JPF Home Page Forums Southwest US Chapter Message Boards Orange County, California Feedback from Orange County Chapter Coordinator(s) Please! :)

Hi all! I'm Polly Hager, one of Brian Austin Whitney's "Helping Hands", and he's asked me to get feedback from the larger JPF chapter coordinators as part of an effort to get more chapters established both Nationally and Globally.

Please let me know how you're running your chapter, how it's doing, what has worked, what has not worked, what you'd like to see change or add/subtract from the current guidelines. Please either respond here or pm me. Thanks, appreciate the feedback!

Hi Polly, sorry I didn't see this. I don't know if you still want the feedback. It was so long ago.

We're alive and well here in Orange County. I follow the rules I was given when I took over the chapter. Don't ever share the mailing list, don't ever charge for meetings. Everyone is welcome, songwriters and musicians, every level.

I think what makes JPF unique is that it doesn't exclude anyone who can't pay. It becomes a group of people supporting people. I spread that theme at every open mic or event I go to. I say, "It's about the love". "It's about songwriters/musicians supporting songwriters/musicians". I have consistent meetings every month. I make flyers for the meetings, and I have business cards. I send people to the main website too. I give back to the people who help me. I will share "member gigs" in my e-mails and highlight first the people that actually come to the meetings. They give back by sharing opportunities and gigs with me that I share with all the members. Over the years building a mailing list has paid off. I guard that mailing list carefully. Lately Facebook has helped us.

Out here in the L.A. Area people know Brian because of his Road Trips. I mention him at showcases etc. There's always someone in the crowd who will share a Brian story. A lot of people know him, and know that he's the real deal. That helps. Also, the JPF Mentors have been invaluble speakers.

What I could use: When Brian's out in L.A. let me know so I can have the group meet him. Maybe mention Chapter news in his main mailing letters. We could send him updates before a letter goes out. His letter got me into the NAMM show one year. That was cool! Any tips or opportunities we can pass on to the members would be cool. It's good incentive. Also, I'd like the option of charging at a showcase if the Bar owner insists on a $5.00 cover or something.

If I think of more I'll add it.

Hope that helps,
Linda