Tag: CALLERLAB Information

Materials about or generated by CALLERLAB. Current officers, dance program documents, accredited caller coach list, BOG members, convention education recordings, etc.

The How & Why of New Basics

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document Paul Hartman 1974 How & Why of New Basics

This paper by Paul Hartman appeared in American Square Dance magazine in 1974. It describes how square dancing evolved to become what we now call Modern Western Square Dancing during the period from just after World War II to the early seventies. This period was marked by changes in the style and philosophy of square dancing and the influx of many new calls. These new calls were called new “basics”, hence the title of the paper. The paper describes how the process of introducing these new calls shaped the dance we know and culminated in the formation of CALLERLAB with the explicit mission to provide some management and control of the process.


Welcoming Dance Environment Documentation

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

CALLERLAB

2020-07-01

Goals and Handbooks

Guidelines For Dealing With Inappropriate Behavior

Square Dancing is an overwhelmingly social activity. Therefore, it is essential that square dance groups create a social environment that feels welcoming, engaging, and safe. Events in recent years have caused shifts in social norms that raise questions about what “welcoming, engaging, and safe” actually means. CALLERLAB has acted to provide guidance in this area. The result is two documents, one providing an overview of objectives and a handbook of procedures, and a second containing a template process that clubs could adapt for handling instances of inappropriate behavior. Click on the button below to see an abstract of the document contents.

In the spring of 2018, the CALLERLAB Board of Governors updated the CALLERLAB Code of Ethics to include the following item:
5. Provide a safe and welcoming environment for all. I am committed to providing an environment free from sexual and other forms of harassment or bullying without bias based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability, and always be respectful of the hearts and spirits of others.

Expanding on this commitment, it is our goal for all participants to have a pleasant social experience while attending square dance events. In support of this goal, CALLERLAB will provide its members and the greater square dance community with guidelines, information, and educational opportunities to assist them in preventing, recognizing, addressing,and eliminating inappropriate behavior. In addition to the documents listed below, look for additional educational opportunities such as large group presentations, small group discussions at the CALLERLAB Conventions, and Articles in Direction.

Please refer to the Welcoming Dance Environment CALLERLAB Handbook for Organization Leaders and Callers for information about the following topics.

  • Definitions of Harassment and Other Inappropriate Behavior
  • Enhancing Caller Awareness
  • Teaching Dancers about Appropriate Behavior

Please refer to the Welcoming Dance Environment CALLERLAB Handbook for Dancers for information about the following topics.

  • Appropriate Dancer Behavior
  • Defensive Dancing
  • Helping Create a Safe, Secure, and Welcoming Environment

Please refer to the Welcoming Dance Environment Organization Guidelines for Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior for a draft Club or Organization Policy with specific information about the following topics.

  • When and How to Make a Report
  • Guidelines for Taking a Report and Addressing a Complaint
  • Inappropriate Behavior Complaint Form


SSD Documentation and Support Materials


Article Type Author Last Update Description
Summary Barry Clasper 2020-09-07 15:17:27

In 2016 CALLERLAB authorized the formation of the Sustainable Square Dance Committee and charged it with developing materials to support callers interested in exploring the use of the experimental lesson system called Sustainable Square Dance (SSD). Earlier versions of this system had been in use in some areas for quite some time under the name Club 50.

In July, 2020 CALLERLAB announced this system and the supporting Committee were renamed Social Square Dance (SSD). Only the name changed. All existing supporting materials still apply. At the same time, the CALLERLAB Board of Governors formally endorsed the use of SSD as a recommended vehicle for a rapid restart of square dancing after the COVID pandemic subsides.

SSD is designed to provide a 50 call entry program that can be taught quickly, roughly 20-25 hours of instruction, and yet serve as a realistic destination program for long-term square dancers. While the idea of a shortened entry list is certainly not unique to SSD, its design differs in providing a mechanism for keeping dancers happy in the entry program for at least 2 years, and in many cases, forever.

This article collects in one place documentation and materials that support the use of the SSD system. Some were created by the CALLERLAB SSD Committee while others were created by people using the system in the field. These are presented in two separate groups below. Click on the buttons below to view the respective tables.

Item Title (link) Description
Social Square Dance (SSD) Teaching Guide This comprehensive document provides a lesson plan, teaching tips, and sample choreography to jump-start callers on implementing the SSD lesson system.
Press Release announcing Board Of Governors endorsement Board Of Governors endorsement for using SSD as an approach for rapid restart of square dancing after COVID-19.
COVID-19 Information Page This page collects CALLERLAB information related to COVID-19.

The table below has two sections. The first contains materials of direct assistance to callers/dancers working with SSD – lists, videos, call definitions, etc. The second contains stories and experiences contributed by users of SSD.

