GUARDLING

" Figuring out" comes from within . I don't think there are many who look to social media or chat rooms to solve complex issues, especially because most on the outside, as some have expressed, do not know all there is to know to solve. Should people? especially if what they are doing doesn't work , maybe, I'll leave that debate to others hash out. It is always easier to sit on the outside on most subjects and claim to know all there is to know how to solve an issue. I think as you say failure and the activity is true BUT a true way to succeed or solve is put the ego aside and ask the right people for help. Unfortunately, there are also those who claim to have the answers to all the worlds issues and have a high opinion of themselves. The tricky thing is knowing the difference. JMO

Personal opinion: Cadets since 1934 have over come many issues, those public and those not so much. They have survived the separation from the church (by a very Christian and compassionate priest.)..sarcasm alert....lol THEY SURVIVED drum rehearsals in parents basements, no uniforms,etc etc, champions even through hard times, THE SURVIVED, many directors with a heart just stepping up many doing anything they had to THEY SURVIVED, lets not forget the GH saga THEY SURVIVED , when many said they could never get past that and parents wouldn't support them,THEY SURVIVED. If any corps can get past what probably was a very wise decision, although I would rather not see this happen but understand, they will. I would hope no one wants this iconic corps to halt a season for any reason BUT as I said If any corps would survive it would for sure be The Cadets. I do not agree nor believe in several Board members or some who have been in charge especially knowing some BUT know that Cadets are even bigger than those whom have been given the privilege to run this corps. Cadets are and have always been about their members past and present, the stories they share the good times and bad, the old traditions as well as the new ones made. TO THOSE IN CHARGE..... you most likely made a hard but very wise decision to do this and should be commended. It would have been easier to just make it worse , get on the road and watch disaster unfold ( how many times have we seen that) BUT get your #### together! Make it right, move forward, fix what needs to be fixed, don't listen to the noise and focus on what YOU need to do, YOU OWE IT to every person who has ever been part of this legendary Drum Corps. If you can't do it , get out of the way for anyone who can!..Thank You

Maybe it's you DUDE!...lol😜

It's almost like these cable news opinion shows. People actually believe it's news and it's more opinion , bias at that, with an agenda for sure . Anything on the internet , in recent years also on TV one has to take what's being said not always as fact but opinion. Always go to the source.I agree. If one doesn't get answers at the source going on the internet IMO doesn't get answers , one can always find someone who will agree with them factual or not on line. JMO

Now that is very true

I hear ya, and that's my point. A true victim has to fight for truth , to be heard or believed but as far as I'm concerned those who actually played like they were the ones running to the rescue were just as guilty and only displayed their faux outrage when when they were shunned and no longer needed.

Im very sure that is true but also know some of these whistle blowers were the same who defended him for a very long time knowing exactly who he was. it's sad for the real victims. I call it faux outrage or outrage of convenience .

You're right but even then ,where information comes from on either side is only as good as those giving it. Not to re- litigate as certain director and his boundary issues , the same people who exposed him ( which was a good thing ) are the same who kissed his butt for decades, in the inner circle, supported and defended, encouraged and stood by his side and it was only when he no longer needed them ( no surprise there ) there were private meetings on how to take him down. One can maybe say , " Well maybe they didn't now " unlikely IMO how do you spend decades , that closely and not know, there's always signs within someones behavior if one chooses to see it. These predators can for sure be very crafty hiding who they are BUT I always say when someone shows themselves as to who they really are BELIEVE THEM., and this particular person always showed who they were. Haven't we always seen those appearing to have all good intentions, claim to have some kind of inside knowledge, shouting from the roof tops. This does not diminish the importance of ANY alleged victim of ANY situation to be heard BUT must be backed by fact. Now a days as others have said it's always shoot first. I hate to whistle blower term as much as I hate the woke word but with that said " whistleblowers should always be heard ALWAYS, be taken seriously ALWAYS, met with compassion and concern ALWAYS ,but ALWAYS be based in fact. Whistleblowers lately has gotten a bad name mainly because many who you see on TV meeting at times with congress have mostly been debunked or found out to be having their own legal issues. Why do they do this ? who knows! but there has been alot of it lately. Even with that , even with fact against them , even debunked there are always those who want to believe it or even have a reason . IMO it's a sign of the times where the legit " Whistleblower" can't be heard or taken seriously because of the other" whistleblower" who does what they do for whatever reason.. Transparency is always a good thing, Shinning a light can always be a good thing, those who shine the light can always make a difference, good or bad, reputable or not so much, the problem becomes , as we have seen on TV ,can we tell the difference. For sure a problem for those doing their best to do the right thing or be heard. A sad view of our times. AS the original poster said in the title "What is wrong with us " says it all about the days we live in. I have my own opinion how it all started but that's another topic not allowed here..lol🙂

