News Release

   Have you noticed that your square dance club has a tendency to be clannish? Quite often, and for no reason what-so-ever, various groups sort of "hang together" and you see this, that or other group dancing in the same comer of the hall dance after dance. Right away you branded them as "stuck up" and too good to dance with the rest of the folks.
   Well, now what have you been doing all this time - in fact, haven't you been doing the same thing over in another comer? The trouble is that no one, including you, has attempted to break the ice. Why not take the lead? Take your gang over and suggest that you exchange partners once or twice during the evening. You might meet some pretty nice folks and possible some pretty good dancers!
   You might be prone to say, "who wants to get stuck with a bum partner?" So what! Who dragged you around when you weren't so hot?
   Remember this: the entire dance is really no better than it's worst dancer and maybe that's you! Invite a slow couple to dance in your square occasionally a maybe they'll get going too! Why not give it a try anyway?
   Officers of clubs can do something about it too! Why not try two or three program dances during the evening? Pass out programs to both the gents and the ladies. Couple number one, set number three, etc. Tell them where each set will be form and let them find their places. When the sets are all filled have each person introduce himself or herself before the dance starts. You'll be surprised how the crowd will take to it and nine to one they'll love it. You can "cook" up a lot of ways to mix 'em and still have fun. Most people like a variety and little catch ideas go a long way getting people acquainted. Let's give it a try and do your best to know everyone your club and I'll bet that you find out that some of those "high brows" are pre good folks after all. Think About it!

American Square Dance October 2003

A great message for the start of a new year...
 A Speech by Bryan Dyson (CEO of Coca Cola)

  Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air.
     You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends and spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for Balance in your life.   How?

* Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.

* Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.

* Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

* Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

* Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

* Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each together.

* Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

* Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find time.

* The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

* Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going.

* Don't forget, a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.

* Don't be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

* Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way.

Janet Neumonn's article concludes with study and practice and most importantly fun.

    Ongoing studying of definitions at all levels and constant practicing are essential to good dancing. Do not take it for granted that you will forever remember a call's definition just because you learned it once. Quiz with another person while travelling, review a few calls each day at lunch or while sitting at a long red light, and don't be afraid to ask questions. 
    Do I sound like a broken record? Good!
    Dancing, teamwork, definitions, identification, precision, breathing, study and practice, these are my keys to good dancing. If you do all these, you will become a better dancer and that will lead to the last point.
     Square dancing is a fun activity. Smile and enjoy yourself, it could be contagious!
Source: South Pacific Square Dance Review (Australia)         Feb/03

Successful Square Dance Clubs
By Kappie Kapperman

Adapted from the article and presentation at the Washington State Leadership Seminar for brevity.

Successful Clubs try to have:
An Ideal Site - readily accessible with good and well-lighted parking, good floors for dancing and pleasant room.

A Good Foundation - By-Laws, Officers and Club Administration  Club badge, identity and image. 

Programs - a level(s) that works for the club and the dancers, including different types of events or special dances

Caller/Cuer - a person of many talents and broad shoulders

Club/Caller/Cuer Relationship - yearly contract to avoid possible misunderstandings

Interior Decorations - to liven the mood for the regular club dance or those more elaborate decorations for a special dance and even greeters at the door

Electricity - new members provide a yearly generation, advertising of special events and successes also assist

Warmth - generated by members

Be Seen as a Great Place to Dance -  keep club problems within the club

Good Housekeeping - keep our home sparkling clean and nicely decorated, run a smooth club, have a good relationship with the landlord, caller/cuer and club officers

SQUAREUP
By: John & Linda Saunders
American Square Dance May, 04

Let's square up with a smile and a new dancer. If your club had a successful beginner dancer group last year, then you as a club member will want to retain those dancers in our square dance activity. So much time and effort go into supporting and promoting new dancers and without new dancers the club loses enthusiasm, maybe even to the point that there are not enough new dancers to keep the club in business. Veteran club members having to do the same jobs that keep the club operating year after year will get tired or discouraged and give up the activity. Then the club has to close the doors on this wonderful activity. This is happening too often around the world today. In our travels and talking to leaders around the world the rate of clubs having to close their doors in astounding.

Did you know your body speaks volumes about how you feel when squaring up with new dancers? Evaluation of your "silent message" (body language) begins with the initial handshake. The shape of your mouth can change the tone of your speech. Does your voice have pep and enthusiasm? Are you smiling?

"Smiles are the longest, shortest, and quickest word in the English language. It's the longest because there is a mile between the first and last letter. It's also the shortest because a smile is an instant communicator. And it's the quickest because a smile is the easiest way to get a smile in return. On the surface, the simple act of turning up the corners of your mouth provides an instant connection between you and a new dancer. There are no language barriers when you are smiling. It has been said a smile on your face is a light to let someone know you are at home.

John teaches four beginners groups for four different clubs each year and the hardest part of his job is getting club members to dance with the new beginners. The clubs work hard for months getting new dancers to come out and try our activity, then for some reason club members think the new beginners should be able to get along without the help from club members. They think that upon completion of the lessons the new beginners should be able to square up and dance without making many mistakes. The dancers that do come out to help with the beginners are the members that need extra help themselves and do not have the expertise to help the beginners.

Dance etiquette for the month should be to fill your dance card. Have a dance card for each club member and those that get the most names of new beginners should be able to be awarded a special prize. The uplifting attitude of filling your dance card with the new beginners' names should prove to be award enough with the new friends one has made. The improvement in the quality of the club and the attitude of the new dancers will be inevitable. Bringing a smile to your square of new beginners may be the beginning of that exciting spark that your club needs to put the life back into the club and activity in your area.

ASK THE DOCTOR
By Dr. Feelgood

ADD TEN YEARS TO YOUR LIFE

According to a study conducted in the United States by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research square dancing can add 10 years to your life.

"It's clear that square dancing is the perfect exercise", says Dr. Aaron Blackburn. "It combines all of the positive aspects of intense physical activity with none of the negative elements."

The Mayo study was based on physical examinations which indicated male and female dancers could expect to live well into their 80's.

Like any good aerobic exercise, square dance movements help condition the heart as well as loosen and tone muscles, but without the added risk of injury.

Other healthy benefits of square dancing include:
Calorie Loss: Dancing can bum as many calories as walking, swimming or riding a bicycle. During a half hour of sustained dancing, a dancer can burn between 200-400 calories.
Muscle Tone: Using pedometers, it's been estimated a square dancer walks between five to eight kilometers during an evening of dancing.
Cardiovascular Workout: Square dancing assists with cardiovascular conditioning, helping to lower blood pressure, slow heart rates and improve cholesterol profile. Joint rehabilitation: Square dancing is a positive alternative to aerobic dance or jogging, especially for those recovering from knee or heart surgery.
Bone Strengthening: The side-to-side movements of square dancing strengthen weight-bearing bones and help prevent or slow down osteoporosis.
Sociability: Square dancing contains a social component that solitary fitness routines don't. Dancing provides the opportunity to develop strong social ties which contribute to self-esteem and a positive outlook
Stress Relief: As a non-competitive activity, square dancing provides a welcome relief from stress and allows the mind and body an opportunity to 'exercise in an enjoyable manner.

NOTE: This great article was published in the Calgary Herald in the fall of 2003
Source: Square Time Jan/Feb 2004
Eastern Ontario S&RD Association

Mental Exercise Helps Prevent Alzheimer's

Square dancers have known for a long time how beneficial this activity can be. One of the major benefits is the joy of joining with other square dancers for an evening of dancing and friendliness. The social benefits of being with friendly people who also enjoy our activity are tremendous. Now we have a medical study which provides even more ammunition to the discussion that square dancing is good for you. The following article provides information about this study. Please read it and make copies of this Press Release for you friends. Let them know how much square dancing can benefit them.

WASHINGTON, June 19 (UPI) - Mentally challenging activities like playing chess or bridge can significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease according to a new study. Seniors who engaged in pastimes like playing a musical instrument or even checkers lowered their risk of developing dementia by as much as 75 percent, the Washington Post reports, compared with those who didn't exercise their minds. Citing a study led by Joe Verghese, a neurologist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, the results add to an increasing body of evidence I see a lot of elderly patients - they have so-called senior moments - they go in a room and forget why they are there. One thing I advise is for them to increase their participation in cognitively stimulating activities." Such benefits are widely available and inexpensive and seem to benefit all levels of education and intelligence. Unfortunately, the Post reports, watching television doesn't count.

American Square Dance, March 2004

   Square, round, contra, line, heritage dancers and cloggers across the United States are encouraged to contact their congressman and congresswoman asking them to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 645, also known as the "Promenade Act. The "Promenade Act" will permanently designate the square dance as the National Folk Dance of the United States of America.
   H.R. 645 was introduced in the 1st Session of the 108th Congress on February 5, 2003, to amend title 36, United States Code, designating the square dance as the national folk dance by U. S. Representative Ed Whitfield, 111 District, Kentucky. The square dance is a traditional form of family recreation and encompasses all age groups, including youth and the handicapable. It is a healthy form of activity that exercises the body, heart and mind, and is a very politically correct activity.
   The square dance is a great part of our American heritage and history that should be given official recognition by Congress. There are thirty-one states that have passed legislation designating the square dance as their State Folk Dance: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
   The square dance is recognized in all the free world today with many square dance groups in foreign countries as well: Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, Philippines, and many other countries, who with us, keep alive a heritage and tradition that predates the birth of this great nation. Members of the United Square Dancers of America's Executive Committee recently walked the halls of the House and Senate Office Buildings 111 Washington D.C. discussing this legislation with various congressional offices and staff members seeking their co-sponsorship of the "Promenade Act". In each case the response was very positive, raising the hopes for success. If square, round, contra, line, heritage dancers and cloggers from all across the United States MAKE A LOT OF NOISE by urging their representatives to cosponsor this legislation, the square dance will finally be permanently designated as the National Folk Dance of the United States of America.
   If you have internet access, go to the USDA homepage at http://www.usda.org and click on the Folk Dance section. There you can print an individual congressional letter, a group congressional letter and a signature petition form. If you click on the link  http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home - enter your own zip code it will connect you with your congressperson. Telephone calls also are effective and with congressional mall now taking over a month to arrive, these other methods of communicating may be more effective. 

Source: American SquareDance Magazine April, 2003 

Editor's Note:
Square dancers in Alberta are in the process of trying to promote the establishment  of Square dancing as the official as the official dance of the Province. Are any other provinces pursuing this?  Is there interest in the Society doing this for Canada?

HOW TO AVOID BREAKING DOWN
by Ed Foote

The most important thing you can do on the dance floor is to TAKE HANDS WITH THOSE STANDING BESIDE YOU. This enables you and others to see the formation you have (lines, waves, etc.), and thus will better enable you to see your starting point for doing the next call.

Failure to join hands after a call will often result in sloppy lines or waves, which could cause the square to break down before or during the execution of the next call.

There are two aspects about taking hands that are very important:

(1) Hands should be joined within one-half second after the completion of any call. In other words, TAKE HANDS FAST. If you wait several seconds before taking hands, the caller will be into the next call and it will be too late for everyone to have a recognizable starting position.

(2) Elbows must be bent when hands are joined. If arms are outstretched when hands are touching, the square is much too large to operate smoothly. Always think about keeping your elbows bent when you are dancing.

Some people say: "I'm a good dancer, so I don't have to take hands." Be aware that the other dancers in the square might not be as good as you, and if they break down they will take you right along with them. So it is in your own self-interest to be sure that others in your square can quickly see starting and ending formations.

Remember: The number one reason why squares break down is the failure of dancers to take hands immediately after a call.

Another way to avoid breaking down is to know how to help someone who is lost. IF YOU WANT TO HELP SOMEONE WHO IS LOST, USE HAND SIGNALS. A very effective method is to point to the spot they should be occupying. If you talk, you could cause yourself and others in the square to miss hearing the caller give the next call.

Another way to avoid breaking down is to KEEP YOUR HEAD RAISED. This lets you see what is going on. Many people dance looking down at the floor, as though they are looking for lost pennies. They are out of touch with the square as a whole, and thus have no idea if or when to make the small adjustments that are often necessary to keep the square going.

American Square Dance, November 2003

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     McKinley knows what he's talking about. Square dancing contributes to a more healthy and independent lifestyle, says Lewis Maharam, MD, a sports medicine specialist in New York City and President of the Greater New York Regional Chapter American College of Sports Medicine. 
     "Anything that keeps you active will keep you healthier and feeling younger. In most cases if you can walk, you can square dance, but it's good advice to talk your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen," says Maharam, also medical director of the Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, the Country Music Marathon, and the New York City Marathon. "Any weight-bearing exercise, including square dancing, is a major benefit as one ages," he says. Weight-bearing exercise improves bone health and thus may help stave off the brittle-bone disease osteoporosis. 
     "Square dancing also helps you with the feeling of where you are in space and with coordination, and this may reduce falls and chances for fractures," says Maharam. "Regular square dancing may boost endurance, and being able to tolerate longer bouts of moving faster may result in improved cardiac function as the heart, a muscle, can become more efficient if trained. Square dancing can be considered a type of cross training, which helps to offset the muscle loss and strength loss typically associated with normal aging."

 Ready to Sashay Your Way to Fitness?
     You say you're tempted, but not sure if you've got what it takes? Don't underestimate yourself, says Reed. "'Square dancing is not as complex as it looks", he says. "We just learn one move at a time and go from there." So what's stopping you from joining in all the fun? Square dance clubs are popping up all across the world, and they want you. Ask at your local community center or check your local Yellow Pages for information on square dancing clubs and events in your neighbourhood.

Dancers in Alberta have initiated a program to promote the establishment of square dancing as the official dance of the Province.  Letters are being written and MPP's prepared to support this initiative. Provincial clubs and their members are encouraged to write to their respective Members of Parliament requesting their support.

From:  Central Alberta Cloverleaf    May/02

Update:   Oct/02 
We understand from the October issue of  The Cloverleaf that this Private Member's Motion is very popular and redceived good media coverage, but it has a very high number and may not come up this fall.  The Alberta M.L.A. Member has advised that if this is the case he will make sure (unless he draws a very high number) it is on the agenda for next Spring.  The M.L.A. hopes we will soon be celebrating square dancing as the Official Dance of Alberta!

     In our local newspaper they have a section that is devoted to people who are "ticked off".  People write in and state what ticks them off.  One thing that ticks us off is when we hear someone say "What has happened to all the cubs that have folded and where did the dancers go?" 
     This situation has been a big focus for many conversations and many seminars have been held around the world for the past several years. Different Dancer and Caller Associations have addressed the situation with very little success. As with a lot of businesses and recreations today one of the problems is not having enough strong leadership or the resources to promote our great activity to the fullest. 
     Another thing that ticks us off is hearing someone say "What are we going to do? It's too much for me to do it all by myself.  I love the activity but ..' But what? 
     Our best resource is us. We have to provide the leadership. We have to help with the resources.  We have to take the bull by the horns and make things happen. We must be movers and shakers. We must sell ourselves and our activity. To do this we must have confidence and pride in ourselves as square dancers. Some of us act as if we are ashamed to be seen dressed in nice square dancer attire. I'm not surprised at this because we see men every day in nice restaurants eating with their old caps and hats on. If you don't have pride in yourself and in our activity then you can't sell it. 
     You must sell square dancing on the health benefits of the activity. On your class flyers have a endorsement from a doctor if possible that square dancing is good exercise for the cardiovascular system as well as for the rest of the body. It is also great mental exercise. 
     The square dancing activity provides all of what the public is so desperately in need of today. It has physical activity, mental stimulation and social interaction. We have to get this information out to public. One slogan could be "We've found the new fountain of youth."

