OCTOBER 20, 2001 FEDERATION MEETING MINUTES

The October Federation Meeting was convened on Saturday, October 20, at 4:00 p.m., at the Kilauea Military Camp Headquarters Building Conference Room, Volcano, Hawaii.

1.   Attendance: Federation Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary.  The following clubs were represented:  Hayseeds, High Hopes, Hi-Lo Plus, Lava Klinkers, Maui Mixers, Rainbeaus & Belles, Slewfoot Promenaders, Square Wheelers, and U-Turners.

2.   Minutes:  The Minutes of the August 30th meeting were reviewed.  No corrections were noted and the minutes were accepted as submitted.  No meeting was held in September due to a lack of agenda items.

3.   Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer’s report was distributed for review.  The balance in checking as of 10/20/01 was $2,052.64, and in savings $1,585.43, for a total of $3,638.07.  Total assets as of 10/31/00 were $3,881.24, a difference of -$243.17 for this year. The Treasurer's Report was accepted as submitted. The report noted that 54 dancers were registered last year at this time, whereas 47 are now registered, with 6 additional pending from Outrigger Travel.  A Checking Register Report showing funds expended and deposited and a cash flow report were also submitted.

4.   Committee Reports: 

      a.  2002 Hawaii State Festival:  In the absence of Tim Voss, Festival Chairman, Henry Staehle reported nothing of significance since the last meeting.  He noted that of the 47 registrants, only two are from the mainland and there are only two signed up for pre-festival activities. The Festival covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, with round and square dance workshops Friday and Saturday.  Registration for Federation members is $20.00 each. Housing during the Festival is available at the homes of Oahu's local dancers upon request.

      b.  Reports on Festival Special Events:

                  (1) Square Wheelers:  David indicated that the Square Wheelers need 60 to sign up for the "Aquarium Adventure" in order to break even.  He urged everyone expecting to attend to sign up as early as possible so that it will not be necessary to cancel the event.  The $10 cost of admission will include dancing on the grass at the Aquarium, a tour of the marine exhibits, and refreshments on the Monday preceding the Festival from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

                  (2) Pali Twirlers:  The Pali Twirlers will again host a luau at Heeia State Park on Tuesday evening and a local hula halau will entertain. Andy Scott will call and Dan Drumheller will cue. All guest callers and cuers will be welcomed. The cost of admission is $30 with round trip mini bus fare at $8.

                  (3) Hayseeds:  The Hayseeds will again host the Wednesday night Trail-in dance at the Ala Wai Ballroom.  One hall will be occupied by round dancers and one by square dancers.  Cost is $5.00.

                  (4) Tsunamis:  Plans for the post-festival cruise have been changed as a result of the events of September 11.  A tour of Pearl Harbor is no longer allowed and the cruise will consist of a luncheon cruise of the Waikiki shoreline from 10:00 - 2:00 p.m., with whale watching and dancing on board.  Cost is $50.00.

5.    Correspondence:  No significant correspondence other than registrations for the 2002 Festival.

6.     Old Business:

      a.  Festival Volunteer Schedule:  Henry said that volunteers are needed to help on cleanup after the Saturday night dance and to man the halls during lunch and dinner breaks.  This is required because of the callers' expensive equipment.  He said that a Sign-up Schedule is available and asked club representatives to discuss the matter with their clubs and forward their completed schedule to him either by e-mail or snail mail.  The Saturday night cleanup will be the responsibility of all Hawaii dancers.

      b.  Festival Marketing Initiatives.  Henry reported that he and Janet sent out 210 letters with registration forms and flyers to selected west coast, New Mexico, Arizona and Canada square dance clubs, as well as to 10 former Hawaii dancers who have moved to the mainland.  Ads were placed in the Square Dance Directory and the Southwest Dancers magazine and information is included on the Federation's web page, which averages about 100 hits a month.  Ads will also appear in the December and January issues of the American Square Dance Magazine (we exchange one free ad in their magazine for one free ad in our dance schedule.)  The booth at the Anaheim Convention, using posters and literature from the Hawaii Visitors Bureau, was well received and festival literature and registration forms were distributed. David has also been monitoring cruise ships coming to Hawaii through 2003, inviting them to dance with us in Hawaii.

