The Drum Corps International Executive Committee, comprised of five Division I corps directors and four at-large (unaffiliated) members, were unanimous in their approval of a proposal brought forward by the directors of Divisions II & III following a meeting in Chicago last weekend. The special vote was convened specifically to address the proposition, thereby combining the two divisions into a newly created "Open Class." "The members of the executive committee recognize that with this proposal there is tremendous potential for new opportunities to be created by the corps directors from Divisions II & III. They did not want to delay their 2008 planning process another month until the next regularly-scheduled meeting in November," said Dan Acheson, executive director of Drum Corps International. "The unanimous approval of the proposal now establishes a fresh approach for the new season which will feature incredible performances from our 'Open Class' and 'World Class' organizations." The proposal also provides for the "International Class" comprised of corps from outside North America. In this class, corps will be allowed to follow their own country's organizational guidelines. Should they choose to recognize established Drum Corps International rules, they will be allowed to compete as an Open Class organization.