Along with the normal business ordinarily conducted at the midwinter convention, a few changes were adopted which affected the district at this convention held January 27-30, 1972. The first was a revision to the Standard District Constitution which would allow chapters to have more than one delegate to the district House of Delegates. In essence, each chapter shall be entitled to representation in the district House of Delegates by one or more delegates or alternates in accordance with the ratio adopted by its House of Delegates. In financial matters, a review was given of the increased costs of operation since the last dues increase in 1969, and over which the Society had no control. As a result, the Executive Committee proposed and the Board approved a $1 dues increase in international dues, from $12 to $13, to be effective April 1, 1972. The Board also agreed to increase the quartet registration fee, which had been $5 over fifteen years, to $10 effective immediately. This was the dues increase to which Tom Damm objected unsuccessfully at the meeting.
Other actions taken affected all chapters in the matter of their filing of 1971, and future, tax forms as required by the Internal Revenue Service. In effect, the Board established some stringent penalties over chapters which fail to meet the required deadlines for filing the form 990. At the core of the issue was the fear of our loss of the Society's non-profit status as an educational and charitable organization. Chapters failing to file would be subject to suspension if they were delinquent after a certain period of time.
Tom Damm, in his report to the district as I.B.M., reported the adoption of a mandatory bookkeeping service (for which the chapter would pay), which would assure proper tax reporting, etc., so as to prevent any problems with federal regulations. The quarterly and annual statements were to be prepared from monthly reports submitted by the chapters to Kenosha. Implementation of the service requires additional data processing equipment which will be paid for in part by the charge for the service. Dam stated he voted against the adoption of this system.
New District Board meets in Lansing
 Bill Warner
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New President Bill Warner called the meeting to order January 23 at 10:00 a.m. President Warner reported that Treasurer Bob Drabik had written him, regretfully resigning as district treasurer due to being transferred to Knoxville, Tennessee. President Bill stated that Lawrence G. King had agreed to accept the district treasurer's position. It was moved by I.B.M. Tom Damm, seconded and unanimously passed that Larry King be appointed district treasurer for 1972.
It was also reported the Tecumseh Chapter charter had been formally revoked. Big Rapids's associate status was discussed. It was agreed that an additional extension should not be requested for Big Rapids, therefore their charter was revoked at the January International Board meeting in San Diego. International Board Member Tom Damm read a letter, received from the International C&J chairman, regarding action taken at the previous Fall House of Delegates meeting dealing with eligibility of Pioneer District members competing in international chorus competition. It was unanimously agreed that the International Committee had apparently misinterpreted the district delegate's action, and I.B.M. Damm was instructed to request re-examination and clarification of this eligibility point by the appropriate individuals at the midwinter International Board meeting. The Board then went back to the committee for reconsideration. The majority of the International Board felt that individual rulings are not desirable and that if such changes were made it should be uniform for all districts. Action on this could be expected at the Atlanta international convention.
Tom Damm
Quad Chapter capers
One of the ongoing events which occurred each year in the busy Pioneer District was the ongoing Quad-Chapter meetings. It all started at a COT school, when guys from Flint, Saginaw-Bay, and Holly-Fenton Chapters, dreamed of sharing their wealth with each other in a joint meeting of chapters. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and the first Tri-Chapter meeting was born in 1965.
It wasn't long until those familiar falsetto tones of fun and fellowship came floating down from the fastness on the north, and tickled the fancies of the fertile fellows of Pontiac, causing that epidemic known as "cocking of the ear". On September 10, 1968, at Holly-Fenton, Pontiac pleaded to be included. And so the name was changed to Quad-Chapter Meetings, and a new mutual era of enjoyment was born on the spot.
Once every three months, each chapter was host to the greatest assortment of talent available. Four choruses, six to eight quartets, M.C.'s galore, song leaders par-excellence—enough performers to do credit to any chapter parade. It is significant that these meetings have met the taste of time, and are still popular, although not as regular as they first were.
"Auditions for Admissions" was popular"
The "Auditions for Admissions" program which had been developed as a membership recruitment program was strong throughout the Society in 1971 and 1972. Pioneer was no exception. During those years almost all of the chapters in the district were holding them, and most were quite successful.
Your author, as a member of the Oakland County Chapter, can remember one very successful audition night held by the chapter at the Oakland Mall in Troy, Michigan. Briefly, we worked with the mall management and selected a busy night (the merchants loved it) and entertained as a chorus in the center of the mall. We invited male listeners who were interested in singing to join us in the mall barbershop, where we explained to them they would be auditioned in a barber chair and afterwards invited to a reception room, with their wives or companions, where refreshments were offered. The chorus intermingled to make them feel welcome and sang along with them to let the guests know what we were all about. I can remember it worked, because on this one night in 1971 we signed up 15 new members. Although the "Auditions" program has died over the years, it was very popular throughout the district during 1971 and 1972. It was a fine program and still has a lot of merit.
