What is The Savoyard's Mission Statement?

I signed up to the Probloggers' 31 days to build a better blog earlier this month. I have been a blogger for my own person for several years now and actually have more than one. So when I joined the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin, it was only natural for me to extend their presence online by way of having a separate blog (as opposed to their website which is a beaut I've got to say).




Not only that, I added us to Twitter (see the sidebar on the right, do come follow 'me') and am working on the Facebook page. The latter is a bit delayed but I do 'own' the page it's just not officially 'published' yet.




Many other Gilbert and Sullivan organizations are on Facebook though. It is the way of the 21st Century which is all about social media (aka "word of mouth marketing"). The global, virtual version of the porch front where people like to pass by, have a nice (usually quick) visit only to mosy on to the next 'porch'.

The sad fact is that our membership is not a very young one. I will define young as being younger than 35. And as with many cultural influences, they usually get passed on by parents and other significant people in one's life. These days however, the media focusses on the much younger and not as culturally attuned crowd who get used to watching the same formulaic, dumbed-down shows that feature their peers as some kind of hero 'know it all', 'up yours to authority' or 'come on grandpa/ma-rolling of the eyes' mentality. Intelligent writing and actually relatable writing gets pushed over for the thing that makes money; shows that appeal to the lowest common denominator. (exceptions notwithstanding)

So how, with those mostly television type cultural influences do we as a music society (GSSA), and we, as Savoyards in general, counter that? How do we rope in people who've had no exposure to intelligent (Brit) wit or even opera? Plus at the same time, how do we build community with Savoyards local and beyond to keep the flames of Gilbert and Sullivan burning?

This is my part in trying to reach out via the social media tools and there might be a few more I could use but this is how I'll start.

So The Savoyard's Mission for now (missions can change)is to reach out to those who are unfamiliar with Gilbert and Sullivan combining efforts to reach their opposites of those who love Gilbert and Sullivan. Hopefully a few of them local so they can come and enjoy our performances, our bread and butter as a non profit. It's an online world these days and it runs paralel to the one where people read newspapers and listen to the radio and watch tv.

People are social animals and if they see that a particular brand sells, or a particular restaurant always seems full (even though the food sucks, I know a few places in town but 'the flock keeps flocking'), or 'something' seems to strike people's fancy (like say those Gilbert and Sullivan operas, 'how funny, how hilarious'), they (let's hope a royally 'they' at that) will follow suit.

The Board and volunteers at the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin are just gagga over anything G&S. The very seasoned amongst us can regale you with quotes and chuckle and laugh at the smartness of it all. This newbie G&S'er sometimes feels like an out of place Trekkie but no matter! After all, I'm intelligent and I can take a good joke right? RIGHT!

That said, I'll be mulling this over. Having a mission statement for any organization and enterprise is a smart thing to do. It keeps you focussed and sharp and you'll have to slash things out of your program if it doesn't meet the mission criteria.

Do you have any suggestions?


When every blessed thing you hold
Is made of silver, or of gold,
You long for simple pewter (The Gondoliers)