Putting on “Techno” Contra Dances
This article from Will Loving, with a note from Sue Songer around copyright issues, describes the details of putting on a techno contra including lighting and equipment recommendations.
From the CDSS News
Putting on “Techno” Contra Dances
This article from Will Loving, with a note from Sue Songer around copyright issues, describes the details of putting on a techno contra including lighting and equipment recommendations.
From the CDSS News
An online discussion to support organizers of song groups
Two organizers offered firsthand experiences about keeping their song groups alive and well through the pandemic by hosting in-person and online singing events. Our third guest provided the latest COVID-19 news from her public health perspective, with suggestions especially pertinent for song group organizers. Q&A with all three guests included:
This resource provides a number of tips and considerations when looking for a new space to hold a dance or music event.
From CDSS
These downloadable Excel sheets are a great start for a sample dance budget and also for reporting income/expenses from a single event.
From Leda Shapiro Southwest Regional Organizers Conference 2014
Fundraising Strategies and Tips for Dance Organizations: Broadening our views for supporting dances
Looking to raise funds for your dance? These workshop notes take a broad view on fundraising to support your dance series, support the hall where you dance, run special events or programming, purchase equipment, or support other causes and affiliated organizations. Includes an overview of philanthropy and fundraising strategies at the macro level, and then share how one local organization raised more than $60,000.
From Rima Dael, Patty Giavara, and Nancy Turner
Puttin’ On The Dance 2015
This article by Dela Murphy provides some great insight into how one dance community effectively ran a fundraising campaign for their series.
From the CDSS News
Sample spreadsheets to help organizers create a budget for their dance series, weekend, or tour!
From Erik Erhardt, Ron Nieman, and Glenn Manuel, Southwest Regional Organizers Conference 2014
Non-Profit Management: Updating and strengthening our administrative foundation
Non-profit governance and administrative systems require routine updating as organizations evolve. This workshop is designed to help organizers of any committee—old or new—strengthen their administrative platform. Topics include: the pluses and minuses of incorporating and registering as a non-profit; the steps that a group must take to incorporate and/or register as a non-profit; and the roles that bylaws and articles of incorporation play to define the organization’s purpose and how the organization is governed. This workshop will be particularly helpful to groups that are not formalized as incorporated non-profits who are thinking about taking these steps, or for members of formalized committees who want to better understand governance systems. We’ll share some decisions that were addressed at our dances to generate discussion, clarify how CDSS is prepared to assist, and open up the floor to any governance/administrative issues that you might be tackling in your own dance community.
From Catherine Burns, Rima Dael, & Nancy Turner, Puttin’ On The Dance 2015
Creating a Happy, Healthy Volunteer Base: Ways to engage and retain volunteers to sustain our dances
Volunteers are crucial to the healthy sustainability of our dances, as much to build community as to get the job done. These workshop notes talk about the importance of volunteers, different kinds of volunteers, recruitment, engagement and retention. We’ll also work to address some specific volunteer challenges, useful whether you’re a committee of one or part of a large organizing team.
from Tara Bolker & Maxine Louie, Puttin’ On The Dance 2015
This article by, Tom Siess, including a follow up by Bruce Hamilton explores the role of a board as well as ideas regarding good governance.
From the CDSS News