Board and Committees

Thoughts from the Board on their GALA Service

“I have found board service rewarding. The board has taken bold steps to build stronger relationships, which is empowering and satisfying. I feel respected and feel that all our board members are given the time and opportunity to express their views and opinions.”
– Martin Brophy

“Serving on the GALA board has completely exceeded my expectations. I came on board with some skepticism as to the viability of the association, but the turnaround process has been a pleasure to be involved with and committed to. My service has been filled with highly satisfying opportunities both in terms of professional achievement and interpersonal relationships. I will be very sad to end my term and hope to continue to serve in whatever capacities the board finds appropriate and useful.” –
Steve Smith

“I have loved serving on this Board and helping to move GALA Choruses through difficult times and beyond a difficult reputation. It has been fulfilling and engaging and many of the people I have met have become lasting friends.”
– Joann Usher

“My experience on the GALA Board has solidified my belief that AMAZING things can be accomplished in a short period of time when an organization’s Board and Staff share a common vision and work together to achieve their shared goals.

The opportunity for me to visit many of our member Choruses over the last six years has made it abundantly clear that we are more alike than different and we have so many similar experiences in our respective histories, regardless of the number of singers we put on stage or the numbers in front of the decimal points on the line items of our budgets. This similarity is the foundation of GALA.”
– Jeffrey Ayres, former president of the GALA Board of Directors

Executive Committee

headshot of Maria-Elena Grant, smiling black woman with long, dark hair
Maria-Elena Grant
President
Justin Fyala
Vice-President
headshot of Michael McDonald, smiling white man with gray hair
Michael McDonald
Secretary
Jeff Smith
Treasurer
Carol Paskulin
Member-at-Large

Board Members

Abdullah Rasheen Hall
Brayton Bollenbacher
headshot of Chipper Dean, white man talking into a microphone with brown hair
Chipper Dean
Eric smiles through a salt and pepper beard, wearing a brown suit and red tie.
Eric Dickerson
Headshot of Jeff Chapdelaine, smiling white man with bald head in a suit
Jeff Chapdelaine
John Carrion
Joseph Nadeau
headshot of Karen Lane, smiling white woman with short salt and pepper hair
Karen Lane
headshot of Kristen Stinnett, smiling white woman with short brown fauxhawk
Kristen Stinnett
headshot of a white woman with black curly hair and glasses and her mouth wide open
Miriam Davidson
A headshot of a bald male-presenting person with a short beard and mustache - smiling slightly.
Oscar Urtusastegui
Steve Milloy conducts, wearing a purple shirt under a black blazer.
Steve Milloy
headshot of Tim Blanchard Modisette, smiling white man with gray hair
Tim Blanchard-Modisette

Committees

Finance Committee—Jeff Smith, Chair

  • Reviews of the annual operating plan for the corporation prior to its submission for full
    Board approval.
  • Reviews of monthly financial reports containing an analysis of actual vs. budgeted results
    and a forecast of cash flows for the remainder of the year.
  • Annually reviews the internal control and investment policies.
  • Annually reviews the corporation’s annual financials with the auditors and of the Form 990
    filing with the IRS.
  • Annually reviews the corporation’s insurance program.
  • Annually reviews the corporation’s banking and credit arrangements

Membership & Education—Brayton Bollenbacher, Chair

  • Oversees the process for supporting new member choruses and training existing members
    on the use of GALA programs and services.
  • Assists the recognition of member chorus anniversaries
  • Oversee the process for obtaining and disseminating survey information to member
    choruses.
  • Assists identifying options for support of transgender singers and youth
    choruses.
  • Oversees the annual leadership symposium and the manager’s and director’s retreat.
  • Oversees the 411 program.
  • Oversees the online member resources programs including webinars and podcasts, the
    resource library and online chorus management educational materials.

External Relations—Steve Milloy and Jacob Stensberg, Co-Chairs

  • Participates in the Global Alliance of Queer Choirs
  • Oversees relationships with mainstream music organizations such as ACDA and Chorus America
  • Oversees work with schools, universities and communities of faith

Resource Development Committee—Justin Fyala, Chair

  • Provides oversight and assistance in the development of the annual individual donation
    campaign which includes board contributions.
  • Provides oversight and assistance in the development of the corporate sponsorship
    relationships.
  • Provides oversight and assistance in the development of foundation relationships and grant
    applications.

Festival Committee—Joe Nadeau and Kathleen Hansen, Co-Chairs

  • Provides oversight of the planning and budgeting for the quadrennial Festival and critical
    review of the final festival report.
  • Assists in the development of a database of cities capable of hosting Festival.

Communications Committee—Miriam Davidson, Chair

  • Assists in the development of strategies to keep the membership engaged via social
    media.
  • Provides oversight of the development and maintenance of the organization’s web site.
  • Assists in the creation of a strategy and plan for electronic communications.

Governance Committee—Tim Blanchard-Modisette, Chair

  • Establishes a matrix of skills, geographic location and chorus type to guide the Board in
    achieving an appropriate diversity of representation.
  • Identifies individuals to recruit to the Board and make the appropriate contacts to determine
    their interest in Board service.
  • Prepares a slate of candidates for nomination to the Board.
  • Coordinates the orientation of new Board member

New Harmony Taskforce—Maria-Elena Grant, Chair

  • Produces and update of the New Harmony Workbook
  • Advises member choruses on DEI issues as requested through the 411 Program.
  • Advises the Board of Directors on matters of equity, access and belonging.