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Page 8 InCider Press September 2006 |
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I was born and raised on a farm in Southern Minnesota. I started singing on the tractor while plowing or cultivating corn. In church choir I learned bass and tenor parts and played the tuba in high school band. I taught myself to play the guitar while in college and sang a few solos and also bass and harmony with a girls trio during my years at Platt Valley Bible College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. In the early 70’s I joined the barbershop chorus in Scottsbluff – serving as president several years and attending Harmony College one year. Following the move to Manhattan in 1984, I attended several meetings of the Little Apple chorus and would have joined then, but with six children in school and a construction slump, I decided the budget could not afford the $100.00 needed to be a member. I sang in the church choir at University Christian Church and then at First Christian, where I am a member. I was influenced to join barbershoppers again by Leonard Purvis and here I am. The most entertaining comedy quartet I’ve ever heard are the Cordial Celebration. I hope the chapter will consider them for our next show. Jim Dickie ♪ |
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Meet Member Jim Dickie |
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Here is a success story. As you read it try to pick out five keys to this success. Remember, people with positive attitudes are key to any successful organized effort and every organization. In 1994 a small group of citizens came up with the idea of starting an in Courtland Arts Council. Courtland is located in north central Kansas and has a population of 334. This core group had an idea but no plan or money to work with. They started with a leap of faith says Carla Kuhn, the current director. When the opportunity to sponsor a Russian Festival and host 46 Russian Dancers coming to Kansas on a cultural exchange they charged into action. The State Department of Commerce and Housing was looking for communities to host the dance team. Carla Kuhn tells the story that the Courtland Arts Council had three months time pulled off the show. The show was a big success and drew an audience of 600. By 2002, the Arts Council was fully institutionalized in the area. It sponsored many events and art exhibits on a regular basis. The Arts Council had a store front office, a budget; part time paid staff and an annual program. Area residents enjoy and support the Courtland Arts Council's programs. This story highlights all of the variables in my Sustaining Progress Model. So here is the complete model: SP = (A * V * P * R * B). A stands for attitude - a can do approach to change is better than no action or damaging action. V stands for vision - A powerful vision focuses a team on a chosen path and without one aimless activity and confusion reigns. P stands for a plan to realize the vision - This guides action and the allocation of resources. Without a plan the process has a false start. R stands for resources to support the planning process - resources move the plan forward and without them the planning team is frustrated. B stands for beneficial outcomes - these encourages more proactive efforts and without positive outcomes further efforts are discouraged. "The only way to predict the future is to create it," said Neal Donald Walsh in his book, Conversations with God. "The art of progress is to preserve order amid change and to preserve change amid order," said Alfred North Whitehead. Dave Darling ♪ |
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Success Story |