Seen In Manisquare, October, 2002                       Oct/02

     Have you ever arrived at a large banquet, a wedding reception, or a square dance, and been overwhelmed by the mixture of fragrances the guests put on before they left home? In any group of people, meeting for a common purpose, there are likely to be at least a few who have allergies and/or sensitivities to various substances. 
     Some people are specifically allergic or have severe reactions to perfumes and other fragrances. People with asthma can have life-threatening attacks of breathing difficulty triggered by the exposure. Others have low tolerance for environmental toxins. Added to all of the other offenders in the environment, the mixture of fragrances in an enclosed space, such as a dance hall, can be enough to "put them over the top" of their toxic inhalant threshold. 
    One member of the Abbotsford "Grand" Squares, for example, is living with only one lung. As a dance evening goes on, bodies get warmer and the fragrances they are wearing get stronger. Eventually this particular dancer can barely breathe, and must leave well before the dance ends. 
     In the "Ten Commandments for Square Dancers" printed in the September 2001 issues of The Valley Circle, the sixth commandment reads, in part: 
"You shall bathe diligently, that the sweet aroma of soap and shaving lotion may assail the nostrils of your associates." 
     Interestingly, the definition of "assail" is "to attack suddenly with violence." (and this is exactly what fragrances can do to sensitive individuals.) 
     This was likely written before our environment become so full of pollutants and toxins. Some of the things that we have become aware of include: 
- air pollution from industry and vehicles; 
- water pollution from industry, farms and chemicals used in our homes; 
- pesticides and other chemical additives in our food supply; 
- off-gassing from paint, furniture, appliances, and carpets in our homes; and, 
- noise pollution damaging our hearing (even though we don't feel it at the time). 
     All of these are assaults on our bodies, and some people are less able than others to tolerate them, especially combinations of them. 
     There are many elements of environmental pollution that the average person has little or no power to control. The wearing of personal fragrances is one area each of us CAN control, in consideration of the people around us. 
     Perfumes, colognes and after-shave lotions are the obvious fragrances that, mingled together, can overwhelm a sensitive person's respiratory system. But, what about scented soaps, fabric softeners, powders, lotions, antiperspirants and hair care products? Some that are particularly offensive to sensitive people are the ones that are advertised to get stronger as one's body gets warmer. 
     It is not difficult to avoid using perfumes and colognes when going square dancing. It takes a bit more effort to buy (and remember to use) unscented versions of other personal care products. 
      Every little bit of effort in this direction will make square dancing more enjoyable for the more sensitive among us. And, as with many other products, higher consumer demand will result in wider availability of unscented products. 
The Abbotsford "Grand" Squares club has been designated by its members to be a fragrance-free zone. We encourage the membership of each square dance club to discuss this issue. If your club chooses to be a fragrance-free club, one which all dancers can feel comfortable visiting, we encourage you to use a "Fragrance-Free Zone" symbol in your club ads. We offer the symbols accompanying this for your use - they do not belong to any organization. The larger symbol was designed by one of our  members.  The smaller symbol was developed  by the Valley Circle staff for use in club ads. Please consider making your club a safe place for sensitive dancers.

     The Valley Circle Editor's Note: I applaud the Abbotford "Grand" Squares for their courage in becoming a "No Scent Zone"for very personal reasons. Two of my children have allergies, one of them having had reactions on three separate occasions to perfumes worn by dancers. The reaction is so fast and severe that I must carry Benedryl tablets with me to all dances–just in case. I encourage other clubs to join with the Abbotsford "Grand" Squares in becoming "No Scent Zones," and to encourage all dancers to think before they spray.

Reprinted from The Valley Circle September 2002 
Submitted by The Canadian Clogging News (CCN)

.....we spent ADDITIONAL time in NB & NS.....what a great part of our Country.....we enjoyed our stay in Saint John, even when you were testing us with the water cut-off....Congratulations! 
Bill & Hilda Gervin, Ottawa, ON

The final attendance for Convention 2002 was 2,884. 
Australia 8, Belgium 2, Canada 2,141 (433 from NB), England 21, 
France 2, Japan 55, Scotland 2, Sweden 7, UAE 2, USA 644Aug 29/02

   In the Jan/Feb issue of Today's Health and Wellness magazine is an article written by Lynn Madsen, a Medical writer. 
  The topic is 10 Easy Ways To Improve Your Life.  The #7 Tip is: Go Square Dancing (to sharpen your geometric and spacing skills) and the note at the end of the article says that the authors of this article is working hard to master tip #7.

By: Enid Campbell from the Square News, Hub City S&RD Assoc, SK

    Does your Club have a Beginner Class this year?  Last Year? What methods have you used to encourage new dancers to our activity?

    Share your ideas and results with other clubs across Canada through Dancers News. Send us an article on what you did and how it worked for you.  Share your success and secrets.

    Was it by word of mouth, advertising, noticeboards, newspapers, demonstrations, schools, or what?

    Shared knowledge will benefit everyone. Your ideas could be the very transfusion needed for others to keep the heary of dancing beating.

     At the 51st National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota this summer, I participated in seven hours of panels, seminars and clinics. One panel was entitled "Defensive Dancing." 
     After a few opening comments from myself and the other panelist, we asked the floor for comments. We were immediately swamped with complaints from women about rough dancing from men. 
     The biggest complaint was that men squeeze women's hands too tightly. This was repeated over and over again. 
     In response to a woman's question about why men do this, one man offered the logical theory that men work with machines and tools and are used to gripping tightly things like screwdrivers, pliers and wrenches. 
     Another strongly emphasized complaint against men was that they drag the women through the calls, instead of letting the women dance. This seemed especially prevalent on the calls Ferris Wheel, Recycle and Linear Cycle. 
     Finally, one man stood up and said: "Well, there are rough women too." A few heads nodded in agreement, and that was the last we heard of this. Everyone was back to criticizing the men. 

Solutions. Having identified the problem, here are possible solutions which were proposed. 

For men squeezing hands too tightly: 

(1) The woman can say "Ouch, that hurts!" This should cause sufficient embarrassment to the man that he will not do it again. It was noted that this should be said only if a particular man has a history of squeezing too tightly and not for an isolated instance. 

(2) Women have a good defense in fingernails. If the man's grip is causing pain, the woman can squeeze the man's hand with her fingernails. 

(3) Some women have a badge maker prepare a badge they can wear that says "injured hand" or "injured arm." This usually results in a lighter touch by all men. 

For men dragging the women thru the calls: 

(1) For Ferris Wheel from a standard boy-girl set-up, the man has further to go to do the call so there is a tendency for him to pull the woman. To counteract this, a woman should double her speed in doing Ferris Wheel. This will keep her beside the man instead of behind him and thus no dragging should occur. 

(2) For Recycle and Linear Cycle, many dancers use hands for the entire call. But, except for the initial Single Hinge on Linear Cycle, these are no hands calls. So, if the man is dragging the woman, she can simply push his hand away. When he asks why she did this, her reply is: "Don't you know these are no hands calls? I Want to do the calls correctly." This should render the man speechless. 

There is no excuse for rough dancing. In light of the comments made at this panel, perhaps all men should review their dance habits to be sure they are not being rough. 

Reprinted from: Northeast Square Dancer - October 2002 
Submitted by: The Canadian Clogging News (CCN)

Grand Square Inc. debuts new square dance magazine, SQUARE DANCING TODAY www.squaredancingtoday.com

    Recently a questionnaire entitled "WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER? " come my way. It was put out by a State sporting organisation which was seeking to find out from participants in their sport why they no longer took part, or had given it up altogether. 
    In the light of some stimulating articles in our Review concerning declining attendances at dances, it seemed to me that a similar (certainly not quite the same) worded questionnaire may be a valuable way of finding out why a dancer stops coming along and/or does not introduce new participants in our wonderful activity. I appreciate the fact that there is no central register of dancers such as a sporting organisation has, but there could be a way for this to take place. Perhaps our National body could take it as a challenge and without too much delay, devise such a course of action. Dancers are entitled to change clubs. Just let's keep them in dancing. 
    Even if it only causes some personnel in Clubs to do a bit of soul-searching, the exercise will have achieved something for us all. 
    Changing the original questionnaire's wording to suit dancing, questions like: 
Are you dancing regularly at another Club? 
If yes, thank you and please continue to enjoy your dancing! 
If no, have you taken up another activity? 

Why did you stop dancing? 
. Lost interest in the activity 
. Unhappy with club administration 
. There is too much emphasis on higher level dancing. 
. There is not enough time taken with teaching dancers at the lower levels to lift their dancing knowledge. 
. Become too costly 
. Lack of time. 
. Age 
. Lack of ongoing teaching (coaching) 
. Unhappy with dress code. 
. Illness. 
Would you consider taking up dancing again in the future?

    The questionnaire had age group boxes to tick and names of respondents did not appear on it. 
    Respectfully I say, don't leave it until the last square dances off out the door and into the sunset. Do something now. 
    AND PLEASE, don't knock any ideas put forward. They may have been tried by your Club and had limited or no success, but may work at another Club or venue.

   Recently, over the internet, on the dancer discussion list owned and maintained by the Robinsons, there has been much discussion about Plus and Mainstream dances and Plus and Mainstream dancers. 
   Some contributors stated that Plus dancers would not come to a Mainstream dance, not even to a tough Mainstream DBD (Dance By Definition) dance. Others said that most Plus dancers could not dance a tough Mainstream program. 
   I beg to differ with these comments. I don't think the level is as important as who is calling. For example, I firmly believe a Jerry Storey Mainstream dance would be a sell-out any place in the country, even in California. 
   Carolyn Coulthurst, my wife, is doing an analysis of the attendance in the different halls for the entire 42nd Wisconsin Square and Round Dance Convention that took place last weekend. 
   First of all, I will give you a little background on the layout just for the Mainstream and Plus halls. Both halls had excellent air conditioning and good locations. Also both halls had the same floor - two sheet thick plywood floors screwed together similar to the way they do it at the National Square 
Dance Conventions. 
   If anything, the Mainstream hall was a little easier to find because it was near the main entrance to the Marriott Convention Center in Middleton, Wisconsin. 
    Other halls had excellent attendance throughout the 3 days. However there were peaks at different times in both halls. When the Mainstream hall peaked, the Plus hall had fewer dancers. Likewise when the Plus hall peaked the Mainstream hall had fewer dancers. Why? 
We kept searching! 
The analysis did not make sense until we looked at the convention program sheets for each day. Guess what? The program called had no significance on the attendance. 
The Caller is what counts! 
    Who was calling was causing the peaks throughout the entire convention. When the Sprosty Twins (Iowa) were scheduled to call, the crowd went to that hall, regardless of what program was being called. 
    When the Lightning Trio, a group of young callers from the Southeast part of Wisconsin called, the crowd showed up to dance to their calling. 
   When Herschel Tolson, an excellent caller from the Chicago area called, the same thing happened. 
   When Solid Gold called (Bob Asp - Illinois, Tom Manning - Iowa and the Sprosty Twins - Iowa) the crowd followed. 
   The dancers didn't even consider the program being called. They wanted to dance to these popular callers. 
   So what do these occurrences mean - what are these occurrences telling us? They are telling us that "Who is calling is most important - not the Program". 
   It looks like our fear of Plus dancers not supporting Mainstream dances is not valid. Could a kinder and easier program actually thrive? I think it can. 
   Eventually the Plus dancers are going to realize that changes need to be made for the activity to recruit and retain more new dancers. When they do, the changes will come fast. 
   Just like the dress code - I knew it was going to happen but I sure didn't expect in 2001. 
   Please give this article to the callers in your area. Ask them to study it. Ask them to express their views to their caller organization. Remember that "who is calling" is what is important - not the program." 
 (THE CLUB LEADERSHIP JOURNAL)  Nov/01

As we travel to and from our square dances, many of us are keenly aware of the conditions of the road and also aware of the potential speed traps. Now this article is not designed to preach to you about how you drive except to say that we wish you to be careful since we hate to lose dancers. However, I ask you to consider the similarities of the conditions of the Road for automobiles and the square dance activity. 
  When we look at square dancing, we see that many of us got our learner's permit when we first attended beginner's classes. We received our driver's permit when we "graduated" from class. We traveled down the square dance highway by visiting other clubs, and we had many opportunities to get the small parking violations etc. when we would goof a call or two. We made new friends and several of them had been "driving" longer than we had and they were showing us the thrills of some of the more scenic drives and perhaps even high speed driving. We accepted the bait and we began our own brand of experimentation. 
  We began driving faster and faster by learning more and more calls from more and more lists. We could handle anything that our local "official" could toss at us. We had "mastered" the Mainstream Lists, the Quarterly Selections, and the Plus Lists. True, we had occasional warning signs, perhaps even a flat tire or a blowout, but we were undaunted. We still wanted to go faster and achieve more thrills. Along came a "Super Highway" called Advanced and beyond that the very limited access road called "Challenge". 
  Many of you (dancers and callers) are really caught up in this speed trap. We sometimes think that because the road is there, we must drive on it. Might it not be better if we, as individuals, learned to handle the various road conditions along the way? Can we not enjoy the scenic routes in our own neighborhoods? Can we not enjoy the beauty of the secondary road and perhaps even the first four lane highway? Do we all have to travel on the divided highway? Must we all pass everyone on the Road? 
  We talk about the scenic highways and byways and yet in square dancing the scenic portions have to be the people and the friendships established. Just as the forests, the flowers and the shrubs are the scenic roadside attractions and the waterfalls add serenity, so do the friendships and people in square dancing accomplish the same things for us in our pursuit of this leisure time activity. We should take the time to enhance these friendships. We should take the time to smell the roses. We should make the effort to be especially friendly to the strangers that attend our club dances. We should enjoy the scenic route for what it has to offer. 
  Let us all take stock of ourselves and review where we are and where we would like to go. Let us not get caught up in the "Speed Trap" of Square Dancing. 
  -    -   -   -   -   - 
That should stimulate some discussion among people who read it. It should give us all a chance to reflect if we, as individuals, are part of the problem or part of the solution. Where do you fit? Where does your club fit? Are you doing the best job of leading the dancers and clubs to what is best for the long haul? 
  It is easy to criticize but tough to lead against pressures. If you believe, then do.

• A Square Dancer is a person who knows his left from his right, but occasionally forgets it.
• A square dancer is someone who has learned to do as he is told (by the caller), but doesn't always do it.
• He is fanatical in his search for a good time, traveling miles in all kinds of weather, going to places he would never go otherwise, spending nights on his feet which were killing him at work, and smiling all the time.
• A square dancer speaks a language all his own.  He calls his partner, his taw, date, honey, darling or pretty little thing and he promenades, sashays, weaves, circulates, dances, circles around the ring, circle or set.
• He learns is dancing thru and thru; square thru; swing thru; dive thru; pass thru; step thru; right and left thru; and he must be agile enough to do such unlikely things as box the gnat; shoot the star or pick up a girl.

  Have you ever had the satisfying feeling of dancing in a square where everything went just right, where all eight of you seemed to be putting it all together? Perhaps the caller had settled into a nice relaxed tempo. The timing allowed you to finish one movement before starting the next. You knew what to expect with each new partner, no surprises, no awkward little twists or turns or individual interpretations to spoil the flow. Each promenade was synchronized so that you all reached "home" together. And the music—ah, the music, filling the cadence not so loud as to cover up the swish, swish, swish of the feet on the dancing surface, but sufficiently loud to tell you that you were dancing. This, for many, is what it's all about smooth, uniform, courteous movement to the music. This is the joy of dancing well. 
  Right at the start let us burst a few bubbles. The measure of a man's (or a woman's) ability to dance well is not based on how many movements or basics he knows, but how well he can put them together   how well he can dance those movements he does know. We're assuming that you can all find your own programs in this activity   be it the Community dance Program, Basic, Mainstream, Plus, Advanced, or Challenge   dependent, of course. upon what the clubs in your area have to offer and based, logically, on how frequently you are able to dance. 
  Smooth dancing has to do entirely with your ability as a dancer. There are those at every plateau who are expert dancers able to dance well those movements listed in their choice of program. And there are those who are rough, poor dancers at any plateau. 
  Why, at this particular point in time, is dancing well so important? There are a number of good reasons. A survey of dancers, dance leaders, and callers taken in recent years has indicated that a major concern in this activity today has to do with dropouts losing our dancers. There are a number of reasons for this loss and one of them, we feel, is rough, inconsiderate dancing. 
  "We're sorry to be dropping out of square dancing," a typical letter stated not long ago, "but the bruises on Mildred's arm were the last straw. She overlooked the man who would grab her sharply in the back in a courtesy turn, or the one who would twirl her unexpectedly. She even put up with the ones who hung on too long in a right and left grand. But when she felt her arm ground in a vise-like grip in a turn thru, we both said ‘that's ft.' So we're hanging up our dance shoes and checking out." 
  Oh, yes, we haven't told you what the initials stand for. They were coined a couple of years ago by a group of dedicated and concerned dancers and callers. Perhaps you've figured it out already - "Let's Put The Dance Back In Square Dancing!" Think about it.     (THE ROUNDUP)  Nov/01

