16 May 2010 ISA Minutes

Date: 16 May 2010
The meeting began with opening prayer by Andrew Smith, Sergeant at Arms. The
25 April 2010 meeting minutes were approved without redress. The members welcome new officers Zakeeyaw Toney and Anissa Leigh. The meeting hosted 5 callers.

Members present:
1. Timothy D. Wilson, President - Washington DC **
2. Crystal Johnson, Treasurer - Virginia Beach, VA **
3. Andrew Smith, Sergeant of Arms - Fort Lauderdale, FL *
4. Zakeeyaw Toney, Vice President of Public Relations - Las Vegas, NV **
5. Sharon Mack, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Guest)

Members absent:
1. Darryl Wilder, VP of Education and Training - Miramar, FL **
2. Anissa Leigh, Vice-President of Membership - Detroit, MI *
3. Bonita Williams- Detroit, MI **
4. Buford Collins - Detroit, MI *

* Charter Member
** Life Member

Vacant positions:
• Vice-President
• Secretary




• Old Business:
• Constitution/Bi-laws: The constitution was reviewed and minor comments were made on editing and functionality. Members will continue to review and correct for final voting on 26 June 2010. ACTION: ALL

• ISA Chartering will be held on 26 June 2010. The chartering planning and ceremonial dinner is being scheduled for 26 June 2010 in Washington DC.
o The draft agenda is:
 0900 Business Meeting (6005 Plata Street)
 1300 Charter Ceremony (Lunch/Dinner) – National Archives Complex
 1900 Social Meeting and Dance (Washington DC)
o All Steppers are invited to participate in the historic occassion
o ACTION: VP of Public Relations Zakeeyaw Tone

• Membership dues: $35 (non-voting members), $50 (voting members), $100 (Charter Members), $200 (Life Membership). All fees are set until 26 June 2010. Membership fees will be reassessed after the ISA is chartered by majority vote. Membership numbers (Charter/Life Membership) will be based on payment date. All membership fees pay minimum $10 towards youth scholarship programs. ACTION: Executive Body

• Codification: The ISA is sponsoring two dance intensives in association with the Golden Dance Teachers Association. Ms. Skippy Blair will be teaching on 6-12 August and 27-30 August respectively. The location is Downey California. These sessions are open to all Steppers and uniquely designed for those desiring certification by a nationally recognized body of instructors. The GSDTA is headed by Ms. Skippy Blair (WSDC co-founder, former Arthur Murray Dance instructor). The GSDTA class limit is 10 Steppers. ACTION: Darryl Wilder, VP of Education and Training, Buford Collins and Bonita Williams

• ISA is still in need of a Vice-President and Secretary to fill those vacant positions. Volunteers should contact the ISA committee at the email address below. ACTION: Vice-President of Membership, Anissa Leigh

• Marketing and Advertisement: ISA now has a Facebook and Yahoo account. Internationalsteppersassociation@yahoo.com. ISA will be adding an e-Commerce and e-Marketing capability shortly. ACTION: VP of Public Relations; President

• Business meeting: The semi-Annual meeting will be held during the World Swing Council meeting on Saturday 27 November 2010. This will be during the World Swing Dance Council National Competition weekend. ISA there will attend as observers in an effort to prepare for 2011 participation. ACTION: ALL

• Upcoming Swing competitions: Steppers are invited to participate in all national competitions. Participation in these events will add to overall points which will allow Steppers to participate in the annual US Swing Championships. Participation will also add to the credibility of the dance. The basic 6 beat pattern allows for an ideal parallel to partner dances. Please view the informational and competition schedules below.
i. http://www.atlanticdancejam.com/winners.htm
ii. http://www.americasclassic.com/
iii. http://www.usaswingnet.com/top_dj_tunes.htm
iv. http://www.usaswingnet.com/
v. http://www.swingdancecouncil.com/

• USA Grand National Dance Championship Celebrating the 16th year as the Premier Shag/Swing Event, offering the best in Competition, Social Dancing and Accommodations. Memorial Weekend May 27 - 31, 2010. Don't forget to book your rooms and purchase tickets early. Tickets will be available only at the door after May 17th. Entry fees increase after April 27th. Contact: 770-953-4500 www.usagrandnationals.com

• Chapter affiliations will be offered in the upcoming bi-laws and constitutions. This will allow local and regional participation at the ISA level. Chapter fees are $100 per chapter. There must be seven (7) paid members per chapter. Chapters must be separated by 150 miles. The goal is to have on chapter per city distance and encourage local cooperation among Steppers. Official rules will be set at the Charter business meeting on 26 June 2010 by vote. ACTION: Executive Members

• Committees (Awards, Dance Competition, Scholarship, Youth, and Community) will be developed and promoted after all offices and officers have been filled in June 2010. At this time the priority is Executive and full membership before future programming is developed. ACTION: Executive Body

• Budget report: ISA has raised a total of $1300. ISA has a surplus of $175 after all identified expenses are paid (Social networking sites, legal, insurance, administration). We have a total of 9 paid members. The official ISA logo is paid and is legally trademarked. ACTION: Treasurer

• ISA is looking for a local city chapter to host the 2011 Annual Scholarship and Awards Convention. The chapter must be active (7 voting members) and provide a location, agenda and program to host the larger Steppin community. Detroit and Miami are 3 members short of having the first chapter in ISA. If you have questions, please email us. ACTION: Awards Committee Chair

• Market potential data: Future date will include competitive dance participation on national and international scale. Data is informational in nature only.
1. Chicago 192.1
2. Los Angeles 29.2
3. Atlanta 14.9
4. Detroit 4.5
5. Cleveland 2.5

• Marketing assistance needed: The ISA is looking for new members who have a foundation in advertising, marketing and social networking in the international arena. We would like to branch out to the international dance arena. If you are interested please email us.

