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My appeal to Dan Acheson: Act. Now and Decisively. Get rid of those you KNOW have no business being in this activity. Or get out of the way and let someone else do the job if you aren't up to the task. The survival of the activity may depend on it. Do we need to name names so the press can pick up on it and shame you into action? Because there are still people out there, and you know it.

Drum corps has never existed in a vacuum. From Civil War colorguard, the post WWI VFW, CYO and American Legion, the baby boom, the flight to suburbia, the completion of the interstate highway system which helped corps to tour nationally, the late 2000s financial crisis: all of these have shaped what drum corps was and what it was becoming. We are in the midst of a seismic cultural shift in awareness of abuse of power in general, sexual abuse specifically and the almost reflexive tendency of people and institutions to ignore or cover up malfeasance and handle it in-house. I probably don't have to go through the list of people and institutions, but they run the gamut from secular Hollywood to the halls of religion. Common among the situations, however, is that those who abuse depend upon the fact that they hold both short-term and long-term power over the ability of their victims to do the things they love, or to make a career; the abuser has a respected, charismatic, and often autocratic position and thus the victim is afraid not to be believed, and the victim is afraid that the institution they also love will suffer damage if they speak out. All three of these elements which create the conditions for abuse to happen are present in drum corps. It would be highly unusual if drum corps was exempted from this reckoning. The Hopkins #metoo moment catalyzed the specific investigations into different organizations. But I believe the question is not 'What is wrong with drum corps?' as if drum corps was a unique case; but, 'How do the conditions which are present in drum corps today aid and abet abuse of power by individuals, just as we see in every other area of society? What checks and balances can be put in place to minimize or eliminate the perpetuation of such abuse?' This is a far different question than asking about individual actors. I certainly hope that DCI is able to find the proper ways to address living in the cultural moment. We have seen two extremes in response: the current YEA leadership to the positive, and Roman Blenski to the negative. I think the jury is still out on the current DCI leadership. Whatever one may think of Dan Acheson, he has led the organization through turbulent times and may be able to do so again. Whatever happens, I don't think the 'drum corps activity' will disappear. But again, far from simply focusing on actors, the above questions, 'what conditions exist which allow an atmosphere where abuse is probable to flourish,' and 'what changes and checks and balances are necessary to dispel this atmosphere?' are urgent, no matter how painful.

I saw this on Facebook and thought it might be appropriate to this thread...PRIORITIES a bit misguided...

Like Kamarag said, we'll be in Reading tomorrow. We had a tough time with scheduling this year because of the timing of our approval and because of some longstanding member scheduling conflicts. We were bumped from the Clifton show, couldn't do the Jefferson Township show because about a half-dozen of us had already committed to being in Indianapolis volunteering with the Free Players the year prior, couldn't do Peckville because the roster was already full, and decided not to do Woodbridge so that we wouldn't be doing three show weekends in a row. It wasn't our preference, but that's how it shook out, and I think we're going to be plenty ready for our debut.

Setting the minimum age to 18 seems like a weird form of victim blaming. Comes off as "abusers will be abusers, we should make sure any charges put on these abusers does not additionally include charges involving minors."

I invite you to the world or reality where you can't take actions as you describe with out proper documented evidence. I get that things need to be cleaned up but if you think that DCI can just run roughshod over the activity and kick people out based on hearsay evidence you are bonkers. They have to follow a process that includes investigating all allegations of abuse/neglect and reach a finding before they can act. If they don't they will get sued off the face of the earth.

Dan seems to only make a move when things blow up in the media. Maybe Dan is a part of the swamp itself. I have a hard time he hasn't known about pioneer's issues prior to this season. It's time to be proactive instead of reactive. Enough of playing defense.

I'm sure Boston thanked all its donors. It just takes time for the little bottles to float to the mainland.

I believe they need time to locate those 2nd or 3rd cousins to fell those new positions.

Boy am I sick of hearing this lame phrase (the title of the thread ) All I'm going to say on the subject is draining the swamp often just caused an even bigger swamp or even a sewer. SO the ones in charge of draining ( which is needed ) need to be under the microscope as strictly as those so-called being drained.

