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MINUTES EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE CLUBS GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 3 JULY 1971
Marvin Leibowitz, President of the .European Association of American Square Dance Clubs (EAASDC), called the Summer General Membership Meeting of EAASDC to order at 1610 hours, 3 July 19?1 at the Platen Community Elementary School, Frankfurt am Main. The roll was called. Twenty-six clubs were represented. The President reviewed the voting procedures for all members-at-large.
The minutes of the previous General Membership Meeting, passed out earlier, were approved. The treasurer's report was given and approved. The current balance was $1186.59. Outstanding loans of $200.00 made net worth $1386.59.
The President presented a report on the Stuttgart Strutters Fall Round-Up to be held from 3-6 September 1971 at the Stadt Sporthalle in Darmstadt, Hesse. He explained the new pre-registration procedures and urged everyone to take advantage of the lower costs this offered. He also reviewed the plan of events- dancing, panels, fashion show, and meetings- and then thanked the Darmstadt Darmstompers for their help in making the necessary arrangements.
The Frankfurt Beaux and Belles bid on the Winter Jamboree. No other bids were received. Al Zimmerman moved that the Winter Jamboree be awarded to the Frankfurt Beaux and Belles. Dick Cheek seconded the motion. Motion passed.
The President announced that a Student Jamboree would be held the first weekend in December-tentatively the 4th in Karlsruhe. The Karlsruhe Kut-Ups will host this event. Marv said the proceeds from this Jamboree would be used to further student or advanced training efforts rather than going into the general fund of either EAASDC or the European Callers and Teachers Association (ECTA). No opposition to this plan was voiced.
Four new clubs applied for membership in EAASDC: the International Squares of Ramstein Air Base, Germany; the Growing Squares of Zweibrücken Air Base, Germany; the Darmstadt Darmstompers of Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany; and the Bavarian Stompers of Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany. Mickey Franz made a motion that the International Squares be accepted. Phil Erwin seconded this motion. Motion approved. International Squares President Bob Brown told the membership about his club and invited all to dance with it. George McAfee moved that the Growing Squares be accepted into full membership in EAASDC providing their members-at-largo were over 16 years old. Wayne Dreyer seconded the motion. Motion passed. A representative of this club reviewed its dance arrangements and invited all to dance with them. Brian Silvey moved that the Darmstadt Darmstompers be accepted for EAASDC membership effective with the approval of their constitution by their area commander. Bob Falsone seconded the motion. Motion passed. Darmstomper President Kurt Germann invited all EAASDC members to dance with them on Monday nights. A motion was made by Hay Dalstrom that the Bavarian Stompers also be accepted for EAASDC membership effective with the approval of their constitution by their area commander. Rainer Scheiblich seconded the motion. Motion passed. A representative of the Bavarian Stompers told the membership about the formation of his club and invited all to dance with them on Friday nights.
The president reported that attempts had been made here to get military or ambassadorial support for a European Square Dance Week. These efforts did not succeed. Al Zimmerman said he would try to speak to General Goodpasture to ask his support for Square Dance Week. The ECTA Liaison Officer reported that ECTA members preferred the week of 12-18 September 1971 for starting classes. The EAASDC membership approved this date for a Square Dance Week. EAASDC will order Square Dance Week posters and bumper stickers from the American Dance Society in quantity for distribution to EAASDC clubs. Marv suggested that club presidents be prepared to report on Square Dance Week activities at the winter Jamboree.
Two potential problems were discussed. Drinking before and during dances had been noticed. The President pointed out drinking could make dancing unpleasant for others but that EAASDC's could so little about it; that is was a club matter. Al Zimmerman pointed out that it was against the "commandments" of Square Dancing. Del Henderson said he felt that individual clubs should handle this. Rolf Bauer said clubs could handle this matter but it could cause trouble at big dances. The second problem area discussed was high kicking. While balance kicking was deemed acceptable, high kicking was judged unnecessary and dangerous. Al Zimmerman will write an article on kicking and courtesy for the Chatterbox. Rainer Jantzen advised cutting-in only in familiar squares.
The nominating committee, chaired by Wayne Dreyer, nominated Chuck Converse for President. Chuck announced his proposed Council Vice President, Dieter und Rosemarie Janssen of the Bridgehouse Twirlers; and treasurer, Harry and Dolores Waldbart of the Heidelberg Hoedowners. No secretary had been chosen. Roy Brock nominated Al Zimmerman of the Kuntry Kuzins but he declined nomination. No other nominations were made. Phil Erwin moved that nominations close. Mickey Franz seconded this motion. Motion passed. Chuck Converse said he would provide resume on all proposed council members to accompany his letter of intentions which will be mailed to all clubs.
The president opened a long discussion of the Kuntry store charter and the June chatterbox articles pertaining to it. He questioned the objectivity of the Chatterbox editorial, and some facts of Doc Karls' article; he reviewed two proposals he had made to Mr. Frenchie LaPierre; and he defined the EAASDC council's position on this matter. Marv raised the issue of the Chatterbox berating the EAASDC leadership without simultaneous presentation of the council's position. Chris Vear replied that recurring articles in the Chatterbox have later deadlines than the twentieth of the month, and he stood behind his editorial based on the facts he had at this time. He apologized to the membership for not having the council's position in he same Chatterbox. He felt that controversial issues must be presented in the Chatterbox. Marv maintained that the Chatterbox has the responsibility to present all facts before making judgements. Ed Sische felt that the editor of the Chatterbox should be free to state his opinion in his editorial. He also felt that the issue at hand was the approval of the Kuntry Store Charter. Doc Karls answered the questions raised by the President's comments and explained the details of the Kuntry Store Charter. He apologized to the membership for creating a controversy. He raised the question of the transfer of the Charter. Marv announced that he had prepared a clause for the Charter which would allow for orderly transfer of the Charter with EAASDC Executive Council approval. Al Zimmerman moved that the Charter is amended and Mr. Francis (Frenchie) J. LaPierre as new operator be approved. The motion was seconded and approved. The discussion returned to the policies of the Chatterbox but no motion was taken to change them.
Al Zimmerman reported that his Legal Office had interpreted a NATO agreement to preclude regular membership for non-American nationals. Therefore, non-Americans could not be EAASDC officers. The President said this matter had come up before and that the council would request an interpretation in writing from the USAREUR Staff Judge Advocate.
A member requested information on the earning of a seconded Friendship Badge. The membership agreed that a second badge could be earned by visiting thirteen other (not the same) clubs although they need not be EAASDC members.
The President announced the Edith Handenbein and Hermann Knöthig of the Swinging Stars had completed the requirements for the Friendship Badge and would receive them at the Saturday evening dance.
Four new dances were added to the EAASDC calendar: River Rat dance Mannheim mixers 7 August 1971 Chuck Wagon Dance Hahn hicks and chicks 14 August 1971 Dick Hoffman Dance Stuttgart Strutters 14 August 1971 Pie Supper/Box Social Worms Glow Worms 2 October 1971 The secretary reviewed the EAASDC Dance Calendar.
Al Zimmerman moved that the meeting adjourn. This motion was seconded and approved. The meeting adjourned at 1810 hours.
Nancy Converse Acting Secretary
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