Monthly e-Newsletter | March 2021
Board of Directors Election
Election Committee
If you are interested in joining the Board or want to nominate someone, please read the information below:
Each candidate must have an active NASSPDA membership and complete the candidate application form located here (Board Member Election | NASSPDA) and submit a photo as well as two 'Statements of Support for Candidate.' Once received, candidates might be contacted via phone by a member of the Election Committee for a short interview and if accepted, name, photo and Candidate Statement will be included in the ballots sent out to members (electronically or via snail-mail, if requested).
Timeline:
  • Candidate applications deadline - April 18 
  • Electronic ballots will be sent April 23
  • Voting ends May 7
  • Confirmation of election results and election of officers in the following Board Meeting, followed by communication to members via the May eNewsletter, NASSPDA's website and Facebook

If you have questions, please email: info@nasspda.org
Announcements
You are cordially invited to the NASSPDA virtual annual general meeting to be held on Sunday April 11, 2-3 pm CST. 
The meeting is open to NASSPDA members and non-members. The Board will present an update on NASSPDA activities in the past year and future initiatives. There will be plenty of time at the end for the community members to ask questions or present ideas. 

We hope you can make it!

The meeting will be held through Zoom. If you are interested in attending, please contact Horace at wpgballroom@gmail.com with "NASSPDA meeting" in the subject line and he will share the Zoom link with you.



Scholarships for 2021 Events
SIX scholarships are available to anyone that is planning to attend a NASSPDA sanctioned competition taking place in 2021, in support of covering expenses related to participating. 
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.
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 (being added is a privilege available to NASSPDA members only).
Donation
A Big Thank You!
The Board of Directors would like to sincerely thank all the individuals and businesses who have donated to NASSPDA in our recent fundraising drive. Through the generosity of our community, we’ve exceed the match offered by NASSPDA Vice-President Debbie Esparza and have raised a total of over $4100 ! 
The funds will be used to support programming, scholarships, maintaining our presence in the dance community and beyond and to help further our mission to expand.
Competition Calendar
Competition Committee

NASSPDA sanctioned competitions in scheduled for 2021

April Follies (Canceled)
Oakland, CA

New England Open
Boston - Needham, MA September 2021

 
The XI Gay Games Hong Kong will be hold November 9-22nd, 2022. 
Stay tuned for updates and details.
Dance Workshops - Free and Online
“Take Pride in Your Dancing!”
Join Julianne Daniells, co-owner of DanceWise Dance Studio, active NASSPDA professional competitor & advocate, for a three (3) workshop series in April, all bout “Taking Pride in Your Dancing!” April is typically Pride month, where we celebrate diversity, inclusion, and equality. However, every single day we should celebrate and embrace Pride in all aspects of life! 
 
“Take Pride in Your Dancing” focuses on promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality, all the while teaching you how to improve your skills and confidence in your dancing! Even if you have never danced before, don’t worry – you can join in and take pride in the fact that you’re trying something new! 
 
This workshop series will cover three different dance style groups – American Smooth, American Rhythm & Club Style Dances. Each session will provide exercises, techniques, and characterizations for the different dance genres to benefit ALL dancers, from beginning to advanced, and social to professional competitors. Workshops are one (1) hour long each and are sure to build your confidence, understanding and skills so you can really take pride in your dancing!  
The first workshop will be American Smooth on Sunday, April 11th at 4pm Arizona time;
The second will be American Rhythm on Sunday, April 18th at 4 pm Arizona time;
The third and final workshop will be Club Style Dances on Sunday April 25th at 4pm Arizona time. 

Sign up here: