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Hello,
DT readers. This is one of several attempts to write
this week's spin. I find it very difficult to clear
my head during these difficult times that our country
and the world are facing. Letters have been coming
in at a furious pace from people who have felt the
need to express their feelings regarding last week's
attack on America and I want to thank them for including
me and you in their e-mails. I only wish I could share
every letter received but unfortunately, I had to
keep things to a minimum.
In Dance Briefs, you will find several letters that
I felt you may not have seen yet, along with comments
regarding issues dealing with the dance world. As
our president has stated, "It's time to get back
to work". So, I will do my best to focus on some
issues within our own industry.
In past issues, I have shared my opinions regarding
the way things are run by the National Dance Council
of America... mainly the way our voting system is
set up and how our officials are elected. I have explained
in detail how the current system works and I will
not bore you with this again. Instead, I would like
to make a proposal that, in my opinion, would solve
a lot of problems with unhappy members and registrants,
and bring some unity which is very much needed (especially
now). It is the job of the NDCA to represent the professionals
first and foremost. Let's face it, this is a big country
and in order to obtain this goal and truly represent
the views of it's members and it's registrants, the
NDCA has to make some concessions.
Here is my
proposal:
Number one: It would be impossible to vote
on every subject and issue regarding our industry.
When we vote for the mayor of our city, the governor
of our state, our senators, our president, we are
voting for the ideals and ideas that they represent.
If they win the election, (the majority of the vote),
the majority of the people will have a voice. We need
to have a rule in place that each elected official
of a member organization is required by the NDCA to
send out, to all of it's members, a notice of the
issues that will be discussed at each meeting (and
where their opinion lies on each issue), with enough
time to give it's members a chance to voice their
opinions.
Number two: Everyone, including registrants,
should have a vote in electing the president of the
NDCA. This is the man or woman that should have the
interest of the professionals in mind at all times
and the professionals should have the right to decide
who they feel is the right person for this position.
Please, somebody, debate me on this!
Number three: Once the people of all of the
member organizations have elected their officials,
it is then the job of those officials to elect the
remaining offices i.e.; Vice-president, secretary,
and the different departments.
Number four: This one is crucial in my opinion.
At no time is any official allowed to be involved
in more than one or, at the max, two departments.
There is too much conflict of interest in the way
it is set up right now. There are too many committees
with too few people or, should I say, too many of
the same people. There are several elected officials
and appointed officials that hold more than five positions
on various committees. There should be a limit. Can
you imagine if our president was still allowed to
be the governor of Texas? Whether or not he would
be fair and unbiased, it would sure seem that the
state of Texas would have an unfair advantage over
the other states. By limiting the number of committees
an official could be on, that would open the door
for some new faces to become involved... some new
blood. People can have the same goal but maybe, with
a different approach or point of view.
Number five: It is time to take a look at getting
the whole country involved through regional participation.
I cannot find one single person who is in my region
(the Midwest) who is actively involved in decisions
being made by the NDCA. Yet, the Midwest has a very
strong population of dancers who compete on a national
level, and there are a number of organized competitions.
Maybe it's time to include regional directors among
the appointed.
Number six:
Improve the election process. Everyone needs to know
when elections are for all positions and who is running
for them. We can point fingers on why this has not
been successful so far, or we can just change the
way it is done. What's wrong with a little campaigning?
Wouldn't it be refreshing to know what the person
who is running for an office is hoping to accomplish?
Something needs to be put into place to inform the
members, registrants, whatever you wish to call them,
and give them an awareness of the events before they
take place, rather than after.
Well, that's my proposal. Change is inevitable, in
all areas of our lives. There are a lot of good people
already involved in our industry, including many who
are running our council right now as I write. This
is, in no way, intended to offend any current member
in any official position. This has to do with the
way our organization / dance government is structured
and some areas that I feel need improvement. Unless
we speak up, unless we are willing to share our thoughts,
they are not always aware of what we are thinking!
There is so much that could be done to promote our
sport if we all band together and share our ideas,
but we can only if we are called upon to participate.
I am not only proud to be an American, I am also proud
to be a part of Dancesport, and to be associated with
so many great people! I encourage all of you to share
your thoughts and ideas. It's the best way to guarantee
that Dancesport will become recognized as one of the
best sports, hobbies, arts, in the world!
Have a great
week!
Dan
Messenger
09-17-2001
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