There’s No Code to Crack: Increasing Your ACDA Involvement

       Recently, a colleague wrote indicating that he “had an itch” to have a greater involvement within the profession.  He was curious about how one finds their way into an area of professional responsibility and service within ACDA.

       It’s not an unreasonable query.

       Spend even just a short while reading the Choral Journal or attending any of ACDA’s various events, and you’ll start to read a lot of the same names and see the same faces of those who function in various leadership and service roles.  It’s easy to wonder how one gets an opportunity to participate.

       The present writer is by no means an expert on the subject, but a few thoughts for “getting out there” do come to mind.

 

FIND THE HOLE. Identify some area in your state ACDA organization that is being under-served. Is every Repertoire & Standards Chair in your state filled? Does your state newsletter offer repertoire reviews?  Who stuffs the reading session packets into those handy tote bags before the conference?  Is there an ACDA student chapter that could use an extra hand from an experienced teacher?  Once you find a hole, then . . .

 

MAKE ‘EM AN OFFER.  Contact your state or division president and volunteer.  Volunteer for what? Anything!  Hand out programs at the door during the state conference.  Help set up the risers!  Offer to pick of the clinician from the airport. Offer to write a repertoire or concert review for the newsletter. Your state president will squeal with delight to hear you utter the words, “I couldn’t help but notice that our board needs someone to . . . .”

 

WRITE IT DOWN.  Our association has an enormous publication footprint; from the smallest state newsletter to the Choral Journal and the ever-growing online presence, ACDA is dedicated to sharing of ideas and creating inspiration.  You, too, have thoughts and experiences to share.  State and divisional editors are on an almost maniacal search for material. We can almost guarantee that your state newsletter editor would be thrilled to receive an unsolicited well-written article about some facet of the art.  You might also consider writing a guest blog for this very space right here on ChoralNet.  We would be happy to help you get started (you can reach us at ).

 

START SMALL.  It’s important to remember that we grow into things; some call it “paying your dues.”  No one starts their conducting career on the faculty at Enormous State University nor do they begin their ACDA service life as a divisional president.  Most of the folks in those positions had their first association job in some small but important role at a state event.  ACDA’s current President, Karen Fulmer, started her ACDA career by sitting at a table processing honor choir registrations at a divisional conference.  Oh, and if you think that a small component isn’t important, try losing your car key.

 

       No matter how one starts, service to one’s professional association is an amazing way to gain experience, develop life-long friendships, and serve the greater good of the choral art.