Membership in Society Information - Canadian Square & Round Dance Society (CSRDS)

CSRDS Director Responsible for Membership & Insurance

Gary or Maureen Geldart
4409 Benoit, Pierrefonds,QC. H9H 2L4
514)626-7980
mgkdisodo@sympatico.ca

Membership

The term of CSRDS Membership is 01 January to 31 December of the current year. (Example 2020)

The Society Treasure shall receive all membership fees prior to 15 Dec of the previous year (Example 2019)

Whenever possible membership fee's are determined and approved two years in advance during a CSRDS Annual General Meeting.The present fees are Valid until 31 December 2010.

The Certificate of Membership is issued by the Director of Membership and bears his signature (The Director of Membership may authorize others to issue the Certificate)

The annual fee for membership in the Canadian Square & Round Dance Society is: $2.00, for each; Dancer, caller, leaders or instructor:$5.00 per Club, Association and Federation, Membership Fees are usually paid to and submitted through Clubs to Associations, then to Federations, before being forwarded to the Society.

When paying membership fees in the fall for the next calendar year all Members, including new dancers shall pay CSRDS membership fees.

For more information contact: The Director responsible for Membership.

New dancers starting involvement in the activity in the period January 1 to June 30th are to pay CSRDS membership fees. This is because they benefit from the Society programs for the year.

New dancers who begin involvement in the activity after June 30th with clubs who are members of the Society are deemed members of the Society until the end of that calendar year.

Membership is defined in The Society Regulations:

Definitions

For the-purpose of these Rules and Regulations, “included dance categories” shall include Square Dancing, Round Dancing (Choreographed Ballroom Dancing), Clogging, Line Dancing, Country/Western Dancing, and Contra Dancing.

1.0 Membership:

The following individuals and organizations will be eligible for membership in the Canadian Square and Round Dance Society:* Dancers, callers, leaders, cuers, and instructors, and related clubs, Associations and Federations of included dance categories and. * Members of Provincial and Territorial Federations and Associations.:

That support the aims and objectives of the society;

Through your membership in the Canadian Square & Round Dance Society (CSRDS), you are supported with a Third Party Liability Insurance Policy and Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Policy.

Coverage.

Third Party Liability Insurance of $5,000,000 is provided as a benefit of membership in the Canadian Square & Round Dance Society. The insurance is to protect members from claims by a third party for:

Bodily injury, death, or damage to property. Settlements usually result from legal action, although small Claims may be handled without legal action. This third party liability insurance has been a part of the square And round dance movement for many years. "Third party" means someone else outside the dancing organization or the insurance company. It can be the owner of a hall or building rented for dancing; an organization we deal with to buy something, or obtain some service from, or provide some service to. The policy also includes "cross liability" so that someone within the square and round dance movement can take legal action against someone else within the movement.

The insurance policy is held by the Director responsible for Membership

For details or further explanation beyond what is set out in the Certificate of Membership, contact this Director

Who is protected? The words "named insured" includes:

(a). The member organization (e.g. Society, Federation, Association, etc.), its directors, members, employees; and/or,

(b). All member organizations (federations, associations, etc.), their directors, members, & employees; and/ or.

(d). All member callers, cuers, leaders, instructors; and/or,

(e). All dancers who are members; and/or,

(f). the owner of the premises used for dancing, if the owner so requests.

Note: Only members in good standing and that have paid the required Society membership fee for that year, are covered by the policy. Someone who danced in a club ten years ago and is no longer a member would not be covered.

For insurance purposes in the event of an accident or incident (caused by a third party), two facts must be proven to establish protection of a member under the policy.

1. The organization or individual was a member at the time of an accident or incident;

2. The accident or incident occurred during a dancing related activity.

For a club-sponsored activity, it is the responsibility of the club executive to establish the two facts outlined above. For an open dance, or a dancing related activity attended by more than one club, it is the responsibility of the organizer of the event to establish attendance at the activity, and if required, the home club of an individual to establish Society membership.

Note: Establishing the right of an individual to protection does not involve club badges, or how long a person has been dancing with a club, or whether fees are collected by the night, by the season, or by the year, or whether tickets, ribbons, or cash are used for admission to an open dance.

