UNITED SQUARE DANCERS OF AMERICA

Transcription

1 UNITED SQUARE DANCERS OF AMERICA USDA ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Coronet Room 830 Phillips Lane Louisville, Kentucky President Len Houle called the USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting to order at 1:05 p.m., June 23, Invocation was given by John Becker. Pledge of Allegiance led by Dick White. Introduction of Invited Guests and Welcome Visitors: Len Houle welcomed all and introduced guests. Sam and Linda Margheim, National Executive Committee Jim and Judy Taylor, USA West Square Dance Convention Policy Board Tim and Donna Marriner, CALLERLAB Scott Philips, International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs, Inc. George and Shirley Hazlett, Asst. General Chairman, 62 nd NSDC, Oklahoma City, OK Roy and Janet Bellcoff, Asst. General Chairman, 61 st NSDC, Spokane, WA Deborah Pentecost, American Folk Dance Institute, Museum and Hall of Fame Jim Weber, Chairman, Alliance of Round, Traditional and Square-Dance, Inc. Bill Shepard, USDA Past President Sam and Linda welcomed all attendees to the 59 th NSDC in Louisville, KY. They welcomed everyone to the 59 th NSDC in Louisville, KY. They expressed thanks to USDA for their support of the National Square Dance Convention. They briefly touched on the competition and the support USDA gave to that effort in Long Beach, CA last year and hoped for the same support in the competition in Louisville. Jim and Judy Taylor invited dancers to attend the USA West Convention in Denver, CO in August 11-14, They said they were also going to have completion at their convention also, but it would be judged in a different manner with square dancing continuously but down time caused by breakdown or other errors counting against you. Tim Marriner expressed his pleasure at representing CALLERLAB at the USDA meeting. He thanked USDA for all they do on the dancer side of square dancing. He said that everyone was welcome to stop by the CALLERLAB booth in the vendor area at the Convention. USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2010 Louisville, KY Page 1

2 Scott Philips said that you could find out more about the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs at their booth in the Showcase of Ideas. The IAGSDC annual convention will be held in Chicago, IL at the Hilton on S. Michigan. George Hazlett said they are going to have a great convention in Oklahoma City, but first they are looking forward to this convention, a great convention in Detroit, MI and then Spokane, WA. Janet Bellcoff invited everyone to Spokane for the NSDC. She mentioned the postconvention cruise, their ways and means, registration, and a drawing for 3 nights at the headquarters hotel during their convention for people who register for the Convention during the next 3 days. Deborah Pentecost gave a little background on how she first got the idea for the American Folk Dance Institute, Museum and Hall of Fame (AFDI). She said that she started sewing the seed about this project with country dance, cloggers and square dancers. She said she has talked to many local government officials, landowners, real estate developers and investors over the past 10 years she has been working on this project. She has never taken or asked for any money from any dancers or dancer organizations. She has found a community in Tennessee that is looking at the project seriously and there is a landowner that is willing to donate land for this project. The donation of land is the major milestone where she felt she could finally seriously market the project to all dancers. AFDI has a chance to win a Pepsi grant of $250,000. She asked dancers to vote on the Pepsi website and get the work out. Vote as much as you can in June. If they do not win in June she will try to get the project on the ballot for the grant in July. Jim Weber s main focus was on the You2candance.com website to market square dancing to the non-dancing public through the Internet. Jim also mentioned that ARTS has two seminars, Thursday at 1:30 and Friday at 3 p.m. He encouraged everyone to attend. Roll Call Substitute Secretary, Edythe Weber, led the roll call and Jim Maczko, Parliamentarian, reported that a quorum was present. Minutes Edythe Weber noted that the delegates were provided copies of the 2009 Annual Board of Directors Meeting minutes held in Long Beach, CA. She asked if there were any changes, additions, or corrections. Tennessee moved to approve minutes as submitted. Seconded by Oregon. Correspondence USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2010 Louisville, KY Page 2

