PCM Blog

Well, fall is truly here.  The air is crisp, people are sneezing, and the weather is beautiful.  First, let me apologize for the delay in this latest blog.  We have been busy.  Programs are starting, and our staff is growing, and there are only so many hours in a day.  It is also time for PCM to do its annual year in review.  So without further adieu:

(Drum roll please)

Last year, PCM worked with 45 different community partners, including our own center. 

We had programs from Aguila to Chandler!

We worked with babies and their families through seniors and had an amazing time doing it!  

We facilitated 156 registration based or parent pay programs through out the valley: mainly guitar, voice, piano, violin, parent/Tot programs, growing young musicians, etc.

We facilitated 43 no fee programs to underserved communities in the Phoenix area.  These are programs in after school, senior centers, libraries and community centers.  These were summer camps, world music programs, Taiko drumming, Flamenco Programs, Hip Hop Dance, and innovative creativity programs through ArtSpace in partnership with The City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and The Arizona Department of Education.

We had 13 family sharing events, 7 community recitals, and 2 professional performances. 

We served 586 students in after school programs, 489 students in early childhood programs, and served 975 children during the school day. 

We facilitated private lessons for 66 students. 

We served an estimated total of 3,158 students with at least 4 hours of direct learning time. 

We served an additional 2,432 community members with one time presentation events.

We provided professional development to 20 professional educators.

We worked with a core group of 30 + amazing and talented teaching artists who are excellent musicians and master educators, who mentor and engage the community they are working with.  We know that we could not achieve our mission with out them.  They are our rock.

We do this through amazing team work of our staff, board, teaching artists, partners, donors, funders, and volunteers.  Without each of these groups doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing, we could not serve our community in the ways that we are supposed to!

In a down economy, we still grew.  It was not at the 25% we had been maintaining in the previous 4 years, but we still grew at a modest 4%. 

We were able to diversify, broaden, and deepen the experiences we offer to our community.

All of these numbers are good, but they don't capture expressions of wonder or awe.  They don't let you see the calluses on hands or the sweat on a brow.  They don't illuminate the light bulb when a student creates or collaborates to make something that wasn't there a minute ago.  They don't share the shine of pride or encouragement from a parent to a child.  They don't let you feel vibrancy or the sense of community and togetherness when you make music together.  They don't express the softness and love of a mother singing to her child.

What's next?  Well this year, we have new partnerships, new staff, new board members, and new projects in the works.  Stay tuned for more information!

But, times are hard and there is a direct reflection on registration based programs and donations- but with your help we will pull through.  There is a larger need now, more than ever- and with you- we will be there, doing what we do best-

Unleashing the power of music.

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So it is official.  The semester is off and running.  We had three interns start in the last two weeks, one new part time program coordinator, and two new teaching artists.  We are hopping.  We are busy.  We have our annual board retreat coming up where we will seat 5 to 6 wonderful, amazing people who want to serve to our board.  We have met and planned programming with 3 new charter school partners and two new public school partners. 

Somewhere in the middle I went to Vegas for three days, didn't sleep much, had a lot of fun and caught a cold. 

Our PCM family is growing.  We are so very blessed to have these amazing people who really want to serve and to help fill a need in the community. 

Classes are getting ready to start at our facility and we delivered 14,000 fliers to the schools in our neighborhood.  I am really behind in my list of things to do and that's o.k.   Because we are busy and busy is so much better than the alternative.

I know that I still need to wrap up this last fiscal year's to do list which includes getting a comprehensive count of the people we served, and the programs we facilitated with the total number of people we impacted.  And I will get to my last four final reports.  (I think I can..I think I can.....)

We are so busy.  Why?  This is the ultimate question for the day.  Why are we busy?  Truth:  Because there is a need.  We are doing our best using the skills that we have to fill it.

