Glenn Weiss Responds to Resignations

[Bailamosdance]

I think one reason for the decline in social dance membership is the fault of 'leaders' who think that people 'need' to pay $35 per year for a quarterly puff magazine and a discount into some local dances. Recently someone asked Lydia Scardinia, a past president and very outspoken defender of the old guard and their workings, to reveal what the over $500,000 in annual social dance member dues does for social dance - no benefits other than providing insurance and 'music licensing' if the chapter has an event.

 

[DL]

...A lot of these goals are unchartered territory for USA Dance, and they do require a different perspective, energy and mindset. ...

"unchartered"

I'm not invested in either side of this whole situation, but if one were inclined to look for Freudian slips it sure seems like that would be an interesting one.

 

[DanceMentor]

Do people think the decline of USA Dance membership reflects directly the participation in Ballroom dancing overall, or is it just a shift away from USA Dance itself in favor of other options, such as at dance studios, chains or independent?

Empirically, I see an aging Ballroom dance population that isn't replaced by younger generations, and dances that are much sparser than decades ago. I do believe most dancers are in a particular scene (Ballroom or other dance types) only some 3 to 5 years before moving on, so continually replenishing the ranks is always a challenge. Naturally, professionals have a big stake in helping do this, but amateurs really need to be motivated to bother.

OTOH, various dance instructors, in chains or independents, seem to indicate their businesses are booming. I do also know a few instructors who have left the business in the last few years, probably because they no longer can count on steady income.

There certainly are many more events, competitions or otherwise, Ballroom or other types (WCS, Salsa, etc.), but many events are far smaller than a decade ago. And there are certainly lot more instructors and studios than decades ago, but it's not clear to me how many are financially healthy.

So, what is the bigger picture of participation? The stability of the economy and jobs obviously plays into this.

Well, I would certainly vote for you. When will you be running? Haha, you bring up some excellent points and I hope that people will see that we need to think about young people and the general public.

I got involved in dancing and a time when Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire seemed to be falling in market share while independent Studios were Rising. There were a lot of young people coming into the den Studios and the market was decent at least.

More recently it seems that dance as become more than ever a sport for the very wealthy. When the average person walks into the dance studio and finds out how expensive it would cost for them to take dance lessons, they walked out back out quickly and find another Hobby.

But even now there are some dance studios that are doing it right and are attracting young people and have large groups of people at their Studio. There just aren't enough of these types of Studios, and a dance organization potentially would have the capacity to help grow dancing in local markets. They might serve as a model for Studios that have not figured out how to get average people into the dance studios. I hope they can find a way.

Ballroom dancing need not be something we're only Elite professionals teach people how to dance. I see no reason why there could not be an entry level market price point where dance teachers make less than $20 per hour and students pay a much lower average fee, but the result is lots more people are dancing because it is Affordable and fun.

Chinese ballroom dance studios might make for an interesting study.

 

[Well Rounded]

The membership fee is the reason I never joined. I couldn't see the benefit in it. I would have to attend 6 or more dances per year for the discount to be meaningful. Since I have had no opportunity to compete at one of their events I saw no reason to become a member.

 

[newbie]

I still think that the probability of Glenn transforming USA dance into something greater than it is now is very high.

I still think that a mod should not make statements, take sides, be part of a campaign.

 

[DanceMentor]

I see the treasurer had also resigned. I don't know much about him.

 

[snapdancer]

The treasurer resigned yesterday. Other than Weiss, that clears out the entire executive committee determined in the last election. There is the VP for Professional Dance, newly created since the election. However there have been some questions as to whether that was done properly.

 

[Mr 4 styles]

Clearly there is a group of members who want usabda back. Amateur only. And there are others that want s new pro organization. Or something in between

 

[DanceMentor]

Clearly there is a group of members who want usabda back. Amateur only. And there are others that want s new pro organization. Or something in between

I am open to what Glenn tries to implement. I have known him over the years, and I believe he is one of the more capable people in the ballroom world. Only time will tell if he is able to do something worthwhile. Obviously, there are people in the US that will continue to do all they can to prevent a second organization that includes professionals from gaining traction. However, there are similar battles being fought in other countries too.

At the end of the day, you have to look at the results they produce. Are more people interested in dancing? Is ballroom dancing gaining more interest from the general public?

Right now, Glenn has a pretty fresh sleight from which to begin. With the resignations, maybe this gives him more flexibility to start anew. I hope he does well for the sake of the growth of ballroom dancing, which helps people stay healthy and happy, live longer, and prevents certain ailments like Alzheimer's disease.

When ballroom dancing is growing in popularity it is good for everyone.

On a side note, is Glenn the first World Champion to hold the office of the Presidency in either the NDCA or USA Dance? I'm thinking yes.

 

[Mr 4 styles]

All you said is well and good. But historically amateur only dancing has been undervalued in the us except by usabda

Will the amateur only couples be neglected/ignored/marginalized again. Remains to be seen

 

[Mengu]

Right now, Glenn has a pretty fresh sleight from which to begin. With the resignations, maybe this gives him more flexibility to start anew.

Elections at the end of last year *was* the fresh start for USA Dance. Members actually had a say in who they wanted to represent them. I was pretty excited about a new EC. Now I feel that fresh start got squandered. Sure you can call this another fresh start, but it's not one that any of the membership has any say in.

 

[j_alexandra]

Right now, Glenn has a pretty fresh sleight from which to begin. .

What does this mean? I'm confused.

 

[JudeMorrigan]

I think he meant slate.

 

[j_alexandra]

I think he meant slate.

<headslap> Of course! Thanks, Jude.

 

[snapdancer]

I think he meant slate.

Or maybe a Freudian slip.