| Monthly e-Newsletter |
March 2020 |
|
|
Spotlight
In witnessing the pandemic COVID -19, please stay safe and use universal precaution.
Schools, events, gyms and bars and dance classes are being temporarily shut down.
Remember to wash hands, use sanitizers (but don't use too often, or you could be poisoning yourself), avoid groups of 10 or more, and if you must dance, wear gloves. Some people are enjoying the old days of wearing formal gloves to dances.
f
rom New York Times:
"Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, cortisone ...) could be an aggravating factor for the infection. If you have a fever, take paracetamol (Tylenol or Acetaminophen)"
As you probably already know, the organizers of April Follies and many other dance competitions and sport events have decided to cancel their competitions this year due to exercising an abundance of caution for the health of members of our community.
Check out information and the latest updates from Center of Disease Control and Prevention website here.
|
|
Board of Directors Election
Election Committee
NASSPDA Board elections are just around the corner:
HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF SAME-SEX DANCING!
NASSPDA's Board is holding elections this spring, and we are seeking candidates who are looking to help lead our organization and, in turn, shape the future of non-traditional partner dancing in North America and around the world! From providing grants to support local interest in our mission and goals (see
https://nasspda.org/mission-statement/) to working on the first World Pride Dancesport Cup with our fellow members of the International Federation of Same-Sex Dance Associations, you can make a difference!
We are especially interested in adding more racial, gender and regional diversity to NASSPDA's Board from all over North America.
The deadline for nominating yourself or others is April 1, 2020, so don't delay.
|
|
Announcements
Scholarships
NASSPDA's Board has approved granting FIVE scholarships that are applicable toward all 2020 sanctioned competitions.
Each one is in the amount of $300 plus a one-year NASSPDA Individual Membership. One has been awarded for attending 'Floorplay LA' in January, but one applicant ended up not participating, which means that four of these scholarships
are remaining for deserving applicants.
Competitors interested in competing at World DanceSport Cup and/or New England Open (hosting the North American Championship) who are also interested in receiving some financial support, should apply as soon as possible because the Scholarships are awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
NASSPDA Membership Directory
Have you checked out the NASSPDA
Membership Directory
? This is a resource to allow NASSPDA members to connect with others in the community. Please contact Horace Luong (
[email protected]
) if you'd like to be added to
the directory
(this is available to NASSPDA members only).
Donation
Consider donating to NASSPDA!
Donations made to NASSPDA will be used to help the organization advance its mission of promoting same-sex partner dancing. Donations to NASSPDA may be tax deductible however, the extent is dependent on your country's tax laws.
Now NASSPDA's website has a button to donate right there:
Thank you for your generosity!
|
Competition Calendar
Competition Committee
March 2020 -
March 20 -
March 22, 2020
Albuquerque Marriott,
2101 Louisiana Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110 United States
April 2020 -
April 4, 2020
Alhambra Ballroom
Manhattan, NY United States
April 25, 2020
Just Dance Ballroom, O
akland, CA United States
June 2020
June 5- June 7, 2020
Marriott World Center Hotel, Walt Disney World Resorts, Orlando FL
United States
September 2020
New England Open - 2020 North American Same-Sex and New England Regional Championships (NASSPDA sanctioned championships)
September 26, 2020
Needham Town Hall,
1471 Highland Ave, Needham MA
United States
|
|
Membership Information
Membership Committee
Join NASSPDA TODAY! Please complete the membership form and make your membership payment directly through our website (nasspda.org).
If you have problems, or want to help us improve the website (parts are still under construction) please write to Horace Luong, our website administrator, at
[email protected]
.
|
Outreach and Media
Promotions Committee
ACTIVITY GRANT FUNDING PROGRAM
NASSPDA would like to encourage its members and our community at large to engage in various fun activities that promote same-sex dancing. We recognize that many of our members may have a creative idea and NASSPDA would like to contribute in a small financial way.
Up to 4 grants of $250 each will be awarded per calendar year on a first-come first-served basis to applicants who can demonstrate that the proposed activity will advance NASSPDA's mission of promoting and expanding social and competitive same-sex partner dancing.
The proposed event should also be in alignment with NASSPDA's following goals:
* Support functions and venues for social same-sex partner dancing.
* Provide a resource for same-sex partner dancers.
* Aim to raise the level of same-sex partner dancing
* Encourage the inclusion of dancers from diverse backgrounds with regard to race, ethnicity, gender, age, [dis]ability, gender identity and/or expression.
Some ideas for events and organizers to receive grant support:
- Same-sex dance classes
- A social dance mixer with actively inviting and encouraging same-sex dancing or "alternative lead and follow"
- An excursion to a local competition, introducing dancers to the concept
- A welcome party before one of NASSPDA's sanctioned competition
- Setting up a booth at a local street fair promoting same-sex dancing
- A neighborhood or community event promoting partner dancing and the inclusion of same-sex dancing
- Involving studios to promote same-sex dancing
- An event in conjunction with a city's Pride activities
These are just a few suggestions. To apply for financial support from NASSPDA's $250 Grant Program, please visit our website at
NASSPDA.org
, click on
the
'
Scholarships and Grants
' bar and then 'Grants" to read more for more information. You can also email us at
promotions@NASSPDA.org
with any questions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
