Hello, fellow square dancers.
My name is Howard Bebout and I will be your president for the next couple of years. I am looking forward to serving you and the state board and I bring a wealth of knowledge, ideas and leadership to the Square and Round Dance Communities of Utah.
A little about myself. I have been president of 5 other organizations outside the Dance community. I have been dancing in Utah for 20+ years, mostly ballroom. The last six years I have been Square Dancing. Since I started square dancing I have been the President of Leather & Lace and also President of Tri-Valley. I deliberately bided my time and then volunteered to be 1st Vice President of the ASDCU Board, knowing that I would move into the President position within a couple of months. I did it this way because I believe that I, personally, can help make a difference for you, the clubs, districts and the state of Utah.
Having said that, I need to say this. I cannot and will not do everything by myself. I have a wonderful board who would be an asset to any President. We will do all we can to better Square and Round Dancing throughout the state, bringing new ideas, innovations, and yes, changes. Sadly, we as a board cannot do this by ourselves. It will take all of us (dancers, callers, and cuers) collectively, together to bring changes that will enhance the dance community.
We need to stop our clubs from folding. We need to start new clubs in different areas of Utah. We need to revitalize our existing clubs. We need to draw back our non-dancers. We need to make our classes exciting and interesting so that we keep the new dancers. How can we do this?
First of all it starts with each and every one of us, we the dancers. I said earlier that I serve you. That is the truth. You, the dancer have the right to expect and even demand that your clubs, boards and the state board do what is necessary to keep Square and Round Dancing alive and well in Utah. However your requests and demands are only as good as to what you personally are willing to do, to help.
I have several goals set for myself as your President. Goals and ideas that I believe may help us all. Our state board is goal oriented and have many ideas that are just as equally sound and innovative. You undoubtedly have ideas also. Tell us what they are.
My first year as your President is geared towards promoting and promoting and even promoting some more. There are several ideas that the board is thinking about on how we can accomplish the promoting of Square and Round Dancing throughout the state of Utah.
While we are taking care of business, there is something that you can do to help eliminate some of the problems. Encourage your clubs to GO DARK for the State sanctioned dances. Every club has an anniversary dance and there are other dances that are sanctioned by the state throughout the year. If your club refuses to do this, you as an individual have the right to attend and support. I AM ASKING you as an individual to support the sanctioned dances.
To some of you what I have just said will make you angry at me. So be it. I am not going to lie to you and I will not sweep unpleasantness under the rug. My tenure as your President is very short and there isn’t time to sweat-talk. I have identified some problems and I have given you direction on how to handle some of them.
I love to Square Dance. I do not want to see it flounder and fall by the wayside. That is why I stepped forward. I am not your President because I want the recognition. I am your President because I know that in my small way I can make a difference. I also know that when my tenure as you President is over, that I will be going back to being just a square dancer. I want to make sure that there will be a place for me to square dance at.
Working together, I know in my heart that we can and will prevail. Will you walk beside me and work with me to make Square and Round Dancing in the state of Utah a household word? Or will you be one of those will who back-bite and bicker on the side-lines because some of us want changes for the better.
When I was at the Nationals two weeks ago, on Saturday night they had the parade of states. Utah was second to last in numbers. We had three people in line. Texas was in front and Virginia was behind us. Both had large groups of people and they kept doing their respective cheers. After a while and in good jest when they were to shout their state name, I shouted out UTAH louder than either of them. They laughed and clapped us on the back and I walked away with a Texas flag.
I am not a native of Utah, though it is my home, now. But wherever I am, no matter what I do, I will always strive to give my best to the endeavor that I am involved with. I am proud to be a square dancer and I often wear one of my badges in public. I have received many comments and inquiries because of the badge and my or my partner’s attire. Square and Round Dancing are worthy causes and precedes all of us by hundreds of years.
I will see you on the dance floor. You are always welcome at the state board meetings. You will hear of and see the changes as they occur. I want to thank each and every one of you for what you do to help preserve our heritage of Dancing which includes square and round dancing, contra and line dancing and other folk dances.
Howard