Dec 5, 1999

This month marks the end of another year of Square & Round Dancing in Hawaii.  December is the traditional time to look back on our memories of 1999.  We’ve had some great times and met a lot of nice people.  There is something about Square Dancers – they seem to come from (or become) a special breed of nice people. The National & USA West Conventions were highlights, as were our own Convention and Festivals.  Maui & Hawaii Clubs continue to shine with their Aloha and the extra special touch to their dances.  My special thanks to all who put in the extra time, energy, and money to make our dancing in Hawaii so enjoyable.  A BIG MAHALO!!!!

We also have some disappointments to look back upon.  Our declining membership foretells the eventual demise of Square Dancing in Hawaii.  In 1999 we weren’t very successful in reversing the trend.  What disturbs me the most is that there are only a handful of members actively working on the problem.  It’s time for a wakeup call.  We need everyone’s help and cooperation.  Otherwise – one of these days, there won’t be three other couples for you to dance with.

January marks the end of the Federation’s fiscal year.  It is also the time to elect new officers to manage and operate the Federation business and Festival Activities for the New Year.  I hear a lot of grumbling in the ranks about some of our past decisions and actions.  Rarely do I hear a better suggestion.  So, now is the time to stand up and take some responsibility.  Club officers – look in your membership for those people with management talent, judgement, and skills.  Ask them to serve on the Board and represent your club’s interests in the Federation operations.  We should have the new Constitution in place for the New Year with its objectives well defined.  It’s easy to quit and walk away from the problems.  The real challenge is to pitch in and work together to keep our favorite pastime alive and well.

January also marks the end of my third year on the Executive Board, two as Chairman.  I accomplished three major goals and a handful of minor ones.  I’m now ready to pass the baton to the next person willing to give it a whirl.  The job is what you want to make of it.  You’ll have lots of opportunities to excel.  Members -how about doing your part for a change?

DECEMBER ’99 FEDERATION MEETING MINUTES

The December 99 Federation Meeting was convened at 3:00 p.m. on December 5, 1999, at the Kahala Recreation Center.

1.     Attendance:  Federation Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary.  The following clubs were represented: Hayseeds, Pali Twirlers, Square Wheelers, and Tsunamis.

2.     Minutes:  The Minutes of the November 1999 Meeting were reviewed.  No corrections were noted and the minutes were accepted as presented.

3.     Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer’s report as of 12/5/99 was distributed for review.  The balance was $15,204.40 in checking and $1,827.84 in savings for a total of $17,032.24.  The Treasurer’s Report was accepted as submitted.  The Register Report reflecting all funds deposited and paid out is available upon request.  Significant funds are held in escrow for the clubs sponsoring Festival Activities.

4.     Committee Reports: Committee chairpersons presented a brief outline of their progress since the last meeting:

      a.    Advertising and recruiting: Nothing new to report.

b.        Social Calendar: Nothing new to report. Updated Social Calendar will be included with the December minutes.  Please send updates or corrections to Henry Staehle at henrys@inix.com, or telephone 672-3646.

c.        HI-2K Festival: 260 paid registrations have been received, with tour groups coming from Detroit (44), Stockton (78), Tokyo (8), Orlando (10), and Tucson (33).

                (1) Housing Committee: Nothing new to report.  Application forms are available for those who are willing to offer rooms to one or two Festival dancers from neighbor islands.  Please pick up a flyer at your club dance or contact Doug Warne, Festival Housing Committee Chairman (e-mail: dwarne4@hotmail.com or telephone (808) 261-8222).

                (2) Hall Decorations: Tim Voss has agreed to furnish greenery for hall decorating.  Decorating will take place on Thursday afternoon prior to the dance.  It is hoped that all Oahu dancers that can will participate.

                (3) Registration:  Gil Gilbert is keeping registrations up to date as they come in.

                (4) Packet Committee/Ribbons and Badges: Nothing new to report.  It was suggested that something special for the year 2000 be considered, such as a date bar designating the year 2000, or yellow HI2K band diagonally spaced across the ribbon.  Club representatives were requested to ask their clubs for creative ideas for Festival ribbons and/or pins.  The Hawaii Visitors Bureau and This Week will be contacted for packet inserts.  A date will be set for packet stuffing

                (5) Maintenance (setup/cleanup): Nothing new to report.  Clean-up nights will be assigned to clubs on Oahu or islands. 

                (6) Transportation:  Nothing new to report.

                (7) Hospitality:  Nothing new to report.  Joan and Don McNeil will be contacted to chair the Hospitality Committee if they are available.  Otherwise, Kim and Janet will furnish hot coffee and snacks for the callers.

