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THE LATEST FROM YOUR DANCING BOARD
Summer 2010
Publisher: The Executive Board
See our newsletter archives
Contents:
We Are You...
Yes We Can Can...
"Simply Soaring"
Festival Every Two Years
Sacred Dance Flash Mob
Praying in the Shower, Dancing in the Light...
Share What You Wear
Resources Corner
SDG Board of Directors
Ballot 2010/2011
Annual General Meeting Minutes
WE ARE YOU
As your volunteer SDG Board prepares for our Summer Board Meeting, Annual General Meeting, and Festival 2010 "Simply Soaring" amidst times that are real tight in the money flow, event attendance, and volunteer work areas, we are well aware of the fact that many other non-profits are really struggling to stay alive if they haven't already shut down their performances.
We have come a long way this past year in streamlining our finances, restructuring our out-dated administrative systems, turning our Website into a real Sacred Dance resource and networking tool for us all, and extending our programming into global outreach. Your "small in numbers but large in creative ideas" Board rolled up their sleeves and are dancing, leaping and twirling into action designed to keep SDG being our world's Sacred Dance collective/ association that it has evolved into over 52+ years.
However, the bottom line for your Sacred Dance Guild is that we can't "Grow and Green" without YOU. We can't continue legally without a Board of Directors. It has become harder and harder to find SDG members who can commit to doing all the work our Board has to do without an Executive Director and with local groups/chapters no longer stepping up to producing our festivals. We also do not have adequate money to pay for The Board's travel expenses in these tight times for Board members who donate many hours each week of their own time and resources to SDG: for YOU.
And we can't continue economically if our attendance to our events for YOU remains abnormally low and our members continue to have to choose between renewing their memberships or feeding their families. Our registrations for our Simply Soaring Festival are barely 1/3 of what we need it to be: we need a dancing miracle in order to not lose thousands of dollars. Many of our regular sacred dancers simply can't afford to come this year. While we do have 10 tuition scholarships available, getting time off from work and paying for travel/room/board are huge challenges right now.
So, what CAN WE do because in SDG WE ARE YOU?
- WE CAN find creative ways to enable ourselves to attend,coordinate or work at SDG events...
- WE CAN recruit others to become members, to attend our programs, to give what they can...
- WE CAN solicit donors and business supporters who need to use their larger amounts of money to help heal and enlighten the world such as dancing the sacred does...
- WE CAN volunteer to work with or on our Board, to coordinate SDGO benefit Concerts,to help produce local workshops, to help with Sacred Dance promotion, resources, programs, and development...
- WE CAN keep on dancing the sacred and sharing our pictures, resources, works, writings, suggestions, newspaper articles, quotes, questions and more through our website...
Our CAN CAN Sacred Dancers will be performing in less than two months at our Simply Soaring Festival in Connecticut,USA... If you are not going to be able to attend, send us your prayers and others who CAN. And let us know what YOU CAN do in keeping SDG DANCING!!!
Ready to "Simply Soar" with YOU...
JoyBeth Lufty for your SDG Board, President Pres@sacreddanceguild.org
YES WE CAN CAN...
JoyBeth Lufty
Yes, WE CAN individually, and thus collectively, dance our way through these challenging times. And here are a few of the ways our SDG is doing it:
OUR JOURNAL... has now been retired from being printed and postal mailed. It moved in a blaze of colorful glory to being an online Journal, accessible and printable by you at all times. Don't forget that we need your articles, pictures, reviews, calendar notices, and more sent electronically to PR2@sacreddanceguild.org by Sept. 15th for our Fall 2010 issue.
OUR ARCHIVES... have also moved into being electronically handled as of Jan. 1, 2010. If you have any paper/boxed archives that need to be delivered to UNH, we'd like them to be there by the end of this August. Please contact me at Pres@sacreddanceguild.org about both our paper and electronic delivery systems.
CALLING ALL CHAPTERS: It's time to let us know how your SDG year went. Please send all your reports electronically to me Pres@sacreddanceguild.org by July 15th. And don't forget to send your newsletters to us so we can get them online under our Headlines section. THANK YOU for CAN canning with us...