SHARPLIFTERS and VAGABONDS will represent district at Atlanta
 Vagabonds
|  Sharplifters
|  Original Choice
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The 1972 spring convention was hosted by the Saginaw-Bay Chapter and held in Midland, Michigan, on April 28-30, 1972. In the quartet contest there were really no surprises, as the VAGABONDS and the SHARPLIFTERS pulled away from the rest of the field to take the day. The VAGABONDS from the Oakland County and Lansing Chapters (Ken Gibson, tenor; Dennis Gore, lead; Tony Scooros, baritone, and Norman Thompson, bass) scored 2465 points, leading the field in first place. The SHARPLIFTERS from the Detroit #1 Chapter, with new lead Clay Shumard, came in second with 2319 points. (Other members of the quartet included Bill Wickstrom, tenor; John Seemann, baritone, and Lowell Thomas, bass.) The district champion ORIGINAL CHOICE from the Saginaw-Bay and Grosse Pointe Chapters, (Bob Demchak, tenor; Noel "Bud" Carpenter, lead; Jim Gross, baritone, and Len Johnson, bass) was chosen as the alternate quartet to Atlanta with 2177 points. Other quartets competing included the ROLLING TONES from the Oakland County Chapter (2052) in fourth, the HARMONY HOUNDS from Battle Creek (1970) in fifth, the GALAXIES from Grand Rapids (1825) in sixth, and the LATEST EDITION from the Kalamazoo Chapter (1816) in seventh.
Quartets failing to make the finals included the RANGE FINDERS from Lansing, the LATEST DIMENSION from the Holland Chapter, the TRAVEL CHORDS from the Battle Creek Chapter and THE SMORGASCHORDS from Grand Rapids.
MOTOR CITY Chorus wins district chorus championship
 Motor City "72"
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Bill Butler, who had directed the Detroit #1 MOTOR CITY Chorus for many years, stepped down as the director of the chorus and turned the chore over to Thom Hine, who had recently transferred into the area. Thom wasted no time in leading the MOTOR CITY Chorus to the 1972 Pioneer District chorus championship outdistancing 14 other choruses. They outscored the second place Grosse Pointe LAKESHORE Chorus, under the direction of Russ Seely, 1161 to 1047 in a thrilling contest despite the 114 point spread.
Other choruses competing included the CAPITOLAIRES from Lansing (Ken Gibson, director), the TRAVERSE CITY Chorus (Marty Chirgwin, director), the Pontiac MOTORMEN (Dan Rafferty, director), the Battle Creek CEREAL CITY Chorus (Larry Swan, director), the Saginaw-Bay TIMBERLAND CHORDSMEN (Bob Glover, director), the Grand Rapids GREAT LAKES Chorus (Fran Jones, director), the Windsor SUN PARLOUR Chorus (Doran McTaggart, director), the Benton Harbor FRUIT BELT Chorus (Roger Valentine, director), the Flint ARROW HEAD Chorus (Fred Kienitz, director), the Kalamazoo MALL CITY Chorus (Dick Peterson, director), the Milford HURON VALLEY Chorus (Marty Zurn, director) and the CADILLAC Chorus (Warren Marsh, director).
Big controversy in district emerges
In the March 1972 issue of the Pioneer District Troubadour, International Board Member Tom Damm mentioned an item in his article concerning the recent trip that the Executive Director of the Society Barrie Best had made to England. The 1971 November–December Harmonizer had carried a three-page report by Barrie Best on his visit to England. The International Board had approved earlier of having the staff formulate a proposal for extension activity in England providing no Society funds were expended without Board approval. (The only expenditure in this area had been the approximate $600 for the visit by the executive director.) Tom made the comment in his article that his mail had indicated to him that there seemed to be considerable sentiment against spending any money or effort overseas when there is so much to be done in North America.
Another article appeared in the Troubadour written mostly by Joe Wolff but signed by Bill Schwedler, president of the Detroit #1 Chapter, requesting a resolution be introduced at the House of Delegates meeting scheduled at Midland, Michigan, on the 30th day of April, 1972, as follows:
"We do not favor subsidizing any further activity on the part of our Executive Director or any members of the administration in promoting the barbershopping program in England, and that more consideration be given to faltering chapters and the establishment of new ones, while guarding against loss of membership.
"Resolved further, that a copy of this resolution be mailed to all members of the International Board and a copy be published in the Troubadour."