It actually can be quite satisfying taking the 50 grand knowing quietly they contributed to something possibly against their own political or social values😁

It was a great way. Like I said I used it to make members for winter programs raise their own money toward their dues. Younger members couldn't work concessions but were able to work souvie booth.

Alot of arenas used to allow this, I know many stopped for a few reasons. I'm sure some still may. What I used to do is let members work those places to help pay their dues. Much bigger donors are needed to support groups. One can work themselves to death and not make much sometimes. Exposure though at these places can certainly help.

I have found, and only my experience, that drum corps sometimes , also many non profits, have a sense of entitlement meaning they think everyone on the outside SHOULD want to give to them, so going beyond as you said needs to be done may not be done ,because of that attitude. I appreciate a good snark every now and then....lol😁

Yes,you're right.... and it also becomes more difficult with competition. I had community centers I wanted to pay for winter programs to practice in, mind you were empty most of the time and the answer was, its easier just to leave them empty for several reasons...crazy..Non profits are often a hard sell, drum corps even harder. Very small. I would bet BOA would get a better response than drum corps because of the School element. BITD even when DCI was televised, it became a situation that it wasn't profitable to put it on TV. I remember the early 80s when WGI got televised and that lasted a hot minute. I always remember being told your mission is great and there's 10 more great missions down the street who reach more and a better return for us. Not saying some could be successful trying but I wish them luck and a huge pat on the back.

This has also been my experience. I was also a development director for a non profit and sat on a board of another., for a group that actually served people in the community. Grants for sure available, donations or involvement was another story. The competition with the likes of United Way , the Heart Association etc etc was quite daunting. Special events were difficult ,especially for actual dollars. 1st question was always whats in it for us ( and a good deed wasn't a good answer) what exposure do we get etc. Granted , there are companies looking to dispose of dollars BUT look for what a return is.

Hasn't that become fashionable? All you have to do is turn on the TV to cable opinion shows to see world class Yentas who make a living out of negativity on every level. Real or Faux. Always the pearl clutchers.

I don't disagree with most if not all of what you say and the differences you point out can be valid and you valid points of abuse with some. AS far as whistleblowers, and Im tryng to be delicate and please do not take this wrong if I don't convey this right, anyone can whistleblowers on just about any subject with some very important issues. as you have at length brought up and rightfully so. Sadly some whistleblowers have gotten a bad wrap due to many things including some in the public eye on TV daily lately only to be proven either wrong or wanting to be on TV or something. Personally I don't get it. I have always tried in the activity to have my eyes open and continually learn from others. I think my longevity has a lot to do with that as well as not being a purist and stick myself into some kind of box. OR maybe all just luck. I believe it was always my job to encourage, be honest make a member shine, challenge and ALWAYS make a member feel that I am on their side . Do all do or feel the same? NO, all I can say it worked for me. So Sorry that your own good experience was shadowed by what wasn't so good

Remember people go into many things with delusion and unrealistic expectations or a lot of luck or not so much. Didn't mean it to sting at all. I bet there are many things you can say you got from all those people and did. They are among the best of the best. Also not saying you lacked anything. Maybe it is all just luck. I have looked at myself over the decades and wondered why some young 20 something hasn't knocked me out of the activity, even looked for it at times..lol.. Maybe all just luck, maybe just learned to play the game ( like in many things ). Whatever it is I have always been or hoped to be the person who looks forward and not back. Many people consider themselves drum corps purists NOT ME,...lol...as long as my family goes back in the activity and most all purists I have never been and for me ( only me ) it has worked for me in the DCI and WGI arena as well as the bando world.