Totally in the 2010s, my friend. Have you contacted the Board for the corps where you have evidence that they're employing someone whose past should disqualify them? Have you done it using your name so that they can contact you for more information as to the specifics? If you've done this, and gotten no response, then absolutely, escalate it to DCI along with the evidence you have that this person(s) are well-known to be problems to the activity and be prepared to back it up. The reality is that DCI's operational structure WAS designed in the 70s. If you'd read the post, you'd have seen that I personally think it's in need of an overhaul. But realists work with the world as is, and DCI's ability to hunt down undesirable elements from the activity and get rid of them by fiat is much more limited than the pitch fork brigade ($1 to Garfield) would want to believe. It is primarily THE INDIVIDUAL CORPS' responsibility to make sure that everyone working with them is someone who doesn't bring baggage to the room, and to fully investigate the people they're hiring. I've suggested before that everyone seeking staff positions sign a document that lists their former employers in the drum corps, band, and scholastic world and giving their potential new employer the right to ask their previous employers detailed questions about that individuals time on staff, including passing on information that would indicate a problem recognizing boundaries with the members, volunteers, and other staff members. Right now, most states' employment regulations severely limit a company's ability to seek out this information, because it could be seen to be defamatory. Even more to the point, a criminal background check (which most corps run on every hire) will not turn up some of the information that would prove useful - for example, if a staff member has a history of hitting on or having relationships with adult members of his or her previous corps: that behavior wouldn't be breaking any laws, but could be seen as violations of ethical protocols that would put up a red flag. Do the corps do this now? No, because in most states, they can't. But this activity should aim to hold up a higher standard and those who want to teach in this activity should know that their behavior on staff will be open for discussion for any new corps they want to work with. If you want to change something you start by being proactive, not by being retributive.

I'm curious - does the OP have credible information and evidence that there are specific people with backgrounds that would disallow them from working at individual corps who are, in fact, working today with a corps? If so, have you contacted that corps' Board of Directors directly, passing on the information you have? DCI, even with the changes put in this year, was not designed to be a policing agency for the individual corps. That role is primarily, as it always has been, with the individual corps in question. IF a specific corps' Board of Directors is unresponsive to your contact, then I could see escalating to the DCI level, with full documentation of exactly when and where the conversations took place. I would CC Kathy Black, the DCI Board President, on any all all claims of impropriety or illegal activity I'm hearing that there's movement for a complete overhaul of the DCI Governance model (no directors on the DCI Board, and a stronger ED role in policing backstage elements of how the corps do business). I'm hoping that information is accurate, since it's time for DCI to modernize the oversight and financial structure of their organization to be in a better position to promote the activity and safeguard the members and the staffs with firmer, enforceable policies. If DCI's voting membership ever had a reason for supporting this notion, you'd have to hope that this past 6 months would be all the evidence they need.

The more Blenski talks the better case he makes for killing the corps and banning him for life

You can’t drink all day unless you start in the morning!

I was with you on most things until this statement. The corps and situation that brought this whole thing to a head was one of the premiere "elite level" DCI performance groups. GH and a large number of sycophantic followers/alumni as well as DCI itself allowed it to fester at the top for literally decades. I know people want to point to Cadets as a model for what should be done to correct issues but I think we need to tap the brakes there a bit and allow them to stay clear of issues for more than a few months before we all fall to out knees praising them. I'm sure I'll catch heck for saying this but come on people.

Given the complexity of the problem and the fact that we are now in the off-season, I want DCI to take the time needed to actually resolve the issues as effectively as possible.

but Dan is a scapegoat. It wasn't his job to be Mark Emmertt from the NCAA. that was not how DCI was set up and in fact, Dan answers to the board. Why? When DCI was founded, they didnt want an all powerful overlord like Tony S from the VFW.

