Leaderboard

As the phrase goes, a day late and a dollar short. Both them and DCI.

The punishment for not taking care of this stuff before it goes public is that the corps now has to Demonstrate that it can comply with the DCI Code of Conduct in all areas of its operation. Engage an independent third-party consultant to review Spirit of Atlanta’s organizational and training processes, clarify its accountability structure, and create and implement policies and procedures that ensure Spirit of Atlanta’s code of conduct and other policies align with or exceed the requirements of the DCI Code of Conduct. Create a senior leadership position whose principal focus is to ensure that staff, volunteers and performers are provided with a positive working environment and have appropriate training and resources to ensure the health and welfare of all involved. This should be the bare minimum for any corps, not the punishment that happens when they screw up. If the punishment for not taking care of this stuff is that nothing happens except maybe someone will be looking over your shoulder making sure you take care of it next time then what incentive is there for corps to be proactive about it?

Like most corps, Spirit of Altanta has a board of directors. The board is the overseer, and has the right/obligation to terminate anyone who does not handle their responsibilities, especially including anything involving the well-being and safety of the members. The main problem that I see is that other than one member removed after a month of abusive behavior, nobody else was held accountable, and also events reported about the rookie talent show were ignored. DCI has placed the corps on a 2 year probation with expected steps during that time. What concerns me is that it is likely that individuals (staff) who did not properly respond to things possibly remain in their positions. Had this happened in a school environment, there would have been disciplinary action (and likely removal) involving multiple members, and any adult (including the director) who did not respond fully to what was going on would be subject to termination. Termination of any and all staff/management who did not respond properly and promptly should be a quick responsibility of the board here. Doing so will send a clear message to staff and management that they have a serious responsibility to respond promptly, properly, and professionally, to anything reported to them by anyone in the organization.....members, staff, support staff, etc......you can put a million pages of documents together on "policies", but if there are not consequences for individuals/all involved when incidents such as these occur, the documents are meaningless. I do not see where DCI demanded investigation/actions involving all involved....just policies "moving forward". If I were a parent of a young SOA prospect, I would want assurance that the individuals who failed to act and or/"downplayed" things are no longer there. I also think that DCI needs to have a "do not hire" list....when someone is removed from staff/management for reasons such as these, they should no longer have the opportunity to show up at another corps......ditto with member misconduct.......

The fact that it took the victim reporting this publicly before DCI and Spirit would reveal their actions on this is incomprehensible and indefensible. Especially considering we’re a couple of months into the audition season. Or perhaps that was their point?

So frustrated with this activity. DCI will go hard after the lower corps on the totem pole but will not make an example and stand up for what’s right across the board. If they truly want to make a difference all these allegations should be enforced retroactively as well. This includes corps like: the Cadets the Cavaliers Santa Clara Vanguard Phantom Regiment Mandarins Troopers Spirit of Atlanta Crossmen Even hearing about r*pe at Bluecoats based on someone’s response to the girl And so many more I am missing out on. If it takes out half our activity for a couple years, so be it. I could care less if you are an alum and wanting to defend your corps to the end. Blacklist me, ban me from DCP, etc. etc. It’s about making a positive difference and going through a complete renaissance of this activity. This is not an overreaction. This is one parent talking, an educator/administrator in the school system and someone who loves this activity very much. I’m just tired...very tired.

If I were management at BD I would put the ringleader’s current contract on hold at the very least. They don’t need a toxic member (allegedly) from another corps infecting their ranks.

So DCI’s probation is just a reiteration of what the corps was supposed to be doing anyway? What am I missing here?

So DCI has put SoA on ‘probation’. From a practical standpoint what does this mean? No (or reduced) appearance payments? Going on first at every contest? Mandatory disclosure to potential host schools that they are on probation for not properly addressing sexual assault of a member? What happens if within the probation period another incident happens? Similarly, what happens if SoA fails to accomplish what DCI has told them to during the probation? I’m not trying to be a smart-*ss. I really just want to know the answer.