TRAVELING WORKSHOP PILOT: Our first SDG Traveling Workshop was held in Ottawa Canada this past May. Look for a report on it and the progress we're making on getting our Traveling Workshops up and running in our Fall Journal and online at www.sacreddanceguild.org.
2010 BOARD BALLOT: Our 2010 Board Ballot is at the end of this newsletter and available online. Because it has been increasingly hard to get members to commit to working on our Board in these challenging times, we have streamlined it to 3 officers and 8 Co-directors. We are especially appreciative to all those Board members who have extended their commitments an additional year. This year, we have been unable to fill The Development CoDirectors and will accept write in's through Presidential appointment. We are also in need of strong Vice President/President candidates. Please let Lisa Michaels at VP@sacreddanceguild.org know if you are interested in any of our Board positions.
WEBSITE ADDITIONS: We are continuing to add to our website all the information about our expanding ways we are supporting one another. So drop by every once in a while and have fun exploring and joining in...
SIMPLY SOARING
A Sacred Dance Festival
July 26-31, 2010
Connecticut College, New London, CT
Explore ~ Energize
It is almost here! Be ready to soar with the dynamic Festival 2010 presenters; Kathy Hart Gray, of Northern Virginia Community College, Kathryn Sparks of the Wesley Theological Seminary, Phyllis Stonebrook of Columbia, MD, David Taylor all the way from Denver, CO, Jane Wellford of Elon University in Burlington, NC. Be prepared to be divinely inspired, and to celebrate all that is dance.
Experience
Dance, Donate and Celebrate in the Largest Sacred Dance Flash Mob in the New England area, a benefit for the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut and the opportunity to dance with world-renowned dancer and choreographer, Marylee Hardenbergh, of Global Site Performance. Just imagine dancing on a beautiful summers ‘eve, just before sunset on the New London, CT pier. Do not miss taking advantage of the wonderful opportunity to be a part of this landmark event. A $10 donation and a pair of shoes, for a woman or a child is all you will need to join the dance community and the wider community in giving to this most worthy cause.
Enjoy ~ Share What You Wear Fashion Show on Thursday.
What's your favorite costume? This year we are hosting a “Share What You Wear” Fashion Show. Bring your favorite and be ready to walk (or dance) the runway. Dance Distributors will also be bringing costumes and dancewear for the fashion show.
Enrich ~
Your life with a trip to Jacob’s Pillow, THE place for all dancers to visit at least once in their lives. Details on the SDG web site.
Have you visited the SDG website this week? "Simply Soaring" Festival 2010 has weekly updates for all things "Festival".
Check us out at http://www.sacreddanceguild.org
If you have not seen it yet, our all-new, full color, online spring 2010 SDG Journal, has lots of festival pictures and information. Register; learn about all Festival 2010 events and much more at http://www.sacreddanceguild.org
There are still many volunteer opportunities, both before and during the festival, for you. Join Team Soar, the 2010 Festival designers. Contact Festival Co-Directors, Mary Kamp at Prog2@sacreddanceguild.org or Wendy Morrell at Prog@sacreddanceguild.org
"Dance is for everybody. I believe that dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people" -- Alvin Ailey
FESTIVAL EVERY TWO YEARS
We sure hope you can join us this year for festival because we won’t have another one until 2012! Our current policy is a biennial festival. So come dancing together with us soon. Lisa Michaels VP
SACRED DANCE FLASH MOB
A Real Public Relations Experience!
Sacred Dance Gives the Sole: A Sacred Dance Flash Mob Benefit
Highlight of SDG Festival 2010
July 26-31 Connecticut College – New London, CT
By Linda Telesco, Public Relations Co-Director
What could be more "public" and "relational" than a The Sacred Dance Guild's first even Flash Mob Benefit? We'll dance in public. We'll relate to one another and to our environment in a dynamically vibrant dance. And, we'll be doing good for a worthy local cause.