3 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. New Jersey motioned to accept the Treasurer s report subject to audit. North Carolina seconded. Application for Affiliation Marilyn Kittle, Vice President Plains Region, announced they had received an application from the Oklahoma Square Dance Federation. The Executive Committee has reviewed the application and recommends that the Oklahoma Square Dance Federation be accepted as a new affiliate of USDA. NE Oklahoma motioned to accept the application of the Oklahoma Square Dance Federation as an affiliate organization of USDA. New Jersey seconded. Len Houle welcomed the Oklahoma Square Dance Federation as a new affiliate with three (3) votes. Officers Reports President s Report submitted in writing by Len and Connie Houle. Len Houle commented on his second year as President. He noted that everyone on the Executive Committee has worked hard this last year. He thanked them all for their dedication. Eastern Region, Vice President Report submitted in writing by Dick and Shirley White. Summary given by Shirley White, highlighting the Pennsylvania Square and Round Dance Convention as well as WASCA and the New England Square and Round Dance Convention; but nothing further to report other than was previously written. Shirley thanked everyone for their past three (3) years as Eastern Region Vice President. Central Region, Vice President Report submitted in writing by Charlie and Kitty Holley. Nothing additional was added to the written report. Charlie and Kitty were not present due to ill health. Plains Region, Vice President Report submitted in writing by Si and Marilyn Kittle. Marilyn summarized their report, mentioning that they had been to several state conventions and meetings in the Plains Region. They have enjoyed their first year as Plains Region Vice President. USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2010 Louisville, KY Page 3

4 Western Region, Vice President Report submitted in writing by Marilyn Schmit. Marilyn asked the Western Region state delegates to stand and be recognized. Marilyn spoke about the Winter Meeting held in Tucson, Arizona, in January, She mentioned that Northern Nevada had contacted her about becoming a USDA affiliate. Secretary s Report submitted in writing by Gilbert and Sharon Leon. Edythe Weber mentioned that at the Annual Meeting in Long Beach we did not have anyone elected to the position of Secretary. However, Sharon and Gilbert actually did the minutes for the meetings in Long Beach, the Winter Meeting in Tucson, and did the Annual Meeting mailing, carrying on as appointed secretary. A huge thank you is due to the Leon s. Historian Report submitted by John and Alitia Becker. Alitia summarized the written report. She said that the computer skills she has learned to archive the history of USDA was challenging, but she thinks she has mastered them. She said that while visiting the USDA displays in the Showcase of Ideas dancers could view pictures of the USDA dancers, as well as the whole dance floor, in the competition last year in California. Information Officer Report submitted by Mike and Pat Matsko. Mike summarized their written report. The most information requests were on the subjects of competition and the USDA insurance. He mentioned that you can find many information books, pamphlets and trifolds about many subjects in the USDA display at the Showcase of Ideas. Past President Report was submitted in writing by Si and Marilyn Kittle. Marilyn indicated there was nothing to add to their written report. It had been a quiet year. Parliamentarian Report was submitted in writing by Jim Maczko. Jim summarized his written report. USDA has operated since 1987 as a 501(C)4 non-profit educational organization. The USDA s application for 501(C)3 status was rejected by the Internal Revenue Service because the Bylaws do not have a section that addresses disposition of assets upon dissolution of the corporation. USDA is incorporated in the state of Arkansas as a non-profit corporation. Consequently, an amendment to the Bylaws with the appropriate wording is being recommended to the Board of Directors for passage at this meeting. California made the motion to amend the Bylaws to include the recommended dissolution statement. Tennessee seconded. Committee Reports Insurance Coordinator Report was made available in the delegate packets by Pat Inglis. Pat discussed the Insurance Report. In the year 2009, USDA insured 48,580 dancers. This was 2,455 less dancers than As of June 19, 2010 we have insured 49,335; 755 more dancers than we had this USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2010 Louisville, KY Page 4

5 time last year. We have 59 affiliate organizations whose club members pay the lower insurance rate. There are 93 other groups that pay a higher enrollment fee and are considered our non-affiliated groups. The medical/accident rate seems to be higher this year, also. The insurance rate for 2011 has not yet been determined and is usually determined in early September. Pat reminded the delegates that there is a seminar on Thursday. Budget Proposal for 2011 was made available in the delegate packets by Edythe Weber. Edythe highlighted several items in the Budget Proposal and asked if there were any questions. The Executive Committee recommends a proposed budget of $38,100 for The budget for 2010 was based on $39,775. Some items were decreased in the new budget. The costs of the annual and winter meetings remained the same, funds were allocated for the 30 th anniversary of USDA celebration to be held in Detroit, and almost everything else remained the same. New Jersey moved to accept the Proposed Budget for Seconded by North Carolina. 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. Provide these cards out to anyone in need of prescription discounts; you do not have to be a square dancer to use them. Those who use the card gets up to 30% discount on the cost of prescription drugs. From January 1 to June 15, 2010, income from the cards was $ In the year 2009 USDA received $ Each time a prescription is filled with the card, USDA gets $0.25. Sometimes this card can help when your regular prescription drug coverage falls into the gap or donut hole. Those on Medicare know what that means. Youth Report was submitted in writing by Bonnie Abramson and Bob Kamuf. Bonnie talked about the USDA Square Dance Training DVD and Square Dancing 101 developed by the California Square Dance Council which can be used to teach square dancing in schools. She unveiled the new Youth display for the Showcase of Ideas. She invited everyone to come join us that the Youth and Family After Party, Hall B105, Friday, June 25 th, 10 p.m. We were lucky to have master of ceremonies Hunter Keller, who coordinated the event and invited the callers. Bonnie invited everyone to join USDA on Facebook. The website will be monitored closely, but it s a good place to find out more about youth square dancing. Currently we have about 300 friends. USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2010 Louisville, KY Page 5