      c.  Equal Access to Public Park Facilities:  David reported on his ongoing confrontation with Honolulu's Mayor and Department of Parks and Recreation petitioning them to provide fair and equitable access for all groups and organizations requesting use of the Ala Wai Golf Course Ballroom.  This especially concerns exclusively allotting use of the Ala Wai Ballroom to the ballroom dancers 7 days a week, thus restricting use of the facilities to one group of dancers.  Although the Square Wheelers have been given Sunday nights to dance (when not pre-empted by another group) the Federation has been denied its request for one night a month to hold its traditional "Second Sunday" monthly Federation dance.  He said he would continue his letter writing campaign, emphasizing the principle of the matter as well as the misappropriation of public parks, in an effort to make the ballroom more accessible for square dancing.

      d.  Use by the Federation of funds received from club dues:  Henry reported that the main function of the Federation is to secure the liability insurance that covers all square dance clubs and costs $800 per year.  In the past, with 16 clubs, it was possible to cover this cost.  Now, with only 12 clubs, we are short about $200.  The State Festival is supposed to be self-supporting, but Federation fixed expenses are approximately $1,800 per year.  Possible financial solutions might be to assess each club member $5.00 per year, or raise club dues to $75.00 per year.  No decision on this matter will be made until the Annual meeting in January, but each club should consider the matter and be ready to present their preferences at that meeting.  In the meantime, comments are welcome.

7.    New Business:  None   

8.   Club Reports/Events: Future events are listed on the Web Page, recorded on the Hot Line, and printed in the Coming Events Flyer (remember, written or e-mail notes are requested to ensure accuracy).

      a.   Pali Twirlers: The Pali Twirlers will be hosting their Fall Fling on Sunday, October 28, at the Ala Wai Palladium from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. with Andy Scott, caller, and Dan Drumheller, cuer.  The Pali Twirlers hold regular dances at Pohai Nani on Thursdays from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. with Andy Scott, caller.

      b.   Square Wheelers and Hayseeds: Dave reported that 15 students will graduate in November and nine more have contacted him about starting a new class which will probably start in February.  The regular Square Wheeler's class is held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Palladium on Sundays and the club dance is 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

      c.   Hi-Lo Plus:  The Hi-Lo Plus club dances at Keeau on Sunday afternoons with Hank Grote, caller.  Attendance has been good with three squares over the last several weeks.

      d.  Lava Klinkers:  Jack Russell reported that arrangements have already been made with KMC for next year's Hot Foot Stomp and it will definitely be held.  He indicated that he had been advised that false rumors were circulated in Honolulu for the past three years that the Hot Foot Stomp had been cancelled, and he wanted to assure dancers  that this would definitely never happen.

      e.  Rainbeaus 'n Belles:  Deed Reimer reported that the Rainbeaus n' Belles have planned several events with cruise ships that had to be cancelled; one with Carnival Cruises to dance on dock was cancelled because high surf prevented them from docking and the ship sailed to Kona without stopping.  The St. Patrick's Day Dance will be held on March 15, 16, 17 with Don Wood of Lou Mac Records calling and Freddie Loveless cueing.

      f.  U-Turners:  The U-Turners are dancing once a month in Keeau and have had as many as four squares turn out.  Hood Simon is anticipating holding a class sometime in the near future.

      g.  Slewfoot Promenaders: The Slewfoot Promenaders have been dancing on Mondays and Saturdays from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. at the Pu'u'eo Community Center.  They will be holding their second annual Christmas Dance on December 17 at 7:00 pm. with Bill Yoeman calling.  Starting in January, the club will be holding beginner's square dance classes with Bill.

      h.  High Hopes:  The High Hopes are still meeting on Monday nights and getting two squares each time.

      i.  Maui Mixers:  The Maui Mixers dance on Thursday nights with one or two squares.  Plans are progressing for the Maui No Ka Oi Festival at the Okinawa Cultural Center in April. Elmer Claycomb and Bill Peters will call and Dan Drumheller will cue.  Registration is limited to first 100 dancers because of the size of the hall.

9.    Next Meeting:  The next meeting will be held on Friday, November 30th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Red Hill Community Center.

10. Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,  

Janet Granich, Secretary