Thanks for sharing your love of Barbershop Singing and Velvet Hills Chorus with a Guest/New Member! WHAT: "Riser Buddy" Program As a a riser buddy for a prospective member, you: - Introduce her to the wonderful sisterhood of barbershop singing and showmanship. - Guide her through the very confusing time of learning so much in such a short time. - Assist her in making a smooth and comfortable transition from prospective member to new member and help her become a confident Sweet Adeline. WHEN: Any special relationship requires a commitment of time and energy. Your job starts immediately when assigned to a prospective member. DUTIES: Each riser buddy assists the prospective member in any way possible. Some of your duties may include the following: - Email or call her ONCE A WEEK to encourage her and to answer any questions she might have. (Please do not discuss the financial issue until she has been attending for at least three weeks.) - Riser buddies are usually assigned a prospective member in the same part, so have her stand on the risers with you. - Contact Betsy Vigil if you KNOW that your "buddy" will not be attending the next rehearsal. - Let Betsy know if your "buddy" is not planning on returning and why. - Greet her at each rehearsal; inquire on her progress with learning the audition music. - Share some of your "new member" experiences, but don't overwhelm her. - Offer 'Groupanizer' assistance. The guest will receive an email that shows her user name and password that allows access to Groupanizer. This allows the guest access to the paper and learning tracks for our music. - AFTER a few weeks, explain about coaching sessions, regional weekends, PVIs, singing engagements, etc. - Ask if there is anything she is concerned about. - Make her feel that she belongs and that she is important to the chorus. - Introduce her to the Team and Section Leaders so she will know the primary contacts. - Keep in contact (email/phone/postcard) with her often. - WHEN the time is appropriate, talk about competition preparation, roommates, pictures, make-up, costumes, etc. - Contact her when she is absent and let her know she was missed. - Help to make her introduction to Sweet Adelines a time of fun. - Be a friend. There are handouts given to the guest each week. Try to go over these with her as best you can or ask the person in charge of that subject to speak with the guest (especially the finance sheet.)