kid of that ethnicity standing in that hornline; no one else there with whom to talk about your background, no one else who identifies with the struggles you’ve had to get to the point where you can actually AFFORD to march; hardly any instructors, staff members or caption heads who identify with your background. This isn’t exclusive to one demographic; in fact, this exists with many different people. THAT was what it was like for me.
I truly believe those who are against diversity or who claim initiatives like DEI are “political” do not have a full understanding of the entire history of this country and why it is important for all of us to have representation in many different aspects of life. There are many historical events in this country that we HAVE to learn and other parts of this country's history that is put on the back burner. That needs to change if we are to truly have a better understanding of EVERYONE'S struggles, triumphs and successes.
Kudos to corps like Bluecoats for delving deep into this and contributing to make drum corps a much better experience for EVERYONE.
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On 11/13/2023 at 11:00 AM, craiga said:
It won't be long before all the Hopkins women will be lining up....as they should.
If the current Cadets org ends up financially responsible for the torts of Hopkins, they may be sued into oblivion.
Not sure how I feel about this.
I won't be surprised if women and men, who have been affected, come after ALL the personnel and corps that have allowed this to happen.
On 11/13/2023 at 5:27 PM, DAYGO said:Hate to ask, but what is your motivation here? It sounds like it is to deal a "huge blow to the activity."
Given the events that has taken place in many business, activities, corporations, CHURCHES, etc., I will not be surprised if these things lead to DCI's demise. Apparently A LOT of sexual assault has happened all over the place in the past and too many people have not been held accountable for that. Drum corps is not immune to that, and all these people may have to pay for that.
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...and here he goes again.
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1 hour ago, Jeff Ream said:
I’m sorry it needed to be public. Why? Because they put it out there to feel free to reach out. If you’re going to respond as they did but come here claiming to be available for questions is a dick move.
I often in my job have to have uncomfortable conversations that may not make all parties happy. I often get questioned by third parties that legally I can’t give information to. But yet there’s ways to let people know information can’t be divulged, and there’s what I got.
so maybe my posting any of the exchange is like a yelp review. Buyer beware. I asked for info so maybe I could help. But I’m sorry you talk to me that way…. Well…..maybe I’m not better. But maybe now others willing to help know what to expect.
I remember reading an article about a Chinese restaurant that received a negative yelp review among a load of positive reviews. The Chinese restaurant responded to that review by telling that customer not to ever come back and that person doesn't have a right to be seated in that restaurant. Obviously, I wouldn't want a non-profit organization to respond in this way, but the lesson is, the customer may not always be right.
Let's not sugarcoat things here. It didn't need to be public. It seems to me you wanted it public because of the apparent slight you felt by the answer you were given, and therefore, felt it important that others who agree with you should know about.
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3 hours ago, corps8294 said:
The world went on when corps were folding years ago. The world went on when there was no drum corps in 2020. If a corps folds; let it go. Good grief. If if gets to the point where there's only a handful of corps left; WGI will take over what remains of DCI or the remaining corps will be creative and evolve into some other type of performance group. As I stated a few weeks ago; corps have been folding for decades. The only difference is that there aren't too many left to fill in the gaps, now. If it's the fate of DCI and its corps to eventually fade away; so be it.
This constant b******t about saving corps that get themselves into trouble has gotten way past the irritating point.While this may be true, things are different now than they were back then. You had many more corps than what we have today so losing one or two is a much bigger deal today than it was back then.
Each corps that folds nowadays shrinks DCI as an organization even smaller and smaller.
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21 minutes ago, HockeyDad said:
I guess we’re not going to move off of this point. That they aren’t financially capable of fielding a corps in 2024 is a fact. It is not conjecture. I would love to donate to help. First I want to know why this happened. Is it because they need to use their available funds to pay legal fees related to the lawsuit? I would like the truth. “Oh gee a couple unexpected bills caught us by surprise” is not the truth. And I would like to know what they are doing or plan to do to ensure this financial disaster doesn’t happen again. Until then I’m giving elsewhere. So, do as you wish. Have attitude. Launch counter accusations (you know, such as, we want Cadets to fail). Ok. Whatever. See how that works for ya.
Like I said to the other person. Donate to whomever you want. It's neither hurting me emotionally nor financially, so if it makes you sleep better at night to post that, good for you.
If my statements don't pertain you, then I don't see why you need to continue quoting me. If I had something to say about what you've posted, BELIEVE ME, I would say it directly to you. But if you want to sit here and minimize my thoughts by calling them "attitude," I really don't give a _____. But it doesn't change my thoughts on what I see from many people on this site.
