What does it take to run a successful chorus? One thing is for sure, it takes a lot of dedicated members working behind the scenes to keep all the parts of the ”choral machine” in good working order and functioning together. For the ScotianAires, the center of that team is our Board of Directors, and in April at our Annual General Meeting, we had the opportunity to thank our 2018-19 board and welcome in the executive and members at large for the 2019-20 year.

A familiar face on our board executive, Sue Dickie, has supported the ScotianAires for five years in the position of treasurer. One of the most demanding and responsible roles in the organization, the treasurer oversees the financial side of all our activities – no small task when you consider the organization works with an annual budget of close to $40 000!

Sue joined the ScotianAires 15 years ago and currently sings bass. Her sister had been singing with the Cobequid Fun-Tones for years and Sue particularly enjoyed seeing them perform at a competition in Dartmouth. Sue’s husband, Hugh, who was singing with the City of Lakes men’s barbershop chorus, knew how much she enjoyed the a cappella harmonies. During one of the men’s shows where Sue was volunteering, he arranged for Sue (without her knowledge!) to sing with a women’s quartet from Truro called Musical Persuasion who were entertaining during the intermission. Hugh followed up quickly with an introduction to Shelagh Radcliffe, the director of the ScotianAires and the die was cast!

There are many roles to fill in the chorus and Sue was always prepared to volunteer. She was a member of the Costume Committee early on and eventually co-chaired with Norma Jordan. She has served on the Nominating Committee, chaired the Ways and Means Committee and served on the board as a member at large. Luckily, Sue loves numbers (she is addicted to Sudoku apparently!) and since she had past experience in a similar position, she stepped up to take on the challenging role of treasurer. Currently, Sue is back with the board executive as secretary and co-chairs the AC&C Hosting Team with ScotianAires president, Tanya Reid.

During Sue’s time as treasurer there have been a few changes in the financial operation of the chorus. The chorus now accepts Electronic Fund Transfers (EFTs) for payment of dues etc., and a new PayPal account makes it easier to pay coaches in US funds. New policies have been developed to make the financial machine run even more smoothly and everything seems to function so well that sometimes we forget how much work goes on behind the scenes. The most satisfying part….”When everything balances at the end of the month!” declares Sue.

Sue has passed on the treasurer mantle to baritone Ros Morrison, but she is still involved providing training and advice and it is comforting to know that in her new role as secretary she will never be far away when the board needs her wisdom. Thank you to Sue Dickie for her service to the ScotianAires and to all the board members, past and present, who volunteer their time and talents to keep our organization moving forward!