Dear SAA Board of Directors and CEO/Executive Director Pam Brasch,

This is a continued open, public request for transparency and accountability on behalf of all members. 

1)   Regarding Ms. Pam Brasch’s explanation of the Travel Budget above: (dated July 24, 2020): SAA Board Travel and Related Expenses: $27,726.48 (12%) Please provide further DETAILED explanation of these expenses. Which board membered traveled to where? For what purposes? 

•     Travel and meeting expenses for other committees: $16,173.78 (7%) Please offer further DETAILED explanation of these expenses.

Who traveled where? For what purposes?  These total unclarified travel expenses are in the amount of $43,900.26. These are significant amounts of the annual SAA Budget for that year. 

• Finalized FY 20 and proposed FY21 budgets have still not been released to the membership. When will these budgets be shared with the membership?

Show membership it is worth renewing our memberships and continuing to support this organization. Build trust with the constituents of this organization. Demonstrate commitment to membership, and in particular to Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion by answering these questions and releasing the budgets. Sincerely,

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth M. Guerriero, Ph.D.

Hello Fellow Teachers,
Does anyone know the source of the Minuet in C in Book 1 of the Cello repertoire? I think it might be from the Anna Magdalena notebook, but not sure.
Thank you!
Flora

Hello! What is the update on this? It is important for members to know how the issues between the SAA and the ACR have been resolved.

Dr Elizabeth M Guerriero

Dear SAA Board of Directors and CEO/Executive Director Pam Brasch,

This is a continued open, public request for transparency and accountability on behalf of all members.

1)   Regarding Ms. Pam Brasch’s explanation of the Travel Budget above: (dated July 24, 2020): SAA Board Travel and Related Expenses: $27,726.48 (12%) Please provide further DETAILED explanation of these expenses. Which board membered traveled to where? For what purposes? 

•     Travel and meeting expenses for other committees: $16,173.78 (7%) Please offer further DETAILED explanation of these expenses.

Who traveled where? For what purposes?  These total unclarified travel expenses are in the amount of $43,900.26. These are significant amounts of the annual SAA Budget for that year. 

• Finalized FY 20 and proposed FY21 budgets have still not been released to the membership. When will these budgets be shared with the membership?

Show membership it is worth renewing our memberships and continuing to support this organization. Build trust with the constituents of this organization. Demonstrate commitment to membership, and in particular to Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion by answering these questions and releasing the budgets. Sincerely,

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth M. Guerriero, Ph.D.

Dear Suzuki Association of the Americas and Pam Brasch, CEO/Executive Director,

Please explain the unclarified $43,900.26 TRAVEL expenses. Membership deserves to know who traveled where and why.

How much was given out in teacher training scholarships and development that year? The FY19 Audited financials show $32,529 in scholarships and grants. Sincerely,

Dr Elizabeth M Guerriero

Dear Suzuki Association Board of Directors and Pam Brasch, CEO/Executive Director,

Thank you so much for this great and enlightening information in the Board News today.

1. No one has questioned the incorporationof the SAA under the state of Delaware. What has been questioned is registering under the state of Colorado, then not following the guidelines for best practices. For further clarification, I have attached a Colorado screenshot. Should the SAA consider following best practices of a state’s Charities Guidelines if they’re registered in that state?

Screen Shot 2020 12 11 at 2

Image by Elizabeth Guerriero

2)   Regardless of whether an organization is meeting the minimum standards for federal or state reporting, or even sharing “functional allocation”, clear explanations of the items Ms. Pam Brasch’s explanation of the Travel Budget, are expected by members questioning renewal: For example, this item, referred to, dated July 24, 2020 in another forum discussion: SAA Board Travel and Related Expenses: $27,726.48 (12%) Please provide further DETAILED explanation of these expenses. Which board members traveled to where? For what purposes? 

3. This item: Travel and meeting expenses for other committees (from the same Forum page): $16,173.78 (7%) Please offer further DETAILED explanation of these expenses. Who traveled where? For what purposes?  These total unclarified travel expenses are in the amount of $43,900.26. This is a lot of money. Where exactly did the money go?

