The Cornwall Chapter will be holding their show on Friday, May 6^th at the Aultsville Theatre in Cornwall.

Their guests that evening will be the Ottawa Capital City Chorus and quartets.

Tickets are $15 and are available from Ron Dawson or by calling Ron Symington (613) 932-8125 or John Hamilton at (613) 347-2856.

Quarteting at 7:00 PM

Showtime in 7 weeks!

Membership Program coming!

KENOSHA, (February 17, 2005) — In view of the steady decline in membership and increasing average age of our members, the Society leadership has developed a membership marketing plan which will be implemented throughout the coming year.

The plan was developed by a Marketing Task force and includes the following features:

1. The plan will be implemented simultaneously throughout the society. Unlike other membership programs, which suggested specific schedules and steps to be taken by individual chapters, the entire plan will be implemented by all chapters on the same schedule.

2. The Society will be launching a North America Media campaign by advertising in several widely distributed newspapers including "USA Today" (daily circ. 2,300,000) as well as Canada's "Globe and Mail" (daily circ. ~1,000,000) in September.

3. All sort of resources will be made available to all chapters.

4. The week of September 12 - 16 will be Guest Nights across the US and Canada.

5. Expenses will be shared by the Society and the districts and chapters to the tune of $1 per man from each chapter and district for a total of about $60.000.

6. Chapter visits and feedback reports will be generated.

7. Cash awards will be made to individuals and chapters for the largest number and largest percentage increase in members during the period between August 1and October 31, 2005. Prizes range from $100 to $5,000 cash plus everyone recruiting at least one new member will be eligible for one of six random drawing for $1,000. Chapter can also win cash prizes up to $10,000 for the chapter recruiting the most new members and a like sum for the chapter recruiting the greatest increase in membership. Other prizes are also available.

For a complete description of the plan go to the district website: http://www.nedistrict.org, select the "Member Login" link, login then select the "NED President's Page" then select the "BHS 2005 Marketing and Membership Campaign" entry.

In the back of my brain I have a name of a man who said he might be interested in singing. I told him about our regular Monday night practices at the St-Sixte Church and that he would be welcome.

Deep down inside of me, I knew that would not be enough to ensure his attendance at one of our meetings but I have to confess, that is all I did.

A few weeks went by when I recalled that conversation and I realized, if I had called him as said something like "John, I'm just following up on our conversation about the opportunity for you to attend one or Barbershop practices. You know since this is the start of a new year it would be an excellent time to experience Barbershopping, we are learning some new songs so you will fit right in with the rest of us (so called experienced) Barbershoppers. As well, we will sing some songs that we know well and you can listen to what can be accomplished with a little practice. For this one time, would I be able to pick you up and take you to our meeting?"

Then I realized that really is not a very tough commitment, and I can do that.

From a Barbershop Member

Or could it be you? [Stolen from Scoops & Slides the bulletin of Simcoe Ontario Chapter and adapted to us.]

Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement centre were sitting on a bench under a tree when one turns to the other and says . . . "Jim, I'm 83 years old now and I'm just full of aches and pains. I know you're about my age. How do you feel?"

Jim says, "I feel just like a new-born baby."

"Really? Like a new-born baby!"

"Yep. No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants."

Here is our current repertoire list: [mp3] means that the mp3 file is on the Members' Only web site

Practice is something we do at home, every day, between rehearsals!

Rehearsal is where we reinforce what we have been practising every day!