The last 17 days have as the ED at the Philadelphia Folksong Society have reignited that drive in me that has been lacking for quite some time. That push toward a mission that is larger than myself, larger than the (ever-crumbling) dollar. I love the mission here, the dedication to the "the encouragement, dissemination, enjoyment of folk music..." Music has crept into almost every powerful moment of my life. It's a context I can never seem to escape.
But the truth is that a mission statement only comes to life after the agents of the organization create a tangible plan for its execution. I don't that we've completely seen that here at PFS, but I can say that even this week, I have been utterly taken by how many invested individuals are hanging around, doing their best to bring make this thing breathe. Let's take the evenings for example:
Monday night: A Festival management meeting. New ideas, even in a 47-year old project. Old ideas, brought back to life and recontectualized. Humor. Memories. Complaints. Recalculations. A virtual mouth and hand gesture tour (which I need!) of the Old Pool Farm, noting any layout changes for 2008. Buses. Wild Bill. Hindsight. Foresight. Concern.
Wednesday night: A Board meeting. Reports, formalities, comparisons, budgets. At one point I thought we were going to have to hoola hoop at the August meeting to satisfy the bylaws. Kind words, frustrations. Comraderie. Concerned members, dedicated Directors.
And while this (Thursday) evening and weekend haven't come, I fully expect similar experiences as the chairpersons meet, and as my staff represents PFS at the Xponential Music Fest.
To me, it's been like being at a family holiday meal or reunion. People talking over each other. Old gruges, new dreams. Old dreams, new gruges. A familiarity with each other and the psychological analysis of one another. And just as being at the family table, I want in.
What has been great about this family is...they have let me in. And together we hope to join the greater cultural community and include music and arts lovers all across this area. And all the while, the music. Always the music.
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Welcome to our world! You've taken the first steps to understanding the organization. It means different things to each volunteer but, at the bottom, it's the music. For me, it's the opportunity to give back to an organization that has give me so much over the past 30 odd (some very odd) years, and to assure that its there for my kids if theey want it.
Thank you, Levi. I'm looking forward to 50 more years of PFS
Charlie Miller
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