TOE DRAGGERS SQUARE DANCE CLUB MANUALSeptember 2011-August 2012K.C. CURTIS – CALLER BEV FLINT – CUER DANCING FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAYS 8:00PM to 10:15PM, with break following Pe-Rounds – First Friday 7:30PM-8:00PMKINTON GRANGE 5.5 MILES WEST OF WASHINGTON SQUARE ON SCHOLLS FERRY ROAD ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOOT NOTESMY FOUR DUTIES AND DATES ARE _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DUES: January- March ________ April-June_____________ July-September_________ October-December______ .-- FORWARD -- The Toe Draggers had their beginnings from two square dance classes at the Rock Creek Community College in the mid 1970’s with Carl Decker as instructor. The classes decided to form a club one night after a class while sitting in a restaurant visiting. They decided they needed a club name, club colors, club outfits and club badges with significant meaning to represent their group and future members of the club. The “Toe Draggers” name was chosen because most of the group at that time thought they had “two left feet.” They decided on black and blue for club colors of outfits because of the bruises they had to endure while the “two left feet” dancers learned to square dance. Each person could choose their own style of outfit to represent one’s own personality. Club badges were selected in the shape and color of a bruised foot. Thus, the club was as “one” in colors, but “different” in each outfit to represent the many personalities and talents of the club. They needed four full squares of dancers to become members of the Portland Area Council of Square Dancers, but because of their size of just under two squares, they were accepted as associate members of the Council. Their first home was at the Capital Hill Dance Club on SW 17th and Marigold in Portland in 1976. They eventually moved to the Kinton Grange Hall in 1980. The Toe Draggers became an incorporated non - profit club in November of 1980 and members of the Tualatin Valley Council of Square Dancers. Through the years, Carl Decker and his wife Dorothy, were always there for the Toe Draggers activities, with Carl calling square dances and cueing on tape for round dances and Dorothy lending support for lessons and the club. They watched their small group grow year after year like a family. Carl and Dorothy retired from the Toe Draggers in June of 1990 to travel and spend more time with their own children and grandchildren. Bev Flint became the Toe Draggers full time round dance cuer in 1989. Bev and her husband, Harlan, had been members of the Toe Draggers for many years and she recognized a need for a full time round dance cuer for the club. She represents one of the many talents in the club and has been a great asset to the club. . Tom Arbuckle became our caller in December of 1990, after just completing a course of square dance calling. Tom and his wife, Sharon, were influential in the growth and prosperity of the Toe Draggers family of dancers. Tom resigned as club caller in October of 1998 in order to spend more time with his other singing interests. Darrell Newell became our new caller in March 1999. He had just completed a course of square dance calling. This talented caller and his wife, Juanita, called for the Toe Draggers for several enjoyable years, through December 2005. Darrell and Juanita had purchased the Mondiki Square Dance Apparell business earlier in 2005, which required a great deal of traveling, making it difficult for Darrell to continue as our club caller. With the support of his wife Linda, K.C. Curtis became our new caller in January 2006. Toe Draggers have done well in the past trusting our club to callers who were new to the experience, and once again have given this opportunity to a gifted new caller. K.C and Linda had been dancing and very active at River City Dancers for several years. K.C. has had a lifetime of singing and the Toe Draggers are very pleased to have him as our caller. K.C. and Linda have easily and smoothly fit into our club body. . 2011-2012 Officers:
. PAST PRESIDENTS:
.CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I The name of this non-profit Club shall be Toe Draggers. ARTICLE II The purpose of this Club shall be to promote, encourage, and enjoy square and/or round dancing and its associated activities. ARTICLE III Membership in this Club shall be open to all persons interested in the above Article II and approved by the Board without regard to race, creed, sex, national origin or religion. ARTICLE IV Elective Officers of this Club shall be: President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Area Delegates Member at Large ARTICLE V The term of office for the above elected officers shall be one (1) calendar year for the period beginning June 1 and ending May 31, with the exception of Area Delegates, whose terms of