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The Verdugo Hills Chorus is united in harmony love pride and respect
October 7 2020
Letrsquos Celebrate Another Holiday ldquoTEAM TOCrdquo ldquoTogether Everyone Accomplishes Morerdquo ldquoTotal Open Communicationrdquo
=========================================================================
UPCOMING VHC EVENTS DETAILS YOU MAY NEED
TONIGHT
bull Zoom opens at 630 pm The session begins at 700pm Watch for Tammyrsquos email with your Zoom link Wear your New Yearrsquos Eve bling
bull Link to last Christmas in September Zoom
httpsverdugohillschorusorg Christmas_in_September
UPCOMING bull Tomorrow is Ice Cream for Breakfast Day The Editor just made that up but isnrsquot it a fun idea
ONGOING
bull Brag Sheets Continue to submit them
Our Great Ladies of the Week are all our amazing Verdugans who came prepared last Wednesday night for our early holiday celebration activities Everyone was decked out in their holiday attire as well as background decorations Kudus go out to contest winners -- Guest Judy Mellick Ugliest Sweater Pat Kahmann and Kona Best Decorated Pet Nancy Branam Best Decorated Background Janice Kueppers did a fabulous job delivering her holiday poem as she does each year This year in the era of COVID-19 the witty message in her poem left us not only uplifted but totally in stitches laughing We want to also acknowledge the efforts by our hostess for the evening Ellen Totleben and the (borrowed) Tech Team crew Adriana Mijares Rachel Sigal and Lynn Hansen for handling all the logistics involved during the evening
TeamToc
I canrsquot believe itrsquos been a week since our Christmas party With that done it stands to reason that this week we should be celebrating in the New Year right Well I donrsquot know about you but Irsquom ready to say good-bye to this one
We Verdugans have all been working very hard to keep our spirits up stay motivated and stay connected It has been exhausting especially with no real end in sight We are all in different states of coping some well some not so well I think it is important to stay current and relevant with each other so we can share the strength of our collective The beauty of our group is that when one of us is down there is always another who is up and willing to take on the load for a while Whether you are feeling sad or lost or unmotivated remember that there is always someone else who is feeling happy or strong or inspired and is ready to take their turn
SO I just happen to be in the happystronginspired mode (with a little help from the meds of course) so letrsquos all get excited about ldquoRinging in the New Yearrdquo tonight Letrsquos toast to new times new hopes and new opportunities and go forward into the New Year knowing that we have each other no matter what Letrsquos each show up with whatever we have knowing that itrsquos all good
And yes I suggest you bring a libation for toasting as I think that went over very well last week
Cheers my sistas
On Behalf of the Management Team
Ellen Totleben Shows Coordinator
2
bull Nancy Branam always loves to print pictures of anyone reading the Lifeline
bull SmileAmazoncommdashBe sure to always use it when ordering
bull Melinda Dean will pick up your recyclables if you live in area of Pasadena to San Dimas
bull Laura La Borde collects chapter dues during this time of Stay at Home
bull Davina Wong collects recyclable ink cartridges and small electronic itemsmdashplease keep them until rehearsals restart Link to Sweet Adelines International
httpssweetadelinescom Type in browser to access SAI website Education-Voice Page httpssweetadelinescomeducationvoicevideos- demonstrations
NOTE
The Hotline entries will be back when the stay-at-home orders are lifted and the coronavirus is no longer a threat
Musical Momentum Hello Mighty Verdugans
bull Ellen will start the evening with a
Welcome and a New Yearrsquos Eve
toast Donrsquot ask just enjoy
After all itrsquos Ellen
bull Dance with Patti
bull Vocal Skill Building with Tammy
bull Breakout Session - New Yearrsquos
Resolution
bull Sing through ldquoA Million Dreamsrdquo We
will also run through with one section
predominant at a time Thatrsquos five run-
throughs Yoursquoll get a chance to sing
against every part
bull Breakout Session - What positive thing
from our recent Shelter in Place can you
take with you into the New Year
bull Singers Choice
bull Ellen- Screen Share
bull Singers Choice
bull Ellen - Screen Share
bull Announcements and close with
ldquoCan You Feel the Love Tonightrdquo
Love
Tammy
DUES CHART AND AMAZON PRIME DAY
Hello Verdugans I have just posted an advertisement for Amazon Prime Day to our chorus Facebook page ldquoPrime Dayrdquo is Amazonrsquos annual sale event exclusively for Prime members It features two days (October 13 amp 14) of special savings on thousands of items across all product categories I encourage all of you who have Facebook accounts to share this post on your own Facebook page to encourage your friends and family to use AmazonSmile to do their shopping and designate Verdugo as the charitable organization they wish to support Thank you
Pat Vincent Team Coordinator PS Also note that the Dues Chart has been updated and posted to the website You can access it at httpsverdugohillschorusorgDues_Chart
3
ldquoAll Abouthelliprdquo Jeannie Vercillo I am a Latin from
Manhattan and spent
the first 11 years of
my life mostly in a 5th
floor walk-up on the
west side near the
George Washington
Bridge When I was
born people cheered
and shouted from the
streetshellipnot because
of me but it was VJ
Day victory over
Japan This is the 75th
Anniversary of that
day and also this
year we celebrate the 75th birthday of Sweet Adelines
When I was three my Mom and Dad divorced and
years later my Mom sister and I came to California to
visit my Aunt in El Sereno I was 12 years old My
Auntrsquos husband had a widowed cousin and he fell hard
for my beautiful mother They married two weeks after
they met We were moved from a tiny apartment to a
lovely home in West Covina with a real backyard He
was born and raised in Montana and tried hard to toughen
up his new ldquocity-fiedrdquo daughters That didnrsquot work
Camping and bugshellipugh That was 1958 the year the
Brooklyn Dodgers moved here
We then moved to Monterey Park where I was to start
Mark Keppel High School I knew no one I became a
college prep student and made lots of good friends One
of my friends was a member of the Mormon Church and
she invited me to go to church with her I joined the
Church and am an active member
I decided to go Cal State LA to become a teacher I
socially affiliated with a campus fraternity which is
where I met my cute husband Michael We married
1-12 years later and produced two amazing children
Jacqueline (Registered Dental Hygienist) and Darin
(Physician in Utah) They have blessed us with seven
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren Michael
closed down his automotive service center after 40
years and is working for the Arcadia Police Dept as
Community Services Officer and Liaison Covid has
forced him to be on paid administrative leave at this
time
Somewhere in all that my widowed parents renewed
their relationship and remarried I decided teaching was
not for me and I became an Office Manager and PA for
an Ophthalmologist for 23 years and then partner in a
company devoted to breastfeeding mothers Babies
became my life But not for long An old college
friend of mine introduced me to Sweet Adelines and I
was hooked My quartets and Verdugo Hills Chorus
became another big part of my life
My Sweet Adelines years were and still are happy
and fulfilling Nine Quartet Championships under my
belt including with
Classic Tradition 1979
Panache 1988
Angel City 1991 92 96 98 2000 2002
Cachet in 2012
Belonging to an amazing chorus has topped it all
After 45+ years I can honestly say that singing with 50
women VIRTUALLY clinches the best of everything
Yours in sisterly love
Jeannie Vercillo
4
NOTES FROM SEPTEMBER 30 ZOOM REHEARSAL CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER
43 Participants
Guests Patricia Friar former member (Rafacz)
Judy Mellick
Dee OrsquoNeill
LeAnna Rooke
Lynn Sloan
Babbete Sparr and kids Allie and Matt
Jane Wolff former member
bull Patti Loitz led us in physical exercises to ldquoHave a Yule Thatrsquos Coolrdquo
bull Ellen Totleben moderator for the evening led us in vocal warmups Adriana cued three mini videos for
us to sing along with
bull Tammy introduced Janice Kueppers who sang the round she recently wrote
bull Tammy made a toast to us and then cued us all to pose for a picture
bull Ellen spoke about how we could do Singing Holiday Cards on a video app and send them via videos to
our customers via online methods and social media
bull Adriana cued a video of Hot Topic Quartet singing ldquoWe Need a Little Christmasrdquo
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to nominate which members of our group should win the Ugly Sweater
Contest The nominees from each group were then voted on via Chat Finalists were Judy Mellick
Rachel Sigal Helen Gleason and Mary Flatlie Judy was the winner
bull Rachel cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoWinter Swing Medleyrdquo
bull Janice Kueppers read her Covid-19 poem and sang her song (See pages 5 and 6)
bull Mary Flatlie announced the thirteen September birthdays Jeannie Vercillo and Paige Wright Sep 2
Nancy Branam Sep 7 Brenda Garnas Sep 13 Lynn Hansen Sep 16 Lynn Sloan Sep 18 Shauna Scanlon
and Laura Gindy Sep 19 Mary Ann OrsquoNeil Sep 20 Marge Buck Sep 23 Bobbette Gantz and
Stefanie Walcek Sep 27 Terri Dasher Sep 29 We all sang a cacophon-ius Happy Birthday in varied
individual pitches and tempos
bull Lynn Hansen cued ldquoWinter Wonderlandrdquo
bull Everyone voted via chat for the Dress Up Your Pet contest Pat Kahmann and Kona were the winners
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to play Name That Tune There were no winners but Laura La Borde
new ALL the answers
bull Adriana cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoSanta Claus is Coming to Townrdquo
bull Rachel Sigal showed us the collage she had made from pictures we sent to her of our favorite Christmas
ornaments
bull Rachel cued ldquoFeliz Navidadrdquo which featured a spotlight on Debi Bitterolf since itrsquos her least-favorite
Christmas song
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to nominate the ldquoBest Decorated Backgroundrdquo Finalists were
Laura La Borde Pat Kahmann Nancy McGuire Stefanie Walcek Karen Morrison Nancy Branam
and Trish Koran Nancy Branam was chosen the winner
bull Lynn Hansen cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoJingle Bell Jazzrdquo in costume
bull Ellen toasted the chorus and also announced she has been working on a new episode of West Wing
which will be live-streamed on October 15 It will be on HBO Max on the 15th and then other platforms
the rest of the month
bull Linda Ragsdale sang a beautiful solo of ldquoWe Wish You a Merry Christmasrdquo
Notes by Nancy Branam
5
Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show
Lyrics by Janice Kueppers sung to tune ldquoLet It Snowrdquo
Oh our holidayrsquos ruined by Covid Hate that word Irsquom over id But since wersquove no place to go Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show Canrsquot stay in the house any longer My will to sing grows stronger Going crazy Holy Crow Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show When we finally meet next year We will join our voices and cheer We will feel victorious and grateful On the risers where we belong Two seasons are gone now itrsquos Fall I need a curtain call Need to sing with voices high and low Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show (slowly) Verdugo need a show Someone please make it so
6
A Covid Christmas Poem By Janice Kueppers
Whorsquod have thought last Christmastime
How our world would change
Quarantine was nowhere in sight
My voice still had its full range
March arrived and all of a sudden
New words and phrases came to be
Like social distancing distance learning
Quarantine mask Covid and CDC
Wersquove been home for six months
Nothing much new to be seen
But now you can use scented deodorant
No one can smell you through a screen
Zoom used to be a noise
That a boyrsquos race car would make
Now Zoom is a meeting place
If I can logon correctly for Petersquos sake
We get to save on gasoline
Less wear and tear on the car
Walking to the computer
Means we donrsquot have to travel far
But itrsquos just not the same
As seeing you in person each week
A year and a half lsquotil the next competition
Is something that really reeks
Itrsquos now the end of September
Christmas and Hannukah are three months away
With no Christmas show no Christmas performing
This is what I have to say
(insert Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show)
Just want you to know I washed my hands
Before I wrote this poem
My verses are six centimeters apart
I keep my droplets at home
I masked my true feeling in humor
Wish I could change the world with a snap
My latest meaning of CDC is
CANrsquoT DO CRAP
7
Music Love the Journey Hey Region 11 guess what Were having another FABULOUS virtual seminar for Fall Festival Save November 13 14 and 15 2020 as you wont want to miss the exciting faculty we have scheduled Stay tuned for more information
Dyanna Denari Communications Chair Region 11 Seminar Committee
UPDATE YOUR ROSTER
Trish Koran has a new address as
of October 8
1190 Golden Sunset Court Prosper TX 75078 Cell phone remains the same 818-642-8604
WELCOME TO PANDEMIC PLAYHOUSE Hello Everyone We hope this message finds you well and staying safe The JFed Players are excited to announce ldquoPandemic Playhouserdquo a series of virtual productions The first of these entitled ldquoShort and Sweetrdquo premiers this Sunday October 11th 700pm ldquoShort and Sweet consists of two short one-act plays both are surprising and thought-provoking The entire production is 30 minutes Please click on the link below to register You need to register in order to get the password to connect to the program We hope you will grab a beverage sit back and enjoy httpsjewishsgpvorgvirtual-calendarpandemic-playhouse Until we can meet again in person stay safe and healthy Best
Mary Gatter and The JFed Players Community Theater Ensemble
8
Culture of Belonging We create harmony where every voice matters We foster a culture that provides a joyful place to share our uniqueness within a global community united in song Diversity amp Inclusion We celebrate our differences as essential to the rich harmony that unites us As we recognize barbershoprsquos African American origins and learn from our exclusionary past toward women of color we reject discrimination and unwaveringly strive toward greater awareness openness and understanding of each other
_________________________________ These are two of Sweet Adelines Internationalrsquos Guiding Principles They guide the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity (DampI) Task Force which was formed in 2016 with the mandate to ldquoprovide input for the SA long-term strategic planning process and develop short-term tools to support diverse and inclusive membership in Sweet Adelines Internationalrdquo The DampI task force has brought forth several important initiatives including most recently the Song Assessment Tool and the upcoming Chorus Toolkit designed to assist choruses in becoming genuinely welcoming spaces for all singers To ensure that the work of the DampI task force continues on Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors announces the formation of the Diversity Equity amp Inclusion (DEI) Council to be permanent stewards of this important work To find out more about the DEI Council and how you can get involved please see the links below and the [transcript of ] the video from International President Joan Boutilier
Position descriptions for DEI Council and related subcommittees DEI Council Application - Due October 16 2020 DEI Member Resources (member login required)
Transcript of Video follows
DEI Council Information International President Joan Boutilier October 2020
As announced by the International Board of Directors in June of 2020 a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council has been defined and approved The council will serve as the permanent stewards of diversity equity and inclusivity This permanent stewardship is intended to build on the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force Like any task force its work was meant to be temporary and is now nearing its completion With the delivery of the Chorus Toolkit in the near future and a format and process for Permanent Recognition the task force will have met its mandate We recognize that everything delivered by the task force is foundational and will need continual review and update to ensure it remains relevant and continues to evolve The DEI Council will oversee the resources and the work and guide the evolution The organizational strategic planning process is now informed by our new guiding principles including the principles of Diversity and Inclusion and a Culture of Belonging With the DEI Council in place to provide specific input to that process and to oversee the work of any resulting DEI related initiatives the organization will have strong support to live out these two guiding principles
9
