Region 17 is participating in the Pilot Project to "test drive" the new Regional Governance structure proposed by Sweet Adelines International. This pilot will run from May 1, 2017 - December 31, 2018. On this page you will find information about our incoming Regional Administrative, Education and Membership Directors (Regional Executive Committee) appointed by the International Leadership Specialists (ILS). This information is now available. The Appointments Advisory Committee (created by the new REC Directors) will review Regional Resource Staff applications. See details below.
Information about specific Regional Resource Staff positions and their job descriptions are linked below.
Regional Resource Staff Application -- This application is used to build our candidate pool for future position openings. You are welcome to send them to our advisory committee at any time. All Resource Staff positions are open each year and begin on May 1. The application deadline for consideration for the 2018-19 fiscal year was March 1.
Regional Governance Pilot Structure
Updated June 2018:
Members of the Regional Executive Committee (REC) were appointed by the Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors. The REC and the Resource Positions replaced the RMT at the beginning of this fiscal year, May 1, 2017. Congratulations to our new REC!
Regional Administrative Director:
Deb Ferenc, Greater Cleveland Chorus email
Regional Administrative Resource Staff was appointed by the REC and started their positions on May 1, 2018 for year two of the pilot. The Administrative Resource Staff includes:
Position |
Staff |
Affiliation |
Communications Coordinator |
Sue Moore email |
Sounds of Pittsburgh |
Financial Coordinator |
Karen Wharrey email |
Sounds of Pittsburgh |
Leadership Development Specialist |
LaDonna Thomas email |
CAL |
Marketing Coordinator |
Lisa Garnes email Triana Fry (shadow) |
Voices in Harmony Dogwood Blossoms |
Regional By Laws and Rules Chair |
Sandra Recker email |
Grand Rapids |
Regional Secretary |
Kathy Fazekas email |
Greater Cleveland |
Regional Education Director:
JoAnn Wilson, Greater Cleveland Chorus email
Regional Education Resource Staff was appointed by the REC and started their positions on May 1, 2018. The Education Resource Staff includes:
Position |
Staff |
Affiliation |
Chair, Regional Convention |
Karen Parsons email |
Greater Cleveland |
Chorus Director Liaison |
Michael Hengelsberg email |
Greater Harmony |
Arranger Education Specialist |
Jean Flinn email |
Greater Cleveland |
Faculty Specialist |
Sherry Berkley email |
Grand Rapids |
General Education Specialist |
Sherry Berkley |
Grand Rapids |
Quartet Education Specialist |
Amy Ringley email |
Greater Cleveland |
YWIH Specialist |
Emily Oppenhuizen email |
Grand Rapids |
Site & Facility Service Coordinator |
Cathy Dunlap email Shannon Underwood (shadow) |
City of Flags Greater Cleveland |
Event and On-Site Facility Coordinator | Vicki Van Gorder email | Greater Cleveland |
Audio-Visual Specialist | Michele Vidulich email | Sounds of Pittsburgh |
Convention Coordinator | Sue Heck email | City of Flags |
Regional Membership Director:
Ruth Bates, Pride of Toledo Chorus email
Regional Membership Resource Staff was appointed by the REC and started their positions on May 1, 2017. The Membership Resource Staff includes:
Position |
Staff |
Affiliation |
Alternate Membership Liaison |
Judy Roman email |
Greater Cleveland |
Chartered Chapter Liaison |
Pat Galvin email |
Pride of Toledo |
Membership Growth, Retention and Expansion Coordinator |
Debra Pfennig email |
Grand Rapids |
Prospective Chapter Coordinator |
Kay Seymour email |
Pride of Toledo |
Revitalization Specialist |
Kay Seymour |
Pride of Toledo |
Links go to documents outlining responsibilities and reporting structure.
Regional Administrative Director
- Communications Coordinator
- Financial Coordinator
- Leadership Development Specialist (updated 2/15/17)
- Marketing Coordinator
- Regional Bylaws and Rules Chair
- Regional Secretary
- Chair, Regional Convention
- Chorus Director Liaison
- Event and On-Site Facilities Coordinator (updated 4/18)
- Site and Facility Service Coordinator (updated 4/18)
- Audio-Visual Specialist (updated 4/18)
- Arranger Education Specialist (updated 2/15/17)
- Faculty Specialist (updated 2/15/17)
- General Education Specialist (updated 2/15/17)
- Quartet Education Specialist (updated 2/15/17)
- YWIH Specialist (updated 2/15/17)
- Special Project Coordinators as needed
- Recommends CC candidates