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The following information is published with ROUNDALAB's permission from the ROUNDALAB Reference Manual compiled by Richard & Jo Ann Lawson, 1987.

Round Dancing - The Perfect Compliment

by Ted Haley
Central Puget Sound Council (Washington)

As presented at the 13th Annual Leadership Seminar
July 11, 1981

We all know that when we are asked to speak, or serve in any capacity, we all experience the feeling that now I am placed in a position of exposing my mortal limitations. I am deeply humbled and grateful for this opportunity to share some of my experiences and viewpoints. First of all, I wish to acknowledge all of you here today, for your interest and wisdom that keeps our blessed activity glued together. Also, let us never forget the dedication and labors of our leaders that are no longer with us today, except in memory and spirit which is eternal. Speaking of leaders, at this time I wish to introduce my "perfect compliment"... my wife, Marie.

Now, let's get our mental factory in gear, and on with the panel. First, let me throw out this thought for your consideration. We need to work more diligently in the area of sharing good ideas and helpful experiences with other teachers, clubs, and dancers alike. Let us work to eliminate this idea of competition, and change to more creativity. Remember, we are round dancers first, and we are not out to win a medal, trophy, or prize. In ballroom competition, the stress and strain is ever-present, for you are competing with every other couple on the floor. We square and round dancers must dedicate ourselves to keep our activity as a time of FUN. Truly, we must be doing something right for we far out number all other types of dancing. Yes, the name of the game is FUN. We must proceed slowly, deliberately, and accurately. Most important of all, we must move forward together.

I feel most of you here today will agree that round dancing truly does compliment the square dance activity, and is very much a part of our precious heritage. One cannot give thought to the word "compliment" without including courtesy. In any situation, a sincere compliment is constructive. On the other hand, negative criticism is destructive.

Just how does round dancing compliment square dancing? First, let me say without any reservation that we do belong together. There is strength in out unified purpose. A square dance club with a goodly number of round dancers is a stronger club, has better visitations, and your survival has proven to be better. You offer a more diversified program. Round dancers do compliment the square dance activity by developing smooth dancing, and add grace and beauty to the image of square dancing. Round dancers add to the financial soundness of the club, and take their turn on the duty roster along with the non-round dancer. Speaking of visitation, I have witnessed visitors attending a square dance where they know they will get a good teach on the dance of the month.

Therefore, let's get to some areas for the discussions to follow. First on my list is BASICS. In my opinion as a Round Dance Teacher, it is our responsibility to first thoroughly teach basics to the beginning class. Let's go one step further and say that the teacher who advertises a beginning round dance class, and starts his people out by teaching dances or routines instead of basics first is destroying a lot of potentially good dancers and is doing our square and round dance activity a disservice by adding to dancer frustration. The side affects of teaching routines to potential dancers can be devastating, and leads to the serious affliction known as "round dancers watcheritis". (Always following and trying to watch another couple.) I'm certain that you will agree with me that prevention is much better than developing "watcheritis".

The side affects of this terrible affliction leads to dancer frustration and drop-outs. Thus, with the round dance basics deeply ingrained in our memory bank, the dancers begin to smile, flow with the music, and move with confidence into new areas of enjoyment. The round dances between square dance tips, truly become the "perfect compliment".

After basics, let us consider BENEFITS and FACTS:

  1. A square dance club with a goodly number of round dancers is a stronger club and the survival rate is better. There is strength in our unified purpose (FUN) and we do belong together.
  2. With a more diversified program, your club attracts more visitors.
  3. Round dancers compliment the square dance activity by their smooth dancing, and adding grace and beauty to the image of square dancing.
  4. Round dancers add to the financial soundness of the club, take their turn on the duty roster.
  5. A good round dance program will attract additional visitation.
  6. Today's beginners and long time dancers are fortunate to have dedicated Callers, Teachers, Cuers, and Leaders who at great time and expense to themselves work to improve, and preserve our precious heritage. Today we are acquainted with such names as CALLERLAB, ROUNDALAB, LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE. These are the dedicated children of LEGACY. Through their efforts to give us better choreography, plus standardizing our plateaus and levels, dancers can benefit by dancing anywhere they travel.

As we grow and enjoy the better music, better dance routines, and a host of other benefits, there are other areas and questions to be resolved. We need to further educate ourselves to be able to answer questions satisfactorily to those who do not square or round dance. Some of the needs and questions that I feel we need to give thought to are as follows, and perhaps we can get some of the answers from our discussions today: (these are questions we all are asked from time to time:)

  1. What is Round Dancing?
  2. Should the rounds be "cued" at the square dances, and if so how much cueing - all the way - first time through?
  3. What is CALLERLAB, ROUNDALAB, and LEGACY?
  4. How many weeks are required for round dance basics?
  5. Where can one learn to teach round dancing?
  6. Where can one learn to read a "cue sheet"?
  7. Where can one purchase a procedures manual on round dancing?

Today's dancers are fortunate in that we have many fine manuals and publications which we may use for reference, research, and study. Truly, Pappy Shaw, Ginger Osgood, and a host of his students are responsible for the movement to preserve our precious heritage.

Of recent years, some of the books, manuals, and publications are sharing a wealth of knowledge, and are unselfishly compiled by using the vast wealth of know-how, experience, and creativity of round dance leaders everywhere.

...

There are a host of other fine materials available, and for teacher members, the ROUNDALAB MANUAL is super. If you do not subscribe to our own "Footnotes", do so. As a teacher, I can only repeat what teachers in other states have expressed about out fine and equitable method of selecting our state Round-of-the-Month. Many wish that their state would adopt our method of dance selection, and there is another "perfect compliment".

I sincerely hope that what I have said here today will prove most helpful and encouraging. Legacy suggests in conducting a panel that we refrain from telling a lot of jokes. Since my material has been edited by my "perfect compliment", let's move right on to our discussion time.