tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77883898640616059612024-03-04T20:16:10.018-08:00Handbell Musicians of AmericaThe official site for updates and information on the progress of new initiatives being developed by AGEHR, soon to be the Handbell Musicians of America.Handbell Musicianshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522971288399345466noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-4976076968939719552011-09-21T10:41:00.000-07:002011-09-21T11:04:14.498-07:00T- 10 days and counting!Just over 1 year ago our National Board revealed the New Initiatives Campaign (NIC) that they and our Area Leaders had developed for the future of our organization.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><blockquote><br /><p>July, 20th, 2010:<br />The wait is over and the proposed new look for the organization has been revealed. AGEHR will be the Handbell Musicians of America. A big part of the new direction being undertaken by the Guild is to recognize ourselves as musicians to be taken seriously by the music world at large. The fabulous concerts at this year’s Pinnacle have proven that we hold a solid place as musicians to be respected. And the name of the organization will reflect that attitude. More information about the exciting new future for our art and our organization will appear on these pages (this blog) as the news evolves. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654872276569734962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyiGRn6QnA_POQxlmxAc3fWFKpRZoQHQt_7BKd7M9fzEsrpBSdGEHjuK9ocpFL0bQPBUuH_JwXgC2_QNuoZtKZ9j_d0wmPcoB7n2rwmEPexzfyhuv_1tgVSeGM8FZ8_Yw_H92zlXAeTI/s320/NewLogoUnveil.jpg" /></p><br /><p></p></blockquote></div><br /><p>Can you believe it?? In just 10 days we will officially rebrand to Handbell Musicians of America. HOW EXCITING IS THAT!!! This is really an exciting time here in the national office and for our Area Leaders as we focus on the final details and touches to make this transition complete for the October 1, 2011 deadline. </p><br /><p>Be sure to tell us what you think and how you are preparing for the big transition here and on our Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AGEHRInc?ref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/AGEHRInc?ref=ts</a>. </p><br /><p></p>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-25473237786876523082011-08-22T10:36:00.001-07:002011-08-22T11:11:10.347-07:00Signs of the Times: Fashion Edition<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnKh1ZK84vm7ZPkk5x68fqDXC68y_-uaI5H4gVohHK7gsrMA7oQgoCROYfyp0088F-H2aYBKft4EWie6EHbsInMt2w-OroyYnkY2lGca9tjqYrTtng-P9V6F2ZT75VoHMAE6Fq0lxn7s/s320/Guild-Apparel.web..jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643738572198463138" /><div style="text-align: justify;">If you check the count down shown in an earlier blog below, you will see that we are at T-39 days as of today, August, 22, 2011 until our re-branding is official. You can also see the signs of the transition in progress all around you on our website, our e-newsletters and Overtones, as well as on the actual new sign hanging on our building.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now you, your family and friends can ALSO get in on all the re-branding fun with<span class="Apple-style-span"> <a href="http://www.handbellmusicians.logosatplay.com/shop"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Handbell Musicians of America shirts and outer wear</b></span></a>,</span> proudly showing off the new Handbell Musicians of America brand and logo. These are a great way to treat yourself or begin your early holiday shopping for that special ringer on your list this year. So, check out the options available on this site to be among the first to proudly be a <a href="http://www.handbellmusicians.logosatplay.com/shop"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>fashionable sign of the times!</b></span></a></div><div>
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<br /></div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-30715586185469530082011-07-21T13:18:00.000-07:002011-07-21T13:28:17.377-07:00Program Update from Minneapolis<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhst-8XbqZQgtvJV5wnFiZDrdNcxGCuARTK3IT0ahjvhmU2bYUUxDR2-l8p91WkBkpVXMCg2X_g-rIbaDm8dEI4C4TkO0F-IXe2qSk_wyLJr8CEeoiW6IWvDhDNS_JzDVtRxlUhe3mtiNI/s1600/SeminarProgramCover.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 248px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631903478642074578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhst-8XbqZQgtvJV5wnFiZDrdNcxGCuARTK3IT0ahjvhmU2bYUUxDR2-l8p91WkBkpVXMCg2X_g-rIbaDm8dEI4C4TkO0F-IXe2qSk_wyLJr8CEeoiW6IWvDhDNS_JzDVtRxlUhe3mtiNI/s320/SeminarProgramCover.jpg" /></a>Its official, the first Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar is one for the history books. Great music, great classes and great people. . . What an event!<br /><br /><br />If you were there, THANK YOU for all your help in making this a wonderful experience for everyone involved. If you were unable to join us this year then be sure to check out our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/AGEHRInc"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Facebook posts</span></a> from last week and some that will be added in the coming week.<br /><br />In the program, there was a New Initiatives update that we wanted to share with you all this month. If you have any questions please be sure to post them or contact the national office. 1.800.878.5459.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><em>New Initiatives Update</em></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><em><br /></em></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><em><br /></em></span>It was just one year ago that AGEHR president, John Pfeiffer, announced a bold new plan from the national board of directors. This New Initiatives Plan included three elements: (1) a technology update, (2) a new name for our organization, and (3) a plan for enhanced member benefits based on a member’s area of interest. AGEHR members demonstrated their support for this plan through an overwhelming response to the fundraising campaign launched to help pay for these new initiatives. So now, one year later, we are pleased to provide this update on the progress of implementing each element and the next steps in the process.<br /><br /><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><br /><li>As of June 1, 2011 members have pledged a total of $155,281 to support the initiatives and $93,174 has already been collected from those pledges. Well ahead of the planned 3-year schedule.<br /></li><br /><br /><br /><li>Phase 1 of the plan is basically complete. The new NEON member database is in place and being used every day by the national office staff and our members. Since going live with this system in February, nearly 2000 AGEHR members have activated their NEON member accounts. We continue to find new features and uses for this new technology and will keep working to make this technology work for you to improve your member experience. Cost to date: $27,577. Estimated Remaining Expense: Less than $5,000<br /></li><br /><br /><br /><li>Phase 2, rebranding, is well underway. The new logo has been finalized. Trademark paperwork has been filed with the U.S. Office of Patents and Trademarks. The new name has been in use in conjunction with our current name on both national and area levels. Area Leaders have made important decisions about how they will implement the change to the new name. National staff has started updating sections of our website to reflect the change to Handbell Musicians of America. Print materials are being updated with the new name and logo. Plans are in place to convert to our new website address – www.handbellmusicians.org – on October 1. Cost to date: $15,284. Estimated Remaining Expense: Approximately $3,000<br /></li><br /><br /><br /><li>Progress on Phase 3, the membership plan, has been steady. The task force created to assist the executive director in implementing this phase has had several very productive meetings and is now ready to invite the membership to submit outlines of potential resources for consideration. For details on this Call for Resources, please visit the event registration desk. Cost to date: $6,551. Estimated Remaining Expense: As much as is available so we can develop the best possible resources which are robust and dynamic.<br />You can see many more details about our progress in past issues of Overtones and (as you know) by following our blog. </li></ul><br /><br /><br /><p>Finally, here is a huge THANK YOU to all who have pledged their support to this project, both through their cash contributions and their willingness to assist in the process.</p><br /><br /><br /><p>----</p><br /><br /><br /><p>Mark your calendar today for National Seminar July 18-21, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio!</p>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-79764672996874515662011-06-21T10:56:00.000-07:002011-06-21T11:16:59.499-07:00Signs of the times. . .If you are looking for it, you will begin to see the signs of our transition to Handbell Musicians of America next October 1st, 2011 all around you.