In the past our actions have caused members and audiences to feel hurt The DEI Council with its planned diverse membership will provide significant real support for our intention to be inclusive going forward In this video I will review the structure and mandates of the council and its subcommittees and explain the process by which members can apply to be involved The official approved mandate of the DEI Council is to ensure diversity equity and inclusion remain priorities within the culture of Sweet Adelines International and are evidenced in all we do and how we do it The DEI Council will report directly to the International Board of Directors and will provide input to their strategic planning process support in executing all DEampI related activities and reporting of the progress of the work within its mandate The DEI Council will work closely with other International Committees and Headquarters - They will provide support to the Education Direction Committee regarding DEI-related educational guidelines and requirements - They will provide input to the Regional Leadership Committee regarding DEI-related regional programs and communications - They will provide support to the Membership Retention Committee regarding DEI-related member concerns - They will provide support for the ldquosaferdquo mailbox regarding submissions related to DEI-related member concerns The DEI Council has two subcommittees that report to it the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee and the Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee In addition the DEI Council will oversee task forces assigned to DEI initiatives Letrsquos look at the responsibilities of each of the DEI Council subcommittees The Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee will be responsible for keeping the Chorus Toolkit updated and relevant To facilitate this process their duties include Providing education facilitation and coaching to choruses to assist them in using the toolkit to their best advantage - Seeking feedback from members about the chorus toolkit and reviewing it to identify potential improvements - Making recommendations to the DEI Council for significant updates to the chorus toolkit and applying approved recommendations - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the chorus toolkit The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee will oversee the administration of the Song Assessment Tool (SAT) To facilitate this process their duties include - Supporting membership in the use of the Song Assessment Tool by providing education support and personal assistance - Managing additions to the shared song assessment database of assessed songs including assignment of admissibility ratings for racist lyrics messages or history - Recommending updates for improvements to the Song Assessment Tool to the DEI Council and applying approved recommendations - Supporting the competition process by participating in the review of songs and corresponding feedback processes to competitors and Panel Chairs - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the Song Assessment Tool and shared assessment database As we look toward our initial appointments to the DEI Council and its subcommittees I want to share our goals in making our appointments to the council
10
We intend for the Council to be representative of the full scope of membership of Sweet Adelines International The DEI Council will consist of nine members plus the Chief Executive Officer the International President and a Headquarters Staff Liaison This grouping will create a council that is large enough to benefit from a range of diverse skills and experiences yet small enough to encourage contribution and informed debate In addition the subcommittees and task forces reporting to the council will facilitate the involvement of a greater cross-section of members Diversity of identity thinking background experience and expertise enriches a Council to deliver its mandate The appointment of members diverse of race ethnic heritage age gender identity and expression sexual orientation mentalphysical abilities religious backgrounds and geographic location increases the councilrsquos capability to be representative and include the viewpoints of different lived experiences and perspectives throughout SA This will help us to more fully develop a culture of belonging and inclusivity Equity is core to the Councilrsquos collective leadership to promote the principles of ethics natural justice procedural fairness and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
Before we discuss the actual appointment process letrsquos look at the characteristics we will be looking for in our volunteers As with all Sweet Adelines Committees and Task Forces appointees must be Sweet Adelines members in good standing In addition for all positions there are foundational requirements that we consider critical to the success of this council
an open heart
an open mind
a passion for Sweet Adelines as an organization
a willingness to engage in respectful discussion The DEI Council is a high-level council that reports directly to the IBOD so we will be looking for people who have proven performance as open and collaborative leaders in the organization with reliable references who can attest to that performance
They must have a passionate interest in advancing DEampI in Sweet Adelines accompanied by a strong commitment to our Guiding Principles especially those of a Culture of Belonging and Diversity Equity and Inclusion The DEI Council is expected to engage in conversations that will be significant to informing our strategic planning and decision-making processes All members of the council must have excellent communication skills to facilitate open respectful and productive discussions
For members with less experience in organizational leadership the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee is an excellent place to start This subcommittee will work closely with chorus leadership as the chorus toolkit evolves so passion for advancing DEampI in the organization is the primary requirement for this group
Similarly our task force model is another great place for individuals without a lot of experience to start Task Force Chairs are typically more experienced but since the work for a task force is related to specific skills it is an ideal way to gain experience within Sweet Adelines The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee does require more experience and an established
credibility within Sweet Adelines Since this committee will provide the admissibility rating based on the assessment of racist characteristics of lyrics messages and history it is important that the membership trust the judgment of the people appointed to the this committee and that they have excellent communication skills for their internal discussions and their discussions with our membership
So letrsquos talk about the application process itself
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
2
bull Nancy Branam always loves to print pictures of anyone reading the Lifeline
bull SmileAmazoncommdashBe sure to always use it when ordering
bull Melinda Dean will pick up your recyclables if you live in area of Pasadena to San Dimas
bull Laura La Borde collects chapter dues during this time of Stay at Home
bull Davina Wong collects recyclable ink cartridges and small electronic itemsmdashplease keep them until rehearsals restart Link to Sweet Adelines International
httpssweetadelinescom Type in browser to access SAI website Education-Voice Page httpssweetadelinescomeducationvoicevideos- demonstrations
NOTE
The Hotline entries will be back when the stay-at-home orders are lifted and the coronavirus is no longer a threat
Musical Momentum Hello Mighty Verdugans
bull Ellen will start the evening with a
Welcome and a New Yearrsquos Eve
toast Donrsquot ask just enjoy
After all itrsquos Ellen
bull Dance with Patti
bull Vocal Skill Building with Tammy
bull Breakout Session - New Yearrsquos
Resolution
bull Sing through ldquoA Million Dreamsrdquo We
will also run through with one section
predominant at a time Thatrsquos five run-
throughs Yoursquoll get a chance to sing
against every part
bull Breakout Session - What positive thing
from our recent Shelter in Place can you
take with you into the New Year
bull Singers Choice
bull Ellen- Screen Share
bull Singers Choice
bull Ellen - Screen Share
bull Announcements and close with
ldquoCan You Feel the Love Tonightrdquo
Love
Tammy
DUES CHART AND AMAZON PRIME DAY
Hello Verdugans I have just posted an advertisement for Amazon Prime Day to our chorus Facebook page ldquoPrime Dayrdquo is Amazonrsquos annual sale event exclusively for Prime members It features two days (October 13 amp 14) of special savings on thousands of items across all product categories I encourage all of you who have Facebook accounts to share this post on your own Facebook page to encourage your friends and family to use AmazonSmile to do their shopping and designate Verdugo as the charitable organization they wish to support Thank you
Pat Vincent Team Coordinator PS Also note that the Dues Chart has been updated and posted to the website You can access it at httpsverdugohillschorusorgDues_Chart
3
ldquoAll Abouthelliprdquo Jeannie Vercillo I am a Latin from
Manhattan and spent
the first 11 years of
my life mostly in a 5th
floor walk-up on the
west side near the
George Washington
Bridge When I was
born people cheered
and shouted from the
streetshellipnot because
of me but it was VJ
Day victory over
Japan This is the 75th
Anniversary of that
day and also this
year we celebrate the 75th birthday of Sweet Adelines
When I was three my Mom and Dad divorced and
years later my Mom sister and I came to California to
visit my Aunt in El Sereno I was 12 years old My
Auntrsquos husband had a widowed cousin and he fell hard
for my beautiful mother They married two weeks after
they met We were moved from a tiny apartment to a
lovely home in West Covina with a real backyard He
was born and raised in Montana and tried hard to toughen
up his new ldquocity-fiedrdquo daughters That didnrsquot work
Camping and bugshellipugh That was 1958 the year the
Brooklyn Dodgers moved here
We then moved to Monterey Park where I was to start
Mark Keppel High School I knew no one I became a
college prep student and made lots of good friends One
of my friends was a member of the Mormon Church and
she invited me to go to church with her I joined the
Church and am an active member
I decided to go Cal State LA to become a teacher I
socially affiliated with a campus fraternity which is
where I met my cute husband Michael We married
1-12 years later and produced two amazing children
Jacqueline (Registered Dental Hygienist) and Darin
(Physician in Utah) They have blessed us with seven
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren Michael
closed down his automotive service center after 40
years and is working for the Arcadia Police Dept as
Community Services Officer and Liaison Covid has
forced him to be on paid administrative leave at this
time
Somewhere in all that my widowed parents renewed
their relationship and remarried I decided teaching was
not for me and I became an Office Manager and PA for
an Ophthalmologist for 23 years and then partner in a
company devoted to breastfeeding mothers Babies
became my life But not for long An old college
friend of mine introduced me to Sweet Adelines and I
was hooked My quartets and Verdugo Hills Chorus
became another big part of my life
My Sweet Adelines years were and still are happy
and fulfilling Nine Quartet Championships under my
belt including with
Classic Tradition 1979
Panache 1988
Angel City 1991 92 96 98 2000 2002
Cachet in 2012
Belonging to an amazing chorus has topped it all
After 45+ years I can honestly say that singing with 50
women VIRTUALLY clinches the best of everything
Yours in sisterly love
Jeannie Vercillo
4
NOTES FROM SEPTEMBER 30 ZOOM REHEARSAL CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER
43 Participants
Guests Patricia Friar former member (Rafacz)
Judy Mellick
Dee OrsquoNeill
LeAnna Rooke
Lynn Sloan
Babbete Sparr and kids Allie and Matt
Jane Wolff former member
bull Patti Loitz led us in physical exercises to ldquoHave a Yule Thatrsquos Coolrdquo
bull Ellen Totleben moderator for the evening led us in vocal warmups Adriana cued three mini videos for
us to sing along with
bull Tammy introduced Janice Kueppers who sang the round she recently wrote
bull Tammy made a toast to us and then cued us all to pose for a picture
bull Ellen spoke about how we could do Singing Holiday Cards on a video app and send them via videos to
our customers via online methods and social media
bull Adriana cued a video of Hot Topic Quartet singing ldquoWe Need a Little Christmasrdquo
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to nominate which members of our group should win the Ugly Sweater
Contest The nominees from each group were then voted on via Chat Finalists were Judy Mellick
Rachel Sigal Helen Gleason and Mary Flatlie Judy was the winner
bull Rachel cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoWinter Swing Medleyrdquo
bull Janice Kueppers read her Covid-19 poem and sang her song (See pages 5 and 6)
bull Mary Flatlie announced the thirteen September birthdays Jeannie Vercillo and Paige Wright Sep 2
Nancy Branam Sep 7 Brenda Garnas Sep 13 Lynn Hansen Sep 16 Lynn Sloan Sep 18 Shauna Scanlon
and Laura Gindy Sep 19 Mary Ann OrsquoNeil Sep 20 Marge Buck Sep 23 Bobbette Gantz and
Stefanie Walcek Sep 27 Terri Dasher Sep 29 We all sang a cacophon-ius Happy Birthday in varied
individual pitches and tempos
bull Lynn Hansen cued ldquoWinter Wonderlandrdquo
bull Everyone voted via chat for the Dress Up Your Pet contest Pat Kahmann and Kona were the winners
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to play Name That Tune There were no winners but Laura La Borde
new ALL the answers
bull Adriana cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoSanta Claus is Coming to Townrdquo
bull Rachel Sigal showed us the collage she had made from pictures we sent to her of our favorite Christmas
ornaments
bull Rachel cued ldquoFeliz Navidadrdquo which featured a spotlight on Debi Bitterolf since itrsquos her least-favorite
Christmas song
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to nominate the ldquoBest Decorated Backgroundrdquo Finalists were
Laura La Borde Pat Kahmann Nancy McGuire Stefanie Walcek Karen Morrison Nancy Branam
and Trish Koran Nancy Branam was chosen the winner
bull Lynn Hansen cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoJingle Bell Jazzrdquo in costume
bull Ellen toasted the chorus and also announced she has been working on a new episode of West Wing
which will be live-streamed on October 15 It will be on HBO Max on the 15th and then other platforms
the rest of the month
bull Linda Ragsdale sang a beautiful solo of ldquoWe Wish You a Merry Christmasrdquo
Notes by Nancy Branam
5
Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show
Lyrics by Janice Kueppers sung to tune ldquoLet It Snowrdquo
Oh our holidayrsquos ruined by Covid Hate that word Irsquom over id But since wersquove no place to go Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show Canrsquot stay in the house any longer My will to sing grows stronger Going crazy Holy Crow Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show When we finally meet next year We will join our voices and cheer We will feel victorious and grateful On the risers where we belong Two seasons are gone now itrsquos Fall I need a curtain call Need to sing with voices high and low Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show (slowly) Verdugo need a show Someone please make it so
6
A Covid Christmas Poem By Janice Kueppers
Whorsquod have thought last Christmastime
How our world would change
Quarantine was nowhere in sight
My voice still had its full range
March arrived and all of a sudden
New words and phrases came to be
Like social distancing distance learning
Quarantine mask Covid and CDC
Wersquove been home for six months
Nothing much new to be seen
But now you can use scented deodorant
No one can smell you through a screen
Zoom used to be a noise
That a boyrsquos race car would make
Now Zoom is a meeting place
If I can logon correctly for Petersquos sake
We get to save on gasoline
Less wear and tear on the car
Walking to the computer
Means we donrsquot have to travel far
But itrsquos just not the same
As seeing you in person each week
A year and a half lsquotil the next competition
Is something that really reeks
Itrsquos now the end of September
Christmas and Hannukah are three months away
With no Christmas show no Christmas performing
This is what I have to say
(insert Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show)
Just want you to know I washed my hands
Before I wrote this poem
My verses are six centimeters apart
I keep my droplets at home
I masked my true feeling in humor
Wish I could change the world with a snap
My latest meaning of CDC is
CANrsquoT DO CRAP
7
Music Love the Journey Hey Region 11 guess what Were having another FABULOUS virtual seminar for Fall Festival Save November 13 14 and 15 2020 as you wont want to miss the exciting faculty we have scheduled Stay tuned for more information
Dyanna Denari Communications Chair Region 11 Seminar Committee
UPDATE YOUR ROSTER
Trish Koran has a new address as
of October 8
1190 Golden Sunset Court Prosper TX 75078 Cell phone remains the same 818-642-8604
WELCOME TO PANDEMIC PLAYHOUSE Hello Everyone We hope this message finds you well and staying safe The JFed Players are excited to announce ldquoPandemic Playhouserdquo a series of virtual productions The first of these entitled ldquoShort and Sweetrdquo premiers this Sunday October 11th 700pm ldquoShort and Sweet consists of two short one-act plays both are surprising and thought-provoking The entire production is 30 minutes Please click on the link below to register You need to register in order to get the password to connect to the program We hope you will grab a beverage sit back and enjoy httpsjewishsgpvorgvirtual-calendarpandemic-playhouse Until we can meet again in person stay safe and healthy Best
Mary Gatter and The JFed Players Community Theater Ensemble
8
Culture of Belonging We create harmony where every voice matters We foster a culture that provides a joyful place to share our uniqueness within a global community united in song Diversity amp Inclusion We celebrate our differences as essential to the rich harmony that unites us As we recognize barbershoprsquos African American origins and learn from our exclusionary past toward women of color we reject discrimination and unwaveringly strive toward greater awareness openness and understanding of each other
