Joan Balinson & John Terence, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

BEING ORGANIZED … IS IT THE KEY TO SUCCESS …

In regards to Organization – Joan shares with us … “Behind my desk, on the wall, is a poster of a woman riding horseback and juggling several balls in the air.  She is my muse.  We multi task by setting up extensive files on all email correspondence; hard copy binders in alpha order tracking our volunteer job descriptions; give our Senior Managers the responsibility of planning throughout the year; keep hard copy binders for our marketing materials and media coverage (for easy reference) the following year.  Our bookkeeping is done in Quick Books and Excel programs.  Our office is located in the same coliseum where the show takes place and we have plenty of space for dressing rooms and satellite offices during show weekend.”

BEHIND THE SCENES - PROBLEM SOLVING …

I asked Joan... "As an Executive Director of the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival, I would imagine you are good at problem solving and managing people! As hectic as it is with all the chaos and details, how do you maintain your professionalize and composure."

Ms. Balinson replies … “Problem Solving Techniques - Many of our volunteers have been with us for years and served in different capacities.  If someone is unable to show up, we can find another person, give them a quick review of the job descriptions and get on with the show.  Weather is not an issue as we are inside.  Last minute performer cancellations are rare but we would just shorten the show by that one act.  There is no one act that carries the whole show.”  I appreciate Ms. Balinson’s further insight and knowledge when she discussed with me the issue of Risk Management. She states … “Risk Management - We carry heavy public liability insurance; work with a venue that has evacuation plans in place; have a heavy military presence in our performers and veterans who respond well to changes and emergencies.”   After speaking with Mr. Terence, the Producer, I learned also that if something were to go “challenging”, what better place to be then with a building full of Military service men and women.”

All the best for this years Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival!

Joan Balinson & John Terence, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

"Grand Finale" photo taken by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
Interview with Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director &
Mr. John Terence, Producer
Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

The IMPORTANCE OF SPONSORSHIP, FUNDING & GRANTS … Part 2

 With regard to Corporate Sponsorship, Executive Director Joan Balinson states … “It is increasingly difficult to obtain corporate sponsorship for a two show event which happens only once a year.  We have a full sponsorship fulfillment package tailored to meet the marketing needs of each company.  Our sponsors are invited to a very exclusive Chairman’s Reception in one of Hamilton’s finest military messes and given tickets in VIP seating to the show of their choice.”

As an aside, Mr. Terence reiterates how important Corporate Sponsorship is to the funding of this event (and festivals and events alike). Because of the scope of the show and the costs, this festival relies on sponsorship and grant funding to help make the shows viable. John shares his vision and sells the concepts and conveys his message to these groups, because once they believe in what you are trying to accomplish they are more apt to assist.

I spoke with Mr. John Terence, the Producer of the Festival about the encouragement of Youth to either participate or appreciate the performances during the Tattoo. Both he and Joan acknowledge that this Festival does Encouragement of Youth - On the Friday before the show; we run a full education programme for elementary students, in particular from inner city schools.  There is no charge to the students as the program is funded by The Rotary Club and The Hamilton Spectator.  The students have a hearty lunch, a brief talk on the role Military Music has played throughout the centuries, a performance by our guest bands, then an opportunity to move to the floor of the coliseum and mingle with the musicians.

(To Be Continued)

Joan Balinson & John Terence, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

"Grand Finale" photo taken by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
Interview with Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director &
Mr. John Terence, Producer
Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

The IMPORTANCE OF SPONSORSHIP, FUNDING & GRANTS …

With the economic challenges today, it would seem it is critical to obtain/maintain Sponsor funding and Other Sources of funding. How you go about obtain funding? I asked Ms. Balinson, of the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival how their Festival keeps “Sponsors” interested in supporting your efforts and “keep them happy”. With regard to Funding, she replies ... “We find it impossible to mount a show with a budget of $ 300,000 and cover the costs by ticket sales.  We offer a very low ticket price for seniors, veterans and families.  Consequently, we are very dependent on corporate sponsorship and grants.”  With regard to Grants, Joan tells us … “Due to the unique nature of the program, music, dancing, military drills, pageantry, and the fulfillment of our mandate “Connecting Canadians to their Military through Music” we submit government grant applications at all three levels.  The challenge is that the available grants are being reduced each year.  The problem with the special funding for the Commemoration of the War of 1812 set aside by the Federal Government and administered by Department of Canadian Heritage is that the announcement of the funding and the amount of time allotted to submit the application process was very short.  Then the review and notification of the successful applicants was going to take 5 months.  In the case of the Tattoo, with a theme of the beginning of the War 1812 and show dates of late June, 2012, we could not wait until May to know if we had the funds to engage the Re-enactment Bands and Units from outside the Country so we had to decline the opportunity.  I was informed by staff that we could only apply for 2012 despite the fact that we are commemorating the War in our shows, 2012, 2013 and 2014.”

(To Be Continued)

Joan Balinson & John Terence, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

"Grand Finale" photo taken by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
Interview with Ms. Joan Balinson, Executive Director &
Mr. John Terence, Producer
Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION ...

As many of you know, I volunteer at a Pioneer Village which is fairly close to my home community. I realize the importance of the Volunteers being appreciated. I, as one of them, have been truly blessed with the ongoing, constant courteous appreciation extended to me from the Lang Pioneer Village & Museum Managers and Staff. It makes me feel very much appreciated and needed. They have even called me “a valuable part of their team”. That, my friends, goes a long way for me. I want to volunteer all the more, knowing that somehow I can make a difference, that what I am contributing is appreciated and does matter. Joan at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival tells us that … “On-site volunteers receive a t-shirt for identification; meals and snacks.  Within the following few weeks we send letters of appreciation, hold an appreciation dinner and present certificates according to years of service.  Also, volunteers are scheduled so that they can see show on the off day.  We treat our performers very well, and there is a waiting list of international bands who would like to perform in Canada.  We are limited only by funding.”  With that being said, next week Ms. Balinson shares with us the Importance of Sponsorship Funding and Grants.

(To Be Continued)