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Post by walker on Feb 23, 2007 15:51:17 GMT -5
I have been looking into this Contest and it seems like it had a lot of people working for it for a long time but a lot of them either don't or won't do it anymore. Why?
Some folks say that it just isn't being managed right. If that's the case then as a non-profit organization, the current Board should open up the group to let others take over.
But when was their last annual meeting and who knew about it? I never saw any notice of it on this site or anywhere all year.
Who is on their executive and how long have they been around? Who makes up the rules and regulations. Who picks the judges? Where does (did) the money go? Is everyone a volunteer or are some folks paid?
These are the type of questions that people have when things go wrong, and right now, they ain't right.
There is a great website with literally no information on the people and organization who run it.
But one thing is for sure. If this group can't get it going again then it's time to step aside and let someone else either take over or start from scratch.
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Post by enirethac on Feb 25, 2007 22:40:53 GMT -5
Thank you for your comments, I hope to address the concerns you have raised... In prior years the membership of the COCSC was more plentiful. A decline in membership was paralleled with the decrease in revenue generated by Nevada Ticket Sales. It became necessary for the volunteer membership to fund raise in order to keep the contest going. About 75% of the membership were either at or nearing retirement age. Rather than commit to the Contest all year long, a large percent of the membership limited their involvement to the actual contest weekend. We found many "regular" volunteers for the contest, but they did not want to become a member of the organization.
Debt crept up slowly, and we remained hopeful that the downward trend in Nevada Ticket Sales would pick up or at least level off. (the opening of Casinos influenced this loss of revenue form Nevada Ticket Sales) The mall that the Nevada Ticket booth is located in began to loose tenants. The increased vacancy rate of stores in the mall, meant that the volume of people going through the mall was significantly affected.
The staff at the booth are paid a very small honorarium as determined by the licensing commission.
Adding "insult to injury" the busiest store in the mall introduced Nevada Tickets to their assortment of lottery tickets. The profits from their Nevada Ticket sales go to another non-profit organization. The Board of Directors brought concerns to the attention of the owners of the store, who felt that the availability of their Nevada Tickets had no bearing on business at the COCSC Nevada Booth which is within eye range of the store. The store made a cash donation to the COCSC, but did not discontinue the sales of Nevada Tickets.
The expense of producing a contest increased and the proceeds generated by the primary source of revenue declined. Board of Directors once received an annual honorarium, but that was done away with in 1999. The Board of Directors: President: Cheryl Blake, Vice President: Kim Godlouski, Treasurer: Bill Godlouski, Secretary: Catherine Glynn, Directors at Large- Linda Vidler, Karen Rorher, Jackie Ternowski & Don Ternowski, all have been around for more than 15 years & have managed several fund raisers with little assistance from the membership. Please don't misunderstand - we do have several very dedicated members, who are working shoulder to shoulder with our Board members, but it's not enough. (Several crucial members and executive members have passed away since 1998) A member must have attended 90% of regular meetings and functions in two consecutive years in order to be considered for a position on the Board. As for meetings, the Board of Directors meet, but there is no membership. Ads were posted in papers and on bulletin boards and all prior members were notified by mail about our BBQ/Membership drive held at the mall where the Nevada Booth is located. Our bylaws specify that members must reside in this county. Aside from the Board of Directors, there were only three members that came out. One new membership application was filled out, but we have yet to see that individual come to support the committee in the biweekly youth dance fund raisers. We were able to sell a few hot dogs and drinks that day, but we didn't succeed in attracting fresh new members. It is unfortunate, but this event hasn't really grabbed the attention of local residents. Applications for membership are available at the Nevada Booth located in the Simcoe Mall. We welcome new members. New members bring fresh new ideas. I am happy that you commented on this wonderful website. This is the creation of a distant volunteer, who has devoted his talent and passion to the COCSC, and in consideration of his kindness, he regularly attends the entire weekend event on us. If there is a person or a group that is interested in creatively infusing new ideas and direction into the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest please feel welcome to contact us - either individually or as a Board.
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