Continuing New Dancer Programs

By Mike Seastrom

How is your new dancer program doing these days? Are you running a new dancer program every year? Are you in constant touch with your new dancers during the learning time and after graduation? Are you making sure to include them in the club activities, visitations, and special events? So many things contribute to bringing in our new dancers and keeping them involved that it really takes planning to make it all come together. The most important thing is to keep your new dancer program going.

If for some reason, your turn out is not sufficient to continue the class you just started, don’t just fold it and give up. Make a plan to start another class on the same night and at the same time, as soon as possible. Plan your publicity and have your new dancers bring as many of their friends, co-workers, and family members as they can. Your caller should be able to find ways to bring the skill levels of the two groups together, over the length of the program, and this will allow you to keep it going.

This method of starting a class more than once a year should be familiar to most of you who read this column. CALLERLAB has actively promoted the Multi-Cycle Method of organizing a new dancer program for more than eight years now. We have seen it used in a variety of ways and with varying degrees of success. It takes more effort than the traditional method of starting a class just once a year, but the benefits to your club and to the activity in your area will more than make up for the added work.

Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of running a program starts several times a year.

1. You make dancing more available to potential new dancers.
2. Your enthusiastic new dancers can bring in their friends several times a year and dance with them immediately.
3. Your new dancers become your primary recruiters.
4. You are asking dancers for a shorter commitment.
5. Having two or three groups on the same night increases class revenue and makes better economic sense.
6. Shorter dance times each night allows brand new dancers to increase their physical stamina and leaves them wanting more in the first part of the program. By the time they build that stamina, they can dance, angel, and review the entire evening.
7. Those who miss new dancer nights, or need additional learning time, can repeat a phase and not wait until next year or be sent elsewhere.
8. The fast learners and former dancers can move ahead without being held back by those needing more review.

As mentioned above, the one thing that is so important in the Multi-Cycle Method as well as the traditional/once a year programs, is to keep it going. All new dancer programs are more effective when they have the chance to build momentum. The next new dancer program you start will almost always be more successful if the last one you had was successful too. Encourage your newest dancers to talk to their friends about dancing. Give them flyer like information business cards to hand out. Print a one-page sheet that will give your new dancers information on the health and social benefits of square dancing as well as some of its history. Consider having a contest, with an award for the person or couple that brings in the most new dancers. Make it fun!

The other point that is so important in the retention of your newer dancers is to include them in as many dance and social events as possible. Make sure that your club sponsors or visits dances that are geared to where your new dancers are at that point in time. Don’t push and pull them through dances that are over their head. If you end up at a dance that may be a little difficult for the new dancers you’ve brought, let the caller know that newer dancers are present. Most callers have a few tricks up their sleeve that can make the dance fun and successful for new and experienced dancers alike. By dancing and including your newer dancers in as many events as possible, you will be more successful in keeping them as members of your club.

Appoint an “Angel” or “Mentoring” couple or person for each new dancer or couple. They can keep contact with them by phone or email, invite them to various events, and even offer transportation to make it easier to attend.. This one on one contact can make a big difference in making sure that everyone is personally invited and included.

With a little extra care and attention your Continuing New Dancer Program will help your club increase in size. Many clubs are growing because they are focusing their attention on their new dancers. Make the effort, have lots of fun, adjust things as necessary, and enjoy your new dancers and club members!