<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Areas 1-12 have already begun the process of changing from roman numerals to Arabic numerals Check out their<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"> </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);" href="https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/agehr/eventList.jsp">events here<br /></a></li><br /><li>This year’s seminar is being billed as<br />The Handbell Musicians of America<br /><strong><a href="http://www.agehr.org/seminar2011/umrs.asp"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">National Seminar</span><br /></span></a></strong>an AGEHR event<br /></li><br /><li>E-Notes our monthly email has had its header modified to read<br />Handbell Musicians of America<br />E-Notes<br />an AGEHR publication<br /></li><br /><li>Today, I even ordered an <strong><em>actual sign</em></strong> of our transition for our front door that will hang under the AGEHR sign </li></ul><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620734701611921090" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSllMp2pLDBL93Xf4GOk70WD9XP6rz4rhcthzgvoeJWEy7vXe4ZNP52yp3twud17kQFacylztNAia8AzsGrR-PPnqPvhr5_9YDesJB6r2E-US_xeOPKW92tgpWRT99MTULImHpyQNYzY/s320/1sign.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p>It is really quite exciting as our community moves ever closer to the realization of the second prong of our New Initiatives Campaign with the rebranding to Handbell Musicians of America with the nickname of The Guild on October 1st, 2011 in just 101 days from today! </p>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-46506004944824507832011-06-01T10:46:00.000-07:002011-06-01T11:15:05.284-07:00Milestone<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>June 1st, 2011. . . </strong></span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>a big date in the New Initiatives Campaign. </strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><em><em><br /><br /><blockquote><em><em>The keynote address at National Seminar 2009 indicated the need for AGEHR to move in a bold, new direction. During the next year, our National Board utilizing input and ideas gathered from all levels of AGEHR membership focused on creating a plan to achieve that move. Then the following year at Pinnacle 2010 our National Board announced major changes which will serve to transform the face of AGEHR and become the catalyst for handbell musicians to build “a lifetime of ringing.” As a result, AGEHR will invest in the future of our organization by concentrating on three areas.<br /><br />First will be a COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF TECHNOLOGY, which will bring our handbell community together in exciting new ways. A software solution has already been identified and is undergoing customization to serve the unique needs of our membership. Completion of this phase of the plan is scheduled for June 2011.<br /></em></em></blockquote></div></em></em><em><br /><p align="left"></em></p>Ah, and there it is. . . June 1st 2011 the completion of the “complete overhaul<br />of the AGEHR technology”. As you may already be aware we have blown this<br />scheduled date away by having already started providing a wide variety of new<br />electronic capabilities, benefits and opportunities to our community via the new<br />and improved structure of our website months ahead of time. While there have<br />been some transitional hiccups here and there, overall this overhaul has not<br />just been a huge success but a real boon for our community of musicians. Our<br />members have already begun enjoying a variety of technological improvements such<br />as enhanced on-line renewal and account management options, on-line registration<br />for upcoming national events, as well as new benefits like the Life Time of<br />Ringing option for ringers. (<a href="http://www.agehr.org/tutorials/index.asp"><span style="color:#ffffff;">tutorial information here</span></a>) <br /><p align="left">For me, while I am thrilled that we have more than successfully met this June 1st deadline of completing the installation of this new technology, the REAL EXCITING part of this new technology called NEON is that it is a “cloud based,” dynamic system (as opposed to purchased software or hardware) that will continue to grow and develop with us and with the ever changing technological world that we live in over the coming years. This ability to grow and develop means that new benefits and opportunities will continue to be developed and made available to our community thanks to this first milestone in our 3 pronged New Initiatives Campaign.<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><strong><em>TimeLine Review: </em></strong></p><br /><ul><br /><li><strong>December 2010<br /></strong>• NEON system works on customization and current member data<br />• National office staff begins training<br />• National staff reviews data and customization and works with z2Sytems to adjust the NEON system where necessary<br />• National office begins converting content of AGEHR website to reflect the new name - Handbell Musicians of America (see example of <a href="http://www.agehr.org/special_recognition/life.asp"><span style="color:#ffffff;">transitional page here</span></a>)<br /></li><br /><br /><li><strong>January 2011<br /></strong>• Begin using NEON in-house for all member database functions<br />• Begin integrating NEON with AGEHR website and make basic features available to membership<br />• Begin incorporating our new name into event marketing and branding<br />• National Seminar registration opens on-line through NEON<br /></li><br /><br /><li><strong>March/April 2011<br /></strong>• Begin incorporating new name into E-newsletters and e-mail messaging<br />• More NEON features become available on-line<br />• Continue transitioning website<br /></li><br /><br /><li><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">June 1, 2011<br /></span></strong>• Completion of this phase of the plan<br />• 9:00-9:05AM EST national office official happy dance commences<br />• 9:06-9:09AM EST resting on laurels while luxuriating in success<br />• 9:10AM Right then onward and upwards to . . .</li></ul><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Phase 2: Rebranding 10/1/2011 </strong></span></p>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-37956125518162220692011-05-19T12:20:00.001-07:002011-05-19T12:48:25.275-07:00The Fine PrintMy column in the upcoming issue of Overtones (May/June 2011) shares some information about the process we are now going through to implement our new name by October 1, 2011. In that column I refer you to this blog post to find out all the technical, legal details of that process - or the fine print. So get your reading glasses out - or magnifying glass - or whatever you use and follow closely as I take you through the steps.<br /><br /><br /><ol><br /><li>Our first step in the process was to determine what approach we would take with our name change. Would this be a complete new corporate entity or just a new brand? A new corporate identity would require a much more elaborate process of amended Articles of Incorporation, revisions to our National By-Laws, and much more. Additionally, it would require the same of each of the 12 Areas. A new brand can be handled through a much simpler process and achieve the goals set by the National Board when they made the decision to implement our new name.</li><br /><li>Next, I engaged the law firm of Frost, Brown, Todd and Associates to assist through the legal process of implementing a new brand. Two attorneys there are assisting me - one with the necessary business filings and the other with the trademark elements of the change.</li><br /><li>Through several phone calls and consultations with our attorneys, we determined that the best course of action is to file "fictitious name" or "doing business as" paperwork with the State of Ohio, where most of the business for the national office is transacted. Even though we are incorporated in the State of Delaware, we transact very little, if any, national business there. In addition, the laws of that state require that this type of filing take place in the county where the business is located. Since we are not located in Delaware, it would be impossible for us to even file the necessary paperwork.</li><br /><li>Additionally, we determined that it would not be necessary for any of the 12 Areas to file any paperwork related to the name change. Our legal name will remain American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Only our trade name will change. So each Area is operating according to their own Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.</li><br /><li>In addition to filing our new Trade Name, we have started the process of registering the new name and logo with the U.S. Office of Patents and Trademarks. Two applications have been submitted for review by that office - one for the actual name, Handbell Musicians of America, and the second for the mark - or the logo without the words. Once approved, we will then license each of the Areas to use these items.</li><br /><li>Through this process our new name and logo will be legally protected under trademark law and we will continue to transact business as usual as the Handbell Musicians of America.