Career Changes Support Group
This community is dedicated to the difficult challenges of transitioning from one career or job to a new one. Especially as we grow older, it can be very difficult to acquire the skills and relationships and take the financial risk to make the switch.
Hi -- all things considered, I have a nice dilemma, as one door has shut, another has opened.
For the last 2 years I've been music director at a small church -- great gig, warm people and lots of opportunity for me to be creative. But the church has been struggling and my pay has been way under the typical level. The Executive Board announced about a month ago that closing was likely and indeed it will at the end of the year.
Meanwhile another member of the church let me know that another Music Directorship in town had open up, same denomination, bigger church, much higher profile. I auditioned for it and learned today that I got the job! i
It will be a move from 1/4-time to about 1/2-time with the rest of my livelihood from my typical freelance work.
So here's my dilemma -- the Board informed me that pending the sale of the Church's belongings (including a wonderful concert grand piano that was donated some years back), the paid staff can expect at least 3 months severance pay. I assumed the Minister would but it's rare that a performing musician does.
I won't conceal the new job but should I expect the severance pay offer to stand? Or if not, it seems most gracious for it to become a thank-you gesture even if the amount is adjusted.
Is there anything I can say? I want to go out with class but I sure could use the extra pay...
For the last 2 years I've been music director at a small church -- great gig, warm people and lots of opportunity for me to be creative. But the church has been struggling and my pay has been way under the typical level. The Executive Board announced about a month ago that closing was likely and indeed it will at the end of the year.
Meanwhile another member of the church let me know that another Music Directorship in town had open up, same denomination, bigger church, much higher profile. I auditioned for it and learned today that I got the job! i
It will be a move from 1/4-time to about 1/2-time with the rest of my livelihood from my typical freelance work.
So here's my dilemma -- the Board informed me that pending the sale of the Church's belongings (including a wonderful concert grand piano that was donated some years back), the paid staff can expect at least 3 months severance pay. I assumed the Minister would but it's rare that a performing musician does.
I won't conceal the new job but should I expect the severance pay offer to stand? Or if not, it seems most gracious for it to become a thank-you gesture even if the amount is adjusted.
Is there anything I can say? I want to go out with class but I sure could use the extra pay...
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I invited Bill to have dinner with me last Sunday. He wasn't willing to drive 7 hours to mid Michigan and teased me with his beautiful ribs!!! So, of course I ate alone and had cedar salmon
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check out that smoke ring. It tasted really good. I smothered it with Maulls BBQ sauce which is Local to St. Louis and one of the best I ever had.....
Very happy with the outcome.