Item Title (link) Description
Supporting Documentation and Materials  
SSD Teaching Videos North Shore Squares in Evanston, ILL created a series of teaching videos that demonstrate the calls in the SSD 50-call lesson plan.
Flash cards for SSD calls. Each card has the name of the call on one side and a dancer-friendly description of the call on the other. These sets of cards can be distributed to dancers as a teaching aid.
SSD Call Booklets North Shore Squares of Evanston, IL created definition booklets as an SSD teaching aid. The booklets contain a concise and easily read definition for each call, many including color diagrams to illustrate the action.
SSD Alphabetical Call List A single page that alphabetically lists the calls used in the SSD lesson system. The sheet highlights the calls from the Mainstream list that are used in SSD and also lists separately the Mainstream calls that are NOT used..
Stories and Experiences
North Shore Squares – 0 to 50 in 18 months An inspiring personal narrative that charts a journey through the process of using the Social Square Dance (SSD – formerly named Sustainable Square Dance) system as a tool to dig their club out of an all-too-common hole.
Stories from Facebook Some stories posted in Facebook about experiences using SSD.
Teaching an SSD Class This Winning Ways story from a newer caller explains how she is using the SSD program to teach new dancers.
Save Square Dancing With SSD Jerry Story and Deborah Carroll-Jones outline the philosophy and approach of SSD and how it can be used to solve square dancing’s biggest problem: recruitment and retention.

CALLERLAB Past Chairs

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

Home Office (callerlab@aol.com)

2020-05-27

Past Chairs

The linked page shows a list of all the people who have served as Chairman Of The Board of Governors and their years of service.


CALLERLAB Convention History

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

Home Office (callerlab@aol.com)

2020-08-20

Past Convention History

Each year CALLERLAB holds a convention that provides great opportunities for education and networking. The linked document shows a list of past conventions and their locations.

Upcoming Conventions

Scheduled upcoming conventions are:

  • 2021 (March 28-March 31) – Central Region – Hyatt Regency Hotel, Airport Grapevine, TX
  • 2022 (April 10 – 13) – East Region- Hyatt Regency Hotel, Airport Pittsburgh, PA
  • 2023 (March 20 – 22 NOTE: 2 weeks earlier than usual) – Western Region- Nugget Casino and Resort, Sparks, NV


Milestone Award Winners

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

Home Office (callerlab@aol.com)

2019-04-01

Milestone Winners

The Milestone is one of CALLERLAB’s most prestigious awards. To be eligible for the Milestone one must have worked in an uncharted field of square dancing and effected positive change that has stood the test of time. Additionally we look for unselfish contributions, professional leadership, and that you have had broad influence in the square dance activity. The link takes you to a list of Milestone winners.


History of CALLERLAB Board Of Governors Since 1975

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

Pam Clasper (pam@clasper.ca)

2020-09-18

History of CALLERLAB BOG Members 1975 to present

CALLERLAB has a Board Of Governors consisting of 25 members elected for 3-year terms by the general membership. Each year 1/3 of the BOG positions come up for election as terms expire. Each year the BOG elects 5 Executive Committee (EC) members: the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and 3 EC members. The EC deals with day-to-day operational decisions and does the planning for the annual convention. In the document the number in front of each member’s name shows the year their term expires. Members shown with (E) next to their names were EC members, (C) indicates the Chairman, and (V) the Vice-Chairman. Members indicated as being “alternates” were elected by the BOG to join the EC if a member has to step down.


List of CALLERLAB Accredited Caller Coaches

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

CALLERLAB Home Office

2020-02-19

List of Accredited Caller Coaches

CALLERLAB has a rigorous examination process for awarding credentials to caller coaches. Coaches who pass are authorized to advertise themselves as a CALLERLAB Accredited Caller Coach. This document lists the current ACC’s as of the publication date.


CALLERLAB Published Document Register

The following table is a register of documents that CALLERLAB has published for external distribution and usage. Each table column can be sorted by clicking on the up/down chevrons in the column header. The document title is a link which takes you to the online version where available. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about any of these documents, contact the Home Office at info@callerlab.org.

