UNITED SQUARE DANCERS OF AMERICA
PRESIDENTS REPORT
ANNUAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012
Someone asked me if we had made a difference while we were Presidents of USDA. This being our last report as President of United Square Dancers of America, I would truly like to think that we have made a difference. However, I will let the readers of this report make that decision.
501(c)3
Due to the hard work and dedication of several of our Executive Committee, as of April 25, 2011 we are exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue code and have been declared a Public Charity. USDA has sponsored many Handicapable dancers to the NSDC® and for years we have given a scholarship to a Youth dancer attending college. Most of our publications are free of charge and our video is given away to people interested in teaching or learning square dancing. Any contributions to us are deductible under section 170 of the code. We are qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devices, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the code. We are now in the process of investigating the possibility of this status extending to our Affiliates.
New Credit Card Program
We have been investigating a new Visa credit card through the Capital One Bank…Since our tax exemption status has recently changed we are now eligible to participate in their Rebate Program. We have brochures for the Executive Committee and anyone interested in USDA having a new Credit Card program. We hope to have someone from one of the Spokane Capital One Banks, to talk to us about their Visa card for 501(c)3 organizations.
The last Visa Card program in which we participated, began requiring us to give a list of names, addresses and other personal information of our membership. Of course this was against the policy of USDA so we ended that program. We had found the credit card to be an excellent Funding vehicle for USDA and regretted the necessity to end this program.
Seminars
We will have several seminars in the Education Program at the NSDC®. USDA has purchased the inside back page of the Pocket size Dailies to advertize the times and venue of our seminars. Some of these seminars are as follows:
· “The Secrets of a Successful Square Dance Competition”…. We have gained experience by organizing competitions for the past two years. We utilized the “Last Square Standing” rules that have been accepted by the NEC for national conventions.
· When we were Youth Advisors we recommended and USDA adopted a Resolution to promote Competition as an activity of square dancing.
· “USDA, We’re not the United States Department of Agriculture.” We, along with others of the Executive Committee will be taking part in this seminar. USDA has an identity problem when we use our initials and hopefully this seminar will help us to become more significantly identifiable.
Showcase of Ideas
“Recruiting and Retaining Dancers” is our theme for the 2012 Showcase of Ideas display. We have been working on a Power Point presentation illustrating the ABC approach, the Attitude, Belief and Commitment theory. This presentation could be made into a DVD and distributed to clubs and organizations who feel they need revitalization and a positive method of “Recruiting and Retaining” new dancers. This is a combination of efforts between USDA and the Timberline Twirlers in Colorado. We will have a generous display of Tri-folds, Brochures, and the USDA News for dancers to take back to their club. Each of our four Vice Presidents will have their own personal display so that they are easily recognized by their Affiliate organizations. We will exhibit large posters in the Showcase, identifying the seminars we are presenting during the National Square Dance Convention here in Spokane.
USDA News Editor
With the encouragement of Jim Weber, we have appointed Larry Dunkel, as the new Editor of the USDA News. Mr. Dunkel has excellent qualifications , and a resume’ reflecting many years of experience, preparing him for this job. We welcome Larry and know he will be a great asset to the United Square Dancers of America. We regret the Weber’s decision to retire but we can understand it without reservation. We appreciate the many years they have given as Editor of the USDA News.
Respectfully submitted,
Alitia and John Becker
USDA President
EASTERN REGION VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
ANNUAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012
During the year we enjoyed visiting a number of our affiliate members by attending their events and meetings. At these activities, we met many dancers and leaders and had the opportunity to exchange ideas and information. As in past years, we have found that strong leadership with a committed support of club members and their callers usually achieved successful results. Also, we have noted that more regional and state associations/federations are offering financial incentive programs in support for member clubs that are actively promoting, recruiting and graduating new dancers.
We attended the 18th Annual Pennsylvania Square & Round Dance Convention held August 19, 20, & 21, 2011. This convention offered a very diversified square and round dance program including an intro to Contra and easy Line Dancing. They schedule a "Dangle Dance" for dancers wishing to obtain a dangle by participating in this event. Also, scheduled time was included for Handicapable Dancers. For the first time, Competition Square Dancing was offered. Both participants and spectators enjoyed this added event and expressed their desire to have competition dancing included in future conventions.
We set up our USDA display of publications at their Showcase of Ideas area. During the convention, we met a number of dancers and leaders and were able to exchange views and ideas on how to achieve positive results in promoting and recruiting new dancers. They schedule a Leadership Breakfast Meeting Sunday morning with their regional Presidents and convention committee. This offers an opportunity to critique the convention and discuss state federation issues.
We attended the Star Spangled Banner Festival held July 14, 15, & 16, 2011 to honor the Maryland Square & Round Dance Federation's 50th Anniversary. There were 617 dancers from 18 states and Washington D.C. that attended this event. A staff of 6 national callers and 3 cuers entertained the dancers.
This festival offered a program that included square dancing from mainstream through challenge and round dancing phases II-V. Also included, were introductory sessions to square and round dances, teaches and workshops. And as an added event, an ARKY, which is same sex squares {8 gents or 8 ladies}, squares of 4 ladies and 4 gents, but dancing the opposite role is permitted and is the "politically" correct meaning of the term "ARKY". Another event was the Young-At-Heart {YAH}. This dance is to whoop, holler and kick up your heels. This is a fast-paced strenuous dance for the young at heart. And for those who care to swim and dance, the "Pool Party". Finally, for those who are endurance dancers, the "Diehard Session", Saturday 11:00PM - 12:00PM closing the festival.
We set up our USDA Display and enjoyed meeting and talking with dancers and leaders.
