Meeting minutes for Sunday November 18th

Dear Dance Friends: A meeting of dance community was held on November 18th at Dance Place San Diego (NTC Promenade) to talk about the needs of San Diego in regard to a service organization for dance. Below are the notes of that meeting for those of you who were unable to attend:

  1. Background of the state of the former San Diego Area Dance Alliance: Disappearance of the General Manager Kendall Klug, his refusal to engage with the steering committee (formed on March 4) - large debt, frozen website, blocked access to the office, disbanding of the '04-06 Board of Directors, etc.

  2. Discussion of the importance and/or necessity of the former SDDA programming: Nations, Emerge, Fiscal Receivership, Marley Floor rental, Newsletter, Calendar, Dance E-News Many questions, e.g.: Should the service organization be a presenting organization, as well? What's the purpose of these "festivals" or showcases - are they really serving a large constituency? If a new organization is starting shouldn't the primary focus be on the website and communication?

  3. Clarification of steps that might be taken in the current climate: Form a steering committee to identify the focus of a new organization: purpose, services, communication with the public (see # 6) Gather a group to discuss the issues of technology and internet communication ie., best way to set up the website (see # 6, 7)

  4. Report by Julie McLeod (Santa Barbara DA) on the programming of other dance alliances around the state. Update on the California Dance Network website. Reiteration of the importance of a dance service organization in San Diego and the necessity of statewide communication and support:

    www.sbdancealliance.org
    www.drc-la.org (Dance Resource Center of Los Angeles)
    www.dancersgroup.org (Dancer's Group SF)

  5. It was decided that the most pressing issue was a Calendar - that be up-to-date and refreshed regularly, and cover the entire community The sandiegodance.org domain name is back in the hands of the community. How to construct the website? It was suggested that the website become a site of open access to all members of the dance community to post their events and list their schools and companies, announcements, grants, job availability, etc. (think Craig's List) The steering committee will begin brainstorming this concept

  6. It was suggested that the other programs be cosponsored or produced under the umbrella of other dance/art organizations for the time being - with the idea that these programs may, down the line, become part of the mission of the new organization

  7. A group of interested people are gathering on December 2 at 5 p.m. at Dance Place to discuss a.) the new website and b.) possibly forming an organization under another name with a new 501.c3 application (RSVP Bill Murray wmurray1@sbcglobal.net)

  8. Those who want to discuss website technology for sandiegodance.org contact Justin Morrison

    9. Please forward this report to others with an interest in the future of dance in San Diego.