I look forward to the strategic plan and reading the detailed comprehensive plan the Suzuki Association of the Americas will share with the membership over the coming months, and how it will move the organization towards a more progressive SAA. We are all invested in the future of the Suzuki Association and furthering Dr. Suzuki’s mission, philosophy and exceptional pedagogy. As I was speaking with a BIPOC Suzuki colleague yesterday, I asked this person if they were seeing social justice and changes, and sadly, the response was, “I’m not seeing it yet.” Please demonstrate the change, through action and dollars.

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth M. Guerriero, Ph.D.

Dear SAA Board of Directors and CEO/Executive Director Pam Brasch,

Happy Holidays! I can’t believe as I’m writing this reasonable request, it’s our six month anniversary of asking for the FY20 and FY21 budgets and strategic plans for membership. Here are some additional, reasonable and meaningful follow-ups.

1)   Regarding Ms. Pam Brasch’s explanation of the Travel Budget above: (dated July 24, 2020): SAA Board Travel and Related Expenses: $27,726.48 (12%) Please provide further DETAILED explanation of these expenses. Which board members traveled to where? For what purposes? 

2. Travel and meeting expenses for other committees: $16,173.78 (7%) Please offer further DETAILED explanation of these expenses. Who traveled where? For what purposes?  These total unclarified travel expenses are in the amount of $43,900.26. These are significant amounts of the annual SAA Budget for that year. 

Please answer these questions in a timely manner and provide the strategic organizational plans, FY20 (reconciled) and FY21 budgets for membership. It’s all I want for Christmas.

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth M. Guerriero, Ph.D.

Dear SAA Board of Directors and CEO/Executive Director Pam Brasch,

Circling back:

1)   Regarding Ms. Pam Brasch’s explanation of the Travel Budget above: (dated July 24, 2020): SAA Board Travel and Related Expenses: $27,726.48 (12%) Please provide further DETAILED explanation of these expenses. Which board membered traveled to where? For what purposes? 

•     Travel and meeting expenses for other committees: $16,173.78 (7%) Please offer further DETAILED explanation of these expenses.

Who traveled where? For what purposes?  These total unclarified travel expenses are in the amount of $43,900.26. These are significant amounts of the annual SAA Budget for that year. 

• Finalized FY 20 and proposed FY21 budgets have still not been released to the membership. When will these budgets be shared with the membership?

Show membership it is worth renewing our memberships and continuing to support. Build trust with the constituents of this organization. Demonstrate commitment, to transparency and accountability with by answering these questions and releasing the budgets. Turn over a new leaf for 2021. Sincerely,

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth M. Guerriero, Ph.D.

Dear SAA Board of Directors and CEO/Executive Director Pam Brasch,

Having re-read through the last several months of unanswered questions regarding budgets for the Suzuki Association of the Americas, the following questions still remain.

1)   Regarding Ms. Pam Brasch’s explanation of the Travel Budget above: (dated Jul 24, 2020) :SAA Board Travel and Related Expenses: $27,726.48 (12%) Please provide further DETAILED explanation of these expenses. Which board membered traveled to where? For what purposes?

•     Travel and meeting expenses for other committees: $16,173.78 (7%) Please offer further DETAILED explanation of these expenses.

Who traveled where? For what purposes? These total unclarified travel expenses are in the amount of $43,900.26. These are significant amounts of the annual SAA Budget for that year.

2. Finalized FY 20 and proposed FY21 budgets have still not been released to the membership. As Ms. Nerenberg explains so well above for the SAO, and as a member of the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association I have also seen first hand how our local affiliate also has transparent budgets and open board meetings, why doesn’t the SAA?

Show membership it is worth renewing our memberships and continuing to support. Build trust with the constituents of this organization. Demonstrate commitment, to transparency and accountability with by answering these questions and releasing the budgets. Sincerely,

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth M. Guerriero, Ph.D.

Mengwei, yes that seems very possible…but it seems very strange to me that in all these years nobody has ever actually identified the piece!

On the Amazon and iTunes download pages (https://www.alfred.com/suzuki-method/suzuki-audio-downloads/), it’s listed as “Arietta (arr. for piano)”. An arietta is a “little aria” so it’s conceivable that it could something out of a larger work, that would be called something else? No proof, I’m just guessing too!