DCI's response, per usual, is an absolute joke. I truly and honestly wonder how many more years DCI will exist before it implodes like the dying star that it is.

You’re absolutely right but people care more about seeing their drumcorps than actual human beings being damaged. Probably for life. Because this stuff stays with you.

Current and past members of Spirit are now attacking and harassing the person who shared their experience of being assaulted and not supported. Anyone engaging that behavior should not be allowed to March in any corps. Spirit needs to respond. Atlanta media has been made aware of this situation and I know at least one reporter has made initial inquiries. ugh

Who was the corps director? PM me if you’re uncomfortable with naming names.

Where have we heard that before?

Here is what it means. Three hours ago, both Spirit and DCI were watching this develop on social media, and still determined to do/say nothing and let it blow over. Then came the corroboration, screenshots, etc. Two hours ago, they knew they had to do something. One hour ago, the coordinated announcements about the double secret probation (how apropos to borrow from Animal House). Note how the press releases are carefully constructed so that some might believe the probation was enacted months ago, rather than 8:00 tonight. Sorry - you asked specifically what "probation" means. "Probation" means zero consequences... but screw up again and you are on your own.

As I said in another thread when I forgot to name a corps it’s getting to be too hard to remember them all. maybe it’s better to have a list of those not ####### things up

Why would they even be allowed to continue in DCI when they can’t stop members from assault other members? JHC, what’s the line in the sand here?

Absolutely not at the reporter. The anger is at the leadership structure for failing respond / act.

2 things - 1. Whatever happened to Pioneer apparently did not make an impression on SoA, Phantom, Mandarins, Troopers, Perhaps others. Which is why I am saying perhaps it is time to act decisively: Do not allow SoA to participate in DCI.and ban everyone, from the BoD, Director, down to potato peeler on the food truck from DCI. 2. The OP of the accusations should keep a log of who said what & when. This info may be useful to DCI or law enforcement as the situation is investigated further.

Agreed. That's not the culture that we created, fostered and lived / live by.

For what its worth, I participated in spirit's rookie talent night over a decade ago and can't remember anything questionable happening. There was no putting blankets over the cameras and especially no oral sex being performed. I'm not saying that this couldn't have happened last year, only that was far from my experience when I marched with soa. We had very strict vets and the drum major in particular was not afraid to kick your ### and get in your face if you acted out of line.