When you look at the world around us- we see the basic needs that are not being met everyday.  Every time we turn on the radio, television, sit down at our computers; pick up our phones- we are surrounded by stories of people, economies, and whole societies in crisis.  In light of this music and the arts don't seem like that big of a need.  But I disagree.  Arts give a voice to the struggle.  It puts a smile on a face, and gives us hope.  Now, more than ever we need to be creative in our resources to survive and thrive in the present that we find ourselves in.  How can you do that if you've never learned creativity or discipline and perseverance?  Sitting in a chair reviewing vocabulary words is not going to give you those skill sets. 

I guess it comes down to this.  I am an administrator by trade, an artist by yearning and nature.  You can either utilize the gifts and skill sets that you have to help fix the problem and be a part of a solution or you can be a part of the problem.   I have decided to be a part of the solution, the best way I can.  And, it's obvious with the amazing people joining our team that I am not the only one.

There is hope in the world when there are enough people who decide to be "The Little Engine That Could".

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My poor car.  I need another oil change.  I had to put more gas in just this morning after only three days, and I think I've spent more time in it's company than I do with my dogs, my husband, or my child.  When I was a kid, my Mom and Dad made me learn how to drive.  I had no interest in it.  However, for some strange reason they got tired of carting me around to rehearsals and lessons...  Ironic, huh?

Travel is a part of life in Arizona.  So is the heat.  However, we have the up sides, too.  Like this super neat project called When In AZ!

I was approached by Laci Lester and Nick Kizer about this project early this summer.  The idea stemmed from the overarching theme that Arizona has a huge, vibrant, kickin' music scene and that it's kind of hidden.

I think this is true about most art forms in Arizona.  We have so many great things going on, but not a lot of clue about what we, as a community of art makers and art aficionados are doing.  This has gotten so much better in the last several years with First Fridays, Alliance for Audience, ShowUp.com and amazing advocates like Kimber Lanning and Matt Lehrman. 

So, back to this project..this project is the largest locally created music compilation the valley has ever seen.  Local musicians (over 55 different artists!!) are involved to pay homage to the great scene happening here in Arizona, and to give back to the community.    This compilation is a mix of Arizona Bands doing Arizona Music!  And is now available on a download card for only $8.00.  The proceeds from the purchase of the download cards are going to benefit charities that support music education:  Ear Candy Productions and PCM!

 

Here are some ways that you can help support this great effort. 

1.  Come to the Release events this month and buy download cards for $8.00 (remember the Holiday season is just around the corner...).  They are:

• September 04^th:  First Friday!  9PM, Modified Arts, 407 East Roosevelt St. in  Phx!
• September 05^th:  $8.00 Door, 6pm, Modified Arts, 407 E. Roosevelt St. in Phx.!
• September 10^th:  $8.00 Door and Free Compilation Download Card, Rhythm Room, All Ages, 6:30pm, 1019 East Indian School Road in Phx!
• September 11^th, Free, 21+, Yucca Tap Room, 8pm, 29 W. Southern in Tempe!
• September 12^th, Free 21+, Yucca Tap Room, 8pm, 29 W. Southern in Tempe!
• September 18th, $10.00 Door, All Ages, 7pm, Hard Rock Cafe, Hosted by Ear Candy Productions, 3 South 2nd St., #117 in Phx!

2. Go to the website and purchase a download card.  www.wheninaz.com

3.  Donate to the organizations directly or to the project.

4.  Stay tuned for more upcoming events...

 

This effort will help so many, and get a lot of support for the local music scene.   Please help us help and serve the community by coming out and supporting this effort!!

A special thank you to Nick Kizer and Laci Lester for their AMAZING work in this project.  Also, a special thank you to all the artists for joining together to give back.

Because you know, we are all about giving back- when in AZ...

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Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Southwest Arts Conference last week presented by The Arizona Commission on the Arts.  Its Theme was Safety, Sustainability; The Future is No Accident. 

The Future is No Accident.  This is true.  Now more than ever, as leaders, we have to be strategic in our planning, our organization, and our thinking.  We have to make choices and react to the environment in which we find ourselves to make the best possible decisions for our organizations, their missions, and most importantly- the people we serve. 

