UNITED SQUARE DANCERS OF AMERICA

USDA ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Westin Hotel, Third Floor

33 East Ocean Boulevard

Long Beach, California

President Len Houle called the USDA Annual Board of Directors’ Meeting to order at 1:00 p.m., June 24, 2009.

Invocation was given by Jean Beck.

Pledge of Allegiance led by Dick White.

Introduction of Invited Guests and Welcome Visitors:

Len Houle welcomed all and introduced guests.

Karen Fleher, National Executive Committee.

John Marshall, Chairman of Callerlab

Tim Eum, Roundalab

Mileen McCall, 59th NSDC in Louisville, KY

Karen Fleher welcomed all attendees to the 58th NSDC in Long Beach, CA. She congratulated the NSDC Committee for all its hard work in preparation for the Convention. She expressed her wish that all those attending have a wonderful time. She asked that everyone register for the 59th NSDC in Louisville, KY. She also hoped that everyone consider attending the Conventions in Detroit and Spokane in the coming years.

John Marshall, Callerlab, thanked USDA for all it does and thanked the delegates for their work as volunteers in the organization. He thanked the callers at the Convention for their support.

Tim Eum, Roundalab, said that this was his first opportunity to join USDA at its Annual Board of Directors Meeting. He expressed his belief that USDA is a great organization and noted that he was familiar with the brochures and insurance provided by USDA. He thanked the organization leaders for their efforts.


Roll Call

Secretary, Sharon Leon, led the roll call and Jim Maczko, Parliamentarian, reported that a quorum was present.

Minutes

Sharon Leon noted that the delegates were provided copies of the 2008 Annual Board of Directors Meeting minutes held in Wichita, KS. She asked if there were any changes, additions, or corrections. Ralph Kornegay, representing the Folk, Round and Square Dance Federation of North Carolina, referred to page 7 of the minutes, last paragraph, and noted that the last two lines should read as follows:

Motion for this Resolution to be tabled until such time as the Resolution can be rewritten.

Jim Maczko, Parliamentarian, had no objection to Mr. Kornegay’s correction.

Kansas moved to approve minutes with corrections.

Seconded by Oregon.

Motion carried.

Correspondence

No correspondence was received to come before this board.

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer’s Reports were delivered in the delegate packets and discussed by Edythe Weber.

North Carolina motioned to accept the Treasurer’s report.

Wisconsin seconded.

Motion carried.

Application for Affiliation

Mike Strub, Vice President Plains Region, announced he had received an application from The Square Dance Association of Green Country (Oklahoma). The Executive Committee has reviewed the application and recommends that Green Country’s application be accepted as a new affiliate of USDA.

Alabama motioned to accept the application of The Square Dance Association of Green Country as an affiliate organization of USDA.

Missouri seconded.

Motion carried.

Len Houle welcomed The Square Dance Association of Green Country as an affiliate and asked that a representative come forward and speak to the delegates. George Hazlett, Vice President of Green Country, thanked everyone for voting for Green Country. He mentioned their organization has been in existence since January 2009, they have five new clubs and are building two more.

Officers’ Reports

President’s Report submitted in writing by Len and Connie Houle. Len Houle commented on his first year as President. He noted that this will be the last year Pat and Ave’ Herndon will serve as Facilities Chairman. He introduced Debra Stewart as the new Facilities Chairman for the coming year.

Eastern Region, Vice President Report submitted in writing by Dick and Shirley White. Summary given by Shirley White, but nothing further to report other than was previously written.

Central Region, Vice President Report submitted in writing by Charlie and Kitty Holley. Summary was given by Charlie Holley, but nothing further to report other than that contained in the written report. Charlie thanked the delegates for the attendance and support of USDA.

Plains Region, Vice President Report submitted in writing by Mike and Mary Strub. A summary was given by Mike Strub, and he expressed appreciation of everyone attendance and thanked them for voting in the new affiliate organization in the Plains Region. Mike announced that this was their last year as Plains Region Vice President. Nothing more was reported other than that previously written.

Western Region, Vice President Report submitted in writing by Jim and Kay Rogers. Kay Roger noted that this was their last year as Western Region Vice President. She said they have really enjoyed the position. There was nothing more to add to their report.

