Area 7 Report

(Traditionally an Area 7 Report takes place at the Leadership Meeting during the bi-annual Festival Conference. Since the Festival has been postponed until 2022, a brief report is presented here).

The Area 7 Board is comprised of an all-volunteer group of voting and non-voting members (the names and positions are listed elsewhere in this newsletter). Elections take place every two (even numbered) years for Chair-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer. Since there was a special election last fall to fill the vacant Chair-Elect position, this spring’s ballot is for Secretary and Treasurer only. The election results are typically announced at the Festival Conference but with the postponement of that event, watch for a special announcement after the voting period has closed.

Membership in Area 7 hovers around the 300 mark. With the national change from membership renewals every month to a once-a-year renewal date of March 31, a significant number of our membership missed that deadline this year. Sub Area Chairs or other members of the board will be sending out renewal reminders so no one misses out on their membership benefits. Don’t forget that ringers in a member’s choir can get a sub- membership for only $10 a year! The HMA website lists membership categories and benefits.

Area 7 Sponsored Events scheduled during the past two years have included the Festival Conference, Director’s Seminar, Anthornis, Kids Ring, AdventuRing, Copper Ring and Young Ringers’ Camp. Unfortunately, inclement weather has forced cancellation of several of those events so Anthornis and Kids’ Ring moved to the month of November in 2019.

It was a difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Festival Conference, originally scheduled for June (25)26-28, but the Executive Team and Events Coordinator felt it was in the best interest of the participants. Most, if not eventually all, of the planning will be implemented in June, 2022. The Special Event payments and registration deposit refunds requested have been returned to the purchaser. Contact the Chair, Anita Fraudorf, if you have questions.

There are also Area 7 Endorsed Events that members or member organizations may offer to handbell ringers. More information and the application can be found on the Handbell Musicians of America (HMA) website. These events should also align with the HMA mission of being “dedicated to advancing the musical art of handbell/handchime ringing through education, community and communication” and the vision of “uniting people to create a diverse community in which handbell musicians of all skill levels realize their full potential through a musically respected art form”. Endorsed Event organizers can apply for an Area 7 grant to assist with expenses. Information on the grant application is on the Area 7 website. A recent example of an Endorsed Event is the Appleton, WI workshop on March 14, 2020, organized by members of the Encore! ensemble of northeastern Wisconsin. Anyone interested in exploring an Endorsed Event option, contact the Area 7 Chair who is willing to help you with planning and implementation.

Past Chair, Karen Van Wert, has been working with the national office’s Publications Director, JR Smith, to update the Area 7 website. Watch for information about a ‘’roll out.” Our gratitude and thanks to long-time Web Administrator, Paul McKlveen, for all he has done for Area 7 over the years.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Ona Pinsonneault for sharing her Music Theory expertise in Clapper Chatter and at Festivals over the years. The archived articles will remain a valuable resource for ringers and directors alike.

Please feel free to contact Area 7 Board members with suggestions or questions. Thank you for your support for Area 7!

Anita Fraundorf
Chair
[email protected]