lifeisaround
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Posts posted by lifeisaround
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7 minutes ago, fighterkit said:
I certainly hope the home team manages to get the staff they need to be more competitive. I think the hard part is that they’ve been a rotation of staff most years. Few people stay for longer than two years. Lisa, the BCH, is one of the staff members that I can recall being there for a long time.
At this point I think any staff they get should be on a long term contract to allow them to grow without fear of getting fired after a season.
Couldn't agree more, it should be a learning curve/growth process to allow them to make efforts in all areas...
recruiting, teaching, staff retention and at the end of the day how well they travel down the road, but couldn't agree more to that statement sir-
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16 minutes ago, fighterkit said:26 minutes ago, GREENBLUE said:Forgive me if I’m wrong, but it’s not good if they have to advertise the openings. Correct? Usually this stuff is done behind closed doors or with a handshake.
They’ve been doing this a few years. I assume it’s to give more people a chance rather than just all internal
I highly prefer this method... Why don't we encourage it more... Why does it have to be a backdoor deal? How can we get young/different/diverse designers in there WHEN THERES NEVER AN OPTION TO APPLY...
Just my two cents, I think drum corps needs to standardize more like the actual real world works as well.
Fully support them in this decision and I hope it gives them great candidates to choose from...-
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6 minutes ago, DWW11 said:
What do you suppose is up with that. He wasn’t in that position long but had been with Crown for a while. Why would they scrub him?
Nothing, I wish I knew more to the situation but im blank, I thought his background was the right background for the gig, but im blank as what happened....
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32 minutes ago, fighterkit said:
Speaking of Troopers.
I heard that they got a new Guard Caption HeadI heard its a big one ...
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6 minutes ago, Mr_Moto said:
Jim retired I believe. I feel like I saw quite a few things congratulating him on his long career with Crown.
Jim Coates, yes. He is still on the website as an executive Advisor. Jim Williams was the new CEO and replacement. But now all of Jim Williams posts and announcements are all gone and he’s removed completely from the website
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Speaking of website changes
Carolina Crown CEO, Jim Williams is no longer listed on the website.
The Cadets COO/CFO title has changed on the website to technology manager, Justin Moore.
Phantom Regiment announced a new CEO Amanda while former CEO will be stepping into Director of Programs.
The Academy:
Corps Director Dan Adams will not be returning (No longer listed on the website).
Brass Caption Heads Lisa Tatum and Eric Weingartner will not be returning (Personal Facebook posts).
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4 hours ago, fighterkit said:
I think the frustration is the continued lack of transparency from VMAPA. Hosting a public meeting and then at the last second cancelling is a bad look and continues to keep information.
This rule has been around since 2017, why now do they call this as a reason to cancel the meeting. If it is that critical to the meeting I understand, but they should have made this decision sooner.
And if the staff changes are not critical to the meeting than just go "We cannot talk about it because of this DCI rule"
Yes that will cause some frustration but they are causing more frustration by cancelling last second.
Right now it just looks like VMAPA is putting off making the announcement that they are not fielding and are finding excuses to do it.3 hours ago, GREENBLUE said:Couldn’t they just say “Folks we’re back for ‘24. Please check our website for audition information. Unfortunately due to DCI policies we can’t talk staff at this time until after Labor Day . Thank You for Understanding.”
it’s really not that difficult.
I'd like to contribute to this discussion without diverging too far from the points raised by Fighterkit and Greenblue.
It's evident that the issue of transparency from VMAPA is causing frustration within the community. The abrupt cancellation of a public meeting certainly sends mixed messages and hinders the flow of information.
Regarding the DCI rule and its impact on discussing staff changes, I agree with Greenblue's suggestion. A concise announcement acknowledging their return for '24 while explaining the constraint due to DCI policies would provide clarity and understanding.
In addition, I share the concern about the leadership vacuum and the lack of a unified vision. It's disheartening when key leadership positions seem uncertain or divided among other commitments.
While the excitement of fielding in '23 was welcomed, the subsequent communication left room for doubts. Offering contracts and call backs shortly before retracting the decision understandably erodes trust and leaves stakeholders in a state of uncertainty.
I hope that moving forward, VMAPA can prioritize consistent and transparent communication, allowing supporters, alumni, and prospective members to engage with confidence.
Just my 2 cents…
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Vanguard cancels their public meeting that was supposed to happen tonight...
https://www.scvanguard.org/event/vmapa-board-meeting-monday-august-28-2023-6pm-9pm-pdt/2023-08-28/
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Looks like blueknights will have a new artistic director as Pyro announced on their facebook today….