office shall coincide with the Tualatin Valley Council requirements. ARTICLE VI Upon dissolution of the Club, the Executive Board shall pay all liabilities and dispose of any assets left remaining to a charitable, educational, non-profit status 501 [C3] organization. ARTICLE VII This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of those present and voting at any regular meeting, providing written notice has been given to all members at least fifteen (15) days prior to such voting, stating the amendment to be considered. .BY-LAWS ARTICLE 1 Membership is open to anyone interested in square and/or round dancing. ARTICLE II Duties of Officers: PRESIDENT: Preside at all business meetings and direct the activities of the Club and appoint all committees and positions necessary for the proper functioning of the Club. VICE PRESIDENT: Preside at business meetings in the absence of the President and otherwise perform his/her duties during his/her absence or disability. Also, the Vice President is General Program Chairman who plans special dances, food and other special activities of the Club. SECRETARY: Record the minutes of both Club and Executive Board meetings and handle all correspondence under the direction of the President and the Board. TREASURER: Collect and be accountable for all monies due the Club. Pay all bills for supplies or services rendered the Club and approved by the President and the Board. AREA DELEGATES: [1] Voting members of the Board; [2] Club representatives to the Tualatin Valley Council; [3] Club reporters. MEMBER AT LARGE: Be aware of and report to the Board all suggestions, situations, and grievances of the Club members. . ARTICLE III Each member shall have a Club badge. The dues of the Club shall include prepaid dancing fees assessed as follows
Dues shall be prorated for new members. A personal note shall be sent after dues are ninety (90) days past due. After six (6) months, delinquent members shall be dropped from the Club. A person who wished to be re-instated after being deemed delinquent may be reinstated upon application and payment of one (1) month back dues. A leave of absence for a period not less than three (3) months shall be granted upon written request, where dues will not be assessed during the leave of absence. Upon resigning from the Club, written notice is requested. ARTICLE IV Club dances shall be held the first and third Fridays of each month at a suitable place chosen by the Board. Dance time shall be from 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM, with a break following from 10:30 – 11:00. Should unforeseen circumstances arise, the Board shall be empowered to alter these above requirements temporarily. Business meetings shall be held on odd months and more often at the discretion of the Board. Members shall be notified by mail, phone or general meetings of the time and place for the next general meeting. Members who are eligible to vote at business meetings are those whose dues are paid. Board meetings shall be called by the President. ARTICLE V Committees and positions shall be appointed by the President at his/her discretion. ARTICLE VI Elections: A. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the currently paid up members in attendance on election night. B. A Nomination Committee of at least two persons shall be chosen by the President in January. C. Nominations and elections of Officers shall take place at the first regular meeting in March.
E. Members not on leave of absence and who’s dues are paid may request an absentee ballot for election of officers and/or other special elections during their absence. This request must be made in writing and submitted to the president or nominating committee chairperson at least one week in advance of the election and received by the nominating committee before the election is held. ARTICLE VII Caller and Cuer: A. Rent of the Hall must be paid first. B. The Caller is quaranteed a minimum of $55 per dance. C. The Cuer is quaranteed a minimum of $40.00 per dance. D. The agreements between the Club and the regular Caller and the regular Cuer shall be negotiated between the Board and the regular Caller and the regular Cuer each September. ARTICLE VIII Executive Board members: A. President B. Vice President C. Secretary D. Treasurer E. Member at Large F. Tualatin Valley Council Delegates G. Past President
