Special Selections from FootNotes The Newsletter of the  Kansas City Swing Dance Club

General Board Membership Meeting & 
Board Elections - 
Sunday, February 21,  3 pm at the clubhouse!

Sunday, February 21, 1999, the Kansas City Swing Dance Club will hold its annual general membership meeting and board election. So far, the following Members have submitted their names as candidates:

President - Bill Posladek
Vice President - Gene Gillogly
Secretary - Cindy Moody
Treasurer - Barbara Andrew and Evelyn Rose
Dance Coordinator - Gary Harris
Activities Director  - Sue Williamson
Publications - Mary Carrington and Jewell Thomas
Board Member at Large: Mike Strong, June Rush,
                                         Sue Thompson, Lil Trower

The function of the board of directors is to establish and review major policy and plans of the club and have specific legal and fiscal responsibility to the members of the club. The success of our club depends on the performance of the Board.

If you are interested in getting involved in the leadership of your club, or if you know of a member who would make a good director, now is the time to let us know. You can submit your name or the name of a fellow member by contacting any member of the Nominating Committee:

Gene Gillogly
Sue Williamson
June Rush
Ella Crawford
Bill Hatton 
Bob Nevius 
Paula Marie 
Bill Posladek

Several club members running for office have submitted articles regarding their nomination. Listed below is that information:

Barbara Andrew KCSDC Member

I am throwing my hat into the ring for the office of Treasurer. Sometimes life keeps you from being where you want to be and then an opportunity comes along that you have only dreamed about. I would like to be your treasurer. My background is in accounting; numbers aren't new or hard for me. I have been a member of this club since 1992 (card #52, I might add). Also, I was Vice President in 1992, which gives me prior experience at the board level. New faces bring new ideas, and I have lots of new ideas to offer the club. May I please count on you to help me achieve my dream. Thank you!

Mary Carrington, KCSDC Member

I am running for Publications Director and ask for your vote. I have had the opportunity for the past year to assist Mark Harris (current Publications Director) with gathering and writing articles and publishing FootNotes in a timely manner. As a guest, I have attended a majority of the monthly board meetings to learn more about the ins and outs of running our club. I have prior publishing experience. I was editor of my office professional organization newsletter at work and was recognized by that organization's international division as publishing one of the ten best chapter newsletters in the country. You may be assured that I will give 100% towards publishing an outstanding newsletter for our club! Thank you for your vote.

Evelyn Rose, current KCSDC Treasurer

Just a little note to let you know that, once again, I am running for an office with our swing club. This time I plan to run for Treasurer. So, as in the past, your vote is VERY important to me. Please accept my "thanks in advance" for voting for me!

I don't think a lot of our club members are aware of what it takes to keep the doors open and everything running smoothly. Our elections are coming up this month and we ALL need to consider what's going on.

When I first became a member of this club, I had virtually NO IDEA of what all went on behind the scenes in order for me to come and take lessons or have a good time whenever I wanted. It takes people who care enough to put in some extra time to do a little extra, and most of us do not even know or pay attention to who these people are. It's the same as the old adage, for example, that if you have an outfit on perfect from head to toe, people notice the outfit as a complete package; but if there is a smudge on your tie, that is all people will notice. So it is with our club.

If we have a good board with people who are interested enough to take pride in an office and carry out its duties with vigor, then everyone in the club prospers. However, if some lazy, apathetic people are in a position of leadership, the club starts getting jerked around with disgruntled people pulling at the seams and individuals start working separately as opposed to working as a team. Then everyone suffers!

So what's my point? How does this affect us? Take an interest! If you would like to be a part of guiding this club and making decisions and stirring up interest, run for an office and be responsible for that office If you are not quite that gung-ho, then come vote and support the people who you think could keep the club harmonized. Don't let one or just a few people make all the decisions and run everything. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, but don't let others run your mind. You have options and ideas and suggestions and agreements and conflicts with the rest of us, so become a part of us. Successful people are always doing something even if it's wrong. They are at least rnoving instead of stagnating and dropping out. That accomplishes nothing.

CU at the elections this month. It's more fun when you are personally involved and "in the know."

Let's Have A Birthday Party! The Activities Committee is all ready to go! How about you? Friday night, February 12, is the night for this fun-filled event. To reiterate last month's newsletter: Henré Bugarin who was the originator of the KCSDC, will be here from, Las Vegas. Not only will he be our honored guest with a special dance exhibition at the party, but he will also be giving us two free workshops, that Friday night on West Coast swing and Hustle.