A letter was received by Troubadour Editor Roger Lewis from International President Richard deMontmollin and published in a September 1972 "Letter to the Editor" column in the Troubadour. In it he mentioned the inference that the trip made by Barrie Best was not authorized by the Executive Committee was not true, and that it had been approved on June 23, 1970. Roger's reply mentioned several questions which he felt needed direct answers to resolve the whole matter.
The resolution was introduced at the House of Delegates meeting, and after considerable discussion the motion was passed. Your author never could find out how this particular issue was resolved, since no further mention was made of it in any of the periodicals current at the time. The meeting of the District Board was called to order by President Bill Warner at 9:15 p.m. In addition to the discussion and approval of the routine reports, a discussion ensued regarding the establishment of an International Send-Off Travel Fund wherein monies received for this purpose would be deposited and annual disbursements made from there to our chorus and quartet representatives. A motion was made and passed to establish such a fund. The Three Rivers Chapter inquired as to the status of their requested name change of the chapter to St. Joe Valley. Apparently the district had approved of the change, but through an oversight the district failed to notify the international office. The secretary was instructed to inform the international office of the previous Board approval of the name change.
International President Dick deMontmollin addressed the Board and commented on Society matters, including financial comments and membership increases on a national basis. A dialogue between Board members and the international president took place, including comments relating to the English situation and the recent international dues increase.
The district House of Delegates meeting was held the following day, and it was at this meeting that the Detroit resolution was introduced and passed regarding the expansion of barbershopping to England. The VAGABONDS from the Lansing and Oakland County Chapters were the Pioneer District heroes in the quartet contest as they wound up finalists and in the ninth position overall. The quartet—composed of Tony Scooros, baritone; Norm Thompson, bass; Dennis Gore, lead, and Ken Gibson, tenor—sang a great set of songs for their ninth place finish, including "Harbor", "Oh, Susanna", "Kid Next Door", "Pal of Mine", "Cuddle Up a Little Closer", and "Do You Really, Really Love Me". The GOLDEN STATERS from Arcadia, California, were declared the winners at the Saturday night finals on July 8. The other Pioneer quartet, the SHARPLIFTERS, performed well and finished in 35th position. The quartet—composed of John Seemann, baritone; Lowell Wolfe, bass; Clay Shumard, lead, and Bill Wickstrom, tenor—sang "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" and "How Can You Buy Killarney?" in their one set at contest.
The PHOENICIANS from Phoenix, Arizona, proved to be tops in the chorus contest. Outpointing the second place Cincinnati Western Hills Chapter's SOUTHERN GATEWAY Chorus by 123 points and the third place Louisville THOROUGHBREDS by 128 points, they proved themselves to be the purely superior chorus on this day. The WOLVERINE Chorus, under Carl Dahlke's hand, proved to themselves that five straight years of international competition was a bit much as they finished 15th out of 15 choruses competing. They clearly were not up to their potential as a chorus; and, upon returning to Michigan, they announced that they were pulling out of competition for a year or two to rebuild their fortunes. The Harmony Education Program (HEP) was really beginning to take hold in the Society. Starting in 1967, scattered schools were held across the country generally for chorus arrangers and for chorus directors. In 1968 three schools were held, generally along the same lines, but in 1970 it was changed to a one-week school with courses on Vocal Techniques and Quartet coaching being added. The school at this stage was open to the average barbershopper and was held at the Dominican College in Racine, Wisconsin. In 1971, the school was held August 1-8, 1971, at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania. Jack Sidor, of the Grand Rapids Chapter, wrote an article for the Troubadour about his attending the college along with three Wayne Chapter members—Mart Qum, Paul Pitch, and Pete Anderson—and the great time they had and what a great learning experience it was. In 1972, the school, continuing to attract barbershoppers from all over the Society, began to add additional classes which were extremely educational for the average barbershopper. Harmony College continues today at Western Missouri State University in St. Joseph, Missouri; one of the better learning experiences available to barbershoppers. The District Board meeting was called to order at the Holiday Inn in Grayling. Attending this meeting also was International Field Representative Lloyd Steinkamp. It was reported that the Atlanta charter flight was very successful, resulting in refunds to the passengers of $729 and a carryover district charter contingency fund of $195.69. It was moved and passed that Cliff Douglas be named the 1971 area Counselor of the year and be awarded the Chase Sanborn Area Counselor Award. President Warner also announced the results of the 1971 chapter achievement contest. The Gold Award was won by the Oakland County Chapter and the Silver by the Pontiac Chapter. New quartets were beginning to appear on the scene as summer wore on. Notable among the new quartets were the NORTHERN HI-LITES, the HERR RAZORS, the RICOCHETS, the LAST CALL, the OAKLAND COUNTS, and the KEEPERS OF THE KEYS. Meanwhile, it was announced that our District champion quartet, the ORIGINAL CHOICE, was disbanding with their last job scheduled for November 5 in Indiana.