ARTICLE IX Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 9th Edition shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules or order the club may adopt. .Committees and dance duties are in effect from September through August, offset one quarter from the officer’s term of June through May.DUTIES When you cannot be at the dance the night of your duty, it is your responsibility to get a replacement! At each dance, one couple is needed for greeter duty and 2 couples are needed for kitchen duty. If the dance is a theme dance, decorations are desired. Each member should sign up for 4 dance duties a year. Dance duties are; kitchen duty, greeter duty and decorations duty. KITCHEN DUTY: Dance Break is at 10:00. By 9:00 check that enough food has been brought to serve dancers. If concerned that there is not enough food, notify President. Start coffee by 9:30. Use small pot. Fill to dark lines with cold water. Add 3/4 cup of coffee grounds. Set out plates, napkins, silverware, cream and sugar, and tea bags. Set out the food and serve quests if needed. After the break, clean tables, wash dishes belonging to the grange. Replace equipment, sugar and cream to the Toe Dragger’s locker. Clean floors and place benches on table. Take out the garbage and replace garbage liners downstairs. Also empty garbage cans in both the men and women’s restrooms. ALL MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO BRING FOOD TO EACH DANCE. MEMBERS ON KITCHEN DUTY ARE EXPECTED TO CLEAN UP AFTER BREAK, and other club members are expected to assist. . GREETER DUTY: Greeters should arrive by 7:15 the first Friday of month, 7:30 the second Friday of the month . If needed, sweep the floor before the dance, may need to apply dance wax around the edges and then sweep again. Also, wipe out the drinking fountain. Remove Greeter box out of Toe Dragger locker. Set out contents on table in hallway: Mints or candies in one dish. Guest notebook and pen. Roll of door prize tickets - one ticket for each dancer. Roll of Split the Pot tickets. Sell for 3/$1.00, 7/$2.00 OR 15/$3.00. Price sign - $10.00 per couple. Change - $30.00 in small box. Note: Callers/cuers and their spouses from other clubs get in free, they also receive doorprize tickets. Greet everyone in a welcoming manner. The door can be shut down by 9:00. Place money box and split the pot can behind the counter where the president conducts the break meeting. After the dance and break, stand at the door and thank the quests for coming. Then sweep the floor, close windows, turn off lights and lock the door. Check for forgotten food downstairs – either take it home with you or dispose of it. DECORATION DUTY: The person responsible for decorating for a dance needs to co-ordinate a grange access time with the Decoration Contact Person. Decoration Duty also includes removing decorations after the dance. Decorations for Christmas shall remain up the entire month of December, or as designated by the Grange. Save all Decorations for the next year. .COMMITTEES: AUGUST CAMPOUT: Plan and coordinate campout for month of August. Select 2 or 3 different parks with details. Bring information to November meeting for the club to vote on. Make campsite reservations 9 months in advance of campout (for state camp grounds). Make sign-up sheet and set deadlines for signing up. Plan and coordinate activities. CLUB MANUAL: A Club manual shall be produced each year and distributed at the Club Anniversary Dance or as near to that date as possible. Updates to the Constitution and By-Laws portion of the manual shall be made only as directed by the By-Laws. Yearly updates to the remainder of the Club manual shall be made as necessary, i.e.; as new committees may be formed, existing committee duties change, or new Club functions may be introduced (such as Plus dancing), and Club membership/address changes. DECORATION CONTACT PERSON: Whomever has decoration duty for a particular dance shall make contact with the Decoration Contact person to establish a date and time for decorating the Hall for the specified dances. DOOR PRIZES/GIFTS: Some door prizes will be free passes to the dances. The number given away will depend on the number of people at the dance. The Prize Chairperson shall provide prizes for dances as directed by the Theme Dance Committee. Additionally, gifts shall be provided for the Callers and Cuers (both permanent and guest) at the Club Anniversary Dance. DUTY ROSTER The Vice President maintains the duty roster and solicits volunteers. GRADUATION CHAIRPERSON: The Member at Large is the Chairperson of the Graduation Committee for both Square Dance and Round Dance lessons and shall coordinate graduation activities with the President and Caller/Cuer. The Chairperson shall be responsible for the direction and supervision of the committee providing the fun and game activities at Graduation, as well as determining the appropriate graduation ceremony. Diplomas shall be presented by the President and Member at Large. HISTORIAN: Obtain pictures and news articles pertaining to Club activities and arrange in a Club scrapbook. Members who take pictures at Club events are asked to give pictures to the Historian whenever possible to enhance the scrapbook. MAINSTREAM/ROUND DANCE CLASS COORDINATOR (Member at Large): Class Coordinators are responsible for coordinating the door duty of club members