The following survey was initiated by Nova Scotia to obtain feedback from dancers/leaders in that province.  With subsequent advertising input is being received across Canada.
Leaders and dancers in North America are discussing a possible change in the current dress code.  The following press release has been published in the major publications.
"In an effort to enhance the Square Dance activity. the National Council of Square Dance Organizations, at its May 1, 1999 meeting held in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, in conjunction with the biennial meeting of Legacy, voted to recommend to their member organizations to expand the definition of proper Square Dance attire, which for a number of years has included prairie skirts, to now include dress slacks and dress jeans for men and women and short sleeve shirts for the men.  Organizations Represented: CALLERLAB, CONTRALAB, ROUNDALAB, LEGACY, National Association of Square & Round Dance Suppliers, National Square Dance Campers Association, United Square Dancers of America (and others)."

The current dress code commonly agreed upon in Canada seems to be:

• Ladies should wear a full-skirted dress or skirt and blouse.  Knee length full circle skirts should be worn with a crinoline and pettipants.  Mid-calf length prairie skirts should be full enough to use in skirt work. Underneath a prairie skirt ladies should wear an equal length petticoat or perhaps a crinoline. Usually pettipants are not necessary beneath a prairie skirt unless the skirt is full.
• Gentlemen should wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt accompanied by a neck decoration. Western style is preferred.  Jeans are frowned upon.  Towels are useful in hot halls but are not required.

QUESTIONNAIRE
1.  I am comfortable with the current dress code.        yes __  no  __
2.  I think a change in the dress code would make it easier to recruit new dancers.    yes __  no  __
3.  I think the proposed change would cause some current dancers to quit.    yes __  no  __
4.  If the proposed dress code is accepted, I would probably stop dancing.    yes __  no  __
5.  I would like to see "short sleeve dress shirts for the men "be acceptable".    yes __  no  __
6.  I would like to see "dress jeans for men" be acceptable.            yes __  no  __
7.  I would like to see "dress slacks for women" be acceptable".        yes __  no  __
8.  I would like to see "dress slacks & dress jeans for the women" be acceptable.    yes __  no  __
9.  I would like to see the proposed dress code accepted in full.        yes __  no  __
10. I would like to have a more relaxed dress code than the proposed version.    yes __  no 

Here is the information regarding the survey as completed in the Halifax METRO Association area. The Provincial survey is not yet complete, but early returns parallel these.   A METRO Caller- Dotty Welsh, went to the Callerlab convention and reports that:
A position paper was presented with a motion for approval. There was no discussion. The motion was approved without any nay votes.  In brief summary, Callerlab has attempted to find a compromise position by designating three classes of dress code:

Traditional (skirts with crinolines, prairie skirts, long pants and long sleeved shirts as now worn),

Proper (the new proposal which includes short sleeved shirts and dress slacks and jeans for men
and women), and

Casual (undefined but generally understood as tasteful and comfortable).

Callerlab has left the designation of attire to be worn at dances in the hands of organizers of the dance and asked for a policy of tolerance.  So, the code designation is back in the hands of the Society, Federations, Associations, Caller/Cuer organizations, and the Clubs.

The Association of NS Square & Round Dance Teachers have already passed this resolution (with one nay vote):
"After reviewing Callerlab's April 2000 position paper on the Dress Code, ANSSRDT members have agreed to encourage the organizers of Special Dances in NS to request that attending dancers wear Traditional Attire".

At an Executive meeting of the Square & Round Dance Federation of NS on 13 May, the Fed. Executive (with one nay vote) passed a motion to accept the ANSSRDT recommended dress code.

The SRDFNS Vice President  moved a motion which was approved, to submit a notice of motion for a change to the By-laws of the Federation at the next AGM, to establish the Federation dress code as being Traditional for all dances.
In other words, leave things the way they were before this change was proposed!

The survey information which is listed below, indicates very clearly, what the Dancers in the METRO Association think of these proposed changes!

192 questionnaires were received & compiled.
#1) I am comfortable with the current dress code:
                    107 yes   7 no         94% yes current ok
#2) Change would make it easier to recruit new dancers:
                    26 yes    84 no        76% not easier to recruit
#3) Change would cause some to quit:
                    69 yes    40 no        63% yes some would quit
#4) If change, I would quit:
                    45 yes    130 no      26% would quit
#5) Accept short sleeves for men:
                    55 yes    129 no      70% no short sleeves for men
#6) Accept dress jeans for men:
                    47 yes    139 no      75% no jeans men
#7) Accept slacks for women:
                    27 yes    156 no      85% no slacks women
#8) Accept jeans for women:
                    20 yes    166 no      89% no jeans women
#9) Would like proposed dress code accepted:
                    25 yes    159 no      86% don't want change
#10) Would like even more relaxed dress code than proposed:
                    17 yes    168 no      91% no to more relaxed
Future results of the NS survey to be posted as results are available.

Survey indicates we are lacking in promoting all aspects of our activity with only 39% (overall) knowing of all branches of our activity.  Maybe time to join forces to promote.

June 15, 1998