At our annual general meeting (AGM) last May, we asked for feedback from Branch members on various issues that the board could potentially tackle as priorities this year. First and foremost among the issues that were identified as needing attention were those concerning the role and status of children in our group. Based as they are upon the RSCDS constitution as it read up until 2009, our bylaws currently limit membership in the Branch to individuals at least 16 years old, and our classes and other activities have historically been focused on an adult audience. Over the years the implications of this membership rule on occasional participation by children in classes and performances has been interpreted differently by different boards and teachers. This inconsistency has created confusion and frustration among many members.
In 2007, the Branch created the Young Dancers Mentorship Program (http://www.rscds-twincities.org/youngdancers.html). This program was intended to establish a clear mechanism whereby children under the age of 16, and thus not eligible for membership in the Branch, could participate in Branch classes. While the program was a helpful first step, it has proved to be an inadequate solution in a number of aspects, e.g. a) it requires a program director, which we have not had in place for several years now; b) it does not address the participation of children in branch performances.
An additional factor generating some pressure to reconsider this issue in our branch has come from the RSCDS headquarters. Observing the aging membership in most branches (ours is, thankfully, a bit of an exception) and recognizing the need to foster enthusiasm for Scottish country dancing in the next generation, the RSCDS has been placing increasing emphasis on teaching children. In recent years they have developed instructional materials and videos for teachers of children, organized dance weekends for youth, begun publishing an e-zine for youth, and launched a youth development project with funding from the Scottish Arts Council (see http://www.rscds.org/about-us/young-dancer-project.html for more information). In 2009, the worldwide membership voted to change the constitution to lower the age of membership in RSCDS to 12 years old.
Following the AGM last May, the board appointed a committee, chaired by board secretary Angie McCracken, charged with making recommendations for future directions the Branch should take vis-à-vis participation by children. In addition to Angie, committee members included Jamie Berg, Bill Brown, Eric Salo, and Ed Stern. The committee met twice since October 2010 and also corresponded by email. Announcements of its December meeting were made via the Yahoo Group and at Monday night classes, and Branch members were invited to attend or send their thoughts. The committee presented its recommendations and guidelines for young dancers, printed below, at the joint board/teachers meeting on January 9th.
Continue reading “Children Dancing with the Twin Cities Branch: Future Directions”