A valid CSRDS membership card is the only acceptable means to establish membership

For insurance purposes, CLUBS must maintain membership lists recording the current year Membership Card serial number issued to all members.

The Director of Membership issues and records all membership cards and will be required to verify the validity of all members.

The insurance company does not require any record of attendance at functions, but it is in the Members best interest to keep a record in the event of an accident. It is the recommendation of the CSRDS Board of Directors that all clubs, Associations, Federations and Canadian National Conventions use whatever method they wish to record attendance, but some record be kept..

In the event of an accident or incident, members should render first aid and assistance as considered practical in the situation. If warranted, emergency services should be contacted. At the first available opportunity, notification should be given by phone to the person handling the membership duties of the Federation. It should be followed up in writing providing the details of the accident or incident as follows:

(a). How, when, and where the occurrence took place;

(b). The names and addresses of any injured persons, and of witnesses.

The Canadian Square & Round Dance Society's insurance coverage of its

members includes Directors and Officers Liability Insurance.

This covers all Society members of:

Canadian Square and Round Dance Society Directors and Officers;

Canadian Square and Round Dance Society Conventions;

Federation Directors and Officers; Association Directors and Officers;

Club Directors and Officers; and members Callers, Cuers and Leaders.

Directors & Officers Liability Insurance protects the Entity, Directors & Officers and employees for any breach of duty or wrongful act which results in a claim against them.

Definitions: Directors & Officers means any duly elected or appointed Director or Officer of the CSRDS or other member organizaions i.e Federations, Associations, and Clubs, while acting within the scope of his/her duties.

Wrongful Act means any breach of duty, neglect, error, misstatement, misleading statement, omission or other act done or wrongfully attempted by the Directors or Officers in the discharge of their duties solely in their capacity as Directors and Officers.

Claims would include a decision by a director or officer of a club which in turn results in the bankruptcy of that club, the club would be covered if a lawsuit should arise because of the wrongful decision causing the bankruptcy

The definition of a Club or Organization

" Club or Organization is one that operates with the same name and executive and

for the same purpose."

A Club or Organization may carry out and be involved in the activity with more than

one caller/leader, at different levels, on different days of the week and at different

locations. The different callers requiring membership and/or locations would be

included and set out in their membership information that is submitted with their fee.

A Club as defined above could include dancing at different levels and locations

provided the definition be met.

Example 1: 'XYZ SD Club' in the town of ABC would be defined as one club - they dance a fixed schedule of Tues at Basic/Mainstream and Fri at Plus levels at two (or more) different named locations; have the same Executive; same Club name.

Example 2: For a club that is run or owned by, A (caller, cuer, or leader) that person is considered the Executive

STATEMENT OF INSURANCE COVERAGE (Effective January 01, 2009)

Insuring Agent Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc.

Amy Robinson

Suite 1000

2103-11th Avenue

Regina, SK S4P 3Z8

Ph: (306) 569-6709

Fax: (306) 359-0387 E-mail: amy.robinson@aon.ca

Name of Insured: Canadian Square & Round Dance Society, A/O Member Provincial, Territorial, Regional Federations, A/O Member Associations and other

Organizations, A/O Member Clubs, A/O Member dancers, callers, leaders

Insuring Company: AVIVA Insurance Company of Canada

Policy Number: AVIVA: AS2569

Effective Term: 01 January 2009 to 31 December 2009 inclusive

Coverage:

Commercial General Liability $5,000,000

Directors & Officers Liability $2,000,000

*Tenants Legal Liability $ 250,000

Does not cover normal wear and tear of floor only sudden or accidental damage. "Sudden and Accidental refers to an action which occurs without prior knowledge of that action occurring " (dragging of chairs, tables, furniture, etc. over floors is not sudden or accidental.) Cloggers should inform the owners of the facility they are dancing in that they are wearing taps on their shoes, particularly if it is a wooden floor. Please read the csrds.ca website on floor care.