At this time we are scheduled to attend the following dance events in the region:
On April 29, 2012 we will be attending the Annual President's Ball the Susquehanna Valley Square & Round Dance Association sponsors for their member clubs. This dance will be held in York, PA. We are invited to attend their association meeting that will be held after the dinner/dance. We are on the agenda to address their club delegates.
On July 19, 20, & 12, 2012 we are scheduled to attend the 49th Star Bangled Banner Festival that will be held at the Crown Plaza-Baltimore, Timonium, MD. Their dance program offers a number of unusual twists to square dancing that you most likely haven't experienced. For fliers and information-go to: www.marylandsquaredancing.com.
On August 10, 11, &12, 2012 we will attend the 19th Pennsylvania Square & Round Dance Convention held at Pittsburgh-Greentree, PA. This convention offers a great diversity of square and round dancing and includes intro to Contra and easy Line dancing. They also include a Showcase of Round Dance that demos the teaches that are scheduled. Seminars are offered to target selected subjects. For additional information-go to www.psrdf.org.
We are interested in attending additional events in our region and request that our affiliate members inform us of their conventions, festivals or special dance events.
Mike & Pat Matsko
USDA Eastern Region Vice President
CENTRAL REGION VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
ANNUAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012
We were honored to have been elected Vice President of the Central Region at the annual meeting in Detroit last June. It has been wonderful making friends with so many dedicated leaders. Since June we have made contact with the Presidents of the affiliates in the Central Region. Our goal is to attend as many of the State Conventions as possible where we can set up our display of educational materials and make a brief presentation about USDA to the affiliates at their annual meetings.
We began our travels in August to Pell City, Alabama at the invitation of Elaine Wheeler, President of the Alabama Federation. From there, we attended the National Dance-A-Rama sponsored by the Single Square Dancers USA in Indianapolis, IN, and then on to Birmingham, AL for the “Birmingham Blast”. We then proceeded to Macon for the Georgia State Square Dance Convention in September where we met with President Willis Crump and helped present the USDA insurance informational session along with Pat Inglis. Our next stop was Shepherdsville, KY for the Kentucky State Convention. President Steve and Mary Lou Schmidt included us on the agenda for the Saturday meeting of the Kentucky Federation.
In October we represented USDA at the Grand Square International’s (GSI) Daytona Beach Ball. We were unable to attend the Indiana Square Dance Convention, but were pleased that Milene McCall, our USDA facilities chairperson, was able to set up the USDA display at the convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represented USDA at the Florida West Coast Square and Round Dance Association’s 37th annual Fall Fun Fes in Bartow, Florida and at the Northeast Florida Square and Round Dance Association’s fall festival in Jacksonville, FL. While in Jacksonville, we were able to make a USDA presentation at the fall meeting of the Florida Federation of Square Dancers.
We made arrangements for the Winter Meeting of the USDA Executive Committee in Lakeland, Florida on January 27th and 28th. The meeting coincided with GSI’s Winter Festival at the convention center in Lakeland where USDA was invited to set up a display.
In February we reported to the Florida Federation in Bartow, FL with an update regarding USDA. In March, we represented USDA at the Mississippi State Square and Round Dance Convention in Brandon, MS and then traveled on to The 59th Annual Azalea Trail Square and Round Dance in Mobile, AL.
In May, we traveled to Akron, Ohio for the Ohio State Square Dance Convention, to Shepherdsville, KY for the 51st Derby City Festival sponsored by the Kentuckiana Square Dance Association, and to Lakeland, FL for the 58th Florida State Square & Round Dance Convention.
It has been our pleasure to represent USDA this year and we would be honored if re-elected to a second term as Vice Presidents of the Central Region. As we conclude our first year we’re looking forward to the 61st National Square Dance Convention here in Spokane, WA.
Jerry & Donna Robey
USDA Central Region Vice President
PLAINS REGION VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
ANNUAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012
This past year has been quite quiet in the Plains Region. We did receive a phone call from a dancer in the Kansas City, Kansas area stating they have started a new association and would like to find out how to become a member of USDA. The name of the association is Fit and Fun Square Dance Association. We did send the membership application materials to this organization for them to complete and submit to USDA.
Square Dancing in Wisconsin is starting to increase slightly this year with most clubs having a good turnout of new dancers, especially younger dancers.
We have visited dances in Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois this past year and things seem to going well with them.
We were unable to attend the USDA Executive Committee Meeting in Florida in January due to family issues after the death of our daughter in September and had planned on attending the Annual Meeting in Spokane. However on April 3, our son passed away from complications of a work-related accident he suffered 15 years ago. He left behind a wife and two teenage daughters, plus he was our right hand man in our engraving business we operate out of our home. We therefore will not be able to make the trip to Spokane for the meeting.
This will be our last term with the USDA and have thoroughly enjoyed the past years of serving as Secretary, President, Past President, Plains Region Vice President and Sound Chairman.
Si and Marilyn Kittle
Plains Region Vice President
WESTERN REGION VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
ANNUAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012
Hello to everyone. Welcome to Spokane for the Annual Meeting of USDA and the 61st National Square Dance Convention®. Enjoy your time in the Pacific Northwest.
My time since last July has been filled with school and trying to get the word out about USDA for the publications we provide and to promote the Traveler Program since there are many snowbirds here in the Pacific Northwest. I have provided the publication rack to my local council and they were amazed at the variety of what we have. The next viewing of the publication rack is scheduled for the Oregon Federation meeting in mid-May. The rack has been to several Washington Federation meetings, but I have not been able to convince them that belonging to USDA is a worthwhile endeavor.