</li></ol><br /><p>So, that wasn't so bad, was it? Not too complicated, I hope. Of course, if you would like more details about any part of this process - please contact me - <a href="mailto:jcauhorn@agehr.org">jcauhorn@agehr.org</a>. I will do my best to answer your questions.</p><br /><p></p>Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13684925700931852178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-64217000909013240972011-04-20T11:37:00.000-07:002011-04-20T12:46:53.706-07:00A Rose By Any Other Name. . .<div align="center"><strong>Handbell Musicians of America</strong><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">National Seminar </span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>an AGEHR Event</strong><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>This first Handbell Musicians of America national event, </em><a href="http://www.agehr.org/seminar2011/"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><em>National Seminar</em></span></a><em>, takes place July 14-17, 2011, in Minneapolis at the upscale Hilton Minneapolis. Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar offers a variety of experiences and opportunities for all levels and types of handbell musicians and enthusiasts. Numerous class topics, access to the latest handbell products and literature, a wide range of concert performances, and valuable networking with the best and the brightest in the handbell community. </em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial;">As I bet you have noticed, the 2011 National Seminar is a dual branded event. If you have been on our website on some of the "deep" pages that receive less traffic, you may have even seen this at work sign: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 423px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 70px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597743523300166530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFlWdgxJg3qBQo1j0-EMmR73TE_jfH76JQvezKGD8xkISQHCOrTd07yx9DtWqtovYOVW2xqrRFlJ03tK8LF27-bQpm_1AAjl2qTj2gUdZ7E_qq0yhxFUmHIFPf1fYw1mjrxXkjdla8Pg/s400/Excuse+our+dust.jpg" /></span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Slowly but surely, your national office staff and Area Leaders have been working together towards October 1st, 2011 when we make our official name change. In fact just this month, all 12 Area Chairs and other Area Leader representatives meet this month in Minneapolis with the National Board and office staff where we spent a great deal of time discussing the actual pragmatic and logistical changes that need to take place in the coming months. One EXCITING change that your Area Boards voted on is that Handbell Musicians of America will begin using Arabic numerals when referring to our 12 Areas instead of Roman Numerals. The Area Boards also voted to move to a standardized web site naming system. Currently, all the Area's have their own web address' as you can see here there are several variations currently being used by the Areas: </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 1:<span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span><a href="http://www.agehrarea1.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">agehrarea1.org/</span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 2: <a href="http://www.area2agehr.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">area2agehr.org/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 3: <a href="http://www.areaiii.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">areaiii.org/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 4: <a href="http://www.agehr4.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">agehr4.org/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 5: <a href="http://www.areavagehr.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">areavagehr.org/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 6: <a href="http://www.area6bells.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">area6bells.org/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 7: <a href="http://www.areaviiagehr.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">areaviiagehr.org/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 8: <a href="http://www.areaviii.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">areaviii.org/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 9: <a href="http://www.areaix.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">areaix.org/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 10: <a href="http://myweb.cableone.net/davadahlgran/AreaX/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">myweb.cableone.net/davadahlgran/AreaX/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 11: <a href="http://area11.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">area11.org/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Area 12: <a href="http://.areaxii.org/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">areaxii.org/</span></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">which you can also access on the <a href="http://www.agehr.org/areas/areas.asp"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Area Connections</span></a> web portal on the AGEHR website. By moving to a single standardized web address for the Areas, handbell musicians and interested individuals from the general public will have an easier time finding us all across the nation. Ringers whether they have moved or are on vacation looking for handbell events and other ringers will be easily able to access not just the national web site and maybe their Area's website but all of our websites! This further helps to brand us as one community working together to ensure the future of our community and our art. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So, as we move ever closer to October 1st be sure to not only keep your eyes peeled for the dual branding of our organization during the transition, but also help us to spread the word with your fellow ringers, directors, composers and other handbell enthusiasts!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /></span>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-57048256030595336892011-04-06T13:11:00.000-07:002011-04-06T13:12:04.318-07:00But who's counting!?!<iframe src="http://free.timeanddate.com/countdown/i2j5vt94/n810/cf110/cm0/cu4/ct1/cs1/ca0/cr0/ss1/cac000/cpc069/pca0bfd5/tc66c/fs120/szw320/szh135/tat%20Coming%20soon.%20.%20./tac069/tptHandbell%20Musicians%20of%20America/tpc069/matHandbell%20Musicians%20of%20America/mac069/mpta%20new%20era%20begins.%20.%20./mpc069/iso2011-09-30T23:59:59/bas4/bat5" frameborder="0" width="328" height="143"></iframe>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-10652629219988356242011-03-22T08:17:00.000-07:002011-03-22T08:39:35.405-07:00TRANSITIONSIn the beginning, there was the<span style="color:#ffff99;"> </span><a href="http://www.agehr.org/proud_tradition/mission.asp"><span style="color:#3366ff;">NEW ENGLAND GUILD OF ENGLISH HANDBELL RINGERS</span></a>. In 1954, this group transitioned into The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers extending its outreach to a whole new audience across the US.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRx7Nn92gnzExieKE6a4DzAbAHF9MtxQhjLHqmrRG6VT6kjrCK4y8Li_dpJhflC82bm8a1SKFEynungAMiUf8QwEkYllavl6TBt2gKHWInoDScLqAlq4fGRXeJsuY5yYR61LhOpX_Pek/s1600/agehrlogoBEVEL.300dpi.version.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 136px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586926645372115874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRx7Nn92gnzExieKE6a4DzAbAHF9MtxQhjLHqmrRG6VT6kjrCK4y8Li_dpJhflC82bm8a1SKFEynungAMiUf8QwEkYllavl6TBt2gKHWInoDScLqAlq4fGRXeJsuY5yYR61LhOpX_Pek/s320/agehrlogoBEVEL.300dpi.version.jpg" /></a> Now in 2011, our community is once again positioning for a name change to extend our outreach and accessibility. On October 1st of 2011, we will be known as the Handbell Musicians of America or the Guild for short. As you know, one of the reasons that this name was chosen was because it quickly identifies who we are and what we do, to a whole new generation of current and future ringers and enthusiastic audiences. In preparation for this change, we have already begun the transitional branding process. Transitional branding process, now there is a mouthful. But all that means is that you should have already begun to notice a mixing of our identities. For example the 2011 National Seminar is officially titled: <div><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="http://www.agehr.org/seminar2011/"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">HANDBELL MUSICIANS OF AMERICA NATIONAL SEMINAR: </span></strong></a></div><div align="center"><strong><a href="http://www.agehr.org/seminar2011/"><span style="color:#3366ff;">AN AGEHR EVENT.<br /></span></a></strong></div><strong></strong><br /><div align="left"><br />As we move ever closer to the October 1st transition you will see more and more references to our community that interweave our names, you will see the new logo more and more often, and you will hear the national office and your Area Leaders asking you to help us spread <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqS3p2AC70lRbwO9Rz2vBOkOC631iVq8Ny6iYaWT0Y6nJxzVutVU8IpoJg761kAAZbvS5coTt8VDc1RdjC2IZql-c0qbvmGujRox_qa8Azl68k3Xx6LUw_feydw9dHBhyphenhyphenm0hxggn9dPU/s1600/GuildLogo_FullColor_Large.