It is old news now but it is still memorable. As of June 19, 2018 the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) has opened up full membership to ladies in order to “open up the world of possibilities ahead of the Society” (Livewire Aug 3, 2018, Everyone in Harmony FAQ, Legal). Oh yes, and despite opening up membership to women, the BHS will “also [be] preserving the Society’s rich legacy and support of single-gender singing.” (Livewire Aug 3, 2018, Everyone in Harmony FAQ, Legal)
We are living in confusing times. Here we are, several months later, still asking “what does this actually mean for members of the Ontario District (ONT)? What does this mean for our new female BHS members right now?” The facts are few. Here is what we know today:
- The BHS has long had a membership category called associate. It was originally established to allow people to be a part of the BHS family without having to be a member of a district or chapter. Some years ago, it became a way for women to direct choruses in competition. Associates can also serve on Chapter Boards. Prior to June 19, being an associate was evolving to allow women to participate in all chapter activities EXCEPT perform with that chapter in a BHS competition.
- The new female full members of the BHS get a subscription to the Harmonizer and Livewire, member discounts at the Shop and BHS event registrations, and liability insurance coverage. They are not yet able to be members of a chapter or a District. They are not yet eligible to compete in BHS competitions. However, some Districts such as ONT, have allowed members of the Mixed Barbershop Harmony Society (MBHA) to participate in BHS District Conventions and Competitions. New by-laws and rules are being created to accommodate the changes.
- Chapters will have the full choice as to how they want to plan their futures. This includes staying the same, becoming mixed, starting additional mixed or all-female groups, etc. Clearly this will require discussion and review of the chapter goals, missions, etc for each Chapter Board in consultation with their members.
- The District is determined to help everyone to navigate all these choices. We will collect and distribute information as we get it. In addition, we will be providing advice on our Ontario and Canadian not-for-profit taxation rules and business incorporation rules as needed.
- The Society is committed to maintaining the 80+ year old tradition of male quartets and choruses singing and competing in the barbershop style. There is a lot of work going on at the Society level developing new bylaws, procedures, guidelines, etc.. In addition the BHS is organizing teams to call every chapter and have a chat.
Nothing else is known about how the new system might work. However, on the BHS website there are a number of pages of FAQs that offer some guidance about the thinking of the society. These FAQs are updated often. New policies and bylaws will have to be written, discussed, and approved at the Chapter and District levels. Since the District and all ONT Chapters are Incorporated either Provincially or Federally, some of our governance rules may diverge a bit from those of our U.S. Chapters. Thus the District and ONT Chapters may need to review and consider their Letters Patent before making any changes to their policies.
This will all take time. That is why Jan 2019 was stated as the earliest possible date that our new female BHS members might be able to join chapters.
DISTRICT VIEW
The June 19, 2018 announcement was a culture-changing event. There is a huge societal benefit in having a safe, all-male, mentoring group like a barbershop chapter. There is also a great societal advantage in having barbershop groups that can let both men and women participate together. There may be chapters whose very survival depends on having female members. These are but a few of the many opportunities facing Chapters. The District will do its best to mentor chapters and individuals through the very complex and potentially emotional discussions that will be (are?) taking place over the next few months.
In the near absence of BHS guidelines, policy drafts, bylaws drafts, etc. we are in a holding pattern. Let’s collect information and ideas. Let’s begin the discussions and the planning of our futures.
Ken Fisher, President