Volume 24 #6 |
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May/June 2008 |
Articles in This Issue
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The Brief
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Here are a few of the many activities coming up the next couple of months:
For more information on these events, see the articles below and/or the Calendar. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notice of Annual General
Meeting
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The Annual General Meeting of the Vancouver USA Scottish Country Dancers will be held at Marshall Center in the Oak/Elm Room at 9:00pm on Wednesday, May 28th. There are important changes to discuss, so please plan to attend. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Agenda - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Important New Business | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The current Committee of Management for the Vancouver USA Scottish Country Dancers decided unanimously that it would be in the best interest of our group to attain Federal non-profit status - that is, to become a 501(c)(3) Corporation. We also decided that it would be in our best interest to become a full Branch of the RSCDS. Becoming a Branch of the RSCDS will make the 501(c)(3) application easier, and will make things far less confusing and more streamlined with regard to RSCDS membership. (We were not eligible to become a Branch previously, as we needed at least two Certificated Teachers to do so. We now meet that requirement.) Becoming a 501(c)(3) Corporation will make it easier for us to work with other non-profits, and easier for other Corporations and individuals to make tax-deductible donations to our group. The first step in this process was to write two new documents, the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. These documents were attached to the original email announcing the AGM, and are included with this paper copy of the newsletter -- for your review. Please note that we imagined our new Branch as serving all of Southwest Washington State (Camas, Vancouver, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and Kelso/Longview for the moment, and possibly more places in the future). We have written into the Articles the possibility for sub-groups (like the Vancouver USA Scottish Country Dancers) to exist within the Branch. The current Articles of Association for the Vancouver USA Scottish Country Dancers are also attached. In order to make the transition from the Associated Group, that we are now, to a Branch of the RSCDS, which we propose to do in the coming year, we will likely vote whether to allow the current Committee of Management to continue as the first Management Board of the new Branch. I'm looking forward to seeing you there. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Testimonials of a Scottish
Afternoon
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[The following comments are from emails, from Cynthia Soohoo, and Van Hord] Hi, Susan, Marge, and all, Susan and Marge did a super job planning the who, what, where, when, and how of Come Away to Brigadoon! Special thanks for all their behind-the-scenes work! The ticket sales and whole raffle process were handled with efficiency and hospitality. I saw the friendly faces of Van, Liza, Susan, and Tom manning their stations in the lobby, and Fred seemed to be greeter-at-large. Valerie and Linda Mae donated lovely baskets. The variety, order, and pacing of the program were very good, and MC Robert provided smooth transitions with a touch of humor. The performance team sailed through despite not having had a practice with everyone. Geri and Liza handled the audience-participation dancing with enthusiasm, clear instruction, sensitivity to the dancers, and quick thinking, especially when the one poor gentleman needed assistance off the dance floor. Of course, it's always a pleasure to hear Sandy! People obviously enjoyed Bart's Brigadoon songs. (Stephen was amazed that some in the audience knew the songs well enough to sing along, because he himself had never heard of the musical before this event!) And Bart's high C really brought the house down! Martin was everywhere, on the lookout for a good photo. Glad someone was thinking to capture some memories! There seemed to be plenty of refreshments -- smart planning, as well as attractive serving, no doubt the handiwork of John, Liza, Geri, and the several others I saw going in and out of the kitchen, more than I could name, not forgetting the shortbread bakers, like Corinne (or Michael?). Yes, the McLeod shortbread was a hit! My allergic little girl couldn't resist a bite of her sister's piece! Thanks again to chairs Susan and Marge for organizing us all to pull off a fun and memorable afternoon! [and from Van] I invited four of my friends to come to our "Scottish Afternoon". They had such a wonderful time. All loved all the dancing, singing, and music: piano, fiddle, harp, bagpipes. One told me that when Nathaniel played his slow piece, it was so moving it brought tears to her eyes. It was so kind of you, Cynthia, and your family to help make the day such a success. Afterwards I went to Portland to visit the four who had come to the event. They had a DVD of 'Brigadoon' playing when I arrived. (I had heard of Brigadoon but had never seen it; they cautioned me that I would need tissues when I watched it in its entirety.) They had joined in that afternoon and were singing at home. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
News from Kentucky
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For those of you who haven't heard, one of our former SCD group members - Isaac Wilder - is getting married! June 28th! His fiancée's name is also Gale (different spelling). I'm sure we can put our heads together to come up with an appropriate gift. He hasn't found a close SCD group but at least is dancing - line dancing. He may also be here in August - I'm waiting to find out when. Maybe we could have a ceilidh? More news as it comes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Scottish Country Dance 'Cultural
Exchange' Continues
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The Oregon High Desert Celtic Dancers sent eight dancers to our April 19th Dinner Dance. We enjoyed dancing with them and making new friends. Our big dance event with yummy dinner and wonderful musicians is more fun and financially viable when shared with visiting dancers. The SCD cultural exchange that I wrote about last November continues. We were honored to welcome Fred Kowolowski, Diana Eddleston, Deby Falconer, Hazel Ryan, Terri Bilyeu, Todd West, Brian Wilson, and Anya Picard. If you enjoyed dancing with our friends from Bend/Redmond, then please think about attending their Workshop and Ball on October 11, 2008. Their dance weekend has several features: Friday:
I look forward to having several of you join me for a fun weekend of dance and developing friendships with the Oregon High Desert Celtic Dancers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Calendar of Events | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Where the old men have rosy faces, And the young maidens Quiet eyes. - Robert Louis Stevenson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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