[Dixielandjazz] international Assn. for Jazz Education

[Robert S. Ringwald]

iaje

Dear IAJE Family,
It is with a great sense of loss that I inform you that despite drastic
efforts to
cut expenses and raise emergency funds, the IAJE Board has voted to file for
bankruptcy
under Chapter 7 of the Federal Bankruptcy Law. I want to thank profusely
those who
responded with their generous donations and offers of assistance following
my last
communication. While over 250 individuals contributed just over $12,000,
this, along
with the many other efforts and contributions of IAJE staff, Board members,
and association
partners, was simply not enough to address the accumulated debt of the
organization
or its urgent need for cash relief.
In the next few days, a Kansas
 bankruptcy court will appoint a trustee to oversee all ongoing aspects of
the association.
This includes the ability to examine IAJE's financial records and mount an
independent
inquiry into the causes of it's financial downfall as well as disposing of
the remaining
assets of the association with proceeds distributed to creditors in
accordance with
Kansas
 and Federal law. The board will no longer be involved in operation of the
organization
and will at some point resign. IAJE as it presently stands will no longer
exist.
Approximately a week after filing, all potential c
reditors of the association will receive notice of the association's filing
from
the court. Members who desire additional information regarding the petition,
including
a complete listing of association assets and liabilities, may retrieve this,
as it
is a public document, through norma
l c
ourt procedures. Undoubtedly, however, you will have more immediate
questions deserving
of responses I hope to address in this report.
Since the first communication to the membership outlining this crisis, there
has
been considerable public speculation as to its causes. As noted in that
communication,
years of dependence upon the conference as a primary (but unreliable)
revenue stream
and the launch of a well-intentioned capita
l c
ampaign (the Campaign for Jazz), which generated a meager response but
required considerable
expenditures in ad
van
ce of contributions, drove the association into insolvency. Sadly, the
attendance
at the conference in
Toronto
 (the lowest in 10 years) exacerbated an already critical situation,
depriving the
association of the cash-flow needed to continue daily operations as well as
the time
needed to seek alternative resources.
While ultimately not able to skirt the financial land mines placed in its
path, I
want to assure you the IAJE Board has acted responsibly, ethically, and with
a sense
of urgency ever since it was blindsided last fall with the discovery of the
extent
of the accumulated association debt. Since that time, the board slashed
spending,
set specific performance targets for the Executive Director, sought outside
consultations,
and enlisted the services of several past-presidents and strategic
association partners
in attempts to raise funds - sadly, with minimal success.
It goes without saying, the board you elected is comprised of very
accomplished,
intelligent, and dedicated educators and professionals who have given
generously
of their time in service to this association and care about it passionately.
Likewise,
our entire professional staff, led by Associate Executive Director, Vivian
Orndorff,
and Executive Producer, Steve Baker, has worked heroically in the face of
declining
resources to meet the needs of the association and its members. I wanted to
take
this opportunity to thank both the board and staff for their service. I have
been
privileged and honored to serve with them. While there may be those who
question
specific decisions or strategies in efforts to meet this crisis, the
dedication and
integrity of these individuals should never be in doubt.
As we move forward, one of the most pressing questions is how the operations
of individua
l c
hapters and affiliated associations will be affected by this filing. Since
our chapters
are either separate corporate entitles or voluntary associations with their
own boards,
constitutions and bylaws; IAJE views them as completely independent
entities. Ultimately,
however, the trustee and the court will make this determination and it is
anticipated
that the trustee may request certain information from the chapters in this
regard.
Sadly, the 2009 IAJE International Conference in Seattle
 has been cancelled. However, there has been some discussion of mounting a
regiona
l c
onference in its place. At the moment, Lou Fischer, U.S. Board
Representative is
fielding inquiries: ljazzmanf at yahoo.com.
For the time being, the IAJE website will remain up. However, the
international offices
of IAJE wil
l c
lose their doors at the end of the day on Friday, April 18th. Should there
be additional
questions you may submit them to info at iaje.org and every attempt will be
made to
respond to these as staffing allows.
Today, we, the members of IAJE and the global jazz community, face an
extremely important
task. For, as we all recognize, the opportunities, impact, and work of this
association
are too vital to simply disappear. Whether you were first drawn to IAJE for
its conference,
its magazine or research publications, its student scholarship programs such
as Sisters
in Jazz or the Clifford Brown/Stan Getz All-Stars, its Teacher Training
Institutes,
the resources provided through its website or Resource Team, or any one of a
number
of other offerings; it is clear the mission of IAJE still resonates and its
advocacy
is needed today more than ever. We must, therefore, look at this as an
opportunity
to refocus the mission, scope, programs, and vision of IAJE (or whatever
succeeds
it) to better meet the needs of our members and the jazz community not only
today
but looking toward the future.
I am, in no way, suggesting the membership turn a blind eye towards the need
for
an independent inquiry into causes and ultimately assigning responsibility
for this
situation. I ask you recognize the court appointed trustee, who will have
access
to all necessary documents and facts, is charged with that task. Our efforts
and
our passion, should be to collectively rally the community to recognize the
importance
IAJE has had and continues to have in the life and development of jazz and
jazz education
- seeking new strategic partnerships, new government structures, and a
revitalized
mission that embraces current needs.
Already there are efforts to do just that. I know that Mary Jo Papich, who
would
have begun serving her term as President of IAJE beginning this July, is
dedicated
to recreating such an association. As many know, Mary Jo has been a tireless
advocate
for IAJE, serving it long and well. You will, undoubtedly, be hearing from
her in
the near future. When she does contact you, I urge you to join me in
offering her
every support and assistance. Of course, others may also seek to fill this
void by
promoting alternative visions for empowering, serving, and gathering the
jazz community.
While I generally believe such diversity is quite healthy, I would strongly
encourage
all such efforts and leaders to attempt to collaborate and seek ways to
unite us
in spirit and strength.
Finally, I would encourage you to recognize and remember IAJE for all the
tremendous
good it has done in the past 40 years. Many individuals have contributed
along the
way, often at considerable personal sacrifice of their time and resources,
to establish
and ad
van
ce the work of this association. Much has been achieved that can never be
taken away!
Therefore, the vision, effort, and shared passion that have fueled the
growth of
IAJE and its programs should not be forgotten or considered in vain. Rather,
the
spirit that is IAJE must be rekindled into a new vision for the future.

Sincerely,

The IAJE Board - Chuck Owen, President