Secretary’s Report submitted in writing by Gilbert and Sharon Leon. There was nothing more to add to their report.

Historian Report was not presented because the position was just recently filled by John and Alicia Becker, former Youth Committee Chairman.

Director of Information Report was submitted in writing by Lyle and Jean Beck. Lyle Beck said they have enjoyed serving in the position, but indicated they will be retiring. There was nothing further to add to their report.


Past President Report was submitted in writing by Si and Marilyn Kittle, who were unable to attend this meeting. There was nothing further to add other than what was provided in the written report.

Parliamentarian Report was submitted in writing by Jim Maczko. Jim stated that during the annual meeting in Wichita, KS in 2008, the USDA Executive Committee presented to the USDA Board of Directors a proposed resolution on the subject of competition square dancing. The resolution was returned to the Executive Committee for resubmission. The Executive Committee reviewed the proposed resolution. In light of the fact that competition has been included within the NSDC in Long Beach and is also proposed at the Louisville NSDC, the USDA Executive Committee is resubmitting the resolution as proposed in 2008 for your consideration. Jim requested a motion to remove from the table the resolution that was tabled during the 2008 Board of Directors Meeting.

Pennsylvania moved to remove from the table the resolution that was

tabled during the 2008 Board of Directors Meeting.

Ralph Kornegay came to the microphone and stated that only a person who voted to table the resolution could make a motion to remove it from the table. He also noted that the motion was to table the resolution until such time as the resolution was rewritten. Ralph said that the resolution is word for word of that presented last year. He felt that because there was no change, the same objections still stand. There was a long discussion regarding the wording of the resolution and whether the competition should be strictly for the youth.

Bernadette McNeal, delegate from North Dakota Square/Round Dance Clubs, took the microphone and expressed her excitement about being in the competition at the NSDC in Long Beach. She noted that in 2008 she voted to table the resolution and now wants the resolution to be removed from the table and voted on at this meeting.

North Dakota moved to removed from the table the resolution that was

tabled during the 2008 Board of Directors Meeting and adopt it as presented.

New Jersey seconded the motion (and stated they voted to table the resolution at the 2008 meeting).

Discussion: Steve Ocskasy, Hudson Valley Council Square/Round Dancers, stated that he felt square dancing was for fun and friendship and not for competition. Judy Taylor, Colorado State Square Dance Association, said that for the last three years they have competed in St. George in the Senior Games by square dancing. They would like to see it started elsewhere.

Jim Maczko, Parliamentarian asked for a vote on the portion of the motion to remove the resolution from the table.

Motion passed

North Carolina moved to amend the resolution to insert at each place it reads “encourage or initiate competition” insert the phrase “in youth dancing”.

Oregon seconded the motion.

Richard Delgado, Square Dance Council of New Jersey, said he had been concerned about competitive square dancing. His Council would be supportive of competition, but they would have concerns about implementation. If competition can occur without individuals feeling they have lost, they would be supportive. They are please with the thought and effort that has gone into the idea of competitive square dancing. There was further discussion on the matter, including the issue of competitive dancing on television.

Motion to amend the resolution was defeated (30 in favor, 32 against)

Jim Maczko stated that the portion of the motion adopting the resolution as presented still remains to be voted on, and he asked the delegates to vote.

Motion to adopt the resolution as presented was approved. (42 in favor, 40 opposed)

Committee Reports

Insurance Coordinator Report was made available in the delegate packets by Pat Inglis. Pat discussed the Insurance Report.

Income for the year was $211,734.89. Expenses were $200,880.70. Ending balance (which includes the years beginning balance), was $26,806.94.

In the year 2008, USDA insured 51,035 dancers. There were 543 more dancers that USDA insured in 2007. As of June 19, 2009, USDA insures 47,282 dancers with an expected increase over the next six months. The new Oklahoma Green County group makes 56 affiliate groups that use USDA insurance. There are 96 other groups that pay a higher enrollment fee and are considered our non-affiliated groups. The insurance rate for 2010 has not been determined.

