What Am I Paying For?

Recently, the following questions came to us through an inquiry on USA Dance National's website:

What exactly does it mean to have a membership [in USA Dance]? What exactly would I be paying for?

The Answers:

USA Dance is a national nonprofit. Its national board and committees, and the dozens of local chapters, are staffed by volunteers. All of these people have various reasons for dancing, and various reasons for being involved in USA Dance.

One of the main missions of USA Dance on the national level is its work with the US Olympic Committee to bring ballroom dancing into the Olympic Games. Part of that work is a series of local & regional competitions for amateur dancers, culminating in a National Championship which this year is being held in San Jose, CA.

Winners of the Adult Latin and Standard events at USA Dance Championships are eligible for the World Games. Part of each USA Dance member's dues is allocated to the expenses associated with these National championships and the costs of sending our athletes to the World Games.

Another part of each member's dues goes to support the national magazine, Amateur Dancers. This publication is in the middle of a comprehensive redesign to make it accurately reflect the many facets of the organization.

Each chapter has its own program of activities. Most chapters provide a number of public dances during the year; many have Outreach programs to publicize partner dancing; they may put on a formal dance or a local competition; they may participate in after-school sports programs; they may hold fundraisers for charities or provide exhibitions at events such as the Orange County Fair.

Most chapters, our local Los Angeles chapter included, do not charge separate chapter dues; members' dues are forwarded entirely to National for use in the national programs. Chapters fund their activities mostly from the receipts of chapter dances, which are always open to the public. Sometimes members or friends of the organization give tax-deductible donations as well. Most chapters charge a reduced admission price to members at chapter dances.

USA Dance and its chapters are always seeking to expand because growth shows vitality, which attracts dance professionals and encourages them to help provide events for dancers - whether studio dances, inexpensive group lessons, formal balls, dance camps, or competitions. Many dance industry professionals, particularly retailers, also offer discounts to USA Dance members.

While receiving the national publication and getting the occasional discount on dance-related goods or activities are a reasonable return on the $25 Social Dancer dues, most members join because they want to support the national agenda and help bring ballroom back into the mainstream.

AYC, Mar 2006