for collecting class fees at each class, maintaining attendance records and class rosters, and other records as necessary. Class rosters shall be provided to the TVC insurance coordinator for insurance purposes and the President for graduation certificates. It should be noted by all members that, unlike Mainstream Classes which occur regularly every year, the Board or General Club Membership shall vote yearly to determine if Plus Classes will be held for that square dance year. Plus classes are not a part of the regular Club agenda. Class coordinators are responsible for advertisements for classes. Class coordinators also serve on the graduation committee. MYSTERY TRIP The Mystery Trip is usually coordinated by the club president, but the club president may ask for volunteers to coordinate this activity on their behalf. OREGON FEDERATION NEWSLETTER: Be responsible for putting the monthly newsletter in the OFN by the 5th of the month for the next month’s issue. Example: The October issue of publication would have to receive the newsletter by the 5th of September. OREGON FEDERATION AD PERSON / ADVERTISEMENTS AND FLYERS: Be responsible for putting the monthly advertisement of dances in the OFN by the 5th of the next months issue. Example: The October issue of publication would have to receive the ad by the 5th of September. Develop and distribute advertisement media to promote Round and Square dancing. POP COMMITTEE: Be responsible for seeing that pop is available for all Club dances and planned activities. Keep record of income, money, and expenses. Maintain 3 cases of assorted pops and place in Club refrigerator for next dance. PROGRESSIVE DINNER: Coordinate plans for the Progressive Dinner, such as time, date, and people who will host certain courses. SHERIFF: The Club Sheriff is appointed by the newly elected Club President. The sheriff is directed to discourage inappropriate behavior at club functions by fining the offending member(s) during the dance break. Although anyone can suggest an offense, only the sheriff can officially declare a fine and assign its fee. Total fines should be limited to 50 cents in a single day. Monies collected go to a charitable cause as determined by the Club throughout the year. Possible reasons a sheriff might assess a fine on a person may be for; 1. Doing something he/she should not be doing, or not doing something he/she should be doing. 2. A good laugh - providing entertainment for everyone. 3. The sharing of good fortune - such as winning split the pot. 4. Leaving a purse or other valuable item upstairs during break. The Sheriff shall sell Split the Pot tickets during break at all Club dances. Split the Pot tickets may also be sold at the door. However, the Sheriff is responsible at all times for assuring that the tickets are being sold appropriately. If the winnings are more than $30.00, then the winnings will be split fifty fifty to two winners. Monies generated by selling of tickets shall be divided equally in two parts, with one part awarded during the drawing at dance or class breaks. The remaining monies shall be divided in half, with one half going to the general Club fund, and one half going towards the special activity fund. This special activity fund may be the Mystery Trip, however, the special activity shall be designated yearly by a Club or Board vote. The Sheriff may appoint a deputy sheriff at his/her discretion to assist when the Sheriff is not present at a dance, however, this shall be discussed with the President prior to the Sheriff making said appointment. SPECIAL FOOD COMMITTEE (Vice President): Provide sign-up lists for members to provide food for special dances by the decision of the Club. SUNSHINE PERSON: Cards shall be sent to the Caller and Cuer for anniversaries and birthdays. Get well and sympathy cards shall be sent to Club members as appropriate. Sympathy cards may include a note indicating that a donation to the Kinton Grange will be made in remembrance of the deceased. .SUPPLIES COMMITTEE: Check supplies in Toe Draggers cabinet once a month. Buy supplies such as paper plates, plastic tableware, cups, napkins, tea, coffee, cream, sugar, mints, etc. as needed. THEME DANCE COMMITTEE: The Vice President is responsible for determining a list of theme dances for the new year of September through August. At a minimum, the Vice President should get input from the Caller, the Cuer and club president when creating this list. This list should be completed by the middle of August, in time to be published with the new club manual and in time to be included in the TVC comprehensive calendar. TRAVELING BANNERS: Make travelling banners, as needed, to be given out to visiting clubs. Upon request, visiting clubs are granted a travelling banner if they have two squares of people in attendance, or one square in attendance with a caller. Toe Draggers