The meeting ended with prayer by Andrew Smith and was adjourned at 7:43 pm.

The next ISA meeting will be held on Sunday 23 May 2010 at 7 pm Eastern
Standard Time.


Sincerely,
ISA Planning Committee Secretary


Atch:

1. Chartering Ceremony
2. August GSDTA Steppers Intensive

Friday, 25 June 2010

• 1pm ISA Officers begin arriving (Baltimore, Dulles or Washington Reagan Airport)

• 6pm ISA Reception Dinner (Zanzibar on the Waterfront)

• 9pm ISA Members Meet and Greet (Zanzibar on the Waterfront)

Saturday, 26 June 2010

• 0900-1000 ISA Business Meeting (6005 Plata Street, Clinton MD)

• 330pm – 430pm Official Chartering Ceremony
Activity: Official membership cards, Chartering of ISA, Pictures, News release (Washington Post, Miami Herald, New York Times, LA Times, Chicago Sun, Detroit News, Atlanta-Journal-Constitution, Essence, Ebony)
Location: TBA (National Archives, Smithsonian complex)

• 7pm-until ISA Celebration Events (Steppers Set TBA)
Washington DC Historical U Street
Locations: The Park at 14th, Club Tabaq, Bohemian Caverns

Sunday, 27 June 2010

• 0800 Sunday Church Service - From The Heart Church Ministries (4949 Allentown Road, Suitland MD 20746)

• 1200 ISA Officers Depart (BWI, DCA, Dulles)



Steppers Intensive
 6-12 August 2010 or 27-30 August 2010 (Steppers only workshop)
 The Golden State Dance Teachers Association
 and Ms. Skippy Blair
 What you will learn:
 History of Swing
 Difference of all dances
 Fundamentals of all forms of Dance
 Annotation and Codification
 Essentials of the Universal Unit System ®
 Steppers 101 Curriculum
 Basic Six Beat Rhythm Patterns
 Proper foot positing you did not know
 Ladies body movement and why
 Leading by understanding
 Proper terminology
 Critical Timing vs Weight Changes
 How to become a judge, certified instructor and teacher
 Rules vs Tools
 Career vs Avocation

 Benefits:
 One year membership to ISA
 Earn points toward GSDTA Certification
 Gain creditability from professional and social participation
 Competition rules and procedures
 Development of standardized curriculum and training methods
 Gain critical teaching skills that are proven
 Student retention will increase at intermediate levels
 Dance methods according to music and dance theory
 Improves your professional and social development
 Clear and concise explanation of Steppin basic patterns and dance in general
 Books, CDs, Documentation, Universal Unit System ® cards
 Over 50 years of teaching expertise
 Cost: $325 (10 Steppers only)
 Location: Downey, California
 Increased knowledge, teaching and social participation all in one intensive
 FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
 7PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME
 1-218-862-1000 ACCESS CODE: 307375#
 (ALL CALLS ARE RECORDED FOR YOUR REVIEW)


ISA ORGANIZATIONAL CHART


The International Steppers Association: fully funded, self-organized and operated professional association for Steppers and affiliate members interested in furthering the development and education of Steppin as a Swing dance forum under the World Dance Council and World Swing Dance Council.
2010 ISA overview draft agenda:
• Establish administrative International Headquarters with full constitution and bi-laws
• Seek fully paid members with established membership and associated privileges (discounts, charter membership, life time members, localized and regional affiliate chapters)
• Provide full time information and media support (1-800 #, email, website and Post Office Box)
• Develop and promote a centralized website, activities and calendar of events
• Join and support the US Swing Dance Association programming (intensive judge and instructor training, international membership and affiliate chapters and international and national competitions)
• Document and establish historical references, terminology and definitions, standardized movements and techniques and publish efforts in official periodicals
• Develop and maintain full time youth and charity programs
• Establish legitimate annual and five year budget programs to obtain 501 c 3 membership
• Host annual conventions, business and membership meetings for paid members
• Advocate for Steppers on media, legal and public relations activities
• Provide venue for international members and affiliate chapters
• Develop centralized training curriculums for judges, instructors and teachers
• Seek and obtain grants and funding from private sector donors

The current bi-laws and constitution are being drafted and developed however we need more assistance from Steppers from all areas. If you are interested in participating in this open dialogue or assisting with your talents and resources in the future please email the POCs below.

Contact us at: internationalsteppersassociation@yahoo.com
International Steppers Association Conference Call # 218-862-1000 Access Code: 307375#