NDCA is delighted to announce that the Para Dance organization "Roll Call Wheelchair Dance" for wheel chair and para dancers has been officially recognized by the National Dance Council of America.

'Roll Call' is registered as an IRS Not-For-Profit Charitable organization and brings the joy of movement and dance to those in wheelchairs and with disabilities. Roll Call is recognized and supported by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

If you would like information in regard to wheel chair dance instruction, learning to teach paradance classes in your studio, or any other help to get started in this very rewarding dance form, please contact the Dance Director of Roll Call, Mr. John Nyemchek, who is the Chair of the NDCA Wheel Chair and Para Dance Committee.

Contact Information
Tel: 845-735-1400
Email: rollcallwheelchairdance.org@gmail.com
www.rollcallwheelchairdance.org

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the NDCA did not hold the regularly scheduled meetings this past July. Because of this delay in the regular meeting schedule the NDCA Ballroom Department held a virtual interim meeting to address several rule updates, changes, and additions. The Executive Committee also added several new rules in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the next scheduled meeting in January of 2021 the Board of Governors will be asked to ratify the updated rule book.

Below is a complete list of all changes to the rule book since January 2020. These changes now appear in the online August 2020 NCDA Rule Book. The purpose of this message is to acquaint all competition organizers of these changes in a timely manner.

IX.B.3.d.(4).
The tempo for the Bolero was changed from 24 to 22 BPM based upon feedback from competitors and music directors.

III.A.2.
This rule was added to the rule book based upon recommendation of NDCA legal counsel due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

"By submitting an application to the Council to sanction an event, the Organizers agree to indemnify and hold the Council and its officers, directors, and agents (collectively 'Indemnitees') harmless from all claims, actions, demands, losses, damages, liabilities or judgments (collectively 'Claims') arising out of or relating to the conduct of the event for which the sanction application is submitted, or any event run by the Organizers at the same location immediately before or after the event for which the sanction application is submitted, and to pay any and all legal expenses incurred by any Indemnitee, including reasonable attorney' fees, any Indemnitee incurs in defending against any Claims."

III.A.11.a.
This rule was added to the rule book based upon recommendation of NDCA legal counsel due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

"The granting of "Sanction" by the Council obligates the Organizer to adhere to the NDCA Rules and Regulations described herein, and to conduct a NDCA-sanctioned Event and any event run the the Organizer at the same location immediately before or after the NDCA-sanctioned Event in full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations or orders, including, without limitation, those relating to health, sanitation, and safety.

IV.B.9.
This rule was changed very slightly to allow invigilators to use their mobile phones when officiating as such so that they can record violations or show NDCA videos to those who need assistance at the competition. It now reads as follows:

"Adjudicators, other than invigilators, may not use cell phones or any other unauthorized electronic devices during the time period(s) in which they are officiating."

IV.C.1.g.
The Show Dance category was added to this rule as it had been inadvertently left out. No other changes were made to this rule. It now reads as follows:

"For competitions in the Exhibition, Cabaret, Show Dance and Formation categories:

1. When there are more than eight couples or teams entered in a particular event, the competition may be held as a final round, with the adjudicators being asked to rank all entries in order of merit.
2. When there are more than fourteen couples or teams entered in a particular event, the competition may be held as a preliminary round, with less than 50% of the couples or teams being recalled from the qualifying round for the final.

III.A.11.c. and III.A.11.d.
These two rules were added to the rule book in response to questions from officials regarding judging and officiating at virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although these two rules are now in the rule book they will not be enforced until the pandemic has abated. This means that for now judging and officiating for virtual competitions is not problematic for NDCA licensed officials.

• Rule c - "Virtual events/competitions are not sanctioned by the NDCA."
• Rule d - "No virtual events/competitions may be attached to any NDCA sanctioned Local One-Day Event, Multi-Day Competition, or Championship."

IV.A.9.
This rule was adjusted to clarify its original intent as well as addressing questions from organizers. It now reads as follows:

Officials (Including Adjudicators, Scrutineers, Registrars, Masters of Ceremonies, Music Directors, and Organizers) are not allowed to give coaching lessons, on or off the premises, during the entire period of time of their officiating contract for the event. Once an official begins to work for an event their contract may not be suspended so that they may give coaching lessons. This does not apply to lectures or seminars scheduled by the organizer and open to any interested parties.
a. Additionally, no official may give coaching lessons at the same venue where the event is held once the competition begins until the time that the competition ends, regardless of the start or end of their particular officiating contract.

VI.D.1.
This section on eligibility requirements for amateurs for the U.S. National Amateur DanceSport Championships was slightly amended. It now includes competitors who hold U.S. Resident Alien Cards (Green Cards) in the same designation as U.S. Citizens. The entire rule can be read in the online rule book.

May 5, 2018.

Att: All NDCA American Style Competitors. All Judges and Trainers of American Style.

Subject: Update on the progress of Smooth and Rhythm overseas via World Dance Council (WDC)

Dear Competitors, Judges, and Coaches involved in American Style Events,

I am writing today to give you a brief update on the progress and interest in American Style via the World Dance Council member countries. The National Dance Council of America Board of Governors voted last year to provide the WDC member countries full access to the NDCA Syllabi and rules for all pro-am events held world wide. This we feel will help create a unifom set of rules throughout the world. In addition, there is great interest on the part of organizers in the WDC to develop programs to include American Style events and championships. The WDC member countries have been encouraged to establish an American Style Division within their own National Council along the same lines that we have here in America. Many countries are now beginning to create a place for our American Style.

With the Championships in Blackpool and recent events in Russia, plus two European Championships coming soon along with events in ASIA, international organizers of American Style Championships will look to our teachers, coaches, and professionals to assist in developing the Smooth and Rhythm styles abroad.

Therefore, I would recommend that those who are intrested in being part of this wonderful expansion throughout the world ensure that they are registered with the WDC. All applications for a WDC License must be made through the NDCA National registrar via the web site NDCA.ORG. In order to compete or judge WDC American Style Championships and events you will need to be licensed with the WDC.

My best wishes to all .

Sincerely,

Brian Mc Donald

President National Dance Council of America Inc.