would then visit the club to retrieve the banner (usually retrieval will require the same number of people in attendance as above). VISITATION COORDINATOR The club president usually coordinates visitations, but the club president may ask for volunteers to coordinate this activity on their behalf. WEB CALENDAR Maintain the calendar that is linked to our Toe Dragger home web page. WEB HOMEPAGE Maintain our Toe Dragger club web page. Coordinate with others who maintain links to the web. WINTER GETAWAY: Plan and coordinate getaway retreat for early Winter. Bring information to November meeting for club to vote on. Make sign-up sheet and set deadlines for signing up. Plan and coordinate activities. . KINTON GRANGE TURKEY DINNER: The Kinton Grange gives the Toe Draggers a very good rental price for use of the grange for dances and classes. In return, the Toe Draggers are asked to help with the Turkey Dinner put on the last Sunday of October every year, which raises money for maintenance and operation of the grange. The following committees are needed to help with this function. TURKEY DINNER LIAISON: This person lines up and directs Toe Draggers to help prepare or serve the Turkey Dinner. Preparation occurs on Friday and Saturday prior to the dinner, the dinner is served on Sunday. This person also coordinates or finds someone to coordinate, the donating of fruit pies or collection of money donations to buy pies. .MISCELLANEOUS NOTES: Square dance graduation: Neither students or angels pay at this dance. Toe Draggers are to bring treats for graduation. Square Dance Angel Badges -- The number of years denoted on angel badges given out by Toe Draggers, represents the number of years persons have angeled at the Toe Draggers Club. Each angel badge will have an angel icon on it, with the number of years the person has angeled written in the angel. Badge colors represent groups of 10 years. 1-9 years, blue badge 10-19 years, black badge 20-29 years, gold badge Square dance jamboree: Door fees are to be collected as if it were a regular dance. Students will pay at the door. Toe Draggers will not pay at the door as they are asked to bring food. Non Toe Dragger angels will not pay at the door because they are often attending to support a student they are helping through classes. Classes
Square dances – if it becomes apparent that a dancer is consistently breaking down squares and significantly diminishing the enjoyment of other dancers in the square, the club caller and/or club president may approach him/her and suggest that they discontinue dancing, but join the club for their next set of lessons. This may particularly occur in the case where the dancer has never graduated from square dance lessons. The dancer may be offered coupons or a note for a couple of free lessons with the club, signed by either the club president or club caller. Progressive dinner: Attendees should be limited to Toe Dragger members, their family and guests. Campouts and Midwinter retreat: Attendance is first open to Toe Draggers, if space is still available - then extended to Toe Dragger families and friends, and if space is then still available, could be extended to non member square dancers. Round dance graduation: Angel badges can be given out for round dance lessons, but the number of years has never been tracked, so it is not possible to include angel years on the badges. July and August Toe Dragger dances are come as you are (or casual dress) dances to try and beat the heat. Short sleeve shirts and short pants are acceptable apparel to these dances. .Angels for Toe Dragger Square Dance lessons . Toe Dragger Officers are in effect June through May . Toe Dragger Committees are in effect September through August .
.Dance Themes for September 2011 – August 2012 September 2, 2011 – Regular Dance September 11, 2011 – Dance for the Cure September 16, 2011 – Toe Dragger 36th Anniversary Dance October 7, 2011 – George Strait Dance (alternate location) October 21, 2011 – Grave Yard Smash November 4, 2011 - Regular Dance (Canned Food Drive) November 18, 2011 – Western Honky - Tonk (Canned Food Drive) December 2, 2011 - Regular Dance (Toy Drive) December 16, 2011 – Sugar Plum Ball January 6, 2012 – Beat the Blues January 8, 2012 – Lessons Start January 20, 2012 – Regular Dance February 3, 2012 – Regular Dance February 17, 2012 – Sadie Hawkins Dance March 2, 2012 - Regular Dance March 4, 2012 – Jamboree March 16, 2012 – Crazy Hat Dance March 18, 2012 – Lessons at Starks Air Park April 6, 2012 – Name that Tune April 20, 2012 – Regular Dance May 4, 2012 – Cinco De Mayo Dance May 18, 2012 – Regular Dance June 1, 2012 - Sock Hop 50/60’s Dance June 15, 2012 – Trail Through Dance - To the Nationals in Spokane, WA July 6, 2012 – Red, White & Blue Dance July 20, 2012 – Regular Dance August 3, 2012 - Regular Dance August 17, 2012 – Hawaiian Cruise Dance |