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https://cadets.org/cae-board-names-vicki-ferrence-ray-permanent-executive-director
Having a hard time understanding a couple of things....
VFR took the compliance role when the new board at YEA! came about....Then somehow she was the best choice in the next CEO for YEA!
Then 12 months into her tenure (or less) at YEA! the position was eliminated? and the cadets started a new org and she was again the compliance officer on the new board at the cadets, but not brought in to run the organization(?) assuming DB had different plans(?). Then she gets the interim CEO gig at Cadets, and now shes the permanent CEO. Im very confused on how this is THE BEST person for the job....
Just very confused, I really thought that this new board and new organization was going to be better on the "back of the house" things, but yet here we are....
Wishing them the best, but confused by the Adults decision in the room...-
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1 hour ago, Phantom56 said:
Allentown is quickly becoming an expensive city. New Jerseyites are moving there in droves, due to the outrageous housing costs and taxes in N.J. Erie would be a more affordable place for the Cadets.
I am very confused on this whole move to erie when you guys talk numbers....
The interim CEO is based out of Allentown, PA. When she took over YEA! her and her family moved to allentown to be closer to the office....once YEA! folded, the building went with it, they do have a smaller little office in allentown but no one really uses other than the office manager, Dan Hurd.
The CFO, doesn't live locally. So there's no need for an office for him.
The COO, police officer in florida, doesn't live locally, no need for an office there.
Corps Director/Program Coordinator/Visual Designer -- DOESNT LIVE LOCALLY and has a full time tech job. Doesn't need an office.
Ops Manager, young person who lives in Texas and doesn't have much experience, also doesn't need an office.
Allison, Marketing -- Doesn't go in the office.No one else isn't full time.
The Cadets numbers doesn't make much sense. Will they survive? Sure? But how many times do they need to start over and have a fresh start? Wasn't the whole point of making CAE a fresh start? Folding one nonprofit to start another, wasn't that the whole point to get out of debt? HOW ARE THEY BACK IN BAD DEBT?
Also one of you said BDPA doesn't have the money.... L O L.... BDPA (due to bingo) moved over 30mili in the 2019 FY! BDPA has enough money to do whatever they want with the entire activity... They have 0 interest in "purchasing" The Cadets...
The Cadets, are trying to put up a good front, and I wish them nothing but the best, but history repeats itself when we don't remember things...
Why did YEA! Fold? Why did YEA! Elimate the ED position under VFR? Justin Moore as the DOO and now the COO, what does he bring to the table to actually put a positive cashflow business plan in action to survive the drum corps.
We all know that the drum corps activity is the fiscally irresponsible activity. What happened to SCV was bad management of a lot of things, but most importantly a budget.
But look at BDPA, Bluecoats, The Colts, The Mandarins, etc of organizations figuring their lives out and making it happen. How are these organizations not making it more than just the drum corps? Its pretty easy to figure out if you have money or not and WHAT are you doing to make money. Literally take some time on google and just look up performing arts nonprofits and see how they survive. We are in a niche society and we can't keep asking just the nice of people to donate and make things happen without the people who get paid for 12 months in the office just cross their fingers and hope for the best.
Rant done but man on man, THIS ISNT HARD BUT THEY LOVE TO MAKE IT HARDER AND NOT SMARTER!-
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13 hours ago, supersop said:14 hours ago, deftguy said:
Unfortunately 1 out of 5,6,7 or 10 in leadership would not constitute diversity. How many members of the entire staff on the Cadets are Black? 2?
A. I'm not sure I care
B. People of Color and Minorities at the board level - 8 of 16
Management level - 3 of 5
Support staff level 10 of 17
Instructional staff level 22 of 65
Again .. I don't care... but why can't you all just look this up on their website? This is public information. And why are you pushing so hard to create a problem that isn't there?
CAE Board has 2
Management Level (Admin) has 0
The support staff page is completely outdated but it has 2 currently listed on there....
Not making this a "thing" or whatever but those numbers you pulled out are not correct
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11 hours ago, jpaul said:
I believe at least some of the guard staff had ties to Diamante. Could be something going on there.
https://pubhtml5.com/xada/gonk/Drum_Corps_International_50th_Anniversary_Program_Information/
Find the troopers page.... look at the design team.... hmmm...
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1 hour ago, George Dixon said:
Wow the jumping to conclusions and assumptions going on in this thread 🤪
Dennise was a VP for Metlife for decades, pretty sure she knows how HR works > knowing that it is nearly impossible to imagine a tiny bit of this termination (?) tale will be told by her or Cadets.org.
Thom was the most senior staff member, does anyone honestly think he was let go because of a member complaint about being woken up too early?
