by Jill Fedon
I have to be honest with you: trying to write an article not colored by the world (or my world) has been a challenge. I am feeling pandemic fatigue and a yearning for a sense of normalcy, live music, and hugs. I miss hugs. I have written many unsuccessful drafts of this article and am amazed at how much has already changed since my first attempt.
Jill Fedon
National Board President
As directors, educators, leaders, and musicians, we are accustomed to planning months—sometimes years—in advance. While we will always need to adjust for unexpected bumps and detours along the way, we have a pretty good idea of what the road ahead will look like, and there is often a map to help guide the way. However, visibility is currently low and there is no road map. For the past year now, I have been living one week, one day, and sometimes one hour at a time. Yet looking to the future is our job and it is the very much the focus of the national board.
The national board functions a bit differently from area boards. Area boards create budgets and manage finances, plan and run events, and manage the day-to-day functions and needs of the area. The work of the national board is much less busy and visible in this traditional sense. So, what is it that we do?
As elected members of the board, our job is to serve as the representatives of the organization’s owners—that’s you! One of the best ways we can do that work is to listen. We connect with area leadership to learn what successes and challenges each area is facing. We also have two larger area leadership meetings per year to provide training and listen to ways we can better support the areas, connect with members, and grow our membership. We also listen on social media. (My feeds are 90% handbells and I would not want it any other way!) Before the pandemic, board members attended area and national events. The previous board class held quarterly Board Chats to answer member questions. We work with board-appointed committees, speak with focus groups, and attend meetings when we are invited. Most recently, we have been listening during the Handbell Happy Hours. These informal gatherings have been enlightening, uplifting, and productive. Our metaphorical door is always open; we would love to hear from you. Listening does not always mean we will have an answer, but your input plays an important role in why and how the board does its work. Email [email protected] to connect with any member of the national board.
Board work is not the busy work of right now; our job is to focus on the future. We use the data gathered from listening to our members and from monitoring the current state of the Guild to inform our visioning and develop the long-term goals of the organization. Our visioning takes the shape of Ends and Limitations Policies which provide the executive director with direction on what the board would like to see happen and what it takes to get there. The ends must align with the mission, vision, and values of Handbell Musicians of America. The board then monitors the executive director’s compliance with the ends policies, executive limitations, and governance process. The board holds a monthly conference call and gathers in-person twice a year for a longer meeting in which these policies are written and monitored.
We began this board-year completing an organizational assessment with the help of a nonprofit company called OneSource. Their report has led us to move forward with a OneSource team to work on a business plan. This project will help us evaluate and update our current model, more clearly define the executive director search, and help secure the future of the organization.
Sometimes, not being able to see where we are going is exactly what is needed to imagine and build a different future. Despite the unpredictability of the past year and the uncertainty of what is yet to come, the national board continues to focus our efforts on the future of Handbell Musicians of America for our current members as well as for our members yet-to-be.
Jill Fedon
[email protected]
As directors, educators, leaders, and musicians, we are accustomed to planning months—sometimes years—in advance. While we will always need to adjust for unexpected bumps and detours along the way, we have a pretty good idea of what the road ahead will look like, and there is often a map to help guide the way. However, visibility is currently low and there is no road map. For the past year now, I have been living one week, one day, and sometimes one hour at a time. Yet looking to the future is our job and it is the very much the focus of the national board.
The national board functions a bit differently from area boards. Area boards create budgets and manage finances, plan and run events, and manage the day-to-day functions and needs of the area. The work of the national board is much less busy and visible in this traditional sense. So, what is it that we do?
As elected members of the board, our job is to serve as the representatives of the organization’s owners—that’s you! One of the best ways we can do that work is to listen. We connect with area leadership to learn what successes and challenges each area is facing. We also have two larger area leadership meetings per year to provide training and listen to ways we can better support the areas, connect with members, and grow our membership. We also listen on social media. (My feeds are 90% handbells and I would not want it any other way!) Before the pandemic, board members attended area and national events. The previous board class held quarterly Board Chats to answer member questions. We work with board-appointed committees, speak with focus groups, and attend meetings when we are invited. Most recently, we have been listening during the Handbell Happy Hours. These informal gatherings have been enlightening, uplifting, and productive. Our metaphorical door is always open; we would love to hear from you. Listening does not always mean we will have an answer, but your input plays an important role in why and how the board does its work. Email [email protected] to connect with any member of the national board.
Board work is not the busy work of right now; our job is to focus on the future. We use the data gathered from listening to our members and from monitoring the current state of the Guild to inform our visioning and develop the long-term goals of the organization. Our visioning takes the shape of Ends and Limitations Policies which provide the executive director with direction on what the board would like to see happen and what it takes to get there. The ends must align with the mission, vision, and values of Handbell Musicians of America. The board then monitors the executive director’s compliance with the ends policies, executive limitations, and governance process. The board holds a monthly conference call and gathers in-person twice a year for a longer meeting in which these policies are written and monitored.
We began this board-year completing an organizational assessment with the help of a nonprofit company called OneSource. Their report has led us to move forward with a OneSource team to work on a business plan. This project will help us evaluate and update our current model, more clearly define the executive director search, and help secure the future of the organization.
Sometimes, not being able to see where we are going is exactly what is needed to imagine and build a different future. Despite the unpredictability of the past year and the uncertainty of what is yet to come, the national board continues to focus our efforts on the future of Handbell Musicians of America for our current members as well as for our members yet-to-be.
Jill Fedon
[email protected]
Jill Fedon
National Board President
