drumlaw80

Truth be told ... After all that has happened since September, getting an urgent email and having to jump in DCP and defend Renegades first fundraiser of the year the day it launched, was one of the toughest and saddest days I've had in drum corps. Every once in awhile, you see something so ugly in drum corps it makes you question whether or not the drum corps activity is a good thing for people, whether or not its worthwhile. I am asking these questions right now, to be honest. I wasn't at DCA 2012, but I have never seen such unrelenting hostility towards any organization than I have seen directed towards the Renegades. It's gotten to the point where the advice we get is to "not" promote the Renegades on DCP and among the drum corps community, because every time we do, people tear the corps down. What other corps has to fear promoting a fundraiser? Well congrats, ours got punked, big time. Well my friends, please realize two things. First, 95% of the Renegades board wasn't there last year. The people you are kicking and grilling over ever detail of our fundraiser had nothing to do with running the corps last year. It's just a group of people who have been working hard for months to pick up the pieces and trying to keep the Renegades going after the DCA chais and most everyone on the board quit. These people are hard working volunteers, not belligerent people who had anything to do with DCA 2012. We have just been trying to field a corps, like everybody else. Secondly, the Renegades have been getting hit from all sides .... DCA, fans, competitors, and now even alumni. But please know that the people on the receiving end of this hostility ... are people. They have feelings, and eventually, unrelenting anger and hostility directed at someone will take it's toll. Is taking its toll ... Not sure what else to say here, but thank you for listening. Lee

One of my favorite theatrical uniforms of all time, indoor or outdoor, is the Sky Ryders when they performed West Side Story and also the Wizard of Oz show, back in the 80s. Win lose or draw, the fans were spellbound by those shows, genius visual presentation.

Amplification is not enough financial hardship on the drum corps. To legally compete, I think every DCA corps should have to purchase a brand new Mercedes equipment truck and have a minimum staff budget of $ 75,000 USD.

Hello to Mike Nash and all of our friends in SoCal Dream. I hope you guys are having great success raising money for uniforms, and I wish you 100% less controversy and chaos in the effort than we experienced in the last 24 hours. hehehe Your pal, Lee p.s. How can we really be sure this money is not being used to send Dream on a secret mission to map the Antarctic?

I think we should make the activity as expensive as possible to field a corps, and fight like cats and dogs.

>> But if you are asking me if I have no sympathy for what members were caught doing and after sanctions were leveled and agreed to by one of your elected members, then the answer is no. It is unfortunate and I wish the innocent people who have been effected don't have to go through with this. But my band director in high school always told us, the group can and will always be judged by the bad actions of a few and not the good actions of many. Kyle, there is nothing that I can say on the topic of DCA 2012 that I haven't already publicly said here on Drum Corps Planet, and much of it was on behalf of the Renegades. If you want to re-visit that issue or hear what I had to say, please look in the DCP archives - it's all here, and I stand behind everything I said on the topic. As for Renegades returning to DCA someday the future, that's a definite possibility, but bridges would first need to be built in both directions, and I don't see any progress in that area right now. Personally, and speaking for Lee Rudnicki only -- I think DCA may not see Renegades again, for the simple reason that nothing indicates that DCA or DCA corps want Renegades to be in the mix. That's not a play for sympathy, boo-hoo-hoo, that's just my personal assessment after being in the front lines of all of the chaos and failed negotiations after DCA. I think the Renegades have a bright future, but that future will not be business as usual, and it may not include DCA again. But then again, never say never. We'll see what happens.

Those two words set of an orange alert in Sacramento and the East Coast. hehehe. Apparently, I need a thesaurus.

No, that's not a fair or accurate assessment, Kyle. This was not a thread of innocent questions posed by potential donors to a nonprofit campaign. The implication was made that the Renegades fundraiser was fraudulent, and the funds were secretly earmarked for another purpose. In the real business world, that method of asking questions will get you hauled into court. It's called libel. Please know, I'm not playing lawyer here, merely pointing out that painting this as some sort of counterattack on innocent questions by fans is not accurate. Again, if anyone has any questions about this fundraiser or the 700 others to follow, please drop me an email or pick up the phone. I am happy to chat. Lee

Same as it ever was, Lisa-Lisa.