  I'm looking forward to another year of square dance classes. I truly enjoy making new friends and introducing them to a lifetime of dancing enjoyment. Maybe not all square dancers share my enthusiasm for class, but a good portion of you come to class regularly while some of you come occasionally. This topic is very important and worthy of your attention. 
  Let's suppose your club has recruited the largest class ever. What is our most important goal? I think it is "keep these potential square dancers coming week after week." There are many aspects to fulfilling this goal. I'm going to look at one, "attitude." 
  Each of us, caller and dancer, are responsible for setting the atmosphere. The caller has a big influence on the atmosphere of the whole crowd, but each person can influence their own square. A smile, a polite word, a gentle hand, a gentle hand, and a gentle hand can go a long way toward making the new dancer comfortable. Rough dancing is the most frequent complaint I hear. Everyone is reluctant to tell another dancer that they are rough. If you use more that a feather's touch on your handholds or if you pull the slightest on right and left through, you may be a rough dancer. Be gentle. Remaining silent while the caller is teaching will allow the new dancer to hear what's being taught. Let the caller teach. If a new dancer has a question after a tip, bring the caller into the discussion. Square up quickly. If there is a dancer without a partner, make sure you dance with them one tip. It all comes down to your attitude. When you come to a square dance class, bring your best attitude. All of us are there to have FUN. Every word and act should be judged on the basis of whether or not it is FUN. "U" are the center of FUN. "If it ain't fun, don't do it." 
  Everyone I talk to agrees that the beginner class is the lifeline of a square dance club. Bringing new dancers into our activity is so important that you should take some time to talk with other dancers and share your thoughts. Every group has its own dynamic and I hope that I've given you some food for thought and that this sparks some dialogue among yourselves so we'll have a very successful year of classes. Please do your best to make the experience of the new dancers enjoyable. If you are having fun, so will they. 
  Keep dancing, keep having fun, and don't sweat the small stuff. 
  Square Notes' Editor Note: Jim Cox is the current President of the "Greater Cincinnati Callers & Teachers Association." He is the club caller for "Ramblin Roses" square dance club which meets on the 2nd, 3rd & 5th Friday in the Landen Area, just off Montgomery Road.    (SQUARE NOTES)   Nov/01

   In 1994 an event took place that changed my life, and now I will share it with you. 
   I live opposite the Westwood Chalet, in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, and on certain evenings whilst in and out from my home, I would see many cars and people converging at the Chalet. Normally I am not a ‘nosey parker', but when the blinds of the Chalet was opened and I saw people dancing, in what appeared to be an unusual way, I became curious. 
   Curious, as to what kind of dancing it was, and to why everyone seemed so happy. Well, I thought it was time for a plan, and that was to keep looking whenever I had the opportunity, and try to figure out what it was all about! 
   I now became a private detective and planned my strategy, I would spend at least ten minutes on the nights the people came, to give a keen surveillance to the dancing, and hopefully solve the mystery. This plan was getting hard on my eyes, for not being equipped like a real private ‘eye', I had no binoculars, and sometimes the blinds were only partly open! 
   Luck came to my aid one mild night in early fall, and the mystery was solved! I had returned home, the weather was so nice that I decided to stay out longer in my garden. Suddenly, while pruning my roses, I heard music and laughter. I went to my driveway, looked around, and there on the tennis court, under the bright lights of the park, were dancers in squares! 
   Now was my lucky break, I immediately went over to the fence of the court and looked to my hearts delight! The music was playing, a dapper man was calling, and women and men smartly attired were dancing, swirling, and having a ball!! 
   I decided there and then to one day join this happy group of revelers! 
   My first (and last) case as a ‘private eye' was solved, and the rest, as the ‘Swinging Stars' now is history!

Without Square Dancing I would never have met my darling Linda, 
Without Square Dancing we would never have had the chance to bring up our beautiful children and share our world with them, 
Without Square Dancing we would never have met so many lovely people and shared such good times, 
Without Square Dancing we would never have travelled our magnificent country and seen so many wonderful places.

But now the time has come for us to be "Without Square Dancing" for a while, 
I have reached the time in my life when I must now give all my time freely and completely to my family and our activities together in life. 
I will be without the thrill of the applause - the shouts of "more". 
I will be without the feedback from people around the world who have said so many kind things about us, our club, my calling and writing.

I will miss these things very much. 
But life will go on, and so will square Dancing. 
Linda and I will be closing Knee-Deep Squares at the end of our Christmas party. We will be sad for a while, but we will smile. 
If by chance I see you again on the dance floor, please smile back. 
The South Pacific Square Dance Review  Feb/02

Editor: Para one can be said of our activity in hopefully of our activity in any country and we hope that all will recognize there come a time for moving on.  Thanks Chris (caller in Australia) for your contribution!

1. For many adult square dance students fear is greater than a desire for success. Fear of embarrassment in front of other dancers is enough to. Keep some away from square dancing or quit square dance lessons even when they want it very much. Some are afraid that they will be singled out and ridiculed in square dance classes.

SOLUTION: Square dancers and callers must assure the prospective new dancers that they will not be singled out and ridiculed in class or even after graduation.

2. The square dancing experience is intimate. Some adult students are reluctant to join or remain if this intimacy is violated. Square dance classes may cause some adult students to replay events in their lives they want to keep private.

SOLUTION: Callers and square dancers need to know when to focus on a students' progress and when to leave them alone.

3. Adult students often learn most effectively from the specific to the general, one movement at a time.

SOLUTION: Callers need to teach slower and not teach too many new movements at one time. Square dancers must exhibit great patience in supporting the student dancers.

4. With limited time and many life duties, adult students crave structure in square dance classes. The more elastic a caller makes his teaching, the more complicated they become for adult students, the more likely they will not continue.

SOLUTION: Callers need to keep their class organized with a published syllabus.

5. For adult students, complicated choreography is both daunting and facilitating. They may study the movements, but be paralyzed when attempting to dance the movements.

SOLUTION: Callers must stick to the basic formations of each movement and continue this type of calling and workshopping even after graduation.

6. Pragmatism, not satisfaction, dominates decision making among adult students. They usually have no deep-rooted club or square loyalty until they become established dancers. They may even enroll in square dance lessons due to convenience, whether or not they have made a long-term commitment to square dancing.

SOLUTION: Callers and square dancers must treat new dancers/ students with a respectful sensitivity before and after graduation.

7. Adult students judge each square dance lesson as a complete experience, not as determinative of what will happen in the next one.

SOLUTION: It is critical for callers and square dancers to keep their new dancer/student experiences positive and fun in each lesson, or they may not continue to the next lesson.

    In summary, adult square dance students see things differently and react differently from other groups. Recognizing these different perceptions on the part of each square dance club, club member and club caller, is critical if we are to keep the students in class and keep them as club members after graduation. These actions can be done here and now. Nurturing adult square dancing students requires insight, commitment and patience, but these things can be done now. Square Dancing will gain. 
    Any individual, club, caller, or association who wishes to communicate his/her successful recruiting, retention and retrieving programs is encouraged to contact the American Callers' Association at Loulet@aol.com or Patrick at  demerath@tsum.edu

Until next time, Happy Dancing.

ACA VIEWPOINT  in American SquareDance, July 2002 - Oct/02

TEACH MY WHOLE SCHOOL TO SQUARE DANCE," SAYS PRINCIPAL

      Late last Spring, several elementary schools in the Central Okanagan Valley were sent offers to teach their students to square dance in the new school year, starting September. Co-ordinated by SQUAREUPB.C., the offer was that caller-teacher Glen Bailie of Peachland would teach some modern square dance basics to students with the aid of several adult "angels" from the local dance community. 

      A surprising response came from Bruce Stewart, Principal at Helen Gorman Elementary in Westbank.  His request applied to the very first week of school. Mr. Stewart asked if Glen could teach ten classes over two days, each class session being 40 minutes, until the whole school learned some square dance basics.  On the third day, a big one hour square dance party would be held involving the whole school.  Glen said "let's go for it" and the result was a raving success. 

      Each class session was composed of 3 squares of blended students from mixed grades, 1 through 6.  The older students assisted the younger ones in learning the dance moves. Some squares were so proud of their new-found skill that they executed the calls with near perfection. 

      Principal Bruce Stewart felt that the square dance was the perfect social mixer for his students to start their school year. He recognized that the recreation teaches children social graces, teamwork and co-operation. He also appreciated the element of tolerance, where you show respect and courtesy for your fellow dancer, regardless of your opinion of them. The strategy was aimed at getting the children to see their school life as part of a community. Mr. Stewart wants to diminish the possibility of school yard bullying. 

      Congratulations and thanks to Glen Bailie of Peachland and the many adult dancers from the square dance community in the Central Okanagan for their excellent contribution. Congratulations also to the 250 students at Helen Gorman Elementary in Westbank for becoming accomplished in some square dance basics and discovering the wonderful world of modern square dancing. 
Cool!

Reprinted from: BC Federation Newsletter - October 2002 
Submitted by: Canadian Clogging News (CCN)    DEC/02

SQUARE DANCING, A HOBBY LIKE NO OTHER
By Kathy & Steve Linder

Reprinted from Club Leadership Journal
September/October 2002

     LEGACY, the former International Organization on Square Dancing, pointed out the reasons why you will not find another hobby like square dancing.
     Where can you find a hobby that is non-competitive, is a great social equalizer, is inexpensive, combines the best of both art and science, is relaxing and stimulating at the same time, is challenging, lets you meet new friends and opens marvelous doors to you? 

It is Noncompetitive      Square Dancing is such an activity. It is noncompetitive because the activity requires the cooperation of eight dancers and the caller fostering the teamwork. 

It is A Social Equalizer      As a social equalizer, people from all walks of life participate, from the executive of an industry to the person working at a hot dog stand. Squared up, smiling at each other across the square, square dancers are all equals. 
     It crosses all levels of society, with dancers coming from every nationality, race, occupation, colour, creed and religion. It spans all ages and some handicaps. 

It is Inexpensive      It is an inexpensive recreational activity that provides an opportunity to mingle with people in a wholesome atmosphere for about half of what you would pay to attend a movie and a fraction of an evening at a night club. 

It Combines Art & Science      In the field of science, it combines art with the sheer pleasure of moving to music, with an aspect of puzzle solving. 
     Take eight people, move them around in a myriad of geometrical formations, and return them in the end to the exact position from which they started with a symmetry that is beautiful to behold.

It is Relaxing & Stimulating      How can an activity be relaxing and stimulating at the same time? It gently exercises your mind and your body. 
     Once you have finished the first dance, you're refreshed and rejuvenated from your hectic daily schedule.
     An evening of square dancing is like a vacation in miniature. After an evening of squared dancing, you are relaxed and refreshed, both mentally and physically and ready to tackle what life sends your way. 

It is Challenging      It challenges you to achieve for the sake of achievement. It challenges you to use your brain to learn a new call. Once you've learned it, it rewards you with the most wonderful feeling of accomplishment. 

It Fulfills Your Social Needs      Most importantly, square dancing answers the human social need to associate with others. It lets you meet new friends and discover the true friendship that is square dancing's greatest reward. 

Square Dancing Opens New Doors      Square Dancing opens new doors, new friendships, new opportunities and new experiences. It stimulates you to set goals for yourself It expands your horizons by offering a variety of options. It allows you to involve yourself in teamwork and interaction of supporting a club. Square Dancing validates Fun! You will find no other hobby quite like Square Dancing.

GUIDELINES FOR NEW DANCERS

1 . Dance at other clubs: Your home club needs your support and there should always be a special place for the club where you learned to dance but you are missing one of the great things about square dancing if you only dance with your home club. 

2. Dance to other callers: During lessons, you tuned in to the caller who taught you and you will always have a special place for him. Every caller has a different style, that's part of the fun. 

3. Dance in the front of the hall: The tendency for the newer dancers is to hide in the back of the hall where he thinks the caller can't see his square break down. A good caller watches the whole floor, including the back square. Don't be afraid to dance in the front square. 

4. Dance with experienced dancers: Sometimes an outreached hand from a more experienced dancer is all your square needs to keep going. Everyone dancing today was a new dancer at one time and can remember how it felt. 

5. Touch hands after every move: Establish your position by touching hands after every move. If you are lost, at least you'll have company. 

6. Keep Dancing: To use all the information you have learned and to make it become second nature, it's important to practice, practice, practice. 

7. Be aware of your level: Look for dances advertised at the level you know - Mainstream, 

8. Stay at your level awhile: The level you dance has nothing to do with how good a dancer you are. It has to do with how much you are willing to devote to our hobby. You may never choose to move to another level and that's fine. Don't make a choice until you have danced at your graduated level at least a full year. 

9. Square dance for fun: The odds are pretty good that someone is going to make a mistake (even the caller makes one at some time). Don't worry about whose fault it was, it doesn't matter. Regroup and Keep Smiling! 

10. Finally: Jump right up when the music starts; get in the first open square, do not pass one up. Introduce yourself, smile and have fun. Thank everyone when the tip is over. 

Square News-Hub City Sq& Rd Assoc - Saskatoon, SK Oct/02

Don't Be a Square -- Dance! 
Read the article from WebMD.com

Regardless of your age, square dancing is good for the body and the mind. Plus, it's a great way to meet a 'partner'. 
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1676.53041
By:  Denise Mann
WebMD Medical News 

Updated:  Oct.7/02

GROUND RULES FOR SQUARE DANCING

1. Be on Time for Club and Classes: In square dancing, one late couple or person may mean three other couples or seven people must sit, out. In planning an evening's program, the caller leans heavily on the first and last tips to pace his dance.

2. Don't Leave Early: By leaving early, you are telling the other dancers and caller that you did not have a good time at the dance. The "wind-down" tip is as important as the first or middle tips. Plan to rid the complete evening when you come.

3. Be a Thoughtful Dancer: Personal cleanliness is important in square dancing. Use your deodorant. Don't forget to use something to sweeten your breath (mouth wash, chewing gum, etc.). Don't drink. Your coordination must be at its very best.

4. Get into Squares Quickly: When the caller announces to square your sets, join the square nearest you that needs a couple. If you are looking for a square, raise your hand as you move across the floor. If your square is not full, raise your hand with as many fingers extended as couples are needed. Do not arrange squares more than once in an evening. It is best not to arrange a square at all. Do not get on the floor and expect the caller to find you a partner.

5. Be a Good Listener: Talking during the course of square dancing is distracting to you and especially others. It makes it difficult for others in the square to "catch" the instructions and hear the music. You can help others best by being in the correct place he correct time. Pointing or a hand motion is always better way to direct someone that is going in the wrong direction.

6. Be a Courteous Dancer: Always introduce yourself and your partner to others in the square if you don’t know them. Thank them for dancing with you after the tip. Don't use extra twirls and kicks that with others in our square. It is considered “bad manners” to pass a square needing dancers in order to fill another. Even more important, beware of the unpardonable sin: never leave a square once you have joined it until the tip is over. If you must leave in an emergency, try to fill your spot with a substitute. By all means, tell the others why you must leave.

7. Be a Cooperative Dancer: It might be said that square dancing is an activity where everyone is responsible for everyone else's happiness. A square is not made up of eight individuals working independently, but rather in one unit with no individual person attempting to show off or be a star. The real pleasure comes when each person does his share making the square run smoothly.

8. Take it Easy: Don't overdo. Square dancing can be strenuous exercise. If you are too tired to dance, sit out. It is usually best to remove yourself from the hall or to the rest room. Sometimes you can learn a great deal just by watching and listening. Be considerate. If another dancer is watching and listening, don't insist upon talking, Square dancing is a social event but not a place to socialize during tips or rounds even if you are not dancing.

9. Be a Friendly Dancer: "Friendship is square dancing's greatest reward." Take the opportunity to get acquainted with others in the square. Make it a point to dance with as many different dancers as possible each evening. It has been said that "Square dancing is friendship set to music."

10. Enjoy Yourself-have Fun: Come to the dance expecting to have a good time and you'll have it. Come to the dance with the attitude that it is the caller's job or someone else's job to show you a good time and chances are you will have a poor evening, When you applaud at the end of a tip, you are thanking the caller and the other dancers in your square, but you are applauding yourself also for a good job well done.

Don't Forget "A Smile on Your Face Helps Your Feet Work Better.”