at least keep it to drum corps politics..there's enough there..lol

Back in the 50's, early 60's. most Drum Corps were community based. They received just about all their marchers from the local church parish that sponsored them, or from Veterans Organizations sponsorships in the local communities that sponsored them. However, as Corps decided to become better in competition placements, increasingly more and more Corps decided to take in Marchers that were either not in the Church Parish, or not even from that local community, but instead from 3-30 miles away communities. Well, can't ask Parishioners to continue to fund Corps that increasingly had fewer and fewer " Parishioners " in the Corps. And once DCI started, and Corps increasingly no longer participated in Veterans sponsored Drum Corps shows, units no longer could receive sponsorship funds from the local VFW's and American Legion Organizations. Some Corps back then relied upon funding from both church groups, Veterans Organizations. They competed in local based circuits ( maybe 10- 20 shows each season in their own states ), and went national maybe once or twice a year for competitions. But when DCI started in 1972, the local circuits died out as Corps joined DCI. DCI had a National Touring Model it developed for most Corps. This required FAR more travel expenses than they were previously accustomed too. So without the local Parish financial support, without the Veterans Org. financial support, without the local community grounded support, the loss of Corps that had already begun before DCI's formation accelerated rapidly in the early 70's under DCI's watch. Add in the military Draft initiated for Vietnam, and the economic downturn, double digit interest rates, and the quadrupling of gas prices for Corps bus travels in the 70's, and all this combined sunk Corps in a tsunami of unanticipated events. The Corps during this time were run by people no more, nor no less competent than what we see now running Drum Corps. This caricature ( heard many times before ) that Corps BITD were badly managed, is an assessment not shared by me. Today's DCI Drum Corps are by and large ALSO run by mostly " non business oriented, and trained " people. Back in the day, Drum Corps was run by MORE business oriented people, and less people from the Education realm. It is inaccurate to conclude that the people from the Education realm over the last 3 decades have expanded the number of Drum Corps, or stopped the loss of Drum Corps, shows, or fan loss under their expertise honed in the Education and " non business realm ". So as we set out to criticise the BITD Corps for their " lack of business experience in running organizations ", it might be best to revisit the unprecedented challenging and altogether changed environments and funding sources these Corps Managers were confronted with back then, coupled with the reflection on whether or not DCI Corps and DCI itself are operating any more efficiently today from a Best Businesses Practice perspective. Given the events of the last few months, DCI today, lets face it, has a lot of work to do to begin to look like a competently run Organization, and is in no position for its supporters to criticise previous generations on how it operated its Drum Corps circuits and its Drum Corps.

The real problem here is as you said, DCI would need a complete overhaul. The cooperate structure would have to change. Dci doesn't own the corps, the corps own DCI. I'm not trying to stop change, but to everyone that is asking why DCI doesn't step in more, the answer is they can't. Not yet anyways. Obviously the press is going to putting pressure on them to change, but the corporate structure will need to change completely to give DCI the power to enforce the rules. I'm not sure some of the better run corps would want to give up control as it stands, so we may see another g7 type breakaway threat in the future. Interesting times.

Every corps to whom I’ve ever donated has always thanked me. Except one.

I´m one of the German guys:-)

Some people's definition of " a snitch " on wrong doing is other people's definition of someone with a spine and a backbone.

"It's not exactly what I wanted to do but society as it is today, I had no choice."

I once judged a band show in CT where one of the bands opened with the main theme from the film "Robin Hood"...they had a band parent dressed in Robin Hood garb actually shoot an arrow...a real one...over the entire band. The chief judge at the show nearly had a heart attack as he ran up to the director to make sure they NEVER did such a thing at a show again.

And good to see a new corps on the scene in DCA.

We have a service where a truck drives by and picks up post season MM laundry at the curb. So far though, none of it has ever come back...

Why should a member that has the talent and ability to compete in WC not be allowed to do so? Conversely why should a member that does not have the talent but is over 17 not be allowed to compete with a corps that fits their level of talent?

As well she should. She's done DCI in general and several women,in particular a great service.

Cadets had a ready and willing alumni base. Pioneer doesn’t

Because the current leader won’t give up the corps imo

Who will be heading this up, exactly? The Board and the Director are one in the same. They are choosing their own replacements?

"BUT IT TOOK THEM ALL DAY TO ACT!!!! DISGRACEFUL! (/snarky sarcasm)

The more important part of the announcement is the middle paragraph: Pioneer leadership informed DCI that it is moving immediately to replace all current members of the Pioneer board of directors along with selecting a new director for the corps. DCI will hold a follow-up meeting with corps leadership next week to discuss further terms of the organization’s suspension

I get what you are getting at but wonder what's the drivers. Abuse at any age is unacceptable the only thing this does is protect the perpetrators from added affecting minors charges after the fact. What does a potential MM do the year or 2 after HS. How do they hone their skill, not find other activities so as not to wait around for dci. What happens to open class? All the other points make a lot of sense.