Harrisville continued to draw its big crowd of barbershopping and camping enthusiasts, and each morning featured a "Recovery Station" in the park to help barbershoppers recover from the night before. Darl Wiley, an OCC member transplanted to Omaha, Nebraska, received the trophy given to the member who traveled the farthest to attend.
The Au Sable Valley Chapter received its charter on September 16, 1972, with festivities at the Chief Shoppenagon Hotel in Grayling, Michigan. Tom Damm emceed the program which featured the Au Sable Valley Barbershop Chorus under the direction of John Noteware. Traverse City was the sponsoring chapter. Guest quartets in attendance included Traverse City's VOCAL GENTRY, Lansing's RANGE FINDERS, Tri-City–Flint's ORIGINAL CHOICE, and Detroit's SHARPLIFTERS. District President Bill Warner made the presentation of the charter to Dick Moran. The beautiful Whiting Auditorium in Flint was the setting for the fall contests to determine the new district quartet champs and our chorus representative to the international chorus contest. The downtown Durant Hotel was the headquarters hotel.
Seventeen quartets answered the call for the quartet contest including three last minute entries. The newly formed NORTHERN HI-LITES from the Grosse Pointe, Detroit, and Oakland County chapters (Bob Demchak, tenor; Dave "Doc" Caldwell, lead; Clint Bostick, baritone, and Lee Hanson, bass) proved undaunted and swept both sessions of the contest to become the new 1972-73 district champions. Trailing closely in the semi-finals, Oakland County's ROLLING TONES (Gene Bulka, tenor; Bill Shannon, lead; Dan Davey, baritone, and Jim Lekander, bass) couldn't catch up in the finals and ended up in second place. The LATEST EDITION, the RINGMASTERS, GALAXIES, PHIDAVONICS, and the VOICE QUAD filled out the quartets who sang in the finals; earning third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh positions, respectively. Other quartets competing in the semi-finals but not making the cut included the RANGE FINDERS, VOCAL GENTRY, TRAVEL CHORDS, BURRILL BROTHERS, LATEST DIMENSION, FOUR-GONE CONCLUSION, OAKLAND COUNTS, SMALL TOWNERS, SMORGASCHORDS and the HERR-RAZORS.
In the chorus competition, Detroit #1's Director Thom Hine had the MOTOR CITY Chorus really up for this contest, as they took first place with a 106 point margin over second place Lansing CAPITOL CITY CHORDSMEN directed by Ken Gibson. Other chapter choruses competing included Wayne, Grosse Pointe, Battle Creek, Traverse City, Pontiac, Saginaw-Bay, Grand Rapids, Flint, Windsor and Muskegon. The MOTOR CITY Chorus won the right to represent the district at Portland, Oregon, on July 14, 1973. At the District Board and House of Delegates meetings held in conjunction with the convention, it was announced that Vice President Dick Simpson had tendered his resignation due to health reasons, and it was moved and approved that Herm Dykema, Zone II area counselor, be asked to cover Dick's duties for the balance of the year. A report and recommendation by the International Send-Off Funds Distribution Committee was given by Tom Damm. His committee suggested the Board consider the following premises when awarding the travel funds to competitors:
Board actions at Midland on April 28, 1972
34th International in Atlanta was a thriller
Harmony College was becoming popular
District Board meets on September 16, 1972
Other Summer 1972 happenings
1972 fall convention invades Flint
Northern Hi-Lites
1)That the basic amount contributed to chorus and quartet contestants be $20 per person reimbursement of registration fee, plus $.03 per person per one-way mile.
2)That, for purposes of more equitable fund distribution, a quartet be considered eight persons.
3)That the maximum number of chorus members to be used for distribution under number 1, above, would be 70.
After a thorough discussion, it was moved and passed that the formula as recommended by the committee be used as a guide for the disbursement of travel funds for the ensuing year.
District officers reelected for 1973 included William C. Warner, president; Executive Vice President, Don Funk; Vice Presidents Zone I, Doran McTaggart, II, Herman Dykema, III, Del Doctor, IV, Loton Willson, and V, Noel Carpenter; Secretary, John Gillespie, and Treasurer, Lawrence G. King. It was announced shortly thereafter in the Troubadour that Noel Carpenter had relocated to Florida, leaving a vacancy on the Board for Zone V.
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