Sacred Dance Gives the Sole is a highlight of this year's SDG Festival, Simply Soaring (Here's the overview: On July 29, all Festival attendees and members of general public who sign up to join us will venture down to the New London Pier and, when darkness falls, we'll dance, dance, dance. Why? Because! That's the beauty of dance.
Come and be both witness to and agent of the transformational power of dance. Public dances create powerful shifts in how people perceive their everyday environment. You'll be part of that, and you'll feel the dynamic energy that surges when a group of dancing individuals come together to make something unique happen.
Marylee Hardenbergh, a renowned choreographer of site performances will lead the experience and start us out with a choreography workshop on both the day before and day of the Flash Mob. I danced in a site specific piece created with Marylee in New York City last year, and I will never forget the emotional impact of the experience. I have walked along Manhattan’s Lexington Avenue many, many times in my dance career, but on this day, the streetscape shifted as a dozen dancers jumped, skipped, and twirled from curb to curb, through a sudden storm, our bright yellow and blue rain slickers reflecting luminously in the puddles as we splashed through. For a few moments, we changed the world around us, causing passersby to stop and watch the urban fantasy unfolding before them. And we were changed, aware of our movement power.
Come dance with us. Be part of our historic first flash mob and of Festival 2010, too.
Don't forget to bring a pair of shoes for a child or a woman. These will be donated to the Women's Center of Southeast Connecticut, a social services agency for victims of domestic violence.
For more information about the Flash Mob and Festival 2010: visit www.sacreddanceguild.org
PRAYING IN THE SHOWER, DANCING IN THE LIGHT...
Twenty years ago, my doctor and I decided it was a good time for me to stop teaching ballet. Turnout had taken its toll on my hips and knees. Shortly thereafter, praying in the shower, I asked God to help me find a safer way to dance. The answer to my prayer was Skyloom Liturgical dance group. This group of creative, spiritual and beautiful women has danced me down the path to soar as a sacred dancer and grow spiritually as a member of the Sacred Dance Guild.
Fast forward to a year before my 60th birthday. There I am again praying in the shower... "God, please let me perform on stage one more time with full make up, costume and lights." The answer to this more recent prayer is Encore Dance Ensemble. Encore is also a group of creative, spiritual and beautiful women. We are all former professional dancers who have returned to dance performance after years of diverse and multiple careers.
I am delighted that I will be performing with both Skyloom and Encore at the SDG Festival guest concert on July 27th in Evans Hall at Connecticut College. Skyloom will dance a lovely meditation prayer choreographed by longtime SDG member, Gloria Castano, to a Vivaldi cantata.
Encore will present "...And the angels sigh", a dance narrative choreographed by Christine Vozella as an expression of her love, admiration and mourning for her mother who lost her battle with cancer. This thirty-minute piece is an expression of life, love and memories through the eyes of a child. Christine’s earliest memory is of her parents swing dancing in the kitchen. Thus the piece opens with the dancers clad in 1950’s vintage housewife dresses dancing with laundry baskets to big band music. From there it proceeds to an improvisation of fetish coupon clipping and plastic bag folding to Gregorian chant.
Christine's Mom, Theresa, was very proud to have a career outside of the home and was a registered nurse. She saved all her nurses uniforms over the years. Encore dancers proudly don these uniforms as we dance her story of emotional strength and physical weakness. I have the honor of portraying Theresa in the final scene. At the debut performance, a ray of setting sunlight shone through a window and bathed me in splendid golden light as I danced Theresa’s transition to spirit. My humble prayer was again answered, this time with a spotlight straight from the Divine.
I look forward to seeing your dances and hearing your stories at Festival 2010 as we soar together in light and love. In the meantime, try praying in the shower. You will be amazed at the results and insights you will receive. By the way, I am back to teaching ballet requiring many hot, soothing and prayerful showers!
Elaine Sisler
SHARE WHAT YOU WEAR
Welcome, those of you attending the SDG Festival, Simply Soaring in Conneticut this July! On tap for Thursday is "Share What You Wear," a fashion show for us! If you would like to bring a favorite costume, or be a model for others, please e-mail me at gailconway@cox.net. Dance Distributers will be there with costumes, but we also want to see your favorites and HEAR ABOUT THEM.