Clearly there is much more to the situation than we know - frankly NOTHING has been announced, but when they announce a new percussion team (or more) then we'll know the what, but still not the why...
And some of those commenting (2 in particular) - geez, it's just beyond...
Not sure why you drink DB kool aid as hard as you do. Yet, during my time with the cadets organization you seem to talk a lot of smack and do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to support the organization. AND YOU STILL DONT otheer than talk nonsense online. But lets address your wild comments shall we?
Denise sure was a second vice president of QA at Metlife. Not saying thats not impressive or anything other than to me that position is nothing other than ive been here for a long time and I know what im doing in the QA section of the organization. Does that mean she knows how to run a nonprofit? no. Just like degrees mean nothing other than theoretically.
Do I believe DB cares about HR? LMAO NO! There was a visual staff member on the cadets team this year that got removed in years prior due to his background, does DB know that? OH YEAH, she was thee one that recommended him to be let go during finals, does she care now? No.
Do I believe DB went through the proper communications and paper trail of HR to let go a 1099 contractor? ABSOLUTELY NOT. It was a phone call to Thom and thats how it got out. Thom let people know as soon as she did it.
You are correct we, the public, won't and shouldn't know what happened between closed doors, but to say DB is out here acting all right... Geez... thats a strong thoughtful hopeful opinion
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1 hour ago, Sutasaurus said:1 hour ago, Jeff Ream said:
thats the rumor
Wouldn’t you think there would be some sort of formal announcement from the organization?
That would be THE RIGHT APPROACH.... I am not sure if they know the right approach...
TA decided to speak to a couple of friends that leaked the information then he let the 2023 performers know the situation and it got out of hand on the internet
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7 minutes ago, rpbobcat said:
Forgive me if I missed this on one of the threads.
I presume Darcie Aungst and Alan Aungst are gone as well ?
TOM AUNGST -- Program Facilitator / Battery Arranger
DARCIE AUNGST -- Artistic Director
BRANDON CARRITA -- Audio & Front Ensemble Arranger
NEIL LARRIVEE -- Front Ensemble Facilitator / Caption Managerand im sure Alan will be gone as well
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Confirmed: All let go from The Cadets
- TOM AUNGST -- Program Facilitator / Battery Arranger
- DARCIE AUNGST -- Artistic Director
- BRANDON CARRITA -- Audio & Front Ensemble Arranger
- NEIL LARRIVEE -- Front Ensemble Facilitator / Caption Manager
Wow, this is an interesting move
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I said it before and I’ll say it again. Denise running the corps and organization was the stupidest decision ever.
The CFO/COO being a police officer full time while making 65K from the organization is ridiculous.
They’ve had a new tour/operations manager every year since GH left. Can’t keep anyone.
And let’s not forget they’re in debt. To the point (and I don’t know how true this is) that another organization had to bail them out finals week due to the bus situation. they have 0 money even after they split from YEA! And have accrued more debt.
her way of kicking anyone out of the board due to fighting and questioning her is just a wow factor. Yes they have by laws no they don’t care.
and the volunteers are extremely unhappy and will not go back because of her.
this new admin leadership is just crazy to think they can do this when they have 0 experience actually running a nonprofit sustaining it and keeping it cash flow positive.
just frustrating watching this happen
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Jeremy Hunt: Visual Designer
John Leonard: Color Guard Caption Supervisor
Markell Allen: Color Guard Designer and Choreographer
Angie Mayhue: Color Guard Caption Manager and Choreographer
New team at the Cavaliers
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14 minutes ago, Zeke said:20 minutes ago, jjeffeory said:
Not really, but P. Weber is a hope.
I was kind of hoping Pete Webber return to Vanguard
P Webber and JHunt I believe will make the visual design team at cavies
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1 hour ago, charlie1223 said:4 hours ago, Jeff Ream said:
interesting to see the perc staff choices
Interesting isn’t the word I’d use.
The new percussion team will be a massive upgrade to the one that is now and I believe they will be able to keep up with a top 3 scoring hornline and guard
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48 minutes ago, Sutasaurus said:
Having monitored Regiment.org for a few days now I haven’t seen any news of looking for design/visual/guard staff so that tells me they already have folks they are negotiating with. This is from a non Facebook person. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
You are correct -- last I heard drill designer was bringing in his folks for marching and guard
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41 minutes ago, rmurrey74 said:2 hours ago, kdaddy said:
When Spirit mistakenly posted a few weeks ago, was Michael Martin the announced brass arranger?
Yes
But this time they did add him as the brass caption supervisor
The Staff Merry-go-round
in DCI World Class Corps Discussions
Posted
Bill Cook would beg to differ....