_________________________________ These are two of Sweet Adelines Internationalrsquos Guiding Principles They guide the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity (DampI) Task Force which was formed in 2016 with the mandate to ldquoprovide input for the SA long-term strategic planning process and develop short-term tools to support diverse and inclusive membership in Sweet Adelines Internationalrdquo The DampI task force has brought forth several important initiatives including most recently the Song Assessment Tool and the upcoming Chorus Toolkit designed to assist choruses in becoming genuinely welcoming spaces for all singers To ensure that the work of the DampI task force continues on Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors announces the formation of the Diversity Equity amp Inclusion (DEI) Council to be permanent stewards of this important work To find out more about the DEI Council and how you can get involved please see the links below and the [transcript of ] the video from International President Joan Boutilier
Position descriptions for DEI Council and related subcommittees DEI Council Application - Due October 16 2020 DEI Member Resources (member login required)
Transcript of Video follows
DEI Council Information International President Joan Boutilier October 2020
As announced by the International Board of Directors in June of 2020 a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council has been defined and approved The council will serve as the permanent stewards of diversity equity and inclusivity This permanent stewardship is intended to build on the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force Like any task force its work was meant to be temporary and is now nearing its completion With the delivery of the Chorus Toolkit in the near future and a format and process for Permanent Recognition the task force will have met its mandate We recognize that everything delivered by the task force is foundational and will need continual review and update to ensure it remains relevant and continues to evolve The DEI Council will oversee the resources and the work and guide the evolution The organizational strategic planning process is now informed by our new guiding principles including the principles of Diversity and Inclusion and a Culture of Belonging With the DEI Council in place to provide specific input to that process and to oversee the work of any resulting DEI related initiatives the organization will have strong support to live out these two guiding principles
9
In the past our actions have caused members and audiences to feel hurt The DEI Council with its planned diverse membership will provide significant real support for our intention to be inclusive going forward In this video I will review the structure and mandates of the council and its subcommittees and explain the process by which members can apply to be involved The official approved mandate of the DEI Council is to ensure diversity equity and inclusion remain priorities within the culture of Sweet Adelines International and are evidenced in all we do and how we do it The DEI Council will report directly to the International Board of Directors and will provide input to their strategic planning process support in executing all DEampI related activities and reporting of the progress of the work within its mandate The DEI Council will work closely with other International Committees and Headquarters - They will provide support to the Education Direction Committee regarding DEI-related educational guidelines and requirements - They will provide input to the Regional Leadership Committee regarding DEI-related regional programs and communications - They will provide support to the Membership Retention Committee regarding DEI-related member concerns - They will provide support for the ldquosaferdquo mailbox regarding submissions related to DEI-related member concerns The DEI Council has two subcommittees that report to it the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee and the Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee In addition the DEI Council will oversee task forces assigned to DEI initiatives Letrsquos look at the responsibilities of each of the DEI Council subcommittees The Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee will be responsible for keeping the Chorus Toolkit updated and relevant To facilitate this process their duties include Providing education facilitation and coaching to choruses to assist them in using the toolkit to their best advantage - Seeking feedback from members about the chorus toolkit and reviewing it to identify potential improvements - Making recommendations to the DEI Council for significant updates to the chorus toolkit and applying approved recommendations - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the chorus toolkit The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee will oversee the administration of the Song Assessment Tool (SAT) To facilitate this process their duties include - Supporting membership in the use of the Song Assessment Tool by providing education support and personal assistance - Managing additions to the shared song assessment database of assessed songs including assignment of admissibility ratings for racist lyrics messages or history - Recommending updates for improvements to the Song Assessment Tool to the DEI Council and applying approved recommendations - Supporting the competition process by participating in the review of songs and corresponding feedback processes to competitors and Panel Chairs - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the Song Assessment Tool and shared assessment database As we look toward our initial appointments to the DEI Council and its subcommittees I want to share our goals in making our appointments to the council
10
We intend for the Council to be representative of the full scope of membership of Sweet Adelines International The DEI Council will consist of nine members plus the Chief Executive Officer the International President and a Headquarters Staff Liaison This grouping will create a council that is large enough to benefit from a range of diverse skills and experiences yet small enough to encourage contribution and informed debate In addition the subcommittees and task forces reporting to the council will facilitate the involvement of a greater cross-section of members Diversity of identity thinking background experience and expertise enriches a Council to deliver its mandate The appointment of members diverse of race ethnic heritage age gender identity and expression sexual orientation mentalphysical abilities religious backgrounds and geographic location increases the councilrsquos capability to be representative and include the viewpoints of different lived experiences and perspectives throughout SA This will help us to more fully develop a culture of belonging and inclusivity Equity is core to the Councilrsquos collective leadership to promote the principles of ethics natural justice procedural fairness and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
Before we discuss the actual appointment process letrsquos look at the characteristics we will be looking for in our volunteers As with all Sweet Adelines Committees and Task Forces appointees must be Sweet Adelines members in good standing In addition for all positions there are foundational requirements that we consider critical to the success of this council
an open heart
an open mind
a passion for Sweet Adelines as an organization
a willingness to engage in respectful discussion The DEI Council is a high-level council that reports directly to the IBOD so we will be looking for people who have proven performance as open and collaborative leaders in the organization with reliable references who can attest to that performance
They must have a passionate interest in advancing DEampI in Sweet Adelines accompanied by a strong commitment to our Guiding Principles especially those of a Culture of Belonging and Diversity Equity and Inclusion The DEI Council is expected to engage in conversations that will be significant to informing our strategic planning and decision-making processes All members of the council must have excellent communication skills to facilitate open respectful and productive discussions
For members with less experience in organizational leadership the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee is an excellent place to start This subcommittee will work closely with chorus leadership as the chorus toolkit evolves so passion for advancing DEampI in the organization is the primary requirement for this group
Similarly our task force model is another great place for individuals without a lot of experience to start Task Force Chairs are typically more experienced but since the work for a task force is related to specific skills it is an ideal way to gain experience within Sweet Adelines The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee does require more experience and an established
credibility within Sweet Adelines Since this committee will provide the admissibility rating based on the assessment of racist characteristics of lyrics messages and history it is important that the membership trust the judgment of the people appointed to the this committee and that they have excellent communication skills for their internal discussions and their discussions with our membership
So letrsquos talk about the application process itself
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
3
ldquoAll Abouthelliprdquo Jeannie Vercillo I am a Latin from
Manhattan and spent
the first 11 years of
my life mostly in a 5th
floor walk-up on the
west side near the
George Washington
Bridge When I was
born people cheered
and shouted from the
streetshellipnot because
of me but it was VJ
Day victory over
Japan This is the 75th
Anniversary of that
day and also this
year we celebrate the 75th birthday of Sweet Adelines
When I was three my Mom and Dad divorced and
years later my Mom sister and I came to California to
visit my Aunt in El Sereno I was 12 years old My
Auntrsquos husband had a widowed cousin and he fell hard
for my beautiful mother They married two weeks after
they met We were moved from a tiny apartment to a
lovely home in West Covina with a real backyard He
was born and raised in Montana and tried hard to toughen
up his new ldquocity-fiedrdquo daughters That didnrsquot work
Camping and bugshellipugh That was 1958 the year the
Brooklyn Dodgers moved here
We then moved to Monterey Park where I was to start
Mark Keppel High School I knew no one I became a
college prep student and made lots of good friends One
of my friends was a member of the Mormon Church and
she invited me to go to church with her I joined the
Church and am an active member
I decided to go Cal State LA to become a teacher I
socially affiliated with a campus fraternity which is
where I met my cute husband Michael We married
1-12 years later and produced two amazing children
Jacqueline (Registered Dental Hygienist) and Darin
(Physician in Utah) They have blessed us with seven
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren Michael
closed down his automotive service center after 40
years and is working for the Arcadia Police Dept as
Community Services Officer and Liaison Covid has
forced him to be on paid administrative leave at this
time
Somewhere in all that my widowed parents renewed
their relationship and remarried I decided teaching was
not for me and I became an Office Manager and PA for
an Ophthalmologist for 23 years and then partner in a
company devoted to breastfeeding mothers Babies
became my life But not for long An old college
friend of mine introduced me to Sweet Adelines and I
was hooked My quartets and Verdugo Hills Chorus
became another big part of my life
My Sweet Adelines years were and still are happy
and fulfilling Nine Quartet Championships under my
belt including with
Classic Tradition 1979
Panache 1988
Angel City 1991 92 96 98 2000 2002
Cachet in 2012
Belonging to an amazing chorus has topped it all
After 45+ years I can honestly say that singing with 50
women VIRTUALLY clinches the best of everything
Yours in sisterly love
Jeannie Vercillo
4
NOTES FROM SEPTEMBER 30 ZOOM REHEARSAL CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER
43 Participants
Guests Patricia Friar former member (Rafacz)
Judy Mellick
Dee OrsquoNeill
LeAnna Rooke
Lynn Sloan
Babbete Sparr and kids Allie and Matt
Jane Wolff former member
bull Patti Loitz led us in physical exercises to ldquoHave a Yule Thatrsquos Coolrdquo
bull Ellen Totleben moderator for the evening led us in vocal warmups Adriana cued three mini videos for
us to sing along with
bull Tammy introduced Janice Kueppers who sang the round she recently wrote
bull Tammy made a toast to us and then cued us all to pose for a picture
bull Ellen spoke about how we could do Singing Holiday Cards on a video app and send them via videos to
our customers via online methods and social media
bull Adriana cued a video of Hot Topic Quartet singing ldquoWe Need a Little Christmasrdquo
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to nominate which members of our group should win the Ugly Sweater
Contest The nominees from each group were then voted on via Chat Finalists were Judy Mellick
Rachel Sigal Helen Gleason and Mary Flatlie Judy was the winner
bull Rachel cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoWinter Swing Medleyrdquo
bull Janice Kueppers read her Covid-19 poem and sang her song (See pages 5 and 6)
bull Mary Flatlie announced the thirteen September birthdays Jeannie Vercillo and Paige Wright Sep 2
Nancy Branam Sep 7 Brenda Garnas Sep 13 Lynn Hansen Sep 16 Lynn Sloan Sep 18 Shauna Scanlon
and Laura Gindy Sep 19 Mary Ann OrsquoNeil Sep 20 Marge Buck Sep 23 Bobbette Gantz and
Stefanie Walcek Sep 27 Terri Dasher Sep 29 We all sang a cacophon-ius Happy Birthday in varied
individual pitches and tempos
bull Lynn Hansen cued ldquoWinter Wonderlandrdquo
bull Everyone voted via chat for the Dress Up Your Pet contest Pat Kahmann and Kona were the winners
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to play Name That Tune There were no winners but Laura La Borde
new ALL the answers
bull Adriana cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoSanta Claus is Coming to Townrdquo
bull Rachel Sigal showed us the collage she had made from pictures we sent to her of our favorite Christmas
ornaments
bull Rachel cued ldquoFeliz Navidadrdquo which featured a spotlight on Debi Bitterolf since itrsquos her least-favorite
Christmas song
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to nominate the ldquoBest Decorated Backgroundrdquo Finalists were
Laura La Borde Pat Kahmann Nancy McGuire Stefanie Walcek Karen Morrison Nancy Branam
and Trish Koran Nancy Branam was chosen the winner
bull Lynn Hansen cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoJingle Bell Jazzrdquo in costume
bull Ellen toasted the chorus and also announced she has been working on a new episode of West Wing
which will be live-streamed on October 15 It will be on HBO Max on the 15th and then other platforms
the rest of the month
bull Linda Ragsdale sang a beautiful solo of ldquoWe Wish You a Merry Christmasrdquo
Notes by Nancy Branam
5
Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show
Lyrics by Janice Kueppers sung to tune ldquoLet It Snowrdquo
Oh our holidayrsquos ruined by Covid Hate that word Irsquom over id But since wersquove no place to go Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show Canrsquot stay in the house any longer My will to sing grows stronger Going crazy Holy Crow Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show When we finally meet next year We will join our voices and cheer We will feel victorious and grateful On the risers where we belong Two seasons are gone now itrsquos Fall I need a curtain call Need to sing with voices high and low Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show (slowly) Verdugo need a show Someone please make it so
6
A Covid Christmas Poem By Janice Kueppers
Whorsquod have thought last Christmastime
How our world would change
Quarantine was nowhere in sight
My voice still had its full range
March arrived and all of a sudden
New words and phrases came to be
Like social distancing distance learning
Quarantine mask Covid and CDC
Wersquove been home for six months
Nothing much new to be seen
But now you can use scented deodorant
No one can smell you through a screen
Zoom used to be a noise
That a boyrsquos race car would make
Now Zoom is a meeting place
If I can logon correctly for Petersquos sake
We get to save on gasoline
Less wear and tear on the car
Walking to the computer
Means we donrsquot have to travel far
But itrsquos just not the same
As seeing you in person each week
A year and a half lsquotil the next competition
Is something that really reeks
Itrsquos now the end of September
Christmas and Hannukah are three months away
With no Christmas show no Christmas performing
This is what I have to say
(insert Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show)
Just want you to know I washed my hands
Before I wrote this poem
My verses are six centimeters apart
I keep my droplets at home
I masked my true feeling in humor
Wish I could change the world with a snap
My latest meaning of CDC is
CANrsquoT DO CRAP
7
Music Love the Journey Hey Region 11 guess what Were having another FABULOUS virtual seminar for Fall Festival Save November 13 14 and 15 2020 as you wont want to miss the exciting faculty we have scheduled Stay tuned for more information
Dyanna Denari Communications Chair Region 11 Seminar Committee
UPDATE YOUR ROSTER
Trish Koran has a new address as
of October 8
1190 Golden Sunset Court Prosper TX 75078 Cell phone remains the same 818-642-8604
