2007 Regina Association of Middle Eastern Dance Annual General Meeting

October 21, 2007

South Leisure Centre

Minutes

Attendance:

 

Beve Gardner, Kate Johnson

Darla Goettler, Linda Yablonski

Andrea Schick, Samantha Leippi

Jeanne DeRosier, Barbara Tomporowski, Mea Cicansky

Andrea Lachambre, Jennifer Hval, Estelle d’Almedia, Daphne Budding

Barb Bell, Brenda Trumbley

 

 

Meeting began at 10:15 am

 

1.      Adoption of the Agenda

 

The following motion was made:

 

Motion to adopt the amended AGM agenda.

Moved - Beve Gardner.

Seconded - Mea Cicansky.

Passed.

 

2.      Update on the RAMED Library – hours and location

 

Elisabeth Smith is now the sole librarian. All library materials are at her house. In order, to use the library, members must make an appointment.

 

When new library items arrive, an announcement will be sent to the members.

A library viewing day will be planned for the future.

 

3.      Changes to RAMED Bylaws

 

Motion to amend bylaw 6 b) to state that “The directors shall consist of a president, secretary, treasurer, and up to four others.”

Moved - Estelle Latour.

Seconded - Beve Gardner.

Passed.


 

4.      Update on RAMED Policies

 

·        Adopt the revised policy on instructor accreditation

 

A brief history of the instructor accreditation policy was provided. Six years also basic instruction requirements were created. Loren (last name) offered a course. Existing bellydance trainers were grandfathered into the program. Since that time only 1 person has indicated interest in being accredited.

 

The policy was revised two years ago adding sections on ‘how’ to be accredited. As well, details were provided for maintaining existing instructor accreditation.

 

The following questions have risen since that time:

·        Do we need an accreditation policy?

·        If yes, how to administer it?

·        Are the existing requirements the right requirements?

 

The group had discussions around these questions. Currently, the policy is essentially self-policing.

 

The group agreed that is it important to have some sort of recognised “policy or process” on how to take action to become a recognized instructor.

 

Some suggestions include:

·        There should be multiple levels of Instructor.

·        Could RAMED arrange a workshop for instructor training?

 

This led to another conversation around workshops for self-development and the potential for a “master’s workshop” as part of the yearly RAMED workshop.

 

The group agreed that standardization is important and the following motion was made.

 

Motion to have the RAMED Board of Directors establish a committee to develop a revised list of criteria for accreditation, a process for administering the criteria, and a process for maintaining the status of accredited instructors. 

Moved - Linda Yablonski. 

Seconded - Samantha Leippi. 

Passed.

 


·        Adopt the revised policy on financial support for shows

 

A concern was raised that “assisting in failure” will not be supportive. The intent of the policy is to allow funding only once.

 

The following motion was made:

 

Motion to have the RAMED Board of Directors revise the policy on financial support for shows so that a RAMED member may only receive one grant to assist with the cost of shows that lose money. 

Moved - Darla Goettler-Trudeau. 

Seconded - Andrea LaChambre. 

Passed.

 

·        Adopt the revised bursary policy

 

The group reviewed the revised policy and the following motion was made:

 

Motion to adopt the bursary policy dated February 10, 2007. 

Moved - Mea Cicansky. 

Seconded - Beve Gardner. 

Passed.

 

·        Review the new policy on financial assistance for RAMED members

 

After reviewing the financial assistance for RAMED members policy, it was suggested that a letter of reference to support the request. The following motion was made:

 

Motion to have the RAMED Board of Directors revise the policy on financial assistance to RAMED members to indicate that applicants must include a letter of reference from their dance instructor with their application. 

Moved - Linda Yablonski. 

Seconded - Mea Cicansky. 

Passed.

 

5.      The Election of new Board Members

 

A brief bio was provided of the people who were interested in becoming board members. Barbara Tomporowski

 and Samantha Leippi are retiring from the board.

 

The following people were elected to the board:

·        Andrea Schick - Barb Bell nominated Andrea Schick as a Member at Large. 

Elisabeth Smith seconded the nomination. 

Passed.

·        Dianna Grave Beve Gardner nominated Diana Graves as a Member at Large. 

Andrea LaChambre seconded the nomination. 

Passed.

 

·        Brenda Trembley Andrea LaChambre nominated Brenda Trumbley as Treasurer. 

Linda Yablonski seconded the nomination. 

Passed.

 

6.      Review of the Annual Financial Statement

 

The group reviewed the financial statements. It is intended that a qualified body will review the financial statements on a yearly basis. This has been budgeted for in the upcoming 2008 budget.

 

The budget for 2008 was reviewed. It is based on the 2007 actuals. The goal is to have an ongoing operating budget of approximately $5,000.00. This budget was developed with the intent of using the $3,000.00 surplus.

 

Motion to accept the financial statement for August 1, 2006 - July 31, 2007.  Moved - Linda Yablonski. 

Seconded - Darla Goettler-Trudeau. 

Passed.

 

 

7.      Upcoming RAMED Events

 

·        Guest artist for the 2008 workshop

 

The workshop is being held April 5 and 6, 2008. The guest artist is Denise Enan. She danced with the Egyptian National Folkdance Troupe. She will be teaching Egyptian dance technique intermediate and advanced. She no longer performs. A halfa will be held on April 5, 2007

 

The board will approach Denise to see if she is available to teach a ‘master class’ on Friday April 4, 2008.

 

This is the second year that RAMED is bringing in a “Canadian” guest. It is difficult to get an ‘out-of-country’ performer because the immigration requirements have become more strict. The board will see which “performer” is doing a workshop circuit in 2009 and will attempt to take advantage of this potential.

 

It was suggested that Denise “talk and explain the costumes and rhythms. That we encourage her to share her knowledge as well as her technique.

 

 

 

·        2008 show at the Riddell Centre, University of Regina, May 3, 2007

 

The Arabian Fantasy show will be a student show. This year, RAMED will do a better job of marketing the show.

 

8.      Update on Standard Rates for Teachers and Performers

 

The board reported that the results of the survey will be compiled and the information will be provided to the members. This process will continue as it is important to educate members to ensure that appropriate value for the art is upheld.

 

9.      Having a Directory of Services Offered by RAMED Members

 

This directory will be a page of the RAMED site. The intent is to foster community amongst members. The 2008 board will move forward with the imitative.

 

10. Other Business

 

The Board intends to have a Christmas Hafla, another swap meet and a library viewing day. These events will be free to members.

 

Darla Goettler thanked the Board for its hard work and gave a special thanks to Barbara Toporowski.

 

Motion to adjourn the meeting. 

Moved - Elisabeth Smith. 

Seconded - Linda Yablonski. 

Passed.