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Posted on March 11, 2026

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Below is the current list of topics being discussed by the Society Board of Directors. For questions or discussions about any of the below topics, please send an email to: societyboard@barbershop.org

TopicDetails
Harmony Hall Sale
  • In 2023, BHS first offered Harmony Hall on the market for sale.
  • Updated March 9, 2026: The Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) has entered into a purchase agreement with Sanders Carter Development for the property located at 110 7th Avenue North in downtown Nashville.
  • Updated July 10, 2026: Progress continues with this sale.
  • See further details.
Strategic Planning
  • With recent changes to adding Harmony Foundation as a Type I supporting organization as well as other pressures on globalization of barbershop, the SPC will be working with Harmony Hall to retool the strategic plan, especially in creating a shorter term plan.
  • With Robert’s arrival, there has been a reorganization at Harmony Hall to be more effective. More will come out of this over time.
  • Updated 7/10/2026 : The SPC has a draft of the new strategic plan and a final version should be forthcoming in the next few months.
Finance
  • The SBOD reviewed the plans for investing ultimate Harmony Hall proceeds and aligned on strategy for investment.
  • The budget is doable but tight for 2026.
  • Updated 7/10/26: As we get closer to a hopefully imminent sale, we are putting together
    Plans for the investment of funds and discussing options for supporting Harmony Hall projects
CEO Evaluation

  • Now that the new CEO is hired, we will be aggressive in defining goals for 2026.

  • This is an ongoing committee.

Election of Board Members
  • One of the highest complaints raised by members is how the Society Board elects its members and not having a voice in the election process.
  • In 2024, an independent committee was formed to make recommendations for revisions to the process.
    SBOD reviewed at the 2025 Midwinter in San Antonio, TX.
  • Working with DPC to understand current roles and processes. We will vote on a couple of modifications at the next Midwinter in Pasadena, CA, to affect 2026. 2025 elections were not affected by future changes.
    Communication on this is forthcoming.
  • Due to unforeseen absences in Pasadena, this is tabled for a future SBOD meeting.
  • Anyone currently serving on the Board running for office is not allowed to vote for themselves. If they are eliminated, as a sitting Board member they can vote for the remaining candidates.
  • The decision on providing the DPC with a vote for an officer is tabled.
  • Update 7/10/2026: Motion was removed. Harmony Huddles have been put in place starting in 1Q26 to improve communication. Now that Zach Materne is SP-elect, he will evaluate what the next steps might be regarding DPC Membership (note: Two former members, including one recent, were Elected on the SBOD as BMAL’s: Ted Byers and Bari Courts. In addition to these two incoming BMAL's, two former District Presidents are on the SBOD (Dwayne Cooper and Christian Hunter).
Governance
  • As the SBOD looks at a variety of issues the design of the SBOD will be revisited to see if a more effective model can be generated to address gaps – this will occur in early 2026.
  • Michele Niec has resigned as a Board Member at Large to take a role at Harmony Hall. The SBOD is actively seeking to fill that role with previously vetted candidates asap.
  • It was decided that because the incoming President will have to work through a redesign, this idea is tabled until the next Society President is elected and then taken up early in their Presidency. No changes to the current makeup and design.
  • Update July 10, 2026: Sue Melvin was elected a BMAL back in late March. The discussion was delayed until after the SBOD Society President election and will be entertained later in the year.

Below are COMPLETED Board Topics. For questions or discussions about any of the below topics, please send an email to: societyboard@barbershop.org.

Plannning for Move after Harmony Hall

  • Operations (Harmony Hall) understands what their needs are and what footprint/space is required for missional and preservationist activities and assets.

  • Assets have been categorized. The SBOD reviewed the assets at Midwinter 2026 in Pasadena.

    A committee (Harris, Krause, Prietto, Wright) reviewed the assets and provided a decision tree on retention of materials. The SBOD agreed with the decision tree logic, which puts the power in the hands of Harmony Hall to follow. The Old Songs Library was successfully donated to a university in Tennessee. Although the OSL had strategic value 40-50 years ago, it no longer does and there are many online resources without spending a fortune to house and digitize. Completed item.

BHS & HFI
New CEO
Acceptable Taste