I don’t believe the Arietta was composed by Mozart. I cannot find any piece by that title it in my recordings of the complete works by Mozart. Searching for it online only seems to return things related to the Suzuki book. So—in my opinion it’s a nice piece, but it ain’t Mozart. Maybe it’s an arrangement of something from one of his lesser known operas, but I doubt it.

I’d be delighted to be proved wrong!

Some context: I have been an SAA member since 1997. I currently serve on the board of the Suzuki Association of Ontario (SAO), one of the SAA’s chapter affiliates.

This afternoon, the SAO held its Annual General Meeting, over zoom. As for every AGM since I joined in 2009, we were given a comprehensive packet containing, among numerous documents, budget numbers for previous and current fiscal years. Our treasurer gave her report orally to the membership, and answered any questions posed by SAO members present.

While I confess, I have, in times past, found this portion of the AGM boring, I have grown to appreciate it immensely. Our treasurer and her work are completely transparent AND she has gone further by explaining line items and addressing all questions.

That is transparency in action.

Quite frankly, the most important reason to share budgetary information with the membership is not only because it is dictated by Colorado laws, where the SAA offices are located, but because money spent represents priorities.

We Suzuki teachers understand priorities. If practice is not prioritized, it will not happen regularly. If a family does not prioritize listening, progress is threatened.

As a Suzuki parent, I prioritize my family’s expenses to support my child’s violin and piano education. I spend on piano tuning, a decent violin, all materials my daughter’s teacher requests. If you were to look at my expenditures, you’d easily conclude that music is a huge priority.

This tangent is to show you why knowing the precise SAA budget information is so valuable: It shows the SAA’s priorities. And we, as paying members to our beloved organization, have a right to know these numbers, to see for ourselves, without obfuscation and excuses, exactly where the SAA’a priorities lie. We request only the same transparency your own chapter affiliates (at least the SAO) provide.

There is no hate coming from Dr. Guerriero, me or others who have requested access to this data. Rather, we are frustrated that our efforts seem to go unheeded and often ignored for months.

Over and over, my colleague, Dr. Beth Guerriero has made the reasonable request for the sharing of FY20 and FY21 to be released to the SAA membership.

When can we expect her most reasonable request to be honoured.

Many thanks,
Laura Nerenberg
SAO board member since 2012

Dear Suzuki Association Board of Directors, and Pam Brasch, CEO/Executive Director,

This is a repeated request for open transparency and accountability of the FY20 and FY21 budgets for the Suzuki Association of the Americas. There are also unresolved questions regarding the FY19 travel budget.

A recent letter from the International Suzuki Association states that the Policy 1.4.C “could refer to the publication of minutes or reports of board meetings for the general membership, which all Regional Associations are required to do.”

Please direct membership to where the financial reports for FY20 and FY 21 are available to view (either on the SAA Website or via the minutes or formal reports). If they are not available, please make them available for membership.

It is important that these budgets are detailed for membership, particularly regarding development and fundraising, grant writing and overall nonprofit health. Why do these questions continue to go unanswered?

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

Dear Suzuki Association Board of Directors, and Pam Brasch, CEO/Executive Director,

As a university professor, arts educator/administrator and lifetime member of the SAA, I stand with the Suzuki teacher trainers requesting DEIA, and reiterate that:

• Per the International Suzuki Association Board policy 1.4.C all SAA Board meetings are required to be open. Membership must be notified of this. When will membership receive this information?

• Repeated calls for budget requests and strategic plans by many members for FY20 and FY21 continue to be ignored. When will membership receive this information? It is crucial that nonprofit arts and educational organizations are transparent with their budgets to demonstrate their unyielding commitment to diversity at this critical time. 

Further, I have questions regarding the process of Chair-elect. Were the new board members given the right to vote in this process? Given the importance of these new appointments, why couldn’t this decision wait a few weeks for these essential appointments?

