LabMaster

For many alums who made a last minute decision to go to Madison for that night, it was tremendous. So hard to describe properly. The culmination of years of ups and downs and other assorted challenges in the hopes that it would one day see the corps in finals. It was a very special night. Hoping for an equally special night in 2024. Well maybe a bit more special!

We’d be curious to learn about specific examples of this. Have you any? Meaning coincidental score bumps.

With a Fiddler show, they could play “If I Were A Rich Man”.

The intro phrases.

And there is the Sader beep for those who don’t know.

There wouldn’t be any term limit removal. BOD members are invited to join and can decline or join and can stay until they no longer wish to. Most BoD members are peers, and no one, or few are “pre-eminent” per se’. The BoD structure has been in place for years now and functions well and is built for the long term. There are many alumni and supporters who have helped the corps throughout the years who are willing to do what is needed to keep it running as the history of survival shows. Maybe corps with smaller boards need to look inward to restructure themselves by seriously considering what their long term plans should be. BoD’s must be structured to ensure all members are committed to be aware of their purpose, their mission and be watchdogs of each others performance and contributions as a BoD member. A mix of skills, personalities, selflessness, a love of their corps AND drum corps is critical to success. Check your ego at the door. Just my opinion. Having a history of surviving has helped too.

Well it has been working very well for quite a while now. I liken it to an aircraft carrier crew. Many hands creates focused execution. No one is overburdened. Smaller teams can work on specific tasks. There is a leadership that manages the BOD well and all folks contribute. Members change often enough to keep ideas and energy fresh. And best of all, they fully support the staff.

I’m not sure there are 50 board members but there definitely more than 40. If you go to Bostons website you can open the BOD table and see all the names and available bios. It shows a wide range of experience and expertise in many areas that enable contributions of skill and expertise to cover many aspects of running the corps. This stems from lessons learned over the years as well as understanding what was and is needed for sustainable success. A large BOD seems necessary so no small group or a single person wields enough power to mismanage an org. Too much visibility. And for BAC, no one is afraid to challenge anything that jeopardizes the org., that has taken so long to get where they are. Like a metaphorical cutting ranks.

Not necessarily no maintenance costs. Leases I work with have my company “owning” all maintenance except roof and infrastructure. I have HVAC, doors, windows, plumbing, fire protection, lighting etc., etc. still have liability insurance too.

And Boston made “Associate Member” (when they had that designation) in DCI. The smallest corps to ever do that. 51 members and only a handful of shows. And an amazing performance at the Orange Bowl, considering the warm up street action minutes before performing.

They’ve sold assets and returned leased equipment. There is nothing left. They have a few hundred thousand dollars owed in outstanding bills and increasing legal debt. Not to mention what will be needed to settle legal outcomes. There are no revenue sources. The proverbial handwriting is on the wall.

I believe you’re right. It wasn’t one thing like lots of bills and no revenue. The lawsuit piece was sitting in the background, building. Then as the onion began getting peeled back, the full extent of liabilities was exposed. It came about in a hurry and Cadets did get out in front of it and took appropriate steps and communicated it as best they could. SCV hasn’t really stepped up completely, and communicated fully, clearly and honestly. They confoundingly continue to stumble along with issues that should be fixable. What appears to be intentional avoidance of resolution does lead to conclusions of something more than lack of proper documentation and state compliance issues.

No. I was on staff then. Age out was earlier.

Thoughts on 79? Pretty good brass that year. Marched well too.

We used to have “after four no drumming, just music”.

Was the met on or not?

Being at the show Thursday night then heading down to Allentown for Friday, would help them relive touring road travel. Bring back some old road memories. That could take care of the “good old days” thoughts.

Don’t make is sound like corps “pass around” bad staffers. Boston has very quickly dumped anyone found to violate their policies. Bad actors find other places them selves and until the new place finds out, try to stay under the radar I’m sure. Once they’re discovered, it is on the “hiding place” corps to remove them quickly. All corps should do checks on resumes and histories when bringing someone new in. Hopefully they have a solid and comprehensive background check policy. If anyone volunteers at Boston for more than 1 day they must fill out doc. to be reviewed and approved to volunteer.

That is surprising and proof that this is how bad behavior perpetuates. If this is true, shame on Crown.

The scumbags as you put it are both kids and adults. It’s not the activity itself that has allowed it, imo, because the same thing happens in many many activities and geographies. What protects scumbags is anonymity, fear of reporting, lack of support and belief in reporters, retaliation and persecution of reporters or whistleblowers, followed by inaction. Investigate reports more publicly, than when confirmed or proven, name names, identify bad actors, describe or otherwise name instances of bad behavior. Then people can be more aware and on the watch for similar warning signs. Unproven rumors enable plausible deniability and perpetuated instances. Exposure can help stop it.

We have no realistic new ideas that would amount to anything. There are many ways to raise funding. It’s a matter of corps following up, trying to take advantage of opportunities, reaching out, learning how and then doing it. It is not easy. It takes time. But ffs you got to do the work! Look through these posts and there are several suggestions.

And because of how each corps was performing and their anticipated successes, there was a great sized crowd. The corps named in the post by Phantom56, as possibly available at a show, may not get the same level of attendance. If that is the case, it’s a risky and potentially financial endeavor for the show sponsor.

Except a couple of top corps have self inflicted wounds, that “fairness” as you allude to, has not been a factor in their possible demise.

And people are more charitable during the holiday season aren’t they?

If you don’t ask for money, you guarantee you’ll get no money. So at the very least…ask. Asking costs nothing.