Exclusion: (Liquor Liability)

It is understood that the insurance provided by this policy shall not apply in any way whatsoever to Liquor liability

This Statement of Insurance coverage is furnished for information only; further information can be obtained from the Director of Membership or AON Read Stenhouse.. The actual policy is held by the Society Director responsible for Membership..

If you are in need of a "Certificate of Insurance", please contact:

Amy Robinson @ Aon.ca (address and phone above) after January 1^st 2010 (Use format Following)

In the Event of an Incident, have the incident reported directly to Amy Robinson (contact information above) and a copy to the Director responsible for Membership (Gary Geldart 4409 Benoit, Pierrefonds, QC H9H 2L4. (514) 626-7980) E-Mail mgkdisodo@sympatico.ca

Details required include:

1. Time of the incident.

2. Location or place of incident.

3. Description of incident with all relevant details.

4. Name(s) and Address(s) of any injured person(s)

5. Names and addresses of all witnesses.

(Make notes of the incident to assists in any resulting inquiry. Try to answer "who", "where", "what", "when", "why", and "how".)

When required, a Named Insured Certificate can be obtained by contacting the Insurance Company .Copy & Paste to your E- Mail

Amy.Robinson@aon.com

A named Insurance Certificate is required for.

Name of Group requesting.

Address:

E-mail or Fax NR:

What type of event is it for?

Current CSRDS Membership Card Serial Number. MANDATORY.

2009/ 123456

Person & Position of Requestor.

Name: Position:

Address:

Telephone number E-mail or Fax NR.

The full name and address of any additional insured’s if required

CANADIAN SQUARE & ROUND DANCE SOCIETY

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

01 JANUARY 2010 -31 DECEMBER 2010

Members of CSRDS are covered by third party liability insurance. For details, check the society web site at www.csrds.ca. Click on Membership

Membership fees Approved July 2008, Annual General Meeting, and London, ON

Valid until 31 December 2010.

Name of Club: (Association, Federation)

Member of Association or Zone:

Contact: (Position)

Address:

Telephone: E-Mail:

Due CSRDS Due Association: Due Federation:

CLUB: 1 X $5.00 == $ 05.00

Caller: X $2.00 == $

Members: X $2.00 == $

New X $2.00 == $

Dancers

Total $

This Application must be returned to the undersigned prior 30 November 2009:

Name

Address

E Mail

CSRDS use only: Serial Numbers Membership Cards issued:

Club Card Membership NR: 17340 (to be signed by an officer of the club)

Members Card numbers: 17341 = 17349

Club will enter members name on Membership Card and record serial number issued.

Member will then sign card.

Revised 15 Jan.2009

No Street Shoes Please:

Carry Your Dancing Shoes in to the Dance Schools and owners of various facilities are becoming increasingly concerned about scratches and damage to wood and other floors of their gyms and other rooms from such activities as square and round dancing.This is now more than preventing black scuffmarks on the floor. Repairs and refinishing of floors are expensive. Footwear worn outside will have sand and stones, and in the winter, salt, imbedded in the soles that will mark and scratch a floor in no time. Yes, even running shoes worn outside can have stones and sand imbedded in them that will mark floors! Failure to take proper action and prevent damage to floors can result in claims for damage repairs and lawsuits. These repairs, lawsuits and legal costs can be very expensive and can result in increased insurance costs. What can and should be done by dancers and those organizing a dance? Dancers: Carry your soft-soled dancing shoes into the dance and put them on inside; Do not wear your dancing shoes outside - they can get sand & stones imbedded in them; Dance Organizers: Be sure your club or group has a copy of the Society Certificate of Insurance. Publicize all dance events indicating that soft-soled shoes are required and that footwear worn outside is not allowed on dance floors. Arrange for floor mats outside halls to help gather sand from hallways before dancers enter halls. These also help prevent the floor wax from the hall being tracked around the rest of the facility (perhaps reducing cleaning costs). Arrange to have brooms/mops and dust pans available for your use from the hall owner; Sweep the floors before dancing to remove any sand and debris left by those using the facility before your event. Sweep the floor during the dance, if the sound of grit and dirt is noticed while dancing. . Check that all dancers are wearing the proper footwear on the dance floor and ask those not complying to make changes or leave the facility. Some clubs have large size woolen work socks to cover shoes that are in doubt. and Help clean up the facilities after dancing, especially sweeping the floors. This provides a chance to check that the floors are the same as when you came in..