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2 hours ago, Jeff Ream said:
all he had to was say "not answering". i'd have been cool with that. and yes i fi am going to give money, i want to know what is going on. while i have no choice in paying taxes for a dysfunctional government at every level in this country ( and i say that bashing both sides), i'm not donating to politicians who i feel are worthless. i'm not donating to charities that waste money. and i'm not giving to drum corps that can't be open about why they're failing and need help. Hence why in the last 2 years now SCV and Cadets aren't getting anything from me. so maybe you give money regardless of why ##### falling apart...i don't.
and i don't get off on calling people out. i actually like to praise people for a job well done. but i have a low tolerance for ########, and yeah i'll speak up about it. and if that is indicative of how representatives of the Cadets are going to be in a time when frankly their very survival is a big concern.....well, people need to know.
It's almost akin to reprimanding your subordinates in public instead of admonishing them in private. Many people have VALID concerns and I will not minimize that. This lawsuit against Cadets is serious AND warranted. But to post personal conversations between yourself and someone else (especially when that person chooses not to defend himself because of the potential problems that may arise given his being a member of the BOD) is classless and makes you no better than the very organization you're criticizing for "transparency." And you're right. He could have just said he wasn't answering. But you could have also kept your personal conversations to yourself, less it makes you look as if you're bitter for not receiving the answers you required.
This entire country has been affected by events that have taken place in the past few years; many business have closed, many people can't afford to pay bills, etc. Drum corps is not immune to those problems. Sure, may of them have been self-inflicted, but too many people come on here as if their #### doesn't stink.
39 minutes ago, greg_orangecounty said:But those kind of people are miserable anyway and anonomous message boards are just an outlet. We can't afford to lose Garfield, nor Santa Clara. The vast majority of us want to see both succeed.
Have faith, 2000Cadet.
I'm trying my best, believe me. But it is sickening to read some people's thoughts here that are based on nothing more than conjecture.
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17 minutes ago, Jeff Ream said:
but here's the thing......i'm loud. i'm as loved as hated for getting accurate info out. if the rumors were false, i'd have used my very loud voice to say so to end the speculation. i didn't reach out for a gotcha. i reached out because if false...well hell maybe i could help the corps in my own way.
but nope. i mean lord knows i was vocal in 2018, but i made it crystal clear i wanted the corps to survive and thrive. no one cheered harder than me at Allentown when they hit the Zpull...my God, the corps overcame all the ######## and became the mother ####### Cadets again! i felt like i witnessed an exorcism and i had such high hopes the corps that truly sucked me in in 1983 was back!
and now they're inactive, maybe dead, maybe having a fire sale, fighting a huge lawsuit in a town multiple zip codes away from their roots....and having people that speak for the corps demanding names or else.
I don't want them to fail. but after that i really have zero desire to do a ####### thing to help. you may try to make everything black and white, but the world ain't that simple. i'm really hoping i can avoid having to use the phrase " you used to have a really nice corps".
Then don't donate. I don't need an education from you as to how the world works as I have been in and around it long enough to know how it works.
I have no skin in the game. You don't get points from me for being loud, vocal, or whatever, and I am not here calling you or anyone else specifically out for anything. I simply pointed out what I'VE noticed. If you disagree with it, I really do not care.
But I do find it funny that you've chosen to air out a conversation you've had with a specific person, point out that they've asked you for names of people who've said what they've said (which, by the way, I agree that you shouldn't have to disclose any names or information like that), but then also demand transparency as to why certain events have taken place.
You can do what you want; you don't answer to me. I simply stated my opinion just as everyone else has. If the shoe fits, wear it. If you guys get off on calling out certain people, airing out conversations, then do what you do. That's not my business. Just know that as there are people here who agree with you, others do not.
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14 minutes ago, HockeyDad said:
Well then let’s just assume you’re talking about me. Conflating wanting real answers with rooting for the corps to fail is crap. I asked short, concise clear questions and I got defensiveness and attacks in reply. Let’s refresh. I asked two simple questions. What is the cause of not being able to field a corps in 2024, and what actions have you taken or are you planning to take to prevent reoccurrence. Maybe someday someone will want to actually engage in discussing this. Maybe not. This was all before the lawsuit blew out into the open and cast this on a different light. You call that rooting for Cadets to fail? I call it wanting Cadets BOD it internalize that they failed. Yes. They failed. And then, fix it. Attitude and acting like a pouty child from the BOD (notice I said BOD, not you) addresses nothing.
...and notice, your name was not mentioned in my comment, so this is all irrelevant to me.
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1 minute ago, Jurassic Lancer said:
If you think for one moment I am gloating about this, you are sadly mistaken. I was gutted when all this came out.
That I responded to and quoted your comment doesn't mean I was talking about you. I'm pointing out things just as you are.
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4 minutes ago, Jurassic Lancer said:
And some want to quash the whole conversation and pretend there is "nothing to see here."
And some are more than happy to see some organizations fall as they are more than willing to gloat.