I attended workshops such as Business Continuity and Organizational Resiliency, Preparing the Way (More on this to come...), Partnerships, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Sustainability through Revenue Diversification.  As an Artist, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend most of the teaching artist symposium and learn and network from my peers, and I really wanted to go see the session on the Afro-Cuban Choir.  Alas, I had to make one of those decisions that would be best for the people we are serving and really learn about surviving.

Sustainability is a funny word.  When I first took over the responsibility of being a Capitan of this crazy ship I am on, the first time I heard the word- I didn't know what it meant.  I went back to my office (at that point in my house) and started researching.  For those of you who don't know me, I like to research things that I don't know.  I love Google.  What is sustainability?  Is it the ability for an art form to stay active in a community after you are gone?  Is it that kid that can learn a song without your help anymore?  (My piano teacher always said that was her goal- to get me to play so that I didn't need her anymore...) I think both of these are fair uses of the word Sustainable.  The sustain pedal on a piano keeps the sound going. 

For an organization, it really means the same thing.  Keeping the sound going.  How do we continue to keep doing the things that we are doing, serving the people we are serving, and try to meet a growing need in the community?  Each of the sessions that I went to really tried to bring to light different ways that organizations can keep serving the community when the resources used to provide those services are dwindling or just flat out go away. 

The key note speaker for the event was a really cool visual artist, Chris Jordan.  For those of you who don't know his work- please go to his website and check it out!! http://www.chrisjordan.com/   The Sustainability he was talking about was really about surviving- on a planetary level.  How to keep our earth healthy, turning, and around for a long time.  His presentation was on consumerism and America's quest for things.  I will tell you that after his address, I did not want to use plastic forks at my daughter's birthday party this last weekend.  In the end, I will confess that I caved- and I did.  But his presentation affected me and renewed my personal commitment to do things to conserve- using refillable water bottles, recycling cans and paper, not taking the easy way by using paper plates and plastic utensils.  (I mean really?  I do have a dishwasher.)  Is this sustainability, not just in the green- recycling kind of a way- but in a lasting impression that one person's art had on another person's outlook.  At the end of the day- isn't that why we have art?

But back to the big question.  How do we keep the sound going?  This week, my environment changed.  My human resources have dwindled.  I am working with a budget that is growing smaller and my communities' needs are bigger.  How do I fill the difference?  How do I cut this program and let this one go?  How do I tell that artist- sorry there is no work here, but this other guy- he has work.   How do I tell the kids at this school that have made so much progress last year that this year I can't have your teachers come in anymore?  What kind of big, uncomfortable decisions and realities do I need to face, come to terms with, and find solutions to in able to ensure that I can keep the doors open long enough to be able to make a difference not just this year, but next year, and the year after that?   These are the decisions that weigh heavy on my shoulders, my mind, and my heart.  I am tired, and truth be told, a bit heartsick. 

The reality is that last year impacted us.  (I know, I know- I too am tired of terms like economic downfall, recession, and the "climate".  There is a part of me that feels like it is a cop out, and that it's really because I know just enough to make me dangerous.) But the bottom line is that we are not the only ones.  What is the solution?  For us, a working cash capital reserve would help.  (Anyone have any experience on getting a line of credit?) Some of it is in things like revenue diversification and not putting all of your eggs in one basket.  Some of it is in developing strategic partnerships. Some of it is in educating people that every penny does make a difference and that each little bit helps.  That, alone, a small gift can do little- but together we can do great things.   But I think at the end of the day it's about driving on, moving forward, and getting things done.  Bottom line, there is a need and I'm going to do my best to fill it.

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I know it's not officially a new year, but for me it is.  My daughter started 4^th grade last week.  Somehow, for me- this felt like a huge step into her growing up.  And I became really proud and sad at the same time.  Since then, I've been dreaming about having another baby.  Now, for those of you who study human behavior and even if you don't; the why is a no brainer. 

