Service Project

Begins with two truths about our hobby…. 1)That a man joins the Society for his own singing enjoyment and fraternal belonging. 2) That the Chapter, District and Society exist to support truth # 1

S I N G atisfy the member’s need for singing fun! nspire the member to new heights! urture the member’s need for personal growth! row in membership!

The meaning of life is to find your gift; the purpose of life is to give it away!

Vision: “To be an ever growing fraternal singing organization that is ageless, colorless and dedicated to the average singer having fun creating and preserving extraordinary music in the barbershop style. A Brotherhood known in their community for making a difference singing.

1.“Promote fellowship and friendship among men of good character” 2.“Perpetuate, celebrate and preserve harmony in the barbershop style” 3. “Provides the opportunity to experience the joy of 4-part Barbershop singing ”. 4. “Sustains music in the lives of people in our community” 5. “Service to others through our Music” Mission: Making A Difference Singing Barbershop Music

Tagline: “Average singers; Making A Difference Singing Barbershop”

This program can revitalize your Chapter, energize your members, recruit new singers, improve retention and create awareness of a Barbershop Chapter in a community, all while supporting a noble cause.

11 Hunger Statistics on Food Insecurity In 2012, 49 million Americans lived in food insecure households or 33 million adults and 16 million children In 2012, 14.7 percent of households (17.4 million households) were food insecure. In 2012, households with children reported food insecurity at almost double the rate for those without children, 21.3 percent compared to 11.4 percent.

12 Nearly 12 million children are estimated to be served by Feeding America, over 3 million of which are ages 5 and under. According to the USDA, over 16 million children lived in food insecure (low food security & very low food security) households in % of rural households are food insecure, an estimated 2.8 million households Hunger Statistics on Food Insecurity

Most food insecure counties are more likely to be located in rural areas than in metropolitan areas. (“most food insecure counties” is defined as the 318 counties that fall within the top 10 percent of the 3,137 counties in the U.S.) According to the USDA, over 16 million children lived in food insecure (low food security & very low food security) households in percent of households with seniors (2.2 million households) were food insecure Hunger Statistics on Food Insecurity

Rural householdsRural households in the United States suffer from food insecurity—the statistical measurement of hunger or near-hunger—at greater rates that the rest of the nation. A number of factors, including unemployment, transportation barriers, and access to grocers, contribute to hunger in rural America. It is a sad reminder that hunger persists in our nation when so many people go hungry in the very communities where food is produced. Hunger Statistics on Food Insecurity

15 718,030 people are Food Insecure within our beloved Seneca Land District. That’s about one in six based upon our population. And what’s worse than that is no one knows. Which Really leads to our biggest purpose… “To Raise the Siren’s Song” 718,030 People in SLD 718,030 People in SLD

We Sing to Feed Them All, the Family in Need. We sing to answer every prayer, a mother cannot heed. We sing to touch the noble heart and raise the siren’s call. We sing to feed each hungry child, “We Sing to Feed Them All”

20 Your can revitalize your Chapter by simply following these 10 steps in a twelve week period.

The best way to recruit men to a cause is to involve them in something substantial Involve Me Show Me Tell Me Low High Where most organizations Live

Seneca Land District has invested in buttons which will allow your members to become Ambassadors and Tell people about how they can get Involved. Have your members wear the buttons every where, all the time. The buttons allow for Joe public to ask “What’s that about?” Which opens the door for sharing and asking. Every conversation between a barbershopper and anyone (man or woman) is an opportunity to create awareness and potentially obtain a referral or potential member.

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1.Raise your voice with ours as “We Sing to Feed Them All”, local singers performing to raise funds and awareness against hunger in our community. Call (XXX)XXX-XXXX for more information. 2.Looking for men who like to sing and care about hunger in our community. Local Barbershop Chorus coordinating an A cappella concert in support of (insert local charity). Call (XXX)XXX-XXXX for more information. 3.Did you know that 1 in 6 Americans experienced hunger last year? Local Barbershop Chorus asks you to Raise your voice in song with ours as “We Sing to Feed Them All” an A cappella benefit show to support (insert local charity) We need your voice, call (xxx)xxx-xxxx for more information.

They Sing To Feed Them All, in 4 Part Harmony There’s a magic to the sound of male voices ringing a chord in 4 part harmony, Barbershop Harmony! A cappella music is experiencing a revival in this country and Barbershop is beginning to experience the same here in our community! Our local Barbershop Harmony Society Chapter/Club, the (Insert name) is composed of men of average singing ability and various ages who enjoy singing and fraternizing with men of good character. The joining of ordinary voices to make extraordinary music! Add to the singing a purpose, Hunger! One out of six adults one out of four children in America were food insecure last year and with the current economy the need is increasing. The (insert Chorus name) is determined to bring this need to the public’s attention and try to raise funds to help combat hunger here in our community. Barbershoppers in general have taken up the cause and even have a theme song for this noble service project. Here’s the song’s lyrics: “We sing to feed them all, the family in need. We sing to answer every prayer a mother cannot heed. We sing to touch the noble heart, and raise the siren’s call. We sing to feed each hungry child, We sing to feed them all.” The (insert your chorus name) will be hosting an A cappella show to benefit (insert charity) with 100% of tickets sales going to this Charity. The date of the show is (insert date and time) at the (Insert location). Our Emcee for the evening is (insert name) Guest performers are (insert names) It’s not too late for men who like to sing to check out a (insert your chorus name) rehearsal. They meet Monday Nights, 6 – 9 pm at (insert location) The (insert chorus name) are looking for men who like to sing and are willing to Raise their Voices in harmony as “We Sing to Feed Them All”. For ticket information or information on how you can help please call (insert number (XXX)XXX-XXXX

Finding a Local Charity to support – There are a number of organizations that work to stop hunger in every community, Food Banks, Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens, the Salvation Army, many area churches, you needn’t look real hard to find one as the need really is great. Simply make contact with the organization, state your purpose which is to raise awareness in the community and some financial support through holding a benefit show. Let them know that all you require of the charity is their authorization to use their name in press releases and on posters. And that maybe a representative from their group attend the show for a presentation. (Be prepared to be amazed and horrified all at once as you discover how great the need really is in your own community.)

Finding a venue to hold the show – Once you have partnered with a charity you can begin a performance site search. Start with the local High School and make sure that you discuss who the show is to benefit and also ask if the school’s Chorus or choir would contribute to performing on the show as well. (It is amazing how many venues suddenly become free of charge or very inexpensive due to the charity) Finding additional performers for the show – You really don’t have to look far for additional performers. Ask the local school music teachers, church choirs and possible singing groups. The goal is to get groups to Raise Their Voices in Song to help fight hunger.

Ticket Prices for the show – Don’t be afraid to charge $10 per person for the show and entertain the idea for people to also donate food at the door. Some Chapters have given a free concert and simply passed the hat during intermission. Whatever you feel works in your community. Keep in mind the greatest service this program does is raise awareness of this huge problem afflicting our citizens in your community. The money we raise is nice but the awareness is the real reward.

The opportunity for even more Public Awareness occurs after the show. 1.An article to the Editor of your local paper thanking and informing the public as to attendance, funds raised etc. 2. Thanking other performers will lead to a positive relationship with other music groups in your community. 3. Follow-up with the men that joined your chorus as performers. They’ve already proved they can sing and that they care. You have to have something in place to keep them involved and wanting to join. 4. Get everyone together and discuss what worked well, what you would change or improve. 5. Start planning your next show in the community. This program can be executed two to three times a year and will give your chapter positive notoriety in the community.