Budget Proposal for 2010 was made available in the delegate packets by Edythe Weber. Edythe discussed the Budget Proposal.

The Executive Committee recommends a proposed budget of $39,775 in income and expenses. The budget for 2009 was based on $43,275. Items were decreased in the new budget. The costs of the annual and winter meetings came down considerably because of the locations of the meeting.

New Jersey moved to accept the Proposed Budget for 2010.

Seconded by Kentucky.

Motion carried.

Discount Prescription Card Report was submitted in writing by Bill Flick. He reported that the prescription cards are not being used as much as they should be. From January 1 to June 15, 2009, income from the cards was $95.50. In the year 2008 USDA received a little over $300. Each time a prescription is filled with the card, USDA gets $0.25.

Long-Term Care Insurance Report was given orally by Bill Flick. He reported that USDA has been handling this insurance for a number of years. USDA has received no requests or income from this program over the past two years. The Executive Committee would like to recommend to the Board of Directors that the long-term insurance program be dropped. He explained a motion was necessary to drop this program.

New Jersey moved to drop the long-term care insurance program.

Michigan seconded.

Motion carried.

Youth Report was submitted in writing by John and Alitia Becker. Alitia announced that they will be resigning as Youth Chairman. She expressed their appreciation for being able to serve in that capacity. She presented a $1,000 scholarship certificate for Justine Brown, Athol, Idaho, for her accomplishments in square dancing as a caller and cuer.

59th NSDC Louisville, KY: President Len Houle presented guest speaker, Mileen McCall, Registration and Housing Chairman of the 59th NSDC Committee for Louisville, KY. Ms. McCall described the planned activities for the NSDC. At the start of the Long Beach Convention, there were 2,175 people preregistered for Kentucky. She indicated they are signing up people every day at this convention, but did not have an accurate count of those preregistrations.

Education Report was submitted in writing by Len and Connie Houle. Connie gave a summary of their report. There was nothing further to report.

USDA News/Publication Report was submitted in writing by Jim and Edythe Weber. Jim Weber gave a summary of the report. USDA News just celebrated its 20th birthday. He asked that the affiliates advertise their conventions and festivals in the USDA News and let him know the dates of their activities so that they can be added to the USDA calendar. He asked that they present articles for the newsletter.

ARTS Report was submitted in writing by Charlie and Kitty Holley. Charlie Holley gave a summary of their report. He talked about the new ARTS video project and the website, you2candance.com. He asked that everyone visit the Showcase of Ideas and pick up some information on ARTS.

Handicapable Dancers Report was submitted in writing by Tom and Miriam James. Miriam James gave a summary of their report. There was nothing further to report.

Badges Report Report was submitted in writing by Joy and Joe Vaccari. There was nothing to add to this report.

Facilities/Sound Report was submitted in writing by Pat and Ave’ Herndon. Pat Herndon announced that they are going to be replaced by Debra Stewart as Facilities Chairman. He expressed his confidence that Debra will do a great job in the position. Pat announced that the Sound Chairman position will be taken over by Si and Marilyn Kittle. As a caller, Si Kittle has had quite a bit of experience operating sound equipment. He thanked everyone for their help and support over the years. There was nothing additional to add to their written report.

Ways and Means Report was submitted in writing by Len and Connie Houle. Len Houle showed examples of the tote bags USDA is selling through Ways and Means. He gave an explanation of the bags. He encouraged everyone to purchase a bag. There was nothing further to add to the report.

NSDC After Party Report was submitted in writing by Charlie and Kitty Holley. Charlie Holley gave a summary of his report. He invited everyone to attend the After Party. There was nothing further to add to their written report.

NSDC Showcase of Ideas Report was submitted by Bill Flick. He asked that everyone visit the Showcase. He noted there were new displays for the Vice Presidents and a flag flown over the Capital in Washington, DC was on display. There was nothing further to add to his report.

Dress and Jacket Report was submitted in writing by Edythe Weber. There was nothing to add to her report.

USDA Traveler Report was submitted in writing by Joe and Joy Vaccari. Len Houle gave a brief explanation of the program and noted the literature pertaining to this program was available at the Showcase of Ideas. There was nothing more to add to the written report.