My husband started a new job after being laid off in January.  He is truly blessed to be working with good people and have a company that totally cares about them and is ethical and has integrity.  This is a HUGE weight off of our combined shoulders.

PCM's fiscal year started August 01^st and I get the difficult task of tallying up all number, financials, and painting a picture through an annual report that says this is what was accomplished and the impact we made because of so very many wonderful people that chose to invest their time, monies, energy and other resources to PCM.  There are final reports to do, grants to write, marketing/development/events/volunteer coordination/and programming to finalize, put into action, and make a reality.  I'm starting to feel a bit schizophrenic in my career...

(I'm a bit of a night owl and was watching a Chris Rock Special on cable and he had a shtick about when you have a job you watch the clock and one minute feels like 15 and with a career you say- Oh, Man!  Is the work day over already?  Not that the work day is ever really over- it just sits in your head and you think about stuff and find solutions and plan until exhaustion sets in... Point being- that I don't know that I have ever thought about actually making a career- I was just doing what needed to be done for the kids and the organization I am serving.  Something to think about- but later.) 

Programs are gearing up and we are getting final touches on planning and logistics and this is always exciting for me because the heart of my job (a.k.a career) is with the kids that we are serving.  I love being in the schools and in the classrooms, lesson rooms, community centers and am looking forward to getting out in the field (more so in October rather than August...).

I am excited because I have the possibility to have more human resources available through great internship programs with ASU, ASU Lodestar and Public Allies.  We are hoping to increase the size of our board, and really work this year at building our infrastructure and capacity to serve a growing need. 

Funding is down, for both the schools and the organizations, and we are feeling it.  Where do you cut from and when?  What services and programs do you have to do away with, what impact does that have on your staff and your artists, and their livelihoods.  Did we wait too long to implement cuts? Where do we go from here? Case in point: We really need to develop community support through amazing individuals who want to make an investment through us into the community we serve to make sure that these students have what they need to be successful.   With enough help, I'm hoping to be able to adequately fill those needs both with the monetary and human resources it takes to make projects successful.  But what happens if you don't succeed?  I will tell you that even the talk of having to cut programs really makes me feel like I failed my kids, schools, and artists. 

All of this together really makes me feel like shouting: "HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"  And with any New Year- it deserves some resolutions.

• I resolve to be a more effective leader.  I hope to better engage my board and artists.  I hope to learn to be a more effective friend raiser, fundraiser and development person and put into good practice the training I've been receiving.  The well being of PMC, and ultimately the kids and people we serve, depends on it.
• I resolve to be a more patient mama and wife.  Who doesn't get so caught up in work that I neglect other important areas of my life.  (I'm working on developing balance.  Any suggestions?)
• I resolve to make more time for my family.  They are my life blood and am grateful for daily phone calls to my mom (s), sisters, and kiddos that keep me grounded in my roots and in my faith and help me to see the bigger, more important picture.
• I resolve to be better about exercising Murry Monster Puppy. 
• I resolve to learn more about book keeping and accounting.
• Lastly, I resolve to make music at least once a week. 

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away- I was an artist and a musician.  Not an amazing one- I can admit that.  But I had passion, perseverance and drive.  Yesterday, I had a great talk with a friend of PCM's (Thanks, Ed- for the time, talk, and donation!!).  And we just talked music.  And I thought- wow!  It's been a really long time since I've done this- just talked music.  And it made me sad to feel how far removed I was from it.  Not as an administrator.  I'm around music making by other artists and students weekly, but as a musician.

So those are my resolutions.  I probably won't make them all work all the time, but I think that perceiving is achieving and I'm on the way to making it happen.

