Retention%20Matters

1
Retention Matters

• Region 16
• Fall Music School
• November 14, 2009

2
Your Chorus Members

• Why are they important?

3

• Tell me what you wantwhat you really, really
  want
• Same as new members
• To belong, feel needed and valued
• Keep her involved through activity and
  communication
• Remind each other why you joined
• Atmosphere of collegiality
• Everyone feels heard
• Accept what is best for the group

4
Guilt-Free Membership

• Getting the most and the best from your members.

5

• As members of Sweet Adelines, we have high
  standards and goals.
• We want to grow in musical excellence.
• We want our choruses to move forward and become
  stronger. We want to contribute to our
  communities and the list could go on.
• However, sometimes in our efforts to meet those
  standards and reach our goals, we experience
  feelings of guilt and worry.

6
Creating a Guilt-Free Atmosphere
Work at accepting everyones efforts graciously
and positively
Stop listening to your over-demanding, never
satisfied inner judge.

• LAUGH
• Laughter is the sunshine of the soul.and without
  sunshine very little can grow.

Refrain from self-criticism and from harsh
criticism of others.
Stress your accomplishments in your mind
Do not keep score of your failures or mistakes.
7
PARTICIPATION LEVELS

• Everyones concept of 100 is different
• Previous musical experience Age
• Relationship status Mental health
• Family obligations Education
• Personal goals
• Let members know it is okay to step back from
  chorus commitments during times of personal
  stress
• TO SURVIVE BEND - DONT BREAK

8
ATTENDANCE

• Many choruses have eliminated attendance rules
• Members must demonstrate performance readiness
  through live or taped testing
• Access to audio or video coaching sessions
• Directors help music team make the decision if
  there is a question of readiness
• Some choruses set a percentage requirement with
  an opportunity to audition for the director if
  minimum not met

9
PROMPTNESS

• Respect your members time.
• ?
• Start and end rehearsals on time.
• Rehearsal plans should include fun and challenge.
• ?
• Dont waste time on the risers.

10
LANGUAGE

• Monitor the words you use with others and the
  internal voice that criticizes others or yourself
• Dont be afraid to remind other members to be
  careful of their comments
• The genuine pleasure of achieving excellence and
  high standards is confused with perfection
• Perfection is a painful illusion excellence is
  a fleeting moment

11
THE FOUR AGREEMENTS by Don Miguel Ruiz Be
impeccable with your Word. It is a powerful
tool. It is magic. Your word can create the
most beautiful dream or it can destroy everything
around you.
12
Imagine the Possibilities!

• Celebrate chorus member chorus achievements
• Encourage family activities to insure support at
  home
• Contact a sister chorus and plan home home
  visits
• Foster a positive attitude it increases energy
  levels
• Become more community minded local charity or
  events
• Fun quartet nights wanna bees
• Love and accept each member exactly as she is

13
Guilt-Free Beliefs

• COMMUNICATION
• People work best when goals and objectives are
  clear and when they have participated in the
  setting of them
• It is important for people to know why
• Members want to be kept informed of progress and
  plans
• Differences in points of view are desirable and
  require patient discussion

14
Guilt-Free Beliefs

• PERSONAL GROWTH
• People want to succeed and do a good job
• People respond better to useful feedback than
  criticism or sarcasm
• People respond better to challenge than routine
• People make errors, often more than once and will
  accept responsibility and learn better when
  leaders and other members support and back them
  up.

15
In a Nutshell

• Everyone works together to make it happen
• The chorus director and her music team provide an
  interesting and fun musical program
• Chorus leaders create an atmosphere and rules
  where members with differing levels of time and
  energy are recognized and respected
• Everyone creates an environment to recognize and
  celebrate the contributions of all members at all
  stages of life and commitment levels

16
Guilt-Free Membership

• You can have it in your chorus with a little
  effort and lots of support from your leadership
  and membership.
• ?
• Share with your Board or Management Team.
• ?
• Presentation now available on Region 16
  membership website.