My Nonprofit Reviews
Steven Schell
Review for Maple City Cadets, Inc., LaPorte, IN, USA
I joined the Maple City Cadets after the 1977 Fourth of July parade. My Mother was upset with me pounding on all the furniture and demanded that I join this organization and learn how to play drums. Once in the corp, I spent all my time learning to play and LOVED the activity. I spent four years with my family fully involved in the corps. My family was limited on income and became the only way for us to take vacation together as a family. As an adult, I have always loved Drum Corps. I go to the shows, attend DCI and buy the merchanise. During the past four years, my oldest Son has become involved in the activity here on the West Coast. Of course, I became a full time volunteer. Last year I took a month off work to tour with Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps. I learned everything from flipping hot cakes to driving the simi-truck. My Son is center snare in the Corps this year and loving it. Recently I was elected to the Board Of Directors for Pacific Crest. I can't wait for the season start. I owe all my enjoyment of this acitivity to the volunteers and instructional staff of the Maple City Cadets. Thank you so much for giving me a passion of this activity.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
It's been to long for me to evaluate
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Marching in the orgainization.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
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Ways to make it better...
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In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
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One thing I'd also say is that...
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Review for Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization, Diamond Bar, CA, USA
In my early teen years, I had the opportunity to learn to play drums for a local Drum & Bugle Corps in my home town. As my skills improved, I was able to join another Corp that competed at a championship level. Becuase of financial reasons in my family, I was not able to continue my season or my dream of competing in a World Championship. During my entire adult life, I have watched on sidelines and the parking lots at the incredible tallent of the instructional staff and members of the Corps and wondered how they make it look so easy on the field. I watched closely from the time the corps busses arrive in the lot, during warm up and show perfomances and even the hot meal before packing the trucks and leaving for the next competition many miles down the road. It was amazing to witness the coordination of the Corps. During the past two years, I have become a parent volunteer for the Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps as a way of re-living my old drum Corps dream while being with my Son, who now is a snare drummer in the corps. I soon found the answers to my questions of what it took to make each show event look so polished and organized. For me, the answer was two things; volunteers and money! These past two years I met parents who are willing to provide time and resources to help this corp achieve things they could not do on their own. I was amazed at the way the staff interacted and valued their volunteer staff. I felt at home and comfortable to offer my input to real issues and appreciated for even the smallest of contributions of time or money. The professionalism and coordination of the organization is directly related to the quality of the Corps Director and Board of Directors. I found that the organizational values set by the managment meets the values we expect our kids to learn in the real world. Financially speaking, Pacific Crest is one of the more financially sound corps in the activity today. Last year the orgainzation was able to overcome the historical increases in fuel costs during tour while remianing in the black at year-end. Last summer I took nearly a month off work and toured with the Corps. It was an amazing opportunity to witness this well-oiled machine in action, I have to encourage anyone who has a passion for music or pagentry to take some time to get involved with a Drum & Bugle Corps. With the changes in our economic conditions, Pacific Crest will need support from a much larger volunteer base. PLEASE help keep this incredible youth arts organization in the best competitive advantage this season by helping with your personal support. The life skills these young adults learn lasts a life time and returns to our communities in ways we charish for generations.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The ability to extend the corps competitive advantage on the road through the use of great volunteers.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Continue to keep our Executive Director on staff and run things just as they are going. He is an amazing man and a key to our success in the future.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Living the entire Drum Corps experience. I really enjoyed watching the members and staff develop the show and feel the excitement in the air when the results of the changes showed up in the score.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Volunteers were manily parents of current members or of previous members. The staff consisted of previous members or indiviuals who had marched with other corps in the past. All great people!!!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Purchase a new equipment truck, pay down its debt service,take advantage of prepayment cash discounts, lower dues payments for tallented youth with financal limitations. Offer better pay incentives to instructional staff, composers and drill writters. Create a full-time salary position for our Executive Director.
Ways to make it better...
The ability to create more specific roles and responsibilities for volunteers in order to manage the needs of the Corps.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
CASH! I am concerned about the impact of the economic down-turn in our country and the effect it has on volunteer abilites and cash contributions. Our plan is well organized but dependent on the ability of many individuals to meet thier committments.
One thing I'd also say is that...
This Corps represents more to me than just a youth arts acitivty or summer trips across country. I believe it makes me feel connected to a younger generation of adults that I normally would avoid. If these kids are my future, I am ok with it.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
