Anahata

I don't disagree with your analysis of the difference between the aims of the two organisations EFDSS and CCE - but they are very different organisations and (as I keep saying) the EFDSS just now is where the EFDSS is just now....

However I do disagree a bit with your "devilish" conclusions from the EFDSS mssion statement..

Maintain:- to maintain the status quo is to die ... to maintain itself an organisation must continuously evolve - perhaps not a bit that EFDSS has been much good at.. until now :-)

Centre of Excellence:- a place where everyone can find best practice, best resources etc

Study and Practice:- I wouldn't call the VWML dusty..... and Kennedy has a great dance floor and fab acoustics if you're not using megawatts of PA (and Trefusis is a great dance and song space too)

Dissemination:- we've got to spread it about, but remember that EFDSS is a Trustee of the VWML and (to me) this really refers to the wealth of knowledge in the library. Promotion is a different matter and is now my responsibility... promotion takes money.... Give EFDSS your cash!!! :-)

... and the bit about diversity and equality...? It's nothing to do with PC, it's all to do with an organisation's values... if EFDSS isn't celebrating diversity and promoting equality in this land of ours then (IMHO) it isn't worthy of being in existence...and I wouldn't have any part of it...

As I wrote earlier on in this thread.....
The agreed and declared Strategy of the EFDSS is:
1. EFDSS will commit itself to a major renovation of Cecil Sharp House which will greatly increase the capacity of the VWML; enable the collection to be preserved in accordance with professional standards, renovate the performance spaces; increase the areas also suitable for commercial letting (in order to offset running costs); add an exhibition space and an interactive "museum" space and significantly rework the public areas.
2. Nationally, EFDSS will continue with and expand its outreach programme by disseminating information through the VWML; through EFDSS publications; through its education programme and by providing access to its extensive network of folk contacts.
3. Locally, EFDSS will concentrate on outreach projects that: promote use of the VWML through educational activities; and that promote use of CSH through folk activities (particularly those involving children, the disabled, the elderly and ethnic groups).
4. EFDSS will give priority to programmes and projects which can be developed in partnership with other organisations.

That strategy is what EFDSS can achieve as it stands at this point in time. Every one of the NC has great ideas and great plans for what could be done in the future. A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step... EFDSS is taking that now.

Promotion is where I come in as the NC portfolio holder for that very area. Promotion takes people, time and money, but most importantly it takes a plan and that's being worked on now. There's a whole pile of stuff that needs to be done in this regard and a couple of us are starting the process of putting ducks in line in between our day jobs. We'll be looking for help as well when the time comes for implementation, so don't be surprised if you (and many others) get a tap on the shoulder from me and an offer you can't understand....

In the meantime I'll take all the money I can raise for the EFDSS Promotions warchest... cheques/cash/negotiable bonds etc to EFDSS please with a note saying that the money is to be used for the promotion of traditional music, dance and song.... and while you're at it, don't forget to join the Society if you haven't already!

On the advocacy bit - EFDSS needs to do work there.... that will happen as the promotion plan implements...

In terms of support for teaching - that is one area where EFDSS has put a lot of effort (although I have heard criticism of its past work there too). There's the education resources on the webshop (http://folkshop.efdss.org/educational/index.htm), but for more specific advice I would contact CSH. There's a revitalised Education Committee building up a fair head of steam so I'm certain that if you ask the question there'll be a stack of help and support flyng your way in very short order.

On the London-centric bit - absolutely agree with your suggestion and it's something that is high up on my promotions agenda - plan, money, time and people are the gating factors - as some Greek bloke once said (in paraphrase), "give me a lever and a fulcrum and I'll move the Earth...." .... I'm a bit short of either just at the minute.... but give me time....

You're right, it is easy to get bogged down in politics in any organisation - the answer that I've found is to ignore the politics, get on with the job in hand and fight your corner ruthlessly - I spent 18 years at senior management levels in a Japanese multinational electronics corporation... coming from that background, EFDSS politics aren't REAL politics.... and if the politicos in EFDSS think that they can make this particular newbie retire hurt.... well they're in for a bit of a shock, aren't they? :-)

Thanks for the good wishes, they're sincerely much appreciated. I know that there is much wrong with EFDSS, and I passionately want it to survive. Last summer I spent a rainy day at the Pinewoods Camp in Massachussets during American Week reading Cecil Sharp's correspondence with his sponsors in the US who enabled him to undertake his collecting in the Appalachians. What came across was his absolute enthusiasm for the work he was doing and his determination to somehow get it done by scrounging, begging, scraping, starving and risking his own health to get the work completed. We all know that Cecil was no virtuous angel, but we do owe him an enormous debt for preserving so much of our traditional heritage. He put the welfare of his family, his life and Maude on the line to collect these songs and, whatever you think of his motives, we each owe it to the cultural heritage of our nation to follow in his footsteps and to do as much as we possibly can to preserve (and develop and promote) his work and all that preceded and followed on from it.

As Barbara so eloquently puts it in her last post ... "Please, those of you who value our heritage, get in there and help!"

Robbie