Item Name (Link) Owner Category
A1 Checklist Advanced Committee Program Document
A2 Checklist Advanced Committee Program Document
Abbreviated Definitions Basic/Mainstream B/MS Committee Program Document
Abbreviated Definitions Translated to Japanese B/MS Committee Program Document
Advanced Dancing Advanced Committee Program Document
Advanced Definitions Advanced Committee Program Document
Advanced List Advanced Committee Program Document
Advanced Timing Chart Advanced Committee Program Document
Alternate Lesson Systems Brochure B/MS Committee Guide
Alternate Lesson Systems White Paper B/MS Committee Guide
Applications Review Committee (ARC) Procedures ARC Program Document
ARC History Document ARC Program Document
ARC History Japanese Translation ARC Program Document
ARC History-Entscheidungen ARC Program Document
Basic Part 1 Definitions (German translation) B/MS Committee Program Document
Basic Program Definitions (Japanese Translated) B/MS Committee Program Document
Basic Program Defintions B/MS Committee Program Document
Basic Program List B/MS Committee Program Document
Basic/Mainstream Definitions (Danish Translation) B/MS Committee Program Document
Basic/Mainstream Non-Program Teaching Items B/MS Committee Program Document
Basic/Mainstream Teaching Tips B/MS Committee Program Document
Basic/Mainstream Teaching Tips (Japanese) B/MS Committee Program Document
BOG List Home Office Form
C-1 Definitions Challenge Committee Program Document
C-1 List Challenge Committee Program Document
C-2 Definitions Challenge Committee Program Document
C-2 List Challenge Committee Program Document
C-3A Definitions Challenge Committee Program Document
C-3A List Challenge Committee Program Document
Call Analysis Sheet Caller Training Committee Form
Caller / Club Confirmation Agreement (Contract) Home Office Form
CALLERLAB Code of Ethics Home Office Form
CALLERLAB KnowledgeBase Barry Clasper Website
CALLERLAB Mentoring Guidelines Caller Training Committee Guide
CALLERLAB Square Dance Marketing Manual Marketing Committee Guide
CALLERLAB Viewpoints in ASD Mike Seastrom External Article
Callers In Schools Handbook (CISH) ???? Guide
Challenge Teach Order (Not CALLERLAB Endorsed) Challenge Committee Program Document
Community Dance Journals CCTD Newsletter
Community Dances Compilation CCTD Website
Convention DIRECTION (program) Home Office Convention Materials
Convention Handouts Home Office Convention Materials
Dance Program Review Procedures ???? Program Document
Dance Time – All Programs (Recommended) ???? Program Document
Definition Guide For Basic/Mainstream B/MS Committee Program Document
Definition Guide for Basic/Mainstream (Japanese) B/MS Committee Program Document
DIRECTION Home Office Newsletter
Emergency Call for Medical Aid ???? Form
Experimental Condensed Teaching Order B/MS Committee Program Document
Formation & Arrangement Charts Definitions Committee Program Document
Formations Pictograms Chart Definitions Committee Program Document
Handicapable Book and Directory ???? Guide
List of Caller Schools (2020) Home Office Education
Mainstream Dance Program Definitions (Japanese) B/MS Committee Program Document
Mainstream Lesson Systems Report (PDF) B/MS Committee Form
“Mainstream Lesson Systems Report (Word Document) B/MS Committee Form
Mainstream Program Definitions B/MS Committee Program Document
Mainstream Program List B/MS Committee Program Document
Online Teaching Resource Choreographic Applications Committee Website
Plus Definitions Plus Committee Program Document
Plus Definitions (Japanese) Plus Committee Program Document
Plus List Plus Committee Program Document
Press Releases Home Office Newsletter
Sight and Module Resolution Systems Choreographic Applications Committee Guide
Stages Document WIC Committee Guide
Starter Kit for Newer Callers Caller Training Committee Education
Sustainable Square Dance Teaching Guide Sustainable Square Dance Ad Hoc Guide
Teaching Order Design Principles B/MS Committee Guide
Teaching Techniques (Jerry Reed) ???? Guide
WIC Music List WIC Committee Guide
WIC Music List (Japanese Translation) WIC Committee Guide


CALLERLAB COVID-19 Information Page


Last Update: 2020-09-07 15:36:46 (EDT)

CALLERLAB is working hard to keep up with the ramifications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this page is to provide you with timely and relevant information about the impact of the pandemic on our square dance activity.

We are endevouring to reference only trusted and authoritative sources of information. Misinformation about COVID-19 is spreading even more rapidly than the pandemic itself. We urge you to always check with one of these trusted sources to avoid retransmiting inaccurate information or rumour you may encounter on various social media.
Reviving Square Dancing in the Wake of COVID-19
The CALLERLAB Board Of Governors has published a strategy document to assist callers and dance leaders in restarting square dance activities after the long shutdown resulting from the pandemic. Click on the title above to view the document.

Try The Social Square Dancing Option
An element of the strategy outlined in the Reviving Square Dancing document above is the suggestion to try using a shorter lesson program. One of the suggested options is Social Square Dancing (SSD). This was formerly named Sustainable Square Dance but was recently renamed to make the title more meaningful to new dancers. In parallel with the press release on Reviving Square Dancing, CALLERLAB released a separate press release on SSD. It announces that the CALLERLAB Board Of Governors endorses the use of SSD as one approach for getting current dancers back on the floor having a fun and enjoyable time, as well as being a fast paced approach for bringing new people into our Square Dance community. You can view the complete press release by clicking the title above.

Links To Trusted Information Sources

This list provides links to a number of trusted information sites with current information on COVID-19

  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • US Center for Disease Control (CDC)
  • US State Health Departments (SHDs)
  • Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
  • European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
  • Australian Department of Health(AGDH)
  • Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (Japanese Page) (English Page)
  • Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center (JHU)
  • Dancing Grapevine Article (DGV)
  • Guidance From United Square Dancers of America (USDA)
  • WorldOMeter Coronavirus Statistics (WOM)
Links to Virtual Square Dances

The time of the pandemic has spawned a number of offerings that allow people to dance in their own home without other dancers. Some are presented as recordings of Zoom sessions that show many people in their own homes dancing the material along with you. Others are videos of a single couple dancing the material. There are also some audio recordings designed for a single couple to dance by themselves. This list provides links to a number of these recordings.

As the pandemic wears on, virtual dancing is gaining in popularity. The growing list of virtual dance events has spawned a number of calendars and schedules to keep track of ongoing or regularly scheduled virtual dances. The first few items in the list below point to those we currently know about.

There is also a group that is running 1-hour online seminars for callers and the recordings are available at C.L.A.S.S Online Seminars. Topics include items like Showmanship, Sight Calling, How Dancers Learn, Marketing Yourself, and a variety of others.