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Join The Cause.  Fill The Need. Unleash The Power of Music   Today's world is a very unsteady, fast paced place.  So much demand is being placed on families,  children and schools to fit more in, do more, be more, and achieve more.   Meanwhile, experiences that will enrich, nourish, teach, and help achieve success are going away.    At The Phoenix Conservatory of Music, we know that music is a way for us to grow, to learn, and to play together.  Music can soothe our soul, lift us up, bring us closer, and teach us to work together.  We experience creativity, process based thinking, and problem solving.  We can use music as a tool to fulfill our potential: as community, as educators, as families, and as people.  Our Website For Videos, Picture Gallery, Testimonials, Programs and Locations! PCM's Page on Facebook PCM's Cause Page on Facebook Donate Now! Join The Cause.  Fill The Need. We know that you have a concern about our kids and our neighborhoods; you want our kids to have a place to go to be enriched and inspired to rise up beyond their current expectations, to see the possibilities for their tomorrows...    Join the Cause.  Fill The Need.   Make an investment in your community.  Support the needs of our kids.  Together, we can open doors of imagination, creativity, and give them tools that will help them succeed.    Give your commitment right now that you will donate a monthly gift through PCM to the community that we serve.  For the cost of a cup of coffee, a take out meal, or a trip to the movies, you can make a difference.  Make the pledge to sign up online at the PCM website for a monthly donation of $5, $10, or $25 per month.    Your gift, combined with the others around you, and those in your own networks: your family, your colleagues, and your place of gathering of community and of faith, your friends: Together YOU can bring families closer, YOU can make schools and neighborhoods safer, and you can help communities come together.             Together we CAN make a Difference! Be Impactful! Today's economy is hard.  No doubt.  Each of us is touched by hard times. We have to make firm choices about how we spend our money.    Programs are being cut.  Important parts of a child's education laid to the wayside because of budget crunches and cutbacks.  After school programs and community centers are being closed, and the ones who need those services the most, our children, are being left behind.  It is up to each one of us to fight for them and their needs, to make sure that the resources and tools that they need to be successful are there for them when they need them the most.  We know that music programs and after school programs work.  Without these kinds of programs, kids have nowhere to go after school but on the streets where the temptation of gangs, drugs, and crime are too great.   With your gift, you can impact the community through PCM!  This is an example of how one PCM program is transformational: PCM is a partner with Papago School in their 21st Century Community Learning Center.  Reports to The Arizona Department of Education after year one of the after school programs show that: 82% of participating after school students increased their grades in reading and math by half a grade or more.  84% showed an increase in turning homework in on time, 82% showed an increase in being attentive and participating in class, and over 50% showed an overall increase in behavior.  Student testimonials from this year found that 96% of the participating students want to continue next year, had fun this year, liked their teaching artists, and learned new skills.  80+% were able to talk about their art form with appropriate vocabulary and discuss step by step processing.  Individual statements include: "I learned that even if it's hard, you keep trying and it get's better and better." "I was so proud to perform and be a part of the program.  When my Uncle came and he was right where I could see him, and he shouted my name, I knew that I wanted to do everything right, and I did!"  "Next year, I want to do this again, because it will make it better.  We already know what we are doing."  One student, M.., dropped out of the programbecause of his behavior and it was the point in the semester that things were getting more difficult to learn and to stay focused and persevere.  By the end of the semester, he had come back.  He apologized for his behavior to the teaching artists, School Site Coordinator and the students and approached the class with a renewed sense of purpose.   At the end of five years, the programs goal is to have a community that nurtures and advocates arts learning.  We are well on our way to that goal. "Just wanted to thank you again for helping to make this possible. Last nights performance was spectacular and I am very proud of our kids and school. Carl Zaragoza, Governing board member, was there with his wife and had a wonderful time. Tuesday night was attended by Dr, Charlotte Boyle, our Superintendent, and two other board members who reported excellent behavior from the kids and a top notch performance. Thanks again!" Jeff Geyer - Principal, Papago School.    The partnership is part of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, and the program, including it's partnership with The Phoenix Conservatory of Music, was recognized as the district's most outstanding program for school year 2007-2008.   The project, during the 2008-2009 school year received high praise form the school principal, district board members, and Superintendent.  Beginning talks of an addition of a new performing arts center are underway. With these thoughts in mind, we are going to ask you (and be honest) how many of you have bought a cup of coffee in the last month at your local Starbucks?  How many of you have gone to a movie, seen a show, or bought dinner at McDonalds or Taco Bell?  These are not big purchases, but they are investments into the quality of your life.   Join the cause.  Fill the Need.  Commit to getting a friend to do the same.    A small gift can't do big things, but for as little as $5.00 per month, together we CAN make a difference in the life of a child.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCq6wkwQXKY

