Editor, Webmaster: Phil Cartwright Editor@earlyjas.org
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EARLYJAS Festival Discontinued
Page Title
EARLYJAS
| Earlville Association for Ragtime Lovers Yearning for Jazz Advancement and Socialization |
On October 19, 2011 the EARLYJAS Board of Trustees voted to discontinue
sponsoring and running the Fall Festival.
This decision was predicated on several considerations, among them:
We have been unable to get members to volunteer to serve on the board as an
officer or on committees.
Our current board is aging, and shrinking. Some members are ailing; some are
just tired of serving. With no people to back up any of the positions critical to
running the festival, and with no one on the current board able to assume
additional responsibilities in the event someone is unable to continue, it was
deemed to be time to stop.
For four of the past six years we have been able to cover costs only because of
donations. The risk-reward to the club's finances is too dependent on donations,
and the potential for club monies being lost are too severe because of our limited
people resources in the event of any key person becoming unavailable. This
combination poses a threat to the continuation of the club beyond that deemed
acceptable.
Several board members have been serving for many years. Appeals for help
have gone unanswered, and have been interpreted to signal a certain lack of
interest in our membership in supporting continuing festival events.
EARLYJAS has done a great deal in the cause of presenting traditional
Dixieland jazz at the festival over the past twenty-five years. We have also made
considerable contributions to the Summit County Kidney Foundation. While it
would be nice to continue the Festival, we just don't feel confident in our ability
to do so.
This decision does not impact the continuation of the club activities.
Financially, the club is as strong as it has ever been. We foresee no problems in
enjoying our monthly meetings, jam sessions and concerts. And, should a group
emerge willing to join in, the festival decision can be revisited. However, if we
don't get some new folks on the board, it is inevitable the club will ultimately
fade into history. Meantime, we will do all we can to make the monthly events
enjoyable and fun to attend.
Jim Emert, President
sponsoring and running the Fall Festival.
This decision was predicated on several considerations, among them:
We have been unable to get members to volunteer to serve on the board as an
officer or on committees.
Our current board is aging, and shrinking. Some members are ailing; some are
just tired of serving. With no people to back up any of the positions critical to
running the festival, and with no one on the current board able to assume
additional responsibilities in the event someone is unable to continue, it was
deemed to be time to stop.
For four of the past six years we have been able to cover costs only because of
donations. The risk-reward to the club's finances is too dependent on donations,
and the potential for club monies being lost are too severe because of our limited
people resources in the event of any key person becoming unavailable. This
combination poses a threat to the continuation of the club beyond that deemed
acceptable.
Several board members have been serving for many years. Appeals for help
have gone unanswered, and have been interpreted to signal a certain lack of
interest in our membership in supporting continuing festival events.
EARLYJAS has done a great deal in the cause of presenting traditional
Dixieland jazz at the festival over the past twenty-five years. We have also made
considerable contributions to the Summit County Kidney Foundation. While it
would be nice to continue the Festival, we just don't feel confident in our ability
to do so.
This decision does not impact the continuation of the club activities.
Financially, the club is as strong as it has ever been. We foresee no problems in
enjoying our monthly meetings, jam sessions and concerts. And, should a group
emerge willing to join in, the festival decision can be revisited. However, if we
don't get some new folks on the board, it is inevitable the club will ultimately
fade into history. Meantime, we will do all we can to make the monthly events
enjoyable and fun to attend.
Jim Emert, President