Cloggers should make sure the building owner/manager knows that their shoes have taps on them as certain floors are more susceptible to damage from taps. If the owner/manager does O.K. your usage of the facility, get it in writing. Check taps daily for loose nails & sharp edges.

If requested make the school or other facility aware of your insurance coverage; and if necessary show them a copy of the Certificate; show and tell the facility owners about the dance shoe requirements in the ads; show facility owners the kinds of footwear that are worn.

Happy dancing and shiny scratch-free floors and satisfied hall owners!

THIRD PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE

What is Third Party Liability Insurance?

If there is a "third party", it would seem reasonable that there must be a first and second party. There is.

The first party is us, the dancers or dance organizations that make up the movement. We are called the "insured".

The second party is the insuring company, which most likely is referred to as the "insurer".

"Third party" means someone else outside our dancing organization or the insurance company.

Typically, it is the corporate or individual owner of a hall or a building which we rent for dancing.

it could also mean someone or some organization we deal with to buy something, or obtain some service from, or provide some service to.

As well we have "cross liability" included in our insurance policies so that someone within the square and round dance movement can take legal action against someone else within the movement.

One important point when considering the third party liability insurance is that it is business insurance, and the Society's insurance policy is a standard commercial business policy. At first glance, it may appear that we do not fit easily into this type of insurance, but we do. What is our business? Our business is dancing. We tend to treat it as a hobby or recreation, but take the viewpoint that we dance for money and that we spend a lot of time practicing (weekly dances) in order to perform publicly (demos) to sell our product (dancing for fun, health, recreation, etc.).

The Insurance Policy

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT

In the event of an accident or incident, members should render first aid and assistance as

Considered practical in the situation. If warranted, emergency services should be contacted. At the first available opportunity, notification should be given by phone to the person handling the membership duties of the Federation./Association. It should be followed up in writing providing the details of the accident or incident as follows:

a. How, when, and where the occurrence took place;

b. The names and addresses of any injured persons, and of witnesses;

In the event a claim is made or action brought against a member, the member must:

a. Provide prompt notification to the Society's membership person of demands, notices,

summonses, or legal papers received in connection with the claim or action;

b. Authorize for the insurance company to obtain necessary records and information; and,

c. Co-operate with the investigation and assist with the settlement.

Generally, members should render all reasonable assistance possible for the protection of life and property, then at the first available opportunity, make notes of what happened. Notes greatly assist any resulting legal inquiry.

The best guide for the notes are:

"who", "where", "what", "when", "why", and "how".

What to Expect in a Legal Process

The legal process is called "litigation" and although it sounds complicated, it is usually straight forward. We are lucky that square and round dancing is a safe activity. We have had national and provincial insurance in place since 1978, and have had very few cases that involved insurance.

However, there have been, such as:

. Walking into a glass window;

. Falling off a ladder while decorating a hall;

. Falling off a float in a parade; and,

. Slipping and falling while dancing.

Even though we are a "safe" activity, accidents do happen. That is why we insure. And we get our insurance at such a low rate because we are a low risk activity.

The legal process is sure, but slow. Someone claims that someone else is responsible for something and demands damages. Both sides hire lawyers. Most of the time an out of court settlement is made as this is the quickest method for all concerned. There have been cases in square dancing when the insurer paid for some minor breakage rather that go through the legal proceedings. For a large claim, there will be a "discovery" prior to any trial when evidence is given and each side weighs its chances. Settlements often occur here. If no settlement is reached, the case goes to trial. It takes at least one year for even minor cases to go to court. If there are appeals, then it drags on and on.

If you follow Supreme Court decisions, they are usually giving a judgment on something that occurred five or more years ago.

Legal fees are also a consideration here. Lawyers bill by the hour.

However, if you have liability insurance, then the insuring company covers all the costs. It still takes time, but at least someone else pays the bills.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INSURANCE

Why do I need insurance protection?

