GSSDA PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

The 36^th GSSDA Convention is over except for the final bills. The attendance of  946 was not  what we had hoped for, although  it was slightly better than the 2006 Convention. Any  progress at all is great.

Now to get started on the 37^th Convention for 2008 to be held September 18,19, 20.   We have things that must be corrected and/or improved.   There are the normal complaints because we all have different opinions and there must be some compromises made for the betterment of Square Dancing in general.

We need younger GSSDA Board Members to help some of us old folks to make the changes necessary to increase the number of new dancers and new members.   We need to help younger callers (both male and female) get started.   Younger callers will attract younger dancers.   People have suggested Competition Dancing among the young dancers as they do in other parts of the country.

The Program book did not come out as well as I expected. I was attempting to establish a format that could be used annually by just changing the vendors, dates, calling and cueing information, and multi-use pages. We know some of the improvements needed, but not all.   I'm open for suggestions. One of the problems is getting programming completed early.   We need people willing to learn more about programming and the many problems we have.

We are working with the Centreplex people concerning the Air Conditioning problems, the roof leaks, the first steps into the bleachers which all need anchoring.

The suggestion box information is now completed. We had more requests for longer workshops for both Mainstream and Plus dancing. The Air conditioning and safety items have been discussed with the Centreplex people.

We were pleased to get some publicity in the paper and on TV. I don't know how it happened but thanks.   It would have been much better if the interviews had been at night with everyone in Square dance outfits. We need our own video's of Dancing in the various halls. It could help our publicity in all of our Federations and Club. Please contact us if you may be able to help us in the publicity area.

We want to thank all of our board members and especially thanks to the Callers, the Cuers, Contra Prompters, and Line Dance Instructors for working so hard to make this a very good convention.   We also want to thank all the Dancers who came to dance. Bring another couple with you next September 18,19, 20 for the 37^th Convention.    Plan to attend your state Winter Dance in Warner Robbins on January 11, 12, 2008 and your state Spring Dance in Rome Georgia in May 2008.

  Hope to see you in a square soon                                             Ralph and Judie Gill