I hate to look like I'm hogging this thread. But, I really don't think it's very useful or consstructive now to be talking about boycotting anything. Please, folks. And I notice that the only people who discuss that are the ones who don't do pro-am but have an axe to grind with comp organizers or with dance organizations in general. I think it's a lot more useful and helpful to work constructively to influence how pro-am events are regulated. I think NDCA's effort to register pro-ams can be a great opportunity, if the NDCA will cooperate. Only when they have had a chance to hear from us clearly articulated and sensible requests that speak for large numbers of competitors, and only when such discussions have matured, and only when NDCA refuses to accommodate such a dialogue, do we start getting angry. Again, I'm speaking for myself, of course.
quote: Definitely get to a similar naming convention. However, since Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire and others have different syllabus, steps, levels etc. this may be difficult.
I have to wonder if this is really such a big deal? Most of the differences I have been shown appear to be only variations. And what of independents?
quote:Earning points by placement vs. Number of entries is good. We all have seen people win awards by sheer numbers.
I was fairly appalled when I (only recently) saw how this was calculated. But the message sure got through loud and clear. (Ch-ching!)
Crystal, Thanks for taking the time to make out such a comprehensive list of suggestions for improving the Pro/Am comps. I thought they were terrific. Would you want to email Brian McDonald (Pres. of NDCA) and Judi Hatton (Vice Pres in charge of Pro/Ams) your list of suggestions? I am hoping that if enough students make the effort to contact them, they will at least consider what we have to say.
I think if the NDCA or USABDA were really "serious", they would have some representative participating in these discussions here with all of us, as Mr. Pover has done. They would know that there really are a lot of us out there and respond to issues directly here. Does Mr. McDonald or Mrs Hatton know the discussion that is happening here? Why aren't they responding and participating with us all?
I don't know if Mr. McDonald or Ms. Hatton knows about this discussion or not. I don't think it is fair to assume that they know. Maybe Dancescape could contact them. If I were going to assume anything, I would assume that they are interested in what we have to say because of the fact that they both took the time to respond to my letter.
My thinking is that this forum provides a perfect opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas, concerns and comments. I think it is too early to be sending out any letters to any officials, if we want such requests to carry some weight. I also want to have a chance for anyone interested in pro-am matters, who may have a useful suggestion, to have a chance to contribute. NDCA will vote on the registration issue in April. I believe we still have a couple of months for more specific ideas to gel and take shape. There is still the major question of accepting NDCA as the vehicle of choice, or attempting to form an independent organization that represents pro-ams, which I think is a daunting task. Ideally, I would like to approach NDCA with a well-written set of proposals, which really do not depart much from their own thinking as evidenced in recent trends in comp offerings, but which have more strictness etc. I can see this happening around February or March. And I am fairly confident that NDCA officials are quite aware of these rumblings, and I perfectly understand why they do not respond. I wouldn't too, if I were in their shoes. Mr. Pover, in his kindness and insight, made it very clear he spoke for himself alone. An NDCA official cannot make such a claim, and cannot also be uttering on-demand pronouncements about where his organization stands whenever someone raises a question. It's too much to ask of them. Right now, I hope they're listening. That's plenty.
quote:Originally posted by Crystal: But, I really don't think it's very useful or consstructive now to be talking about boycotting anything. Please, folks. And I notice that the only people who discuss that are the ones who don't do pro-am but have an axe to grind... .
Okay, everyone has to learn for themselves, so I'll look forward to hearing back from you all after you've spent a few months, or a few years, trying to deal with the NDCA and getting no satisfaction, or results...
As has been said often, even on this thread, there is no language that these folks understand except money, and you will note that all the top officials of NDCA are also organizers. I happen to think that the dance world would be a lot better off folks did a little more boycotting of the most egregious policies, as Bob/Julia did at OSB two years ago.
And by the way, I'm not sure what the difference is between axes to grind and griping, of which there is plenty of on this thread (much of it justified in my mind).
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I personally know that Mr. Mcdonald is aware of this discussion board. However, I doubt that he would participate in it. He has little to gain by it. He is aware of most of the issues related to judging, competition rules, pricing etc. Talking about people's frustrations would not affect him or the NDCA.
The fact is, the NDCA is for professionals and heavily biased towards supporting the professional teachers. Expecting the NDCA to do anything that anybody else wants is a dream.
I loved nycamateur's post about the ISTD boycott. I didn't like it because of the negative impact it had on the competition or the organizers, but I liked it because it shows what people sometimes have to do to be heard. Most organizers will not make any changes. Most do not want to make any changes. Like any other business, each competition basically copies another. Once you learn a certain way of doing things, you stick with it until a good reason comes along to change it.
Folks, we "Ams" are the customers! We are footing the bill! We should have a say in things. Many competitions and organizers have lost my support and bucks. I am now very selective about which competitions I will compete in. Writing letters to the NDCA won't change anything. You've got to negotiate from your strength. $$$$$!
quote:Folks, we "Ams" are the customers! We are footing the bill! We should have a say in things. Many competitions and organizers have lost my support and bucks. I am now very selective about which competitions I will compete in. Writing letters to the NDCA won't change anything. You've got to negotiate from your strength. $$$$$!