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Mods, you can close this thread or do whatever you like with it. Doesn't matter to me anymore.
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16 hours ago, HockeyDad said:
(Reads new Cadets are being sued thread) Well, now I have my answer.
Congrats on your vindication. Now you all can continue with your schadenfreude.
And when they fold permanently, you can all rejoice.
As to the person who is suing them, GOOD. Sick of the bad behaviour from these stupid adults.
I'm done for good with all this.
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Just F.......... great. More bad news.
I give up. Have at it y'all. I'm done with this.
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21 minutes ago, Jeff Ream said:
you have to have a source willing to answer. and that is often the crux of the issue
I've seen posts on this forum from a person who's on the Cadets board who has continuously stated people could reach out to him for questions and he'd answer to the best of his ability based on what he can say.
I can't speak for other people or other corps, but I know I have reached out to Cadets many times since the whole scandal and I've always been fortunate to receive answers to my questions.
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3 hours ago, Jeff Ream said:
whats wrong with us?
we want knowledge. we're cynical because we've seen PR spin fall apart. so people dig. yes some people root for failure. yes people look for who to blame. but many want to know why failure happened and figure out ways to correct it.
sadly in this activity, admitting failure is rare, which only leads to more failure.
If people truly wanted answers, they'd go to the source. And even when the source gives answers to their questions, some people either don't feel that answer is good enough, or they will come up with their own assumptions and conclusions based on what is provided.
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3 minutes ago, HockeyDad said:
Interesting statement isn’t it? Expenses were managed within expectations…. Fell short of fundraising goals. Well. Ok. I thought I would spend 10 dollars. And I did spend 10 dollars!! But I didn’t expect to only bring in 5 dollars. Sure, they managed their “expenses expectations.” They failed to manage their income expectations. So they failed in their budgeting. And that is what matters. But the words are fancy. I fear smoke is being blown at us. I hope for their success but the double speak and aggressive defensiveness makes me fear otherwise. I have seen this movie before.
This is exactly what I'm talking about. It does not matter what statement they put out, what questions they answer. People will still form their own assumptions as to why it happened.
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17 minutes ago, Jeff Ream said:
i have said before that lawyers may have to have some say.
Clearly some people (including myself) didn't realize this.
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8 minutes ago, scheherazadesghost said:
My commentary in this thread has demonstrated my willingness to bend (in the case of Chris pointing out that his board does have nonprofit pros... remember? I said kudos?)
That doesn't mean I won't call a spade a spade, or in this case, the spitting image of sour alum responses to valid concerns what they are. Again, that's not a "notion," that's and observed and verified behavioral trend that is not good for the sustainability of the activity. It eats away at the trust of what could be extremely loyal donors or volunteers.
Again, not in my case. I started calling things out in 2022 before both Vanguard hiatuses, the Cadets hiatus and others. I haven't experienced unicorns and rainbows in this activity pretty much ever so that's foreign to me. Also, if this thread isn't enough evidence, it's kind hard to speak out, especially when things are going well from all appearances. Retaliation in all its ugly forms is alive and well in this activity, like it or not.
Just because I'm calling for transparency doesn't mean I don't understand that. I literally included an article a few comments that summarizes that very challenge.
You can only earn back the empathy of some with consistent, diligent, repeated demonstrations of trustworthiness. My well for empathy is vast and broad, but not when I'm regarded the way I am nearly across the board. And again, not just me... but others like me who raise valid questions to various corps. Numerous others. When that same expectation for empathy extended to them, I will be the first to yield.
Well, I'm not here to invalidate your or other people's concerns. However, no organization, non-profit or for profit, is perfect, and they deserve to be held accountable. But there comes a point where people need to step back and recognize that, though they may not receive the answers they think they deserve, it does not mean those organizations are not trying to fix their issues (nor does it mean they ARE trying to fix them).
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3 minutes ago, scheherazadesghost said:
I didn't ask him anything except a question in a thread that's vanished. Still no answer there. In this thread, he hopped in and defended the org without my prompting. I asked whether I was missing something (quite open to the possibility) and he responded that I was incorrect about my verifiable observations. I even provided info from y'all's board, by his prompting, to further my point. 🤷🏽♀️
I don't understand the pushback on holding orgs to higher ethical/transparency standards. I'm glad you were appeased by their response; great, they need you and all other faithful supporters right now. I, too, recognize that value 'cause I'm actually not a monster or an enemy. Where we differ is that I also see value in raising questions and concerns, as publicly and respectfully as possible.
I just think public discourse is important in public nonprofits. And I've gotten results.
The pushback is the fact that a few people have already walked in with their own preconceived notions about what was going on within the organization, and many are requesting answers to questions on which they've already solidly formed their own opinions.
What is also rich to me is many of these questions only arise when things take a turn. But when things are unicorns and rainbows, there are crickets, naturally.
