Moving On

Richard Hurst, organiser of the Ulster American Folk Park's award-winning Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival has resigned from the position of Chairperson of the European Bluegrass Music Association [EBMA]. Taking up the post in May of 2008 he strived to build upon the invaluable work carried out by his predecessor Paolo Dettwiler. Working with a team of passionate and committed board members throughout his short tenure, Richard has mixed feelings about his decision citing work and family commitments as the reason behind the move. "Work commitments within National Museums Northern Ireland and at home in Donegal, have just reached the point where something has to give. I have enjoyed the experience of being on the EBMA Board immensely and obviously leave the scene with more than a tinge of sadness and regret. Working with fellow board members has been a joy in itself and their continued commitment to the development of Bluegrass music in Europe is something I will continue to admire and support as an Association member in the years to come. I wish Angelika, Rienk, Petr, Dagfinn and Martino a fair wind into the future and will ensure that our annual Bluegrass Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park continues to promote the EBMA and its work at every opportunity possible".

At their first Skype-Conference on 23rd December 2009, and upon the recommendation of Richard Hurst ("I just want to say that the endeavour, commitment and devotion shown consistently by Angelika makes me think that she is more than able to lead the organisation in the coming weeks and months ahead"), the remaining board members unanimously elected Angelika Torrie as their chairperson. Angelika accepted the challenge, and while Rienk Janssen will take over responsibility for membership administration, the board will be looking for a reliable replacement for the actual bookkeeping - preferably in Switzerland.

Although the EBMA board of directors is sad to see him leave, we send out to Richard Hurst a warm and heartfelt THANK YOU for his work for EBMA over the past months and wish him all the power he needs for his committments at home and at work. And of course we look forward to meeting with him again on the occasion of one or the other bluegrass event.

On behalf of the EBMA board of directors
Angelika Torrie, Chairperson

EBMA - Board of Directors

WHO

TITLE

JOB

Angelika Torrie

Chairperson

planning of activities, coordination, representation
contacts outside Europe
webmaster ebma.org (updates/contents)
co-editor European Bluegrass Blog
co-editor Bluegrass Europe magazine

Petr Brandejs

Vice-Chair

support and substitute of Chair
Coordinator for Eastern Europe
discount programme for members

Martino Coppo

Officer at Large

special projects

Rienk Janssen

Officer at Large

membership administration
contact to IBMA

Dagfinn Pedersen

Officer at Large

Co-ordinator of EBMA Country Representatives
special projects

additional support

Paolo Dettwiler

Editor of Bluegrass Europe

Richard Hawkins
Editor European Bluegrass Blog
Co-editor Bluegrass Europe magazine

Michael Zumstein
Support with graphic design
vacancy Bookkeeping

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EBMA's Board of Directors are elected by and from the active membership of EBMA.

They are the policy making body responsible for the association's mission achieved through its programs, functions, business affairs and property. All board members must be active members of the association and volunteer their service and bear the expense of attending meetings and EBMA functions.

FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY

Each board member is responsible for seeing that the mission of the organization is worked towards, including guarding and establishing the financial well-being of the EBMA. In doing so they must act in good faith and with the degree of diligence, care and skill which ordinarily prudent people would exercise under similar circumstances.

ACTIVE ADVOCACY

Each board member is expected to be an active advocate of the association and to uphold the highest standards of ethical service and practice in order to establish and maintain EBMA's integrity, both within and outside the bluegrass music community.

KNOWLEDGEABILITY

Board members must be knowledgeable with respect to the operations and functions of the EBMA, and should not be afraid to ask questions or inquire about situations they might not understand. Members of the board should also maintain a good working knowledge of the bluegrass music industry.

ATTENDING BOARD MEETINGS

Board members are expected to attend and be prepared for board meetings and to actively represent the collective interests of the general membership.

ATTENDING FUNCTIONS

Each board member is expected to be involved in the major activities hosted by the association.

WORKING THROUGH APPROPRIATE CHANNELS

EBMA's leadership shall pursue all matters through appropriate channels and within the organizational structure and must always bear in mind that they may, at any time, be viewed as speaking for and representing the organization. As an individual, Directors have no private word which can be binding upon the organization unless specifically authorized by action of the entire Board.

AVOIDING BIAS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Directors must be open minded and should remove personal bias from their decisions related to EBMA. They should make full disclosure of any situation which may involve them in an actual or apparent conflict of interest. Directors shall not condone discrimination against individuals or groups with reference to race, religion, gender, or national origin.

BE IT RESOLVED, The Leadership of the European Bluegrass Music Association

upholds and supports these expectations and responsibilities, ever conscious that their position is a trust of the membership they represent and a service to the mission of the organization.

approved by the EBMA Board of Directors

September 14, 2005

signed by Chair

Paolo Dettwiler

© 2010 European Bluegrass Music Association
Holeerain 29, CH-4102 Binningen, Switzerland
Ph: +41 61 423 96 91 • Fx: +41 61 423 96 90