To help clarify things for anyone who has concerns about the use of funds, I added this specific Q&A to the Renegades Indiegogo page (below). If anyone thinks I would risk my law license over some sort of secret fraudulent way for Renegades to raise money to get to Europe, you're misguided. Also, please know that this is not the last Renegades fundraiser of 2013 -- this is the first of many. Enjoy -- What's up with the disclaimer at the top of the page? How can I be sure this is not a top secret plot to use the funds for a European vacation? The disclaimer at the top of the page was added automatically from Indiegogo, as they do with all campaigns launched by third parties to benefit a nonprofit (here, members of the Renegades board of directors). Please know that 100% of the revenue raised here will be spent on the new uniforms. Lee Rudnicki, the President of our Board of Directors, is a licensed attorney, and he will be happy to discuss the use of funds raised from this Indiegogo campaign with you, should you still have questions. If Renegades pass the $10,000 goal, all excess funds go into the Renegades travel fund.

Hello everyone. Welcome to the latest fun. Please note -- I am speaking on behalf of the Renegades Board of Directors. I am also speaking as a producer who launched this fundraiser, and also as the person who actually wrote the descriptions of awards. So, this is first-hand information. it is unfortunate that some would make hurtful and accusatory statements about a nonprofit's fundraiser without trying to get the correct the information from the organization first. If anyone feels so inclined to get accurate information, please drop me an email or call me, I would be happy to chat and explain anything to you. Interestingly enough, the last three times I reached out to people who questioned or attacked the Renegades and offered to explain things -- I did not receive a response. So, please know that other than one former percussion instructor who crossed the line x 7,000 in an attempt to hurt the organization, my door remains open. To be clear, and I state this as President of the Board and an attorney -- each and every dollar raised from this Indiegogo campaign is earmarked for new uniforms and will be used for no other purpose. The disclaimer at the top of the page came from Indiegogo, as they do with all campaigns launched by third parties (here, the board of directors) to benefit a nonprofit organization. There is no conspiracy, no secret financial plans to use the money for European travel or anything else. If you doubt this, I will be happy to show you the financial records when the purchase is made. Further, as the drafter of all text on the Indiegogo page, my apologies to anyone who was under the misimpression that the two word choice of "badly needed" was a play of the sympathy card. Frankly, if you don't have sympathy for the Renegades after the corps pragmatically folded after DCA, those two words won't change your mind at this point. However, please know that I wrote those two words because - in the unanimous opinion of our design team -- the return to Evil uniforms IS badly needed from a design standpoint. Are the uniforms from last year falling part? No. They just don't fit the Renegades image that the design team has chosen for the Renegades moving forward, and we will not be deviating from a return to the black trench coats once they are back. To avoid further confusion, I will delete the words "badly needed" from Indiegogo. What now? We are working very hard to bring the Renegades back to the stature they reached before, and then some. We have a dynamite staff and dynamite show, and the chaos starts on January 26. Many great staff members from the past have either stepped up their role considerably (i.e., Dave Glyde and John Meehan) or have returned after an absence of many years (i.e., Ed Teleky,Kevin Murray, me etc.). And believe it or not, we're hyped and having fun. My friends, if you hate the Renegades, are happy the corps got banned from DCA, or don't want to help the nonprofit raise so much as a dime, that's perfectly fine, we respect your opinion. But please have the common decency and respect for the drum and bugle activity to let the Renegades corps succeed or fail on its own terms. There is no reason to throw rocks at a corps just because you're not part of it anymore, you are unhappy with the creative direction, or it doesn't come to your show. Drum corps is a family, and should be treated as such. This thread ... ain't it. Sincerely, Lee Rudnicki, Esq. President, Renegades Board of Directors

I'm excited to work with Ed again, and this is a killer opportunity for our pit to work with a true professional, in every sense of the word.