As for the bolded section, I do not think we differ in that idea. But I also recognize there are legal issues involved and while many of us do have questions, there is only so much information that can be put out there.
The only thing I'm saying is we could all learn a little empathy and patience instead of coming out the gate with pitchforks.
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23 minutes ago, scheherazadesghost said:
I didn't compare the problems at the corps. I'm not craving getting blasted here, honestly.
I compared the way that some alum respond to other alumni for bringing up their concerns publicly or privately. "Dampening" is the most diplomatic way for me to describe it. And it's not healthy. And it's not just Vanguard or Cadets. It's nearly everywhere I've looked. That's a trend. I and others pointed it out before Cadets announced their hiatus.
Also, it's not just my experience. And, as I sad above, not just my corps.
You mentioned earlier that people define transparency differently. The experts don't. They agree on what it looks like, have written extensively via free resources about it online, and that's who I listen to.
Well, here you have a guy who was willing to answer, and did answer your question, but not to your satisfaction. If I were in his shoes, I would think there's really nothing he or any BOD member could say that would appease those who claim to be looking for answers. Best thing they can do is learn from their mistakes and not repeat them, and to help people understand they're trying to fix whatever wrongs have been committed.
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17 minutes ago, scheherazadesghost said:
Indeed, the essential work of a nonprofit is balancing transparency with confidentiality. There are mechanisms like Roberts Rules that tip toward the confidential side, and there are simple mechanisms for tipping in the other direction. Like here https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-balance-transparency-confidentiality-16c
So, what is the Cadets' org or board transparency policy?
I peeped your website. 2/15 of your directors have nonprofit admin experience (outside of drum corps) and none of your staff do. Kudos on the 2 board directors that do though, genuinely, as they look super qualified. I hope that their expertise in grants and donor stewardship help ease y'all's challenges.
I don't see that across the activity though. Most corps board directors (including in Cadets' case) built their careers in entirely different fields with wholly different mechanisms and expectations. Nothing wrong with that, except that they are less familiar with the internal administrative strategies of healthy nonprofits.
And transparency is a particularly tricky strategy to employ, and not one you can necessarily learn as well in other fields.
I've only attempted to volunteer but continually get doors shut in my face across the activity. I'm getting tired of asking. I can't donate at this time... not unlike much of my age cohort, tyvm. So, any other ideas? The nearest show to me is 6 hours one way, so that's what I'm going to try and do. Otherwise FloMarching and this is about all I have. Feels great though, considering how much I still can't help but love this little niche of ours and have tried to be more involved...👍🏽
So, I've been sequestered here. I've met some incredible people here, some of whom reach out to me about productivity, safeguarding, and fundraising so I'm not exactly unproductive. I also don't think it's fair to pin the challenges of the activity on who you call "gossipers" though. There are so many other causes for the challenges in drum corps that ache for org accountability primarily anyway... no need to go looking for more external enemies and challenges.
When alum are treated like threats for bringing up difficult topics that they are experts about, I'd argue that the activity as a whole has already lost its moral/ethical compass.
You sound like some Vanguard alum I've met. Seemingly unwavering in their stance that acknowledging serious flaws in the activity is "negative." It's also called toxic positivity and it's not good for nonprofits. That's because:
I, and many others, experienced nonprofit mission failure in the drum corps activity. Our voices are just as important as yours and... could actually help construct a healthy, sustainable activity moving forward.
I think you'd be better off not comparing Vanguard's troubles to Cadets troubles. Each corps has their own issues and ways in which they have to deal with them, but holding all corps under the same fire based on your own experience with one corps is unfair in my opinion.
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2 minutes ago, Chris RL FHNSAB said:
Our current statements, and future ones, have and will continue to clarify/expand as we can. We don't speak as a BOD via DCP and I do not speak representing the BOD here, but as my own voice. We speak as one via our statements.
I do see that my general post you are responding to did not sink in, based on your question and it's accusatory tone. That's disappointing as I'm trying to help within the previously stated parameters all boards are governed.
Glad I'm not the only one who notices those things.
my favorite Cadets shows
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted · Edited by 2000Cadet
93 - Only experienced watching videos of this performance as I didn't know anything about drum corps until 1995.
96 - Guard was incredible.
97 - First time I'd ever seen Cadets live and first year I was able to march a DCI drum corps. I thought they were robots.
98 - This is the show that made me want to march there. Drill and marching were absolutely magnificent.
2000 - Obviously, since I marched this year. Funny thing is I HATED this show when we first came out, but it grew on me throughout the season.
2011 - A visual masterpiece.
I am such a huge Cadets fan that they used to call me SuperCadet when I was in Cadets. I'm going to miss this corps deeply. The tears in my eyes as I type this can't express how much I hate this news.