Source: Manisquare, April/03

By the time you read this your club and all the members will be welcoming the new dancers for your fall beginners group. We hope you have good leadership in your area and that you as a square dancers are prepared to convince the new dancers that our activity is built for fun, comfort with other people and good fellowship. Help them to enjoy every minute of their class time by dancing with them & encouraging them to want to return for more.
What's so great about our activity? This is a question you  may be asked or you can be enthusiastic enough to tell the new dancers what you think is so great about the activity since you entered the world of square dancing. Here are some of the answers we find exciting about our activity. 
Square dancing is stimulating. It requires that you be both physically and mentally active. The simplest dances require you to move and do it right in time with the music.
Square dancing is fellowship set to music. The square dancing fellowship is found around the world. You can literally go any place in the world and find a square dance group and find you fit right in. You will be treated as a new found friend.
We can attest to that as we were in Findland last year a fellow dancer volunteered to be our tour leader, taking time from his regular job to join our group and give us a guided tour of his beloved country. Then that evening he
arranged a dance for us to meet more of his square dance family and club members.
Square dancing is a team effort and the more one learns, the more rewarding it will become. Let the new dancers know how rewarding and satisfying it is to be in an activity where there is fun in being a part of a team dancing with you partner and enjoying the activity set to music.
When the new dancers see the club dancers supporting the club and enjoying dancing they will be more encouraged to become part of the activity. Helping the new dancers doesn't always mean helping out in the square. It means seeing the club members helping each other by greeting at the door, taking up the money, working the refreshments and being active in supporting the club in any capacity when asked. This will impress the new dancers that the club is well organized and enjoying the square dancing activity to the fullest.
Getting the new dancers to your open night is always a challenge but keeping them interested is a bigger challenge. We encourage YOU to be a leader and take the responsibility of keeping our activity strong by taking YOUR job as a square dancer seriously and helping our activity to grow by helping the new dancers.
"It takes a minute to make a friend, being a friend takes a lifetime."
 

Reprinted from American SquareDance - September 2003

What would your life look like if you had absolutely no fear? What kinds of things would you do if you lived from a frame of reference that your thoughts literally could form your world? How brightly would your light shine if you stepped out of the limitations that are keeping you small and stretched yourself well past your comfort zone into the place that you know, deep within, you are meant to be? Authentic leadership is all about being the person you know in your heart you have always been destined to be. Authentic leadership does not come from your title or from the size of your paycheck. Instead, this form of leadership comes from your being and the person that you are. 

Here are 10 things that authentic leaders do on a regular basis: 

one They speak their truth. In business today, we frequently 'swallow our truth'. We say things to please others and to look good in front of The Crowd. Authentic leaders are different. They consistently talk truth. They would never betray themselves by using words that are not aligned with who they are. This does not give anyone a license to say things that are hurtful to people. Speaking truth is simply about being clear, being honest and being authentic. 

two They lead from the heart. Business is about people. Leadership is about people. The best leaders wear their hearts on their sleeves and are not afraid to show their vulnerability. They genuinely care about other people and spend their days developing the people around them. They are like the sun: the sun gives away all it has to the plants and the trees. But in return, the plants and the trees always grow toward the sun. 

three They have rich moral fibre. Who you are speaks far more loudly than anything you could ever say. Strength of character is true power - and people can feel it a mile away. Authentic leaders work on their character. They walk their talk and are aligned with their core values. They are noble and good. And in doing so, people trust, respect and listen to them. 

four They are courageous. It takes a lot of courage to go against the crowd. It takes a lot of courage to be a visionary. It takes a lot of inner strength to do what you think is right even though it may not be easy. We live in a world where so many people walk the path of least resistance. Authentic leadership is all about taking the road less travelled and doing, not what is easy, but what is right. 

five They build teams and create communities. One of the primary things that people are looking for in their work experience is a sense of community. In the old days, we got our community from where we lived. We would have block parties and street picnics. In the new age of work, employees seek their sense of community and connection from the workplace. Authentic leaders create workplaces that foster human linkages and lasting friendships. 

six They deepen themselves. The job of the leader is to go deep. Authentic leaders know themselves intimately. They nurture a strong self-relationship. They know their weaknesses and play to their strengths. And they always spend a lot of time transcending their fears. 

seven They are dreamers, Einstein said that "Imagination is more important than knowledge." It is from our imaginations that great things are born. Authentic leaders dare to dream impossible dreams. They see what everyone else sees and then dream up new possibilities. They spend a lot of time with their eyes closed  creating blueprints and fantasies that lead to better products, better services, better workplaces and deeper value. How often do you close your eyes and dream? 

eight They care for themselves. Taking care of your physical dimension is a sign of self-respect. You can't do great things at work if you don't feel good. Authentic leaders eat well, exercise and care for the temples that are their bodies. They spend time in nature, drink plenty of water and get regular massages so that, physically, they are operating at planet-class levels of performance. 

nine They commit to excellence rather than perfection. No human being is perfect. Every single one of us is a work in progress. Authentic leaders commit themselves to excellence in everything that they do. They are constantly pushing the envelope and raising their standards. They do not seek perfection and have the wisdom to know the difference. What would your life look like if you raised your standards well beyond what anyone could ever imagine of you? 

ten They leave a legacy. To live in the hearts of the people around you is to never die. Success is wonderful but significance is even better. You were made to contribute and to leave a mark on the people around you. In failing to live from this frame of reference, you betray yourself. Authentic leaders are constantly building their legacies by adding deep value to everyone that they deal with and leaving the world a better place in the process.

Robin Sharma is the bestselling author of 'The Saint, The Surfer & the CEO'. For more of his wisdom, visit robinsharma.com 

Reprinted from Second Impressions  - July/August 2003
Submitted by Canadian Clogging News (CCN) - August 2003

I have been the Caller Coordinator for the Valley Trailers Square Dance Club in Northridge, California for over five years. We not only use local callers, but I also book callers from around the world. During those five years, I have learned a few things callers prefer in negotiations. Likewise, I have learned things that can really interfere with my duties as the coordinator.

Some of the things that I have heard from callers regarding negotiations are:

1.  When you first contact them, have a date in mind. Do not ask them, "What dates do you have open in 2005"? or "What 3rd Saturdays do you have open in 2005"? Also, do not say, "I have the following dates open, which one would you like"? (And then list dates). If you would like them to call for you on February l9, 2005, you should say something to the effect of, "...I have the date of February 19, 2005, open and we would love to have you call for our club. If that date is not available or convenient, I do have some other dates open."

2.  If this caller is not familiar with your club, tell the caller a little about it. How many members do you have? What program do you dance, Basic, Mainstream, Plus or Advanced? How big is your hall? What kind of floor? Is it air conditioned (if applicable)? How many squares do your dances usually have in attendance? You might also give the name(s) of a caller that would  probably be known to the caller you are contacting and who is familiar with your club, suggesting the caller contact that caller for information on your club. It is difficult for a caller to make a decision on booking a dance when the caller knows nothing about the club.

3.  Regarding the fees, don't ask the caller what he/she charges. You know how big your club is, how big your hall is, how many squares you can expect, and what you can afford. Make them an offer. It can be a flat fee; minimum or percentage (whichever is greater); or straight percentage. But YOU make the original offer. If it is not acceptable to the caller, then the caller will tell you what is required. Then you make the decision as to whether or not you can afford to book that caller.

4.  If you both agree on a date and fee, SEND A CONTRACT - NOW! Once you have agreed, the caller is going to pencil you in for that date. That means that if any other club contacts him/her, the caller will turn them down. Send the contract so that you both have the assurance that the date is covered.

Now, we have some of the items that I feel callers should consider:

1.  When a club representative contacts you, whether by postal mail, telephone or email, respond!!! It does not matter whether or not you want or are able to call for the club, or want to wait for a period of time before deciding; do give some type of immediate response. Give the club the courtesy of letting them know your feelings. Those who are booking callers for a club want to complete their chore. If a caller is asked to call for a particular date and never responds, the Caller Coordinator is hesitant to book another caller for that date. Common courtesy indicates that the caller should respond in some fashion to the inquiry, at least to let the club representative know that he/she has received their inquiry.

2.  When you have agreed on a date and fee with a club's representative and receive a contract from them, sign and return the contract as soon as possible. [Note to Club Representatives: A self-addressed, stamped envelope should be included with all contracts.] In the club's opinion, that date is technically still open until the signed contract is received. Don't put them into the position where they have to book another caller and run into the hassle of having two callers claim to have contracts for the same dance.

I hope that these suggestions are helpful to both callers and club representatives. I know it has been very frustrating to me to try and get a caller to call one of our club dances and after several attempts, still not have any acknowledgment that my inquiry was even received. Please everyone, considering all that is going on in the square dance world today, we must work, clubs and callers alike, together. We must communicate.

John Nash Caller Coordinator
Valley Trailers Square Dance Club
Northridge, CA

From time to time there is a need to "remind" all dancers of some of the most common sense courtesies that square dancing has found useful over the years. It seems, that lately, infractions of these common sense courtesies are being observed more frequently than in the past. This is an attempt to remind all of us how we should treat others and how we want others to treat us as we dance.

Cutting In Front Of Someone To Join a Square
At a dance one evening the dancers were beginning to square up and there were three couples in a square with one lady "waiting" for her partner, another couple came and moved in front of the lady and took her place. This waiting lady and her partner left the dance.
Always be observant of those who are "waiting" in a square and never jump in and take the position of another dancer. Another courtesy is that a dancer should not "walk" through a square to get to another square. Always walk around the squares.

When to Leave A Square ...
Once you have joined a square the only reason to leave that square would be in case of illness. A dancer who leaves a square sends a message to the other dancers that they may feel that they are not good enough for them to dance with you.

Treatment Of Visitors
Visitors are the lifeblood (so are new dancers) of any club. Club members should always make sure that visitors dance before a club member. Sometimes there just are not enough dancers to fill a square. When this happens, a club member should escort the visitor to their square and let the visitor take their place,

It's Announcement Time!
Announcement time is not the time for dancers to be talking - it is time for all to listen. A lot of good information is provided during announcements. The quieter it is during announcement time, the shorter the amount of time it takes to give the announcements.

Time To Go Home
Very few clubs now dance until 10:30. Most clubs have changed to end their dances at 10:00 PM, primarily because dancers are leaving at 10:00 PM anyway. A few clubs have now changed their dancing times to 7:30 to 9:30 PM and yet dancers are still leaving earlier. For those dancers who work shift work and get up at 4 or 5 in the morning, it is understandable why they need to leave a little early, but for the majority of us leaving a dance early is disrespectful to the club, those that are visiting and the caller and cuer.

Editor's Post Note: When I read this article I made a note to include it in CLJ in a future issue. We will add a few other "just common sense" courtesies for all of us to consider.

Don't Cross the Floor Between the Caller and the Dancers or
Behind the Caller
Walk around the dancers in the back of the hall. The caller is trying to keep an eye on all of the squares on the floor. If you walk across the hall between the caller and the dancers you are distracting the caller. This is especially important if he or she is doing some sight calling.
Don't walk behind the caller. There are usually cords, etc, on the floor which can cause you to trip and possibly damage some of the caller's equipment.

Talk VERY QUIETLY during Rounds
Square dancers who do not round dance usually catch up on their visiting during the rounds. If you must visit during the rounds, please talk VERY QUIETLY. It is very important for the round dancers to hear the next step cued by the round dance cuer. If you are noisy, you are disrupting their dance. The same applies for dancers sifting out a tip, Talk VERY QUIETLY during the square dancing too.

If You Plan to Leave Early Tell the Club President in Advance
If you plan to leave the dance early (for some good reason, we hope) please tell the club president in advance so he or she can explain your sudden departure. (Leaving the dance to get home in time for the 10:00 PM news is not a good reason.) If you leave because you are fired, please don't leave the dance - just rest and enjoy the music.

Try To Get to The Dance On Time
Have you ever noticed that the same people are always late for the dance? You can almost set your watch when "Mr. & Mrs. Always Late come in the hall." Being tardy at a dance is just a bad habit or just poor planning. We know there are very valid reasons for being late - like working until 5 PM, traveling home, making dinner, getting dressed, etc. But maybe you could just make a special effort to be at the dance on time and not always being late.

Club presidents note: * changing your dance start time to an earlier time causes more dancers to be Iate, especially those that have to travel a distance,

Source: Club Leadership Journal - Nov. & Dec. 2003 &
March-April 2003 issue of The Grapevine.

Round Dancing is fun.
Round dancers spend time with their partners and friends, enjoying and moving rhythmically to great music. Round dancers participate purely for the fun of it - there are no competitions, no judges, no dance awards. Round dancers are rewarded with lifelong friendships.

Round Dancing is an exciting social activity.
Round dancers form clubs and gather together to dance of places like schools, community centers, church recreation halls, YMCAs, and fraternal organization halls. Most clubs only charge [a small fee] per dancer for the entire evening, and most allow spectators to watch for free. Often clubs combine to put on even larger and longer events. There are clubs and round dance events all over the world. Round dancers can even spend an entire week round dancing at special mountain resorts or on romantic ocean cruises.

Round Dancing is choreographed, cued couples dancing.
Round dancing is like ballroom dancing and uses ballroom figures, but there are two major differences - it is choreographed ahead of time and then cued to the dancers in a manner similar to the way square dance callers direct square dancers.

Choreographers choose wonderful music and then choose the different movements and figures to fit the music exactly. If the music swells and pauses briefly, then a dance step that rises and stretches is put into that place. If there is a little syncopation in another part of the song, then a quick little step is inserted. The creation of a piece of choreography is like designing the interior of a home, with every piece of furniture and artwork in just the right place to give the best feel and enjoyment. Dances have been choreographed to a myriad of rhythms - waltz, two-step, cho-cha, rumba, jive/ swing, foxtrot, tango, bolero, mambo, samba, merengue, salso, west coast swing, poso doble, quickstep and others.

The "Cuer" or Round Dance Leader, stands with a microphone and the sound equipment at one side of a dance hall. As the music plays, and just ahead of when the dancers must respond, the cuer names each dance figure of the choreography to be done in proper order. Since dances are cued, dancers need not memorize choreography and can thus dance hundreds of different routines. In a two hour club night, the dancers could typically dance over thirty choreographed dances.

Since all the dancers are doing the some figures in the same direction at the some time (or at least are supposed to), the choreography can become quite elaborate. The dancers can move great distances with many changes of direction without fear of running into other couples. ROUNDALAB, the International Association of Round Dance Teachers Inc., has defined six phases of dance figures with phase one (1) generally being the easiest in difficulty and phase six (VI) comprising the most difficult figures. Most round dance clubs do not try to do all phase levels and thus as a dancer you can choose clubs that cater to the level that you are most comfortable.

Couples form up and generally progress counterclockwise in a circle around the dance floor - thus the name "Round Dancing".

Round Dancing is part of the Modern Square Dance Movement. 
Modern Round Dancing grew along with Modern Square Dancing through the second half of the twentieth century. Although pure round dance clubs exist as do pure square dance clubs, there are many clubs that offer both in what is called a two by two program. A caller will call square dance patter for about 6 minutes and then sing a singing call for about 4 minutes. Then a cuer will cue two round dance routines, taking about 8 minutes. Then the caller comes up again. Then the cuer and so on until the evening has been fulfilled.

There are State and National Square and Round Dance Conventions where both activities are conducted. Many local caller associations and round dance teacher associations are combined as one organization. There continues to be mutual symbiosis between square and round dancing. A great many square dancers first learn of round dancing from the two by two clubs and conventions and thus many round dancers were at first square dancers.

Since round dance music is of all types (big bonds, rock & roll, easy listening, and many others) it complements what is predominately the country/western square dance sound at square dance events. Square dancers tend to retain the "whoop and holler" spirit of dancing, while round dancers tend to dance with greater precision and thus help to improve the overall smoothness experienced by all in the intertwining square dance movements.

Round dancing really does "ROUND" out the square dance experience.

Round Dancing is healthy exercise. 
Round Dancing is an active activity. Most of the time, you will be on the floor dancing. There are short breaks and most leaders allow you to rest whenever you want - but the norm is to dance. The more you do it, the more you can do it. Not only does your heart pump, but your mind is also exercised in trying to remember how to do all the figures that the cuer cues.

Succinctly combining all of the above:
Round Dancing is a fun, social activity, where couples dance synchronously to cued choreographed routines that exercise body, mind and soul.