Please explain in further detail the timing of this and decision making process. Clearly, were the SAA following ISA Board policy 1.4.C (open board meetings), supporting transparency and accountability to the membership, this would not be called into question. Kindly show membership commitment to transparency and accountability. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

As a university professor, arts educator/administrator and lifetime member of the SAA, I stand with the Suzuki teacher trainers requesting DEIA, and reiterate that:

• Per the International Suzuki Association Board policy 1.4.C all SAA Board meetings are required to be open. Membership must be notified of this. When will membership receive this information?

• Repeated calls for budget requests and strategic plans by many members for FY20 and FY21 continue to be ignored. When will membership receive this information? It is crucial that nonprofit arts and educational organizations are transparent with their budgets to demonstrate their unyielding commitment to diversity at this critical time. 

Kindly show membership commitment to transparency and accountability. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

It has been two months, and I am wondering what the outcome of this letter was and how it was resolved. It would be appropriate for the SAA to make a public statement to the 300 members who wrote on behalf of the ACR to advise us as to how it has been resolved. I see on another forum link that one of the members has since resigned. Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

Dear Suzuki Association Board of Directors and Pam Brasch CEO/Executive Director, 

This is a continued request for the FY 20 BUDGET and FY21 organizational BUDGET and strategic planning documents due to membership.

Where is the BUDGET for 2021, SAA? Why does the board refuse to release it openly to membership? Why do the questions regarding 2018-2019 continue to be ignored?

It is imperative per ISA policy 1.4.C that SAA Board meetings be open to SAA members for transparency and accountability. Please rectify this urgent issue. Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

Happy Birthday Dr. Suzuki!

This is a reminder that per the Donors Bill of Rights (https://afpglobal.org/donor-bill-rights) anyone making a donation has a right to the organization’s most recent financial statement. Where is that statement?

It is unconscionable and unethical that for nearly 4 1/2 months members have been asking for the FY 20 BUDGET and FY21 organizational BUDGET and strategic plans. Where is the BUDGET for 2021, SAA?Why does the board refuse to release it openly to membership? 

Why do the questions regarding 2018-2019 continue to be ignored?  Please release the budgets and advise on the open board meetings as required by the International Suzuki Association. Demonstrate increased commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access not just with the new board appointments but with the transparency and accountability of a significant budget appropriated to this work. Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

I think Dr.Suzuki’s premise that we are sons and daughters of our environments is so beautifully illustrated here, isn’t it? In my case, I use the old edition with the D chord, concentrating on bowing technique for accomplishing complete ringing chords (and other grace notes) amidst single notes passages in what seems a ‘resting’ piece, after the quite involved Book 4. The 6th cello suite, intended for a 5 string cello, is much easier for violinists than it is for modern day 4 string cello players coping without a 5th string! Lucky us! Students enjoy it so much.

Dear Suzuki Association Board of Directors and Pam Brasch CEO/Executive Director, 

It is unconscionable and unethical that for nearly 4 1/2 months members have been asking for the FY 20 BUDGET and FY21 organizational BUDGET and strategic plans. Where is the BUDGET for 2021, SAA?Why does the board refuse to release it openly to membership? 

Why do the questions regarding 2018-2019 continue to be ignored?  Please release the budgets and advise on the open board meetings as required by the International Suzuki Association. Demonstrate increased commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access not just with the new board appointments but with the transparency and accountability of a significant budget appropriated to this work. Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

I would also like to add my name in support of this letter.

Good afternoon—I support Dr. Guerrerio’s diligent calls for the release of the 2020 and 2021 Budget. Financial clarity and transparency with the budget is clearly a minimum expectation of a non-profit organization. I am aghast at the way these requests from Dr. Guerrerio have been somehow taken “personally” and have been answered with defensive or accusatory responses. Asking for the budget and having it take over four months to see said budget (which should be public) is not acting as a “petulant child” as someone so unkindly remarked above. It’s being a responsible member of a group. This is deeply perplexing.

Thank you,
Chloe Groth

It is clear in reading this thread that Dr. Guerriero’s reasonable requests are being viewed as inappropriate, “negative,” and out of line. How untrue that conclusion is.

I am one of many young-ish Suzuki teachers who have been in the method since childhood, who have spent all of their professional lives devoted to the work of Suzuki. We are the future of this organization and we now are really asking ourselves — after giving so much of ourselves to you, where is your accountability?