7:00 Hustle with Henré
8:00 West Coast with Henré
9:00 Partywith Henré

Jewell Siggs made all the arrangements to have Henré and his partner here to join us that night.

Plus, Jewell, along with June Rush and Rick Torres, is putting together a little history lesson of our club since nine years ago this month. Very interesting!

We are excited about the ladies' dance card activity (explained in last month's FootNotes) AND a couple of other fun mixers AND Henré's exhibition AND history display AND great prizes AND munchies! What more could you ask for three bucks? This is THE DANCE of the year.

One little item that's pretty important. We need to use the parking lot across the street beside the new recreation center across Beverly Street in the Mission Bank lot. We have an agreement with this bank and we do NOT belong in the Soroptimist lot. This applies to all events happening at the clubhouse any day or night of the week It's just a hop, skip, and jump.

Hey!  Where are some of you on Tuesday nights? I'm missing you! Those who do come all the time are making some great friendships and getting better with their dancing. I,et's remember one thing: Got any complaints? Talk with me, Sue. I'll try to fix the music for you or the heat or your chair or our service or whatever, if I can. You need to have fun! There's room for more, though, so we'll save a spot for you.

At the UCWDC Worlds VII Championship in San Antonio, TX January 1 & 2; 1999, Kansas City swing Dance Club member, JoAnn Windier, placed 1st in the classic Intermediate Gold ProAm Female Division dancing with her instructor, Bob Bahrs. She received a gold rating in west coast swing and silver ratings in waltz, cha-cha, and two step. JoAnn now has to move up to the advanced Gold Division. The "Gold" in the division title indicates "age 60 or over." Dancing the four dances choreographed to specific songs in the Showcase Gold Division, JoAnn placed third competing against advanced dancers. She received gold ratings in waltz and cha-cha and silver in two step and west coast.
WAY TO Go JoANN!

The Wichita Push Club has extended an invitation to attend the one day Beata Howe workshop in Wichita.

When: From 2:00PM- 6:00PM
Where: Multi-Purpose Room at the Senior Center, 200 S. Walnut (one block south of Douglas & one block east of Seneca)
Cost: $15 00/each for the 4 hour workshop (that’s a great deal!)
Dance Party at the Marriott with Beata on Saturday night beginning at 8:00 pm (no cover charge)!

For those of you who have attended one of the Dance Parties sponsored by the WPC at the Marriott you know how much fun it is!  WPC members, River City Swing Dance Club members and visiting out of town swing club members all get together for a great evening of dancing and friendship! Need more info? Call Jan or Jerry Owsley in Wichita it (316) 686-1299
 

Yes, our club is now on the Web!  We began in September with a page copied from Mike Strong's "Social Dancing In Kansas City".  From there I have created over 15 pages for our members including a calendar, most of the newsletter each month, directions with maps and a photo album. If you don’t have access to the web, check out the printed copies at the clubhouse. They are not always current, since I update 2 to 3 times a week; however, it will give you an idea of what the site looks like.

Our site has also served as a means of attracting new members. We have received 1480, "hits" as of January 23, 1999 (each time someone views our site from the home page, a counter is activated). I also receive and answer the email sent to the club. People ask about times for lessons, do I need a partner, how do I find the clubhouse, and where can I swing dance. I also have been asked if I know any swing bands that need musicians, told about different bands with swing cd's out (one was from England) and a lot of other questions I can't answer. I always reply to the email – even if I can't give them the information.

I would like to add that I am running for Publications Director and would appreciate your vote. I have enjoyed getting the KCSDC online this past year.

6:30-8:00 PM Beginning review class for Big Band Street Swing for swing kids and adults alike! You must attend this class before continuing to the intermediate class. (Stay in this class at least one month) We will go beyond the basics in this first class, so don't worry about getting bored!)

8:00-9:30 PM Intermediate/Advanced for those who have completed one month of the beginning class. The instructions in this class will be accelerated, addressing different swing dance rhythms, many pattern variations, as well as some swing lifts!

Michelle Kinkaid Workshops

Don't forget that Michelle Kinkaid, one of the superstars of the swing dance world, will be giving a three-day workshop at the clubhouse on March 19, 20, & 21.  Make plans to attend and learn more about how to project attitude in your dancing!