 By Tim Eum
Compiled by Lynn Yager
Source: South Pacific Square Dance Review, Sept/03

   In square dancing there is one magic word - ENTHUSIASM! If a club has enthusiasm, it is successful! If a caller has enthusiasm, the dancers are happy! If the cuer has enthusiasm, the dancers are happy! How do you get it? You start out with a positive attitude and a “yes, we can do it” approach. If you think you can't do it, you will probably not be successful.
   There is no such thing as "we can't find any new dancers" or "we can't find an affordable hall". Remember, with the right attitude you can accomplish anything.
   It is amazing and gratifying to see so many clubs that are marketing square dancing in their communities as a way of life for their club. They know it works! We are seeing more "LET'S TRY THIS" attitudes instead of "WE CAN'T FIND ANY NEW DANCERS" conclusions. Even areas and state/ provincial organizations are getting on the MARKETING bandwagon!
   Why not start a marketing program now. Some suggestions follow: We usually suggest that the first step to take is to appoint a MARKETING TASK FORCE. Select your most positive thinking club members. Give them a brief mission statement. Tell them that our goal is to increase our positive image in the community. Give them a budget to work with - even if it is only $50.00, Something is better than nothing.
   The second step is to 'turn them loose" and let their creative minds come up with marketing things to do.
   The third step is to give the chairperson in charge of the task force a call to see how they are doing. Tell him or her that you would like to give the membership an update of what is happening at your next club membership meeting. Offer assistance if you think they need it. Maybe the only thing they need is a "pat on the back" and a "you are doing a good job" statement.
   While your marketing task force is creating awareness for your club, you, as club president, can start lining up an enthusiastic caller-instructor to teach the new dancers that your marketing efforts will bring in year around. Your club caller may be an excellent caller, but is he or she an excellent instructor? Hire the best teacher for best results because the FUN starts with the first New Dancer Dance.
   Dancer retention starts with dance No. 1 too. Don't put restrictions on your caller-instructor. Tell him or her to take as much time as he or she thinks the group needs to master the Mainstream program sufficiently to be able to dance reasonably well at Mainstream club dances. Encourage club members to come to the new dancer dances to have a good time and to help the new dancers learn their recently discovered hobby called square dancing,
   You probably noticed that I did not call your club's new dancer dances LESSONS! This word has to be eliminated from our square dancing vocabulary. A good instructor has them square dancing within a few minutes on the dance floor, so call them what they are new dancer dances!
   During breaks at your new dancer dances, take the opportunity to tell the new dancers more about our activity. Be truthful but positive. Talk to them about how square dancing is organized in your state or province. Tell them about the square dance publications in the square dance activity. Get free copies from your local editors to give the new dancers.
   You probably noticed that I don't call your new dancers students. This word, too, should be eliminated from our square dance vocabulary. They are not students. Students sit in a classroom to learn things. They are new dancers because they start dancing at the very first new dancer dance. So, let us call them what they are - NEW DANCERS!
   Be sure to have name tags at every new dancer dance for the new dancers as well as the club members involved in the dancing. You want them to get to know each other as newly acquired friends. Using a person's first name helps break the ice to start a conversation. Remember. - ENTHUSIASM IS A MAGIC WORD and it is contagious!

Source: Club Leadership Journal  March/April, 2003 

Take The Youthful Step (B-Y02)
A step-by-step guide to establishing and maintaining a youth square dance group. Originated for youth groups, but good guidelines for adult groups, too!

Recruiting & Keeping New Dancers (B-075)
Every club leader should add this textbook to their square dance library and use it to plan club recruiting actions and advance planning for retention for new dancers.

Class Graduation (P-023)
The "how to- pamphlet for class graduations. Contents include the graduation party, planning the ceremony, games, tests, clip art, club invitation, pledge card, welcome packet, diploma, refreshments, etc.

Club Newsletter (P-025)
The “how to” for newsletters - purpose, design, content, size. format, sources, styles. copyright, libel. clip art, printing, editor tasks, and more.

Take The First Step (B-074)
The “how to” booklet for club leader,, to use during lessons to teach new dancers more about the square dance activity as a whole. Seventeen pertinent topics. pages suitable for handouts.

Games, Gimmicks & Skits (B-071)
Designed to serve as a springboard for leaders and dancers. Contains 98 different games. gimmicks and skits that will put the---fun-into your dance activity.

Club Specials (B-028)
Leadership booklet developed to assist those dancers and leaders who have had little or no experience in planning or conducting a large social event such a club special.

Copies Can Be Obtained From: 
Jim and Edythe Weber
1316 Middlebrook Drive Liberty, MO 64068-1941 
Email:  Usda@usda.org

American SquareDance, July, 2003

   Would emergency personnel be able to quickly obtain vital information if you became ill or injured at a dance or when traveling?
   Most of us would answer no to that question.
   When a medical emergency occurred at last year's Ohio Dance Convention and the person was unable to give information,the Akron Area Square & Round Dance Federation designed a medical ID packet that clips on top the back of your badge.  The plastic holder measures 2 1/2" x 4 " and holds a trifold card which contains vital information that could save treatment time.
   Included on the card is name, address, primary doctor and contact number, medical history, medication, allergies, emergency contact name and phone number and a place to sign for consent to treatment. The medical ID packet is the idea of Fred & Mary Frances Cornell, a former EMT, who was the Convention General Chairman.

Source: American Squaredance Magazine   Feb/03

TRANSITION: NEW DANCER TO CLUB DANCER
By Tom Rudebock

It Begins The Very First Night

You have worked hard; your recruiting efforts were successful. What can be done to keep the new dancers coming back each week and then become active club members?

Regardless of the destination level of your new dancers, it all begins the very first night they walk through the door.

Are they greeted warmly and made to feel welcome? People are more apt to remain active longer if they enjoy what they are doing.

NEW DANCER SESSIONS: Make them FUNI It should be a dance session not a drill session. The caller/teacher and the angels should mingle and visit with the new dancers. Have an occasional party night. Angels should be in the square as a guide, not as a teacher.

Club members should angel as much as possible so the new dancers get to know them. Angels, don't forget you were once a new dancer. Treat them like family. Praise and encourage.

Compliment & Encourage Them

NEW DANCER DANCES: Invite and take them to dances. This provides an opportunity to meet dancers from other clubs. It gives them the opportunity to dance with other callers. Invite them to be greeters with an experienced couple. Find a way to compliment and encourage the new dancers.

If possible, have experienced couples in each square as a guiding hand. Introduce yourself to others in the square.

Don't Let them
"Fly on their Own"

AFTER GRADUATION: Don't let them "fly on their own"

.  Be available as a mentor.
.  Let the callers know there are new dancers on the floor.
.  Callers should help them succeed. Invite them to dance in your square.
.  Make them feel welcome.
.  Invite them to go on banner activities.
.  Invite them to join you at festivals and conventions.
.  Encourage them to attend club meetings.
.  Invite them to assist in recruiting and demo's.

Include Them
In Your "Other Activities"

NON-DANCE ACTIVITIES: Include your new dancers in all activities; theater nights, club night out, bowling nights, pot luck dinners, and after dance social activities.

Editor's Note: Tom Rudebock emailed this article to CLJ. We agree wholeheartedly with Tom's comments, especially about not letting them "fly on their own". Too often the regular club dancers and the caller no longer give the new dancers any special attention. Remember that your new dancers 1 have social needs that only you can provide during the transition from 11 new dancer" to club dancer. The information is based on the discussion at a panel that Tom shared with Betsy Gotta at last year's CALLERLAB convention. Tom writes the column titled On The Record Squares in each issue of American Square Dance magazine. Tom can be reached at <rudebts@sky-access.com> or 330-427-6358.

Source: Club Leadership Journal - Nov/DEC/2002

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY PROGRAM
By Audrey Kealey 
Mississippi Squares 
Carleton Place, Ontario

     Square dancing should encompass more than dancing a couple of hours at a club one night a week.  As a club continues to grow and a network of lifetime friendships develop, many secondary activities will evolve.  These can include visits to other clubs, a get-away to a weekend dance, travel, cruises, picnics, dancing a community events, senior's residences or in schools, hosting a benefit dance for the needy in the community, etc. The list is endless! 
     The Mississippi Squares' club is involved in the providing a service to the community in many ways! Most recently, a two year contract was signed with the Ontario Ministry of Transport (MTO) to A-Highway Program" to participate in its “Adopt-A-Highway {program”, commencing next Spring. So far, twenty-three club members have volunteered to participate in the program. 
     What does Adopt-A-Highway involve? 
The Mississippi Squares will undertake the minute task of working together to clean up debris from a 3 km section of Highway 7 between McNeely St. at Carleton Place and Cemetery Side Road three times a year – Spring, Summer & Fall at dates suitable to the volunteers during a non-rush hour traffic period. MTO supplies the garbage bags, vests, signs and, pick-up sticks. Large items (such as tires), hazardous and unidentified items are to be flagged for pickup by MTO staff 
  Why did Mississippi Squares get involved? 
What else? Visibility of square dancers at work in the community! It’s another means of marketing modern square dancing. Volunteers plan to get-together for a barbeque or a pot-luck and socializing following each outing. In appreciation for the service, the MTO will install a sign on the highway stating: “Adopt-Highway Project by the Mississippi Squares.” 
  Would your club be willing to participate in MTO's "Adopt-A-Highway Program"?
Why not? It's another reason for club members to come to together for camaraderie and fun while doing a service. 
     WHAT'S YOUR REWARD?
HELPING TO ADVERTISE OUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY - MODERN SQUARE DANCING. 

For more information on Adopt-A-Highway Program, contact your local Ontario MTO district office or Audrey Kealey at Mississippi Squares (Tel. 613-257-7464). 

Source: Eastern Ontario's  SquareTime     Jan/02

Editor's Note:  Is there a similar Program in your province?
What a great opportunity for community service and PR!

 
May 2004 Clean up

   Would emergency personnel be able to quickly obtain vital information if you became ill or injured at a dance or when traveling?
   Most of us would answer no to that question.
   When a medical emergency occurred at last year's Ohio Dance Convention and the person was unable to give information,the Akron Area Square & Round Dance Federation designed a medical ID packet that clips on top the back of your badge.  The plastic holder measures 2 1/2" x 4 " and holds a trifold card which contains vital information that could save treatment time.
   Included on the card is name, address, primary doctor and contact number, medical history, medication, allergies, emergency contact name and phone number and a place to sign for consent to treatment. The medical ID packet is the idea of Fred & Mary Frances Cornell, a former EMT, who was the Convention General Chairman.

Source: American Squaredance Magazine   Feb/03

Check out the Society page on Sound Enhancement   and  Williams Sound web site

The Square Dance Leadership, Heritage
and Communication Resource Center
www.legacyonline.org
LEGACY International, P.O. Box 37, Lower Waterford, VT, USA 05848-0037
Read the releases about: 
LEGACY to cease operations
&
Report - LEGACY's Annual SUMMIT MEETING

New dancers are the most important people in square dancing. 
New dancers are not dependent on us; 
     we are dependent on them. 
New dancers are not an interruption of our dance; 
     they are the purpose of it. 
New dancers do us a favor when they come in; 
     we are not doing them a favor. 
New dancers are part of our square dancing; 
     they are not outsiders. 
New dancers are human beings with feelings; 
     they deserve to be treated with respect.
New dancers come to us with wants and needs to be filled; 
     it is our obligation to fill them. 
New dancers deserve the most courteous attention we can give them. 
     They are the lifeblood of square dancing. 
     Without them, we would have no square dancing. 
You were once a new dancer.  Don't ever forget it! 

Source: Reprinted from Southwest Saskatchewan Newsletter  May 9/02
and USDA News, Jan-Mar/02 
Originally as the cover of Dixie Crier, Georgia State publication, Spring '01 

A PRAYER FOR NEW GRADUATES

May you dance as long as you want to
and want to as long as you can.
May your toes never stop tapping
to the beat of a square dance band
We wish you a smile on your career
and a partner that really can swing.
And each a handclasp of friendship
as you right and left grand the ring
May you never forget the struggle
when your lessons finally were through.
May you always reach back with a helping hand
that someone extended to you.
May you never become a dancer that knows all
and there's no more left to learn
In the midst of the muddle,
come out of your huddle,
Could be you made the wrong turn!
As long, as you're dancing, enjoy it
and the friends that you'll make ‘fore you're done'
With a smile and a song, promenade along,
Cause You Square Dance, My Friend, For Fun'

Source: Manisquare, April/03

WHO NEEDS INSURANCE?
by Ron Connell, NS Federation Insurance Advisor

    On 3 January, 2004, Joe Schmaltz went to his club's first dance in the New Year. He signed the "attendance" book at the door.

    Each year, Joe had been careful to check that he was covered by Society Insurance. He had done this the previous October, and was assured it would be paid.

    After a very enjoyable evening of dancing on the first Saturday in
January, Joe helped the caller carry out his equipment. He backed into a glass door. Snow blew in and ruined a section of the floor. No problem, he had insurance, and put in a "claim".

    The insurance people informed him there was no such thing as a "claim". Liability Insurance requires that one had to be sued, or at least  be
threatened to be sued for damages.

    The owner did threaten to sue for damages, and would not let the club dance there, until they at least agreed to pay.

    Unfortunately, the caller "forgot" to register the club members, and had planned to do it the first full week in January. However, this meant that the club, the caller and the members were not legally covered by Society Insurance at the time of the accident.

    The members of Joe's small club had to pay $3422.00 to repair the damage.  There was also some hard feelings about who was at fault.

ARE YOU COVERED?  ARE YOU SURE?

Source: Email from Ron Cornell and NS's Between Tips, Sept, 2003

News From
Square Benders
Milwaukee, WI
By Ruth Witt
(April 24, 2003)

The Square Benders are currently one of the larger clubs in the Milwaukee, WI area with 22 couples and 13 singles. Their 2002-2003 new dancer group has 5 couples and 5 singles.
Our Marketing Efforts
This group of new dancers came from several sources. The club runs an ad in the local paper, beginning in June, with a number to contact for more information. The names are recorded of all those responding for later follow up.
One couple invited members from their Bible Study Group and another invited
people from their camping club. They lost some this past year due to health reasons, work schedule conflict and snow birds. Each year approximately 35 invitation letters are mailed.
Prospects Are Invited To A Special Dance
The prospective dancers are invited to a free evening of dance activities in August featuring line dances, circle dances and basic squares. The idea is to get them dancing and having fun immediately. At the activity they are encouraged to join the clubs new dancer session beginning soon.
Camaraderie is Important
The camaraderie of lessons, which develops between the angels and the new dancers, is very important. They usually have at least 15 angels helping each week.
Every 6 weeks is a review and treat night.
Beginning in February the new dancers are invited to attend one club dance a month free and dance the first 3 tips using only the calls they know. They are then invited to stay for the rest of the dance to visit and enjoy refreshments.
We Print A New Dancer Newsletter
Each month a new dancer newsletter is printed. It covers topics such as; US Square Dance history, dance apparel and it’s history, etiquette and styling, the structure of square dancing in the state and an introduction to other clubs in the area.
New Dancer Jamboree
In December all new dancers in the area are invited to a “New Dancer Dance” which includes a chili supper. The Square Benders new dancers are encouraged to attend other dances, sponsored by other callers, for new dancers. All new dancers are encouraged to return in the fall as angels and bring their friends.
We Are a Mainstream Club
The Square Benders are a Mainstream Club welcoming both couples and singles. Some of the experienced dancer women learn the beau part while they angel.
Last summer the club had casual attire with about half still choosing to wear regular square dance clothing. The club feels it is important to be warm, friendly and welcoming.
Eric Tangman is the club caller/ teacher.

Source: CALLERLAB - Winning Ways
Club Leadership Journal Jan-Feb 2004

   One of the best feelings is the one you get when you perform a good show and the crowd loves you. It makes your team feel great and you will probably get called back to do another show at a later date because of it. This article is to touch on how to make a good show better. 
   There is one word that sums up the way that a team looks at a performance, and that word is professionalism. Because you and your team are out performing in public, you are considered by many as professionals. This, of course, does not mean that you have to be rigid and totally military in the things you do. Professionalism simply means to be organized and orderly. There is a definite line between knowing your routines, doing the best job possible, having a good time and just doing okay, pulling practical jokes, and goofing off. 
   The following are suggestions and/ or tips on how to improve your show:

1. Always sound check your equipment before the show. Make sure that the system is loud enough for the dancers to hear but not so loud to bother the audience. (Note: Music that is at a comfortable level for a sound check, with no one dancing, is not often loud enough when the dancers are doing their thing).

2. Make sure the MC knows what he is going to say. It is often good to practice before doing. Stage fright can often rob a person of good speech and good ideas.

3. Always smile!! I realize that everyone has a bad day once in a while, but don't let your audience know it. If you look like you're having a good time, your audience will feel more entertained and find it easier to "get into" what you're doing.

4. Know your music and routines. Don't get out on stage and dance if you don't know what you are doing. This can make the team or club look bad in a hurry.

5. Don't let dancers "upstage." I realize that no two dancers are alike but it can hurt a performance if someone is adding something that should not be there or might look out of place. (This is definitely a no-no in a competition setting).

6. Come up with an orderly manner to enter and exit the performing area. It is often nice and very appealing to the audience if the club or team does a clogging entrance and exit. This does not have to be a difficult routine. A repeating sequence of basics and triples would easily fit the bill. If clogging on and off the stage is not possible, walking on and off, in an organized fashion, to music works well.

7. When changing dancers between songs, walk on and back off of the dancing area in an orderly fashion. Do not turn your back on the audience when you are not dancing. Some members of your audience may find this rude.

8. When not dancing, support the members. Clap in rhythm to the music and smile. Avoid talking to the person next to you because it is distracting to the audience and the performing dancers.