WORLD CLASS The 2022 DCI Tour kicks off Friday, June 24, 2022 in Oceanside, California and concludes Saturday, August 13, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. In between, there will be 41 days with World Class corps in competition, a decrease of four days from the last pre-COVID tour in 2019 and three days from the scheduled 2020 tour. Key Match-Ups Blue Devils, Bluecoats, and Santa Clara Vanguard were the top 3 finishers in both 2018 and 2019 with Boston Crusaders, Carolina Crown, and The Cavaliers rounding out the top 6 both years. When these corps begin to meet head-to-head should provide some insights into how the top of the competition field will look this year. Blue Devils and Santa Clara Vanguard get things started on day 2 of the season, meeting head-to-head at Pasadena, CA, and then again in their next seven shows. Bluecoats join in on the top 3 action on July 19 in Broken Arrow, OK. Boston Crusaders and The Cavaliers kick it off in Detroit, MI on June 28. Carolina Crown and The Cavaliers face off in Muncie, IN on July 1. All three won't meet for the first time until Broken Arrow, OH on July 19, for a full Top 6 competition. The 7-12 spots have been filled with Blue Knights, Blue Stars, The Cadets, Crossmen, Mandarins, and Phantom Regiment for the last two competitive seasons. All of these top 12 corps will meet for the first (and only) time prior to Indy in San Antonio, TX on July 23. The corps on the cusp here are likely Spirit of Atlanta (#13 in 2018 and 2019) and Pacific Crest (#20 in 2018, #14 in 2019). The earliest gauge of their chances likely come on July 9 for Spirit of Atlanta in Lexington, SC when they meet both The Cadets (#7 in 2018, #9 in 2019) and Crossmen (#12 in 2018, #11 in 2019). Pacific Crest should get an early indication of things with back-to-back-to-back competitions with Mandarins (#10 in 2018 and 2019) on June 24-26 in Oceanside, Pasadena, and San Bernardino, California. Year-Over-Year Comparison Jersey Surf is engaging in a more traditional two-phase tour in 2022. As a result, the corps will not make its way to San Antonio. Combined with the alteration to what was the DCI Southeastern Championship in Atlanta this year, all 22 World Class corps do not compete on the same night until they arrive in Indianapolis. 2019 2020 2022 Days with World Class corps in competition 45 44 41 # of times when all World Class corps compete on the same day 4 (7/13 - DeKalb, Denver, Memphis; 7/20 - San Antonio, 7/27 - Atlanta; 8/8 - Indianapolis) 4 (7/12 - Denver & St. Louis; 7/18 - San Antonio; 7/25 - Atlanta; 8/6 - Indianapolis) 1 (8/11 - Indianapolis) It probably comes as little surprise to see fewer shows on the calendar and corps planning a less strenuous tour in 2022. The reasons are many and beyond the scope of this schedule analysis. Only one corps increases its number of shows in 2022 over 2020 - The Cadets (+1). Seattle Cascades stay even. Bluecoats decrease the most by 8 shows from 28 to 20. Jersey Surf will perform the fewest times (14) and The Cavaliers will perform the most times (26). Scheduled Competitions (including Day 1 in Indy) 2018 2019 2020 2022 Difference between 2022 and 2020 The Academy 26 25 25 21 -4 Blue Devils 24 25 23 18 -5 Blue Knights 27 23 24 22 -2 Blue Stars 28 29 29 24 -5 Bluecoats 30 29 28 20 -8 Boston Crusaders 30 25 26 20 -6 The Cadets 29 30 20 21 1 Carolina Crown 27 25 26 19 -7 The Cavaliers 29 28 29 26 -3 Colts 29 28 28 23 -5 Crossmen 28 24 27 21 -6 Genesis 24 21 23 21 -2 Jersey Surf 20 20 21 14 -7 Madison Scouts 26 26 27 21 -6 Mandarins 25 25 26 24 -2 Music City 21 24 25 21 -4 Pacific Crest 23 21 22 19 -3 Phantom Regiment 30 28 28 23 -5 Santa Clara Vanguard 25 25 24 20 -4 Seattle Cascades 20 18 21 21 0 Spirit of Atlanta 27 24 26 20 -6 Troopers 27 26 24 20 -4 The scheduling of an opening weekend in California prior to the Tour Premiere in Detroit changes the calculation a bit on when corps are opening up their seasons although a few changes jump out. Carolina Crown will not participate in a season-opening show, instead entering competition on Day 7. Madison Scouts, Music City, and Spirit of Atlanta are all waiting until the second week of competition to take the field on Day 8. Troopers won’t see the judging community until Day 14 of the tour. On the other end of the spectrum, Jersey Surf takes the field a few days earlier than usual on Day 8 and Pacific Crest will begin its season with the other California corps on Day 1. Days after season opening show when first competition occurs 2019 2020 2022 The Academy 1 1 0 Blue Devils 1 1 1 Blue Knights 8 8 8 Blue Stars 0 0 4 Bluecoats 0 0 4 Boston Crusaders 0 0 4 The Cadets 0 8 8 Carolina Crown 0 0 7 The Cavaliers 1 0 4 Colts 3 3 7 Crossmen 3 0 4 Genesis 8 8 9 Jersey Surf 12 12 8 Madison Scouts 3 2 8 Mandarins 1 1 0 Music City 4 4 8 Pacific Crest 8 8 0 Phantom Regiment 0 3 4 Santa Clara Vanguard 1 2 0 Seattle Cascades 15 14 14 Spirit of Atlanta 4 5 8 Troopers 1 3 14 I was curious whether COVID protocols would lead any corps to build in more “down” time between shows. Here are the longest stretches without a show over the past three scheduled full seasons. Most of the changes are insignificant or can be attributed to other causes. The Cadets decrease from 8 “no show” days to 4 is likely due to administrative changes and corps management that occurred for the 2020 season. The increase from 2 to 14 for Jersey Surf reflects the early- and late-season tour approach the corps takes this year. Longest stretch of “no show” days 2019 2020 2022 The Academy 5 4 5 Blue Devils 5 5 5 Blue Knights 2 3 2 Blue Stars 3 3 2 Bluecoats 3 3 5 Boston Crusaders 4 3 3 The Cadets 2 8 4 Carolina Crown 5 4 6 The Cavaliers 4 4 2 Colts 2 2 2 Crossmen 3 2 4 Genesis 4 3 3 Jersey Surf 2 2 14 Madison Scouts 2 2 2 Mandarins 4 4 8 Music City 2 2 2 Pacific Crest 4 8 7 Phantom Regiment 3 3 3 Santa Clara Vanguard 4 4 5 Seattle Cascades 6 2 3 Spirit of Atlanta 4 2 4 Troopers 4 5 2 The master schedule grid I keep is available here.