If that's true, then that is not good for DCI at all. Dan A. has to be having sleepless nights. I'm not going to point fingers or make assumptions as I don't know the whole story, but DCI really needs to shore up that anyone who submits a concern needs to have their concern followed up on. If they are passing it back to the corps to do the follow up and nothing is happening, then swift action needs to happen to that organization. Perhaps a follow up from DCI to the member whether their concern was addressed would be appropriate. If it is DCI's job to investigate and handle the concern, then the activity is in a ton of trouble. It goes back to education and working with youth. Schools would be jumping on this immediately, putting the alleged offender on leave, investigating and if necessary involving law enforcement and then making a decision. I'm really at that point of not caring if you're a someone who has a name/reputation in the activity, an admin, a Hall of Famer, or judge, you are not above the law or protection. It is not being old-school. It is not about tradition. It is about doing the right thing. Again, I don't want to make assumptions, but I'm just so sad for what the youth (and staff) and what some are going through.

I would think something like "Actions detrimental to the overall Organization" might be a reasonable place to start. Think Pete Rose... If his (RB) various quotes are established as being said, then I would consider them actions.

My home corps does the same with the white board on FB. Oftentimes with humor injected into the pictures as well as thanks! lol

the composition of the DCI board (like the corps BOD) is the key - there are companies out there that evaluate and then make recommendations on board composition and structure/policies DCI should hire someone to evaluate this IMO

I invite you to get out of the 1970s. This tired, oh poor DCI they really don't have any power, is a lame excuse that doesn't cut it anymore. Do I have credible evidence? Does DCI know? Yes to both questions.

To some on DCP this will be nothing more than an animalistic approach to addressing the medical issues facing touring drum corps. Journalists breathing down dci's back addressing the medical deficiencies they see from afar, activity seeking info, from the fans no less. It is criminal to duck our heads in the sand. Richer corps can afford a medical staff on tour and others can not. Does even having a medical staff on the bus help prevent anything. Doctors don't carry a black bag and a stethoscope anymore. They use technology, forewarning systems, but mentioning that here just loads up ones member score counts throwing cabbage at me, go for it if that's what helps you, doesn't phase me. Keep your head in the sand, are you trying to get a job at dci? Full corp "fit bits" provides the medical staff on site or from afar real-time information. A medical dashboard of the MM's to monitor vital statistics in an effort to prevent medical injuries. Maybe an MM is pushing themselves too far, are on the brink of a heat stroke. The medical staff would be alerted and have the ability to stop a run through if they thought that was necessary. A stomach virus would benefit from an early warning getting out ahead of sanitary issues. In a medical emergency vital information can be relayed in real-time to other medical professionals specializing on the issue at hand.

We donated a lunch to a open class for over DCA weekend.

Enough with this drip drip drip...

The Pioneer name is toast (and it's kind of stupid to keep a name that they only took because of a long-dead sponsorship deal with a container company who hast't given them a dime in 40 years). But more to the point, what is there to rescue? As a competing unit they are all but completely irrelevant, and most of the members could latch on to OC corps and get better experiences (if they want WC, there will definitely be needs at Madison for more kids auditioning this year). They had a run, did some good back in their day, but don't have an infrastructure that doesn't rely on one founding director and his family. Call it, pronounce the time of death, and move forward.

You would have to say Freebird.. guitarist Ed King of Skynyrd passed yesterday.... saw them on Tribute Tour....

Been ages since I've posted here, but this one got under my skin enough to feel like trying to remember my password. I also studied at Juilliard. This post instantly took me back, reminded me of exactly why I genuinely disliked the place. Seems you've never sat in an Eames chair, punched a Ferrari through a tight corner, or walked through a Wright house just as the sun was going down. These are emotional experiences, enabled by brilliant design and flawless execution. Using Wright as an example, you say you get Wright, but clearly... you don't. His work isn't about how it looks from the outside. It isn't even about how it interacts with nature (which is a distinguishing feature of most of his works). It is about how it is experienced, live, immersed in it from the inside looking out. Not sure what you studied or who you studied with there, but it 100% wasn't comp. The very first thing we were taught was that music is for the composer first, performer second and the audience is nothing more than a casual observer. We were told that if we wanted to write for an audience, that is fine. But what we'd be creating is not an art, but simply a product, and as a product its measure of worth can only be in sales.... and that we should be in business school instead... in fact, please leave now. I am being a bit overcritical here, as a Juilliard education does have its merits. Most Hardee's will start you out immediately as Assistant Manager.

When I read CYA, my mind went to Catholic Youth Association. I'm old.

Sandra Fugh is Sandra Blenski-Fugh, so strike that one too!

Has to be the Jets if its the 50 yard line. The end zone is unfamiliar terrain for them.