IAGSDC Virtual Dance Calendar
As the pandemic wears on virtual dances have become increasingly numerous. The IAGSDC addressed this issue by putting up an online calendar of virtual dances. Virtual dance sponsors can enter their event on the calendar by filling out a form on the calendar page. It is not restricted to members of the IAGSDC. Some of the events are recorded and may be found after the dance date on YouTube or Facebook, or in one of the collections following below. Others are live Zoom sessions that allow you to interact with other dancers between tips.
wheresthedance.com
In response to the changed situation due to the pandemic, the wheresthedance website has updated their facility to include virtual dances. After following the link above, click on “Show all virtual: Square Dance” to see all dances registered with the site. This site has a separate KnowledgBase article with additional details which you can view here.
Trailblazers A&C Virtual Square Dance Guide
The Trailblazers square dance club in LA has published a guide for virtual dances at Advanced and Challenge. It is available online and will be updated as new information is received. If you have information you would like added to the guide contact vsdeditor20@gmail.com. The link provided takes you to a page that appears to show two documents. Only the first one takes you to the PDF. The second has a title of the form “Updated {date}.pdf”, and is just a dummy to tell you when the last update to the first one was done.
ASRDA Virtual Square Dance List
The Austin Square And Round Dance Association is publishing a frequently updated list of Virtual Square Dances at all levels. The link takes you to a calendar, but the actual dance information for each week can be viewed by clicking on the document link in the Sunday of each week.
Intro to Virtual Dancing
The SquareDanceCalgary organization has put together this page explaining the basics of virtual dancing using Zoom. It includes pointers to several instructional videos that explain how the dancing works, and how to use the Zoom program to access dances.
Ett McAtee Virtual Advanced and Challenge dances and workshops.
Ett McAtee wished to keep her C1 class up and running after they had to shut down due to the pandemic. Her program has grown to a regular C1 workshop on Monday evenings and Wednesday afternoons, an A2 dance with C1 star tips on Friday evenings, a Sunday Challenge series, and a C3A workshop/review co-called with Linda Kendall on Tuesday evenings. Email Ett for more information and to get “on the list”. Her email address is available if you follow the link above.
Buddy Weaver One-Couple Dancing
Buddy Weaver has recorded several tips specifically choreographed for a single couple. The tips progress in difficulty with Part I being the easiest. All tips have an audio recording, and some have a video recording as well.
Mike Dusoe Virtual Dances
Mike Dusoe has hosted a number of virtual square dances over Zoom. He often has guest callers as well. The video screen shows a number of windows, each containing a couple (or a single) dancing the material in their own home. This page is an index to those dances.
Dancing In The Garage Series
Specifically designed for two person Square Dancing, the “Dancing in the Garage Series” is created by Bob and Dorothy Simpson and Darby Love from Vancouver Island. These are presented as dance along fun-shops and tutorials. There are currently over 200 videos available.
Mike Seastrom Connects With His Class via Zoom
During the pandemic Mike wanted to keep in touch with his dancers, so he called some dancing they could do in their own living rooms.
Darren Gallina Zoom Dances
Darren Gallina has posted several “Zoom” dances to his YouTube channel during the pandemic. Called by Darren and a variety of other callers.
Calgary Virtual Square Dance Videos
The Calgary & District Square & Round Dancers Association has held a number of Zoom dances aimed at single couples during the pandemic. They have posted the recordings on YouTube.
Challenge 2-Couple Zoom Virtual Square Dance Videos
During the COVID-19 pandemic a number of Challenge virtual dances were held over Zoom. Levels include C2 through C4. Keith Rubow recorded these dances and they are available for purchase on his site. Information on the scheduling of the live dances is available on the IAGSDC calendar.

Visits With the Legends

Article Type Author Last Update Description
Summary Barry Clasper (barry@clasper.ca) 2019-11-24

For the past several years CALLERLAB has included a convention session called “A Visit With the Legends”. In each session several well known and pioneer people were interviewed and told “war stories” about their careers and events in their lives. These sessions have proven to be extremely popular with the convention audience. The sessions were recorded, some with audio only, some with video, and some both. While the recordings are all contained in the pages that list CALLERLAB education session recordings, we have created this summary article listing the “legend” recordings so you can find them faster.

Year Link(s) Description
2012 Audio Moderator, Jerry Junck and Panelists, Bob Brundage, Marshall Flippo, Jerry Helt and Melton Luttrell.
2013 Audio Moderator, Mike Seastrom and Panelists, Don Beck, Lee Kopman, and Carl Sims
2014 Audio
Video 		Moderators, Jerry Junck and Mike Seastrom and Panelists, Ernie Kinney, Daryl Clendenin, Dick Henschel and Calvin Campbell
2015 Audio
Video 		Moderator, Jerry Reed and Panelists, Jon Jones, Mike Seastrom, Elmer Sheffield and Al Stevens.
2016 Audio
Video 		Moderator, Mike Seastrom and Panelists, Bill Heyman, Carl Sims, Johnny Wedge, and Bob Worley
2017 Video Moderators, Jerry Junck & Mike Seastrom and Panelists, Ken Bower, Ed Foote, Johnny LeClair, and Paul Moore.
2018 Video 67th NSDC This panel includes Betsy Gotta, Gary Shoemake and Ernie and Barbara Stone (NEC). Moderator is Jerry Junck to help lead the discussion
2018 Video Moderator, Mike Seastrom and Panelists, Betsy Gotta, Bill Litchman, and Stew Shacklette.
2019 Video Moderator, Johnny Wedge, and Panelists, Ed Foote, Betsy Gotta, and Jerry Junck.

