Minutes April 22, 2026

We gathered at 7pm at Virginia's home to enjoy some sweet things.

Present: Dianne B, Maris, Gail, Victor, Virginia, Marguerite, John, Fred

Absent: Dianne P-Q., Kenny

John called the meeting to order at 7:34pm.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

Dianne B. gave the Treasurer's Report.  After all transactions the net change was a decrease of $4 since the last report.  There was a bit of discussion regarding the "exit strategy" for should our net cash assets fall below the $1500 floor discussed some time ago, possible 2019.  It appears that we are not in danger yet.  It was observered that a significant amount of income is due to donations.  Certain fixed expenses, such as CDSS fees and insurance will be comming due after June.  The treasurers report was approved.

Victor gave the Booker's Report.  The following lineup has been defined for the remainder of the year.

April - Recorded Music / Victor calling

May - Outsiders / Gretchen Caldwell

June - Lettuce Prey / Dianne P-Q.

July - undecided maybe recorded music with Victor

August - Blueridge Rounders / Dianne P-Q.

September - Outsiders / ?

October - Blueridge Rounders / JJ Luxe

November - Lettuce Prey / Dianne P-Q.

December - ContraCola Open Band / Victor

It seems like every meeting we worry the issue of finding a larger space than Arsenal Hill.  This meeting was no different.

Several board members (Fred, Dianne B, John) visited the Elite Ballroom on Bush River Road. It has lots of space and a fair amount of parking.  It is easily excessible from the Bush River Road exit on I-20. It has an excellent sprung dance floor.  It has an ambiance similar to the old Emerald Ballroom.  Their calendar does not presently exclude the dates we have.  We are uncertain as to how long they have been in operation.  Costwise it would be substantially more expensive than Arsenal Hill.  The proprietor has requirements for dealing with food and drinks, and clean up, which affects the rental.  When we off-handedly mentioned that live music was a feature the proprietor expressed concerns about floor, heavy equiment, drum kits, etc.  That can probably be worked out once they get an idea of what we need. Per hour rental is quite a bit highter than with the city.  A minimum rental is required.  The discussion concluded that we should consider this a backup when we outgrow Arsenal Hill.

In May the board elects Officers for the next fiscal year.  All existing officers agreed to continue in their current roles for the next year.  The slate of officers for 2026-2027 fiscal year (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027) to be elected at the next meeting:

President: John Wetzel

Vice President & Booker: Victor Gascon

Secretary: Fred Druseikis

Treasurer: Dianne Britton

Additionally, the following slate of At Large board members was nominated and will be elected at the next meeting, subject to their continued agreement to participate.

Gail Sullivan, Maris Burton, Virginia Winn, Marguerite Frongillo, Dianne Palmer-Quay, Kenny Greer

The issue of "Membership" in the ContraCola dance community was discussed.  As the Treasurer has observed, we are solvent because of the steady donations from those who care to see contra dancing continuing in the Columbia area.  Without those contributions our financial situation would be more precarious.  It was noted that City Parks deparment already requires that events be voluntary donations at their venues.  But there is still a lingering idea that the dance "charges admission" although our signage clearly states that donations are voluntary.  The basic idea was to promote a donation model of funding of the dance series, possibly with membership signifying an ongoing (periodic) donation to support the dance series.  The mechanics of doing this has been simplified by some of the software packages (Venmo, GiveButter) we are using already.  Members would receive benefits and there was much discussion about that idea and its inherent inconsistencies.  There was a concern that "members" contribution would be disallowed as tax deductable because they were given admission.  Additional thought would be given to these ideas and concerns with further discussion planned for the next meeting.

Next Meeting: June 10, 2026

The meeting adjourned at 9:06pm

/s/ Fred Druseikis