No..You have been with some of the greats for sure BUT I can bet knowing all ,a little delusion as well. Maybe it's also in a very small activity people think they can get the same. There can be the right people but also give the wrong message intentionally or not.

and you do it so well DUDE!..lol

You aren't wrong about anything you have said ...AT ALL From what I gather and please correct me if I am wrong , It seems the wrong people ushered you into the activity. That has nothing to do with their talents, what they could share with you, their personal success or helping you reach your " drum corps goals " Some young people get wrapped up in their mentors own delusion and at times the low bar they set for themselves. I have seen that many many times , even turning a young person of a little clone ending up with the same bad habits and delusions. Some of these mentors have had longevity in the activity but I have found over the decades their little clones rarely have that same longevity. Drum Corps does have value and for some a whole lot of delusion sorry to say. Alot can be learned from drum corps and for some that may mean walking away yet still appreciating what they did get out of it. As far as sponsors, I rarely comment on all those conversations because I have a very different view on it all and what an actual business may or may not get out of a drum corps sponsorship . As you say the "" Value of it " especially as compared to other charities . Appreciate the conversation🙂

Ok alot to unpack there, including trying to figure out what maybe you were expecting out of the activity and didn't get as well as what you did. You are right on several counts here 1. Yes , maybe the brain wants it both ways ( but rarely happens in most things.) 2. Yes there are many other ways a young person can get as much if not more from other activities, ( they choose this one as their path ) right or wrong. as for guard : If a person joins thinking they are going to get the experience etc etc as a dancer IMO they are looking in the wrong place and if serious should realize this. Even musicians can find other avenues, if they choose. Also what I meant as a stepping stone was not necessarily to move forward in music or dance etc etc but just a stepping stone as far as experiences, friendships, maybe to teach a bit ,maybe more. For some just in life and growing up. 3. As far as better ways to spend ones money, that can be said of many things and you would be right BUT that's a persons choice how one spends money. Bottom line , we all get different things from the activity ( none wrong ) YES some have crazy expectations and for some they get it and others not so much. AS far as the real world as you mentioned, Drum Corps IMO ( and I've been involved for decades and my family part of it as far back as the 1940s Drum Corps has never been the " Real World " now I am very sure there are some who will agree and some who would take offence to that statement . Oh well..lol Is Drum Corps a wise choice for young people especially the cost today? Maybe , maybe not BUT again their choice. I have a relative that wasn't in Drum corps that spent 10s of thousands of dollars on competitive dance competitions, way more that drum corps and their child went off to other things as an adult. They didn't want the life of auditions, rejections etc. Yet I marched with someone who danced on Broadway in several shows. Could all be luck, talent, determination or just right place right time. All of which comes down to choice. The good choices we make and not so good choices we make in life and focus ( which drum corps can instill in a young person) is all up to us and of course a little luck ( maybe a lot )

Well I know I have been very involved in the initial part of auditions and been a director or many programs and I think it's clear to most what they want out of the activity, some yes with pipe dreams of grandeur within the activity, some a stepping stone to other things , some to be with friends, some to travel, some to be on their own for the 1st time etc. I think people are clear BUT as in many things people will think what they want, believe what they want and see what they want. Maybe I'm also not understanding your point but if you give an example of what you think is not being explained to a potential member maybe I can clear it up, at least to my knowledge 🙂Sorry if I didn't understand fully.

For some...many, it always been more about the experience as well as many other reasons, not necessarily looking for a career. People join as well as leave for many reasons.

Depends on what one has to offer and if willing.to diversify. Are there as many opportunities that musicians have? probably not, but if one doesn't want to be a band director things become limited also.

This !