9. Make sure your outfits are neat and clean.

10. If an emergency situation takes place and you must leave the floor during a routine, back off the stage quickly and quietly.

I hope that these suggestions will help in making your shows the best they can be. I wish you all the best and remember...professionalism is the key. 
[Reprinted from The Texas Clogger April 2002] 
Submitted by The Canadian Clogging News    May 28/02

CSRDS Note:  The above is as equally application to Square & Round dance demos/presentations. 

     Now is the time for all dancers to show off their talents, Yes, show off their talents mean their dancing abilities talent, but their to get along with other people and their ability to abilities to introduce the new dancers into their clubs. It is also a time to show off the new class members who are just beginning to graduate or are close to graduation. How can you do this? Let me count the ways. 
     First, and foremost be willing to dance with these new dancers and make them feel welcome when they start dancing with the club whether it is for a full night or for selected tips during an evening. Try to ensure that these new dancers don't square up together all night. They will have a tendency to square up together because they feel comfortable together. If all the club members take a new couple and be sure that they dance with different people each tip this will go a long way toward introducing the new dancers into the club and to make them more comfortable with the club population. 
     Second, you must be sure that you invite the new dancers to go with you to your association dances and to other club's dances when you do visits such as banner raids and retrievals. If you take them to a dance that you know will be over their heads, with the thought that you can pull them through, you will be doing them a disservice and could maybe turn them off the activity. 
    Third, I would like to emphasize strongly that you should keep the new dancers away from politics, If you want them to be involved in club activities start with letting them assist in being greeters at the door and then maybe let them assist you or someone else with refreshments one night if they want to, Don't make them feel that they are obligated to do these things if they don't want to. 
     Whatever you do let them call the shots. Don't make them feel as if they are obligated to do anything that they don't feel comfortable doing. I know that you probably feel that if you are part of the activity you should be willing to help but they are new and they maybe aren't as sold on the activity as you are yet. Give them time to grow into the activity. 
     New dancers are hard to come by so let's all work hard to keep them.

     Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are just content to watch while others do the work. They are called “Spect Taters" 
     Some people never do anything to help, but are gifted at finding fault with the way others do the work. They are called "Comment Taters" 
     Some people are very bossy and like to tell others what to do, but don't want to soil their own hands. They are called "Dick Taters" 
     Some people are always looking to cause problems by asking others to agree with them. It is too hot or too cold, too sour or too sweet. 'They are called “Agie Taters" 
     There are those who say they will help, but somehow just never get around to actually doing the promised help. They are called "Hezzie Taters" 
     Some people can put up a front and pretend to be someone they are not.  They are called "Emma Taters" 
     'Then there are those who love others and do what they say they will. They are always prepared to stop whatever they are doing and tend a helping hand. They bring real sunshine into the lives of others. They are called "Sweet Taters".

Source: Central Alberta's, The Cloverleaf, Sept/02

     As you complete a call, immediately extend your hands to touch hands with adjoining dancers. This will help you, and the other dancers, to know what formation you are now in (line, wave), and will better prepare you for the next call. Improper set-up of a formation is one reason for breaking down a square. 
     If you become confused, do not turn around. Most movements are forward. By turning around you ruin your chance of getting straightened out. If you are completely lost, stay where you are and look around. Someone may see your problem and point to where you should be. Expect help. We all need it from time to time, and we all offer help from time to time. It is best not to speak, or tell someone what to do; better to point, to gently guide. By speaking, you interfere with all of you hearing the next call. Remember, hand signals, not voice signals. 
     If a call is given with which you are not familiar, don't panic. Listen closely. Often the caller tells you how to do the call, after he has said the name of the call.
     If your square breaks down, a popular way to get back into the dance is to have the men quickly go home, take any girl and form lines. If heads face a quarter left and sides a quarter right, you can quickly adjust into lines. The purpose is this: often a caller will put the dancers into lines of four during the call, and you can then start dancing again. Perhaps you won't end up with your partners, but you will not have been standing. 
     Start thinking of being "inside" or "outside" instead of just thinking of the man's or woman's part. From waves, for example, it is centers run or ends run. It could be one man and one woman, but centers or ends would still be correct. 
     If you are setting up a square with two couples of experienced dancers and two couples of newer dancers, put the newer couples across from each other. This way each dancer has an experienced comer to help him/her. 
     At times, dancers hesitate to do a call, because they haven't done it that way before. Trust the caller and carry out the call. It maybe new to you but we expect the caller knows what he intends. If you do the call, you are doing your part. If you don't follow the call, your square will be done before you get a good start. 
     Listen to the calls and believe the caller. Remember to touch hands with adjoining dancers at the completion of all calls. 
From: Calgary & District Grapevine Oct/Nov/02  Oct/02

Ingredients:  To 3 cups of music and 2 cups of callers, add 4 teaspoons of interest and 2 teaspoons of enthusiasm.  Sift together thoroughly, then stir in an equal amount of activity and relaxation.  Add 3 teaspoons of courtesy.  Season to taste with learning, then fold in a generous amount of concentration.  Place in a pan well greased with thoughtfulness and lined with respect for personalities.  Sprinkle lightly with a sense of humour.  Allow to set in an atmosphere of democratic planning and mutual responsibilities.  Bake in a moderately cool oven.  When well done, remove and top with a thick coating of good grooming, served on a platter of friendliness, garnished with smiles. 

Result:  One complete club will serve any size community. 

There was no author listed other than Sandy, who gave it to me, one of our dancers who has returned to the activity after being away a number of years. 

Reprinted from The Valley Circle September 2002
Submitted by The Canadian Clogging News (CCN)

   As experienced dancers we need to be open minded when it comes to new ideas. Granted many of us have seen numerous ideas come and go. Some were good and some even great but some were just plain bad. How did we know if they were good or bad ideas? How many times have we all an idea and instantly made up our minds that it wouldn't work? I how to say that I myself have been guilty of this a few times. But, hon- we do not know if and idea will work or not until we give it a try. The greatest source of new ideas can come from our new dancers. And we should listen. They are unbiased and uninhibited by the past and traditions of our activity. This allows them to have ideas that are influenced by today's non-square dancing environment. They have not been in the square dance environment for 10-50 years like many of us. And whether we like it or not, we have been implementing our ideas over the past several years and the fruit of our labor is what our activity is today. Could it be that we have lost sight of what our activity can do for potential new dancers? Have we been focusing too much on what this activity can do for me? I believe so. We need new ideas that come from the same ones that we are trying to recruit into our activity. Our new dancers can give us that insight. And we should listen. 
   Along with new ideas there may have to be some change. Traditions are important to our heritage. But, can we afford to maintain traditions to the point that they cause our activity to lose its popularity? Things die out when they fail to change or bend with the times. Is this happening to square dancing? Or has it happened already? Many of us have a deep passion to get this activity's popularity back and are willing to do what we can. New dancers have the excitement to spread the news of their newly discovered past time. We all have valid ideas new and old alike and they need to be implemented to see if they will work or not. Something that was tried many years ago and failed just might work today. Something that sounds far fetched just might work. How will we ever know if we don't by? We have all heard the phrase, desperate times require desperate measures. Are we there yet?

Source:  Footnotes -Square & Folk Dance Federat. of Washington, USA-June/02

   Leadership is probably one of the most talked about business concepts, but the least understood. Leadership is about getting things done and helping people reach their potential. My experience has shown me that most places fail to unleash the potential of those working within their organization. The reason is they practice old-fashioned and out-dated leadership concepts--they practice leadership mythology.
   A myth is something that is false, but believed to be true. As in many things in life, there are several myths surrounding the concept and practice of leadership. Unfortunately, these myths prevent the most qualified people from rising to the top. By listing these leadership myths, it is my hope to dispel many of the false beliefs.

Myth 1 - Leadership is a rare ability only given to a few. Many people still think leaders are born not made. This can't be further from the truth. Most people have the potential to become good leaders. Leadership is not like a diet pill. Like most learned skills, it takes time, training, and lots of trial by error. The key ingredient making people good leaders is the ability to care about others. The second ingredient is a sense of purpose, vision or mission. A good leader charts a course and provides direction to those they lead. 

Myth 2 - Leaders are charismatic — many leaders are charismatic, but closer scrutiny shows that most leaders are not. Some of the world's most famous leaders had warts--some sort of shortcoming or personality defect. In a leadership role, people skills are very important-more important than technical skills. However, the best leaders are those who work toward a goal. Your cause, your purpose and your mission in life will make you charismatic, not the other way around.

Myth 3 - The person with the title, most rank or the highest position is the leader. Ideally, the senior person in the business should be a good leader. However, authentic leadership is not based on position or rank. It is based on action, performance, ability and effectiveness. We all can relate to working for those people who were placed in leadership roles who did more to demoralize and destroy the business than anything else.

The best companies strive to develop and create as many leaders as possible. W.L. Gore & Associates, makers of GoreTex and other products, have a unique approach to leadership. They practice natural leadership "leadership by fellowship." They don't appoint any of their leaders... They let the true leaders surface to the top. People naturally gravitate to those they want to follow and work with. There are no limiting job descriptions, job titles and few rules and regulations. If a person comes up with a new product idea, he or she puts a team together of people who have the desire and knowledge to make it work. 

Myth 4 - Effective leadership is based on control, coercion and manipulation. Leadership is about the future, not the past. Joel Barker has the best quote about leadership, "A leader is someone you would follow to a place you would not go to by yourself." Good leaders gain followers out of respect and their ability to cause people to work toward a particular goal or achieve a destination. People follow because they can relate to the vision or goal personalized by the leader. A good leader helps people become better than they are. A good leader creates a work environment that attracts, keeps and motivates its workforce.

Myth 5 - Good leaders have more education than other people. Educational degrees may mean you have a good education, but it doesn't necessarily mean you are a good leader. When it comes to leadership, experience is the best teacher. The U.S. military has the best leadership development program in the world. In the military, you start out at the bottom. You are placed in leadership positions and closely evaluated by superiors. As your experience broadens, so does your responsibility. This practical experience is reinforced with weeks and months of formal training throughout the individual's career.

The secret of success is those years of experience on the front-line. This is where a person learns to manage those interactions, experiences and conflicts. You learn how to balance the needs of the mission versus the needs of the individual. Those officers and non-commissioned officers who fail to advance must exit the military. The military model of leadership development may not be perfect, but remains unequalled by any other organization.

[Reprinted from The Texas Clogger April 2002]
Submitted by The Canadian Clogging News May 28/02

   I have been asked by a few people to give them some tips on becoming a better dancer. This is my attempt to put in writing some of the ideas that I have. I believe that I can summarize my tips using these headings:

• Dancing 
• Teamwork 
• Definitions 
• Identification 
• Precision & Breathing 
• Study & Practice 
• Have Fun 

TEAMWORK
   Square dancing can really only work when there is teamwork. Each square is a team of 8 people, and all 8 need to participate and contribute. Every square will have a weakest dancer, even if you have 8 top notch dancers, someone will be the weakest. So don't focus on who's in your square. If you start a tip saying "oh we have some bad dancers in this square so we won't get anything," you will be defeated before you start. Think positively knowing that you need to do the calls correctly and be in the correct position at the correct time. Everyone has the ability to help in the square. This does not mean you should push or pull people around. It means taking hands with people when you should, it means saying a definition or repeating the call to help someone who may be doing the wrong call or doing a call wrong, it means keeping your square tight and symmetric, it means communicating nonverbally with nods or pointing or a motion of the hand, it means waiting an extra second for someone who is behind and not just going on with your part and leaving them in the dust. No one likes to be helped when they don't need it, so subtlety and judgment are important. The goal is for the square to get through the sequence, not just one or two people.

DEFINITIONS
   Definitions are the most important fundamental you can have. We all learn how to do calls by some definition, but often we quickly forget that definition and do the call by "feel". This is a major problem for higher level dancers. Most calls can be done from many positions even though most callers may only routinely use them from a few. I believe that knowing and saying the definition quietly to yourself while doing each and every call is absolutely crucial for success. The basic and mainstream definitions are the most important because they are the building blocks for all future calls learned. You may think it is foolish to say to yourself "half right and half left" when you hear swing thru, but if you always did that, you would have no trouble doing it from a left hand wave, a tidal wave, or a phantom setup. Sit down with a list of calls from Basic up to the level you are dancing and then say the call and follow by saying the definition. If you cannot quickly state a definition, you need to study. Only when you have the definitions readily available in your brain, will you be able to execute them in the square at a dancing pace. And back to teamwork, if the person beside you seems to be hesitating, saying the definition a little louder so they can hear it may mean the difference between continuing to dance or squaring up at home waiting for the next sequence. 
   If you do not know or don't think you have a good definition of a call, ask someone. Many definitions originally given to you may be long and cumbersome. You may be able to find a much quicker/shorter definition by asking around. For example, the call Shake Down can be defined as Belles do a three-quarters zoom and the Beaus do a run and roll. That definition works, but the call is so quick that it will be over before you decide if you are a belle or a beau. A quicker definition is everyone quarter right, counter rotate and roll. 

IDENTIFICATION
   Square dancing is loaded with identification. We have couples 1, 2, 3, and 4, heads, sides, belles, beaus, boys, girls, ends, centers, leaders, trailers, partner, and a whole slew of formations. You need to know which of these you are at all times, and you need to communicate that to your "teammates". When the caller says "boys trade" it may seem stupid to raise your hand, but if the other boy doesn't know who is who, you could break down. I would strongly suggest that you get in the habit of gently raising your hand or saying "leader, belle, etc" anytime you are an identified person. This will help you and the whole square. The way I learned to identify quickly was to practice at a lower level. When you go to a dance one or more levels below your top dancing level try this exercise. Each tip pick one identity (leaders, trailers, belles, beaus, ends, centers,) and then after each call quickly think to yourself which one you are (leader or trailer, belle or beau, end or center). You will almost always be one or the other. Also, take a tip and mentally point to your partner after each call. This may seem so fundamental....and it is. Good fundamentals make good dancers! 
   Identifying formations is also critical. You must know what right-hand waves, left-hand waves, R and L two-faced lines, tidal wave, R and L columns, zero tags, quarter tags, half tags, three-quarter tags and full tag positions are. Callers give us many cues about our formation. If they say in your "right-hand columns" or "check a right-hand column", look around and make sure your square has a right-hand column. The caller is probably saying that because someone is NOT in a right-hand column. Teamwork again — help each other, look around and be aware of the whole square. Don't just say, "I am in a right-hand column" and forget the rest of your square. If you don't try to help your square get into a right-hand column, you are as guilty of taking the square down as the person who is incorrect. If you get the whole square into a right-hand column you have a chance of continuing with the sequence. If you don't you will probably soon break down and stand at home. 
   If you are not in the correct position and you know who you are out with, try to correct it along the way when you are next to each other and can simply trade. But don't ever break down the square trying to fix yourself if the square is dancing. I believe it is important to know that you have an opposite in every square and you can use that as a tool if you are confused, but do not use it as your mode of dancing nor blame the opposite if they are wrong and you followed them. While on this topic, I must say that I also feel strongly that you should look and work in your own square only. You know you have a counterpart in every square around you, but if you have your head turned to copy the square next to you, I can assure you that you are NOT being a team player and you are basically saying you have given up on your own team. Use a counterpart only when the square has broken down and you are trying to make a formation so that you can get going again instead of squaring up. 

PRECISION & BREATHING
   Being precise in your dancing is vital. We do a tremendous amount of turning and casting in square dancing, and being a quarter off can, and will, often break the square down. I believe cast off three-quarters is one of the hardest calls in square dancing. It requires discipline to be certain that you have turned three walls, not five-eighths and not seven-eighths, but three-quarters. I count 1, 2, 3 to myself every time I do a cast three-quarters. Precision also means being lined up with the other dancers in the square and keeping the square tight. If you have two parallel waves, the dancers should be close enough side to side to touch hands easily without stretching out their arms. The dancers should also be close enough front to back to reach forward and touch the person in front of them. Some people may think this feels too tight, but it is not if you use square breathing appropriately. The square should be in constant motion. Every call has the potential for all dancers to need to breathe even if they are not active in the call. For example, from a squared set, when "heads swing thru" is called, the sides should take a small step backward to allow room down the middle for the resulting wave. Then if the call was "lockit", the heads in the middle would do the call "lockit", but the sides should also move a step forward to bring the square back to an appropriate size. 

