Monthly NewsletterDecember 2020
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From the President

Wow, what a year it has been! The overarching pandemic keeping us from enjoying most of what makes us feel alive, in particular socializing through our passion of dancing, witnessing an overdue enormous outpouring towards greater social justice, namely the Black Lives Matter movement, and worrying about a very contentious as well as pivotal election.
 
And despite it all, this year too is coming to an end and a new year is about to begin, which as usual gives us pause to reflect on what happened or in this case also what didn't happen...
 
As in NASSPDA's eNewsletter from January 2020, in my preview of the year to come, the first listed and subsequently reported NASSPDA sanctioned event, 'Floorplay LA,' had already taken place (https://myemail.constantcontact.com/), and we were still pretty unaware of what was heading our way. Now, we all know what happened then just two months later, which resulted into the cancellation of the remaining two NASSPDA sanctioned events this year, 'April Follies' on April 27 and 'New England Open' on September 21, the cancellation of an IFSSDA sanctioned event, the '2020 World Dancesport Pride Cup' in June, as well as other opportunities to hone and/or test our dancing skills. Many places where we train and practice had to close down, some for good, and some were able to reopen with new innovative concepts to keep us safe. And, at this point, we aren't certain when exactly we will all meet again on the dance floor, though with a vaccine coming our way there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
 
Due to the effects of the pandemic on all of us, the Board of NASSPDA discussed at length and then decided in July to recognize its community's ongoing support in a tangible way, and thus, for anyone who was an active member as of January 1, 2020, membership was extending (or re-instating) for a full 12 months without any cost to the member.
 
As reported previously, based on pressures brought forward by some lawsuits, the National Dance Council of America (NDCA) changed its definition of a couple last year, allowing any configuration by disregarding sex or gender of each dancer, a similar step that had already been taken by USA Dance in the previous year, due to pressures from the collegiate circuit. Some of our community have immediately taken advantage of this change towards inclusion by participating in some mainstream events, NDCA and USA Dance sanctioned. But due to the Pandemic we have no further reports on the success implementing this measure by both organizations, which is a development that the Board of NASSPDA has been following with great interest. NASSPDA's system of grading newly competitors at each sanctioned event, separating different gender configurations of a couple and vetting invited judges makes any of its sanctioned events still a very different experience. 
 
Also this year, NASSPDA's Board has been busy along with the other two founding members of IFSSDA, ESSDA and IAGLCWDC, working on a set of rules for international competitions sanctioned by IFSSDA, for which an amendment to IFSSDA's Constitution was signed in July of last year. In July of this year then, all three organization ratified a new set of rules that will be applicable to international events sanctioned by IFSSDA (https://nasspda.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IFSSDA-Competition-Rules), such as the World Dancesport Pride Cup, a new event which will hopefully now take place in June 2021 and the 11th Gay Games hosted by Hong Kong in November of 2022, also IFSSDA's World Championships. This is exiting news, since until now the rules of the closest continental entity was applied, which would have created quite a dilemma for Hong Kong, and it gives our worldwide community a standard to count on for all international events.

Working on IFSSDA's set of competition rules, figuring out what NASSPDA can do for its constituency during this pandemic (see above) and discerning how NASSPDA's Board can express its support for greater diversity and equal justice (see Essay by Emma DiFrancesco, Board Member on NASSPDA's website,  https://nasspda.org/2798-2/), the Board kept up with its monthly meetings through the summer, but now switched to an every other month rhythm until more issue arise again. Nevertheless, in order to keep in touch with all of you, an eNewsletter was produced and published every month (https://nasspda.org/newsletters/), except this past November, for which there was literally nothing new to report and convey to you. Should you have written and/or want to write about something or come across an interesting bit of news that might interest our community of dancers, please don't hesitate to share (email: newsletter@nasspda.org ).
 
In the hopes that I didn't forget anything and you are all well and safe, I personally and NASSPDA's Board of Directors wish to express our gratitude for your continued support and contributions to our community and most importantly extend our season greetings along with best wishes for 2021!
 
HAPPY DANCING or just KEEP SMILING!

Benjamin Soencksen,
President of NASSPDA



Announcements 


NASSPDA sanctioned competitions Scholarships available for 2021
NASSPDA's Board has approved the availability of SIX scholarships that are applicable to all 2021 sanctioned competitions. 
Each one is in the amount of $400 plus a one-year NASSPDA Individual Membership.



Ambassador Program
In need of broader visibility, better promotion in the DanceSport world and advocating for same-sex competitive dancing, NASSPDA is looking to engage Ambassadors.
   As many North American DanceSport organizations have changed their definition of a dance couple, we are witnessing interest and participation of newly formed same-sex, reverse role, and gender-neutral couples at their events. Many of those couples haven't been introduced or exposed to NASSPDA as an organization; hence, they also do not know the benefits of being a member of NASSPDA.

Description and details available on the website. Application FORM  is available HERE


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 (hluong@nasspda.org) 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


All NASSPDA competitions for the rest of 2020 has been canceled. Stay safe and healthy!


NASSPDA sanctioned competitions in scheduled for 2021

Floorplay LA (Canceled)
Los Angeles, CA

April Follies (Canceled)
Oakland, CA

New England Open
Boston - Needham, MA September 2021



The XI Gay Games Hong Kong will be hold in duration of the month of  November 2022 (TBD).
Stay tuned for updates and details.


Membership Information
Membership Committee



Join NASSPDA TODAY!  Please complete the membership form and make your membership payment directly through our website (www.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 hluong@nasspda.org.




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 www.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.