It took 1991 Operation Tailhook scandal for the Navy to wake up. And took them years to realize harassment was more than male harassing female.

I wonder why people continue to audition for this corps. This activity is becoming more disgusting by the day.

Part of the issue is the way some drum corps use the words educator and teacher. I read bios of instructional staff and I have no question about the talent of the instructors or the vast drum corps experience many have, but are they actually teachers or educators? Did they have any education courses in college? Do they work in school settings when drum corps is on hiatus? Qualified teachers should know about reporting, know the importance and responsibilities of supervision, and would take complaints seriously. It may be too much to expect that every instructor in drum corps has the minimum of a bachelors in music with the credits to be a certified teacher, but some of the issues the young woman from Spirit mentions would most likely be handled differently by actual teachers with credentials. Not doing so could mean not just their drum corps job, but their year round teaching positions as well. I know a few years back a young person almost drowned at a day camp. The person who was supposed to be supervising the pool lost her job when it was determined she was negligent. She also lost her teaching job at a public school when it was deemed she violated her contract. Properly trained teachers would understand this, and would realize that if they were negligent in summer jobs, depending on what their contracts state, could lose their off season teaching positions. I might also add that directors of drum corps need to better understand the importance of supervision. I’m sure when corps look to hire a director knowing how to manage a budget and fundraise are key areas to consider, but can the person manage and supervise staff and volunteers?

Tell the truth. Tell it all. Tell it first. Tell it yourself. Violate any of these and "you're gonna have a bad time". ($1 to Thumper the ski instructor from South Park)

That is exactly correct. And if a corps is going to bill themselves as an educational experience (and they all do,) then they should adopt at least part of this model. Granted that there needs to be a disciplinary board, but still it's a valid model.

Interesting to publicly claim open communications with the victim in spite of her stating the exact opposite. Basically calling her a liar. That ain't the way.

Zero point zero on DCIs part

It’s double-secret probation.

They went for the low-hanging fruit with Pioneer. I guess we see where DCI’s toothless policies have gotten us. But that’s fine because everyone still has a job so it’s all good. (Sarcasm off). In any other non-profit or NCAA sport, the head of the organization or university, would be history.

https://www.maasin.net/blog/statement-on-poorly-handled-misconduct-during-the-2021-season-at-spirit-of-atlanta Still nothing from Spirit

What was the quote during the Pioneer mess? “What goes on in the corps, stays in the corps “? People don’t frigging learn.

I would suggest that if there is any “circling of wagons” some SOA mm’s who witnessed all that was described and can bear witness to actions and inactions; circle their own wagons to support and provide evidence to what is likely to be serious legal actions taken against perpetrating mm’s for a multitude of charges. I have a feeling the degree and extent of actions of the offenders will cause the demise of SOA. The offenders actions coupled with inaction or delayed action of management SHOULD result in the demise of SOA directed by DCI or the justice system. If that doesn’t do it upcoming lawsuits will.

