by Andy Shore – Vice-Chairman, CALLERLAB Foundation Fund-Raising Committee
Caller Wil Eades didn't know just what he was starting when he convinced the Sundown Squares of La Mesa, California to become one of the first square dance organizations to adopt a new strategy to help secure a bright future for our activity. In 2000, Wil proposed to the directors of this modest 46 member club that they increase the cost of admission by $1 to $4 and that half of the new money raised (only 50 cents per dancer per night) be donated to the Callerlab Foundation for the Promotion and Preservation of Square Dancing. The club officers agreed and the dancers didn't seem to mind. Those that asked were informed that the donated funds would assist in funding a national campaign to help square dancing, and that the benefits would eventually flow back to them in the form of increased marketing and promotion of our activity.
Since June 1999, the Sundown Squares have raised close to $6000 for the Foundation. In addition, Wil and his wife Judy (Wil calls, Judy cues) also make and sell t-shirts bearing the slogan “Add Quality to Your Life - Learn to Square Dance”. By adding $1 to the cost of the shirts, and not keeping any profit for themselves, they have raised an additional $1500 for the Foundation.
At the 2001 Callerlab convention in St. Louis, MO, Wil was presented with the Foundation Chairman's Award for outstanding contribution to the Foundation and to Square Dancing. To the surprise of the Sundown dancers and officers, Wil made a special surprise presentation of the award to the club leadership when he returned from St. Louis.
The Callerlab Foundation for the Promotion and Preservation of Square Dancing is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 charitable foundation. The Foundation supports projects to preserve and promote square dancing. Such projects will protect the heritage of the activity and contribute to its growth, emphasizing the social, physical, and mental benefits of square dancing. Currently, the Foundation is focusing on marketing efforts to help increase recruitment and retention of new square dancers; educational grants to help dancers, associations, and callers enhance their ability to help square dancing; seminars, brochures, and public service announcements.
One of the Foundation's projects - The Phoenix Plan - is a long-term development plan for the future of square dancing and related dance forms. The first phase of the Phoenix plan includes market research to better understand square dancing and our potential market, and to expand communication and education within our activity and between other related dance and recreation organizations. Along these lines, the Foundation is exploring the creation of “ARTS” - the Alliance for Round, Traditional, and Square Dance - a new umbrella advocacy group that can enhance efforts at communication, marketing, PR, and fundraising.
Conservatively, 10000 couples go square dancing every week. If each person was charged an extra 50 cents per dance, then a year of dancing would yield $520,000 for marketing, promotion, public relations, and leadership training. The payback would be enormous: more new dancers, bigger classes, more enthusiasm from callers and dancers alike, and a brighter future for our activity.
Could your club or festival follow the example set by the Sundown Squares? Consider doing something similar to what they have done. Add a small amount to your standard entry price, or to your annual membership fees. Share your split-the-pot proceeds with the Foundation, or hold some other kind of fund raiser. Don't let some other club or organization do it - take the lead today for a brighter square dance future.
For more information about the Foundation and the Phoenix plan, contact The Callerlab Foundation for the Preservation & Promotion of Square Dancing, 467 Forrest Ave, Ste 118, Cocoa, FL 32922. Or visit http://www.foundation-arts.org/