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 177px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586926974074445858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqS3p2AC70lRbwO9Rz2vBOkOC631iVq8Ny6iYaWT0Y6nJxzVutVU8IpoJg761kAAZbvS5coTt8VDc1RdjC2IZql-c0qbvmGujRox_qa8Azl68k3Xx6LUw_feydw9dHBhyphenhyphenm0hxggn9dPU/s320/GuildLogo_FullColor_Large.jpg" /></a>the word throughout our community to help us create a buzz. To help with the transition there are a few things that you can do to help. First, keep your eyes peeled for these transitional opportunities in your part of our handbell community. Talk to people not about the HMA because what is THAT?? Talk about the Handbell Musicians of America or the Guild to shorten it up. While the Guild does not specifically reference handbells it does give more information than a cold un-descriptive, acronym. Second, if you are following us on<span style="color:#3366ff;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/AGEHRInc"><span style="color:#3366ff;">FACEBOOK</span></a> and see a status update please repost it to your facebook page. If you are following us on <a href="http://twitter.com/JCauhorn"><span style="color:#3366ff;">TWITTER</span></a>, then RETWEET our posts. If you are a director or ringer who knows other ringers and directors who are not following us on facebook or <strong><a href="https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/agehr/subscribe.jsp"><span style="color:#3366ff;">RECEIVING OUR E-MAILS</span></a></strong> encourage them to do so, in fact help them subscribe themselves or do it for them (with their permission). Generally, I encourage you to be proactive in helping us to make sure everyone in our handbell and handchime community is aware that our name is changing. The fact is that our membership represents approximately 125,000 ringers and we are counting on you to make sure that they know who we are and where we are going! </div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-67765398129570222352011-02-23T11:22:00.000-08:002011-02-23T12:48:14.714-08:00Help us spread the word!<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">AGEHR</span> Website Building on-line Community!</span></div><br /><div align="justify">Whether you are a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">handbell</span> director, ringer, composer or just an enthusiast the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">AGEHR</span> community is where you want to be!<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">This vibrant and active community has a long tradition of excellence that is reaching new heights via our website because of the huge success of the New Initiatives Campaign as our membership continues to support us with ideas, volunteer hours and financial support. As you are aware from reading this blog, our journal Overtones and e-newsletters <em><span style="font-size:85%;">(</span></em><a href="https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/agehr/subscribe.jsp"><em> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;">subscribe</span></em></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;"> / </span></em> <a href="http://www.agehr.org/newsletters/index.asp"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;">view back issues</span></em></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">)</span></em> the first stages of developing our on-line community have been launched with the help of our new database management system, NEON. From your log in you can now shop in the store, register for events, post to the forums and manage your account information. Perhaps the most exciting aspect is the idea of getting in at the ground floor as our website opportunities begin to explode over the next few years!</div><p>In just the last month, we have already had over 10% of our membership that have signed on to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">AGEHR</span> website and created their user name and password. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">(Hopefully, if you are reading this then this 10% includes you! If not, please take a moment to follow the link below.)<br /></span></em><br />But while 10% in a month is GREAT, we would really like to get the word out and encourage more members and non-members alike to get involved and join in the fun! So that is where YOU come in. We need you to help us spread the word. Whether you are at rehearsal, at a concert, participating in a <a href="https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/agehr/eventList.jsp"> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#3366ff;">ringing event</a></span> or using a social media application, please help us to encourage people to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">login</span> and become active participants in our on-line community. </p><p>So what can you do?? Well. . .</p><ul><li>Right now you could click one of the social media sharing icons at the bottom of this post.<br /><br /><br /></li><li>You could take your <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">iphone</span>/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ipad</span>/laptop to rehearsal this week and get your whole group set up. (Non-members can have accounts for free and get our emails for free!)<br /><br /><br /></li><li>You could volunteer to man a kiosk at your next ringing event where you take names and emails via a wireless system or even with an old fashioned pen and paper.<br /><br /><br /></li><li>You could add reminders with links at the bottom of your email signature. </li></ul><p>The fact is this is <strong><em>our community</em></strong> and there is such a wide variety of things each of us can do to help spread the word about all the exciting things happening in our world! </p><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><strong>Remember: </strong></div><div align="center"><a href="https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/agehr/requestPassword.jsp"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Members</span></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />already have accounts </span><span style="font-size:180%;">& Just need to </span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/agehr/requestPassword.jsp"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">create user names and passwords</span></a><span style="font-size:180%;">.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/agehr/account.jsp"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Non-members </span></a><span style="font-size:180%;">can </span><a href="https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/agehr/account.jsp"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">create accounts </span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">to join our on-line community!</span></div><br /><br />See you next month. . . with double the numbers????? ;>)Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-17409633486436028812011-01-24T14:26:00.000-08:002011-01-24T14:45:21.803-08:00New Initiatives Stage 1 Launches<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">IF YOU ARE A MEMBER<br />YOU ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT!<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/agehr/requestPassword.jsp"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Set-up Login Name & Password HERE</span></a><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span>There are even </span><a href="http://www.agehr.org/tutorials/index.asp"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">Video Tutorials Available HERE</span></a></div><br /><div align="left"><br />As you may have heard in the January E-Notes, NEON, our new membership management technology is here! If you have had a membership record between January 1, 2006 and now, then you already have an account in our record. As long as that record has a current email address in it then you can quickly and easily set up your Login Name and Password to visit the new AGEHR online membership management pages using the<span style="color:#3366ff;"> </span><a href="https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/agehr/requestPassword.jsp"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Forgot Password? Get Help link!</span></a> If your email needs to be updated in the national office please shoot us an <a href="mailto:sgreeb@agehr.org?subject=Email%20address%20update"><span style="color:#3366ff;">email</span></a> or call us between 9-5EST at 1.800.878.5459.</div><br /><div align="left"><br />This initial release of the new technology, has some exciting new features available for you to take advantage of ranging from registering for <a href="http://www.agehr.org/seminar2011/"><span style="color:#3366ff;">NATIONAL SEMINAR</span></a> online to actually getting to create your own unique Login Name and Password that is good across the board, no matter if you are logging into view <a href="http://www.agehr.org/overtones/otindex.asp"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Overtones</span></a> online, visiting our<span style="color:#cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://www.z2systems.com/agehr/"><span style="color:#3366ff;">forums</span></a> or shopping in our web store to purchase the <a href="http://www.agehr.org/agehr_pub/musicclub.asp"><span style="color:#3366ff;">2011 Priority Music Club</span></a><span style="color:#3366ff;">.