I was approached by someone who wants to start a CCE branch in my state (Rhode Island). I looked on the Comhaltas site but couldn't find any info on starting a branch or other guidelines along those lines.
There are plenty of things that a CCE branch, or some other organization, could potentially offer people in RI, since the nearest branches (to my knowledge) are in Boston and Hartford, both over an hour away.
But you might want to make sure you know what being a CCE branch in particular (as opposed to an independent organization) would give you. To my knowledge, CCE doesn't really do much for its individual branches beyond sending them magazines, and the regular fees that CCE imposes upon branches are not trivial. Again, to my imperfect knowledge, the main purpose of CCE's branches is to collect and send money to CCE in Monkstown--and there's little transparency on how it's spent once it gets there.
Of course, if anybody has different, less cynical, information, I would love to hear it. While I'm not sure how I feel about CCE the organization, I really admire most of the people involved with them, and I'm left to wonder what the draw really is.
@Skooter Thanks for the post, I think something that the people interested can build from the bottom up is a solid idea.
@Piece, I would like to emphasize that it's not my idea. I was only approached for information on starting a branch; the advantages & disadvantages are well-known.
I suppose the point about CCE is that many people like to belong to a group and have something to rally around etc. And CCE is the 'traditional' route for this. Na Piobairi Uilleann fulfills similar function for pipers.
So you set up your group, have that sense of belonging to a group of people with common purpose and send your dues back to support the Larry Murphy clan etc. Seems like a fair deal, no?
Starting a new branch of Comhaltas
Starting a new branch of Comhaltas
I was approached by someone who wants to start a CCE branch in my state (Rhode Island). I looked on the Comhaltas site but couldn't find any info on starting a branch or other guidelines along those lines.
# Posted on October 2nd 2011 by B Rad
Re: Starting a new branch of Comhaltas
Why not just set up a group on http://tradconnect.com/? Much cheaper and serves the same purpose - helping musicians to meet up and play together.
# Posted on October 2nd 2011 by skooter500
Re: Starting a new branch of Comhaltas
There's some information here;
http://media.comhaltas.ie/docs/CCE_Bunreacht_English.pdf
# Posted on October 2nd 2011 by Batgirl has left the GPL ;)
Re: Starting a new branch of Comhaltas
Mad:
I am curious - What would a CCE branch in RI offer to people that is not already available to any musician living in New England?
Also, what do you wish to accomplish here that being involved with CCE (and under the rule of CCE) would in any way aid you in?
# Posted on October 2nd 2011 by Piece
Re: Starting a new branch of Comhaltas
There are plenty of things that a CCE branch, or some other organization, could potentially offer people in RI, since the nearest branches (to my knowledge) are in Boston and Hartford, both over an hour away.
But you might want to make sure you know what being a CCE branch in particular (as opposed to an independent organization) would give you. To my knowledge, CCE doesn't really do much for its individual branches beyond sending them magazines, and the regular fees that CCE imposes upon branches are not trivial. Again, to my imperfect knowledge, the main purpose of CCE's branches is to collect and send money to CCE in Monkstown--and there's little transparency on how it's spent once it gets there.
Of course, if anybody has different, less cynical, information, I would love to hear it. While I'm not sure how I feel about CCE the organization, I really admire most of the people involved with them, and I'm left to wonder what the draw really is.
# Posted on October 2nd 2011 by Georgi
Re: Starting a new branch of Comhaltas
@Skooter Thanks for the post, I think something that the people interested can build from the bottom up is a solid idea.
@Piece, I would like to emphasize that it's not my idea. I was only approached for information on starting a branch; the advantages & disadvantages are well-known.
@George Also very good points.
# Posted on October 2nd 2011 by B Rad
Re: Starting a new branch of Comhaltas
I could wish that Georgi would enumerate the "plenty"-ful blessings and conveniences offered by CCE to its concessions and their customers.
It is about an hour drive to Hartford to pay your dues, but a seven hour flight to Ireland to see how they are spent.
# Posted on October 2nd 2011 by Piece
Re: Starting a new branch of Comhaltas
I suppose the point about CCE is that many people like to belong to a group and have something to rally around etc. And CCE is the 'traditional' route for this. Na Piobairi Uilleann fulfills similar function for pipers.
So you set up your group, have that sense of belonging to a group of people with common purpose and send your dues back to support the Larry Murphy clan etc. Seems like a fair deal, no?
# Posted on October 3rd 2011 by the wounded hussar