MINUTES of the

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE CLUBS

15 April 1972

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 15 April 1972 at 15.10 hours at the Schoeneberger Sporthalle in West Berlin. There were 18 clubs present at roll call. Minutes of the last meeting were approved. The treasurer was not present to give a report.

Charles Smith of the Kuntry Kuzins gave a report on the Summer Jamboree. It will be held at the Wiesbaden Community Center on 30 June, 1 and 2 July. The theme of the summer jamboree will be "A touch of Orient". Admission price for the three day jamboree will be $ 3.00 or $ 2.00 if you register in advance. They will also have camping area for people who want to camp.

Chuck Converse announced that the Round Up will be held 1, 2, 3 Sept. at the Bürgerhaus in Mörfelden. There will be a tour from the states here for this event. Harold Bausch will be the caller for Saturday night's dance. He will also conduct a caller's clinic and have square and round dance workshops. There is a fashion show scheduled for Sunday and the possibility of a tour of a brewery in Frankfurt. Admission will be $ 2.50 at the door or $ 2.00 if you register in advance. A list of hotels will be included and please make reservation early as there will be a Messe starting on 4 Sept.

Nancy Converse gave the details of the proposed trip to England. She had been working with Chris and Ruthie and the Manning's in London on getting all the many details needed for such a trip.

At the last general membership meeting, it was voted in favor of establishing the position of Project Director. With the board's approval, Chuck appointed Larry and Joan Vogel to fill this position.

Chuck announced a nominating committee consisting if the Chairman, Smitty and Beth Smith, Marv and Sylvia Leibowitz, Ed and Su Evans. The purpose of the nominating committee is to obtain the name of at least one candidate for the office of President of EAASDC. The committee will give their report at the Summer Jamboree. At this time, nominations from the floor will be accepted. All nominations must be made at the Summer Jamboree, there will be no nominations accepted at the Fall Round Up.

There were four new clubs requesting membership in EAASDC. Joe Limbaugh requested membership for the Schwäbisch Sweethearts of Neu-Ulm. At present they have 21 members dancing every Saturday at 7.30. The club President is Bob Potter and the Caller is Bud Morris. They were voted on and approved for membership in EAASDC.

Ismir Squares in Turkey requested as A ssociate Membership. Their constitution was in order and they send money for the dues. This club dances every Saturday at 7.30 at the Ismir Elementary School cafeteria. This club also was approved for membership.

Maple Leaf Rounders dance every Sunday from 7.30 to 10.30 in the High School gym at Baden-Baden under the guidance of Bob and Rita Bowyer. They were approved subject to receipt of their constitution.

Bob Campbell requested membership for the Tulip Twirlers of Haarlem, Netherlands. This club dances every Thursday at 8.00 pm in Fluor Ned. BV. canteen, Schipolweg the Spaarne, Haarlem. Their constitution was in order and they were accepted for membership in EAASDC.

SIO American Square Dance Society recommends having square dance week from 18 to 24 September. They have bumper stripes and posters printed for that week and the previous week. Lynn Sandstrom said that most callers will be starting classes between 11 and 17 September. EAASDC sent for the posters for that week and hey will be distributed to all member clubs. Each club should get out and publicize square dance week.

Peter Schensick from the Berlin Swinging Bears wanted to know if we could make our own posters in brighter colors which would be more eye catching. Chuck thought they would be less expensive from SIO since they print so many. Vern Hoover of the Heidelberg Hoedowners suggested we mention to SIO by letter to make the posters more eye catching for the next year.

Six friendship badge forms were returned in to Chuck for these people to receive the badge. They were Cindy, Bonnie and Pete Newton of the Hicks & chicks, Inge Stölk of the Mannheim Mixers and Ed and Susan Evans of the Buttons & Bows.

Vern Hoover of the Heidelberg Hoedowners wanted to know how many clubs people can dance at in one night when working on their friendship badge. Chuck stated that the rules are on the form saying that you must dance with 13 different clubs. Chuck also said that the EAASDC board feels that to enforce the spirit of the friendship badge you should dance only with one club for the entire evening. If the club caller or officers do not sign the form until the end of the dance, it will eliminate people going to more than one club a night. The point of the badge is to dance with other clubs and make new friends thru square dancing. There is no time limit on dancing with the 13 different clubs.

Harald Zahr of the Button & Bows wanted to know why the friendship badge form cannot be signed for a paid special dance when you have to go quite a distance to get there. Chuck said that special dances are advertised as such and attract a lot of people for the special evening. The form must be signed at a regular club dance.

Eileen Gavett of the Gateway Twirlers mentioned that clubs check on day and time in the Chatterbox because the Chatterbox isn't always up to date. Chuck said that clubs should keep their listing current so it will be possible for the Chatterbox to print the correct information. (All clubs were given a form and asked to fill it out and return it so we would have current information. Very few clubs have returned the form).

Ray Phillips of Hoedowners wanted to know if a club can charge people to dance if they are not wearing any club badge or do not have their EAASDC green card. Chuck stated that this is up to each club to decide what to do in a situation of this type.

Nancy Converse said that at the Wiesbaden Anniversary Dance Frenchie LaPierre announced that German customs police had confiscated his Kuntry Store. He requested aid from EAASDC in helping him in this situation. EAASDC's contract with Frenchie is to provide a market for his store. We have no financial responsibility, but Chuck does feel we have a moral responsibility. Nancy went to the customs police and they said that the status of Forces agreement states that people on active duty may bring goods to APO addresses for their own use, but not to sell. Frenchie is retired and must abide by German laws. Frenchie was not paying customs. The whole matter was under investigation and will not be discussed until it is settled. Anyway, Frenchie's business has been closed. Nancy said that there is a German company called the Western Store that carries boots and ties, mostly things for men.

Peter Schensick said that maybe for future use any German that pays taxes and knows German laws should be able to run the Kuntry Store. The prices may have to be a little higher due to customs, but it would still be a convenience.

Ray Phillips said that EAASDC does have a big moral obligation to help Frenchie as much as possible since the Kuntry Store was originally association backed.

Al Foy of the Berlin Dancing Bears stated that if enough people put in slips at the PX they would carry some of the merchandise. Nancy said that customs police also suggested this.

Vern Hoover wanted to know how this would affect the record shop. Lynn Sandstrom said the record shop only sells to people with APO box and he has made the necessary legal arrangements.

Lynn Sandstrom announced that ECTA caller's clinic will graduate new callers 6 May at Patrick Henry Village from 1.00 to 4.00 pm. She also reminded everyone about the ECTA sponsored dance in Mannheim on 20 May.

Chuck announced the next general membership meeting would be held 1 July in Wiesbaden. At this time nominations for the next President will be given. The calendar was reviewed for upcoming special dances (see current listing in Chatterbox). Doc Panholzer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Vern Hoover and carried. The meeting adjourned at 4.15 pm.

Betty McGown

EAASDC Secretary