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><br />To help in the introduction of these new opportunities we have created some quick <a href="http://www.agehr.org/tutorials/index.asp"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Video Tutorials</span></a> to serve as our welcome to the neighborhood tour. Even if you are sure that you can figure it out, I fully recommend that you take this opportunity to watch them due to the AMAZING voice over talent that really adds to the entertainment value of these videos. Rumors have it that there is already Academy and Grammy Award buzz surrounding these outstanding performances. If only it wasn’t an anonymous performance. . . ;>) </div><br /><div align="left"><br />So, if you haven’t already, take a moment now to login to explore the blossoming fruits of the New Initiatives Campaign that is being made possible by the on-going generosity of our members like YOU!</div><br /><div align="left"><br />Regards,<br /><a href="mailto:kschlegel@agehr.org?subject=AGEHR%20Blog%20comment"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Katie</span></a></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-26784971459896095852011-01-07T14:25:00.001-08:002011-01-07T14:40:08.311-08:00Seeing Vision Come to RealityIf you've been following our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> posts over the past few weeks, you know that the national office staff has been deep in the final steps toward implementing our new database system in the national office. While I've been working with this new system for several months, meeting with developers, determining customizations, tweaking details - the rest of the staff had their first real taste of this new technology just before Christmas - a nice little gift for the holidays! This taste included a "Go-To-Meeting" on-line review of the basic features and functionality of NEON.<br /><br />During the next week, staff were given "homework" assignments that included mock-ups of renewal invoices and new members to create in the new database so they could determine where the glitches are and develop a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">unanswered</span> questions to use in our live training session schedule for this coming Monday. Also during this time, I tapped a small group of "beta" testers from within our membership to complete a list of basic tasks on the customer side of the system to help us determine final set-up parameters and details with the purpose of making the customer experience easier and more user-friendly. The beta test group returned some excellent, detailed notes that have been a valuable resource as we make decisions about the final system set-up.<br /><br />Then, yesterday, the national staff spent the entire day reviewing all the notes, comments, questions, concerns that we and the beta group developed in their testing. From this meeting, we produced a set of questions and requests for the NEON team that were sent off last night and a detailed timeline of tasks to complete over the next week as we take the final steps in implementing our new on-line community.<br /><br />I say on-line community because, for the first time since I became <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">AGEHR's</span> executive director, I believe we finally have the right tools in place to truly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">achieve</span> that. NEON provides us with so much more then just a database system. It is going open doors to new possibilities and innovations as we take the next steps into our future and continue implementing the New Initiatives plan.<br /><br />As we were finishing some of our discussions at the staff meeting yesterday, I realized what an accomplishment this is for this small organization. I recall speaking about the importance of a strong on-line presence and robust website solution in my final interview with the board of directors to become executive director. That was in April 2006. It is amazingly gratifying and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fulfilling</span> to see that vision come to reality just short of 5 years later.<br /><br />And we've only just begun....Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13684925700931852178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-81251686813584679642010-12-23T19:06:00.000-08:002010-12-23T19:21:16.702-08:00Gentlemen start your. . .Training!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">NEON training has begun for our team in the office. We spent yesterday in a couple of meetings that focused on giving us an overview of the system and how it will work for us. Emily our trainer set up a meeting on-line yesterday to provide us with a guided tour and first look at our test data in the database that they have set up for AGEHR.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While the day was a whirlwind tour it was fascinating. We began by looking at how we will now begin managing our national events. I know this may not sound all that exciting but rather than two databases that don’t communicate, we will now have just one. I know we have been saying this for months but to actually see it in front of us was very cool. This means that we as an office will be more productive and able to more efficiently serve all of our members. It also means that our entire team will have access to the event data and will be able to cross train in order to better assist our members with information regarding their event attendance. There also was this cool new feature that is going to let us. . . oh wait that is a surprise for next month! ;>)</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In the afternoon we focused on general membership data management. How our current data will populate the new system, how we renew memberships and create new records for new members. The new system is more intuitive than our current system. It allows us to quickly and easily have access to the information in the system because it is powered by newer and faster technology than our current dinosaur. All of which will once again help our team to help you.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">But all of that is behind the scenes and while some of you may be tech wonks who just find this as thrilling as I do, I am guessing most of you have a big “so what’s in it for me” going through your minds. So, here it is. We also got to check out the new user side of the web site. Members will log in and have access to their membership record like never before. With the ease of a dropdown box you will be able to do a variety of activities including create and review your profile (even upload a picture if you would like!), renew your membership, view your payments, change your password and the like. Simply, easily.</div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1iJMVx3Iw9-RaNuyfdTL-N3N6diss1VS2D-qrxpAtzbljWd-fCCjVFX7p1F5a47_ypDs0I7KyvjYvYi2FJ1YCdq1-V1xETG0FJLUiXDJxQUhjJbclUnekwxoNCc4JG6k5Ql9hjiY53o/s400/login.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 180px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554081698884382818" /><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just what you would want and expect from one of your favorite websites. The best part is that this functionality is being integrated within our web site and promises to be a seamless change over that will be the base of your membership experience with our website that will only get better and better as the plans of our New Initiatives Campaign continue to come to fruition over the next 2 years thanks to your continued generosity and support!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy holidays to you all! Talk to you next year!</div></div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-32276871981544568612010-12-03T10:53:00.000-08:002010-12-03T10:56:44.657-08:00New Identity Making Its Appearance<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the coming months you will begin to notice both area and national events, as well as some newsletters and other publications, using our organization’s new identity, The Handbell Musicians of America. Instead of seeing an event billed as an “AGEHR Spring Festival,” for instance, you may see an announcement for a “Handbell Musicians of America Spring Festival,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with the tagline, “an AGEHR Sponsored (or endorsed) Event.” Similarly, you may also see a newsletter you are familiar with using the name Handbell Musicians of America with a smaller tagline reading, “an AGEHR publication.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9Es0yk2q8qN6lx8NYeXTy_ev3Wi4XXg5NlIMxFBkkWISzMxMpovY9KVOjOJbvUeOXXqwnE5Dgpi46-OiAz5EOD7yGt35ZQq-gOQceyZVZHSYXm8GxHuY0lA9vOoXNHapZnDjJuT0sUax/s1600/fullColorDarkBackground-250px.