STUDY & PRACTICE
   Ongoing studying of definitions at all levels and constant practicing are essential to good dancing. Do not take it for granted that you will forever remember a call's definition just because you learned it once. Quiz with another person while traveling, review a few calls each day at lunch or while sitting at a long red light, and don't be afraid to ask questions. 
   Do I sound like a broken record?? Good!! 
   Dancing, teamwork, definitions, identification, precision, breathing, study and practice, these are my keys to good dancing. If you do all of these, you will become a better dancer and that will lead to the last point. 

HAVE FUN 
   Square dancing is a fun activity. Smile and enjoy yourself, it could be contagious!! 

(Zip Coder Editor's Note: Jan and her husband Dan are avid square dancers of the highest level who always seem to have a great time dancing no matter what the level is!!) 

[Submitted by Canadian Clogging News]   June/02

The following article was written by Helmut Licht, composer and orchestra leader in Baltimore, Maryland, for Amateur Dancer, USABDA's official magazine. 
   A message on my answering machine: "This is Betty Easterday. I understand you want to find out what we're all about. Well, you should try to come to Cherry Hill Park this coming weekend. We'll be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday for our Spring Round A Rama. I hope you can make it on one of these days. See ya!" 
   I happened to be free last Saturday evening so my wife Ronne (yep! We got married three weeks ago!) and I decided to go there and check it out. We arrived at the park about 8:30 and as we approached the dance hall we could see people dancing. We entered and when I realized what was going on I was totally awe struck, maybe shocked would be a better expression, or maybe dumbfounded. I really don't quite know how I felt at that moment. It was a mixture of emotions and reactions. 
   I have been involved with ballroom dancing since 1958 and thought I had seen everything having to do with this, my favorite sport and pastime. WRONG! Here, in front of me, was an aspect of ballroom dancing I had never come across. 
   There were about 150 dancers ranging in age from the mid 20's to their 70's. The music was soft and a calm voice was calling out steps. No sooner was a step called did the dancers execute it in perfect synchronization with each other. They were all doing the same steps at the same time. Some of these steps were highly advanced along the ballroom syllabus. I recognized some of the names, such as Telemark, Lunge, Open Impetus and Promenade Weave. When I taught for Arthur Murray's these steps were Gold level material and were only taught to students who had had many, many hours of instruction! Other names of steps, such as the Aida, I did not recognize as they are probably unique to this type of ballroom dancing. What amazed me was  that I had NEVER in all my years of ballroom dancing met this particular child of the family. It's called Round Dancing. 
   After that particular dance was finished I asked a lady next to me where we could find Betty and Irv Easterday. She pointed to a couple on the other side of the ballroom. We walked over and introduced ourselves. Betty, still slightly out of breath from the previous dance, took us by the arm and guided us out the door to a side room. "It's cooler and quieter in here, and we can talk better" she explained with a smile. 
   After conveying to her my surprise and astonishment, she laughed and started to explain a few things. Right off the bat she wanted to make it clear that round dancing is strictly social and for the fun of it. No competitions ever! It is done all over the world. The Easterdays had just returned from a round dancing clinic in Germany. Last year they visited and taught in Japan. 
   In the world of round dancing there are the choreographers who write a dance routine to a certain piece of music of their choice. Certain choreographers seem to specialize in, excel in or prefer to choreograph certain dances. After a dance is choreographed a cue sheet is printed out and distributed by mail or over the internet. Bob Young, a choreographer from Boise, Idaho choreographed three of my songs and has posted his cue sheets on the internet.
   When a song gets accepted, i.e., becomes popular, then a 45 record is pressed and the cuers around the world can buy a copy with the cue sheets in order to teach the dance to their students. Students are given a copy of the cue sheets to facilitate their practice. 
   Having taught ballroom dancing for years, round dancing makes perfect sense to me. The dancers are forced to perform a sequence of steps and, in so doing, learn how to connect different steps. The music is soft because the cuer's voice has to be heard. There is hardly any bumping into each other, because the dancers move in a counterclockwise motion and perform the same patterns at the same time. There is none of the 'stopping in the middle of a dance and glaring at your partner. There is no dancing against the flow of traffic. 
   I have been round dancing for years and didn't even know it. When I teach a dance to a group of students, I create a routine, which contains the steps we have mastered. The students then dance this routine. When a new step is taught, it is added to the routine. Thus, a certain pattern is always danced in context. 
   There are seven levels of dancing. A beginner will start on level one and will have to learn a basic repertoire of level one steps. Any song that is choreographed in level 1 would only use level 1 patterns. Thus, if you have mastered all level 1 steps, you could theoretically dance to any song which is choreographed, and consequently cued, at this level. 
   Different songs will have different combinations of these steps. The dancers thus learn how to connect all level 1 steps in many different combinations! That's great! How many times have I heard: 'Gee, he knows about 20 steps in Fox Trot but uses the same 8 steps over and over again!' As the levels get higher, the steps become more intricate and exciting. A unique feature of round dancing is that you do not switch partners. You learn the steps with a partner and stick with that partner. Betty commented that this, combined with the advanced cueing of the steps, might prevent the male dancers from becoming strong leaders. 
   Perhaps, but to me everybody I saw looked happy and radiated a sense of accomplishment when a dance was successfully completed. And that's what it is all about. Have a good time and end up feeling good about yourself. There is much more about round dancing, I'm sure. Perhaps some of my readers can fill in some points I have missed. But my BIG question now is: How come the Amateur Dancer and USABDA in general do not include round dancing in their domain? After all, they are amateurs and they ballroom dance! They might not be doing it quite the way you and I do it, but, what the heck, this is the age of diversity! And, frankly, I walked away from that place with a new sense of excitement about this, our great sport and pastime! 
Keep dancing and romancing! 
 (VIA E-MAIL/MIAMI VALLEY DANCE NEWS)  Oct/01

1. Be socially clean, courteous and pleasant. 
2. Arrives at the club early and be ready to dance the first tip. 
3. Attends and participates in workshops to learn new calls and improve their dancing abilities. 
4. Knows and adheres to their dance level. 
5. Accepts help from others and is helpful to others. 
6. Shares dance time- it is not exclusive - does not join cliques. 
7. Knows their leaders and the relationship of your caller to the club. 
8. Talks to the caller and club leaders about your dance problems and desires for the club. 
9. Volunteers to perform club functions without having to be asked. 
10. Serves in positions of responsibility - it is "their" duty to help.  It is their club and they will want to serve it the best way they can. 
11.  Recruits and assists new dancers "Angels". 
12.  Stays for the entire dance if possible - dances the last tip. 
13. Is courteous to speakers, leaders and callers.  Is a good listener.  Listens attentively to club announcements. 
14. Is financially responsible - pays club dues in advance without being asked. 
15. Assist the leaders in the setting up and clean up of the dance hall. 
16. Participates in all club visitations, exhibitions, charity activities and other functions. 
17. Attends seminars, mini-legacies and other leadership training programs. 
18. Wears proper square dance attire and badge at all club functions. 
19. Forms squares promptly and welcomes anyone who join the set. 
20. Is tolerant and polite to new dancers and senior dancers. 
21. Dances with visitors, singles, caller's taw - allows them the pleasure of your expertise. 
22. Never walks through a square or leaves a square.  Joins the nearest square that is forming. 
Source:   The Square News Sept, 2000 and Southwest Saskatchewan Zone 6 Newsletter Oct, 2001

1. Sets a good example. 
2. Gets results through other people 
3. Treats everyone as an individual.  Lets them know they are important. 
4. Suggests or requests rather than commands. 
5. Ask questions before reprimanding. Criticizes in private. 
6. Leads rather than bosses. 
7. Gives credit where credit is due. 
8. Welcomes suggestions for improvement. 
9. Explains why. Lets people know in advance about changes that affect them,. 
10. Lets people know how they stand. Suggests ways to improve. 
11. Praises good performance rather than criticizing the bad. 
12. Keeps all promises. 
          (from Bits & Pieces - May 1978)   Nov/01

"An old law in Bellingham, Washington, US, made it illegal for a woman to take more than 3 steps backwards while dancing." 
Southwest Saskatchewan Zone 6 Square & Round Dance Newsletter, Jan 2002

If you are stuck with making coffee for the club  dance and don't know how much coffee to use ---!  Follow Beatrice Folkman's magic recipe:  1 styrofoam cup of coffee to 20 cups of water. 
From Cloverleaf, Central AB S&RD Assoc    Mar/02

A.   "This is written from the viewpoint of someone who has about 6 years experience in square dancing. I, like most of us at this level of square dancing consider it a social activity, mental exercise, as well as the interaction with the many other dancers whose company make it such an enjoyable experience. I, like many others of us note with dismay the loss of many dancers and the problem of getting new dancers into our programs. 
   I do not feel the dumbing down mainstream to try to make it easier is the way to go. We bemoan the loss of dancers and the difficulty of getting new dancers into our programs. yet refuse to really do anything to rectify the situation. I know of a number of people who dropped out after Mainstream lessons. They did not feel capable of dancing Mainstream and intended to take lessons over but after a time lapse between lessons, drifted away. A number of prospective dancers feel overwhelmed by the complexity and number of moves in the mainstream program and drop out part way through. Dropping two or three moves is not going to change their perspective of mainstream dancing. 
   I feel that a practical solution is to divide Mainstream into the Basic and then after mastering this level going on to Mainstream. There are 50 moves in Basic which I feel could be mastered in the time we now give to learning the full mainstream level. After dancing basic until they are comfortable with it, they would then go on to Mainstream. To give the Basic dancers experience, the first hour could have some all position (D.B.D.) to not bore the long experienced mainstream dancers too much. Certainly there are enough moves in basic to not make it a burden to mainstream dancers especially if the caller want to be a little inventive in this area. If we are serious about the future of Square Dancing we had better be willing to give up some of our presently held conceptions on Square Dancing." 
  Note: The writer also goes on to point out the importance and need to provide dancing at the Basic level at open and club and association events for dancers at this level.

B.    "A lot of dancers out there with that "Different Point of View" think change is a bad thing. We are living in the 21st century and we have to start acting like it. We are trying to compete for peoples "TIME" in a world where "TIME" has a whole different meaning. If the Square dancers of a 100 years ago where to see what goes on at one of our dances today, (how we act, how we dance, how we dress, etc.), they would be shocked, even appalled by what they saw." 
Note: Who says we have not changed?

Source: Footnotes - Sq & Folk Dance Federation of Washington  May, 2002

   Are we retaining our experiences dancers?  What is our drop out rate? Do your own members or other square dancers push they away unintentionally? Where they humiliated in a square? Where they made to feel unwelcome and/or inferior? And if so, was it by a dancer or a caller? These are critical questions that we need answers to in order to maintain a successful activity.  We all hope for 100% retention, but we realize that we don't always succeed. And when we do not succeed do we know why? Does your club and/or caller take the initiative to contact those that drop out to find out why? We have all worked hard to recruit dancers and we need to know the reasons for their dropping out. Then, with the answers to these questions we will be better able to adjust or improve our product. I realize that some reasons are beyond our control but the ones that are not, we need to fix. 
   I refer to our activity as a product because that is what it is when we try to sell someone on square dancing. What makes a product viable? A viable product is one that is useful and fits a need. This is not news to the corporate world. This is what they base their entire product lines on. Is it useful and will it fill a need? How long will or can the need last? These are questions that our square dance activity needs to identify. If we deliver a product (Square Dancing) and then that product fails to live up to our customer's expectations we will lose them as a customer (Dancer). Is this what happens to the majority of our drop-outs? 
   We certainly do have the most perfect product to offer. But, we must first identify what people today want or need and then deliver that perfect product. We are fortunate to have such an activity that has the capabilities of filling many different needs. I believe that once we identify these needs and are able to offer them through our product that we will survive and grow as an activity. 

Source: Footnotes - Sq & Folk Dance Federation of Washington  May, 2002

  Lately, I've been looking through my idea file and I ran across some odds and ends that may be worth thinking about.
  What is a Leader? - The dictionary defines a leader as an enabler - - - a person who can get people doing things they didn't at first think they could. Are you that kind of person? 
  I think the greatest satisfaction in life is to feel you are creative and worth something as a result, the next best thing is to be able to help others to be creative - to reach their potential in life. 
  We worry too much about our problems. Problems are  challenges to a leader. As steel is tempered by fire, so are we tempered by problems waiting to be solved. Where there is no pain, there is no gain. 
  The dictionary also defines a leader "as one who leads or conducts." Every day in the life of couples, one or the other shows leadership by making decisions that involves the other. When you as a couple, decided to square dance, one of you had to push, pull or drag the other, showing leadership. The opportunities of creating leadership in the square dancing activity are endless. Helping to make coffee, to set up the chairs, to be a president, secretary, caller, cuer, etc. are all opportunities to display leadership. The continuing success of square and round dancing requires someone to do each of these jobs. It is therefore essential that each one of us adopt an attitude of willingness to share in our clubs activities at some time in our lives. We all have feelings of inadequacy - feelings and thoughts of "I can't do that," let someone else who is better qualified do it. If one were to follow this premise, none of us would be here. It is my personal belief that Leadership is a learnable and developable skill just like square and round dancing. If you start by doing a small job you learn from it and gradually progress up the ladder of responsible positions. Some people even reach the position where they believe their equal to God. Anyway, I feel each of us has these abilities in different ways and different amounts, unfortunately there are stories of numerous square and round dance clubs folding. In many cases I feel it is lack of leadership that is often the beginning of these failures. I think if you listened to what I had to say here, you have shown leadership by listening and if you listened, you could not help to reflect on your own characteristics. Hopefully you will create your own enthusiasm to increase your abilities. The square and round dance movement needs all of us -- Callers, Cuers, Presidents and Executives and Dancers and those who have any ideas on how to keep our favourite recreation alive and well. 
  Respectfully submitted by Peter & Carolyn Weel

     Dancing is a full contact sport!
     One of my pet peeves in square dancing is people who do not touch hands. Dancing is a full contact sport. Remember that old commercial. "Reach out and touch someone"  this commercial was to remind us to stay close to someone. The same is true in square dancing; if you reach out and touch someone you will be closer.
     When we first learned to square dance our caller taught us that it is important to touch hands with our partner. Somewhere along the line we forgot this process.
     When I started to research this editorial I looked in old issues of American SquareDance, "The Square Dance Bulletin" the "Barn Owl" and other periodicals. Jerry Reed had an excellent article and Ed Foote has had several comments on the importance of touching hands.
     I wonder why something so simple that works so effectively is so often ignored. Dancers not only ignore touching hands; callers do not mention it.
     "Reach out and touch someone!"
     If you have one hand joined you are an end. If you have two hands joined you are a center. If you take hands immediately after completing a call, even if you are going right into another call, you have established position and kept your square tight.
     If you are using a forearm touch remember that it is a touch. Lay your hand along side your partners arm, do not grab or squeeze. A hand touch means that, no interlocking thumbs, grabbing or hanging on. palm to palm hand touch.
     Touching hands allows us to keep the square tight, this makes it possible for slower dancers to achieve position without walking too far. Touching hands allows us to establish position, this helps us to know where one call ends and another begins. If you have ever danced a hot hash tip you know the value of keeping a tight square and knowing where you are at all times.
     Touching hands allows you to square dance not square run. 
     Touching hands is easy, touching hands makes you and others in your square better dancers, touching hands makes dancing more fun. 

See you in a square. 