6 The recipient of the 2010 Founders Memorial Youth Fund Scholarship is Alyssa Sawyer from Vancouver, WA. Bob and Bonnie presented a scholarship certificate and the check for $1, to Roy and Janet Bellcoff, grandparents of Ms. Sawyer. A short thank you note from Alyssa was read by her grandmother, graciously thanking USDA for the scholarship money and explaining why she could not attend the convention in Louisville. Bonnie said that this year we had 16 applicants, the highest number in the 11 years the scholarship has been available. Bonnie then made a plea to delegates, explaining that the major source of funding the Scholarship fund was the credit card program, which is now defunct. We have enough money in the fund for several more years, but we are asking the help of affiliates in getting the word out about making donations to the Founders Memorial Youth Scholarship Fund. A donation form is available today and is also available on the website if you would like to make a donation. Education Report was submitted in writing by Len and Connie Houle. Connie gave a summary of their report. There was nothing further to report. Please come to the Showcase of Ideas and take these free materials home to your dancers and clubs. You can also order these educational materials from the website. USDA News/Publication Report was submitted in writing by Jim and Edythe Weber. Jim Weber gave a summary of the report. He asked that the affiliates advertise their conventions and festivals in the USDA News and let him know the dates of these activities so that they can be added to the USDA convention calendar. He also asked for articles for the newsletter. ARTS Report was submitted in writing by Bill Flick. He talked about the ARTS video project and the website, you2candance.com. Flyers were distributed to delegates at the meeting. Bill mentioned the grant program, which can provide an organization up to $200 for putting on an educational workshop or seminar during their convention or weekend. Information is on the website at arts-dance.org. Bill discussed the $100,000 Club, a new fundraising effort, and a good way to make a donation. The idea is for 1,000 persons to donate $100 each. He asked that everyone visit the Showcase of Ideas and stop by the ARTS display. Handicapable Dancers Report was submitted in writing by Tom and Miriam James. Miriam James gave a summary of their report. The deadline to submit the request for reimbursement for attending the convention in Louisville is July 31 st. USDA also made a $750 donation to the US Handicapable Convention which will be held in Gatlinburg, TN. There was nothing further to report. Badges Report was submitted in writing by Joy and Joe Vaccari. There was nothing to add to their written report. USA Traveler Report was submitted in writing by Joe and Joy Vaccari. Edythe Weber asked for Jerry and Donna Robey to step forward. She explained briefly how the USA Traveler program worked, receiving different color bars for dancing in 12, 24, 36 and 48 states. Any participant who visits 48 or 50 states will also be awarded paid admission to USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2010 Louisville, KY Page 6

7 the next National Square Dance Convention. Edythe presented the Robey s with a check for completing their 50 th state. Jerry and Donna thanked USDA for sponsoring this program that promotes visitation. He told a little about their 18-month saga to complete program. Facilities Report was submitted in writing by Debbie Stewart. Debbie stated that the Crowne Plaza staff had been extremely easy to work with and were very generous. She asked that meeting attendees thank any of the staff they see. Sound Report was submitted in writing by Si and Marilyn Kittle. In addition to his written report, Si stated that he hoped we might be able to upgrade to wireless microphones in the near future. Ways and Means Report was submitted in writing by Len and Connie Houle. Filling in for Gilbert and Sharon Leon, Connie thanked those who purchased shirts, cinch sacks and bags. The shirts are new this year and seem to be going over very well in the new colors red, white and blue. If you want to order, the form is on the website. Please complete, include the correct amount of money and send to Leon s. NSDC After Party Report had no report. USDA did not sponsor a regular after party this year, but combined their efforts to make the youth after party one to remember. Lennie stated that due to the NEC guidelines for assigning after parties, there was not a slot available this year for USDA to host an after party. Hopefully, since we are starting immediately, we will not have this issue in Detroit. NSDC Showcase of Ideas Report was submitted by Bill Flick. Bill read his report and explained he had been listening to a political campaign, thus the ending sentence I approve this message. He asked that everyone visit the Showcase and take as much of the educational material as they want. Dress and Jacket Report was submitted in writing by Edythe Weber. There was nothing to add to her report. Edythe explained that all USDA affiliate delegates and supporters of USDA are more than welcome to make and wear the outfit. It s not just for the Executive Committee. USDA Webmaster Report was submitted in writing by Jim Weber. Jim gave a summary of his report, explaining the new look and hopefully easier to navigate pages. Nothing on these web pages is copyrighted. Audit Treasurer s Books Report was given orally by Bill Flick. He reported that during the Winter Meeting in Tucson, Arizona the audit committee met to audit the books for The records and financial transactions were found to be in excellent order. Voting Procedures - Edythe Weber, acting Secretary, described the voting procedures for using the voting ballot. Each delegate received a ballot in the packet that was picked up before this meeting. The ballot contains the names of those individuals USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2010 Louisville, KY Page 7