I'll be making my form for the fashion show, so please send me this information:
- Your name
- The costume designer
- Music or venues that work for this costume
- Model's name (or I need a model).
Example:
Hi! I'm Gail Conway. I designed a flowing pants with half skirt overlay.
The original version was from a Simplicity pattern for the pants that hitch up between the legs and tie at the waist. I added more fabric to the wrapped part and allowed it to drape in the front. I used two hues of a color with the darker on the top.
This costume works for a lyrical piece in which you want the leg lifts seen, but also want the flow of a skirt.
I need a model: size 8
See you at Festival!
Gail Conway
Res2@sacreddanceguild.org
RESOURCES CORNER
Dancewear: http://www.riversedgedancewear.com/litdandres1.html I haven't heard anything about them good or bad. They seem to have the basic outfits, but the prices seem a little lower than some of the big dance catalogs.
Books: Dance - The Sacred Art: The Joy of Movement as Spiritual Practice (The Art of Spiritual Living) by our own Cynthia Winton-Henry. Available from Amazon.com for $14. Buy the book and get it signed at one of Cynthia’s workshops or our Festivals!
Videos: http://www.jewishsacreddance.com Latifa always has good things for Jewish dances, both Orthodox and Messianic.
Music: Villancicos y Cantada: Sacred Songs and Dances from Latin American and Spain (by various composers). It is available at Amazon.com for $18 plus you can listen to the songs before buying either the album or the individual song.
Let me know of any Resources you find out there so we can share them!
Kat Pettycrew Resources Co-director
Executive Board Members
Officers, 2009-2010
- President: JoyBeth Lufty (ME/TX)
- Vice-President: Lisa Michaels (GA)
- Secretary/Treasurer: Marcia Miller (CT)
Directors, 2009-2010
- Programs: Wendy Morrell (ON, Canada), Mary Kamp (OH)
- Public Relations: Linda Telesco (NJ), Elaine Sisler (MA)
- Resources: Kathlene Pettycrew (NJ), Gail Conway (VA)
BALLOT 2010/2011
This ballot presents a slate of officers and directors for the coming year, 2010-2011. Ballots will be counted at the Annual Membership Meeting, July 28,2010, Connecticut College, New London, CT.
You may vote in one of four ways:
- Download and print your ballot and mail it to SDG, 550M Ritchie Highway, #271, Serverna Park, MD 21146.
- Download and print your ballot and fax it to the SDG office: 410-544-4640.
- Vote in person at the annual meeting in Connecticut.
- Vote online at our online form. Please note that you MUST be logged in to view the form and vote. After clicking the link here, you will get an error message if you are not logged in. Click on the blue "login" link on the right and login. You can find the ballot in the top bar of the Members Only section.
The deadline for mailing, faxing and e-voting is July 15, 2010. Please sign your ballot when possible.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
We're sending these minutes now so that we can save from printing them for our Annual General Meeting coming up during "Simply Soaring". And so you can read them at your leisure...
ANNUAL MEETING
Caldwell College, NJ
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Call to Order – The Annual Meeting of the Sacred Dance Guild was called to order by President Karen Josephson at 1:00 p.m. Karen then led attendees in a dance "Come on In, You're Welcome Here".
Acceptance of 2008 Minutes
It was moved by Phyllis Stonebrook and seconded by Eva Donner that the minutes of the 2008 annual meeting be accepted. MOTION CARRIED
Vote on New Board Members
Joy Beth Lufty reported she was in possession of the ballots that were sent in prior to the meeting and on line and then collected additional ballots from individuals present.
State of the Guild
President Karen Josephson provided her State of the Guild report.