Thank you, Dr. Guerriero, for asking the difficult questions. I would like to second your requests into the finances of the organization.

I highly recommend investing in the app “Amazing Slow Downer.”—@ Leslie Katz:

Absolutely. The learning curve for Amazing Slow Downer is quite steep and it may not be the prettiest piece of software around, but when you are working with very careful attention to details, the ability to hone-in on short segments, slow them done, save them, etc. is priceless.

Dear Suzuki Association Board of Directors and Pam Brasch CEO/Executive Director, 

This is a continued request for the FY 20 BUDGET and FY21 organizational BUDGET and strategic plans. Where is the BUDGET for 2021, SAA? Why does the board refuse to release it openly to membership? 

Why do the questions regarding 2018-2019 budgets continue to be ignored? These are all reasonable asks to know where our membership dollars are going, in particularly for DEIA training. Please share the numbers. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

I have modified this to use words that match the sound of the string name for a student who struggles with phonics. “Ants” does not connect to A in her ear.
So we do:
Eeek Eeek Eeek I’m a little
Ape Ape Ape digging in the
Dirt Dirt Dirt singing loudly
Gee Gee Whiz!

A public response from the Board has been posted in a new thread. https://suzukiassociation.org/discuss/54616/

Thank you Marla, Andrea, Carolina for your work, your patience, and your guidance now, and everyone who is earnestly responding here. I especially appreciate hearing from the Institute Directors who have taken the time to reply.

I work on the front lines in support of BIPOC students in Northern NJ. I am grateful for the privilege of doing this work especially now. It is teaching me to respond more appropriately and to constantly ask, How can I be a better ally? It is not about me or about bringing in any preconceived ideas of what I think is correct, not even what I think needs to be done to be anti-racist. It is about listening.

I have served on a couple governing boards of churches and I have seen this pattern play out: a mission-driven organization over time becomes less about reaching out and more about preserving itself.

It is hard to admit, but in doing this work I have discovered some weaknesses in our beloved Suzuki method, both in its content and in its organizational structure. That does not mean we need to burn the house down and start over, but I do believe that every rock needs to be turned over now, and that we all stand to benefit from that process. I wonder if there is fear of having to re-examine things. Fear is usually the explanation if there is protectionist or non-transparent behavior.

I sincerely hope that the SAA can more solidly and robustly support BIPOC students, teachers, and front-line workers. We need more listening, feedback-seeking, training, mentoring in community work, and willingness to evolve the method around what is heard from this process. This is not going to be easy, but I do believe that it is our future path.

As a BIPOC Teacher Trainer and Suzuki violin teacher of 45 years, I add my name to this letter in support of all who are seeking a more diverse and inclusive representation in the SAA.

Dear Suzuki Association Board of Directors and Pam Brasch CEO/Executive Director, 

It is unconscionable and unethical that for nearly 4 months members have been asking for the FY 20 BUDGET and FY21 organizational BUDGET and strategic plans. Where is the BUDGET for 2021, SAA? Why does the board refuse to release it openly to membership? 

Why do the questions regarding 2018-2019 budgets continue to be ignored? These are all reasonable asks to know where our membership dollars are going, in particularly for DEIA training. Please share the numbers.

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

I add my name in support of this letter.

Thank you Tamara for writing this eloquent and excellent letter, to which I am adding my name via this thread. The SAA board application and surrounding circumstances are appalling.

I am so grateful for your leadership and professionalism, as well as the time and energy this letter to the SAA would have taken you. Thank you Tamara.

Lenni Jabour
Chair,
Suzuki Association of Ontario
(Canada’s SAA Chapter Affiliate)

Thank you so much Tamara! I fully support this letter too and would like to sign.
Esme Allen-Creighton

Thank you, Tamara Gonzalez, for writing an eloquent, meaningful and appropriate response to the board. The membership and candidates who initially applied still deserves a professional response, but in the meantime, I suggest interested parties observe the respectful and graceful process of the American String Teachers Association which was sent to membership today:

https://astastrings.org/Web/Membership/Get_Involved.aspx

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XG2BKM7

Note: During the ASTA nomination materials, no mention of criminal history, drug abuse, job termination, or ridiculousness of “speaking with one voice.” The SAA Board need simply to ask itself: What is our impact in claiming diversity, while forcing diverse candidates through this process? The answer is crystal tuna-tone clear.

