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Chairman and Convenors page
From the Chairman
Andrew Kellett, RSCDS Chairman
It is a privilege to be Chairman of the RSCDS. I see, hear and read about the fantastic work that you, our members, are doing to promote Scottish country dancing and to help the Society move forward. Hopefully, it does not usually seem like work, but every time you take to the dance floor or play a dance tune or share your enthusiasm for SCD you are helping the RSCDS achieve its mission of creating a vibrant, worldwide community of Scottish dancers and musicians. Some of you, I know, do work very hard on behalf of the Society. Teachers, branch committee members, my colleagues on the Board and Management Committees and many others give hours of their time so that we can all enjoy dancing and the RSCDS can continue to operate. To all of you, a very sincere thank you.
Everyone involved in working for the Society knows it is important to plan ahead. Four years ago the RSCDS consulted widely on a Business Plan for 2017-20. That period is coming to a close and you can read how we performed against the Plan on the website:
rscds.org/about/governance/legal-administrative
At an Awayday in January the Board began work on a new Business Plan for 2020-24. We looked at the responses to the earlier consultative exercise and shared ideas with Committee members and staff. The draft Plan has been sent to branches for comment. It has four strategic aims:
1) To promote Scottish dancing globally as a fun and friendly activity
2) To help branches promote Scottish dancing in their area.
3) To provide appropriate support for Scottish dance teachers and musicians
4) To strengthen RSCDS governance and finance.
Beneath them are specific actions, some of which are still being developed. One of those actions is to ensure that we have people with the right skills and talents on the Management Board and Committees. A successful organisation has a strong leadership team, and it is especially important for the RSCDS in the next few years that we have a first-rate team in place. Some of the people we elect on to the Board and Committees this autumn will be leading the Society in our Centenary year. If you want to help the Society and you have something to offer, do think seriously about putting yourself forward. Alternatively, you could nominate, with their permission, fellow members whom you believe have the ability to work at Board level. You can read more about what is involved on page 5, or have a look at the website rscds.org/volunteering or drop me an email at chairman@rscds.org If that’s not for you, think about volunteering for your local branch. Many branch committees are under-strength, and I am sure they too would welcome an injection of fresh talent and ideas in time for the Centenary.
The next few years will be an exciting time for the Society at every level, and we all have a role to play whether you are in the Board Room or extending a helpful hand on the dance floor.
Education and Training
Anne Taylor, Conenor
This is my first report for Scottish Country Dancer since taking up my appointment in November. At this point in time I am still settling in, although I have served on the E&T Committee a few times.
I am very happy to announce that the current Dancing Achievement Award (DAA) dances are now on-line on the website and although I have personally thanked the dancers who put themselves forward to be filmed, I take this opportunity to extend my grateful thanks to all those involved: organisers, teachers, dancers and musicians.
The main task of the Committee has been to continue the work done on the Core Training for Instructors of Social and General Classes (CTI). The Committee felt that we should deliver this as soon as possible, and in order to do so, we have formed a sub-group who are looking at streamlining the CTI. We are also in the process of compiling a register of RSCDS qualified Teachers. This links in to one of our Strategic Plans identified in the Business Plan.
Winter School took place from 16 to 21 February. From now on the Winter School Co-ordinator will undertake two years in post, which means that William Williamson will be Co-ordinator for 2021. Numbers for Summer School are improving. However, due to financial decisions which had to be made, we were late in advertising. Our early bird applications have, therefore, been extended. We have retained Junior Summer School and the Youth classes to be held during week 2. A Ceilidh dancing class with simple Scottish country dances has been introduced in weeks 1 and 2. Teaching Skills courses will be in weeks 2 and 4. The Musicians’ Course is in week 3 with the Class Musicians’ Course in week 4. All the above are, as usual, dependent on numbers attending. We also hope to offer you up-to-date CTI developments by giving explanatory talks during the four weeks of Summer School.
We have good working relationships with national and international groups where Scottish country dancing takes place, whether it is the School Accreditation Programme, children’s classes and Medal Tests, adult classes, the DAA, Teacher’s Certificate classes, Examinations, Summer Schools and Winter Schools or just keeping in touch. We liaise with the Youth Services Committee and those organising Spring Flings and Fringes. There is no doubt that we are a National and International Organisation and we will try to help you wherever you are in the world.
I would like to thank members of our office staff at HQ for being on hand when help is required. I hope to meet up with you in 2020/21. Please introduce yourself wherever and whenever we may meet.