WELCOME TO PANDEMIC PLAYHOUSE Hello Everyone We hope this message finds you well and staying safe The JFed Players are excited to announce ldquoPandemic Playhouserdquo a series of virtual productions The first of these entitled ldquoShort and Sweetrdquo premiers this Sunday October 11th 700pm ldquoShort and Sweet consists of two short one-act plays both are surprising and thought-provoking The entire production is 30 minutes Please click on the link below to register You need to register in order to get the password to connect to the program We hope you will grab a beverage sit back and enjoy httpsjewishsgpvorgvirtual-calendarpandemic-playhouse Until we can meet again in person stay safe and healthy Best
Mary Gatter and The JFed Players Community Theater Ensemble
8
Culture of Belonging We create harmony where every voice matters We foster a culture that provides a joyful place to share our uniqueness within a global community united in song Diversity amp Inclusion We celebrate our differences as essential to the rich harmony that unites us As we recognize barbershoprsquos African American origins and learn from our exclusionary past toward women of color we reject discrimination and unwaveringly strive toward greater awareness openness and understanding of each other
_________________________________ These are two of Sweet Adelines Internationalrsquos Guiding Principles They guide the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity (DampI) Task Force which was formed in 2016 with the mandate to ldquoprovide input for the SA long-term strategic planning process and develop short-term tools to support diverse and inclusive membership in Sweet Adelines Internationalrdquo The DampI task force has brought forth several important initiatives including most recently the Song Assessment Tool and the upcoming Chorus Toolkit designed to assist choruses in becoming genuinely welcoming spaces for all singers To ensure that the work of the DampI task force continues on Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors announces the formation of the Diversity Equity amp Inclusion (DEI) Council to be permanent stewards of this important work To find out more about the DEI Council and how you can get involved please see the links below and the [transcript of ] the video from International President Joan Boutilier
Position descriptions for DEI Council and related subcommittees DEI Council Application - Due October 16 2020 DEI Member Resources (member login required)
Transcript of Video follows
DEI Council Information International President Joan Boutilier October 2020
As announced by the International Board of Directors in June of 2020 a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council has been defined and approved The council will serve as the permanent stewards of diversity equity and inclusivity This permanent stewardship is intended to build on the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force Like any task force its work was meant to be temporary and is now nearing its completion With the delivery of the Chorus Toolkit in the near future and a format and process for Permanent Recognition the task force will have met its mandate We recognize that everything delivered by the task force is foundational and will need continual review and update to ensure it remains relevant and continues to evolve The DEI Council will oversee the resources and the work and guide the evolution The organizational strategic planning process is now informed by our new guiding principles including the principles of Diversity and Inclusion and a Culture of Belonging With the DEI Council in place to provide specific input to that process and to oversee the work of any resulting DEI related initiatives the organization will have strong support to live out these two guiding principles
9
In the past our actions have caused members and audiences to feel hurt The DEI Council with its planned diverse membership will provide significant real support for our intention to be inclusive going forward In this video I will review the structure and mandates of the council and its subcommittees and explain the process by which members can apply to be involved The official approved mandate of the DEI Council is to ensure diversity equity and inclusion remain priorities within the culture of Sweet Adelines International and are evidenced in all we do and how we do it The DEI Council will report directly to the International Board of Directors and will provide input to their strategic planning process support in executing all DEampI related activities and reporting of the progress of the work within its mandate The DEI Council will work closely with other International Committees and Headquarters - They will provide support to the Education Direction Committee regarding DEI-related educational guidelines and requirements - They will provide input to the Regional Leadership Committee regarding DEI-related regional programs and communications - They will provide support to the Membership Retention Committee regarding DEI-related member concerns - They will provide support for the ldquosaferdquo mailbox regarding submissions related to DEI-related member concerns The DEI Council has two subcommittees that report to it the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee and the Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee In addition the DEI Council will oversee task forces assigned to DEI initiatives Letrsquos look at the responsibilities of each of the DEI Council subcommittees The Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee will be responsible for keeping the Chorus Toolkit updated and relevant To facilitate this process their duties include Providing education facilitation and coaching to choruses to assist them in using the toolkit to their best advantage - Seeking feedback from members about the chorus toolkit and reviewing it to identify potential improvements - Making recommendations to the DEI Council for significant updates to the chorus toolkit and applying approved recommendations - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the chorus toolkit The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee will oversee the administration of the Song Assessment Tool (SAT) To facilitate this process their duties include - Supporting membership in the use of the Song Assessment Tool by providing education support and personal assistance - Managing additions to the shared song assessment database of assessed songs including assignment of admissibility ratings for racist lyrics messages or history - Recommending updates for improvements to the Song Assessment Tool to the DEI Council and applying approved recommendations - Supporting the competition process by participating in the review of songs and corresponding feedback processes to competitors and Panel Chairs - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the Song Assessment Tool and shared assessment database As we look toward our initial appointments to the DEI Council and its subcommittees I want to share our goals in making our appointments to the council
10
We intend for the Council to be representative of the full scope of membership of Sweet Adelines International The DEI Council will consist of nine members plus the Chief Executive Officer the International President and a Headquarters Staff Liaison This grouping will create a council that is large enough to benefit from a range of diverse skills and experiences yet small enough to encourage contribution and informed debate In addition the subcommittees and task forces reporting to the council will facilitate the involvement of a greater cross-section of members Diversity of identity thinking background experience and expertise enriches a Council to deliver its mandate The appointment of members diverse of race ethnic heritage age gender identity and expression sexual orientation mentalphysical abilities religious backgrounds and geographic location increases the councilrsquos capability to be representative and include the viewpoints of different lived experiences and perspectives throughout SA This will help us to more fully develop a culture of belonging and inclusivity Equity is core to the Councilrsquos collective leadership to promote the principles of ethics natural justice procedural fairness and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
Before we discuss the actual appointment process letrsquos look at the characteristics we will be looking for in our volunteers As with all Sweet Adelines Committees and Task Forces appointees must be Sweet Adelines members in good standing In addition for all positions there are foundational requirements that we consider critical to the success of this council
an open heart
an open mind
a passion for Sweet Adelines as an organization
a willingness to engage in respectful discussion The DEI Council is a high-level council that reports directly to the IBOD so we will be looking for people who have proven performance as open and collaborative leaders in the organization with reliable references who can attest to that performance
They must have a passionate interest in advancing DEampI in Sweet Adelines accompanied by a strong commitment to our Guiding Principles especially those of a Culture of Belonging and Diversity Equity and Inclusion The DEI Council is expected to engage in conversations that will be significant to informing our strategic planning and decision-making processes All members of the council must have excellent communication skills to facilitate open respectful and productive discussions
For members with less experience in organizational leadership the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee is an excellent place to start This subcommittee will work closely with chorus leadership as the chorus toolkit evolves so passion for advancing DEampI in the organization is the primary requirement for this group
Similarly our task force model is another great place for individuals without a lot of experience to start Task Force Chairs are typically more experienced but since the work for a task force is related to specific skills it is an ideal way to gain experience within Sweet Adelines The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee does require more experience and an established
credibility within Sweet Adelines Since this committee will provide the admissibility rating based on the assessment of racist characteristics of lyrics messages and history it is important that the membership trust the judgment of the people appointed to the this committee and that they have excellent communication skills for their internal discussions and their discussions with our membership
So letrsquos talk about the application process itself
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
4
NOTES FROM SEPTEMBER 30 ZOOM REHEARSAL CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER
43 Participants
Guests Patricia Friar former member (Rafacz)
Judy Mellick
Dee OrsquoNeill
LeAnna Rooke
Lynn Sloan
Babbete Sparr and kids Allie and Matt
Jane Wolff former member
bull Patti Loitz led us in physical exercises to ldquoHave a Yule Thatrsquos Coolrdquo
bull Ellen Totleben moderator for the evening led us in vocal warmups Adriana cued three mini videos for
us to sing along with
bull Tammy introduced Janice Kueppers who sang the round she recently wrote
bull Tammy made a toast to us and then cued us all to pose for a picture
bull Ellen spoke about how we could do Singing Holiday Cards on a video app and send them via videos to
our customers via online methods and social media
bull Adriana cued a video of Hot Topic Quartet singing ldquoWe Need a Little Christmasrdquo
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to nominate which members of our group should win the Ugly Sweater
Contest The nominees from each group were then voted on via Chat Finalists were Judy Mellick
Rachel Sigal Helen Gleason and Mary Flatlie Judy was the winner
bull Rachel cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoWinter Swing Medleyrdquo
bull Janice Kueppers read her Covid-19 poem and sang her song (See pages 5 and 6)
bull Mary Flatlie announced the thirteen September birthdays Jeannie Vercillo and Paige Wright Sep 2
Nancy Branam Sep 7 Brenda Garnas Sep 13 Lynn Hansen Sep 16 Lynn Sloan Sep 18 Shauna Scanlon
and Laura Gindy Sep 19 Mary Ann OrsquoNeil Sep 20 Marge Buck Sep 23 Bobbette Gantz and
Stefanie Walcek Sep 27 Terri Dasher Sep 29 We all sang a cacophon-ius Happy Birthday in varied
individual pitches and tempos
bull Lynn Hansen cued ldquoWinter Wonderlandrdquo
bull Everyone voted via chat for the Dress Up Your Pet contest Pat Kahmann and Kona were the winners
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to play Name That Tune There were no winners but Laura La Borde
new ALL the answers
bull Adriana cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoSanta Claus is Coming to Townrdquo
bull Rachel Sigal showed us the collage she had made from pictures we sent to her of our favorite Christmas
ornaments
bull Rachel cued ldquoFeliz Navidadrdquo which featured a spotlight on Debi Bitterolf since itrsquos her least-favorite
Christmas song
bull Ellen sent us to Breakout Rooms to nominate the ldquoBest Decorated Backgroundrdquo Finalists were
Laura La Borde Pat Kahmann Nancy McGuire Stefanie Walcek Karen Morrison Nancy Branam
and Trish Koran Nancy Branam was chosen the winner
bull Lynn Hansen cued a video of Hot Topic singing ldquoJingle Bell Jazzrdquo in costume
bull Ellen toasted the chorus and also announced she has been working on a new episode of West Wing
which will be live-streamed on October 15 It will be on HBO Max on the 15th and then other platforms
the rest of the month
bull Linda Ragsdale sang a beautiful solo of ldquoWe Wish You a Merry Christmasrdquo
Notes by Nancy Branam
5
Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show
Lyrics by Janice Kueppers sung to tune ldquoLet It Snowrdquo
Oh our holidayrsquos ruined by Covid Hate that word Irsquom over id But since wersquove no place to go Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show Canrsquot stay in the house any longer My will to sing grows stronger Going crazy Holy Crow Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show When we finally meet next year We will join our voices and cheer We will feel victorious and grateful On the risers where we belong Two seasons are gone now itrsquos Fall I need a curtain call Need to sing with voices high and low Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show (slowly) Verdugo need a show Someone please make it so
6
A Covid Christmas Poem By Janice Kueppers
Whorsquod have thought last Christmastime
How our world would change
Quarantine was nowhere in sight
My voice still had its full range
March arrived and all of a sudden
New words and phrases came to be
Like social distancing distance learning
Quarantine mask Covid and CDC
Wersquove been home for six months
Nothing much new to be seen
But now you can use scented deodorant
No one can smell you through a screen
Zoom used to be a noise
That a boyrsquos race car would make
Now Zoom is a meeting place
If I can logon correctly for Petersquos sake
We get to save on gasoline
Less wear and tear on the car
Walking to the computer
Means we donrsquot have to travel far
But itrsquos just not the same
As seeing you in person each week
A year and a half lsquotil the next competition
Is something that really reeks
Itrsquos now the end of September
Christmas and Hannukah are three months away
With no Christmas show no Christmas performing
This is what I have to say
(insert Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show)
Just want you to know I washed my hands
Before I wrote this poem
My verses are six centimeters apart
I keep my droplets at home
I masked my true feeling in humor
Wish I could change the world with a snap
My latest meaning of CDC is
CANrsquoT DO CRAP
7
Music Love the Journey Hey Region 11 guess what Were having another FABULOUS virtual seminar for Fall Festival Save November 13 14 and 15 2020 as you wont want to miss the exciting faculty we have scheduled Stay tuned for more information
Dyanna Denari Communications Chair Region 11 Seminar Committee
UPDATE YOUR ROSTER
Trish Koran has a new address as
of October 8
1190 Golden Sunset Court Prosper TX 75078 Cell phone remains the same 818-642-8604
WELCOME TO PANDEMIC PLAYHOUSE Hello Everyone We hope this message finds you well and staying safe The JFed Players are excited to announce ldquoPandemic Playhouserdquo a series of virtual productions The first of these entitled ldquoShort and Sweetrdquo premiers this Sunday October 11th 700pm ldquoShort and Sweet consists of two short one-act plays both are surprising and thought-provoking The entire production is 30 minutes Please click on the link below to register You need to register in order to get the password to connect to the program We hope you will grab a beverage sit back and enjoy httpsjewishsgpvorgvirtual-calendarpandemic-playhouse Until we can meet again in person stay safe and healthy Best
Mary Gatter and The JFed Players Community Theater Ensemble
8
Culture of Belonging We create harmony where every voice matters We foster a culture that provides a joyful place to share our uniqueness within a global community united in song Diversity amp Inclusion We celebrate our differences as essential to the rich harmony that unites us As we recognize barbershoprsquos African American origins and learn from our exclusionary past toward women of color we reject discrimination and unwaveringly strive toward greater awareness openness and understanding of each other
_________________________________ These are two of Sweet Adelines Internationalrsquos Guiding Principles They guide the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity (DampI) Task Force which was formed in 2016 with the mandate to ldquoprovide input for the SA long-term strategic planning process and develop short-term tools to support diverse and inclusive membership in Sweet Adelines Internationalrdquo The DampI task force has brought forth several important initiatives including most recently the Song Assessment Tool and the upcoming Chorus Toolkit designed to assist choruses in becoming genuinely welcoming spaces for all singers To ensure that the work of the DampI task force continues on Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors announces the formation of the Diversity Equity amp Inclusion (DEI) Council to be permanent stewards of this important work To find out more about the DEI Council and how you can get involved please see the links below and the [transcript of ] the video from International President Joan Boutilier
Position descriptions for DEI Council and related subcommittees DEI Council Application - Due October 16 2020 DEI Member Resources (member login required)
