Diane Schroeder

As I write my last column as Chair of the Board of the SAA, I wish to look forward to what the SAA can become. Your SAA Board has the charge to be visionary and to see that the organization has the funds it needs to see that vision become a reality.

Fundraising is crucial to any non-profit, and an international organization such as ours needs to be creative in finding those individuals, corporations and foundations that are interested in talent education. It takes hard work and determined effort to fundraise, but more importantly, it takes team effort. The SAA Board…

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If you have not been able to attend a Leadership Retreat sponsored by the SAA, then you are in for a real treat. You will definitely be able to attend this year’s retreat with no travel expense, a small fee, and unlimited time for you to partake in the offerings.

The first ever Virtual Leadership Retreat is being held the entire month of April. See below how the SAA Board feels about the Retreat and perhaps they can entice you to be a part of this remarkable experience.

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The 2009 Annual Membership Meeting was broadcast live on the web on April 4th, 2009 from the SAA office in Boulder, Colorado. It features the new teacher development video “A Suzuki Teacher’s Pledge”, a tour of the SAA office, and lots of news and trivia.

Broadcast correspondents: Diane Schroeder, Teri Einfeldt, Christie Felsing, Lamar Blum, Ruth Engle Larner, Mark George, Marilyn Kesler, Carol Ourada, Beth Titterington, and Pam Brasch

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I think it is appropriate in the Chair Column to share some of the activities of the Board. The minutes, of course, are the record of the proceedings but cannot contain the depth of thought and energy present at an SAA Board meeting. I hope you read the minutes published in the Directory and realize that much discussion and consideration goes into motions and decisions.

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Dear Friends,

Some of the finest teaching in the Americas takes place in Suzuki schools and private studios, where the philosophy and methods of Dr. Suzuki are upheld. The Suzuki Association of the Americas was founded in 1972 to promote early music education through the Suzuki method of instruction and now has a growing membership representing over 15 countries.

Not only does the SAA promote music education for all children but it also educates its parent and teacher members.

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It has been a year since I began my two-year term as Chair of the SAA Board. The Board is to be a visionary Board, but it is also of great benefit to look at the work of the Board in the past year and see how it has affected the SAA membership and our place in the world.

At each meeting we are apprised as to how the SAA is doing financially through monitoring reports prepared by our Executive Director. We noted that one of the distinctions of our organization is that we train teachers and educate parents. A large amount of our budget goes to maintaining and expanding what we do in education. The three-fold purpose of the SAA is to:

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You appreciate your teacher…. What can you do for him/her that will make a difference? Come learn and share in this session meant for parents who want to support their program and their child’s teacher. Diane Schroeder, Board Chair and former parent of the University of Evansville Suzuki Violin Program (IN), with Brad and Nancy Langguth, parents from the Preucil School of Music (IA).

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There are stories out there. Teachers know them. I have a Suzuki teacher friend who received a call from a woman, now 32, who took Suzuki violin lessons while in foster care as a five year old. She was only able to take for a year and a half while in that foster home, but remembers her lessons, particularly the group lessons, and performing at the Mall. Those are among her precious childhood memories. This teacher and I marveled that she remembered so much and then were just amazed that a foster parent would enroll a child in a Suzuki program even if for a short time. Obviously that foster parent thought it would make a difference and it did. The young woman is now a mother and is seeking the same opportunity for her two small children.

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It was my pleasure to be able to attend the SAGWA (Suzuki Association of the Greater Washington Area) Festival in October. It was one of many festivals or workshop weekends that take place in the Americas throughout the year. Festivals, institutes and workshops help build community in our Suzuki family.

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Preserving Suzuki’s Legacy of Love and Hope

I am writing this as I return from my first meeting as chair of the SAA Board. The new experience as chair reminded me of my first meeting as a board member when the “light came on” about board service and governance.

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Dedicated, Creative and Responsible: these are only three of many words that describe the Suzuki community of teachers, SAA staff members and SAA Board who attended the recent Leadership Retreat at the Nottawasaga Conference Center near Toronto, Canada.

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Why is an Annual Fund so important for the Suzuki Association of the Americas? Many of us realize that the SAA could not exist if it weren’t for regular Annual Fund gifts from members. However, there are still questions each year about its importance. The question is frequently asked, “Where does the money go?” This is a question that deserves an answer and is answered each year in the Journal and Annual Report.

The SAA Board has committed itself to take the lead in fundraising, particularly through the Annual Fund Campaign. One of the Board’s goals is to expand the base…

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