Interviews With Callers

Article Type Author Last Update Description
Summary Barry Clasper (barry@clasper.ca) 2019-11-24

This summary article points to some places where recordings of interviews with callers have been collected.

Collection Name Description
Visit With the Legends At several recent conventions CALLERLAB ran a session titled “A Visit With the Legends”. In each session several well known callers talked about their early days and related “war stories” about events in their calling careers. This article has direct pointers to those recordings.
Bob Brundage Interviews Over a period of many years Bob Brundage recorded interviews with 129 callers and square dance luminaries. This article links to those recordings.
Square Dance Radio Network This podcast hosted by Dayle Hodge and Barb Jarvis ran for about 40 episodes in 2011 and 2012. In each episode Dayle and Barb would interview callers or notable people in the square dance community about their lives and their views on various aspects of the activity. The link takes you to a page where you can hear all the episodes.
Marty’s Podcast This podcast first started in summer of 2019 and only has a few episodes so far. Hopefully many more will be coming.

Participating In CALLERLAB – Why and How

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

Barry Clasper (barry@clasper.ca) Allan Hurst (allanhurst@gmail.com)

2019-07-28

Newsletter Extract

The linked PDF contains 2 articles from the March 2019 edition of the GCA Callsheet. The first, by Barry Clasper, describes the benefits of being a participant in CALLERLAB, and in particular the value of attending convention. The second, by Allan Hurst, gives some tips on doing effective presentations at a CALLERLAB convention.


Using SqView to Play and Manage Music (Handout)

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

Bob Riggs (bob@SquareDanceEtc.com)

2019-04-15

Presentation Handout

SqView is a very popular computer program specifically designed to play and manage square dance music. Bob Rigg’s presentation at CALLERLAB 2019 contains invaluable guidance on how to use the program and organize your music for most effective use.


Women In Calling (WIC) Music List

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

CALLERLAB Women In Calling Committee (WIC)

“2009”

WIC Music List

WIC Music List (Japanese Translation)

The CALLERLAB Women In Calling Committee (WIC) deals with issues that are specific to female callers. One of those is the fact that much square dance music is produced in keys better suited to male voices and is consequently more difficult for female callers. The WIC Music List contains music that experienced female callers have found works well for them.


Digital Music Presentation (Handout)

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

Richard Manning (rickmanning_sdcaller@yahoo.com)

2016-03-30

Digital Music 101

Digital Music 102

These handouts (Digital Music 101 and 102) were created for a presentation at the 2018 CALLERLAB Convention in Albuquerque.

  • Digital Music 101 deals with the Windows considerations for downloading your music, placing it in your PC’s file structure, and managing the physical files.
  • Digital Music 102 deals with editing your music files using Audacity, a free music editing program. Another article on Audacity may be found here.


CALLERLAB Online Teaching Resource

Article Type Owner Links Description
Resource

CALLERLAB Choreographic Applications Committee (dwelch@eastlink.ca)

CALLERLAB Online Teaching Resource

The Choreographic Applications Committee has created this resource site to assist those who are teaching square dancers. Its intent is to collect in one place all the information about each call that teachers might need to teach students successfully.

The site is organized into sections according to the CALLERLAB programs. It is still a work in progress. Basic Part 1 and Basic Part 2 are ready for use. Mainstream and eventually Plus are planned.

For each call there are seven sections of information:

  1. the call definition
  2. standard applications
  3. call analysis information
  4. modules
  5. teaching tips
  6. extended applications
  7. other


CALLERLAB Square Dance Marketing Manual

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

CALLERLAB Marketing Committee

2018-02-10

CALLERLAB Square Dance Marketing Manual

Japanese Translation

This square dance marketing plan has been developed by CALLERLAB members in support of our mission: “To foster the art of square dance calling, and improve caller skills.” Just like the square dancer population, the number of square dance callers today is dramatically smaller than 30 years ago. For CALLERLAB to increase the population of callers, we must start by growing the population of square dancers, thereby providing more opportunities for callers to call, and developing a population base from which new callers will be recruited.

Document Abstract

It is CALLERLAB’s goal to provide square dance callers, square dancers and square dance organizations the tools they need to recruit new dancers in their local markets. This includes:
 Education about marketing fundamentals, which will provide a review of the many things you need to consider about our activity when you begin marketing square dancing.
 Accurate research about the state of our current activity and an understanding of the general public’s image and awareness of our activity.
 Defined marketing strategy elements and exercises for groups to determine target demographics, benefits sought by each target demographic, analysis of our product versus products we compete with, a list of our marketing challenges, and a position statement.

Brand management tactics.
A large list of marketing tactics with “How To” instructions for each.
 Collateral marketing material to support specific tactics.
 Recommendations.
 Case studies to demonstrate successes that are repeatable.
 Fundraising ideas. Face-to-face training programs to assist local dance groups in their marketing efforts.


Using Hearing Assist System To Slave One Amp To Another (Handout)

Article Type Submitter Date Links Description
Idea Wayne Weston (wtweston@satx.rr.com )

2017-04-08

Handout PDF

This handout from the CDLS session at the 2017 CALLERLAB convention explains how to slave one sound system to another using a hearing assist system. This avoids having to string long cables when sounding large rooms.


