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Appreciate the glimmers
I was listening to a podcast last week about glimmers (in contrast to triggers, with which we’re all too familiar!) Glimmers are those fleeting moments of joy and delight that are like the twinkling stars in the night sky of our lives. They may seem insignificant at first, but they hold a profound importance that shouldn’t be overlooked. These tiny sparks of happiness play a pivotal role in maintaining our mental and emotional well-being, fostering resilience, and enriching our overall life experience. This isn’t “toxic positivity” but rather a way to identify joy in small things.
This idea really resonated with me, in this time of uncertainty and change. Glimmers serve as powerful reminders of the beauty and wonder that exist in the world around us. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it is easy to become overwhelmed by stress, responsibilities, and challenges. However, glimmers offer us a brief respite from this chaos, allowing us to pause and appreciate the simple pleasures that life has to offer. Whether it's the warmth of the sun on our skin, the sound of laughter, or the taste of our favorite meal, these moments of joy remind us that happiness can be found in the most unexpected places.
Researchers suggest that glimmers play a crucial role in building and sustaining resilience. By focusing on these small bursts of joy, we can cultivate a mindset of gratitude and optimism, which in turn helps us navigate through challenges with greater ease and grace. These moments of happiness may be brief, but they accumulate over time, creating a tapestry of positive experiences that enrich our lives.
Glimmers may be small and fleeting, but their impact on our lives is profound. I can identify many glimmers in my own everyday life – the tree we thought was dead but is now covered in brilliant pink blossoms. Watching a sunset on the deck with my family. Getting my hands dirty in rich soil and planting vegetable seeds. The sound of my granddaughter Bellamy’s voice when she comes running into our house. A great run-through of my quartet’s contest tune. Ben and Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk. My bare feet in a lake. What are your personal glimmers? And what can this mean in the context of Harmony?
- Perfect Harmonies: The moment when all voices blend seamlessly, creating a "screaming" overtone.
- Creative Breakthroughs: When first learning a song, that eureka moment when the pieces and parts start to click.
- Humor and Camaraderie: The moments during rehearsals, gigs, and conventions that are filled with laughter, creating indelible memories.
- Personal Growth: Experiencing improvement in your own vocal ability and confidence.
- Audience Connection: Those times when emotions are palpable and everyone seems deeply affected by the music.
- Collaborative Success: The sense of achievement when the group successfully performs a challenging piece, overcoming obstacles and pushing boundaries.
Glimmers in Harmony remind us of the joy and fulfillment that music brings. They help sustain our motivation, strengthen our connections, and create a positive and enriching environment. Embracing these moments can make our musical journey even more rewarding.
My podcast concluded with this sentiment, and I hope it speaks to you. “Let us be mindful of these glimmers and treasure them, for they are the little sparks that light up our lives.”
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| METAL: Member Experience Toolkit and Library |
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Introducing ...
M E T A L: Member Experience Toolkit and Library
By Jennifer Palus, Membership Lead Task Force
WHAT? Harmony, Inc. Member Lifecycle
The member lifecycle in Harmony, Inc. covers the stages a member experiences, from joining to eventual departure. These stages include:
1. Onboarding – Integrating into Chapter, Area, and Harmony, Incorporated organization.
2. Investment – Actively participating and contributing as a singer and a member.
3. Leadership – Taking on roles that shape the organization.
4. Detachment – Gradually disengaging; emotionally or physically disconnecting.
5. Departure – Leaving the organization, with the duration of membership varying for each member.
This lifecycle framework helps us understand the natural flow of members’ journeys with Harmony, Inc. — and how our needs, contributions, and challenges evolve over time.
SO WHAT? Why it is important for our organization
Understanding these stages helps you engage more meaningfully as a member and helps leaders create a stronger member experience at the Chapter, Area, and International levels. Those who take on leadership roles have direct influence on fellow members' experiences and retention. Did you know that effective onboarding creates a strong foundation for long-term engagement? Or that creating leadership opportunities helps foster connection and belonging for all members? These strategies are essential not only for individuals but for leaders at every level to cultivate a thriving, engaged membership community.
NOW WHAT? How you can take action
Whether you’re actively contributing as a member, a leader, or both, there are steps you can take today to improve your experience and the experience of those around you. Engage with your Chapter, look for leadership opportunities, and help others feel supported in their journey. For leaders, whether within your Chapter or at the Area level, this is your opportunity to guide and inspire your fellow members—helping them stay engaged, offering leadership pathways, and proactively addressing lapsing behaviors.
Ready to dive deeper into the member lifecycle and learn how to strengthen your connection to Harmony, Inc.? Read the full article now!