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9Es0yk2q8qN6lx8NYeXTy_ev3Wi4XXg5NlIMxFBkkWISzMxMpovY9KVOjOJbvUeOXXqwnE5Dgpi46-OiAz5EOD7yGt35ZQq-gOQceyZVZHSYXm8GxHuY0lA9vOoXNHapZnDjJuT0sUax/s1600/fullColorDarkBackground-250px.png" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will also see increased use of our new logo. And when the identity change is complete, there will be a special logo available for members to use with their own websites and publications identifying themselves as a member of the Handbell Musicians of America.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eventually the taglines “an AGEHR Sponsored Event” and “an AGEHR Publication” will disappear and we will only refer to ourselves as the Handbell Musicians of America (or The Guild for short). But it is important to understand that while our identity is changing, we will still be the same organization. As John Pfeiffer said in Nashville, the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers is a name we will always honor and by which will always be known. But in an effort indentify ourselves as true musicians and not just a holiday-time novelty, we are taking on a new look and a new name.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, what does this mean for you as far as registering for events or renewing your membership? Not a thing. You will still register for events the same way as before, and you will still renew your membership like before.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, while our new identity is perhaps the most outwardly visible piece of the entire New Initiatives Campaign, it really is perhaps the least significant. You have already heard much about all the technology improvements, which will allow us to manage the organization better and greatly improve communication not only at the national level but the area and local levels as well. And you will soon begin to hear more about the most important aspect of the campaign, the development of new, first-rate resources for schools, faith-based organizations, and community/professional groups.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be sure to keep watching this space, as well as E-Notes and Overtones, for further details as the campaign progresses.</span>J.R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17615250893736028672noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-68431449388499393142010-11-22T07:53:00.000-08:002010-11-22T14:55:15.976-08:00Mapping our future.<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>W</em></strong></span>hile last month we were focused here in the national office on clean up of the membership records to prepare for the upgrades in technology, this month is all about mapping our data to smooth the transition into NEON's system. I know you are very jealous. ;>)<br /><br />I have been working with Anne Potter of Extreme Consulting going over all of our records. We have begun to decide which information needs to be ported to the new system. We have also begun to map our data to NEON's data management system. What this means is that if you have two tables, Table 1 and Table 2, and want to move data from one to the other you have to be able to say "I want information in Table 1 Column A to move to Table 2 Column A." This is not necessarily a difficult issue but it is time consuming because you have to dig in and decipher how the information is stored. Why? Well, because we have two tables that name things very differently. As an example:<br /><br />table 1 in our case is Raiser's Edge which labels its column that has our membership's first names in it as:<br /><strong>CnAdrSal_Salutation </strong><br />Katie<br />Jennifer<br /><br />meanwhile, table 2 NEON labels it's column for first names as:<br /><strong>First Name </strong><br />Katie<br />Jennifer<br /><br />So to move this data we have to tell NEON to "map" the column entitled "CnAdrSal_Salutation" to send its information to Neon's "First Name" column. Again, not necessarily difficult but as you can see Raiser's Edge is a bit more cryptic than NEON in its choices which actually is the epitomy of how both data management systems choose to conduct business in general.<br /><br />Anyway, that process is in its final stages which means that we are one step closer to going live with all of our exciting upgrades in technology and the benefits that will offer our membership! We are all anticipating that by this time next month we here in the national office should be getting ready to begin staff training on how to use the new system which means that we are even closer to opening the new system, new opportunities and new benefits up to you.<br /><br /><strong><em>More soon: here on the blog, in </em></strong><a href="http://www.agehr.org/enotes/issues.asp"><strong><em>E-Notes </em></strong></a><strong><em>and in the editorials of Overtones!</em></strong><br />Katie<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSshHQ5c1_UNEwieZRLCoCrHfOc5sBCQ3CzrHvz31FIEOhp21qj607Ef-kw7Gq46-WBqL-NbGcEonWU0TADbm8IpBlxx42gHmo5f8dUmYmffsm_0IQjAzbhnvefkhM3MsLpTNZWbfBxJY/s1600/neon.jpg"></a></p>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-37460347327963645842010-11-09T12:41:00.000-08:002010-11-09T13:03:39.935-08:00For everything there is a time...<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Time-lines have become the structure of the national office in recent weeks. They provide the outline for implementing the New Initiatives set forth by the national board. The following time-line takes us through the next 11 months and will give you the framework of what we hope to accomplish in that time:<br /><br />December 2010 </span><br /></span><ul style="font-family: verdana;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">NEON system delivered, complete with customization and current member data</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">National office staff trained<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">National staff reviews data and customization and works with z2Sytems to adjust where necessary</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">National office begins converting content of AGEHR website to reflect the new name - Handbell Musicians of America<br /></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >January 2011</span><br /><ul style="font-family: verdana;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Begin using NEON in-house for all member database functions<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Begin integrating NEON with AGEHR website and make basic features available to membership</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Begin incorporating our new name into event marketing and branding</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">National Seminar registration opens on-line through NEON</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: verdana;">March/April 2011</span><br /><ul style="font-family: verdana;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Begin incorporating new name into E-newsletters and e-mail messaging</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">More NEON features become available on-line</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Continue transitioning website<br /></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spring/Summer 2011</span><br /><ul style="font-family: verdana;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">As supplies of printed matter (envelopes, stationery, brochures, etc.) run-out, new orders will be placed with new branding</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">All NEON features live and available to members and staff</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Continue transitioning website to new brand<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Areas begin incorporating new name in events, newsletters and other communications</span><br /></li></ul><span style="font-family: verdana;">September 2011</span><br /><ul style="font-family: verdana;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">September/October issue of Overtones will incorporate new brand</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Finalize transition of website to new brand<br /></span></li></ul><span style="font-family: verdana;">October 2011</span><br /><ul style="font-family: verdana;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Rebranding complete</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">New website address will be www.handbellmusicians.org</span></li></ul><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many of these changes are just around the corner. Start watching the website and other information out of the national office for hints of the new name and logo. As we work our way through the process, more details will be added and others adjusted. As with all transition, we don't know all the challenges we'll face along the way, so must be prepared to adjust and adapt as necessary.</span>Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13684925700931852178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-29185497964862405622010-10-20T14:02:00.000-07:002010-11-22T14:56:11.487-08:00Input, Output. . .