List of Sound Equipment For Square Dancing (CDLS 2017 Handout)

Article Type Author Publication Date Links Description
Document

Bob Riggs (Bob@SDE-Co.com)

2017-04-08

Equipment List PDF

This 2-page document lists some of the commonly used sound equipment used for square dancing and where it may be obtained. It is a handout from a presentation at the Community Dance Leaders Seminar (CDLS) at the 2017 CALLERLAB convention.


CALLERLAB Program Documents

Article Type Author Last Update Description
Summary Barry Clasper (barry@clasper.ca) 2020-09-18 16:21:52

This summary points to the primary program-related documents that have been officially published by CALLERLAB. This includes program lists, call definitions, timing charts, lesson checklists, teaching tips, formation charts, standard application documents, and other materials. Click on the appropriate button below to see a list of materials for the program indicated. Click on the name of the document to access it. The Alpha List button contains a sortable table showing all the documents in one place.

Program Document Tables (click to view)

Due to the large number of documents associated with the Basic and Mainstream programs, the table below is organized into sections:
Basic Documents that deal only with the Basic program
Mainstream Documents that deal only with the Mainstream program
BMS Documents that deal with both the Basic and Mainstream programs
Other Documents that are not specific to either program but are of interest to callers calling Basic/Mainstream

Document Name Revision Date
Basic Documents
Basic List 2019-03-06
Basic Definitions 2020-02-22
Basic Definitions (Japanese) 2020-02-22
Basic Definitions Part 1 (German) 2020-07-24
Basic Standard Applications 2020-05-15
Mainstream Documents
Mainstream List 2019-03-06
Mainstream Definitions 2020-02-22
Mainstream Definitions (Japanese) 2020-02-22
Mainstream Standard Applications 2020-05-15
Basic/Mainstream Documents
Basic/Mainstream Definitions (Danish V2.01) 2010-01
Basic/Mainstream Definitions (Japanese) 2018-06-22
Basic and Mainstream Checklists 2017-08-17
Basic and Mainstream Timing Charts 2017-08-17
Basic/Mainstream Abbreviated Definitions 2014-09-17
Basic/Mainstream Abbreviated Definitions (Japanese) 2014-09-15
Basic/Mainstream Standard Applications (Japanese) 2008-01-15
Basic/Mainstream Teaching Tips 2010-06-21
Basic/Mainstream Teaching Tips (Japanese) 2009-10-12
Basic/Mainstream Definition Guide 2011-02-07
Basic/Mainstream Definition Guide (Japanese) 2011-02-07
Other Documents
Formations Pictograms Chart 2010-12-14
Formations and Arrangements Charts 2008-01-15
Experimental Condensed Teaching Order 2015-03-01
Social Square Dance (SSD) Lesson System (formerly called Sustainable Square Dance) 2020-07-22
Social Square Dance (SSD) FAQ Document 2020-09-16
Non Program Teaching Items 2007-12-19
Lost Square Procedure 2004-11-19
Emergency Call For Medical Aid (ECMA) ????
Teaching Order Design Principles 2007-12-06

Document Name Revision Date
Advanced List 2019-10-30
Advanced Definitions 2020-02-25
A1 Checklist 2016-12-21
A2 Checklist 2012-09-13
Advanced Timing Chart 2015-12-15
What Is Advanced Dancing Booklet 2014-09-15

Document Name Revision Date
C1 List 2019-05-16
C1 Definitions 2019-05-16
C2 List 2019-05-22
C2 Definitions 2019=03-29
C3A List 2019-06-13
C3A Definitions 2018-06-24
Challenge Teaching Orders 2012-02-10

Every three years the CALLERLAB program committees (Basic/Mainstream, Plus, Advanced, and Challenge) undertake a review of the current program lists and definitions. This review may result in additions or deletions of calls/concepts or a revision of definitions. The update of program documents may lag behind the initial public announcement of changes because after the results of the review are known, the committee may have additional work to do to redraft list or definition documents. This entry documents the raw results of the 2018 Triennial Review. Not all affected documents have been updated yet. Entries marked with an asterisk below indicate the changes are reflected in the officially published list.

2018 Triennial Review Results

Basic Results
The Thar Family and related calls are dropped, and as a result, are moved to the Mainstream Program list. This includes:

  • 32. Thar Family*
    · Allemande Thar
    · Allemande Left to an Allemande Thar
    · Wrong Way Thar
    33. Slip the Clutch*
    34. Shoot the Star / Shoot the Star Full Around*
  • The Basic Teaching Order is modified as follows: Double Pass Thru, and First Couple Left/Right, Next Couple Left/Right are moved to follow Star Thru in the Basic Program teaching order.*

Mainstream Results
  • Moved to MS from Basic
    32. Thar Family*
    · Allemande Thar
    · Allemande Left to an Allemande Thar
    · Wrong Way Thar
    33. Slip the Clutch*
    34. Shoot the Star / Shoot the Star Full Around*
  • Added to MS
    • Fractional Tags (1/2 Tag, 3/4 Tag, 1/4 Tag)*

Plus Results
No Changes

Advanced Results
No Changes

C1 Results
  • Add Track 0-4
  • Add Pass and Roll Your Cross Neighbor
C2 Results
  • Add Grand Drop In/Out/Right/Left*
  • Add Pass and Roll Your Criss Cross Neighbor*
  • Add Any Tagging Call Your Criss Cross Neighbor*
C3A Results
  • Add Single Calls: Shakedown, Turn and Deal
  • Add Interlocked Extend
  • Add Hinge The Top to the family of Lock the Hinge/Hinge the Lock (variations include Lock The Hinge the Top, Beau/Belle Hop the Top