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| Strategic Planning is Sexy! |
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Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact and eager to gain valuable experience in strategic planning and organizational development? Join us as a Strategic Plan Facilitator and be at the forefront of shaping our organization's future!
In this dynamic volunteer role, you'll collaborate with Area Councils to brainstorm and develop strategic plans that align with Harmony, Inc.'s mission and goals. You'll attend training sessions, lead brainstorming meetings, and work closely with Area Directors to ensure our plans are comprehensive and effective.
This role offers a unique chance to enhance your skills and contribute to our success so reach out to Facilitator Program Coordinator Katie Rose at rosek@harmonyinc.org, to learn more about becoming part of a passionate committee driving positive change! |
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| Harmony Fest West: Come Join The Fun! |
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Pam Ringo
By Kim Meechan, Philanthropy Committee
This month’s highlight features a talented member from Area 6, who lives and breathes Harmony, Inc. Read on and learn why she has chosen to support our organization now, and in the future!
How did you discover Harmony?
I was a Sweet Adeline for years, never even knowing that Harmony, Inc. existed. While at a weekly rehearsal, Kris Wheaton turned around and asked me to visit the Bluegrass Harmony chapter, that was in need of a director. One visit and I was hooked! We chartered not too long after that and I left SAI and never looked back!
What stands out for you as your most memorable moment while you have been a member of Harmony, Inc.?
This is a hard question for me to answer! I guess I have to say starting a chorus with my wife, Angie, in Fort Myers, Florida, is my favorite memory. We came to a state where we literally only knew my parents and have started and cultivated a chorus that I now consider my tribe and my chosen family.
You have contributed to our organization in many ways, including volunteering at the chapter and corporate level. You are also a member of the newly established 1959 Society. Why is it important to you to support our organization consistently in such impactful ways?
Music has always been such an important part of who I am. To me, it is the language of life. Music has the ability to take people on a journey, to make them feel, to get them out of a funk, and even to ease a mind back to the current day for a moment. Our chorus, like many others, loves to do shows for communities. It brings a smile both to our faces and to the audience’s faces as well. Community shows are one of my favorite things to do. I want my legacy to be providing a place for women to share the language of life.
What do you hope to see as a result of your donations?
It is my dream that the donations received by Harmony, Inc. help make sure every woman has a place to come and sing with their friends, mothers, sisters, daughters, and grandmothers for many more years into the future!
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| Time to Submit ASCAP/BMI Reports |
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THE EXCITEMENT OF AREA CONTEST SEASON IS UPON US!
By Kathy Stone, Copyright and Licensing Coordinator
I trust all of our Chapters will have exciting experiences with our upcoming AC&C season. Break a lip!
First thing – you must submit the HAR-122 report to Corporate by APRIL 10, 2025 UNLESS your chapter is paying ASCAP/SESAC/BMI directly to those agencies, using your own accounts.
If your chapter had a performance or show that was attended by the public, regardless of whether or not you sold tickets, accepted donations in lieu of tickets, or performed for free, you can fulfill your requirement by submitting Form HAR-122. Harmony, Inc. will report to ASCAP/SESAC/BMI on your behalf under our licenses and invoice you for your share of the royalty fees which is generally less expensive than having your own accounts that generate minimum annual fees.
Please review this form and familiarize yourself with the information. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you submit the form within 10 days of the event. Also, please be aware that if your submission is late and our Finance Assistant has to resubmit, Harmony, Inc. will be charged a fee which we will, unfortunately, need to pass on to your chorus.
If you have questions about completing this form, please contact the Finance Assistant at financeoffice@harmonyinc.org.
Second thing – going into ACC season, please do not post your ACC videos publicly. These videos still need clearance. If you’d like assistance with that, please contact recording@harmonyinc.org.
Questions about this information? Contact the Copyright & Licensing Coordinator at recording@harmonyinc.org or the Finance Assistant at financeoffice@harmonyinc.org
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| Cobequid Fun-Tones Celebrate 40 Years! |
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Prospective Chapter Cobequid Fun-Tones attend first Area 1 AC&C as mic-testers in 1983.
Congratulations, Fun-Tones, on your 40th Anniversary!
By Shirley MacDiarmid and Timble MacDonald, Charter Members
(the only two original members still active)
"It was a dark and stormy night..." (with apologies to Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton!) when the Cobequid Fun-Tones accepted their Harmony, Inc. charter. Well, sort of. In a raging snow storm in May 1985, Area 1  Representative Penny Barbour slogged to Oxford, NS, to present the chapter with their official charter. Only, she forgot the actual document on her kitchen table at home in Dalhousie, NB. Nevertheless, the ceremony proceeded with a hearty handshake (and promise to mail the charter post haste) and the newly-minted Harmony chorus celebrated with their friends, The Border Belles, from Amherst, NS.