Accidents happen. You need insurance today to protect yourself in the event you are responsible for an accident.

We spill a cup of coffee and someone slips. We sit on someone's glasses. We drop

the caller's record player. We are not "lawsuit happy" in Canada, but we do have lawsuits from time to time, and we need to protect ourselves. The Society's policy offers that protection.

Who is the most at risk?

Club executives, callers, cuers, and leaders are the most at risk. If anything goes wrong, they are the first to get blamed.

How much do I get if I break a leg?

The short answer is nothing. Our insurance is not accident insurance. It is third party liability protection insurance and comes into effect only when you are sued by someone. Payments are made only as the result of a legal decision. If you break a leg, and you think it is the fault of someone, you must take legal action to collect damages.

Can I sue another club member?

The policy has a provision called "cross liability", which means that each member is treated as though a separate policy was in place. Members can sue members. It makes no difference whether the member is an individual or an organization.

What is a "dancing related activity"?

Anything that is done during the course of dancing is a dancing related activity. Dancing during regular club dances, or dancing at open dances are the most common examples. However, it may also be demonstration dancing in a mall, dancing for seniors in a health care facility, dancing on a float in a parade, decorating a hall for a dance, participating in a club barbecue or picnic, preparing dance flyers, taking tickets at the door, preparing coffee in the kitchen, sweeping the floor, carrying in equipment, blowing up balloons,.

What happens if I am sued by another dancer?

If you are named in a lawsuit, you would notify the club executive, who, would, in turn notify the Federation's membership administrator, who would notify the insurance company. The insurance company assumes your defense, and if the case is lost, it pays the damages and legal costs. Right or wrong, the insurance company is on your side to fight your battles. That is called peace of mind.

What is meant by "Operations" in the Insurance Policy?

The policy is a standard third party liability protection policy. It is business insurance. Our business is dancing. Dancing is treated just like we were running a store, or a restaurant, or selling cars, etc.

For example, dancing is the basic operation in clubs. But related operations are taking

tickets, serving refreshments, holding executive meetings, putting out or picking up chairs and tables, holding a Christmas party, etc.

Am I covered if I dance in the States?

The insurance policy provides World-wide protection. The only stipulation is that lawsuits must be brought against you in Canada.

So if you are dancing in Arizona, for example, and you are

responsible for an accident and are sued, the suit must be laid in Canada. This is common to liability protection insurance around the World.

Is food poisoning covered?

Serving refreshments is part of our standard operations. If you are sued by someone because of food poisoning, the insurance protection under the policy is in effect.

Do we have many insurance claims?

We do not have "claims" as such. We have had settlements as the result of some legal action.. Since 1978 in Canada, we have had less than a dozen insurance involved accidents.

What is a "named insured"?

"Named insured" is a buzz word in the insurance industry. It is used to establish who is covered and who is not. For the Society, the named insured are: . The Canadian Square & Round Dance Society, its directors, members, and employees, and/or;

. All member regional associations or equivalent organizations, their directors members, and employees, and/or;

-All member incorporated or non-incorporated clubs, their directors, members, and employees, and/or;

. All member callers, leaders, instructors, or cuers, and/or;

. All dancers who are members, and/or;.

. It may also include the owner of the premises used for dancing, if the owner so requests.

What should I do as a club president?

The most important task you can perform for your club and its members is to become a member of the Society. More importantly, ensure your club executive and caller, cuer, or leader are also protected.

If you or your club do not become members, then you or your club are at risk in case of

an accident. But you have to act. It is not automatic. It cannot be retroactive after an accident has happened.

The Society has to have your club names and appropriate dues before any coverage is active.

Membership dues are for the calendar year, and must be received before December 15^th to become effective on January 1. Ensure by December 1 that you send in your dues to your local Association or if you do not have a local association, to the Federation.

Disclaimer:

This information is intended only as a guide for dancers and club executives to help provide information regarding third party liability insurance.

The information was considered correct at the time of publication.

This information is made available by the CSRDS to members and other

interested parties on the clear understanding that neither the Society, its Board of Directors, or its staff can be held responsible for the consequences arising from the use of this information.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION