News from DANZ - Dance Aotearoa New Zealand

DANCE SUBJECT ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHED

1st November 2007

The Dance Subject Association for Primary and Secondary teachers of dance was formally established as a structure at the 'So You Can Dance' TRCC Dance Conference in Dunedin on 1st October 2007. It reflects a new relationship between DANZ and dance educator networks.

Why a Dance Subject Association?
It has come about because of moves by the PPTA and Ministry of Education wishing to see the national coordination and linking of Subject Associations so they can act as advocates in matters and issues relating to the particular subject and the educators.

The essential feature of the Dance Subject Association is that it must comprise of dance educators from the school sector. Hence DANZ can act as a conduit and mouthpiece for the Dance Subject Association but the infrastructure and information must come from dance educators. The role of DANZ is to act as a channel for information exchange and advocacy. Facilitation of further support work such as advocacy campaigns, training, meetings etc needs to be planned and discussed.

The adopted aims are

To advocate for issues facing Dance in Education (Ministry and Government, school, tertiary, community school link, private sector link, training, codes of practice etc)

To support dance education in schools through professional development opportunities and resources

To proactively work with and inform DANZ of issues to ensure advocacy is possible

To communicate across regions e.g. two monthly update on local network activities or models of good practice. This could link, for example, with DANZ Quarterly magazine or the TKI website

To have the mandate to represent and advocate for dance education issues

To provide examples of models of good practice for DANZ Quarterly, Education Gazette etc.

To provide information on latest dance education research

Communication is two way. Members communicate to DANZ any issues or concerns so the Executive Director and/or Dance Subject Association members can advocate appropriately. Equally DANZ can request support and information from the Dance Subject Association network for advocacy or to represent the Subject Association. The Association for the most part exists as a 'virtual' association linked through DANZ.

Financial membership of DANZ
It is agreed there is a relationship of goodwill between DANZ and the Dance Subject Association. DANZ does not have a specific budget for this activity as it does not fit within the criteria of funding DANZ receives.

Schools should be members of DANZ and DANZ membership should be promoted within Dance Subject Association networks.

Representatives
Each Dance Educator Network needs to nominate a spokesperson to communicate with and be a representative for the Dance Subject Association and national committee. Dance educators in areas outside of the existing networks, who are committed to the Dance Subject Association, can put themselves forward to act as communicators to local dance educators. DANZ will assist, where it has capacity, to help form new regional networks.

Review of the Dance Subject Association
The relationship and position of the Dance Subject Association and DANZ will be reviewed at the next TRCC Dance Educators' Conference. DANZ acknowledges that the Dance Subject Association may wish to develop into an independent organisation in the future, with its own legal entity and constitution. DANZ would fully support such a move if it was desired.

For information on the Dance Subject Association contact: danz@danz.org.nz or read the DANZ in Schools section of DANZ Quarterly issue No.10 (available in shops and to DANZ members by January 2008).

For DANZ membership visit www.danz.org.nz/joindanz

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