strathspey@strathspey.org:53282

Pia Walker

RE: The RSCDS dance publication process (was: Tunes for "Hornpipes Suitable for Catch the Wind" on the "More Memories.....)

July 31, 2008, 10:06 a.m. (Message 53282, in reply to message 53279)

thank you - it would help if people knew about the RSCDS and its work.
Without the myths that are plentyful out there.  And you are absolutely
right - the RSCDS is its members - if we don't do anything, nobody does.  It
it up to Us not Them (of which I am one)to make RSCDS an even better entity.

Re missionary efforts - (I personally hate that word) - we are not here to
preach, so outreach would be better I think.  And there are quite af few of
Us who are spending a great deal of our time to get these areas involved -
WHEN we get to know about them.

I am now personally going to speak as one of US who have been one of THEM
for a couple of years :>)  ie it is my personal opinion :>)

It is also a matter of priority - if we have to spend several hours
researching why a dance 10 years or more ago did not or did have a preferred
tune, and why that tune was or wasn't used in order to pacify several RSCDS
members, then there are less time to deal with researching where there are
'isolated' dance groups who could do with a helping hand. Not that it isn't
important to the people who devised the dances etc., of course it is - as
someone said it is their baby, but it was a wee while ago.

It is a fine balance of servicing the members, listening to all the ideas,
suggestions, critique, grievances etc that are now, due to the change in the
communication environment and the change in how the Society is run, coming
to the fore and also 'opening up new markets' when you are only a handful of
people trying to do everything, for everyone.

I would also like to ask how many of the oft heard grievances are
historical? but perpeturated ad infinitum?  And how many are recent?  Not
that there are no mistakes or errors now, of course there is.

Things are changing for the 'better' - Communication still needs worked on,
but it is getting there albeit slowly.  Perhaps someone who is paid to have
an overall view can help making everyone feel a little bit better, and make
the RSCDS a little more exciting for old and new potential members.

Pia
Member of the Anselm for President campaign :>)




Why ask Anselm?  Aren't most of us the "Members"?  What are each of
*us* going to do about helping the RSCDS become more responsive to our
needs?

My first step will be a renewed effort to talk about the Society in
class more often, and encourage my dancers to join.  We don't usually
talk about the RSCDS much in class or at events, because it's
difficult to show people here exactly what it is they're getting for
their money.

However, with the support of our group, I hope to attend TAC Summer
School in 2010 to take Unit 5.  Hopefully ;) our dancers will be
getting a better teacher out of that effort.  It's an ideal
opportunity to remind them that this training exists because of the
work of the RSCDS.

I've not been a wildly enthusiastic supporter of the RSCDS in the
past, for various reasons.  But if the Society did make more
'missionary effort' to become visible in isolated areas, and more
supportive of small groups like ours, it would gain much goodwill.

Monica Pollard
Nampa, ID




--
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a
horrible warning."
Catherine Aird


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