                (8) Advertising/Program: A proposed cover design for the Festival Program booklet was displayed and comments requested.

                (9) Activities:  (a) Diamond Heads ‘N Sides: Bob Rollins has agreed to MC the calling at the Wednesday night dance at the Palladium.  Entry fee will be $5;  (b) Square Wheelers/Hayseeds Polynesian Adventure: 94 reservations have been received for the Polynesian Cultural Center show. Kama'aina rate will be $36 each;  (c) Pali Twirlers’ Luau on the Bay: 77 dancers have registered for the K-Bay Luau; (d) Tsunamis: 38 dancers have registered for the after-party Whale Watching Cruise on Sunday.  Kama’aina rate will be $28 and will include breakfast and lunch on board the Star of Honolulu.

5.    Correspondence:

a.  E-mail from Robert Keller, dated November 19^th, canceled the North Shore Twirlers’ After Party Cruise Dance due to lack of signups.  (The Tsunamis will replace the North Shore Twirlers as sponsors of the cruise).

b.  E-mail, dated November 23^rd from Robert Keller withdrew the North Shore Twirlers' membership in the Federation and requested that they be removed from all Federation documents. 

c.  E-mail invitation dated December 3^rd, from Hawaii Consortium for the Arts inviting the dance community to participate in a “Coffee Chat” on non-profit issues on December 8 from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m. at the Academy Art Center.  Note: The Hawaii Consortium for the Arts is a statewide non-profit service and advocacy organization whose mission is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the importance and well being of the arts in Hawaii.

6.     Old Business:

        a.   Revised Bylaws: Draft Constitution and By-laws have been completed and forwarded to clubs for interim approval by December 15.  An informal review is requested with comments prior to December 15th.  Acceptance of the new Constitution will be requested via a mail ballot prior to the January 25 Federation Meeting.  Legal review by a volunteer attorney is on going.

        b.   State Square Dance Costume: 120 yards of State Square Dance Costume material is still available from Kim Akagi (808) 943-0120 at $3 a yard.  All members are encouraged to dress in Hawaii colors for special events and especially during the Grand March at the State Festival.

        c.    Address Book: A draft has been circulated among the clubs and corrections and/or additions are requested by December 15th.

        d.    All Oahu Dance: All Oahu Dances will continue to be held on the second Sunday of each month.  Dates are available for club sponsorship of special dances.  Proceeds from the dance go to the sponsoring club.  The Palladium is not available on February 13th and April 9th of 2000.

7.     New Business

        a.  Election of Officers: Election of Federation Executive Officers will be held on January 29.  Nominations are requested for qualified and interested dancers to manage Federation activities.  Clubs are requested to screen their members and nominate dedicated members to serve on the Board of Directors.

        b.  Federation dues: Clubs please note that Federation dues are due by February 1st for the year 2000.

Dues are $50 per club per year.

8.     Club Reports/Events: Future events are listed on the Web Page, recorded on the Hot Line, printed in the Current Events Flyer, and shown on the Social Calendar (remember, written notes are requested to ensure accuracy).

        a.  All-Oahu Dance: Sunday, January 9, at the Palladium – Pre rounds at 6:30 p.m.  Dance at 7:30 p.m.  February 13th will be sponsored by the Square Wheelers at the McCoy Pavilion 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. 

        b.  Squares and Pairs: New Dancers’ Class meets at Halsey Terrace Community Center Fridays from 7-9:30 p.m.

        c.   Pali Twirlers: The Pali Twirlers will hold their Christmas party on December 9th at Pohai Nani.  Dinner is at 6:00 p.m., dance at 7:30 p.m.

        d.   Square Wheelers: The Christmas Champaign Brunch will be held on December 12th at 9:30 a.m. at the Hale Koa.  TheToys for Tots dance will be held on the same date.  Pre-rounds at 6:30 p.m. and dance from 7:30 p.m. at the Palladium. 

        e.  Hayseeds will join the Square Wheelers for Monday night dances formally beginning on January 3^rd.  Next Monday night dance will be December 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park, Ken Jordan calling. 

        f.  Perth, West Australia International Square Dance Festival, September 2000.  Contact Dave Lemon at 456-8456.

        g.   Cultural Dance Exchange and Tour of China, September 2000: Join Hawaii Dancers for a cultural exchange with Chinese dancers in Beijing and Lhasa (Tibet).  There is a choice of two tours available: 10 days for $2500 and 21 days for $4500.  Contact Ann Todd at 239-6325.

9.   Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

Next Meeting: The next regular meeting of the Federation will be held on Sunday, January 2nd, at 3:00 P.M. at the Kahala Recreation Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Granich, Secretary