By Matt Heller, OCSM Secretary
“Could I nominate you for (fill in the blank) Committee? Because you’d be great.”
I’ve probably had that conversation with dozens of my Calgary Phil colleagues. Some said yes. Most were somewhere between “I’ll think about it” and “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
We’re not alone in this challenge. At last summer’s OCSM Conference, one of our most animated discussions was on this very topic: Recruiting new committee members. Of course, the specific circumstances that make it challenging can vary quite a bit. Some orchestras are largely made up of part-timers, and/or people without much discretionary time. (Shout out to parents!) Some of these roles may seem to demand specialized knowledge, conflict resolution skills, or a deep institutional memory, which not all of us have. Some might worry that committee work could get them in trouble. And underlying all of this is the question: is it worth my time?
Here, in no particular order, are some ideas and suggestions Delegates offered:
- Pitch it 1-on-1. All members need to be informed of positions up for election. Still, identifying likely candidates and getting them to accept a nomination can require a personal touch, as well as the patience to follow up and address concerns.
- Purpose matters. Some recalled asking what a committee did, only to be told, “You go to meetings”. Needless to say, few were inspired. Focus on deeper purposes: representing our colleagues, improving the artistic product, solving difficult problems.
- Start early. New orchestra members are often highly dedicated and motivated, with fresh perspectives and energy to solve sticky problems. Delegates praised this incoming generation for their courage and interest in collective action.
- Elections can be a good thing. Many of our positions get filled “by acclamation”, rather than contested elections. That can be fine, but some noted the value of a vote of confidence from colleagues. Some orchestras require Orchestra Committee members receive a minimum number of votes to qualify, or call for a show of hands even when a nominee runs unopposed.
- Guidance helps. We all need help learning a new role. Delegates suggested more experienced committee members write things down, creating easy explainers and checklists to help hand off responsibilities smoothly. Having a supportive Local and past committee members willing to provide advice in times of need can also be crucial.
- Different works. Some pointed out that flexibility is necessary; new people will approach the roles with their own styles and strengths. Those of us who have been doing this a long time should embrace seeing it done a little differently.
Whether you’re thinking about serving on a committee yourself, or twisting colleagues’ arms as I was, I hope this gives some useful ideas. And for those of you who are serving on committees, thank you for stepping up, and for all you do! Your colleagues thank you too, even if we don’t say it enough.