The very first meeting of the Executive Council is now a part of the Association history. It took us some time to get it together and now the membership should know about it, but it is taking us some time to report it out. I take the responsibility and I apologize to you for that, but my family had some health issues that commanded our attention over the holidays. I thank Paul Carlton for getting his report on the website in a timely manner.

     Many people have asked what was going on during the summer, because little evidence of activity was noticed, or reported. The implied remark always carried the undertone of "..so now, what's the next move?" My answer was always a disappointing, "We have to wait until the Executive Council Meeting!". Not so disappointing to me because I was aware of the preparation taking place, but preparations are not what people were waiting for.

     The meeting was held in conjunction with the New York-Penn District Big Sing, as suggested in the By Laws, on Friday and Saturday, the 4th and 5th of November, 2005, in Lockport, NY. The meeting was slow to start and moved well after we became engaged in the affairs of the AMCA. It was my desire to first find a format to use for meetings that took some time. You see, I am not all that fond of Parliamentary Procedures and Robert's Rules of Order, so I needed agreement on leaning toward a "facilitator" type of meeting with structure accepted from all parties. I am thankful the members were willing to try, and did work well at this as we progressed. Also, I wish to report to you that all of the men at this meeting are very dedicated to the AMCA, and have committed to doing their best for you to make the Association work well and do better.

     The important overview we all have is the good basic framework of this organization for our core values. We found activities to be well organized by the districts and the member choruses, the fellowship and participation healthy, and an aspiration to serve validates much of that activity. The proposed budget has been evaluated and set in place; keeping spending down, using a minimal draw on current surplus, and still allowing for anticipated expenditures needing some extra funding. It is a pleasure to see many of our members staying on stepping into positions vacated. Many thanks to Norbert Lehmann, Dave Thomas, Ed Armbruster, Jim Egan, Bob Torborg and Don Crouch for their efforts with us currently, as well as the other elected officers of the Executive Council. Therefore we can expect many programs to proceed as usual if given enough contribution toward the support needed, and assistance when required.

     We also have our problems, and need to address some of them soon, placing them in priority is now impending. We remain desirous of leaders to take open positions of importance, and any volunteers would be appreciated. Bob has requested aid on the Scholarships, we need a Historian, Dave and Ed need articles or interesting items for print, and the districts always need help if you do not wish to move to the national scene presently. As the NIKE ad puts it: JUST DO IT! We can sure use a lot of the help, and you will probably enjoy it when you try.

     Finding solutions for issues in a larger organization is not easy without guidance from many sources. Your contribution may become the answer we struggle after, and your communication of support is equally valued. Start by seeking applicants for the Scholarships, or sending in a music title that sounds good for male chorus. Ask if you can help the district with the newsletter and send them on for possible CHORISTER articles. Help your district Historian find interesting things to advance to the Association. You can find things that will interest you, and help us all in doing so.

     OK! OK! So I preached a little, forgive me please.

     Let me relate some items we considered as the Executive Council:

• communications for continuing business - we have established a process to inform each other, and resolve issues, confronting the Association between annual meetings,
• the Association website and newsletter activity were reviewed, assistance to keep these important ways of communication to the membership were expressed and will be given high priority in the districts,
• the availability of Don Crouch was sought to take the chair of the Music Committee, and he has since accepted this important position,
• suggestions for other positions were made and will be sought accordingly,
• recognition of many members to hold the AMCA Big Sing has been reviewed, realizing that finance is the largest issue to resolve, and will continue to be researched as we get recommendations or inspirations from members,
• and many of the normal business issues were attended to appropriately.

     While acknowledging the responsibility of the Executive Council to resolve business issues for the Association, so also must the districts and choruses recognize their part in supporting the programs and committees working for them. It is easy to understand that articles need to be submitted for a publication to have something to read, that applicants need to be reviewed to have Scholarships granted, and that a website has to be visited to get information regarding our organization for members to become informed. Responsibility in a volunteer, not-for-profit organization is a two-way boulevard, requiring much traffic to maintain an important part of the landscape. We have trimmed the dues to confirm we heard from the members, but members must seek affirmation of where the dues are spent and state what importance these programs are to them, and how to add value to what they find short of expectations.

     The difficult implementation of the By Laws is likely to continue for the year ahead while we get more comfortable actively working within them. It is those growing pains they talk about, but nobody knows exactly how to resolve them until they are specifically put to our testing. Thanksgiving has always been a good time of year for me, so I anticipate good things for our Association as I am thankful for the fellowship, the workers, the fine programs and more in the AMCA. I am thankful for the friend of Joel McLay, and wish him well and healthy soon - you might send him good wishes also.

May you have a great holiday season,
I sincerely wish all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year,
Ric Addenbrooke