Transcript of Video follows
DEI Council Information International President Joan Boutilier October 2020
As announced by the International Board of Directors in June of 2020 a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council has been defined and approved The council will serve as the permanent stewards of diversity equity and inclusivity This permanent stewardship is intended to build on the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force Like any task force its work was meant to be temporary and is now nearing its completion With the delivery of the Chorus Toolkit in the near future and a format and process for Permanent Recognition the task force will have met its mandate We recognize that everything delivered by the task force is foundational and will need continual review and update to ensure it remains relevant and continues to evolve The DEI Council will oversee the resources and the work and guide the evolution The organizational strategic planning process is now informed by our new guiding principles including the principles of Diversity and Inclusion and a Culture of Belonging With the DEI Council in place to provide specific input to that process and to oversee the work of any resulting DEI related initiatives the organization will have strong support to live out these two guiding principles
9
In the past our actions have caused members and audiences to feel hurt The DEI Council with its planned diverse membership will provide significant real support for our intention to be inclusive going forward In this video I will review the structure and mandates of the council and its subcommittees and explain the process by which members can apply to be involved The official approved mandate of the DEI Council is to ensure diversity equity and inclusion remain priorities within the culture of Sweet Adelines International and are evidenced in all we do and how we do it The DEI Council will report directly to the International Board of Directors and will provide input to their strategic planning process support in executing all DEampI related activities and reporting of the progress of the work within its mandate The DEI Council will work closely with other International Committees and Headquarters - They will provide support to the Education Direction Committee regarding DEI-related educational guidelines and requirements - They will provide input to the Regional Leadership Committee regarding DEI-related regional programs and communications - They will provide support to the Membership Retention Committee regarding DEI-related member concerns - They will provide support for the ldquosaferdquo mailbox regarding submissions related to DEI-related member concerns The DEI Council has two subcommittees that report to it the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee and the Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee In addition the DEI Council will oversee task forces assigned to DEI initiatives Letrsquos look at the responsibilities of each of the DEI Council subcommittees The Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee will be responsible for keeping the Chorus Toolkit updated and relevant To facilitate this process their duties include Providing education facilitation and coaching to choruses to assist them in using the toolkit to their best advantage - Seeking feedback from members about the chorus toolkit and reviewing it to identify potential improvements - Making recommendations to the DEI Council for significant updates to the chorus toolkit and applying approved recommendations - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the chorus toolkit The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee will oversee the administration of the Song Assessment Tool (SAT) To facilitate this process their duties include - Supporting membership in the use of the Song Assessment Tool by providing education support and personal assistance - Managing additions to the shared song assessment database of assessed songs including assignment of admissibility ratings for racist lyrics messages or history - Recommending updates for improvements to the Song Assessment Tool to the DEI Council and applying approved recommendations - Supporting the competition process by participating in the review of songs and corresponding feedback processes to competitors and Panel Chairs - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the Song Assessment Tool and shared assessment database As we look toward our initial appointments to the DEI Council and its subcommittees I want to share our goals in making our appointments to the council
10
We intend for the Council to be representative of the full scope of membership of Sweet Adelines International The DEI Council will consist of nine members plus the Chief Executive Officer the International President and a Headquarters Staff Liaison This grouping will create a council that is large enough to benefit from a range of diverse skills and experiences yet small enough to encourage contribution and informed debate In addition the subcommittees and task forces reporting to the council will facilitate the involvement of a greater cross-section of members Diversity of identity thinking background experience and expertise enriches a Council to deliver its mandate The appointment of members diverse of race ethnic heritage age gender identity and expression sexual orientation mentalphysical abilities religious backgrounds and geographic location increases the councilrsquos capability to be representative and include the viewpoints of different lived experiences and perspectives throughout SA This will help us to more fully develop a culture of belonging and inclusivity Equity is core to the Councilrsquos collective leadership to promote the principles of ethics natural justice procedural fairness and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
Before we discuss the actual appointment process letrsquos look at the characteristics we will be looking for in our volunteers As with all Sweet Adelines Committees and Task Forces appointees must be Sweet Adelines members in good standing In addition for all positions there are foundational requirements that we consider critical to the success of this council
an open heart
an open mind
a passion for Sweet Adelines as an organization
a willingness to engage in respectful discussion The DEI Council is a high-level council that reports directly to the IBOD so we will be looking for people who have proven performance as open and collaborative leaders in the organization with reliable references who can attest to that performance
They must have a passionate interest in advancing DEampI in Sweet Adelines accompanied by a strong commitment to our Guiding Principles especially those of a Culture of Belonging and Diversity Equity and Inclusion The DEI Council is expected to engage in conversations that will be significant to informing our strategic planning and decision-making processes All members of the council must have excellent communication skills to facilitate open respectful and productive discussions
For members with less experience in organizational leadership the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee is an excellent place to start This subcommittee will work closely with chorus leadership as the chorus toolkit evolves so passion for advancing DEampI in the organization is the primary requirement for this group
Similarly our task force model is another great place for individuals without a lot of experience to start Task Force Chairs are typically more experienced but since the work for a task force is related to specific skills it is an ideal way to gain experience within Sweet Adelines The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee does require more experience and an established
credibility within Sweet Adelines Since this committee will provide the admissibility rating based on the assessment of racist characteristics of lyrics messages and history it is important that the membership trust the judgment of the people appointed to the this committee and that they have excellent communication skills for their internal discussions and their discussions with our membership
So letrsquos talk about the application process itself
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
5
Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show
Lyrics by Janice Kueppers sung to tune ldquoLet It Snowrdquo
Oh our holidayrsquos ruined by Covid Hate that word Irsquom over id But since wersquove no place to go Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show Canrsquot stay in the house any longer My will to sing grows stronger Going crazy Holy Crow Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show When we finally meet next year We will join our voices and cheer We will feel victorious and grateful On the risers where we belong Two seasons are gone now itrsquos Fall I need a curtain call Need to sing with voices high and low Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show (slowly) Verdugo need a show Someone please make it so
6
A Covid Christmas Poem By Janice Kueppers
Whorsquod have thought last Christmastime
How our world would change
Quarantine was nowhere in sight
My voice still had its full range
March arrived and all of a sudden
New words and phrases came to be
Like social distancing distance learning
Quarantine mask Covid and CDC
Wersquove been home for six months
Nothing much new to be seen
But now you can use scented deodorant
No one can smell you through a screen
Zoom used to be a noise
That a boyrsquos race car would make
Now Zoom is a meeting place
If I can logon correctly for Petersquos sake
We get to save on gasoline
Less wear and tear on the car
Walking to the computer
Means we donrsquot have to travel far
But itrsquos just not the same
As seeing you in person each week
A year and a half lsquotil the next competition
Is something that really reeks
Itrsquos now the end of September
Christmas and Hannukah are three months away
With no Christmas show no Christmas performing
This is what I have to say
(insert Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show)
Just want you to know I washed my hands
Before I wrote this poem
My verses are six centimeters apart
I keep my droplets at home
I masked my true feeling in humor
Wish I could change the world with a snap
My latest meaning of CDC is
CANrsquoT DO CRAP
7
Music Love the Journey Hey Region 11 guess what Were having another FABULOUS virtual seminar for Fall Festival Save November 13 14 and 15 2020 as you wont want to miss the exciting faculty we have scheduled Stay tuned for more information
Dyanna Denari Communications Chair Region 11 Seminar Committee
UPDATE YOUR ROSTER
Trish Koran has a new address as
of October 8
1190 Golden Sunset Court Prosper TX 75078 Cell phone remains the same 818-642-8604
WELCOME TO PANDEMIC PLAYHOUSE Hello Everyone We hope this message finds you well and staying safe The JFed Players are excited to announce ldquoPandemic Playhouserdquo a series of virtual productions The first of these entitled ldquoShort and Sweetrdquo premiers this Sunday October 11th 700pm ldquoShort and Sweet consists of two short one-act plays both are surprising and thought-provoking The entire production is 30 minutes Please click on the link below to register You need to register in order to get the password to connect to the program We hope you will grab a beverage sit back and enjoy httpsjewishsgpvorgvirtual-calendarpandemic-playhouse Until we can meet again in person stay safe and healthy Best
Mary Gatter and The JFed Players Community Theater Ensemble
8
Culture of Belonging We create harmony where every voice matters We foster a culture that provides a joyful place to share our uniqueness within a global community united in song Diversity amp Inclusion We celebrate our differences as essential to the rich harmony that unites us As we recognize barbershoprsquos African American origins and learn from our exclusionary past toward women of color we reject discrimination and unwaveringly strive toward greater awareness openness and understanding of each other
_________________________________ These are two of Sweet Adelines Internationalrsquos Guiding Principles They guide the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity (DampI) Task Force which was formed in 2016 with the mandate to ldquoprovide input for the SA long-term strategic planning process and develop short-term tools to support diverse and inclusive membership in Sweet Adelines Internationalrdquo The DampI task force has brought forth several important initiatives including most recently the Song Assessment Tool and the upcoming Chorus Toolkit designed to assist choruses in becoming genuinely welcoming spaces for all singers To ensure that the work of the DampI task force continues on Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors announces the formation of the Diversity Equity amp Inclusion (DEI) Council to be permanent stewards of this important work To find out more about the DEI Council and how you can get involved please see the links below and the [transcript of ] the video from International President Joan Boutilier
Position descriptions for DEI Council and related subcommittees DEI Council Application - Due October 16 2020 DEI Member Resources (member login required)
Transcript of Video follows
DEI Council Information International President Joan Boutilier October 2020
As announced by the International Board of Directors in June of 2020 a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council has been defined and approved The council will serve as the permanent stewards of diversity equity and inclusivity This permanent stewardship is intended to build on the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force Like any task force its work was meant to be temporary and is now nearing its completion With the delivery of the Chorus Toolkit in the near future and a format and process for Permanent Recognition the task force will have met its mandate We recognize that everything delivered by the task force is foundational and will need continual review and update to ensure it remains relevant and continues to evolve The DEI Council will oversee the resources and the work and guide the evolution The organizational strategic planning process is now informed by our new guiding principles including the principles of Diversity and Inclusion and a Culture of Belonging With the DEI Council in place to provide specific input to that process and to oversee the work of any resulting DEI related initiatives the organization will have strong support to live out these two guiding principles
9
In the past our actions have caused members and audiences to feel hurt The DEI Council with its planned diverse membership will provide significant real support for our intention to be inclusive going forward In this video I will review the structure and mandates of the council and its subcommittees and explain the process by which members can apply to be involved The official approved mandate of the DEI Council is to ensure diversity equity and inclusion remain priorities within the culture of Sweet Adelines International and are evidenced in all we do and how we do it The DEI Council will report directly to the International Board of Directors and will provide input to their strategic planning process support in executing all DEampI related activities and reporting of the progress of the work within its mandate The DEI Council will work closely with other International Committees and Headquarters - They will provide support to the Education Direction Committee regarding DEI-related educational guidelines and requirements - They will provide input to the Regional Leadership Committee regarding DEI-related regional programs and communications - They will provide support to the Membership Retention Committee regarding DEI-related member concerns - They will provide support for the ldquosaferdquo mailbox regarding submissions related to DEI-related member concerns The DEI Council has two subcommittees that report to it the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee and the Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee In addition the DEI Council will oversee task forces assigned to DEI initiatives Letrsquos look at the responsibilities of each of the DEI Council subcommittees The Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee will be responsible for keeping the Chorus Toolkit updated and relevant To facilitate this process their duties include Providing education facilitation and coaching to choruses to assist them in using the toolkit to their best advantage - Seeking feedback from members about the chorus toolkit and reviewing it to identify potential improvements - Making recommendations to the DEI Council for significant updates to the chorus toolkit and applying approved recommendations - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the chorus toolkit The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee will oversee the administration of the Song Assessment Tool (SAT) To facilitate this process their duties include - Supporting membership in the use of the Song Assessment Tool by providing education support and personal assistance - Managing additions to the shared song assessment database of assessed songs including assignment of admissibility ratings for racist lyrics messages or history - Recommending updates for improvements to the Song Assessment Tool to the DEI Council and applying approved recommendations - Supporting the competition process by participating in the review of songs and corresponding feedback processes to competitors and Panel Chairs - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the Song Assessment Tool and shared assessment database As we look toward our initial appointments to the DEI Council and its subcommittees I want to share our goals in making our appointments to the council