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

I also fully support this letter and would also like to add my name to the signature list!
Karen Bailey

I fully support this letter and would like to add my name to the signature list.
Thank you, Tamara, for stating these concerns so clearly.
- Nancy

To the current Suzuki Association of the Americas Board of Directors Nominating Committee,  

The following letter is in response to the application form that was created for the purpose of appointing new members to the board of directors in order to increase racial diversity. We deeply appreciate the announcement that such a commitment has been made to the ideal of a more inclusive board of directors. We also understand that this is a moment of ongoing learning for our organization, and as such, wish to explain a number of problematic elements of the application itself.

First, it is unclear why the application is necessary to begin with. The application was released mid-September after many candidates had already submitted their application materials. The established standard process of submitting a nomination letter, recommendation letter, statement of intent and resume/CV (which all previous board applicants have followed up to this point) should be just as sufficient to decide upon which applicants should progress to an interview round as it has been in the past. Why was it necessary to create a different screening or vetting process for BIPOC applicants, and were the potential optics of this decision considered? The very existence of a separate track for these specific applicants can suggest separate and unequal standards will be applied, which unfortunately has already had the effect of deterring some qualified candidates from even submitting an application. 

Setting aside that an application is not necessary to determine merit, we come to a number of issues surrounding the application itself. Sections I-IV cover information that would be easily gleaned from a CV/resumé and statement of intent. However, a BIPOC candidate with qualifications comparable to those of current and past board members might nonetheless come to believe they are unqualified if the application itself calls for them to list educational degrees or professional designations that they might not hold.The request for this information is not only redundant, but potentially exclusionary.

The problem is even more egregious in Section V. Has previous board experience ever been a determining factor when nominating a board member? If so, it is not listed on the website or in the nominating materials. If not, then why does Section V exist? What impression does it leave on the appointing committee when an applicant leaves an entire section of an application blank? What impression does it leave on the applicant? Any previous board experience would clearly be included in a resumé or a CV, raising the question of why this section of the application exists, and to what end? Is there a higher bar for BIPOC candidates to clear in order to attain an appointment? 

The section that follows asks the applicant to supply two references of people with whom they have preferably served on a board, which adds to the impression that in order to be appointed, previous board experience is a requirement. Our perception is that BIPOC candidates are suddenly being held to a different standard from past board candidates, and from candidates who have gone through the regular nominating process this year. 

Section VI is by far the most problematic section of the application. Why is it necessary to include questions about past criminal history, drug abuse, job termination when this has never before been a part of the nomination process? The SAA could easily request a background check on all applicants submitting applications this fall, but these questions were only included on the application highlighted for the use of BIPOC applicants seeking appointment. 

There are other major concerns surrounding the request that members of the board speak and move with “one voice” as dictated by the Carver Governance Model. Far too many organizations attempt to diversify but then fail to embrace the skills, gifts and perspectives of these diverse hires. What is the point of saying that we want to expand the board to include Black, Latinx, Indigenous voices if with that same breath we tell them they must fall in line, move in step, and speak with unity?

We assume no intent behind any of the thought processes that led to these decisions; others may or may not. Regardless, for an organization in which only 6 out of 742 Chapter leaders, Teacher Trainers, Lifetime Members and Program directors are Black, it is at best embarrassing, and at worst reprehensible that our belated attempt to correct this lack of diversity has betrayed an unawareness of the typical misapprehensions and errors that tend to prolong systemic organizational racism. We absolutely cannot claim to be correcting this long-standing issue while holding BIPOC applicants to a different process than applicants in other years. To then use our model of governance as an excuse to preemptively discourage diverse opinions is counter to precisely what we seek to fix within our organization. The SAA is the sole training granting organization for Suzuki teachers in the Western Hemisphere and has a deep responsibility to do better.   