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Service.  To serve.  To give something of yourself to others.  Today I'm thinking about service.  (Last Tuesday, I was thinking about service, also.  Sorry the blog did not go out as I was in a Public Allies Event all day).   We (PCM) are in the process of interviewing several candidates for the three (yes, three) Public Ally/AmeriCorps positions that will be serving with us.  We are thrilled to bring back a second year ally and we will be adding two first year allies.  It's very exciting.  And let me say that the group of candidates is amazing.  Here are all of these young people being called to serve, they are professional, know what they are about, and they are going to be impactful and astounding!

The other thing I am working on is getting a prospect list together of potential board members.  Board members, of any board, are also amazing people.  They use the resources and gifts that they have to impact the community and be social investors.  The return on their investment is not monetary, but in knowing that they did something at the end of the day to make a life brighter and their world a better place. 

 

Service.  I think all of us have gifts.  And with any great gift, there comes great responsibility. (Quick marvel comic fans- who said that?)  I could be singing for a living.  I could be teaching or be a teaching artist and combine the two.  Instead, I am researching grants, trying to find ideas for fundraising, working on final reports, and am looking at prospects that would best serve our organization.  Why?  Service.  Ultimately, regardless of other options or opportunities that may come my way, I know that the work that I am doing is impactful, and that there are kids out there who think of themselves differently because someone cared enough to teach them to love music and to respect their own gifts.  There are amazing musicians that are getting a chance to work with those students and are being sustained through their craft.  I have a good (if sometimes scary, overwhelming and exhausting) gig.  I'm still learning to do it the right way, and still need guidance, but am doing what I can to make that a reality. 

Service. How can you make a difference?  How can you use the gifts that you have to help your family, neighborhood, and community?  Even for a few hours a week- volunteer, serve on a board, donate.  Get involved.  Be the solution.

Service. Are you called to serve?  

PCM Board Application

 

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First things first, we released a really cool press release about the Rhythms of the Heart Program- check it out!  There are cool pics and link to video... 

So by this weekend, it's supposed to get to 116 degrees.  I will be in Montana (where I eagerly await the 58 degree temperature.)  I am very excited about going on vacation, and will tell you honestly that next week, you won't see a blog from me.  I'm not even going on Facebook.  ( I say that now... but really I will post pictures of buffalo).  I will tell you that soon, I am going to break down and get a Black Berry (my sister and I refer to them as "crack" berries, because you get addicted ) so I can be more accessible to those who need me.  Because, really leadership is about service and serving those who need you.  This "leads" me to my point.

I, and PCM, am looking for leaders.  Often times I have sat in conferences and workshops on board development and the advice is given to look for specific skill sets that you need.  O.k.  This is doable.  We need Public Relations Specialists, Fundraisers, Networkers, and People whose companies give philanthropically when their employees are a part of your organization, event planners, a non-profit tax specialist (CPA), and advocates.   Advice is given to find people who are passionate about your mission and the work that you are doing.  We can do that.  But the best advice is to find people who are leaders, because when you have a group of leaders who take on a project- the project gets done.

We currently have a governing board of 7 and would like to get a board of about 15-20 dedicated leaders to help PCM get to that next level.   Why do we need leaders?  Because the community needs us and we can't continue to serve them without leaders serving the organization and being impactful in their community.   

Did you know that:

• In the Spring of 2008, PCM was awarded a 3 year capacity building Grant from The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust to to fund a positioning and donor development project over the course of three years. 
• PCM has embarked on a 3 year capacity building project supported by The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. 
• We will build a stronger infrastructure and a strong presence/brand to create community awareness and advocacy, drive programming, develop the board, and assist in fundraising. 
• The PCM community is the direct beneficiary of this project.  PCM will create a growing awareness of services offered, encourage increased donations, and diversify revenue streams, all of which will stabilize our infrastructure, resulting in better assistance to the community. Programs to the community will continue to develop and expand through creating more collaborations and community partnerships, employing and training more teaching artists, helping to revitalize the geographical communities served, and improving delivery systems. 
• Another byproduct of this initiative is intensive professional development on the part of our board of directors on how to increase our individual fund development, and utilize the tools of Web 2.0 to make our organization more nimble and able to meet demands of our ever-changing marketplace.

Now, Let me tell you about our board and the way we do things:

• We work on a consent agenda, meaning you get items for approval before hand and the agenda before hand so that during the meetings we can focus on growth and development of the organization, improving delivery systems and programming, and really steering the boat in the right direction.
• All of our board members contribute to the organization and fundraise on behalf of the organization to their capacity. 
• All board members be ambassadors of the organization.
• The board meets for special sessions up to 3 times annually; has regular meetings every 8 weeks that are 2-3 hours in duration, and keep in communication between meetings by utilizing web 2.0. 
• Professional Development is available to board members through webinars and workshops.
• We wear flip flops and eat pizza (sometimes)
• We generally enjoy each other, always respect each other, and always work towards the good of the organization and ultimately the community that we are serving.

Sounds like work, right?  It is.  It is a huge commitment.  And you don't get paid.  You get smiles.  You get to sleep well at night knowing that you are changing the world.  I LOVE my board of directors (even if I don't show it all the time).  I am amazed at their giving hearts and spirits and am awed that they give so much of their time, talent, and resources (monetary and otherwise) to serve this community through the power of music.   They should all be commended for the work that they are doing.   

Why are we growing our board of directors?

• We have been in operation for 10 years. 
• Since December of 2004, PCM began to grow, at a rate of 25% annually both in our annual income/budget and in the numbers of people that we serve; providing programming for numerous families. 
• In this last year, we were able to continue growth of 8% in a down economy. 
• We have been able to diversify our revenue stream between contributed income and earned income, making us more sustainable to meet the demands and needs of our ever growing community. 
• As our community continues to grow, we will need to increase the infrastructure and general, unrestricted support to accommodate the needs of our community to continue to unleash the power of music is so many lives. 
• We cannot do this alone.  We need dedicated individuals who are committed to growing PCM to its next level of organizational development, creating sustainability and more in depth programming.

We invite you, as leaders, to guide us in our search, to be impactful in your community.

If you are, or can identify an individual who wants to be impactful, is a leader, and is dedicated to PCM's mission to unleash the power of music, please contact us for an application.  Fill it out, turn back in no later than August 10, 2009. 

We'll see you soon.

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Wow!  The desert is hot this time of year!  O.k- now that we have gotten that out of the way we can move on to more important things.  First things first, we have finally (we being me and the mouse in my pocket) figured out how to post our student performances from the Rhythms of the Heart Show to You Tube!!!  (check them out here!)

Second, I received word on June 26^th that the U.S. House of Representatives approved a $15 million increase for both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for FY 2010.  Currently funded at $155 million, this increase would bring both agencies' budgets to $170 million.  Please make sure to write to your senators to have them approve this as well!! 

Third, our own state legislature is trying to approve a budget and we are all waiting anxiously to see what will come out of it...

A very smart man once said, "Be not afraid".  This is great advice.  It's hard to do.  I, myself, am a worrier.  I worry about everything and have since I was a little girl.  However, worrying about things that we can't control puts us in a state of constant worry and then we can't see the forest for the trees. 

Like many Americans, my husband was laid off in January.  We have been struggling and thankfully, things look to be finally leveling off.  This has been worrisome.  Our organization, just like every other organization in the nation (especially arts organizations) has been challenged in ways we have not been before.  

This has been a really hard year.  There have been many a sleepless night and lots of worry trying to fit what we need with what we have.  But, the doors are still open, we persevere, and we are able to continue growing in a crazy economy; continuing to serve an obvious need in the community.  As an organization, we have needs.  I often say, if only we could get 500 people to commit to giving $5.00 a month; we could move mountains.  And we could.  Together, we truly can make a difference.  

We need to grow our board of directors with caring, committed individuals who are not afraid to work and act and ask as advocates for our organization, we need specialists in fundraising, accounting and public relations on our board.  We need more human resources and general operating funds, more days in the week, and more hours in a day.  We need portable keyboards and stands.

And I think that this is the point.  We can sit and worry about things.  We can decide that we are not going to act until its safe and that things level off- but the reality is that we have to keep moving forward.  We can't let fear and worry stagnate or paralyze us in our missions, or in our lives.   The need that is out there is not going to go away and we have to go on. We can make steps, strategize, reason, and do what we can to get through the tough spots and know that we will come out stronger, more resilient, and more impactful.  So don't be afraid. Go out and make a difference so there is less to fear and more to cheer.

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I was having difficulties being inspired for this week's blog.  I think a large portion of the problem is that I'm discouraged this week, and it's difficult being inspired when you are discouraged. 

I often talk to my artists about the need to rest and take time to think, be creative, and get in touch with whatever higher power you subscribe to.  The life of an artist is very fast paced, you work three jobs to make ends meet; and often you are being challenged personally, professionally, and artistically to face challenges and overcome them, to grow in new ways, and to be able to communicate that effectively with your audience.  You are expected to be brilliant and "on" all the time.  The "non-artist" community has a slew of crazy antidotes and jokes about artists but the reality is that being a working artist is hard work.  Demanding physically and mentally.  You have to be dedicated to developing your craft continually and being open enough to share your creation with the rest of the world regardless of ridicule or critique.  You spend years just learning your craft and you have to have the desire and persistence to see it all the way through.  This is an amazing gift to have in a society where people are expected to have 3-7 careers in one lifetime.

And yet, as artists: musicians, painters, dancers, poets- we do what we do.  Day in and day out.  Regardless of challenges.  Regardless of obstacles, or lack of resources.  Why?  Because it is more than what we do, it is who we are.  Who we are called to be.

I always say that one of the best parts of my job is getting to work with our amazing artists; who are master craftsmen and excellent educators.  I truly enjoy watching them share their time, talent, craftsmanship, and caring that they have for their students.  I love watching a student come to life under their tutelage and seeing that motivation or desire (I call it ganas)to be more than who they are because they are inspired and cared for.   I feel it is my duty to serve our artists in the best possible way that I can by being a support system for the great work they are doing in our community. 

That being said, I wonder if I am serving them in the best way that I can.  Do I listen enough, support them enough?  I try to meet their needs, but can't always accommodate them.   I can't give them perfect environments to share their craft in, or pay them enough to cover all of their financial needs.  I don't always have the exact resources for all of them in the exact way that they need them. I try to be open to listen to their worries and concerns, but sometimes fail and am discouraged.  I am discouraged because I am not being who they need me to be so they can go and be who they are and serve the community in the best way that they can, with passion and with an open heart ready to change a child's life. 

Arts organizations are no different than artists.  There are always challenges.  The resources are never enough; both human and financial.  You are often working in sub standard facilities that were not by any stretch of the imagination, designed to allow people to think creatively or express themselves artistically.  Support is not always evident, and you often have to educate those around you on the value of what you do.   Add to that the day ins and outs of running a business, the constant strategy of funding streams, collaborations, product placement, marketing,  and a non profit at that; motivating and encouraging a board of directors, communicating with your stakeholders, etc..  It is hard work.  But we do what we do because it is more than a job, more than a means to an end; but truly is filling a need in our community.  Because we know the value of what we do and how a life can be changed, and through our art and our amazing artists, have a vision of a better tomorrow because of the work that we do today.

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