10
We intend for the Council to be representative of the full scope of membership of Sweet Adelines International The DEI Council will consist of nine members plus the Chief Executive Officer the International President and a Headquarters Staff Liaison This grouping will create a council that is large enough to benefit from a range of diverse skills and experiences yet small enough to encourage contribution and informed debate In addition the subcommittees and task forces reporting to the council will facilitate the involvement of a greater cross-section of members Diversity of identity thinking background experience and expertise enriches a Council to deliver its mandate The appointment of members diverse of race ethnic heritage age gender identity and expression sexual orientation mentalphysical abilities religious backgrounds and geographic location increases the councilrsquos capability to be representative and include the viewpoints of different lived experiences and perspectives throughout SA This will help us to more fully develop a culture of belonging and inclusivity Equity is core to the Councilrsquos collective leadership to promote the principles of ethics natural justice procedural fairness and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
Before we discuss the actual appointment process letrsquos look at the characteristics we will be looking for in our volunteers As with all Sweet Adelines Committees and Task Forces appointees must be Sweet Adelines members in good standing In addition for all positions there are foundational requirements that we consider critical to the success of this council
an open heart
an open mind
a passion for Sweet Adelines as an organization
a willingness to engage in respectful discussion The DEI Council is a high-level council that reports directly to the IBOD so we will be looking for people who have proven performance as open and collaborative leaders in the organization with reliable references who can attest to that performance
They must have a passionate interest in advancing DEampI in Sweet Adelines accompanied by a strong commitment to our Guiding Principles especially those of a Culture of Belonging and Diversity Equity and Inclusion The DEI Council is expected to engage in conversations that will be significant to informing our strategic planning and decision-making processes All members of the council must have excellent communication skills to facilitate open respectful and productive discussions
For members with less experience in organizational leadership the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee is an excellent place to start This subcommittee will work closely with chorus leadership as the chorus toolkit evolves so passion for advancing DEampI in the organization is the primary requirement for this group
Similarly our task force model is another great place for individuals without a lot of experience to start Task Force Chairs are typically more experienced but since the work for a task force is related to specific skills it is an ideal way to gain experience within Sweet Adelines The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee does require more experience and an established
credibility within Sweet Adelines Since this committee will provide the admissibility rating based on the assessment of racist characteristics of lyrics messages and history it is important that the membership trust the judgment of the people appointed to the this committee and that they have excellent communication skills for their internal discussions and their discussions with our membership
So letrsquos talk about the application process itself
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
6
A Covid Christmas Poem By Janice Kueppers
Whorsquod have thought last Christmastime
How our world would change
Quarantine was nowhere in sight
My voice still had its full range
March arrived and all of a sudden
New words and phrases came to be
Like social distancing distance learning
Quarantine mask Covid and CDC
Wersquove been home for six months
Nothing much new to be seen
But now you can use scented deodorant
No one can smell you through a screen
Zoom used to be a noise
That a boyrsquos race car would make
Now Zoom is a meeting place
If I can logon correctly for Petersquos sake
We get to save on gasoline
Less wear and tear on the car
Walking to the computer
Means we donrsquot have to travel far
But itrsquos just not the same
As seeing you in person each week
A year and a half lsquotil the next competition
Is something that really reeks
Itrsquos now the end of September
Christmas and Hannukah are three months away
With no Christmas show no Christmas performing
This is what I have to say
(insert Need a Show Need a Show Need a Show)
Just want you to know I washed my hands
Before I wrote this poem
My verses are six centimeters apart
I keep my droplets at home
I masked my true feeling in humor
Wish I could change the world with a snap
My latest meaning of CDC is
CANrsquoT DO CRAP
7
Music Love the Journey Hey Region 11 guess what Were having another FABULOUS virtual seminar for Fall Festival Save November 13 14 and 15 2020 as you wont want to miss the exciting faculty we have scheduled Stay tuned for more information
Dyanna Denari Communications Chair Region 11 Seminar Committee
UPDATE YOUR ROSTER
Trish Koran has a new address as
of October 8
1190 Golden Sunset Court Prosper TX 75078 Cell phone remains the same 818-642-8604
WELCOME TO PANDEMIC PLAYHOUSE Hello Everyone We hope this message finds you well and staying safe The JFed Players are excited to announce ldquoPandemic Playhouserdquo a series of virtual productions The first of these entitled ldquoShort and Sweetrdquo premiers this Sunday October 11th 700pm ldquoShort and Sweet consists of two short one-act plays both are surprising and thought-provoking The entire production is 30 minutes Please click on the link below to register You need to register in order to get the password to connect to the program We hope you will grab a beverage sit back and enjoy httpsjewishsgpvorgvirtual-calendarpandemic-playhouse Until we can meet again in person stay safe and healthy Best
Mary Gatter and The JFed Players Community Theater Ensemble
8
Culture of Belonging We create harmony where every voice matters We foster a culture that provides a joyful place to share our uniqueness within a global community united in song Diversity amp Inclusion We celebrate our differences as essential to the rich harmony that unites us As we recognize barbershoprsquos African American origins and learn from our exclusionary past toward women of color we reject discrimination and unwaveringly strive toward greater awareness openness and understanding of each other
_________________________________ These are two of Sweet Adelines Internationalrsquos Guiding Principles They guide the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity (DampI) Task Force which was formed in 2016 with the mandate to ldquoprovide input for the SA long-term strategic planning process and develop short-term tools to support diverse and inclusive membership in Sweet Adelines Internationalrdquo The DampI task force has brought forth several important initiatives including most recently the Song Assessment Tool and the upcoming Chorus Toolkit designed to assist choruses in becoming genuinely welcoming spaces for all singers To ensure that the work of the DampI task force continues on Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors announces the formation of the Diversity Equity amp Inclusion (DEI) Council to be permanent stewards of this important work To find out more about the DEI Council and how you can get involved please see the links below and the [transcript of ] the video from International President Joan Boutilier
Position descriptions for DEI Council and related subcommittees DEI Council Application - Due October 16 2020 DEI Member Resources (member login required)
Transcript of Video follows
DEI Council Information International President Joan Boutilier October 2020
As announced by the International Board of Directors in June of 2020 a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council has been defined and approved The council will serve as the permanent stewards of diversity equity and inclusivity This permanent stewardship is intended to build on the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force Like any task force its work was meant to be temporary and is now nearing its completion With the delivery of the Chorus Toolkit in the near future and a format and process for Permanent Recognition the task force will have met its mandate We recognize that everything delivered by the task force is foundational and will need continual review and update to ensure it remains relevant and continues to evolve The DEI Council will oversee the resources and the work and guide the evolution The organizational strategic planning process is now informed by our new guiding principles including the principles of Diversity and Inclusion and a Culture of Belonging With the DEI Council in place to provide specific input to that process and to oversee the work of any resulting DEI related initiatives the organization will have strong support to live out these two guiding principles
9
In the past our actions have caused members and audiences to feel hurt The DEI Council with its planned diverse membership will provide significant real support for our intention to be inclusive going forward In this video I will review the structure and mandates of the council and its subcommittees and explain the process by which members can apply to be involved The official approved mandate of the DEI Council is to ensure diversity equity and inclusion remain priorities within the culture of Sweet Adelines International and are evidenced in all we do and how we do it The DEI Council will report directly to the International Board of Directors and will provide input to their strategic planning process support in executing all DEampI related activities and reporting of the progress of the work within its mandate The DEI Council will work closely with other International Committees and Headquarters - They will provide support to the Education Direction Committee regarding DEI-related educational guidelines and requirements - They will provide input to the Regional Leadership Committee regarding DEI-related regional programs and communications - They will provide support to the Membership Retention Committee regarding DEI-related member concerns - They will provide support for the ldquosaferdquo mailbox regarding submissions related to DEI-related member concerns The DEI Council has two subcommittees that report to it the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee and the Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee In addition the DEI Council will oversee task forces assigned to DEI initiatives Letrsquos look at the responsibilities of each of the DEI Council subcommittees The Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee will be responsible for keeping the Chorus Toolkit updated and relevant To facilitate this process their duties include Providing education facilitation and coaching to choruses to assist them in using the toolkit to their best advantage - Seeking feedback from members about the chorus toolkit and reviewing it to identify potential improvements - Making recommendations to the DEI Council for significant updates to the chorus toolkit and applying approved recommendations - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the chorus toolkit The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee will oversee the administration of the Song Assessment Tool (SAT) To facilitate this process their duties include - Supporting membership in the use of the Song Assessment Tool by providing education support and personal assistance - Managing additions to the shared song assessment database of assessed songs including assignment of admissibility ratings for racist lyrics messages or history - Recommending updates for improvements to the Song Assessment Tool to the DEI Council and applying approved recommendations - Supporting the competition process by participating in the review of songs and corresponding feedback processes to competitors and Panel Chairs - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the Song Assessment Tool and shared assessment database As we look toward our initial appointments to the DEI Council and its subcommittees I want to share our goals in making our appointments to the council
10
We intend for the Council to be representative of the full scope of membership of Sweet Adelines International The DEI Council will consist of nine members plus the Chief Executive Officer the International President and a Headquarters Staff Liaison This grouping will create a council that is large enough to benefit from a range of diverse skills and experiences yet small enough to encourage contribution and informed debate In addition the subcommittees and task forces reporting to the council will facilitate the involvement of a greater cross-section of members Diversity of identity thinking background experience and expertise enriches a Council to deliver its mandate The appointment of members diverse of race ethnic heritage age gender identity and expression sexual orientation mentalphysical abilities religious backgrounds and geographic location increases the councilrsquos capability to be representative and include the viewpoints of different lived experiences and perspectives throughout SA This will help us to more fully develop a culture of belonging and inclusivity Equity is core to the Councilrsquos collective leadership to promote the principles of ethics natural justice procedural fairness and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
Before we discuss the actual appointment process letrsquos look at the characteristics we will be looking for in our volunteers As with all Sweet Adelines Committees and Task Forces appointees must be Sweet Adelines members in good standing In addition for all positions there are foundational requirements that we consider critical to the success of this council
an open heart
an open mind
a passion for Sweet Adelines as an organization
a willingness to engage in respectful discussion The DEI Council is a high-level council that reports directly to the IBOD so we will be looking for people who have proven performance as open and collaborative leaders in the organization with reliable references who can attest to that performance
They must have a passionate interest in advancing DEampI in Sweet Adelines accompanied by a strong commitment to our Guiding Principles especially those of a Culture of Belonging and Diversity Equity and Inclusion The DEI Council is expected to engage in conversations that will be significant to informing our strategic planning and decision-making processes All members of the council must have excellent communication skills to facilitate open respectful and productive discussions
For members with less experience in organizational leadership the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee is an excellent place to start This subcommittee will work closely with chorus leadership as the chorus toolkit evolves so passion for advancing DEampI in the organization is the primary requirement for this group
Similarly our task force model is another great place for individuals without a lot of experience to start Task Force Chairs are typically more experienced but since the work for a task force is related to specific skills it is an ideal way to gain experience within Sweet Adelines The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee does require more experience and an established
credibility within Sweet Adelines Since this committee will provide the admissibility rating based on the assessment of racist characteristics of lyrics messages and history it is important that the membership trust the judgment of the people appointed to the this committee and that they have excellent communication skills for their internal discussions and their discussions with our membership
So letrsquos talk about the application process itself
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
7
Music Love the Journey Hey Region 11 guess what Were having another FABULOUS virtual seminar for Fall Festival Save November 13 14 and 15 2020 as you wont want to miss the exciting faculty we have scheduled Stay tuned for more information
Dyanna Denari Communications Chair Region 11 Seminar Committee
UPDATE YOUR ROSTER
Trish Koran has a new address as
of October 8
1190 Golden Sunset Court Prosper TX 75078 Cell phone remains the same 818-642-8604
WELCOME TO PANDEMIC PLAYHOUSE Hello Everyone We hope this message finds you well and staying safe The JFed Players are excited to announce ldquoPandemic Playhouserdquo a series of virtual productions The first of these entitled ldquoShort and Sweetrdquo premiers this Sunday October 11th 700pm ldquoShort and Sweet consists of two short one-act plays both are surprising and thought-provoking The entire production is 30 minutes Please click on the link below to register You need to register in order to get the password to connect to the program We hope you will grab a beverage sit back and enjoy httpsjewishsgpvorgvirtual-calendarpandemic-playhouse Until we can meet again in person stay safe and healthy Best
Mary Gatter and The JFed Players Community Theater Ensemble
8
Culture of Belonging We create harmony where every voice matters We foster a culture that provides a joyful place to share our uniqueness within a global community united in song Diversity amp Inclusion We celebrate our differences as essential to the rich harmony that unites us As we recognize barbershoprsquos African American origins and learn from our exclusionary past toward women of color we reject discrimination and unwaveringly strive toward greater awareness openness and understanding of each other
