National Council Elections, Vote on line!

For the first time in Guild history, you can vote in the AGO National Election by casting your ballot online. This time saving procedure is quick, easy, and cost-effective both for you and for the Guild.

To log in you need only your membership ID number as found on your TAO mailing label. After logging on, you can study the ballot, review the candidates, cast your vote, review your selections and make changes if needed, and submit the ballot!

Here is the URL for the online election site: https://www.intelliscaninc.com/AGO2004.htm

Paper ballots are welcome as always!

James Thomashauer writes: "In 2002, with 5,787 ballots cast, one race was decided by only 4 votes. Your vote does make a difference. Please vote today."

Regional Councillor's Annual Report

This report is a summary of my work in your behalf as Region VIII Councillor over the 2002-2004 term which is about to end (subject to possible reelection). Region VIII enjoys the distinction of being the largest Region in area, yet the smallest in membership--a uniqueness that is both intriguing and challenging. Getting to know the many and various chapter leaders, by telephone, e-mail or visit, has been a great joy. 

Councillor Chapter Visits - 14 personal visits 
801 - Anchorage Chapter - 1 visit (through surrogate Councillor, Neal Campbell)
  804 - Yellowstone (Billings. Montana) - 3 visits (coming convention)  
806 - Portland Oregon - numerous visits and participation in events  
807 - Salem, Oregon - 1 visit at Annual Meeting 
808 - Southern Oregon (Medford, Ashland, etc.) - 2 visits 
(Including "Organ Smorgan '03" and meeting, 4/18/04) 
812 - Seattle, Washington - 1 visit (see below under "Tacoma") 
814 - Tacoma, Washington - 1 visit (Aeolian-Skinner Festival) 
816 - Yakima, Washington - 1 visit (coming, June 2004) 

I will not consider my role complete without a personal visit to all chapters! 

Regional Conventions In this term, I witnessed the realization of a convention already in the works, have been involved on the ground floor in the planning of a convention, am preparing for a future convention, and the dreaming of a convention beyond that! 

 Salt Lake City '03, co-sponsored with our neighbors in Region IX, saw a full 13% of Region VIII attended. My first time to lead a regional meeting, give a banquet speeche, award prizes, host deans, etc.

Yellowstone Chapter '05 is planning a "Voyage of Discovery" with particular reference to the Lewis and Clark bicentennial. Full of energy, talent and imagination, this group has an excellent theme that you all will want to attend. All events will be based on clever and interesting historical congruencies to that propitious historical event. 

Portland "007" (pending approval) will be wonderful offering from our second largest chapter. New million dollar instruments are waiting to be explored. Beyond that, the anticipation of a possible 2009 convention in the Seattle/Tacoma are is most welcome. 

Conventions are important to us in Region VIII, possibly more so than in other regions. Since National Conventions are often "remotely located" (think East Coast, here), our Region depends on local conventions for the opportunity to meet, greet, and learn from one other.

Regional Councillor "Leadership Newsletters"  My Regional Leadership Newsletters fulfill one of my goals of office, namely, the inter-connectivity of the Region via electronic means. These newsletters have something in them for every chapter officer, not just deans. They reach every elected or appointed chapter officer that uses e-mail, including past deans. Typical items include promoting regional and national conventions, Pipe Organ Encounters, Exams, Time-lines for chapter activities, Officers responsibilities, etc. I always try to include a "very bad joke" at the end. All 15 "Leadership Newsletters" are archived at www.teleport.com/~wkrueger/region8.

Respectfully submitted, (signature)

Los Angeles National Convention 2004!

Newsletter editors, how would this picture look in your newsletter? It is of the new organ in LA's Roman Catholic Cathedral. (Click for larger view)

Approximately 1,600 people have registered for the L.A. convention, so that the financial break-even point has been reached. That's a good sign with more than four months to go before the start of the festivities.

This is the single most important and well-attended event conducted by the Guild, and it only happens once every two years.

Also: Walt Disney Concert Hall organ in the news! You WILL enjoy this. Hear the sights and sounds of Disney Hall -- the new organ venue still under construction. www.scpr.org/play/audio.php?media=/news/features/2004/03/20040304_features2 (You need to use the entire URL)

If you are like me, you will love the description of Michael Barone: "Zeus with a pony tail and leather jacket!" Also the "sound" of the organ described as "Jalapeno, with a hint of mint." (Those Californians!)

Workshop choices are outlined in TAO for attendees! www.agohq.org/2004/home.html Wow!

Please help promote this in your chapter!

March checklist in your Chapter (review)

Deadline for your nominating committee to present a slate to your executive committee. The slate is then recorded in the minutes, and announced in writing to your membership.

March 31st is the end of the special dues period. Dues received after this date are accepted for next year only.

April checklist in your Chapter

Additional nominations to chapter election slate may be made by written petition signed by at least five voting members and sent to the chapter secretary withing 30 days of the announcement of the nominating committee's slate.

Following the above, the final ballot for chapter election may be prepared, and the election may proceed. (Normally concluded by May 31.)

April 1: Dues may begin to be collected for next membership year (July 1 through June 30)

April 30: Service Playing Tests must be completed.

May checklist in your Chapter

May 31: Chapter elections must be concluded.

Previous Region VIII newsletters on-line:

For the newsletter archive: www.teleport.com/~wkrueger/region8

Sincerely, Walter Krueger, Councillor for Region VIII

Students answer on tests: Johann Bach wrote a great many musical compositions and had a large number of children. In between he practiced on an old spinster which he kept up in his attic. Bach died from 1750 to the present. Bach was the most famous composer in the world and so was Handel. Handel was half German, half Italian, and half English. He was very large.

Beethoven wrote music even though he was deaf. He was so deaf that he wrote loud music and became the father of rock and roll. He took long walks in the forest even when everyone was calling for him. Beethoven expired in 1827 and later died for this.

Pipe up with your thoughts.

The "wise gargoyle" me fecit, mmiv.