Minutes from 12-9-03

 

A meeting was held at El Imperial restaurant on 12-9-03. Members present were Michael Stephens, Ann Dahn, Jack Holter, Helen Engle, Tami Augustyn, Gabriel Chancey, Bev Bowlby, Bob Bowlby, Charles Sutton, and Linda Marble.

 

It was discussed that we need improvement in our teaching style and class structure. Three levels of classes were agreed on.

                   Level 1  

                             Taught by Michael Stephens

                             Stress connection, frame, lead-follow techniques, the slot

                             Teach the basic 6 count sugar push

Left and right side passes

Ladies 11/2 turn

                   Level 2

                             Taught by Bob Bowlby

                   Level 3

                             Taught by Gabriel Chancey

Each class will run for 2 months. It will be divided into part one and two, each with a one month time period. All students will be encouraged to attend each class for two cycles. The instructors will meet to prepare a syllabus for all classes. This will be presented to the new board the beginning of January. All new procedures will be implemented in January.

 

It was also discussed that we need a new web site. The current Yahoo web site can only be used by Yahoo members. Gabriel Chancey will contact a friend who specializes in web sites. She will contact Jack Holter.

 

Other suggestions proposed were:

1)     Not have a Level 3 class for a month in order to encourage dancers                                    to work on their basic skills.

2)     Ask better dancers to stay back a level or two

3)     Stay in each level for 2 cycles --- 4 months

4)     Rewrite bylaws to change name of club. Suggestions are:

West Coast Swing Club

North Houston Swing Club

Champions Swing Club

5)     Need instructor classes or workshops to train instructors. This will be handled by Bob Bowlby.

6)     Need back up instructors.

7)     All instructors need to be consistent when teaching basics and connections even though instructors may have different styles.

8)     Instructors need to get together and compare teaching methods in order to maintain consistency.

9)     Students must challenge instructors in order to advance to another level.

 

It was requested that Jack Holter send emails to the 3 lead instructors verifying their proper address. This will allow them to get together to write the dancing curriculum.

 

The structure of the class was also discussed. The following suggestions were proposed.

1)     Social dancing with music from 7:00 to 7:30 PM

2)     Announcements

3)     Class from 7:45 to 8:30 PM

4)     Music following class with a tempo of 100 beats per minute.  Have students still rotate. Don’t dismiss class. Instructor simply fades out.

5)     Encourage experienced dancers to dance with other people.

6)     Bob Bowlby will be in charge of music.

 

The distribution of female instructors was discussed. No final decision was made.