FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

The 2006 Board of Directors will have a tough but rewarding job. They need your support and encouragement. You can provide this by voting in the election that will take place at the annual business meeting at the barn at 7:00pm on Saturday, October 8.

Please attend this meeting. It will last no more then thirty minutes. In addition to voting, you will be provided a copy of the 2006 budget.

If for some reason you cannot attend the meeting, please vote by absentee ballot. Secure the ballot from me via or calling me at 803-796-8488.

Note on the biographical page that Lee Minghi is now a candidate for the Director-at-Large For Programs & Entertainment Committee. She would have been a candidate on August 23rd if a mistake had not been made in interpreting the national election procedures.


Tom Savage

Candidates for election to the Board of Directors for USA Dance Chapter 6032 for 2006-2007.

President

“Patricia Hill is a candidate for president. Patricia is an avid ballroom dancer and cheerfully admits that she is addicted. She has been dancing for seventeen years and has performed several exhibitions at USA Dance. She fervently believes in the importance of ballroom dance and is, therefore, a supporter of the USA Dance chapter. She has served the past year as Membership Chair and member of the chapter’s Board of Directors. Patricia attends the dances with her husband Ray. In her spare time, she is a consultant specializing in integrating technology into the educational curriculum.”

Treasurer

Mike Verdone - “Former president of USABDA. Retired USAF Major, USABDA amateur competitor. Competed at national comps and many regionals at the novice and at pre-championship levels in both standard and smooth. MBA from USC, MS from Vanderbilt. Dance activity recently taken a detour because of hip replacement surgery but now making a comeback.”

Director at Large for Outreach

Donna Swinbank – “Internal auditor at the SC Dept. of Mental Health & independent Avon representative. Member of USA Dance and regularly attends the monthly dances. Began serving on the board of USA Dance in the capacity of Director of Outreach in November of last year. Currently working with a local high school to begin an after school extracurricular ballroom dance program for their students.”

Director at Large for Programs and Entertainment

Ron Morton – USABDA member since January, 2000. Has served as Chairperson of Programs and Entertainment for five years. Participates in competitions and takes private lessons on a regular basis to improve dance skills.

Lee Minghi – “My 10+ years of dancing history includes: long time USABDA member, Chair of the program committee the first year the group moved to the barn, 'Once upon a time' Pro-Am competition and enthusiastic Show case dancer. Currently I am primarily a dancing advocate for 'do it any way you can', despite physical limitations, and having fun, and in bolder instances trying a showcase now and then. (I am the one on the floor who looks like 'the little old lady in tennis shoes.') My vision for the dance club is to promote more of a clublike atmosphere while our members and guests evermore increase their dancing skills and sense of fun on the dance floor. In order to do this job, I’ll need to form a committee of at least 3-4 keen members, as our traveling will continue.”

Welcome to new members: Paul Carson and Kathleen Simmons joined Chapter 6032 during August.

October Birthdays: Freda Hunt, Mary Margaret Kendrick, Sharon Royal, Betty Schmidt.

There were 55 dancers at the September 10th dance and 41 dancers at the September 24th dance.

At the September 11th Board Meeting, the topics discussed were the 2006 budget, USC Gamecock Dancesport Club, complimentary tickets assessment, French Night and Christmas gifts.

The next Board Meeting will be October 9th at 3:00 PM, Richland County Library on Assembly Street. All members in good standing are invited to attend.

According to National USA Dance, Inc., some chapters have been severely affected by Hurricane Katrina. In response, other chapters are finding ways to provide assistance by donating dance proceeds, planning benefits, etc. What can our chapter do to help? Keep in mind how Hurricane Hugo affected us in 1989.

Mark your calendar now! November 12th. We will celebrate French Night at Le Barn. The Alliance Française will be participating. If possible, please bring a French style snack. If you have CDs of French theme music you will share, please contact Stephanie Muga as soon as possible. She may be able to use the music for the dance. Dress is casual with a French flair!

There is only one dance in December, so when you attend the December 10th dance, remember to bring a gift for a child to be donated to a local charity. The gift may be wrapped or unwrapped, but it needs to be marked according to age and gender. The gifts will be delivered by Tom Savage before Christmas.

DID YOU KNOW? Chorophobia is the fear of dancing.

OCTOBER DANCES

Saturday, October 8th and Saturday, October 22nd

LIGHT REFRESHMENTS