Sam Samarasinghe - BMR 2007

Dear all,

My views about BMR:

1. BMR is not a sustainable program as it is. It exhausts every committee member and especially the 4-Vps and the President enormously. Every VP has a department to look after but because of BMR they tend to neglect their affairs and support BMR.

2. Financial viability of BMR is questionable. It all depends on how powerful the committee in marketing. In my view, BMR should sell by itself rather than influencing people to come or advertise.

3. My major concern of BMR is its current ownership. At the moment its ownership 100% lies on the committee. Artists' main interest is to perform on the stage but nothing else. Spectators only interest is viewing a good show. Committee's responsibility is full filling the above two interests. However, some genuine community members give a support because of the good will with SCF or its committee members.

We probably have to think differently now, after establishing the show over a long period of time. Of course this should be discussed with all the stake holders. SCF has developed a system to enhance the cultural values and display artistic talents of many people over the years. Now, it is the time for the artists to take this platform into their hands while SCF taking the responsibility in coordinating & managing to some extent. This is some thing to be discussed thoroughly.

(a) Do artists want to perform at Hills Centre, Opera House or any where else? They have to make the decision.
(b) Do they want to have a 2 hr, 3hr or 5hr show - they have to decide.
(c) Do they want to bring SL artists? - let them decide
(d) Do they want to charge people $25 or more - let them decide
(e) SCF is not going to earn or spend money. Let the artists to earn the money through this show. SCF can be only a partner but not the whole authority. Any group who would like to be in the model will perform. Others have to perform at Aurudu platform at Roselea. If no one likes to be a partner, that means no one is interested - hence NO BMR.
(f) SCF can be a partner by identifying a selective new artists to perform. However, for that component SCF must share the cost.

As far as I have noted, SCF is making a lot of high level decisions in good faith to the community and the artists, and then work extremely hard to prove the decisions they have made is correct. The majority of people in SL community do not have the slightest idea about the mental and physical agonies of the people who work hard in these committees.

It would be very difficult to attract members for the committee if we proceed with BMR in the current format. Every year the existing committee members have to work hard to convince members to take positions in the new committee. How long can we do this? If we release the burden of the committee members SCF might crumble because of BMR.

Sam