Financial Report
Joy Beth Lufty, on behalf of Marcia Miller, reported on current SDG operating finances for this fiscal year as follows:
- Income Budged: $24,640.00
- Deficit projected: $ 7,620.00
- Deficit as of Aug. 1 $8,706.38
Assets & Liabilities – It was noted that the majority of SDG funds are currently identified as restricted and cannot; therefore, be used for operating expenses. The SDG has approximately $10,000 in our operating account and has projected expenses of $10,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year. It was reported that most membership dues are collected in the first half of the year and therefore are included in the above income. The Board is now considering all options to increase memberships during the remainder of the year to address immediate issues. If we are to be able to operate past Jan 1, 2010 we must increase memberships in the next few months and must find other alternatives to sustain a viable financial situation.
Board Members
President Elect, Joy Beth Lufty announced that there are three Board positions for the upcoming year that are currently not filled. These are: Co-director Development, Co-director Membership and Secretary. All are welcome to consider these positions and to contact Joy Beth if interested.
Recognition of those Present
President Karen Josephson welcomed those other than Board members and attendees introduced themselves and where they were from.
Questions from the floor:
Vivian Nicholl asked about the "Co" directorships on the ballot as this practice has not been in place in the past and is not included in the current By-Laws.
The President responded that this was a policy decision of the Board to address issues related to the challenge in finding individuals willing to take Board positions and it was felt that having a “co” director would both encourage Board participation and would create additional efficiencies and effectiveness. This will be evaluated and, if determined that this is the future practice, By-Law changes would then be put to a membership vote.
Mary Jane Wolbers asked why an agenda and minutes from the previous meeting had not been made available to members/attendees.
The President responded that this was an oversight and noted for future
Vivian Nicholl suggested that we might consider encouraging lapsed members to renew at a reduced rate to assist in addressing immediate financial issues and to encourage renewals. Suggestion noted.
Ballot Results Announcement
President Elect Joy Beth Lufty reported that the ballots had been counted with 68 affirmative, 0 no votes and 1 abstention.
Introduction of new Board Members
President Karen Josephson introduced incoming Co-Membership Director Deena Sherman and incoming Vice President Lisa Michaels. Karen also welcomed incoming Co -Development Director Patty Carr who was not able to be at the meeting.
Announcement of SD-GO & Festival 2010
Culture Fest - Elaine Sisler reported on the upcoming "Culture Fest" event to be held in Lexington, MA on Sept. 18, 19 and 20, 2009. The focus of the event is to connect globally and to support dancers in need. Elaine reported that shortly after Festival 208 the videographer from Festival 08 (and previous festivals 07 and 03), Charome Kaocharoen had done filming in Armenia for the COAF (Children of Armenia Fund). He was overwhelmed with the beauty and enthusiasm of children taking dance classes in Armenia and started a fund with a personal donation of $100.00 to support youth dancing in Armenia. A portion of proceeds from the Culture Fest Event will be donated to this fund. Culture Fest will include a Friday evening "social", Saturday workshops by various cultural dance groups and a Sunday afternoon Benefit Concert to be held at the National Heritage Museum. Information is on the Web Site.
All payments and registration will be paid at the door. Ads are available in the Program Book at a cost of $25.00.
Festival 2010 – Mary Kamp reported the Colorado had been a site considered for Festival 2010 however local SDG members were not able to find an appropriate/workable location and did not feel they had sufficient local support to be able to successfully coordinate (even with the leadership of the SDG Program Directors and Board) and recently advised they were not prepared to host the 2010 event. The Board is currently considering Elon College (in Raleigh, NC) as well as Caldwell College, NJ and Connecticut College, CT. The dates of Festival will be dependent on availability. If the Festival is held at Elon there is also consideration of linking in some manner with ADF (the American Dance Festival) which is happening at Duke University in late July/early August. It was suggested that the Guild consider having the Festival go over a weekend (i.e. Thursday to Tuesday) rather than Sunday to Friday to accommodate people to attend on the weekend. It was noted that this has been done in some years and that both options have benefits and downsides and would be considered for 2010.
Adjourn
President Karen Josephson passed the President's "bell" on to President Elect Joy Beth Lufty who then led the attendees in a Body Prayer. The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
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