Congratulations on your decision to start a new club! This page provides links and information that can help you get started. There are only three things you really need to start a new club:
- A venue
- Some dancers (experienced, or students wanting to learn)
- Enthusiam!
But of course, there are other things you have to consider. Here are a few notes to get you started:
Finding a Caller
If you can find someone who can call for your club, that's great! But it isn't essential. Many clubs have started learning or dancing to pre-recorded material. There are several sources for CD's and MP3's to get you started. There are also many callers nationally who would be willing to help you run initial events to build your potential audience. Find callers through the Gay Callers Association (GCA). You can search for GCA callers from the Caller menu at the top of this page.
There are also websites providing detailed instructions for each call that new dancers need to learn. See a list of some of those on the Other Resources page. The official call lists are maintained by CALLERLAB. You might also want to invest in sound equipment and other items that you can generally cover with your club fees.
Venues
Many clubs dance in church halls or other community meeting places. You'll need a space that will accommodate a number of squares - preferably at least 40 x 40 feet. A stage is helpful if you have a caller, but isn't essential. You do need power for sound equipment.
Equipment
Your venue might have equipment that you can use, at least initially; and used sound equipment can be found on the Internet. If you have a local square dance organization, you can also contact them to see if any local clubs have equipment for sale or donation.
Licensing
Your licensing needs will vary depending on the type of club you have, and the venue. It is often not well-understood that you must have a performance license for any music played in public, and this includes square dance groups. There are two primary companies that provide this type of licensing:
Legally, you cannot use your own records or MP3s to perform or teach dancing in a public place, such as a square dance club, unless you have obtained a performance/teaching license.
If you have a club caller, may not need to purchase a license. You should check that your caller is properly licensed. (Most callers have their own license with BMI/ASCAP that covers them for teaching and calling dances at your venue). Some venues may have their own licensing requirements, so you should also check with them before purchasing licenses.
There are organizations that have negotiated discounted licenses for callers/clubs. CallerLab for example has more information here.
Insurance
It's an unpleasant fact; people have accidents, and people sue. For these reasons, you need to ensure you are properly covered for liability insurance. While it may not be your fault that a dancer tripped on a cable or slipped on some spilled water, your club might still end up having to pay medical costs and damages. Having the right insurance is important to protect your club members from litigation. If your club is a member of a local square dance association, they should be your first stop in looking for insurance information; often regional associations have contracted with insurance companies to secure insurance at reduced rates for their member clubs. Otherwise, search locally for an agent from any of the national insurance companies - they'll be happy to provide you with a quote.
If your club is a member of the United Square Dancers of America, you can also obtain discounted insurance through that organization.
Recruiting
You probably have some people in mind as your core group to start the club. But you still need to grow your group in order to maintain the excitement. Local gay venues are great places to contact prospects; and your local Pride celebration is one of your primary recruiting tools. Consider joining the parade (if they have one) and running a booth at the celebration.
Funding
A major source of funding for new clubs is the All Join Hands foundation.
Help from IAGSDC
One of the aims of the IAGSDC is to grow and support GLBT square dance clubs. For more help, advice and support, contact the Club Liaison Officer through the IAGSDC contact page.
IAGSDC Membership
The IAGSDC is happy to support new clubs, even though they may not yet meet the requirements for full membership. Details on how to become a member club, and information about the advantages of membership, are listed here.