Our founding philosophy, Every Child Can, refers to each and every single child, every individual person. What makes each human being unique is our individual voice and tone. If we are to truly effect change and long-term growth in the arena of diversity and inclusion, we must be absolutely intentional in how we show potential applicants not only that we welcome them to the table, but also that we enthusiastically welcome the varied opinions and contributions informed by the diversity of their experiences and backgrounds. 

With deep concern, this letter is signed by active Suzuki Association of the Americas members as well as current and former Suzuki teachers and families:

Tamara Gonzalez 

Alex Revoal

Ryan Caparella

Cicely Nelson 

Naomi Gonzalez

Mariel Pagán Jiménez

Matthew S. Potts

Calida N. Jones

Mark A  Mutter

Elizabeth M. Guerriero, Ph.D.

Clara Hardie

Laura “Laurita” Jauregui

Verónica Quevedo 

Chloe Helene Groth 

Carole Kane

Sophie Enloe

Erin Cano

Maeve O’Hara

Ruth Marshall

Lisa Vosdoganes

Elisabeth Hope

Julianne Carney-Chung
Ellen McSweeney     

Reid Wixson—Minneapolis Public Schools

Katherine Wilhelm 

Heather Williamson

John Glew

Fabio dos Santos

Angie Tung

Nora Friedman

Meret Bitticks

Breana Bauman

Gabriel Solomon

Katie Kennedy

Miya Kunin

Janelle Lake

Ángel Luis Gómez

Kelly Williamson

Angel Falú García

Michele Horner

Cindy Malmin

Susan Sophocleus 

Charles Krigbaum

Mary Bassett Shemon

Lauren Cless

Nancy Daley

Rachel Daniels

Katherine Sullivan

Edward Harper

Becky Johnson

Emma Maupin

Maya Chilton

Andrea Kelley
Malgosia Lis

Alison Fahy

Leticia Medina

Aida E. Sosa-Santiago

Christy Libbus

Magda Torres Pérez 

Donny Landers 

Solmarí Figueroa Cruz

Marta Hernández Candelas

John M. Jordan Santos

Abbey Hansen

Beth Turco
Carlynn Savot

Nikki Lemire

Rosario Triay

Hannah Mindeman Shuman

Rachel Wittrig

Ruth Bergman

Ashlie Skidmore

Meghan Coil

Peggy Nestor

Heather VanderLey

Benjamin Van Vliet

Emily Connolly

Laura Nerenberg
Jay Pike

Joseph Kosowski

Shu-Yi Scott

Joe Kaiser

Sarah Washburn 

Cecilia Calvelo-Hopkins

Andrea Jachman

James McDonald

Sarah Torrenga

Meg Abramowitz

Elizabeth Peyton
Julie Carew

Aimee Biasiello

Rachel Brown

Bridget Andes

**these signatures were collected in a span of about 30 hours

Dear Marla, Andrea, and Carolina,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts, expertise, and vision with our community.

I did not see the letter to the SAA (posted by Caroline Salisbury) in time to sign, but I support and endorse every word of it. Black Lives Matter.

• Jen

Brava, Dr. Guerriero,

Your clear thinking on this and other postings is deeply appreciated. Through your careful questioning, teasing out of information, insistence, follow-ups and probing, you are doing the SAA membership, including myself, a great service by simply helping us to understand more fully how these processes work. Your time, and careful reading of documents has not been in vain! Know that many of us deeply appreciate this work you are doing to excavate facts. There has been much talk of transparency. Things are STARTING to feel a bit more transparent as we are getting answers. This is the first step. The SAA may feel that things have always been transparent, but I can assure you that for this member, not always so. I have very much appreciated following along on this thread and agree whole-heartedly with the points Dr. Guerriero makes.

Thank you, again!

Sincerely,
Nora Friedman

Circling back again for a response to the questions asked above regarding the nominations process. Please advise.
—
Dear Dr. Cantrell, Suzuki Association Board of Directors, and Pam Brasch CEO/ Executive Director,

So much confusion with these new guidelines! Should people who have already applied under the old guidelines reapply? This is unclear. Please clarify for everyone. 

• Mid-October: The Board of Directors, consistent with Section 4.7 of the Bylaws, will appoint three(3) or four (4) new members.  In order to achieve staggering of terms, appointments will be to terms of either two (2) or three (3) years.  Newly appointed directors will be seated as voting members immediately.