<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>I </em></strong></span>am excited to report that even now we are still receiving support for the New Initiatives Campaign (NIC). People are still sending in their <a href="http://www.agehr.org/docs/ImOnBoard2.pdf"><span style="color:#ff6600;">“I’m On Board”</span></a> and <a href="http://www.agehr.org/docs/PledgeForm2.pdf"><span style="color:#ff6600;">“NIC Pledge”</span></a> forms. We have even begun to process Matching Funds from corporations who support their employees’ generosity. It is really quite humbling to experience this level of support from so many people in our community at so many different levels.<br /><br /><br />So, now that it is our new fiscal year and we can officially begin implementing our three pronged plan. The first step is the administrative aspects of preparing to move all of our data from one system to the next. I have personally been working with Anne Potter of Extreme Consulting who is helping us to organize our data for this transfer. She and I have been going through all of the data field by field working to determine what information we use, what information we need and how best to map that data to NEON’s standard and custom fields.<br /><br /><br />We are also working to clean up the data in the database. We want the data to be as pristine as possible by eliminating duplicates or errors that have developed over the years. This means that we are going through and comparing member records and have had a volunteer working on things like standardizing how we input our data. For example, we have now standardized the way we enter the names of churches. This may sound silly but imagine that you work at Saint Peter’s United Methodist Church and have had a membership with AGEHR for many, many years, but you happen to have lost your member number. You call our office and we can’t find your record. Why? Because in our record your church is listed as St. Peters UMC and if you have ever worked with data bases you know we will never find Saint if we are searching for St with a period. Also is it UMC or United Methodist Church? Is there an apostrophe in Peter’s or not when it was entered? By taking the time now to set this standardization up, we are creating ways to improve our data management efficiency which will in the long run benefit you and your membership because we, in the national office, will be set up for success when providing you with the support and service that you need and deserve.<br /><br /><br />As of right now, we are still on target for our projected delivery date of a complete upgrade of our technology which has been listed as 6/2011. Knock wood, but the administrative process seems to be running smoothly so far. Of course we expect some bumps and kinks to work out as we go, but as this new technology begins to expand your abilities to manage your membership and membership benefits better via the web site, I know our end results will be well worth the efforts.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-81871974662621572372010-09-29T07:19:00.000-07:002010-09-29T08:06:49.539-07:00Responding to your questions...As staff and board members have shared details about the New Initiatives plan with other AGEHR members, several questions and suggestions have come up. As we post on the blog, we will try to address as many of these as we can.<br /><br />In today's post, I will respond to several who have asked for more information and testimonials about the company providing part of our new technology, Z2Systems and the NEON database. For a brief history of the company and their philosophy in working with the non-profit sector, see this page on their website - <a href="http://www.z2systems.com/en-US/aboutus.html">http://www.z2systems.com/en-US/aboutus.html</a>. To me, the most compelling statement on this page is the process they used to create the first version of NEON - working directly with non-profit clients and understanding that each has slightly different needs. As a result, they have created a highly adaptable, user-friendly system at a price that is within the reach of smaller non-profits like AGEHR.<br /><br />Z2Systems maintains a 95% retention rate with their client base. One interesting tidbit - their VP of sales used to be a client. He was so impressed with the system he wanted to help get the word out to other non-profits. Here are a few testimonials from other customers:<br /><br />"NEON is the single best investment our organization has made in technology. Any charity that is considering improving how it interfaces with donors and other constituents would do well to consider NEON. I will gladly speak personally with anyone who wants information from a highly satisfied user." - Bill Bro, CEO, Kidney Cancer Association, <a href="http://www.kidneycancer.org/">www.kidneycancer.org</a><br /><br />"Thanks for all of your hard work! Your quick responsiveness, attention to detail, and genuine caring about our needs and concerns are a testament to the quality of the people at Z2. It's a pleasure doing business with you." - Ed Mally, Treasurer, Lotus Outreach. <a href="http://www.lotusoutreach.org/">www.lotusoutreach.org</a>.<br /><br />"Again, you guys are rock stars! Seriously, how is everyone not using the system?" - Kate Avallone, Development Assistant, Paragon Theatre Company, <a href="http://www.paragontheatre.com/">www.paragontheatre.com</a>.<br /><br />"Of all the databases we compared, NEON was far and away the most user-friendly. Everyone who has worked on it agrees that the learning curve is much shorter than any other member/donor database they have worked on before." - The Rev. Fletcher Harper, Executive Director, Green Faith, Interfaith Partners for the Environment, <a href="http://www.greenfaith.org/">www.greenfaith.org</a>.<br /><br />"Z2Systems is an amazing company. I have been working with them for about 2 1/2 years now and have never met a company with better service higher integrity!" - Lucy Accardo, Webmaster, Queens Falcons, <a href="http://www.queensfalcons.net/">www.queensfalcons.net</a><br /><br />Personally, I will add that I have been exploring NEON's capabilities, through a robust demo of the system, and communicating with their staff for the past several months. They are professional, responsive, and have an excellent grasp of the unique challenges facing organizations like AGEHR. The system is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with the AGEHR website. Once implementation is complete, you will all get to see the great things I've been experiencing with NEON.Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13684925700931852178noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-7945852326925325332010-09-21T09:58:00.000-07:002010-11-22T14:57:15.915-08:0021 Century here we come!<blockquote><br /><p align="justify"><em>"I applied for membership online using my credit card on Sunday. I was<br />hoping to get on-line into the members only section of the website. When can I expect to receive access???"</em></p></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>A</em></strong></span>ll too often, I come into the office on Monday morning and find an email or voicemail like the one above. I can hear the frustration and completely understand. However, until we are able to manually process their membership in the office, this new member is out of luck. Has this happened to you? Nice way to treat new members, huh. {sigh}</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">This issue is not limited to new members. If your membership expires even by a few hours and you renew your membership online, you are still stuck until the staff gets into the office and has time to process your membership. What about this, has it happened to you? If not can you imagine the frustration? Again, nice way to treat our loyal members, huh! :<(</div><br /><div align="justify">Needless to say, this is <strong><em>NOT </em></strong>how we in the office want to treat our members. In fact we pride ourselves on serving our community of handbell and handchime ringers to the best of our abilities. Unfortunately, that means that our best is all too often weighed down by the albatross of our current technology. </div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So, I am VERY excited about the new Neon member management system. By combining all of our records down into one singular data management system, we are able to join the 21st century and finally meet the basic expectation that if you can take my money right now I should have access right now and the ability to begin enjoying my member benefits right now! </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The coolest part is that this is only one small part of all the exciting new opportunities opening up to us via the Neon system because of your generosity via the New Initiatives Campaign. What part of the New Initiatives Campaign are you excited about and why??</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432239410406181986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-41219838261269749162010-09-17T09:44:00.000-07:002010-09-17T10:02:50.434-07:00New Technology for the FutureThe national office has been working hard all summer to develop implementation plans for the New Initiatives announced at Pinnacle in Nashville. The first to launch is the comprehensive technology update that will be complete by June 2011. Over the next few months, J.R. (publications director), Katie (director of membership), and I will be posting more information about what the technology update will entail.