8 seeking an elected position on the USDA executive committee, except Secretary and Central Region Vice President. No names were submitted in advance for these positions. Resumes for these nominees were also made available. They were requested to complete the ballot when asked. Election Procedures - Jim Maczko further described the voting ballot and the offices being filled at this meeting. He introduced each nominee that has already been designated: President: John & Alitia Becker (seeking first term) Eastern Region Vice President: Mike & Pat Matsko (seeking first term) Central Region Vice President: Open Plains Region Vice President: Si & Marilyn Kittle (seeking second term) Western Region Vice President: Marilyn Schmit (seeking second term) Secretary: Open Treasurer: Bill Flick (seeking first term) Jim opened nominations from the floor for all offices. Dan Torvik, Tennessee, came forward and read a brief resume, nominating Bill Shepard and Dot Bolton for Central Region Vice President. Elsa and Ray Huddleston, Florida, came forward and read a brief resume, nominating Tom and Miriam James for Central Region Vice President. Eleanor Stover, Missouri, came forward, nominating Jim and Edythe Weber for the office of Secretary. Missouri moved to close the nominations. Seconded by California. Jim Maczko re-introduced the nominees from the floor. He asked that the name of the nominees be written in on the ballot and for delegates to complete the voting procedure. Appointed tellers were Richard Delgado of New Jersey (chairman), Bill and Carol Morris, Missouri, Dan Torvik, Tennessee, and Bruce and Pam Hamlin, California. The tellers were asked to collect and count the ballots, then return and report the winning candidates. Len Houle continued with the meeting while waiting on the report from the tellers. Unfinished Business There was no unfinished business to be discussed. New Business CALLERLAB Report was submitted in writing by Len and Connie Houle and was distributed in the delegate packets handed out prior to the meeting. The Callerlab USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2010 Louisville, KY Page 8

9 Convention was held in Niagara Falls, NY March 28-31, Len stated they attended many workshops and seminars. He spoke about the emotional recognition of the Milestone Award to Masaru Wada from Japan. ROUNDALAB Report was submitted in writing by Marilyn Schmit. She said she was so honored and excited to have been able to attend the Roundalab meetings. Peg and Doc Tirrell were recognized for 50 years of cuing, Peg accepting the award in their honor since Doc passed away in December, She reported on the Convention s activities, seminars, dancing. Marilyn especially was moved by the seminar on Emergency Planning, Learn preparedness for the unexpected at a dance, while commuting, traveling, hosting an event, etc. She commented on the new slogo Dance Round Out Your Life. CONTRALAB There was no report on the Contralab Convention. Handicapable Convention Miriam James reported that the 12 th US Handicapable Convention will be held in Gatlinburg, TN, August 5-7. USDA has made a $750 donation to the convention. James s and Alitia and John Becker will be attending this convention this year. Election Results and Installation of Officers: Jim Maczko thanked the past year s officers for their service to USDA. Jim then installed the new officers for as follows: President: Vice President Eastern Region: Vice President Central Region: Vice President Plains Region: Vice President Western Region: Treasurer: Secretary: John & Alitia Becker Mike & Pat Matsko Bill Shepard & Dot Bolton Si & Marilyn Kittle Marilyn Schmit Bill Flick Jim & Edythe Weber Motion to destroy the ballots made by New Jersey. Second by California. Motion Carried. Retiring officers were recognized and received a round of applause. The officers were duly installed as noted. Recognition of Board of Directors and Executive Committee: President Len Houle presented each officer and committee chairperson with a certificate of recognition. Announcements Len commented on the fact that next year in Detroit will be the 30 th Anniversary of USDA and a committee is planning some nice ways to celebrate this milestone. USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2010 Louisville, KY Page 9

10 Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jim and Edythe Weber Acting Secretary USDA Annual Board of Directors Meeting, June 23, 2010 Louisville, KY Page 10