Is this in addition to the four new members mentioned by the now-departed-from-the-board Mr. Rolando Freitag in the previous messages? Please clarify for everyone. 

I have written several times asking when the next board meeting is, as per the ISA policy these are required to be open. Please advise. 

Deep concerns over the attached document
The membership has often directly experienced why and how Carver Governance does not work for the Suzuki Association of the Americas. There is evidence for this. It is deeply disturbing that any newly appointed board member, particularly a BIPOC member be subjected to tokenism in trying to work under this governance system. How does a BIPOC person have “one voice” when their voice and experience is unique? The system is designed to marginalize some and elevate others. 

In this excellent article, Afa Dworkin from Sphinx Foundation talks about how organizations need to devote 15% of their budget for the next 10 years for true organizational diverse change in DEIA. For SAA, that is about $180,000 per year, which could easily pay for a Diversity Director plus money left over for training for key leadership. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/10/arts/music/diversity-orchestra-auditions.html Show us your budget, show us the Strategic Plan. 

The MEANS are undeniably broken, and need outside, arts based, DIVERSE management. The Suzuki Association of the Americas needs outside consulting brought into every level: for fiscal responsibility, day-to-day management, DEIA. It is a simple and basic requirement to fix what is damaged beyond repair. A significant portion of membership has signed petitions, written letters, posted to social media, and shouted it from the rafters. Why, in an organization based on listening, deep listening, is the Board not LISTENING? 

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

Dear Suzuki Association Board of Directors and Pam Brasch, CEO/Executive Director,

Circling back, where is the reasonable response due to membership? Hundreds of members have written in response to the injustices outlined by the Advisory Committee on Race in the letter originally posted above.

Membership awaits some fantasy of the Carver Governance ‘everyone speaks with one voice’ to explain steps forward that has not, does not come. The timeline is a seeming abyss—in a system designed to mute diverse voices- while the reality is that there are just SIX (6!) BLACK leaders in the association among all the 742 Chapter leaders, Teacher Trainers, Lifetime Members and Program Directors, and the Advisory Committee on Race (ACR). In fact, FOUR (4!) are on that very committee, the ACR.

Where is the outside, DIVERSE arts-based neutral outside consulting to fix all this? It is time. Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

Betsy scottsdale I totally agree with what you’re saying. I just happened to come across this thread and Im shocked at all the accusations. It makes me sad that the anger and hate that’s around is lately also has come into our SAA discussions.I will not continue reading more of this thread. Just want to comment. Let’s be as Suzuki intended be positive with each other and great each other with respect..

Dear Suzuki Association Board of Directors and Pam Brasch CEO/Executive Director, 

It is unconscionable and unethical that for nearly 3 1/2 months members have been asking for the FY 20 BUDGET and FY21 organizational BUDGET and strategic plans. Where is the BUDGET for 2021, SAA? Why does the board refuse to release it openly to membership?

Why do the questions regarding 2018-2019 continue to be ignored?

Dr. Elizabeth M. Guerriero

It is a pleasure to present the new Board selection process to all of you -
Please encourage those you feel should participate to apply per the link in yesterday’s email.
this is an important step toward increasing Board diversity and access.

The fact that the Board is a working board makes it even more important to expand the Board’s membership with a broader range of representative skills that are typically found on the boards of nonprofits.

The approach of doing closed nominations by what is essentially invitation of the nominating committee limits the potentially Board recruits to the relatively narrow circle of people known to the existing leadership. A more open process would bring in a broader range of candidates.

Yes, it is possible that one candidate would be chosen above their friend. Yes, it is possible that someone who is interested in serving would end up not being voted in. Anyone who is a reasonable choice for board membership should be able to handle that emotionally without any issue. Honestly, anyone who cannot handle that lacks the temperament to sit on the Board of any organization of significance.

Developing a robust slate of volunteers—including, for instance, people who might have been interested in serving on the Board who did not get voted in—is also critical for succession planning, cultivating long-term leadership in the volunteer corps, and many other things important to the long-term health of the organization.

Lindo. Obrigada Renata!