The location of the club is one of the fundamental items which will serve to establish the "territory" for a new club and will invariably determine the potential market for that club. A planned venue in a city core is unlikely to attract rural or suburban participants if there is no parking. A permanent location is a must in order to create stability. It must be cost effective, suitable (flooring, etc.), the right size and be accessible with appropriate amenities (special needs, washrooms etc.). A broad range of possibilities may exist including classrooms and gyms in schools, community centres, church halls, private basements, board rooms, shopping malls after hours and many others.

Equipment
A good tape player is, of course, essential once the club is established. The player should have a counter, so that tapes can be simply rewound to the last resolve. A sequence may then easily be repeated at the discretion of the leader. Some machines, such as the Marantz Cassette Recorder, have an automatic rewind button that is very useful. Another feature to look for is a unit with a variable speed control.

The type of Marantz Recorder is Model # PMD-221 (Monaurol) - variable speed. The unit price that was quoted was $428 - including tax: - Audio Vision, 1725, Dollard Street, LaSalle, Quebec. H8N 7T7. (An alternative make is "Superscope Professional" Cassette Recorder - c-105). A small amplified speaker, such as Yamaha monitor/Amplified speaker, model # MS20S, 35 watts, 120 volts. Price - about $300, is compact, simple and does an excellent job.

You will need two probably speakers for larger halls - the Yamaha and sound equipment supplier in Sudbury is: Prom Music Centre, 24 Elgin Street, Sudbury, Ontario. P3C 1B4 Phone: (705) 673 7135 and Fax: (705) 673 7359.

A microphone is essential - microphone: Univox dynamic microphone model # UM - 1205 - price - about $100, and a graphic equalizer: - Boss -model #GE7 plus ac adapters to 9 volts dc 300 ma output. Price - about $170.

Of course, all this equipment is not an absolute requirement, until you have got a club started. To begin with a good quality "ghetto blaster" will work. However, the quality of available material may not always be "studio level" and will be improved by high quality equipment. The variable speed player will slow down some material to the speed that learners can comprehend the material and a graphic equalizer will "customize" the material - remove the bass mostly - and enhance the vocal (words-treble). A high quality cassette recorder is essential when recording dances. A microphone is useful in getting new dancers used to the learning medium. It also is easier on the instructor and it is almost essential for demos and larger crowds....

Material
Teach tapes are available for purchase, either for beginners or more advanced levels. Look for professional tapes prepared by well-respected callers, such as Lee Kopman. Good teach tapes have the advantage of covering all the moves in a particular level in a logical sequence, and provide plenty of practice and review of all previously learned material. It is also helpful to have on hand a manual , such as "The Caller Teacher Manual for Basic & Mainstream & American Square Dancing by Bob Osgood published by Square Dancing Magazine 'Sets in Order'", which can give extra hints to the leader on explaining a particular concept to the dancers, and will provide a ready reference of definitions. Also, from the same source - "The Illustrated Basic & Mainstream Movements of Square Dancing" is useful for the leader and for dancers.

Classes would soon become rather monotonous if only teach tapes were used. It is important to utilize other material as well. Dance tapes may be purchased from reliable sources, but many callers allow taping of their dances, if the tapes thus made are to be used to assist tape clubs with their programs. A repertoire of useful material can be accumulated over time in this way. Thus the dancers are learning their level from teach tapes, and honing their skills by dancing to the taped material of a variety of callers all with different styles and different voices. Dancers who learn from tapes usually find themselves very well prepared when they travel and encounter a diversity of callers at a convention.

It is important, however, to always review material before presenting it to a class. Callers do make errors and it is more helpful, especially to a new club, to be aware of these in advance rather than have be surprises. Reviewing tapes also allow the chance to time the recording(s) so that organizers know how much time to allow for the playing of that night's session.

Teach tapes etc. are available from a variety of sources including:

• Lee Kopman (caller), 2965, Cambell Ave., Wantagh, New York 11793. (519) 221-5028.
• Ron Libby (caller), 80, Leighton Road, West Falmouth, Maine, 04105. (207) 797-6810.
• Ed Foote (caller), 140 McCandless Pl., Wexford, PA 15090

• Tim Crawford (caller), 2154, Hunt Crescent, Burlington, Ontario. L7M 2P3.
• Caller groups of various Associations (SWOSDA, T&D, EOSARDA)

Leader
It is very important to choose a competent leader for the club. He/she should be very familiar with the level of dance being taught, and should feel comfortable operating the equipment. The leader must ensure that he/she has current Callerlab lists, and if the teach tapes are not quite up to date, he/she must ensure that the dancers are aware of any changes.

The leader must do more than simply play the tapes. He/she must be prepared to take time to plan a program that will balance the learning of new moves with more relaxing fun. The program needs to be flexible so that the leader can switch from the planned curriculum to meet the needs of the dancers in any particular session. (i.e. the leader must have a rapport with the dancers, to sense frustration , for example, or a desire to progress more quickly). The leader, of course, needs to have plenty of patience and to remember that the dancers are there TO HAVE FUN.

It is a good idea to have a back-up leader so that the club may still meet even when the leader is unavailable (this is an advantage that some caller-led clubs may not have).

Angels
As with a caller lead club the success of the tape club may depend in part on the dedication of angels who are willing to give their time to support the new and upcoming dancers. Angels demonstrating a move being described on tape provide a valuable visual teaching aid. They can also give the dancers confidence and encouragement, thus increasing their enjoyment of the activity. If possible, it is a good idea to have a tip of higher level dancing either at the end of the session or during a break, to give the Angels an opportunity to dance at their own level. As with any club, it is most important to recognize and acknowledge the contribution made be the angels who come out to help on a regular basis.

General
FEES: It is wise to collect annual fees up front at the beginning of the class year. Charging a fee that is similar to other recreational activities ensures that you are "entering" a market range - that is if curling cost $200 a year people willing to spend $200 may be attracted to square dancing. The price up front gives the activity "value" $100 or $200 is the "value" of the activity. Charging only $5 a week lowers the value to only that amount...... Alternatively a club may choose to set up a sessional fee - for example September to December and January to April/May.

Fees are used for a variety of purposes to sustain a viable club. There is the constant need to purchase new material, rent facilities, pay affiliation fees and hire callers. Surpluses offset the cost of special events, advertising and equipment purchases to mention but a few.

New dancers (and the old ones!) should be encouraged to associate as much as possible with the square dance clubs and associations. Promote and encourage attendance at conventions and special events and even organize excursions to visit other clubs. Organize dances to involve as many dancers as possible rather than just the highest level.

Disclaimer - Information Sheets