Sweet Adelines International MEMBER AMBASSADOR HANDBOOK
What is a Member Ambassador? #iamsweetadelines As a Sweet Adelines member, you act as a representative and promoter of our organization an ambassador. #iamsweetadelines is more than a clever hashtag. Whether it s a social gathering or a corporate boardroom, you are truly the embodiment of Sweet Adelines International to your world. Women within your circle of influence are looking for the friendship, fun and artistic outlet you ve already discovered. While the demands of everyday life can weigh heavily on a woman s shoulders, you could be the one to help lift her up through this phenomenal sisterhood we call Sweet Adelines International. For those who have never heard of our organization, you are their official introduction. While you never know who may be a potential supporter, audience member or, best of all, future member, you have the opportunity to present a positive and appealing impression through all of your interactions. Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful ways a message spreads; simply sharing your unique member experience could open the doorway for new members to discover all Sweet Adelines has to offer.
Me, An Ambassador? #yourstorymatters Yes, you! In fact, who better? When it comes to membership growth and retention, you re the most important contributor of all. Your membership story is just as significant as any other, and for the people in your life, even more so. The factors which led you to visit that first rehearsal and kept you coming back the new challenge of a cappella four-part harmony, camaraderie with like-minded women, or a three-hour block of me time may be the exact things your friends, co-workers and acquaintances have been looking for but didn t know where to find until they met you! You had your own personal reasons for joining and soon discovered the benefits that can t be found outside of this sisterhood. Wouldn t it be wonderful if your Sweet Adelines story the one only you can tell could set someone else on a new adventure and change her world? Many of our members say, I wish I had found this earlier! The sooner you begin to share your member ambassador story, the sooner her story can begin too! Yes, you can make that happen for someone else; the story you paint with your words and passion could change someone s life forever.
Learning to sing four-part a cappella harmony the barbershop style alone is no easy feat. Add in memorizing lyrics and perfectly executing choreography, and you have achieved one of the most challenging musical undertakings possible. Or shall we simply say that s something to sing about! What s In It For Me? #somethingtosingabout You have truly invested countless hours, energy and talent into your Sweet Adelines life, earning the right to proudly share your passion and accomplishments with others; that s a reward in itself. But as you recount fond memories of your own personal Sweet Adelines experience, you can t help but be reminded of what drew you in, and more importantly, what keeps you coming back week after week, year after year. Beautifully ringing chords and the bonds of sisterhood might be the most obvious reward of membership on an individual level. But when you embrace the role of member ambassador, you contribute to the growth of your chorus, strengthening your region and increasing Sweet Adelines International s presence around the world. And through that, we all gain the most rewarding benefit of all our organization grows and thrives!
About You Ask Yourself Before reaching out to potential members, start by asking yourself a few important questions: What got me in the door? What brought me back again? What did I enjoy most along the way? What could have gone better for me? The answers should offer insight, helping you create new ways to best reach out to others with a warm welcome or even encourage already existing members. Everyone can benefit from a word of affirmation. Talking Points If you love and believe in something, you ll likely know a lot about it, sharing at every opportunity. While you could probably talk about harmony all day long, you may not be an expert on our mission and barbershop facts. No problem! We ve done the research for you and compiled it here for easy reference, securing your status as a Sweet Adelines International aficionado.
About Us Mission: Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance. With more than 500 choruses and 1,200 quartets throughout the U.S. and 14 other countries, countless communities are impacted by the positive force of our organization through: Education programs and events for local schools Scholarship funds Partnerships with other nonprofits in support of local music education Performing and entertaining at charitable functions and civic events Participating in arts and humanities outreaches and other social service programs Barbershop Fast Facts: Barbershop harmony is vocal harmony produced by four parts: tenor, lead, baritone and bass. Barbershop music is a four-part a cappella harmony style of singing famous for its ringing chords in which an over tone is produced, creating the sound of a fifth note. Like jazz, barbershop was born in America and remains a unique vocal music art form. Sweet Adelines International set the Guinness World Record for Largest Singing Lesson, Oct. 24, 2009, at the annual International Convention and Competition in Nashville, Tenn. Sweet Adelines International, founded in Tulsa, Okla. in 1945, is the largest women s a cappella singing organization empowering its international membership of nearly 23,000 to grow musically, socially and individually.
So How Do I Do This? #elevatorpitch The Elevator Pitch Next, create your own Sweet Adelines elevator pitch a brief overview of the organization that should take no more time than the length of an elevator ride. Be sure to include: 1) Who we are 2) What we do 3) Whom we do it for 4) Why she should care and get involved Most importantly, your elevator pitch should be authentic, from your heart, expressing what you love about Sweet Adelines International. Chances are, it s why she will love it too. 4 3 2 1 Why Whom What Who
So How Do I Do This? #elevatorpitch Even if you consider yourself shy or often at a loss for words, these additional tips will help you craft an effective intro and invitation ready at a moment s notice. 1) Ask an open-ended, ice-breaking question that piques her interest to learn more: You have a beautiful speaking voice; do you sing? Or I noticed you humming to the music; do you sing? 2) Remember the elevator pitch is brief; you re halfway there! Next, enthusiastically introduce Sweet Adelines. For example: I ask because I sing in a local chorus, (tell your chorus name). We re a part of Sweet Adelines International the world s largest singing organization for women. We rehearse every week and perform locally throughout the year. We even travel to competitions! 3) Create an invitation to share the Sweet Adelines experience first hand. For example: Here s our card (including pertinent contact info, such as your phone number, email, website, and chorus social media page). I d love for you to stop by during our rehearsal some evening. Please call me if you d like to give it a try. I think you d be a great fit! Once you ve chosen your pitch components, write it down and practice it for easy delivery. Start using it wherever you encounter potential new members, be it the grocery store, the office, the gym or the audience after a performance. Soon you ll be using your personal elevator pitch without a second thought as you greet every woman who shows an interest or inclination for music and singing. Finally, an equally important way to continually represent Sweet Adelines International to members, non-members and potential members alike: Sing well, sing joyfully, sing often! After all, it s our purpose and that we do it in our unique and challenging a cappella style makes it one of our greatest attractions. Congratulations on embracing your vital role as a member ambassador of Sweet Adelines International and thank you for proudly representing our organization to the world. You are Sweet Adelines!
MISSION STATEMENT Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance. Sweet Adelines International 9110 S. Toledo Ave. Tulsa, OK 74137 (918) 622-1444 Toll Free: (800) 992-SING (7464) Email: member@sweetadelines.com www.sweetadelines.com Supplement to THE PITCH PIPE Magazine