How it all began
Sixteen ladies attended an organizational meeting hosted by Joyce Crafts on October 14, 1981. After agreeing to become a ladies barbershop chorus, they settled on dues of 50 cents per week – soon increased to $1.00! Off to a quick start, their first official sing-out was just two months later, on December 10, 1981, at a party for senior citizens. They soon discovered Harmony, Inc. and attended the 1983 and 1984 Area 1 AC&Cs -- then known as Chorus and Quartette Competitions -- as chorus mic-testers.
Good works
Dedicated to serving their community, the chapter has donated to Ronald McDonald House and to Autism Awareness, as well as performing in many shows and in many churches to help raise funds for community projects. Fundraisers have included several variety shows, an annual yard sale, and selling onion rings from the back of a truck in minus 10-degree weather. (That's a story for another day.)
Fun and games
Almost every year for 40 years, the chorus has competed at AC&C (the pandemic years were the exception). In 2001, they were the hosts with the theme, “On Blueberry Hill” (Oxford is known as the blueberry capital of Canada), followed in 2013 with “That Old Barbershop Style”. Cobequid was the first chapter to host the Area 1 convention at Mt. Allison University in Sackville, NB, which has since become the favorite location for this yearly event.
The Fun-Tones' most recent venture was taking part in the Harmony, Inc. Category Training School at the Debert Hospitality Center in January 2025 where they were the practice chorus for the day.
After 40 years and many changes in membership, the chorus is preparing once again to compete at AC&C 2025.
ABOVE: Area 1 Rep Penny Barbour shakes hands with Chapter President Kay Deveaux as she announces the Cobequid Fun-Tones are a duly chartered chapter of Harmony, Inc.
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| Cobequid Fun-Tones served as the practice chorus at Harmony, Inc.'s Judges Category Training School in January 2025 in Debert, NS. |
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| Corporate Office Words of Wisdom |
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Associate/Affiliate Renewal Reminder
It's membership renewal time of year. If you are an Associate or Affiliate member you should have received an email from Corporate Office with your renewal invoice.
If you have not received this invoice, please check your spam folder to see if it landed there. If you still cannot find the invoice, please contact the Corporate Office at info@harmonyinc.org.
Renewals are due by April 1, 2025.
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Your donations to the For Love of Harmony program enable you to identify individuals or groups to receive special recognition, while at the same time providing a monetary gift to Harmony, Inc.
?
Kathy Greason in memory of Dianne Clark
Newfound Sound in memory of Marie Dymond
Newfound Sound in memory of Philip Joseph Walsh
Harmony Heritage in memory of Dianne Clark
Marianne Cook in memory of Dianne Clark
Katrina Marlowe
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- to the family of Marie Dymond. Marie was a valued former member of Newfound Sound (Area 1).
- to Harmony Heritage (Area 2) on the passing of long-time member and dear friend, Dianne Clark
- to Crystal Chords (Area 3) on the passing of charter and longtime member, Barb Winter
Need to post a condolence notice? Please have the information sent to the Administrative Coordinator to be recorded. Thank you. |
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| International Board of Directors Meetings |
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IBOD quarterly meetings are open to the membership.
Members are invited to submit items for consideration on the agenda (note deadline for Mid-Year agenda item submission has passed).
Agendas are posted in advance on the Members Only website. Please contact the Corporate Office for details on how to join the virtual meetings or where to attend the live meetings.
Upcoming 2025 meetings are scheduled:
- Mid-Year: April 19
- Q3: August 20
- Annual: November 2-5
Q1 2025 Meeting Minutes have been posted and can be found here.
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The Contest Information Forms for AC&C are now available.
HAR-061 Official Area Quartet Contest Information Form
HAR-063 Official Area Chorus Contest Information Form
Note there has been a change in the Song Registration Form deadline from 2 weeks prior to contest to 30 days prior to contest. Best to get it in early.
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| International Convention & Contests |
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2025 NOVEMBER 5-8, HERSHEY LODGE, HERSHEY, PA
2026 NOVEMBER 11-14, GALT HOUSE, LOUISVILLE, KY
2027 NOVEMBER 10-13, NIAGARA FALLS CONVENTION CENTER, NIAGARA FALLS, ON
2028 NOVEMBER 1-4, HERSHEY LODGE, HERSHEY, PA
2029 NOVEMBER 7-11, HALIFAX CONVENTION CENTER, HALIFAX, NS
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The next issue of the HI Note comes to your inbox April 5. What would you like to see covered in our pages? Drop a line to editor@harmonyinc.org and we'll tell the world. Next deadline is March 28.
See you again, soon!
Copyright © 2025 Harmony, Inc., All rights reserved.
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