American SquareDance, July 2003

Excerpt from an article in American SquareDance June, 3003

     In May 2002 we were asked to chair a “Growth Committee” for the Texas Square & Round Dance Association. Our primary direction was to see if we could figure out a way to turn around the declining membership in our association. We talked to callers and dancers from all over. We asked them what has worked in their part of the country.  We asked them what hadn’t worked. We asked them what might work. We sole ideas from everyone we could find.
     Our conclusion was that we had two basis problems: Recruiting and Lesson format.
     Most recruiting has been done by advertising using flyers and placing advertisements or notices in periodicals. Often a club will put on a square dance demo in a mall or fair. Occasionally someone asks a friend to come take lessons. Whatever we have been doing hasn’t worked very well.
One of the clubs in our area tried recruiting dancers face-to-face. It worked and it worked and it worked. The conclusion was that square dancers like eagles, don’t flock.  You have to find them one at a time.
     The plan called for the club to start about 7 months before lessons are scheduled to be held. They start by appointing a lesson coordinator and setting up s database of prospective new dancers.  Two months before lessons start the club send a letter to everyone in the database, introducing the club, describing the non-dancing activities of the club and suggesting to the prospects that getting to know the club would be fun.
     Two months before lessons start the club sends an invitation to a “party night”. A party night takes on the personality of the club and can be a chili supper or salad supper or whatever. It is at this time that the prospects met club members. The purpose of the party night is to “sell” the club, not square dancing. A month before the party night the recruiter who made the first contact calls to confirm the prospects attendance at the party. Two weeks before the party the club sends another follow-up invitation.  Three days before the party the recruiter calls and offers a ride to the party.
     At the party the prospects are seated with a club member who is selected because they are upbeat and positive about the club and square dancing. Ideally there are three prospective couples and one club member couple at each table - just the right number for a square. This provides for the newcomers to begin to make new friends. After eating and conversation the caller gets an experienced square to show square dancing. Then get the new dancers up and teach them the beginning moves. In fifteen minutes they are having fun and square dancing. Sign them up for lessons before the leave.
     Another problem was the way we have been getting people to commit to taking lessons for 18-20 weeks. To overcome this objection we decided to offer lessons on three consecutive Saturdays.
We begin at 9:30 in the morning and stop at 3:30 in the afternoon.  We feed them lunch and give them refreshments all day long. We use a different caller each Saturday. We found that callers can teach 55 to 60 calls in the three Saturdays. We also found that, contrary to everything we had been told, it does work and new dancers can go for six hours. To reinforce the lessons, we asked clubs and callers to hold workshops before their dances.
Ask or arrange for New Dancer Dancers to be arranged in October, February, etc.  The New Dancer dances focus completely on the new dancer dancing every tip -  they are the guest on honour. They should be brought to these dances by the club with whom they are recruited. 
     We give the New Dancers a “New Dancer” dangle so they can be identified and invited into squares by experienced dancers. When a New dancer dangle is spotted, introduce yourself, ask if they are having a good time, tell them how glad you are that they are at your dance and would you like to dance in our square next tip? When they are invited into a square and have fun, you have a new dancer.  What we are seeing is that clubs are energized by the great attendance of new dancers, it is a win-win situation.  These new dancers are our future in square dancing.
By Tom Rudebock

Source:  American SquareDance, March 2003

Source:  South Pacific Review March 2003
  -G.A. EZ Squares

     In the fall when you see Geese heading south for the winter flying along in the “V” formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way.
     It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a “V” formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
     Quite similar to people who are part of a team and share a common direction get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are travelling on the trust of one another and lift each other up along the way.
     Whenever a Goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go through it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the power of the flock.
     If we have as much sense as the Goose, we will stay in formation and share information with those who are headed in the same way that we are going.
     When the lead Goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wings and another Goose takes over.
     It pays to share leadership and take turns doing hard jobs.
     The Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
     Words of support and inspiration help energize those on the front line, helping them to keep pace in spite of the day-to-day pressures and fatigue.
     It is important that our honking be encouraging.  Otherwise it’s just- well .. honking!
     Finally when a Goose gets sick or is wounded an falls out, two Geese fall out of the formation and follow the injured one down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, then they launch out with another formation to catch up with their group.
     When one of us is down, it’s up to the others to stand by us in our time of trouble.
     If we have the sense of a Goose, we will stand by each other when things get rough. We will stay in formation with those headed where we want to go.

     The next time you see a formation of Geese, remember their message that: 
“IT IS INDEED A REWARD, A CHALLENGE AND PRIVILEGE TO BE A CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF A TEAM”.

Author Unknown  Mar/03

   It is important to understand the language of clothing and what your appearance means to the non-square dancer. 
   We do have a dress code in the square dance activity. Dress codes make personal expression through clothes a little tough but not impossible. For you, your section of the world may speak the language of dress for your country or region. With our dress code it does make our appearances alike or similar no matter what part of the world we live in. 
   For the male dancer your choices are limited: western shirt, vest, slacks, suits, ties, hats, boots & etc. In making your choices, you do not have to be a master at clothing. Try to match colors, and be neat. If you are on a limited budget, that's O.K., all you're trying to express in the language of clothes is a clean, neat western look for any non-dancer you may come in contact with. If your budget will allow for some extras - a vest, nice boots or an attractive bolo tie will give you an added value in your appearance. 
   For the female, you have a variety of choices in your dress and appearance. In recent years we have an option of the western prairie expression in attire for square dancing. Along with our full skirted dresses or a full skirt with a blouse, petticoat, petti pants and comfortable shoes. Allowed also for the female dancer is the choice to dress in slacks, with boots or comfortable shoes. There is a variety of choices in your accents such as your hair style with bows & ribbons and with your jewelry. The main communication you are trying to convey to the public is "This is a clean, enjoyable activity."
   Clothing is a language and we all communicate with that language, though some of us have different accents. We use clothing for self-expression, for comfort, for a sense of belonging. What it comes down to is that what we wear communicates, rightly or wrongly who we are.
   Obviously, our attire will influence our behavior in many basic ways. If you look good, you will feel good about yourself and that will affect your dancing for the better. No matter how uninformed we may be about others' judgments of our attire, most of us are at least dimly aware of how different types of clothing affect our attitudes and behavior, especially in relation to appearing before the other dancers. What you wear sends a message to the other dancers - hey, I'm looking great tonight therefore you are going to enjoy dancing with me tonight. 
   We learn as children that when we dress up, it is for something SPECIAL. "It's not who you are; it's what you wear. "This is kind of harsh, but in many cases it's very true. We have to understand that it's not just about us, it's about everybody, we come in contact with. It isn't a question of trying to impress people: its more of a consideration and enjoyment of one's aspect for square dancing to the fullest - being attractive in your square dance attire. Presenting a good appearance will send an example to the non-dancers. It is a FACT that good grooming alone will not guarantee that a dancer will be a super good dancer. IT DOES MEAN that you have taken your feeling for the square dance activity and it is respectful enough to always try to look your best.

A Step In the Right Direction.......
Reprinted from: American SquareDance, February 2003
Submitted by: Canadian Clogging News (CCN)

Pennsylvania S&RDF helps to Recruit Square Dancers
From West Pen News, June, 2003

For a number of years the Pennsylvania Square & Round Dance Federation (PSRDF) has talked about ways to recruit new dancers to all our square dance clubs. Last year it was suggested that we investigate the cost of using billboards to get the attention of the public. When this was looked into, we found the cost to be prohibitive for our organization.

11" x 17" Posters (see Poster sample)
We then checked out a local printing firm and found that posters could be printed up at a fairly reasonable cost. At the April 2003 Federation meeting, this idea was presented along with a roughly drafted poster. After much discussion the delegates voted to allow a specific amount from the PSRDF Treasury to have the posters made up and distributed across the state.

A committee of volunteers from all seven area Federations within our state met after the meeting and decided on the size to be used. They felt a 11 " x 17" poster would be most suitable for display. (This is a standard size and can be reprinted if needed at most any printing shop). We then decided to add an envelope to the poster which would have a pad of printed club names and addresses listed, as well as a contact person to call for information.

We divided our Western PA Federation into three different geographic locations and listed the names of each club within that boundary. Pads have been made up as well as the envelopes attached.

Every club in our Federation will receive a number of these posters along with the envelopes and pads before August 1, 2003 so they can be displayed prior to the usual September recruiting times.

These posters are to be displayed in prominent places where people will have a chance to read them and take one of the attached tear-off information sheets. They can then decide which club will be more accessible for them and which dance night will be most convenient... (the contact person will provide all the information about your club when a call is received). It is recommended that a good tape (preferably clear) is used that will not in any way mar the surface where the posers are placed. If care is taken, the posters could possibly be used another time at a future date. It will be up to each club to take charge of putting up the posters received. Your president or delegate may want to appoint a committee to handle this job.

Before any posters are put up, you must first get permission from the place you want to display them. Keep away from high vandalism areas and do place the posters in an area that will be easily accessible for potential dancers to take the tear-off sheet

Suggestions for display possibilities are: store bulletin boards, places of business, waiting rooms of dentists and doctors, churches, real estate offices, halls that host special events, health organizations, aerobic facilities, places where organized picnics are held, bowling alleys, schools, bus & train stations, airports, etc.

We all need new dancers to join our clubs. Let's hope this campaign will be successful for all across the state!

Editor's Note: We called Peg Giel to check out the rather unique marketing effort by PSRDF. She commented that it is really too early to see if the project worked well in all areas of the state and that she is looking forward to graduation time to really evaluate the posters.

The display ad on page 3 is a reduced version of their poster. The box in the lower left corner is where the club information sheets are attached to the poster. Their display ad is one of the best ads I have seen in recent times. I especially like the headline and the open door and dancers graphics. It definitely gets your attention and it does pass the AIDA test. It gets your attention; it creates interest; it creates desire; and it makes it easy to take action. For those of you are not marketing experts, AIDA is an acronym for ATTENTION.

INTEREST, DESIRE & ACTION. All marketing efforts, regardless of the type, must pass be AIDA test in order to be effective.

The poster project in the Western Pennsylvania area was primarily due to the efforts of Tom & Peg Geil according to comments made by Joan Becker and Jan Jordan, Co-Presidents of the Western Pennsylvania Square & Round Dance Federation, in their May 2003 letter to all clubs and members of the federation.

Congratulations, PSRDF, for an outstanding marketing effort to recruit now dancers into your clubs throughout the state

3' x 5' Mini-Billboard Works
When I talked with Peg Gid, she mentioned that their dub, the North Hill Squares, tried a new marketing concept that worked too. She said that CO-Presidents Ken & Patty Adams and Larry & Marge Gorski, came up with a portable 3' x 5' billboard with their club information and a headline to get people seeing the billboard to check out square dancing. The mini-billboard was put up on their church's corner lot for everyone to see as they drive by. They also take the billboard to picnic dances, etc. (wherever they are dancing) and lean it next to a parked vehicle so people can read it and check out the dance activity.

According to Peg, their club received several inquiries as a direct result of their club's mini-billboard.

The mini-billboard idea is an idea that works and is definitely affordable.

Maybe your state should follow the example of Pennsylvania and come up with a statewide square dance marketing plan. If it works in Pennsylvania, it will work in your state or province.

Likewise, it may be a wise marketing decision for your club to copy the mini-billboard idea that North Hill Squares have used so effectively. Please let us know your success stories so we can tell others.

Who Is Responsible For Dancer Retention?
by Bernie Coulthurst

The wonderful year of 2003 ends soon. Most clubs have active new dancer programs. This is most encouraging. Now we have to concentrate our efforts to retain these new dancers By the way, who is responsible for the major, effort of retaining new dancers? Some callers have told me that the club is usually responsible for "retaining" efforts. Some club leaders say that it is the caller's responsibility - we have little or no control of what is called and how it is called. We believe the club caller AND the club dancers are equally responsible for new dancer retention efforts. The benefits of square dancing are FUN, FRIENDSHIP & FITNESS. The "Fun" benefit is what keeps all dancers, new and experienced, coming back to each club dance, week after week. This benefit is provided by the caller for the most part, The "Friendship" benefit is primarily provided by the club members arid other dancers attending club dances. If you take care of the Fun and the Friendship benefits, you automatically take care of the Fitness benefit.

Maybe Callers Should Keep Records
I recently asked a caller if he keeps track of his square dance graduates for a period of three or more years so he could determine how lie is doing in regard to retaining new dancers. He said that he doesn't and that he leaves retaining of new dancers efforts to the club leaders, Maybe callers should be encouraged to keep new dancer retention records as a self improvement measure that would take little effort on their part? Most new dancers are out of the square dance activity within three years and we all have to think "outside the box" to correct this major problem.

We learn of graduation dances all over the country. Clubs bring many people into the square dance world each year. Yet, our numbers continue to dwindle. Why are we not retaining these new dancers? Something is wrong. Maybe the ARTS survey efforts will come up with interesting findings to help the square dance movement to start growing once again.

5 Year Pocket Calendars
Callers, cuers and dancers are still sending their 5 year pocket calendar orders to LEGACY. Please help spread the word that LEGACY no longer exists and all calendar orders should be sent directly to us. If you have questions, please give us a call or email us at Club Leadership Journal, 4852 County Rd K
Amherst WI 54406-9005 (715)824-3245   Email: clj@wo-net.com

Sharon Albright, President of Woodruff Levis & Lace Square Dance Club, in Woodruff, Wisconsin has come up with another great idea to help recruit new dancers. It is a printed ticket that is perforated to the left of the center, The left portion has a layout that allows the new dancer prospect to give his name, address, phone number and email address; the right portion is a "free ticket to a "Introduction to Square Dancing" Dance. The tickets are commercially available in 8 1/2 X 11 sheets, ready for you to print your information. One of our biggest problems is getting basic information from prospects at parades, demos, etc. Sharon's ticket system solves this problem. The club gets the information they need for follow-up and the prospect gets the free ticket for the upcoming special dance, For more information please email Sharon directly <fintouch@nnex.net> or call her 715-356-9266.

Source: Club Leadership Journal  March/April, 2003 

Where people congregate, politics will appear - that's human nature.  It's good to keep in mind, though, that our common cause is square dancing and our attitudes need to be checked at the door, if they are negative toward other dancers or will weaken the camaraderie so essential to a successful square dance experience.

Source: Square & Folk Dancing Federation of Washington FOOTNOTES April/03

Getting New Students 
By Willis Cook

   Some time ago American SquareDance magazine published an article by an exuberant author who gushed over his club's new students.  If you read that article you may have thought, "Well, I'm glad he's happy, but I wish he had said how he got all those students.” Well I’m glad he’s happy, but I wish he had said how. I express my deep thanks to Dan Mitchell of Lawrenceville, Georgia and Alden "Ace" McGee of Anderson, South Carolina, who gave me a lot of help with this. In fact every caller I know has probably contributed something, since we all discuss this common problem.
   The task is really two-fold. First, you have to make prospective students aware of square dancing, then you have to entice them to learn. You may not realize it, but square dancing is virtually invisible to non-dancers. If you approach ten people on the street and ask, "Do they square dance around here?" you will get ten blank stares.
   So, your first task is to make your neighbors aware of square dancing. 
Put On Demonstrations  Every community has festivals, celebrations, charity functions, parades and parties. Get your club invited to provide a bit of free entertainment. Have club members hand out notices advertising your next lessons with a contact person's name and phone number. Subdivision Parties Are Good  They're casual, everyone's relaxed and most know each other. (See Mike Seastrom's article in the October 2002 issue of ASD on how to dress.
   Give Demonstrations At Hospitals And Nursing Homes  The patients there are not good prospects, but you'd be surprised, someone will call and say, I was at the nursing home visiting my mother when you danced. I'd liked to try it." To paraphrase a familiar aphorism, "Heaven helps those who help their neighbors." The response to demonstrations can be poor but they will produce some results. Personal invitations to friends are much better, but you quickly run through your entire list of acquaintances. Of course, new students have their own friends, so the more students you get, the more 
potential recruits you have. 
   Newspapers   Place ads for your upcoming lessons in the community calendar section but also try from time to time to get an article run about square dancing. You need a gimmick  Promote it as a weight-loss regimen (papers continually run health articles), or if your club is having a special dance at which a lot of out-of-town dancers will visit, convince the paper that it will be a newsworthy event. Or, just submit an article (with color photos) and tell them it is a human-interest story. Someone in your club can write and someone is a good photographer. Ask them.
   Posters and fliers  Imagine you had just moved to your town and wanted to find where they square danced - who would you ask? I would try the local Chamber of Commerce, if the town has one, the Visitors' Center, if it has one of those, the library or the nearest western wear shop. Make sure all those places have your fliers and perhaps a poster. Is your club listed in the National Square Dance Directory and is the information current? See that it is.
   Does your community have a Welcome Wagon? Make up newcomers' packets with information and a gift certificate for so many free lessons.
   Is there a large company or an industrial plant nearby? Ask to speak with someone in the employee benefits section and ask them if you can supply them with square dance packets to give to retirees (or those who leave before retirement). Companies generally like to smooth the path for ex-employees, and those who leave work are frequently looking for something to do with their free time.
   Here's one I haven't tried yet but intend to. Home Schoolers  They are usually pretty conservative. They like to do things as families and they are frequently anxious to find some kind of physical education activity for their kids. If one parent signs up as a student, accept all their children free.
   Finally, here is my best advice. Find the person in your club who is a natural salesman and make them the recruitment chairperson. Our club did this and it works. Your salesman may not be employed as a salesman. Ours, Ramona Stowe, works for a home builder and installs flooring but she is pretty, vivacious and persuasive. (Yes, she installed the flooring in my house.) Don't roll your eyes at this suggestion. If you can find your club's best salesman and convince him or her to help you, they will bring in students. Now, you have to cooperate. Your salesman may come up with some off-the-wall ideas. If they tell you that September is not a good month to start classes, that it ought to be in January, do it. If they say that classes should be on Thursday instead of Monday, as they've always been in the past, try it. Give your salesman what he asks for, make sure everyone in the club does their part, then have extra refreshments on hand for that first class night.

American SquareDance, April 2003

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