In the name of competitive parity, and to promote the economic survival and competitiveness of drum corps, DCA should standardize and limit the size of all pit percussion sections. Furthermore, DCA should immediately nullify any plans to add the expense and logistical difficulties of amplification and electronics to its member corps. Senior corps is small, and many are not surviving. The mainstream fan base is minimal. DCA should take steps to ensure survival of its member corps and the growth of its fan base. Adding another expense and more logistical difficulties for the corps to remain competitive is not a business plan. It's a hurdle.

Because of the economic and logistical implications of pit size -- in the name of competitive parity, DCA should standardize the size of all pit percussion sections and cancel any notions of amplification and electronics. I wrote a "very direct" essay about the economic implications of this issue here, if you're interested to read it.

Ahhhh, understood. Thank you, Jeff. Best wishes to you as well.

Actually, everything changed, and that's okay right now

"I do not want to see any more corps drop off the competitive roster. " Amen to that, brother. I wish more people cold see the big picture. As for things being under control, Renegades are doing fine right now. We weathered a great and terrible storm after DCA, and the elements who are still trying to do the corps harm have faded into the newsgroups background, really don't have much if any impact on the corps now. Over the last few months, we put together a solid board of directors that is hyping, and a great staff. Having said that, there is still a lot of rebuilding to do. We are in the process of putting together a financial plan to get the corps to Europe, and transforming the old season 2.0 DCA model into a new season model for the Renegades future years. Truth be told, no one really will know how things are going until January 26, when the 2013 season starts. I am cautiously optimistic the corps is going to be larger than last year, but we'll see how it goes. In any event, we eliminated the concept of Season 2.0 -- members have to join in the winter now. We have three camps - Jan, Feb and March, then we are setting the corps in April. Whatever that Renegades corps is in April, that's what the 2013 corps is. I'll keep you guys posted, and you will see a lot more from Renegades once our media team launches after Jan 1. If you haven't seen it yet, check out the new Facebook page.

I deleted this post because all the drama that came before it was deleted by the moderator, and it made no sense out of context. These aren't the droids you're looking for...

Dude, give the 60 Minute Correspondent act a rest. The Renegades got kicked enough this year. The Renegades are planning to go to Europe, exact details of performing, competing or anything else are still being made -- we're talking about an event nearly a year away.

Dear DCA Board, This is killing me to be on opposite sides of the fence from friends of mine, but I have to set this record straight. I will also offer a solution, so please hear me out. Please note, I am speaking for the Renegades, and I have the authority to do so. Ready? Here we go. The official DCA press release just went out that said the Renegades "agreed" to be suspended from DCA for the 2013 season. For the record, let me clarify this, and this is the official position of the drum corps. First, the San Francisco Renegades organization does NOT agree that our entire corps should be suspended from DCA for any period of time. Period. Second, please note -- I am not defending rock star-like behavior by anyone. Maybe it has no place in DCA for good. But the official policy of kicking an entire corps out based upon the actions of a few members is misguided and wrong, my friends. It hurts drum corps and should be reversed. Now, to clarify our press release "agreement" for everyone -- A former board member of the Renegades, who was not at DCA 2012, was in discussions with DCA about this. He agreed with DCA, the Renegades would be suspended. Everybody also agreed at that time to not tell anyone about the suspension, other than maybe the Renegades board at some point. Plan -- the Renegades would simply not go to DCA 2013, without explanation. No one was going to tell the activity that a corps got kicked out, and no one told the 100 innocent Renegades who were affected by this decision. I know this was no grand cover up evil scheme by DCA, you're good guys. This was a case of people trying their best in a scary and stupid situation. But the decision that came out of that stress was sadly wrong. In Renegades land, when the news broke that "we" just agreed to be kicked out of DCA because of the alleged actions of a few members, in the middle of a hotel that was problem since Day 1, including Renegades having stuff stolen from their locked rooms .. well, let's just say we had one less board member five minutes later. At the request of a weeping board member, I contacted DCA and told them the Renegades did not agree to be kicked out. Now, we're being held to representative #1's email where he agreed to one of the worst collective decisions in DCA history. I'm sorry, I have no personal animosity here, but that decision was crazy. To avoid any confusion, let me say a few things on behalf of the San Francisco Renegades to DCA, out here in public. We don't agree with the suspension at all, as a matter of policy. Second -- I hereby officially and publicly request and appeal DCA's decision to suspend the Renegades, and I assert that the Renegades should be allowed back into DCA competition. Whatever that process means, whatever rules you have to pass, bylaws, voting among the corps - I request that happen, right now. If it comes to a vote among the corps, and everyone does not want Renegades, vote us out. We'll walk away quietly. But I think this is the last chance to turn this around and we want to stay in the family. Everyone on all sides please put the egos in check, the stakes are too high. Personally, I think the policy should be reversed, and the Renegades should be allowed into DCA 2013. I also think Renegades and DCA should form a task force, I am happy to join, to help enact policies for the health and safety of all DCA corps members, to be applied equally to every DCA corps, and to help get the DCA marketing and finance plan on track for DCA and into the modern times. Maybe DCA does not want my help, but I am publicly offering it. But if you kick my corps to the ground, we're on opposite sides of the fence, my friends. In Conclusion -- Emotions are running high, but a lot of consecutive mistakes were made here. It's time to correct all of them in a way that does not hurt drum corps more than has already happened. Lee

