CHAIRMAN’S CORNER - Gayle Frisa
Welcome one and all to a fun-filled year of Scottish Country Dancing. We are very fortunate to have our excellent and enthusiastic teachers returning this fall to guide us through the steps and formations as we dance to some of the best music available.
The
London
Canada
Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society (RSCDS) is also blessed with many dedicated and competent volunteers working together to create an enjoyable experience for all. There is always an opportunity to be involved, so whether this is your first year, fiftieth year or someplace in between, be sure to seize the chance to be a part of the success of our branch. You will not regret it!
Since the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May when our 2009-2010 budget was passed, we have received an unexpected rate increase in the 2010 rental contract from the City of
London
for the use of the rooms at
Carling
Heights
. The Committee of Management has meet and developed a strategy to assist our Branch in handling this unexpected and extreme increase.
Before the “nitty gritty” money details, a brief summary of the situation and
why a rate increase. Recently the City of
London
conducted a study of all their facilities (unknown to the Branch) with the aim of standardizing their rental rates, using a square footage formula along with how the space is designated (eg. Is the room a small gym or a large meeting room?). The Aerobics Room, where we all begin together on Wednesday evenings is designated as a small gym and the Meeting Rooms A& B (where the basic and intermediate classes are held) is considered a large meeting room (when we just use Meeting Room B for our AGM, it is viewed as a standard meeting room and thus a different rate). This sounds confusing, but the City of
London
representatives I have talked with have assured me that they have it all figured out!!!
London City Council approved the recommended rate change beginning January 2010. When this was approved I do not know, but the first time any of the Committee of Management knew about it was when the 2010 contract was sent to us in June 2009.
Now for some money talk!
The 2010 contract had an increase for the use of the Aerobics Room per night, from $59.14 (with tax) in 2009 to $124.59 (with tax) for 2010. This is an increase of $65.45 per evening. The cost for the Meeting Rooms A & B also went up, from $109.94 to $124.59 with an extra cost of $14.65 per evening. The difference between the total cost for the use of the three rooms from 2009 prices to 2010 would be $80.10 each week. We will have January through April with the 3 rooms, which is a total of 17 nights: 17 x $80.10 = $1361.70. The two evening in May, when we have only the Aerobics Room will be $130.90 more than we had anticipated and the one night for the AGM will be $89.54, making a figure of $1582.14 over budget.
When I was able to talk with the manager of the Carling Heights facility, it was stressed that this large increase puts the London Branch in a very awkward position as we had our Annual General Meeting in May, where our 2009-2010 budget was approved and we did not have any knowledge about this increase until June and so did not budget for it. A reduction of our rate for January to May 2010 was requested. Fortunately the 2010 scenario has been adjusted to allow the Branch and our members time to adjust to the new rates. The coordinator for
Carling
Heights
realized that the jump in the rate for the Aerobics Room is extreme and will reduce the rate for 2010. We had paid $28.16/hr plus GST in the 2009 contract, the original 2010 contract had the fee at 59.33/evening plus GST, and the new contract for 2010 has the fee at $64.89/evening plus GST. Meeting Rooms A&B rates are $ 124 for the 2010 contract which is an increase $ 14.65 per evening. The total increase per evening from January to May will be $ 20.40. This reduced increase is only for 2010 and we will be faced with at least the original rates quoted for the 2011 contract.
With the best interest for this membership year and for long term planning, the Committee of Management has determined that a fee increase of $10.00 in the classroom portion for our Active, Young Adult, Youth and Life Member Dancers is necessary for the 2009 - 2010 membership year.
We will be reviewing our costs before the next AGM and if our membership numbers maintain, we will be looking at a similar increase in the 2010 - 2011 membership year. If we get another 15 to 20 members, then this extra cost will be pretty well covered and we will be in a more favourable financial position. For our returning members, you will recall our past chair, Brian Campbell’s mantra, “We need to maintain a critical mass!”
If you have any concerns or comments regarding the fee increase or anything else relating to the London Branch of the RSCDS, please contact me by email at gayle.frisa@execulink.com or by phone 519-666-0332.
