A key factor in the appeal of square dancing is the opportunity it offers to join a community, to form friendships, and to socialize with others. In recent years CALLERLAB has become increasingly focused on the social elements of our activity, culminating with the establishment of the Social Connections Committee in 2019. The Social Connections Committee both creates and gathers material specifically directed at fostering social bonds and creating an appealing social environment. The articles below are curated to ensure they primarily focus on these elements. The material is divided into sub-categories which you can select from in the drop-down list titled “Social Connections Category”. You can also filter the material by Tag.
“Selling” Square Dancing To New People
This article describes some dos and don'ts when talking to new people about square dancing. How to best make it appealing and engage their interest ... Read More
174 Prospecting Ideas
Timberline Toppers is a club that has dramatically grown their membership by creating an effective plan and executing it repeatedly. One element of that plan is to use a variety ... Read More
2019 IAGSDC Survey Results
This document summarizes the results of a survey taken by the IAGSDC of their member clubs to understand what efforts were being made towards recruitment and retention of dancers and ... Read More
2024-2025 Caller Schools
This document contains the current listing of Caller Schools sponsored and staffed by CALLERLAB members ... Read More
64th US National Keynote by Ted Lizotte and Paul Cote
This article contains a link to the inspiring keynote presentation Ted Lizotte and Paul Cote gave at the 64th NSDC in 2015 ... Read More
66th US National Keynote by Eric Henerlau
This article contains the text of a keynote address by Eric Henerlau at the 66th US National in Cincinnati in 2017. It is full of great ideas for growing square ... Read More
A Few Helpful Tips & Ideas from EDSARDA
Type Idea Submitter Eastern District Square & Round Dance Association (EDSARDA) Date 2023-02-24 Links EDSARDA Tips and Ideas Description These ideas and tips were published on a private Facebook group ... Read More
A Step in Time – The American Square Dance (book)
This book traces the history of the American Square Dance from its earliest roots to modern day. It was compiled by reviewing the documents and artifacts donated by the Square ... Read More
A Strategy for Growth, Visibility, and Social Connection
This package of documents provided by Mike Seastrom, chairman of the CALLERLAB Social Connections Committee, describes a strategy for growing a club using regular "party nights" as a foundation. But ... Read More
ACC Reference Material List
This article contains a table that lists many items commonly recommended to student callers by their coaches. Live links are provided where materials or information about them is available online ... Read More
Accelerated Learning Program for Squares (ALPS)
The ALPS program that I have been using for the last several years is not original to me. It is an adaptation of a number of different concepts such as ... Read More
Accelerated New Dancer Class
This report is from the Hubs Square dance Club in Geauga County, Ohio and their caller, Ray Miller. It concerns the Hubs and their accelerated square dance class for the ... Read More
Advertising Brochure Stressing Health Benefits
IDEA: It is a different approach. I am stressing the health benefits of square dancing. The idea is we will get these rack cards professionally printed. We will buy the ... Read More
Alberta Chatter Newsletter
The Alberta Chatter newsletter is published every six to eight weeks. It contains articles on promotion, member retention, and general interest articles, as well as a regular column by a visually impaired dancer, ... Read More
All About Modules (book)
This book covers all the bases starting with the new caller just learning how to call and on through the old hands looking for ways to expand their collection of ... Read More
Alternate Lessons Systems Brochure
This brochure was produced by a CALLERLAB Ad Hoc committee. It explains and contrasts traditional lesson structures with multi-cycle and accelerated programs ... Read More
Amateur Caller Night
IDEA: Recruiting new callers: Once a year in our area, a club in our area has an "amateur callers night". It is announced a few months in advance. Criteria is ... Read More
American Square Dance Magazine
American Square Dance is a monthly square dance magazine published in both printed and digital forms ... Read More
ANSSRDT Newsletter
Association of Nova Scotia Square and Round Dance Teachers Newsletter. Published semi-annually in conjunction with each meeting. Each issue includes handout material for the caller workshops. Digital issues available since ... Read More
Approaching Malls With Vacant Storefronts for Demo Spaces
Check out this article in today's Chicago Tribune. Our club reached out to a local shopping mall with lots of empty storefronts. The management company was very interested in bringing ... Read More
ARTS Letter Containing Promotional Materials (Aug 2017)
This letter from the ARTS organization contains promotional materials and plans useful to clubs planning to start a new class ... Read More
As I Saw It – Bob Osgood (book)
This book was compiled and edited by Paul Moore. It describes the life and career of Bob Osgood, one of the founding fathers of MWSD and through that lens provides ... Read More
Audacity Audio Editor and Recorder Program
Audacity is a free multi-track audio editing program that runs on several platforms including Windows, Linux, and MAC OS. It permits recording from a variety of sources and producing a ... Read More
Bad Advanced Choreography
Ed Foote writes about some relative common but nevertheless bad combinations to avoid when calling Advanced ... Read More
BC Westsyde Squares Recruits 29 New Dancers
This story describes how Westsyde Squares in British Columbia used marketing savvy and well targeted advertising to recruit a large new contingent of dancers. It contains a lot of great ... Read More
Becoming A Square Dance Caller 4th Edition (Book)
When Bruce Holmes was learning to call, he had no luck finding a textbook to help him through the process. Now that he is a caller, he has written the ... Read More
Beginner Dance Party Leaders Seminar – Presentations from 2014
For many years, as a lead-in to the main convention, CALLERLAB has hosted a 1-1/2 day seminar focusing on how to call square dance parties for non-dancers. CALLERLAB has posted ... Read More
Behind The Mike Newsletter
Barry Wonson edits an Australian caller newsletter called Behind The Mike. It consistently presents a wealth of useful information for callers and dance leaders. You can subscribe to have editions ... Read More
Bob Brundage Interviews
This table contains links to the interviews that Bob Brundage did with a wide variety of notable people in the square dance community. These interviews represent a huge project for ... Read More
