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SQUARE DANCE
INFORMATION (602) 222-9339
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 SQUARE DANCING
- "A Love & Passion"
JERRY JUNCKíS COMMENTS
Reprinted from the USDA NEWS
October ñ December 1998
ó Whether we decide to embrace the
Target 2000 proposal; accept the Basic Program for an entry level, or
continue to subscribe to our current programs, we must reassume a leadership
role and the responsibility for two other things.
First, teach NEW DANCERS. Every caller,
not just a few. Letís be realistic. An influx of NEW DANCERS would go
a long way toward solving most of our problems.
Secondly, every caller must provide
a dance environment that is choreographically easy enough for new dancers
to succeed. I think it is imperative that unless we, as callers, change
our attitude toward dancer success, no decision we make will have any
effect on recruiting or, far more important, retention. I firmly believe
that, collectively, most callers call material far too difficult for
new dancers.
I just as strongly believe that propensity
has to change before we see new dancers decide to stay and enjoy the
activity. This is one aspect of our calling skills that will be very
difficult for many to change.
In my first CALLERLAB speech, I talked
about attitudes and described two types of dancers, recreational dancers
and hobby dancers. Most hobby dancers are what we have left in the activity.
They dance the Plus, Advanced, Challenge, and Round Dance programs.
They are the survivors. They enjoy choreographic challenge. These hobby
dancers are what we have catered to for the last twenty-five years.
It will take a huge adjustment in caller attitudes to change to an easier
style of choreography for new dancers. Please note, Iím not talking
about the current dance population. Iím addressing the NEW DANCER. We
cannot expect them to be able to perform the complex choreography of
today, with a minimal amount of training. We have to provide them a
place to perfect their skills and enjoy what they know before we subject
them to difficulty and complexity. We MUST change our attitudes regarding
teaching, complexity of choreography, and dancer success. If our activity
is to survive and grow, I think that change is absolutely imperative.
To be sure there are recreational dancers in square dancing. However,
th
ey are now in the minority. If you go to the Midwest, or the Northwest,
you will find them.
ó Many of these recreational dancers
simply quit dancing when PUSHED upward. Most arenít like my parents,
who simply say, "I donít want to learn any more. " I am reminded of
a statement by Jack Lasry during a keynote speech at one of the CALLERLAB
Conventions. He said, "I am not concerned by the numbers of dancers
who drop out of our activity. But, I am concerned by the numbers that
we drive out." I agree with Jack, and firmly believe we need to change
our attitudes, if we expect to retain new dancers.
ó Shane Greer said, "I think, through
evolution, callers have totally focused on what we can do choreographically,
and in general, forgot the things that are so much more important. The
dance is more important, the music is more important, the fun is more
important, and the social aspect is more important. Dancers love to
anticipate what is coming, at least part of the time. Isnít that what
dancing is?
Yet, if we call this way, some of our
peers think this shows a lack of ability. New callers see and feel this
pressure, so they focus most of their attention on intricacy."
"We now have a whole square dance population
that only enjoys this type of dancing. However, it is quite obvious
that this does not appeal, and is not attractive to the masses.
I think there may be a time coming
when we have to decide, do we want the masses, or do we only want those
who love it so much that square dancing is all they do. Square Dancing
is a great deal like golf. Golf courses would never stay open, if they
only permitted people that could shoot 85 or lower. Letís be realistic,
the folks that shoot over 100 keep the courses open and full." Have
you ever thought of it in that way. What an interesting analogy.
ó If we sincerely WANT to bring the
recreational dancers back into our activity, then we MUST cater to THEM.
ó We must develop a sincere desire
to provide programs directed toward the new dancer My concern is that
I see very few callers who want to offer this type of program. Most
certainly, not if they have to do it alone. Most of todayís callers
grew up admiring those who are able to demonstrate an expertise with
complex choreography. This has been our focus for 25 years. It will
not be easy to change that attitude.
ó Now, why should we do this? BECAUSE
WE HAVE TO, if we have any real desire to revitalize our activity. And,
because we have a huge potential customer base available to us, the
baby boomers.
ó These people are a much different
group of people than the dancers we now know. Society has changed dramatically
and these people are an impatient, show me quickly generation. They
will not commit to a year of lessons, nor will they necessarily stay
with anything for any length of time. We need to be able to accommodate
them.
We have to excite these people about
the activity first. Once they become enthusiastic, they will become
that new base we have been talking about. But again, we MUST have callers
willing and capable of calling to them first.
ó We are the callers and the leadership
of this great activity, and everything starts with us.
What will it take? Quality, dedicated
leadership. From that leadership we MUST have four things:
From our leadership, we must have a
love and passion for square dancing. In addition, we need to restore
a mutual respect for each other, as well. There is no place for jealousy
and mistrust among callers. The club caller, the class teacher, the
full time caller, all have a place and a purpose in the activity. Most
importantly, we need to recognize the importance of the club caller
to this great recreation. On their shoulders rests the very survival
of square dancing. It is the club caller that is the fabric and the
backbone. It is the club caller who instills the flame of passion and
provides the continuity of leadership. I salute you.
In addition, all of us have to dedicate
ourselves to improving our skills. Callers have to become better and
more efficient teachers. We must have a zest and passion for teaching.
We must possess the technical expertise to enable us to teach effectively,
and to provide a comfortable and entertaining environment after class.
This is part of our responsibility as leaders in this activity.
We need to be able to motivate dancers
as to the importance of recruiting, and the necessity of being patient
and understanding with the new dancers we do teach. That motivation,
to inspire people to recruit, is vital to any success
we may experience
in restoring our recreational dancer population. But, in order to recruit
effectively, we must convince our current dancing public of the importance
of recruiting. We have to motivate them into becoming ambassadors for
the activity. If we can do that, we will have a vibrant and cohesive
recruiting network, and it really should not be that difficult to find
customers for the greatest recreation there is.
Finally, and this is my opinion, whether
we adopt the Target 2000 proposal, the Basic list as our entry program,
or continue with our current programs, I donít think we can effect any
positive change in the activity until we address our attitude toward
teaching and retaining the dancers we do teach. We will get new dancers
from new dancers. If we run our new dancers off, we will get no new
dancers.
Excerpts reprinted from the retirement
speech of Jerry Junck, Chairman of the Board, given at the Monday evening
banquet of the 1998 CALLERLAB Convention.
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