If this gets into the public eye.. ie: outside of the infinitely small drum corps universe, Dan may not need to act as I cant imagine a single school or housing site that would want to potentially open themselves up to this sort of risk. Problem is, that every OTHER corps will be tarnished by this as well.

To say what? Announce the 5-month anniversary of their silence and inaction?

From an old Contra player to a much younger one - I am proud of your standing up for the OP and shedding additional light on this dark topic.

Policy 321 of theDCI rulebook states... "Violation of DCI Policies and Procedures may require the CEO to take disciplinary action against any participating organization or any executive, employee, contractor, performer or volunteer of any participating organization. Such disciplinary action shall be taken in the sole discetion of the CEO and may include, but is not limited to, suspension from participation in any DCI sanctioned events, activities, facilities and housing sites for any period of time; and as to any participating organization, witholding payment of funds for the assessment of a fine of up to a total of $5000.00 for each violation" This is the policy that was implemented in the death penalty of Pioneer. Dan Acheson CAN take action right now if he chose to do so. The question is will he? Personally, I think if nothing else, DCI needs to ban Spirit of Atlanta immediately until such time as they can prove they have basic child protective measures in place. Whilst yes, many (if not most) of the members are in fact over 18, we still do have LEGALLY speaking children on the field. As the sanctioning body with general oversight of the activity, DCI has a moral responsibility (if not a legal one) to ensure the safety of children participating in their organized activities.

A police officer once told me that a person who was cited for their first DWI more than likely has driven hundreds of times before ever getting caught. Believe the same goes for this type of behavior like that experienced in SOA, in most, if not all organizations.

Exactly!

That's how drum corps worked 50 years ago too. We policed ourselves.

Keep the corps but also get rid of anyone who IGNORED the bad acts. And none of them should interact with a corps (physically or otherwise) PERMANENTLY

I'll try to make this short. My sophomore year in HS we marched in a parade at the end of a spring competition in Bradenton FL. Turns out it was 1.5 miles from the stadium to the start of a 5 mile parade and we had to walk almost a mile to our buses. We had 5 kids taken to the hospital. Two years later we were in Myrtle Beach and did a 3 mile parade competition. We spent 6 weeks marching around the school parking lot for 30 minutes at a time. We finished that parade and while the other bands were laid out dying, we asked if we go around another time!

Yes. I particularly love how their press release is quicker to assure us of THAT, then to assure us that efforts will be made to improve member safety.

Feathers are getting ruffled and people are reacting rather than responding. It does not serve us well to attack each other when from what I can tell, most (if not all of us) are responding from the same place of concern. Look....I'm ######. This is my corps family. I'm angry at the leadership for not acting. I'm angry that they saw fit to sit on their hands KNOWING that DCI was actively investigating and did not just put it out there and say "This is what is happening...it's being addressed and we know we %/*€ed up" months ago. And let me clearly state once again that NONE OF THIS should have ever happened. It is entirely inappropriate and not in line with what the corps stands for and repsresents. What I don't agree with is people attacking each other when their intentions are good. Just because we aren't always the best at communicating doesn't mean that we can't pause for a moment before we hit the reply button. Sorry for the well intentioned rant, but I'm a drummer and we aren't good at keeping our mouths shut. You all THINK that we dut to keep time but it's really just to keep us from dropping the F-Bomb every 4 counts.

I just figured spirit would've spoken by now

Corps need to be able and willing to protect all people connected to the corps (members, volunteers, staff, etc) regardless of age. More I read the more I agree with shut the crap show down until fully investigated. Sounding like a failure from top down…

This is what you call competent leadership.

If I never make the dci hall of fame I’ll sleep well.

What in this situation suggests that we should permanently shut down an institution, instead of identifying and disciplining the people who committed bad acts? Asking for a friend.

Modeled after one of the Looney Tune honchos Friz Freling… Yeah I know WAY too much about cartoons (and way too many Looney Tune DVDs 😆)