The CDSS Executive Board meeting in Nashville
Country Dance & Song Society > Affiliates > For Affiliates

For Affiliates

Welcome to the CDSS community! We’re glad you’re here!

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Your Group’s Benefits

What’s New

  • CDSS News, Spring-Summer 2025 Spring/Summer 2025 CDSS News

    The latest issue of the CDSS News is out now! Read about celebrating Chuck Ward’s legacy with music workshops at Fall Frolick, training new dance callers in California, our new podcast(!), and more!

  • CDSS Community Culture & Safety Toolkit Community Culture & Safety Toolkit

    New in the Resource Portal for organizers! The Community Culture & Safety Toolkit is a comprehensive guide to help organizers develop the policies, procedures, and supporting documents needed to understand and facilitate safety in their communities. Topics include creating a statement of community values, code of conduct, and etiquette guidelines; establishing protocols for handling complaints and infractions; and evaluating the safety of a physical space. The toolkit also includes bonus guides on facilitating community meetings, role terminology, and managing chemical sensitivities.

  • Map showing areas of the U.S. affected by fires and hurricanes Natural Disaster Support

    We are helping to connect donors with dance and music community members who have been directly affected by natural disasters. If you are one of those affected, please fill out this form to be included in the list. If you are fortunate enough to be able to help, read their stories and send your support.

More News

  • Promote Your Events

  • Create Connections

    • Web Chats for Organizers
      A few times a year, we host Web Chats on a range of topics of interest to dance and music organizers, offering insight and distilled wisdom from other organizers and experts. See the full archive of recordings here.
    • Camp
      Our camps are a great way to meet new people and build community connections across the continent! Camps also often include special training courses for callers, musicians, and organizers. See this summer’s schedule here.
    • Resource Portal
      The CDSS Resource Portal contains a vast range of resources by and for the dance, music, and song community.
    • Affiliate Surveys
      We’ve conducted a number of surveys of our affiliates and other constituents. Find the reports from those surveys here.

  • Find Funding

    • Community Grants
      CDSS grant funding is available to affiliates for a wide range of acitivities such as workshops (including DEI and equity training), publications, research, startup funds, and more. Find out more about grants here.
    • Non-profit Exemption/501(c)(3) Status
      All US affiliates are eligible to receive 501(c)(3) status, which provides all the benefits of tax exemption including accepting tax-deductible donations, access to some grant funding, preferential rates at some venues, and more. You must apply specifically to become a part of this exemption. Find out more here.

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