by Jill Fedon
The pandemic has been a mighty accelerant of change. Just about every aspect of how we do things has been impacted in some way, and, as a society, we have spent a great deal of time attempting to adjust to a new normal. As much as we long for the way things used
to be, I expect the impact of these changes will be long-lasting.
Jill Fedon
National Board President
At the elementary school where I work, we focus on a different virtue each month. This year, we introduced a new virtue for September: Adaptability. Students are attending classes on campus five full days a week, and as such, we have created all new systems and procedures to function within the protocols and guidelines required of us. And so, we focused on adaptability to help us make sense of all the change. We use phrases like “going with the flow,” “for now,” and “not yet.” Young children are remarkable creatures. They adapt and accept the changes almost without question. They understand that these changes help them be together in school. They may occasionally miss the way things used to be, but they adapt and move on instead of lamenting their losses. Many of the adults on the other hand, are still trying (and not trying) to adapt.
We have seen some remarkable responses to the pandemic in the world of handbells. The first-ever virtual National Seminar was an overwhelming success. Virtual events at the local, area, and national level are continuing to meet the needs of handbell musicians. From virtual choirs and Zoom rehearsals, to socially distanced classrooms and outdoor rehearsal spaces, handbell musicians are adapting and finding new ways to thrive, and continue to inspire with their innovation, creativity, and perseverance.
As you will read in the HMA update from Interim Executive Director Ed Rollins, Handbell Musicians of America has also been impacted by the pandemic. While our financial challenges have been with us for a while and change is always inevitable, the events of this year are thrusting HMA in new directions. Adapting to the current normal is essential to our survival as a national organization. The National Office and the National Board of Directors continue to take steps to secure the future of the organization, but we need your help. I urge you to explore the variety of ways you can support Handbell Musicians of America.
For the National Board’s part, we are partnering with OneSource, a non-profit organization that helps other non-profit organizations. Through an organizational assessment, they are helping us determine who we are, where we are, and what next steps we need to take. One of those steps will be an Executive Director search. Look for more information about the search in the coming months.
We also strive to continue transparent communication with our membership and create avenues for connection and community. While we are currently working to create a space for these conversations, we also recognize that conversations are already happening in the handbell community. To that end, we, the National Board of Directors, offer to come to where you are to listen and understand how Handbell Musicians of America can better serve its members and the handbell community at-large. Please email [email protected] to invite us to your table.
I cannot talk about change without acknowledging the board “class transition.” We did not get to honor the outgoing board in the traditional way at seminar, so I wish to thank them here for their service and dedication to Handbell Musicians of America. To P.L.: thank you for your calm and thoughtful leadership and guidance of the board during often challenging times. To Derek: thank you for challenging us to think differently and dare to make difficult decisions. To Jennifer: thank you for keeping us focused on the work of the board and encouraging us to look at all sides of every issue. Well done, good and faithful servants. We welcome President-Elect Greig Ashurst, as well as Members At-large Tracey Bowers and Gillian Erlenborn. Together with continuing members Bill Mathis, Linda Minnotti, and Kyle Webber, we look forward to continuing the work of the outgoing board and furthering the mission of Handbell Musicians of America.
Without a doubt, change can be scary, but change also provides unique opportunities for assessment and growth. Together we can face these changes and adapt to new realities and opportunities. And in those opportunities, I see an abundance of hope for the future of Handbell Musicians of America.
Jill Fedon
[email protected]
At the elementary school where I work, we focus on a different virtue each month. This year, we introduced a new virtue for September: Adaptability. Students are attending classes on campus five full days a week, and as such, we have created all new systems and procedures to function within the protocols and guidelines required of us. And so, we focused on adaptability to help us make sense of all the change. We use phrases like “going with the flow,” “for now,” and “not yet.” Young children are remarkable creatures. They adapt and accept the changes almost without question. They understand that these changes help them be together in school. They may occasionally miss the way things used to be, but they adapt and move on instead of lamenting their losses. Many of the adults on the other hand, are still trying (and not trying) to adapt.
We have seen some remarkable responses to the pandemic in the world of handbells. The first-ever virtual National Seminar was an overwhelming success. Virtual events at the local, area, and national level are continuing to meet the needs of handbell musicians. From virtual choirs and Zoom rehearsals, to socially distanced classrooms and outdoor rehearsal spaces, handbell musicians are adapting and finding new ways to thrive, and continue to inspire with their innovation, creativity, and perseverance.
As you will read in the HMA update from Interim Executive Director Ed Rollins, Handbell Musicians of America has also been impacted by the pandemic. While our financial challenges have been with us for a while and change is always inevitable, the events of this year are thrusting HMA in new directions. Adapting to the current normal is essential to our survival as a national organization. The National Office and the National Board of Directors continue to take steps to secure the future of the organization, but we need your help. I urge you to explore the variety of ways you can support Handbell Musicians of America.
For the National Board’s part, we are partnering with OneSource, a non-profit organization that helps other non-profit organizations. Through an organizational assessment, they are helping us determine who we are, where we are, and what next steps we need to take. One of those steps will be an Executive Director search. Look for more information about the search in the coming months.
We also strive to continue transparent communication with our membership and create avenues for connection and community. While we are currently working to create a space for these conversations, we also recognize that conversations are already happening in the handbell community. To that end, we, the National Board of Directors, offer to come to where you are to listen and understand how Handbell Musicians of America can better serve its members and the handbell community at-large. Please email [email protected] to invite us to your table.
I cannot talk about change without acknowledging the board “class transition.” We did not get to honor the outgoing board in the traditional way at seminar, so I wish to thank them here for their service and dedication to Handbell Musicians of America. To P.L.: thank you for your calm and thoughtful leadership and guidance of the board during often challenging times. To Derek: thank you for challenging us to think differently and dare to make difficult decisions. To Jennifer: thank you for keeping us focused on the work of the board and encouraging us to look at all sides of every issue. Well done, good and faithful servants. We welcome President-Elect Greig Ashurst, as well as Members At-large Tracey Bowers and Gillian Erlenborn. Together with continuing members Bill Mathis, Linda Minnotti, and Kyle Webber, we look forward to continuing the work of the outgoing board and furthering the mission of Handbell Musicians of America.
Without a doubt, change can be scary, but change also provides unique opportunities for assessment and growth. Together we can face these changes and adapt to new realities and opportunities. And in those opportunities, I see an abundance of hope for the future of Handbell Musicians of America.
Jill Fedon
[email protected]
Jill Fedon
National Board President