_________________________________ These are two of Sweet Adelines Internationalrsquos Guiding Principles They guide the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity (DampI) Task Force which was formed in 2016 with the mandate to ldquoprovide input for the SA long-term strategic planning process and develop short-term tools to support diverse and inclusive membership in Sweet Adelines Internationalrdquo The DampI task force has brought forth several important initiatives including most recently the Song Assessment Tool and the upcoming Chorus Toolkit designed to assist choruses in becoming genuinely welcoming spaces for all singers To ensure that the work of the DampI task force continues on Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors announces the formation of the Diversity Equity amp Inclusion (DEI) Council to be permanent stewards of this important work To find out more about the DEI Council and how you can get involved please see the links below and the [transcript of ] the video from International President Joan Boutilier
Position descriptions for DEI Council and related subcommittees DEI Council Application - Due October 16 2020 DEI Member Resources (member login required)
Transcript of Video follows
DEI Council Information International President Joan Boutilier October 2020
As announced by the International Board of Directors in June of 2020 a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council has been defined and approved The council will serve as the permanent stewards of diversity equity and inclusivity This permanent stewardship is intended to build on the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force Like any task force its work was meant to be temporary and is now nearing its completion With the delivery of the Chorus Toolkit in the near future and a format and process for Permanent Recognition the task force will have met its mandate We recognize that everything delivered by the task force is foundational and will need continual review and update to ensure it remains relevant and continues to evolve The DEI Council will oversee the resources and the work and guide the evolution The organizational strategic planning process is now informed by our new guiding principles including the principles of Diversity and Inclusion and a Culture of Belonging With the DEI Council in place to provide specific input to that process and to oversee the work of any resulting DEI related initiatives the organization will have strong support to live out these two guiding principles
9
In the past our actions have caused members and audiences to feel hurt The DEI Council with its planned diverse membership will provide significant real support for our intention to be inclusive going forward In this video I will review the structure and mandates of the council and its subcommittees and explain the process by which members can apply to be involved The official approved mandate of the DEI Council is to ensure diversity equity and inclusion remain priorities within the culture of Sweet Adelines International and are evidenced in all we do and how we do it The DEI Council will report directly to the International Board of Directors and will provide input to their strategic planning process support in executing all DEampI related activities and reporting of the progress of the work within its mandate The DEI Council will work closely with other International Committees and Headquarters - They will provide support to the Education Direction Committee regarding DEI-related educational guidelines and requirements - They will provide input to the Regional Leadership Committee regarding DEI-related regional programs and communications - They will provide support to the Membership Retention Committee regarding DEI-related member concerns - They will provide support for the ldquosaferdquo mailbox regarding submissions related to DEI-related member concerns The DEI Council has two subcommittees that report to it the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee and the Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee In addition the DEI Council will oversee task forces assigned to DEI initiatives Letrsquos look at the responsibilities of each of the DEI Council subcommittees The Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee will be responsible for keeping the Chorus Toolkit updated and relevant To facilitate this process their duties include Providing education facilitation and coaching to choruses to assist them in using the toolkit to their best advantage - Seeking feedback from members about the chorus toolkit and reviewing it to identify potential improvements - Making recommendations to the DEI Council for significant updates to the chorus toolkit and applying approved recommendations - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the chorus toolkit The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee will oversee the administration of the Song Assessment Tool (SAT) To facilitate this process their duties include - Supporting membership in the use of the Song Assessment Tool by providing education support and personal assistance - Managing additions to the shared song assessment database of assessed songs including assignment of admissibility ratings for racist lyrics messages or history - Recommending updates for improvements to the Song Assessment Tool to the DEI Council and applying approved recommendations - Supporting the competition process by participating in the review of songs and corresponding feedback processes to competitors and Panel Chairs - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the Song Assessment Tool and shared assessment database As we look toward our initial appointments to the DEI Council and its subcommittees I want to share our goals in making our appointments to the council
10
We intend for the Council to be representative of the full scope of membership of Sweet Adelines International The DEI Council will consist of nine members plus the Chief Executive Officer the International President and a Headquarters Staff Liaison This grouping will create a council that is large enough to benefit from a range of diverse skills and experiences yet small enough to encourage contribution and informed debate In addition the subcommittees and task forces reporting to the council will facilitate the involvement of a greater cross-section of members Diversity of identity thinking background experience and expertise enriches a Council to deliver its mandate The appointment of members diverse of race ethnic heritage age gender identity and expression sexual orientation mentalphysical abilities religious backgrounds and geographic location increases the councilrsquos capability to be representative and include the viewpoints of different lived experiences and perspectives throughout SA This will help us to more fully develop a culture of belonging and inclusivity Equity is core to the Councilrsquos collective leadership to promote the principles of ethics natural justice procedural fairness and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
Before we discuss the actual appointment process letrsquos look at the characteristics we will be looking for in our volunteers As with all Sweet Adelines Committees and Task Forces appointees must be Sweet Adelines members in good standing In addition for all positions there are foundational requirements that we consider critical to the success of this council
an open heart
an open mind
a passion for Sweet Adelines as an organization
a willingness to engage in respectful discussion The DEI Council is a high-level council that reports directly to the IBOD so we will be looking for people who have proven performance as open and collaborative leaders in the organization with reliable references who can attest to that performance
They must have a passionate interest in advancing DEampI in Sweet Adelines accompanied by a strong commitment to our Guiding Principles especially those of a Culture of Belonging and Diversity Equity and Inclusion The DEI Council is expected to engage in conversations that will be significant to informing our strategic planning and decision-making processes All members of the council must have excellent communication skills to facilitate open respectful and productive discussions
For members with less experience in organizational leadership the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee is an excellent place to start This subcommittee will work closely with chorus leadership as the chorus toolkit evolves so passion for advancing DEampI in the organization is the primary requirement for this group
Similarly our task force model is another great place for individuals without a lot of experience to start Task Force Chairs are typically more experienced but since the work for a task force is related to specific skills it is an ideal way to gain experience within Sweet Adelines The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee does require more experience and an established
credibility within Sweet Adelines Since this committee will provide the admissibility rating based on the assessment of racist characteristics of lyrics messages and history it is important that the membership trust the judgment of the people appointed to the this committee and that they have excellent communication skills for their internal discussions and their discussions with our membership
So letrsquos talk about the application process itself
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
8
Culture of Belonging We create harmony where every voice matters We foster a culture that provides a joyful place to share our uniqueness within a global community united in song Diversity amp Inclusion We celebrate our differences as essential to the rich harmony that unites us As we recognize barbershoprsquos African American origins and learn from our exclusionary past toward women of color we reject discrimination and unwaveringly strive toward greater awareness openness and understanding of each other
_________________________________ These are two of Sweet Adelines Internationalrsquos Guiding Principles They guide the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity (DampI) Task Force which was formed in 2016 with the mandate to ldquoprovide input for the SA long-term strategic planning process and develop short-term tools to support diverse and inclusive membership in Sweet Adelines Internationalrdquo The DampI task force has brought forth several important initiatives including most recently the Song Assessment Tool and the upcoming Chorus Toolkit designed to assist choruses in becoming genuinely welcoming spaces for all singers To ensure that the work of the DampI task force continues on Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors announces the formation of the Diversity Equity amp Inclusion (DEI) Council to be permanent stewards of this important work To find out more about the DEI Council and how you can get involved please see the links below and the [transcript of ] the video from International President Joan Boutilier
Position descriptions for DEI Council and related subcommittees DEI Council Application - Due October 16 2020 DEI Member Resources (member login required)
Transcript of Video follows
DEI Council Information International President Joan Boutilier October 2020
As announced by the International Board of Directors in June of 2020 a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council has been defined and approved The council will serve as the permanent stewards of diversity equity and inclusivity This permanent stewardship is intended to build on the work of the Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force Like any task force its work was meant to be temporary and is now nearing its completion With the delivery of the Chorus Toolkit in the near future and a format and process for Permanent Recognition the task force will have met its mandate We recognize that everything delivered by the task force is foundational and will need continual review and update to ensure it remains relevant and continues to evolve The DEI Council will oversee the resources and the work and guide the evolution The organizational strategic planning process is now informed by our new guiding principles including the principles of Diversity and Inclusion and a Culture of Belonging With the DEI Council in place to provide specific input to that process and to oversee the work of any resulting DEI related initiatives the organization will have strong support to live out these two guiding principles
9
In the past our actions have caused members and audiences to feel hurt The DEI Council with its planned diverse membership will provide significant real support for our intention to be inclusive going forward In this video I will review the structure and mandates of the council and its subcommittees and explain the process by which members can apply to be involved The official approved mandate of the DEI Council is to ensure diversity equity and inclusion remain priorities within the culture of Sweet Adelines International and are evidenced in all we do and how we do it The DEI Council will report directly to the International Board of Directors and will provide input to their strategic planning process support in executing all DEampI related activities and reporting of the progress of the work within its mandate The DEI Council will work closely with other International Committees and Headquarters - They will provide support to the Education Direction Committee regarding DEI-related educational guidelines and requirements - They will provide input to the Regional Leadership Committee regarding DEI-related regional programs and communications - They will provide support to the Membership Retention Committee regarding DEI-related member concerns - They will provide support for the ldquosaferdquo mailbox regarding submissions related to DEI-related member concerns The DEI Council has two subcommittees that report to it the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee and the Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee In addition the DEI Council will oversee task forces assigned to DEI initiatives Letrsquos look at the responsibilities of each of the DEI Council subcommittees The Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee will be responsible for keeping the Chorus Toolkit updated and relevant To facilitate this process their duties include Providing education facilitation and coaching to choruses to assist them in using the toolkit to their best advantage - Seeking feedback from members about the chorus toolkit and reviewing it to identify potential improvements - Making recommendations to the DEI Council for significant updates to the chorus toolkit and applying approved recommendations - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the chorus toolkit The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee will oversee the administration of the Song Assessment Tool (SAT) To facilitate this process their duties include - Supporting membership in the use of the Song Assessment Tool by providing education support and personal assistance - Managing additions to the shared song assessment database of assessed songs including assignment of admissibility ratings for racist lyrics messages or history - Recommending updates for improvements to the Song Assessment Tool to the DEI Council and applying approved recommendations - Supporting the competition process by participating in the review of songs and corresponding feedback processes to competitors and Panel Chairs - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the Song Assessment Tool and shared assessment database As we look toward our initial appointments to the DEI Council and its subcommittees I want to share our goals in making our appointments to the council
10
We intend for the Council to be representative of the full scope of membership of Sweet Adelines International The DEI Council will consist of nine members plus the Chief Executive Officer the International President and a Headquarters Staff Liaison This grouping will create a council that is large enough to benefit from a range of diverse skills and experiences yet small enough to encourage contribution and informed debate In addition the subcommittees and task forces reporting to the council will facilitate the involvement of a greater cross-section of members Diversity of identity thinking background experience and expertise enriches a Council to deliver its mandate The appointment of members diverse of race ethnic heritage age gender identity and expression sexual orientation mentalphysical abilities religious backgrounds and geographic location increases the councilrsquos capability to be representative and include the viewpoints of different lived experiences and perspectives throughout SA This will help us to more fully develop a culture of belonging and inclusivity Equity is core to the Councilrsquos collective leadership to promote the principles of ethics natural justice procedural fairness and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
Before we discuss the actual appointment process letrsquos look at the characteristics we will be looking for in our volunteers As with all Sweet Adelines Committees and Task Forces appointees must be Sweet Adelines members in good standing In addition for all positions there are foundational requirements that we consider critical to the success of this council
an open heart
an open mind
a passion for Sweet Adelines as an organization
a willingness to engage in respectful discussion The DEI Council is a high-level council that reports directly to the IBOD so we will be looking for people who have proven performance as open and collaborative leaders in the organization with reliable references who can attest to that performance