Membership Services
Peter Knapman, Convenor
As I am sure most of you will all be aware, the Membership Services Committee was short of three members following the Autumn Gathering in November. I am now pleased to be able to let you know that since then we have recruited two people to join the committee as co-opted members for the remainder of this year. They are Ainslie Dunnett and Keith Rose. I would like to thank them both for agreeing to give up some of their time in helping out on the various projects being progressed.
The main project for last year was to publish Thirty Popular Dances – Volume Two, which has been selling well. I do hope you have seen a copy or better still bought one. So far it seems to have been well received. Please let us know if you appreciate this type of book – additional information rather than just dance instructions. We have had some questions along the lines of – if this is volume two then where is number one? Volume One was, of course, the original Thirty Popular Scottish Country
Dances, published in the 1990s. Updating this original book to produce a matching volume again with additional information seems like a worthwhile exercise. This would leave us with volume one containing mostly traditional dances and volume two with more modern dances all of which have, in historic terms, been recently devised.
The next combined volume of dances in A5 format is also being published this year covering books 39 to 45. The video project is progressing and it is anticipated that the initial edited videos will be available soon.
Other publications for the year include a book of six dances associated with Sir Walter Scott. This will be based on a leaflet that was originally published in 1820 and includes dances associated with Walter Scott’s novel The Heart of Midlothian. 2021 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Sir Walter Scott. As the original leaflet was published in 1820, a publication date later this year seems appropriate. It is planned that this book will contain the original 19th century instructions along with a modern interpretation of each dance. There will also be information about Sir Walter Scott and The Heart of Midlothian to give it a wider appeal: more than just a book of dances.
Historic dance instructions tend to be very much briefer than we would expect today, which raises many questions about interpreting these dances. How do we know we are right? Does it matter? Should we be more tolerant of alternative interpretations? What do you think?
Progress continues with updating and improving the music resource section of the website. Have you had a chance to visit it yet? Whether or not you are a musician, you will find it both interesting and informative and well worth a visit. The Music Director makes regular updates and additions to this section and is always interested in any comments.
Youth Services
Joana Stausberg
The RSCDS is a vibrant international society rooted in Scotland. Youth Services events throughout the year reflect this, as do the new members of our committee. We welcome Margaret Lambourne from the International Branch and Malin Altenmüller and Philippa McKee, both based in Scotland. We continue to look for ways to support and include you and your local branch or club in our worldwide community of dancers. And by the way, we still welcome your stories on how and where you dance for our Young Dancers Database. Just write to ysc@rscds.org.
Thank you to all the dancers, teachers and musicians who participated in Global Youth Week 2019. Congratulations to Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles Branch. Their photos of smiley kids at the St Andrews Day ceilidh in Galashiels won the Facebook competition. Some of you also uploaded videos. A dance written by young members of Lyon Branch had its video premiere. Your creativity apparently needed an outlet. It is, therefore, only logical that this year’s Global Youth Week from 10 to 17 October will host the second Virtual Festival. We look forward to your interpretations of the festival’s theme, ‘A Scottish Celebration’. We’ll show all the videos on the RSCDS YouTube channel throughout Global Youth Week. Make sure to send in your entry by 1 October. Find further information and the entry form on the RSCDS website.
We loved the variety of the entries in the 2018 Virtual Festival, but could see how difficult it was to choose only one winner. So we have reworked the criteria: this time there are two trophies: one for under-16s and one for mixed ages. We are also including special awards for ‘best team effort’ and ‘neatest footwork’. Everyone can also get involved and vote for a team for the ‘people’s choice award’. We will announce the winning teams at the Autumn Gathering.
The two Spring Fling teams in Saint Petersburg and Toronto are busy with the final preparations, and it is really encouraging to see how many dancers have already applied for both events. There are some places left if you are still looking for somewhere to dance in May! We are once again proud of the enthusiasm and professional attitude of the local organisers, and we look forward to seeing how the Society will benefit from their work. I’m dreaming of a growing youth network in North America and a wider acknowledgement and inclusion of the lively Russian dance scene. However, if it’s just two really good occasions to meet and dance for dancers young and not so young any more, that’s fine, too. Fingers crossed coronavirus doesn’t get in the way.
We need two new members and a Convenor Elect in November. We are a friendly bunch who meet by video conference and sub-group meetings. Maybe you are particularly interested in supporting families? Then help us with the family weekend, which we will finally make happen in 2021.