I would argue it is a big competitive advantage, since you can get members into your corps at a significantly lower cost for your season, which would make it a lot easier to fill your corps. It's hard to argue it is not a competitive advantage, when the one corps granted the exemption, Reading Buccaneers, has won all but one of the last 8 DCA Championships, or whatever the number is now. But then again, maybe I'm just a troublemaker. Maybe we should all just stay quiet and toe the line and the activity withers. This is absurd.

The rule is that every DCA corps must stay in a hotel for DCA Weekend. With every big event like this held in a city, the hotel packages are an important part of the deal -- that's why you don't see DCA corps sprawled out in gyms like DCI touring corps. And we're old. lol. But here is my question -- How come one DCA corps, and only one DCA corps, has been exempt from the hotel rule for the last decade? Why is one corps allowed to stay in schools and "not" incur the expense of staying at a hotel during DCA Championships weekend? Okay, that's one corps you never have to worry about getting in trouble with a hotel, fair enough -- but how is this fair to the rest of DCA? Wouldn't it make sense to let other drum corps stay in schools? It's cheaper, especially for corps that travel great distances. Why does every DCA corps but one have to stay in hotels? Just wondering, do the rules ever apply to every DCA corps equally?

true story.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. After a seven hour crisis meeting, the Crunchy Frog Drum and Bugle Corps Executive Board sent a terse official protest letter to DCA today, complaining about all of the recognition and accolades being bestowed upon the San Francisco Renegades for being the first drum corps ever kicked out of DCA. "Point of fact, the Renegades were not the first corps kicked out of DCA," complained Crunchy Frog Minister of Information Zig Bert. "We were. True story. In fact, DCA formally notified Crunchy Frog last spring that we and our fans weren't welcome back in DCA last year to perform in I&E. We beat the Renegades getting kicked out of DCA by approximately seven months, and we should be the ones getting recognized for our historic achievement, not that stupid evil drum corps that plays too loud anyway. Maybe they didn't really get kicked out. Maybe it's all a cover up so they can go sit on a nude beach in Southern France. In any event, we hereby demand justice! Since Crunchy Frog will never be to be like every other corps, we're never going to be allowed back in DCA, but we're putting the world on notice -- Crunchy will not rest until DCA gives Crunchy Frog the recognition that it deserves. We were first!!!!!""

The great part of this week's drum corps chaos ... As the dust settles, I find myself working with talented close friends who I haven't worked with a very long time ... on a drum corps project that emerged from mayhem, and some say will be impossible. And it might be impossible, but you know what -- this is cool. We're going for it. Two weeks ago, if you asked me about the possibility of this all happening and this team coming together overnight, I would have laughed out loud. Then fate struck. 7