The rows in the table below may be sorted by clicking on the up/down chevron in the column header

Document Name (Link) Date
Basic List 2019-03-06
Basic Definitions 2020-02-22
Basic Definitions (Japanese) 2020-02-22
Basic Definitions Part 1 (German) 2020-07-24
Basic Standard Applications 2020-05-15
Mainstream List 2019-03-06
Mainstream Definitions 2020-02-22
Mainstream Definitions (Japanese) 2020-02-22
Mainstream Standard Applications 2020-05-15
Basic/Mainstream Definitions (Danish V2.01) 2010-01-01
Basic/Mainstream Definitions (Japanese) 2018-06-22
Basic and Mainstream Checklists 2017-08-17
Basic and Mainstream Timing Charts 2017-08-17
Basic/Mainstream Abbreviated Definitions 2014-09-17
Basic/Mainstream Abbreviated Definitions (Japanese) 2014-09-15
Basic/Mainstream Standard Applications (Japanese) 2008-01-15
Basic/Mainstream Teaching Tips 2010-06-21
Basic/Mainstream Teaching Tips (Japanese) 2009-10-12
Basic/Mainstream Definition Guide 2011-02-07
Basic/Mainstream Definition Guide (Japanese) 2011-02-07
Formations Pictograms Chart 2010-12-14
Formations and Arrangements Charts 2008-01-15
Experimental Condensed Teaching Order 2015-03-01
Social Square Dance (SSD) Lesson System (formerly Sustainable Square Dance) 2020-07-22
Social Square Dance (SSD) FAQ Document 2020-09-16
Non Program Teaching Items 2007-12-19
Lost Square Procedure 2004-11-19
Emergency Call For Medical Aid ????
Teaching Order Design Principles 2007-12-06
Plus List 2018-09-22
Plus Definitions 2018-09-22
Plus Definitions (Japanese) 2018-09-22
Plus Checklist 2015-09-29
Plus Timing 2016-07-12
Plus Standard Applications 2006-10-09
Plus Standard Applications (Japanese) 2006-10-09
Plus Teaching Tips 2008-11-04
Plus Teaching Tips (Japanese) 2009-10-31
Advanced List 2019-10-30
Advanced Definitions 2020-02-25
A1 Checklist 2016-12-21
A2 Checklist 2012-09-13
Advanced Timing Chart 2015-12-15
What Is Advanced Dancing Booklet 2014-09-15
C1 List 2019-05-16
C1 Definitions 2019-05-16
C2 List 2019-05-22
C2 Definitions 2019-03-29
C3A List 2019-06-13
C3A Definitions 2018-06-24
Challenge Teaching Orders 2012-02-10
Community Dance List 2014-09-17
Community Dance Journal Index 2017-02-22
ARC Decision History (German) 2014-09-17
ARC Decision History (Japanese) 2018-01-31

CALLERLAB Convention Audio Recordings (as of Oct 31, 2018)

Article Type Owner Links Description
Resource CALLERLAB (callerlab@aol.org) Click here to see the index page for the audio recordings.

Each year the CALLERLAB Convention provides two full days of education and information sessions. For many years audio recordings have been made of selected sessions, and latterly some have also been recorded on video. So far, CALLERLAB has posted several hundred of these recordings to YouTube, to make them generally available. There are many more to come, so this is an ongoing process.

Click on the link in the column to the left to see an index page listing all the recordings. The list shows the year, the title (which is also a link to the recording), and a description of each posted recording.

CALLERLAB Convention Video Recordings (as of Oct 4, 2019)

Article Type Owner Links Description
Resource CALLERLAB (callerlab@aol.com)

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Each year the CALLERLAB Convention provides two full days of education and information sessions. For many years audio recordings have been made of selected sessions, and latterly some have also been recorded on video. So far, CALLERLAB has posted several hundred of these recordings to YouTube, to make them generally available. There are many more to come, so this is an ongoing process.

Click on the link to the left to see an index page that lists all the video recordings posted so far. Each entry shows the year of the recording, the title of the session (which is also a link to the recording), and a description of the topic. This table lists video files only.


Beginner Dance Party Leaders Seminar – Presentations from 2014

Article Type Author Last Update Description
Summary

Presentation

 Barry Clasper (barry@clasper.ca) January 2016

For many years, as a lead-in to the main convention, CALLERLAB has hosted a 1-1/2 day seminar focusing on how to call square dance parties for non-dancers. CALLERLAB has posted to YouTube videos of a number of the presentations from the 2014 BDPLS. These presentations constitute a wealth of information about how to make such events a success. They cover everything from dance material to promotion to preparations to contracts, and much more.

Presenter Topic and Link
Dottie Welch Variations on the Virginia Reel
Susan Morris Effective Use of Circles
Paul Moore Working With Kids
Bob Riggs Planning
Chris Pinkham Dance Programs
Cal Campbell Genderless Dancing


What Did You Say?

