Callers' Corner:

We really enjoyed seeing all the dancers at the Nationals in Louisville especially those from the Southwest District.

This month we would like to have you read an article that we thought was very interesting considering it was written in 1986. It is something that might need to be considered today. It is a little longer than most but interesting.

Keeping Leaders.

By Mary & Bill Jenkins, Olmstedville, New York
American Squaredance, May 1986

Let's ask ourselves: Why do we lose leaders once we have recruited and trained them? If we can decide why, perhaps we can find ways of keeping them.

Have new dancers, fresh out of class, been asked to hold an office or assume leadership responsibilities before they have had time to dance and dance well?
Let's give the new dancer plenty of time to enjoy the fun and fellowship of dancing, to be a member of the club and to visit other clubs, before he or she is asked to become involved in the organization.

Three words may be the answer to keeping leaders in the square dance activity.
Are we guilty of ignoring or forgetting these three words: Cooperation, Appreciation, Recognition.

Do we give our leaders our full support and cooperation? Do we help them in every way we can? Or do we make it difficult for them? Are we too critical? Do we offer suggestions in a nice way? Are we willing to carry our plans our leaders have made? Do we answer letters, questionnaires promptly? Lack of cooperation among members of the club or association and fellow leaders may discourage that leader from the role.

Do we really appreciate what a leader is doing, or has done, for the activity?
Do we show that appreciation? Do we, as individuals, or in groups, tell that leader about a good job, or express appreciation for efforts, tome and energy spent? Do we show our appreciation in our actions and our attitudes? Or do we just take this for granted? IF we have been neglectful, let us wait no longer! Do it now!!

Are leaders given the recognition they deserve, as often as they deserve it? Do you know cases where officers of a club, other than the president who makes announcements, and the treasure who collects fees at the door, are seldom, if ever, mentioned after they are elected? Do we give recognition I words and/or actions to leaders who visit club dances, and meetings.

Some leaders are wasted or thrown away because they are forced to do small jobs, but why waste time and expertise of a good leader on "keeping the coffee pot?" Coffee pot duty should be assigned a few steps down the ladder, not when a dancer is qualified to be vice-president. Let leaders spend their time being leaders.

If leaders are chosen for the office or assignment for which whey are really interested, they will continue to be leaders in this field.

If present officers are aware of who past club leaders were, it may help to keep leaders. A well-kept scrapbook, always available at dances, may be one source of continued recognition. How about a chart or banner with names of past officers? A booklet or even a mimeographed sheet given out each year with the membership list? A special leadership recognition dance at which, past and present officers will be guest of honor? How many times are we surprised to find out that someone has been a great leader in a club or association in the past? If that fact had been kept alive in everyone's mind, there would be no surprise.

Let's show leaders we really appreciate them, give them cooperation while they are in office, and give them much recognition in the present and future for all they have done. Keep our leaders! Don't waste them, throw them away, or lose them.