The Latest
2020 Diversity & Socioeconomic Impact Report
As we plan a future for the Bluecoats organization, we must work to ensure that the Bluecoats Experience, and all of our performing art programming, reach both more people and a more diverse array of communities. Today we’re publishing our inaugural Diversity & Socioeconomic Impact Report, which provides an important snapshot of our “starting point” as we set out to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs as well as our staff. As promised in July, our goal is to compile a report like this annually.
Bluecoats Announce 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps Caption Heads and Steering Committee Addition
Steering Committee Chair Ted Swaldo is excited to announce the Caption Heads, who will provide key instruction and supervision for Bluecoats 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps, taking the field in 2022. Swaldo shares, “Having previously announced our Design Team, we are thrilled now to add to this outstanding group the Caption Heads, who will organize and lead each section.” The caption heads will begin working in earnest with the design team, named in September of 2019, who are ready to share significant parts of the 2022 show with members soon.
Policy Task Force Completes Review Of Corporate Policy
Recently the Policy Task Force of the Bluecoats Executive Committee completed a periodic review of corporate policy, particularly several youth protection and health, wellness & safety policies. On January 19th, the Board of Directors adopted these revised policies with this resolution.
We have made a list of several of these policies publicly available at bluecoats.com/policies. It includes the newly adopted Anti-Racism Policy, drafted in collaboration with the Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council.
Bluecoats Adopts Anti-Racism Policy, Bans Hate Groups & Symbols
In the last eleven months, we have been reminded of the grip of systemic and individual racism on our society and in our communities. In May, we committed to not simply disavowing racism, but to advancing an antiracist culture in the Bluecoats Community, and to taking active steps to making our organization a better place. Since then, our Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council has been working on these measures. Recently, this council worked together with the Policy Task Force of our Executive Committee to develop an Anti-Racism Policy that cements our commitment to this idea at the highest level of governance in our organization.
Monday Memory: When the News Traveled by Snail Mail
Today Bluecoats can notify their members, fans and the entire activity in moments by simply dropping a Social Media post. Between text, social media, e-mail and the website, you are never far from fresh information. But that’s not always been so. Keeping the members, parents and activity notified of Bloo news was a bigger chore “back in the day” and relied upon Director Messages and then later the Blue Review.
2020 Recovery Goal Surpassed!
Wow! We’ve raised $352,304 towards our recovery all thanks to you, the Bluecoats Community! Back in May, following the cancellation of the 2020 drum corps season, we announced a goal of $350,000 to support our recovery. This funding has helped us to fulfill our refund obligations and keep the Bluecoats organization alive and operating.
Bluecoats Welcomes Bryen Warfield and Dan Coleman to Board of Directors
SCOTT SWALDO, TOM SCHECK, DAN KLOHA, VICTORIA RILEY, ESQ., AND BRAD BENNETT JOIN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
We’re very pleased to welcome Bryen Warfield and Dan Coleman to the Bluecoats Board of Directors, both as Directors At Large.
Monday Memory: When Some of Us Rang in the New Year in Dallas
It started out as a typical winter break drum corps camp in late December 1987. There was plenty of excitement on its own because this was the second off-season rehearsal following Bluecoats cracking into the top 12. But for about a dozen members of the corps, this camp would be different. They would leave early and travel over 1,000 miles to do drum corps. In the off-season. On New Year’s Day.