Looking forward to a great dancing year together
Gayle Frisa, Chairperson 2009-2010
REGISTRATION
Please complete, sign and return the Registration Form as soon as possible. All registrations received after October 1 will have an additional $10 late fee applied. If you have any questions about registration call Sheilagh Manning Membership Secretary 519-232-9894.
If there are any changes in your address or phone number at any time please advise Sheilagh Manning as soon as possible. Headquarters will be notified so the mailing list is current as well as the COM’s calling list.
The fees this year are: Active Member $ 125; 2nd member in same home $ 115; Life Member $ 95; Young Adult $ 100; Youth $ 75; Unchanged are -Associate Member $ 50 Newsletter only $ 12
For more information and an explanation please see the “Chair’s remarks
INVITATIONAL CLASSES
Wednesday, September 9, 16, 23, 30
This is an opportunity to introduce an acquaintance or relative to the joy of Scottish Country Dancing. These classes are free of charge. It is important that we attract new members to join our Branch. Advertising material will be prepared and your help is solicited to post it around the city
OCTOBER DANCE –
Friday, October,2 2009
The first monthly social dance will be held at the Sergeants’ Mess, and will begin at
8:00 pm
. The program of dances is included with this newsletter. This is an opportunity to spend some time socializing as well as enjoying an evening of dancing. New members are welcome to come and see the social side of Scottish Dancing.
SUMMER PICNIC & BARBEQUE
July 19, 2009
It was a delight to spend the afternoon at Bob and Linda Watson’s country home. The weather was fine, the company exceptional and the fountain was spectacular! Thanks again to Bob and Linda for their generous hospitality
ANNUAL BALL
Our Annual Ball, which began with a reception and lovely dinner, was a wonderful evening. Peter Auksi ably acted as
Marshall
for the Grand March in the Great Hall at U.W.O.followed by spirited dancing to the fabulous music of Bobby Brown and the Scottish Accent. Many members of the London Branch took part as well as several visitors from some distance. One guest, who was a first time attendee, commented on the fine skills of the
London
dancers.
At intermission, we were treated to an entertaining sales pitch of “Bobby Brown Merchandise” by Catherine Shaw who deftly juggled CDs and T shirts to Bobby’s monologue. The evening dance concluded with the
London
favourite –The Irish Rover.
Mark
May 1 2010
on your calendar NOW and attend next year’s Annual Ball. You’ll have a great time/ Dorothy Sample
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Social Classes begin October 11 at Elmwood
Membership Fees due September 30
October Social Dance 2nd at Wolsley Barracks
Mens’ Social Dance November 13
Christmas Dance December 19
OUT OF TOWN EVENTS
Detroit
30th Anniversary Ball.
November 21 2009
at the American
Polish Cultural Center in
Troy
Michigan
. Music by the Music Makars.
Costs $50 –nondancers $30.(dssarna@sprintmail.com)
Calling All Celebrants
In March 2011 the London Branch celebrates its 50th birthday. RSCDS Headquarters in
Edinburgh
granted official status to the Branch in March 1961. Helping to plan for this significant milestone is a committee of “core” members: Marel Fielding (convenor-519-471-3229, mefielding@sympatico.ca) Elfreide Rollo (fiancial issues), Judy Cooper (branch chair at time of our 30th) , Peter Auksi (branch chair at time of our 40th), Nancy Duncan (branch archivist and member since the 1960s) and Brian Campbell(immediate past chair).
Members interested in helping with the inevitable sub-committees and working groups are asked to contact Marel. All items—from the venue to menu, from formats to placemats—are open to the wishes, ideas and ingenuity of the whole branch; it is our collective celebration.! The 40th Anniversary, if you are new to the group was compressed into one memorable weekend –
May 4-6 2001
. On Friday evening there was a Ceilidh held at the Officers’ Mess (Wolseley Barracks), interspersed with dancing to Fred Moyes and with presentation of Award of Merit to branch ‘builders’ (Stan Hamilton, for example, and John Christie). Saturday featured a workshop (with lunch) held at
Carling
Heights
, classes commencing at
9:45
and
1:00
(Catherine Shaw and John Middleton teaching), followed by a reception/dinner(
5:45pm
) and Ball (8-11, with music of Bobby Brown) held at the Great Hall, UWO. On Sunday dancers assembled in a local restaurant for a communal buffet.
