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[1/15/2010 SteppersUSA Daily News]
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By Markie Bee
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Today's Steppers Beat column is sponsored by: Steppers West Associates "A Memorial Day Weekend Jam" starting May 28, 2010 through May 31, 2010 at The Plaza Hotel and Casino One Main St., in Las Vegas, NV, 89101. They are offering a 4 Day Package Deal for $80!
I realize not everyone will be interested in joining or supporting the International Steppers Association (ISA) but I also realize what a monumental task the fledgling organization has in its future.
Each piece they are attempting has been a point of contention within the Chicago style steppers community at least at some point and especially in the last five or six years.
Forms of standardizing have always been met with varying forms of disagreement and to say the least a reluctance to make and find a way to enforce standards. Some people 


 

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feel standards and certification of the basic pattern would lock the dance up and quell improvisation.
If there is going to be a conversation about certification and standardization, the ISA will have to be at the center of the discussion. As part of their stated goals; "Develop centralized training curriculums for judges, instructors and teachers." So how could they not be the central focus of the debate? As I said the task will be monumental.
In their response to your questions, the ISA stated; "At this current time the ISA is looking for all Steppers to decide if this organization's mission is the correct decision for them individually, socially and collectively. If the answer is yes then the doors are open as we go through this process. If the decision is to delay or wait and see how we develop those options are certainly appropriate."
Is there a price to pay? I'm not talking about a monetary price because we already know there will be a fee based membership structure. Some people I had discussions with are concerned about the organization becoming bogged down with bureaucracy, while others seem to embrace some structure at some level. What will be gained by waiting to see how the organization develops? Why wouldn't steppers want to have a hand in shaping the future of the dance? Inaction could send the wrong signals which can lead to areas of contention in the future.
No matter which stance you choose to take, it has to be agreed this is a very important and exciting time for Chicago style stepping no matter where you may be or the amount of time you have been dancing.
I'll be attending a conference call on Sunday morning with the ISA; I'm planning on mostly listening and learning as much as I can. I'll report what I learn right here in The Steppers Beat column.
 

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