<br /><br />Today, I will share the rationale and process we used in selecting the new database management system that is once piece of this initiative.<br /><br />The implementation of this system will be a major step to resolving one of the biggest challenges facing the national office on a daily basis. It will also solve the frustrations many of you experience every time you navigate to the AGEHR website and try to login into the member’s only section or make a purchase in our on-line store. <br /><br />At this time, the national office maintains multiple databases for our daily operations. These include a primary membership database that is used in the office every day to maintain all our membership records and related membership functions. Because of the way this was set-up when initially implemented (before any of the current staff were in the national office), this database cannot communicate directly with our website. As a result, we must operate a separate set of database tables to manage website functions like member’s-only access, the on-line store, and the forums. To make matters more complicated, none of these tables communicate with each other. Yet another service manages our e-newsletters and e-mail blasts. This is why you have separate log-in credentials for each of these functions, and why changes you make to your account in one place don’t immediately get updated to other places.<br /><br />From the staff side, when a member makes a change to their account, we must go to each of these separate services to manually update the record. You can imagine the amount of time this takes away from other tasks we could and should be doing to serve our membership. We have worked with consultants and programmers to develop a variety of stop-gap resolutions to meet this challenge using the existing technologies available to us, but all have just been weak band-aids and not true solutions. Additionally, our current technology is a barrier to anything new we want to offer our members or potential members.<br /><br />A real solution to these challenges has been identified and implementation is under way. To make the choice, we worked with a well-respected consultant in Centerville, Ohio (home of the national office). With the consultant’s help, we identified a list of features we must have to achieve our goals. We then divided them into must-haves, should-haves and wish-we-hads. With this information in hand, the consultant did a comprehensive search of available database solutions and returned to us with a detailed list of nearly 20 options along with their recommendations and opinions about each. That list was narrowed to three top choices which were evaluated in more detail by the staff through web demos and long phone conversations with sales representatives and programmers.<br /><br />The solution we selected is called NEON – Non-profit Enterprise On-line Network. The creators of NEON were software developers in the for-profit sector that saw many small non-profits struggling like we are with finding an all-in-one software solution to manage the growing demands of an increasingly on-line society. So they created NEON which takes technologies used successfully in for-profit business models and adapts them for non-profit needs.<br /><br />NEON is loaded with features that will make the national office staff more efficient, and your on-line member interaction more rewarding and robust. I'll be providing much more detail about these features in upcoming posts.<br /><br />Until then - post your questions, comments, and ideas about what I've shared today or about any of the New Initiatives.Jennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13684925700931852178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-83707134986747168122010-07-22T11:06:00.000-07:002010-07-22T11:18:23.207-07:00We are so excited about the overwhelming support and great feedback we've received for this plan and the announcements made at Pinnacle this week. As part of this announcement, those attending Pinnacle were asked to show their support by making a contribution to our capital campaign supporting the project. <br /><br />President John Pfeiffer started the fundraising effort by offering a $10,000 personal contribution and Presidential Challenge to event attendees to collectively match it. Pinnacle participants came through in a big way and pledged over $92,000 in three days. Add this to pre-event pledges collected by the National Board and that brings the total raised to $138,395! <br /><br />The complete Honor Roll of those who have invested in the future of The Guild will be posted soon. <br /><br />Check back often for updates to the list and to learn more about the project and our progress in acheiving these new goals.<br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div>Handbell Musicianshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522971288399345466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-51277440154377336292010-07-20T20:36:00.000-07:002010-07-23T13:46:07.542-07:00Handbell Musicians of America<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPOr3IQ2li1tsocrhwrCpUKG_Gmhso3tca9_I0qiUvTig6KeIy_ErPBPrErPTtjrsSvAej4vldDyu9liOQc40hCCpclIENUC4pssqzWjdJ8QZBzhiQ9HvpvlX-xRY53YZCB2hgyMdHafU/s1600/NewLogoUnveil.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPOr3IQ2li1tsocrhwrCpUKG_Gmhso3tca9_I0qiUvTig6KeIy_ErPBPrErPTtjrsSvAej4vldDyu9liOQc40hCCpclIENUC4pssqzWjdJ8QZBzhiQ9HvpvlX-xRY53YZCB2hgyMdHafU/s400/NewLogoUnveil.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497205599446863362" /></a><br />The wait is over and the proposed new look for the organization has been revealed. AGEHR will be the Handbell Musicians of America.<br /><br />A big part of the new direction being undertaken by the Guild is to recognize ourselves as musicians to be taken seriously by the music world at large. The fabulous concerts at this year’s Pinnacle have proven that we hold a solid place as musicians to be respected. And the name of the organization will reflect that attitude.<br /><br />More information about the exciting new future for our art and our organization will appear on these pages as the news evolves.Handbell Musicianshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522971288399345466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-91851185443930904632010-07-20T14:50:00.000-07:002010-07-20T14:56:48.425-07:00Extra! Extra!This just in from Pinnacle 2010: Some new and exciting changes are on the horizon for our organization and the art of handbell ringing.<br /><br />At lunch on Day Two of Pinnacle 2010 in Music City, Nashville, Tennessee, AGEHR president John Pfeiffer announced the beginnings of some major changes which will serve to transform the face of the organization and become the catalyst for handbell musicians to build a lifetime of ringing.<br /><br />In his keynote address at seminar last year, John indicated the need for the organization to move in a bold, new direction if it is to survive. Since then the board has been working on a plan to achieve that move. He said that the Guild will invest a good deal of time and money into the future of the organization by concentrating on three areas. The board has embarked on a capital campaign which has already raised more than $40,000.<br /><br />First will be a complete overhaul of technology, which will bring handbell musicians and directors together like never before, truly recognizing ourselves as the voice of the art.<br /><br />Second will be a restructuring of the organization’s membership and the introduction of faith based, educational, and community emphases from which members can choose to get the content necessary to fill their needs.<br /><br />Third is a major rebranding effort designed to go along with the direction our organization and art form need to take in order to take its rightful place in the music world. The rebranding, however, he left as a cliff-hanger, and he promises to tell us more at the capital campaign reception tonight, Tuesday, July 20, at 7:15 in the Nashville Ballroom Salon E of the Marriott before the Vivace concert.<br /><br />There are still tickets left to attend the reception. Find a board member to get one!Handbell Musicianshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522971288399345466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788389864061605961.post-42118969109778438252010-07-13T16:34:00.000-07:002010-07-13T16:38:19.619-07:00What's This...?AGEHR has some exciting announcements about the future coming very soon. Board president, John Pfeiffer will be sharing details with the attendees at Pinnacle 2010 in Nashville next week (July 18-21). Watch this site for the details of that announcement. Updates will be posted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the event.<br /><br />Visit here to see the news and tell us what you think.Handbell Musicianshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522971288399345466noreply@blogger.com0