The planning committee awaits and welcomes your input over the coming year.
Peter Auksi
The International Gathering of the Clans
Over 47,000 people, including John and Catherine Shaw, attended the Gathering in
Holyrood
Park
,
Edinburgh
on July 25 and 26th. A huge
Clan
Village
area, musical stage featuring the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Highland Games, 10 pipe bands, artisan shops and military displays provided lots of interesting activities. The highlight for them was joining the 7,000 people marching up the Royal Mile to
Edinburgh
Castle
to the cheers of 27,000 onlookers!
SCD is Going Green
In a move to reduce waste that ends up in landfill we have been encouraging our Branch members to bring their own tea cups/mugs to all our social and monthly dances, thereby gradually eliminating the use of styrofoam cups. Moving into the next dancing year we will not be purchasing any more Styrofoam products (we will have extra china cups available for visitors).
With everyone participating by bringing their own mugs we will be doing our part for the environment and enjoying our “tea” much more. It is fun to see the various pretty or unusual mugs and the creative ways of transporting them. Thanks to all!
Ruth Noble Social Convenor
SCD DANCE ATTIRE – Marel Fielding In a 1968 book called “Introducing Scottish Country Dancing” written by Jean C Milligan- the co-founder of the RSCDS- I found the following chapter. I thought some of us might find it interesting.
Chapter VI Dress
Men
When wearing a kilt, the shirt should be white, but a pale green is also allowable. Some pastel shades look quite nice, but to be perfectly correct, it is better to stick to the first two. A plain tie should be worn-not a tartan one, and the sleeves should be fastened at the wrist. For day dress, a tweed kilt jacket is correct but, as many young people cannot afford this, a well-laundered shirt with a plain tie looks quite well. The belt with silver buckle and diced hose are worn with evening dress only. The stockings, like the tie are plain coloured- fawn, green, blue or even white. The long-haired sporran is not suitable for this day wear-a leather one is correct.
Full evening dress is very beautiful but costly, and good advice should be taken before it is bought.
Ladies
The short white frock for day wear is the most usual, but really, the ladiescan wear any light summer dress. The only traditional Scottish dress is that of the men; the ladies have always worn the dress of the period. The tartan sash is the only traditional thing the ladies can don, and even the sash should really only be worn in the evening. This rule, is however, very often not observed when a touch of colour and of
Scotland
is desired. The sash, however, must not be worn with bright strong colours or patterned material. It needs white or pale pastel shades to show it off. The sash should be fastened on the left shoulder or passed over the left shoulder and fastened at the waist on the right side.
The second method looks best with a much longer sash which comes nearly to the bottom of a long evening dress. For ballerina length dresses, the shoulder fastening looks well. As there is some difference of opinion in official circles as to which is the correct shoulder, the sash in the diagrams in this book is sometimes on the right and sometimes on the left.
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society prefers and would ask their members to wear it on the left shoulder
It is a privilege to wear this national dress and those who do so must realise that it is their duty to wear it correctly. There is too much careless use of it seen, mostly amongst those who have no traditional right to wear it, and onlookers are shocked to see their own tartan worn, firstly too long and then adorned with wildly checked shirts, jackets nearly to the knee or long loose pullovers. A man never looks so well as is a well-made kilt of proper length- just about knee cap length-and with the correct additions of neat jacket and shirt; so will those who desire to wear this national dress of
Scotland
please take note.
Available from Headquarters.
RSCDS Manual and Binder £ 15; Manual only £ 12
Index to formations and movements £ 12
Standard Terminology used in Scottish Dancing £ 5.