Article Type Event Date Presenter Links Description
Presentation CALLERLAB Convention 2014 Susan Healey Video File

As square dance callers, we communicate with dancers using several mediums, but primarily auditory. Dancers react to our verbal commands. Due to the increasing age of dancers, statistics indicate that a large percentage of them more than likely have a significant hearing impairment, even if they do not wear hearing aids. Learn why people can “hear, but not understand”; the effects of background noise on comprehension; why people prefer different levels of loudness and louder isn’t always better; whether or not hearing aids help, and more. Improve your calling by learning techniques to help all dancers hear and understand you better. Susan is a Clinical Audiologist with over 30 years of experience.


Teaching Styling

Article Type Event Date Presenter Links Description
Presentation CALLERLAB Convention 2014 Jon Jones and Tim Marriner Video File (part 1)

Video File (part 2)

Handout Files (zipped)

Presentation on the how’s and why’s of teaching styling to new dancers. How styling can help you and your dancers to succeed. Functional styling that helps dancers succeed and feel comfortable dancing (as opposed to regulated styling that implies “do it this way because I told you to” and “this is the way we always do it”).


Introduction To Mental Image Choreography

Article Type Event Date Presenter Links Description

The following two entries show two versions of a presentation by Don Beck on his system for Mental Image choreographic management. The first is a complete presentation to a group of callers. The second is a shorter introduction aimed at caller coaches that provides a slightly different perspective.

Presentation 2013 Don Beck Video File

Handout PDF

In this 2-hour video, Don Beck provides an introduction to his mental image choreography system to an audience of callers. It provides a quick overview of how the system works and illustrates some of its power. If you’re interested in learning to use this system, you can find information about Don’s book “Out Of Sight” here.

Presentation CALLERLAB Convention 2013 Don Beck Video File

Handout PDF

Don Beck provides an introduction to his mental image choreography system to the Caller Coach committee at the 2013 CALLERLAB Convention. It provides a quick overview of how the system works and illustrates some of its power. If you’re interested in learning to use this system, you can find information about Don’s book “Out Of Sight” here.


CALLERLAB Community Dance Resources

Article Type Owner Links Description
Resource Dottie Welch (dwelch@eastlink.ca) Website

This Dance Resource is a compilation of Beginner Party Dances, Community Dances, Contra Dances, and Traditional Square Dances. Dances are grouped by type and listed in HTML code for easy viewing. Each dance is also available to be downloaded as a Rich Text File. There is also a sortable and linked index to the Community Dance Journals. Supporting documents are being added and now include Formation Diagrams, Music Suggestions, and the Community Dance Program Plan.


CALLERLAB 2015 Brainstorming Session

Article Type Submitter Date Links Description
Idea Barry Clasper (barry@clasper.ca) 2015-07-12 Brainstorming Ideas Spreadsheet (CALLERLAB 2015)

A “brainstorming” session was held during the opening session of the CALLERLAB Convention in 2015. The audience was seated at round tables with 8-10 people at a table. Each table was asked to brainstorm for 10 minutes or so on things that could be done to “improve square dancing” (however they conceived of that). Ideas were just written down by each individual as fast as they occurred to them. Each table was asked to rank their ideas and select the top 3. Then those 3 were taken to another table, which was asked to rank them.

The attached Excel spreadsheet contains those ideas. There are 441 items of information. Some are cryptic or unformed, some are well-trodden ground, but many are valuable.

The spreadsheet has three columns for categorizing the idea so you can sort the spreadsheet and group ideas together by category. There are also two rank columns: the first shows the rank assigned by the originating table, the second the rank assigned by the evaluating table. If the rank fields are blank, then the idea was not selected as one of the top 3 by the originating table.


Extended But Not Extreme – Plus

Article Type Event Date Presenter Links Description
Presentation CALLERLAB Convention 2015 Barry Clasper, John Marshall Extended But Not Extreme – Plus (Clasper Handout)

There are many calls for which we have well known “standard” applications, and we have even documented many of them in the Standard Applications documents. “Standard”, however, does not mean “easier” — it really means “more common”. There are many infrequently used applications that are not hard, they’re just infrequent. Because they’re infrequent, dancers bobble when they hear them, so we avoid them, so they stay infrequent: vicious circle. Some examples: Peel The Top from LH Cols; Cut/Flip The Diamond, Girls as Centers; Ping Pong Circulate with same-sexes in center wave. If you are interested in enriching your dancers’ experience with usages that are not hard, just infrequently used, this session is for you.


What Is CALLERLAB?

Article Type Event Date Presenter Links Description
Presentation CALLERLAB Convention 2013 Pam Clasper Handout PDF

Handout provided by Pam Clasper for the Orientation session at CALLERLAB 2013. It describes the purpose of the CALLERLAB organization and the benefits of being a member.


Large Event Planning

Article Type Event Date Presenter Links Description
Presentation CALLERLAB Convention March 2014 Lee & Barbi Ashwill, Walt Burr, Dottie Welch Audio Recording

Ashwill Handout

Burr Handout

Welch Handout

This presentation session covered how to plan for events that are larger than a standard club dance, either in duration or number of dancers. This could range anywhere from a special club dance where other clubs are invited to attend, all the way to a major convention spanning several days and employing multiple callers in multiple halls.


Marketing On A Shoestring Budget

Article Type Event Date Presenter Links Description
Presentation CALLERLAB Convention March 2014 Patrick Schwerdtfeger Video

This video shows the keynote address at the 2014 CALLERLAB convention in Reno, Nevada. It spawned the now famous catchphrase that “Nobody is talking about square dancing because nobody is talking about square dancing”.