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Posted on January 30, 2026

Related categories: Board Topics

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 has put Harmony Hall up for sale.

  • A buyer has currently expressed interest.

  • Information will be shared as more details develop.

  • NOTE: Commercial Real Estate is nothing like Residential Real Estate – it takes time. Deals fall through and we start over. But there is continued interest. We debated about putting a pause on the sale since our financials were in better shape. Then a new offer came in. This is a long game.

Moving 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 will review 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. There have been previous attempts to donate the Old Songs Library without success. There is a new university showing interest. 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.

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.
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.
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.
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

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

BHS & HFI
New CEO
Acceptable Taste