CCD STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting - Minutes
February 8, 2004

The meeting was held at Lalah Manly’s home at 7:00 p.m. on February 8, 2004.

CCD Steering Committee members present: Linda Graves, Julie Howell, Harriette Liske, Lalah Manly, Bill Porter, Ann Robinson, Bruce Tarnopolski, Emily Vorder Bruegge, and Ann Whitley
Guests: Lilian Bryan, Pam Eidson, Carole Galanty, Kevin Liske, Doug Singleton, Seth Tepfer, Bruce Torelli and Christin Whittington

OLD BUSINESS
Stage: Ann Whitley reported on John Kelley’s ideas for a stage that would cost about $100. At this cost, why not give it a try? It was suggested that the space on the floor first be marked off with masking tape to test the size of the space to be occupied by bands on the stage. The bottom and sides of the stage would be carpeted to protect the floor when moving the stage to the storage area in the NE corner of the gym. A drawing will be faxed to the church. Approval needed from the board of regents of the church; this board meets monthly.

It would take about 3 or 4 people about 3 or 4 hours, with about $100 of materials. The stage would not work for a dance weekend, but would be great for Friday nights.

The question came up about who would set up and break down the stage every week. One idea was a house manager who would take care of set up and break down. Some dance communities pay a house manager, who opens and closes dances; others feel that volunteer work should suffice.

John Kelley also has ideas for ceiling parachute(s) to improve the ambiance in the gym, like the ones at Sautee and Lexington. He said it would be easily put up and taken down.

Doug Singleton and Ann Whitley were a hit playing waltzes at the break, and would like to play once per quarter.

Morningside Floor: Inappropriate shoes are a big problem at Friday night dances because they contribute to the wearing of the finish off the floor. Linda Graves is willing to monitor shoes this coming Friday.

How to tell people about shoes? It’s hard to keep policing shoes over time.
1) Ask callers to announce shoe policy
2) Ask for street shoes to be removed at the door.
3) Put brushes out – vegetable brush, damp towel, "shoe porcupine."
4) Get the stuff used in clean rooms – Bruce Torelli might know. Check a safety supply catalog. Door mats
All of these efforts would help people remember to bring dance shoes.
Bill Porter will be in charge of setting up shoe station.
Seth and Pam will donate some brushes.

Floor Refinishing – Lalah ran it by the church. It is undecided when the floor is to be refinished.

Lawrenceville Dance Floor: Linda Graves went and checked it out. Good location for special events. It’s a 30 to 40 minute drive . If we had to find an alternative place to dance, for instance, if Morningside floor is being refinished, this would be a good alternative. It has a floating floor, lots of parking, side rooms. The rent is $90 per hour and dance-shoe-only policy would have to be strictly observed. Nancy Roney is our contact with this public park facility.

February 29 Dance: The flyers are done, announcements are being made. The 3:00 p.m. workshop teachers will include Susan Davis and Doug Singleton.
Budget for Dance: a 5-way split of the profits of the dance: (3 band members, 1 caller, and CCD). Steering committee approved this budget.

November 12, 13, 14, 2004 Dance
Christin Whittington reported that Merriweather was chosen to be the Friday night band and Seth Tepfer will call. Cis Hinkle, who has traditionally called on Friday nights, will be calling out of the country on that date and will be missed. Gaye and Wayne will come to teach waltzing, and Elise Witt will conduct a singing workshop. Anthony and Cheri were asked to teach a zydeco workshop. Swamp Opera was asked to play for the Cajun/zydeco dancing, but they had not yet confirmed. Joseph Pimentel is also an English Country dance caller. An ECD band may be put together which would also play for the waltzing.
Quilt: Andy is OK with the idea of using his artwork as the central theme of the dance weekend. It has to be determined how much to pay him for use of his work on posters, t-shirts, flyers, etc.
This topic to be on the agenda of a future meeting.
Julie is the Quilt Czarina. She said that "Movement" was the suggested theme for the quilt blocks, and hopes quilt blocks will be submitted as soon as possible. Just piece it together 12" by 12", with an extra _" around the edges – no batting or backing needed. Men can do this too! Julie is willing to have a quilting lesson at her home. Call Harriette with questions.
CoChair: Pam Eidson is the co-chair for the dance weekend.
"The Fabric of Dance" and "Dance: the Fabric of Life" were suggested names for the dance, although the name has not been finalized yet.

New Year’s Dance
The Steering Committee approved Pam’s proposed budget for the New Year’s Eve band. It was thought that pre-registration was not needed. From past experience it has been determined that 350 could fit comfortably in the gym. A potluck was suggested. A round robin of callers was also suggested.

CCD Budget
Occasional Saturday and Sunday dances, it was suggested to have a mechanism in place for paying bands more (or percentage of the door, which equalizes the risk).
Consider extra dances to raise money.
In order to apply for grants we would need to have an auditable budget. – bylaws, checks and balances in our accounting system.
Pam, Harriette and Christin are the Budget subcommittee.
Harriette gave some historical perspective on the organization’s finances, which have been growing, and in general breaking even. Fiscal Year runs from June to June.

Sound
Recommendations were made that a workshop be given to train more people on sound. Tim Cape would talk to Weogo (from the Greenville group) about conducting a workshop. Bill Porter will try to get dates of availability for Weogo. Regarding the sound equipment, a feedback killer is the most recommended piece of equipment. This might, however, reduce the overall quality of the sound.

Bylaws
Bruce Tarnopolksi and a subcommittee will draft new bylaws.

Fundraiser: Bruce Tarnopolksi also proposed a fundraising project involving the collection of discarded palm pilots, pagers and cell phones in conjunction with Earth Day. There is a company that would buy these from CCD.

Politics at Dances: Some dancers have been offended by caller’s remarks about certain political groups and ideas. To help prevent this, it can be put into dance callers’ contracts that no disparaging remarks be made about any group of people, including political parties, at CCD dances.

ADJOURN
The next meeting was scheduled for March 14. Meeting Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Emily Vorder Bruegge, CCD Recording Secretary
With assistance from Lalah Manly and Seth Tepfer

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