At the Town Hall meeting on September 27, over 50 individuals participated in a discussion regarding the future of Minnesota Brass.  The leadership team shared the results of the recent stakeholder engagement process and made explicit the organization’s need for new volunteers.  2019 offers an opportunity for the organization to develop new leadership, new roles and new excitement for the future.

Specifically, the organization is seeing new administrative leadership, new potential board members and new volunteers.

ADMINISTATIVE POSITIONS

Minnesota Brass is hiring for three positions to for the 2018-19 artistic season.

This new team will ultimately be responsible for creating a shared vision for Minnesota Brass’s next chapter.  They have an opportunity to leverage our many strengths as an organization and chart the course for the future.  Previous experience with Minnesota Brass is not required.  For the organization to thrive in 2019 and beyond, we need an energetic, passionate group of leaders who are ready to build the future.

These roles are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the organization, primarily focused on the needs of the summer drum corps but supporting multiple ensembles as required.  Candidates must be flexible, detail-oriented, highly organized, able to prioritize, be self-motivated and able to work well with others.  These positions could be the ideal part-time position for a professional artist, entry-level arts administrator or home-based parent.  All positions will receive a modest stipend.

Executive Director:  Responsible for administration, fundraising, marketing and hiring key artistic staff

Operations Director:  Responsible for securing facilities, coordinating schedules and managing equipment

Membership Director:  Responsible for recruiting members, membership records, policy compliance and alumni relations

See this earlier post for more information.

BOARD POSITIONS

Minnesota Brass is seeking to grow the board of directors with a particular emphasis on age, gender and racial diversity to better reflect our community.  The board is responsible for the strategy and long-term vision of the organization.  Additionally, the board is responsible for the financial health of the organization and is ultimately responsible for resource development (fundraising) and supervising the administrative team.  The board will have many large issues on its plate in the future and will require strategic thinkers who are able to see the long-term view.

Potential board members can complete an online application via this link. 

VOLUNTEERS

Minnesota Brass is seeking to grow its cadre of active volunteers to support all our ensembles.  These assignments may include projects or one-time opportunities to help.

To share your talents with Minnesota Brass, click this link. 

At its August 2018 meeting, the board of directors of Minnesota Brass (MBI) voted to pursue an all-age drum and bugle corps to compete during the 2019 summer season.

After many months of refocusing and listening to stakeholders, the board determined there is sufficient interest to pursue a competitive drum corps in 2019. The organization is committed to returning a combination of performance excellence, a manageable schedule and reasonable dues to the upper Midwest. MBI will offer great design, excellent teaching, more alumni outreach, transparent communication and improved logistics to its 2019 membership.

The creative and educational program will be led by long-time Minnesota Brass program coordinator Joel Matuzak.  Additional details will be coming regarding staff, structure, the competitive arena and schedule.

The organization will host a Town Hall meeting on Sept. 26, 2018, for all those interested in the future of Minnesota Brass. At the meeting, results of a recent stakeholder-engagement project will be shared. In addition, there will be an opportunity for alumni and volunteers to learn about the critical need for their active participation in the organization for its successful return to the field. The Town Hall meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the offices of Olsen-Thielen & Co., 2675 Long Lake Road, Roseville, Minn., 55113.

Essential to the success of the 2019 summer program is for all people who are passionate about the organization to be a part of it. MBI has needs in the areas of management, recruiting, teaching, performing and fund-raising.

To that end, MBI is also immediately announcing the launch of a search process to fill the following leadership positions (with stipends): Executive Director, Operations Director and Membership Director. A search committee comprising board members, lead staff and alumni will make recommendations to the board regarding the filling of these positions. Applications are due October 5, 2018. Detailed job descriptions are now available online.

The current executive team of Gavin Burnham (President/CEO), Todd Tanji (Executive Director), Dave Whitaker (Chief Financial Officer) and Eric Molho (Board Chair) plan to transition responsibilities for the day-to-day management of the organization to the new administrative team as it is formed. All of these leaders are committed to the success of Minnesota Brass and will serve as mentors and resources to the new administrative team as it develops a new vision for Minnesota Brass.

The opportunity now exists to bring this amazing organization back to the field in 2019. But it will not be accomplished by a small group. Everyone who cares about MBI and its future can take part in a great 2019 season. THIS WON’T WORK WITHOUT YOU!