MINUTES

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE CLUBS

27 NOVEMBER 1971

The general membership meeting of the European Association of American Square Dance Clubs (EAASDC) was called to order by the Association President Chuck Converse on 27 November 1971 at 1415 hours at the Platen Elementary School in Frankfurt, West Germany. There were 25 clubs present at roll call. Minutes of the last meeting were approved. The treasurer was not present to give a report.

Peter Schensick of the Berlin Square Dance Association gave a report on the Spring Jamboree. It will be held at the Schoenberger Sport Halle on 14, 15, and 16 April 1972. Peter had information packets for all the clubs and said that the program was all set for the Jamboree. There will be an advance registration for the Spring Jamboree.

Chris Vear gave information on chartering a plane for the Jamboree.

Bill Campbell from the Berlin Dancing Bears had some information of the Berlin duty train. He said there would be no problem as far as space was concerned as the train can carry 300 to 400 people. Bill also stated that one person from each club should make reservations for group travel orders. He urged everyone to make reservations early and specify that you are going for square dancing at the Spring Jamboree in Berlin.

Fred Maddox stated that you should have your request for flag orders in at least 30 days in advance to USAREUR headquarters.

Chuck Converse said to decide early, let your Club representative know and make reservations. You can always cancel them, but it takes time to get flag orders. DO NOT CALL CHUCK TO GO ON THE DUTY TRAIN.

Dave Bourne stated that any military sponsored American with a passport or ID card can travel on the duty train.

Chuck discussed the reinstatement of clubs. When a club does not pay dues, the membership in EAASDC lapses. A club need only pay their dues to be a member of the Association again.

Soest Belles and Beaux, Dortmund requested re-activation. The club dances on Tuesday at 1930 hours. A motion was made, seconded and approved for the club to be re-activated.

Harry and Verna Calladine paid for an associated membership for a club at Verdun, France. Chuck sent an EAASDC information kit and a letter to the club. Maria Martin wrote that the club there still is growing, and would rather wait until the club builds up more to join. The $ 5.00 for the associate membership went to Chris and Ruthie for a subscription to the Chatterbox to be sent to Verdun. This club dances on Sunday afternoon and welcomes visitors.

The proposed Record Shop Charter was discussed. The charter simply gives EAASDC's blessing for the record shop and allows them a monopoly at all jamborees and round-ups. Wayne Dryer made a motion to accept the charter and Peter Schensick seconded it. The motion was approved.

Chuck brought up a proposed constitution change to be voted on at the next meeting. There are six spaces for board members of the association, one of them being the publications editor. Since Chris and Ruthie began putting out the Chatterbox under charter, this spot has been vacant. Chuck proposed changing the title from publication editor to project director. His primary job will be to oversee the Round-Up. The proposed change to the constitution would change Article 4, section 1 from Publication Editor to Project Director. The associated bylaws change would be Article 1, section 7 and will read as follows:

It shall be the duty of the Project Director to provide guidance and coordination between the Association and member clubs in the preparation and conduct of the Round-Up. He will serve as the focal point for all information relative to scheduling, club assistance, facilities, etc. Additionally, he will serve as the Association coordinator and point of contact at the request of the president for such other special projects the Association may undertake i.e. tours, caravans, etc.

Chuck then gave a report on the EAASDC and ECTA board meeting. One item was ECTA starting a Caller's Clinic in February in Heidelberg. The clinic will be run by Rudi Pohl, Dick Thelander and Bob Falconi. Bill Pace asked if EAASDC will give scholarships. Chuck said no, ECTA had not asked for any. This clinic is open to all EAASDC members, no experience necessary. Rudi Pohl stated that it is very important for anyone taking the classes to bring a partner.

There will be a free ECTA sponsored dance on 20 May 1972. The tentative site will be in Mannheim. This is ECTA's gift to all of you.

The EAASDC sponsored Round-Up for 1972 was discussed. It will be held 1, 2, 3, and 4 September. There will be no Sets in Order tour this year, but there is a possibility of another tour.

Skeets Szczechowicz of the Kuntry Kuzins, Wiesbaden bid for the Summer Jamboree. There were no other bids for the Summer Jamboree. Members present voted to have the Summer Jamboree in Wiesbaden.

Chuck discussed the couple that have sold suits at Jamborees and Round-Ups. It was decided they would not be permitted at Association sponsored functions because they have been bothering Frenchie and the two ladies that work with him. Chuck recommended that clubs sponsoring special dances and having Frenchie there do not allow this man and his wife to be there.

There were 13 requests for Friendship Badges turned in. These were to be awarded to Ken and Laura Golding, Lee, Joyce and Ray Dahlstrom, Carrie and Jim Roslmair, Chuck and Donna Glasco, Tom and Renate Kalal, Tom and Georgia Kelley.

Chris Vear gave information on a proposed tour to England. The tour will be from 4 thru 11 June 1972 and can be by bus or plane. Chris will have a hard plan prepared at the castle Dance.

Chuck stated there is a new USAREUR reg 230-3 published 15 July 71 that says your club constitution has to be re-approved annually. This is for all clubs chartered under the Army Area Commander. EAASDC needs a copy only when you amend or re-write your constitution.

A member of the Paws and Taws, Bitburg asked if round dancing is considered a part of square dancing activities. Chuck stated that it definitely is a part of square dancing.

Frank Stampfuss of the Stintfang SDC questioned the fact that EAASDC as a private organization comes under so much US Army control. Chuck stated that most of the clubs are American military assigned to USAREUR and USAFE and our constitution must be approved by Hqs USAREUR. This is the way it was originally set up 15 or 16 years ago. Frank also asked if a German club or an associate member club could host a jamboree. Any full or associate member can host a jamboree.

Lynn Sandstrom as Liaison to ECTA's made a few announcements for ECTA. She stated that dancers are needed for the callers workshop in the morning, that the flyer for the Student Jamboree has 19 hours of dance. There will be open rounds at 1900 hours to 20000 hours at the student jamboree. Lynn also asked clubs planning on having round dancing at their special dances to please notify a round dance instructor so they can be prepared and put their name on flyers for rounds.

Bob Shrewsbury has forms for each club to fill out so we can have a current roster of clubs and more information on them. Please fill these forms out and return them.

A lot of German dancers really appreciate the letters that are published in German in the Chatterbox so they will continue.

Frank Stampfuss of Stintfang SDC will contact German folk dance leaders and see if they are interested in square dancing.

The next general membership meeting will be at Patrick Henry Village in the school building next to the Kindergarten at 1400 hours on February 1972.

The Association calendar is reviewed. A current listing of special dances is published in the chatterbox. Bill Pace announced he would graduate ten squares the middle of May.

Tony Muller apologized if any club did not receive flyers as they were mailed several weeks before the jamboree. He also announced that the Beaux and Belles would have a nursery.

Jim Hinkel of the Paws and Taws made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Lou Dryer seconded it and the motion was approved. The meeting adjourned at 1645 hours.

Betty McGown,

EAASDC Secretary