strathspey@strathspey.org:53368

Andrew Smith

Re: benefits of RSCDS

Aug. 12, 2008, 5:09 p.m. (Message 53368, in reply to message 53308)

I am just catching up, and there are some views which have been expressed 
under this topic that are not IMHO entirely correct and I am surprised that 
they have not been spotted.

In his two contributions Anselm sums up the view of many and presents the 
case for membership in his usual cogent way, and that is most helpful.
However, I feel that his comment "Most RSCDS members are not directly 
affiliated with the Society although that is quite possible) but join the 
Society by way of a »local association«, affectionately (if legally 
incorrectly) called a »branch«." is not strictly correct.
A member of the RSCDS is by definition a member of the RSCDS, not an 
affiliate. Their subscription may be paid direct to the Society if they 
choose to be HQ members or it may be collected by a Local Association for 
onward transmission to the Society, but however they pay that subscription 
then they are members of the Society, first and foremost. The "Branch" is 
defined as a Local Association of Members of the RSCDS. In turn it may have 
its own subscription to help towards its own administrative costs, but while 
the two subscriptions may be paid over to the Branch treasurer in one lump 
it is still in effect two separate subscriptions. By definition, one cannot 
be a member of a Branch unless one is a member of the RSCDS. I think that I 
am correct when I say that a Local Association/Branch does not pay any fee 
to the Society for being a Branch, although it seems to be a 
misunderstanding among some members in that what they perceive as a 
capitation charge by the Society is in fact the membership subscriptions 
being remitted to the Society.
Monica wrote: "If we affiliated with the RSCDS it would probably increase 
our membership dues beyond the means of many of our current members.
So those benefits don't really convince our dancers to join."
I suspect that she is using "affiliated" in the same sense as Anselm. 
However, your club can become an Affiliated Group for a lump sum payment by 
the group of  I believe £35. Unlike a Local Association/Branch your members 
do not have to become members of the RSCDS. As an Affiliated Group you would 
receive a copy of each edition of the magazine, and your contact details 
will appear on the RSCDS website, which may aid recruitment. I very much 
hope that the Society can think of  further benefits from Group Affiliation.
Another benefit to all dancers, members and non-members alike, not mentioned 
I think, is the fact that the Society maintains links across and around the 
world, and provides teacher training and examinations that establish a 
common standard, so that almost wherever you go (and the world is already 
much "smaller" and more of us are travelling) you will find the same 
terminology and a like-minded group of enthusiasts with whom you can 
immediately feel at home.
Happy dancing, because that is what it is all about.
Andrew Smith,
Bristol, UK.