They must have a passionate interest in advancing DEampI in Sweet Adelines accompanied by a strong commitment to our Guiding Principles especially those of a Culture of Belonging and Diversity Equity and Inclusion The DEI Council is expected to engage in conversations that will be significant to informing our strategic planning and decision-making processes All members of the council must have excellent communication skills to facilitate open respectful and productive discussions
For members with less experience in organizational leadership the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee is an excellent place to start This subcommittee will work closely with chorus leadership as the chorus toolkit evolves so passion for advancing DEampI in the organization is the primary requirement for this group
Similarly our task force model is another great place for individuals without a lot of experience to start Task Force Chairs are typically more experienced but since the work for a task force is related to specific skills it is an ideal way to gain experience within Sweet Adelines The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee does require more experience and an established
credibility within Sweet Adelines Since this committee will provide the admissibility rating based on the assessment of racist characteristics of lyrics messages and history it is important that the membership trust the judgment of the people appointed to the this committee and that they have excellent communication skills for their internal discussions and their discussions with our membership
So letrsquos talk about the application process itself
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
9
In the past our actions have caused members and audiences to feel hurt The DEI Council with its planned diverse membership will provide significant real support for our intention to be inclusive going forward In this video I will review the structure and mandates of the council and its subcommittees and explain the process by which members can apply to be involved The official approved mandate of the DEI Council is to ensure diversity equity and inclusion remain priorities within the culture of Sweet Adelines International and are evidenced in all we do and how we do it The DEI Council will report directly to the International Board of Directors and will provide input to their strategic planning process support in executing all DEampI related activities and reporting of the progress of the work within its mandate The DEI Council will work closely with other International Committees and Headquarters - They will provide support to the Education Direction Committee regarding DEI-related educational guidelines and requirements - They will provide input to the Regional Leadership Committee regarding DEI-related regional programs and communications - They will provide support to the Membership Retention Committee regarding DEI-related member concerns - They will provide support for the ldquosaferdquo mailbox regarding submissions related to DEI-related member concerns The DEI Council has two subcommittees that report to it the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee and the Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee In addition the DEI Council will oversee task forces assigned to DEI initiatives Letrsquos look at the responsibilities of each of the DEI Council subcommittees The Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee will be responsible for keeping the Chorus Toolkit updated and relevant To facilitate this process their duties include Providing education facilitation and coaching to choruses to assist them in using the toolkit to their best advantage - Seeking feedback from members about the chorus toolkit and reviewing it to identify potential improvements - Making recommendations to the DEI Council for significant updates to the chorus toolkit and applying approved recommendations - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the chorus toolkit The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee will oversee the administration of the Song Assessment Tool (SAT) To facilitate this process their duties include - Supporting membership in the use of the Song Assessment Tool by providing education support and personal assistance - Managing additions to the shared song assessment database of assessed songs including assignment of admissibility ratings for racist lyrics messages or history - Recommending updates for improvements to the Song Assessment Tool to the DEI Council and applying approved recommendations - Supporting the competition process by participating in the review of songs and corresponding feedback processes to competitors and Panel Chairs - Preparing communications to ensure members are kept up to date on any changes and educational opportunities related to the Song Assessment Tool and shared assessment database As we look toward our initial appointments to the DEI Council and its subcommittees I want to share our goals in making our appointments to the council
10
We intend for the Council to be representative of the full scope of membership of Sweet Adelines International The DEI Council will consist of nine members plus the Chief Executive Officer the International President and a Headquarters Staff Liaison This grouping will create a council that is large enough to benefit from a range of diverse skills and experiences yet small enough to encourage contribution and informed debate In addition the subcommittees and task forces reporting to the council will facilitate the involvement of a greater cross-section of members Diversity of identity thinking background experience and expertise enriches a Council to deliver its mandate The appointment of members diverse of race ethnic heritage age gender identity and expression sexual orientation mentalphysical abilities religious backgrounds and geographic location increases the councilrsquos capability to be representative and include the viewpoints of different lived experiences and perspectives throughout SA This will help us to more fully develop a culture of belonging and inclusivity Equity is core to the Councilrsquos collective leadership to promote the principles of ethics natural justice procedural fairness and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
Before we discuss the actual appointment process letrsquos look at the characteristics we will be looking for in our volunteers As with all Sweet Adelines Committees and Task Forces appointees must be Sweet Adelines members in good standing In addition for all positions there are foundational requirements that we consider critical to the success of this council
an open heart
an open mind
a passion for Sweet Adelines as an organization
a willingness to engage in respectful discussion The DEI Council is a high-level council that reports directly to the IBOD so we will be looking for people who have proven performance as open and collaborative leaders in the organization with reliable references who can attest to that performance
They must have a passionate interest in advancing DEampI in Sweet Adelines accompanied by a strong commitment to our Guiding Principles especially those of a Culture of Belonging and Diversity Equity and Inclusion The DEI Council is expected to engage in conversations that will be significant to informing our strategic planning and decision-making processes All members of the council must have excellent communication skills to facilitate open respectful and productive discussions
For members with less experience in organizational leadership the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee is an excellent place to start This subcommittee will work closely with chorus leadership as the chorus toolkit evolves so passion for advancing DEampI in the organization is the primary requirement for this group
Similarly our task force model is another great place for individuals without a lot of experience to start Task Force Chairs are typically more experienced but since the work for a task force is related to specific skills it is an ideal way to gain experience within Sweet Adelines The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee does require more experience and an established
credibility within Sweet Adelines Since this committee will provide the admissibility rating based on the assessment of racist characteristics of lyrics messages and history it is important that the membership trust the judgment of the people appointed to the this committee and that they have excellent communication skills for their internal discussions and their discussions with our membership
So letrsquos talk about the application process itself
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
10
We intend for the Council to be representative of the full scope of membership of Sweet Adelines International The DEI Council will consist of nine members plus the Chief Executive Officer the International President and a Headquarters Staff Liaison This grouping will create a council that is large enough to benefit from a range of diverse skills and experiences yet small enough to encourage contribution and informed debate In addition the subcommittees and task forces reporting to the council will facilitate the involvement of a greater cross-section of members Diversity of identity thinking background experience and expertise enriches a Council to deliver its mandate The appointment of members diverse of race ethnic heritage age gender identity and expression sexual orientation mentalphysical abilities religious backgrounds and geographic location increases the councilrsquos capability to be representative and include the viewpoints of different lived experiences and perspectives throughout SA This will help us to more fully develop a culture of belonging and inclusivity Equity is core to the Councilrsquos collective leadership to promote the principles of ethics natural justice procedural fairness and an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment
Before we discuss the actual appointment process letrsquos look at the characteristics we will be looking for in our volunteers As with all Sweet Adelines Committees and Task Forces appointees must be Sweet Adelines members in good standing In addition for all positions there are foundational requirements that we consider critical to the success of this council
an open heart
an open mind
a passion for Sweet Adelines as an organization
a willingness to engage in respectful discussion The DEI Council is a high-level council that reports directly to the IBOD so we will be looking for people who have proven performance as open and collaborative leaders in the organization with reliable references who can attest to that performance
They must have a passionate interest in advancing DEampI in Sweet Adelines accompanied by a strong commitment to our Guiding Principles especially those of a Culture of Belonging and Diversity Equity and Inclusion The DEI Council is expected to engage in conversations that will be significant to informing our strategic planning and decision-making processes All members of the council must have excellent communication skills to facilitate open respectful and productive discussions
For members with less experience in organizational leadership the Chorus Toolkit Subcommittee is an excellent place to start This subcommittee will work closely with chorus leadership as the chorus toolkit evolves so passion for advancing DEampI in the organization is the primary requirement for this group
Similarly our task force model is another great place for individuals without a lot of experience to start Task Force Chairs are typically more experienced but since the work for a task force is related to specific skills it is an ideal way to gain experience within Sweet Adelines The Song Assessment Tool Subcommittee does require more experience and an established
credibility within Sweet Adelines Since this committee will provide the admissibility rating based on the assessment of racist characteristics of lyrics messages and history it is important that the membership trust the judgment of the people appointed to the this committee and that they have excellent communication skills for their internal discussions and their discussions with our membership
So letrsquos talk about the application process itself
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
11
The email you received for this video includes the link to the application form It is a single form to be used for application to either the Council or its subcommittees or to express an interest in appointment to a task force
The application process opens today and will remain open until October 16 2020 Once applications are received they will be reviewed by a selection committee and short-listed for
an interview process for the DEI Council positions This short list will be created by October 30 2020 Interviewees will be contacted to arrange virtual interviews which are tentatively scheduled to take place between November 10 and November 24 Once all of the interviews are complete the selection committee will meet and create recommendations for appointment These recommendations will be forwarded to the IBOD by December 1 to be reviewed and ratified
All interviewees will be contacted by the International President with the results of their interviews by December 15 and the DEI Council appointments will be announced The inaugural meeting for the DEI Council is planned for January 2021 with a specific date dependent on the availability of the appointed members
We believe that service on the DEI Council will be an experience that will provide an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper personal understanding of the importance of this work for the organization
To facilitate the ability for a greater number of members to benefit from this experience appointment to the DEI Council will be for a duration of a full three years after which the DEI Council member will assist in the interview and recommendation process for a successor
To begin a rotation of three years for the DEI Council there will be three two-year appointments three three-year appointments and three four-year appointments
Appointments to the subcommittees will serve for a single year and members of the subcommittee may serve multiple back-to-back one year terms Appointment to task forces will follow our standard task force appointment process and length of service on the task force will be based on the specific task force schedule Because these committees will begin their work in January of 2021 the initial year of their terms will be considered to end April 30 2022
We encourage all members with a passion for DEampI to apply for the DEI Council or its subcommittees or to work on a task force Even if you are not initially appointed there will be opportunities for involvement for every applicant
Please access the DEampI web page on the Sweet Adelines website for all information related to the DEI Council If you have additional questions please contact the corporate secretary at the email displayed on the screen (corp_secysweetadelinescom) Thank you for your time Stay Sweet Adelines Strong
Jan Boutilier
International President
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
12
2020 OCT 15-17 Th-Sa Sweet Adelines International Virtual Convention 17 Sa World Singing Day 24 Sa Virtual Coronet Club Show Free of Charge 28 W VHC Virtual Global Open House 7-830pm NOV 13-15 Fr-Su Virtual Fall Festival 19 Th Management Team Meeting 700p via Zoom 25 W Dark NightmdashThanksgiving
2021 APR 8-11 Th-Su Region 11 Competition Details to be Decided MAY 15 Sa A Cappella Scholarship Festival JUNE 28-July 4 Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention Cleveland Ohio Cleveland Public Auditorium JULY 15 Th Inaugural Diamond Division Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16 Fr Rising Star Quartet Contest Eisemann Center Richardson TX 16-18 Fr-Su Coronet Clubrsquos Queensrsquo College Renaissance Dallas Richardson TX AUG 19-22 Th-Su Summer Sizzler Verdugo Assisting Chorus Ontario Airport and Conference Center OCT 11-16 M-Su 75th International Convention Details to be Decided =====================================================
Did you hear about the chicken who could only lay eggs in the
winter
She was no spring chicken Forgive memdashI canrsquot seem to stop with these chicken jokeshellip Editor
2022 APR 7-10 Th-Su Region 11 Competition SEP 26-Oct 1 76th International Convention Phoenix AZ
2023 MAR 23-26 Th-Su Region 11 Competition OCT 30ndash Nov 4 77th International Convention Louisville KY (Dates subject to shift one week earlier)
2024 MAR 21-24 Th-Su Region 11 Competition 2025 MAR 27-30 Th-Su Region 11 Competition
The Verdugo Hills Chorus Mission Statement
The Verdugo Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International is a caring organization of female singers dedicated to sharing and advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education competition and entertainment Vision Statement To perform with musical excellence to engage audiences and to inspire members
LIFELINE is the official newsletter published for distribution to the members of Verdugo Hills Chorus Verdugo Hills Chorus website wwwverdugohillschorusorg
Rehearsal Hall Wednesdays 700pm
First United Methodist Church of Glendale Education Building 134 North Kenwood Street Glendale CA 91206 818-243-2105 Director ndash Tammy Ragsdale 14455 Loyola Street Moorpark CA 93021 (Cell) 805-218-7268 VHSCHappyDirectorgmailcom Management Team Coordinator ndash Pat Vincent 2551 Ruby Drive Oxnard 93030 (H) 805-983-1072 (Cell) 805-890-2126 patsingsleadgmailcom Lifeline Editor ndash Nancy Branam 33105 Santiago Road Space 11 Acton CA 93510 (H) 661-269-0394 nancybranammsncom (Cell) 818-516-0185
Emergency Contacts during Rehearsals
Team Coordinator Pat Vincent 805-890-2126 Membership Chair Julie Hoffman 626-484-2437 Call for Entry Nancy Branam 818-516-0185 Jackie Wheatley 818-419-6360 Tammy Ragsdale 805-218-7268
