European Same-Sex Dance Association

18.06.2010:

All ESSDA members have received this email:

ESSDA needs YOU as a Board member

Hello members of ESSDA!

As you may be aware from my previous email.

This year´s AGM in Cologne, Germany, will involve elections to the Board.

The Board members up for re-election after a period of 2 years are: Vernon, Niels and Thorsten.

Unfortunately, Vernon and Niels will not run for re-election. Dörte Lange, our female co-president, was re-elected last year but regrettably she will resign this year. I personally take off my hat in gratitude to them. I think you will join me in thanking them for their contribution to ESSDA and the world of same-sex dancing.

What ESSDA needs

People sometimes get the wrong idea in the sense that to be a member of ESSDA´s board you need to be an accomplished dancer, a judge or somehow a "high flyer" in the world of same sex dancing ..... nothing could be farthest from the truth...

ESSDA is committed to same-sex dancing at all levels, from beginners through to social dancers and top of the range.

A board is better equipped to work efficiently where its members bring a range of skills and life experiences. The key ingredient is motivation and the will to do one´s best.

Therefore, I encourage you wholeheartedly to consider standing for election.

In my previous email I sent the relevant form.

You will need to be up to date with your 10 Euro membership fee, which can be paid in Cologne before the elections and AGM.

In order to be considered for the election you need to have a working knowledge of English which is the language of communication in ESSDA, you will be expected to be passionate about dancing, especially same-sex dancing, and be enthusiastic!

Dancers from countries other than Germany and UK (already represented) are most encouraged to apply!!!

Regards,
Angelo
General Secretary of ESSDA

BOARD CANDIDATE NOMINATION FORM. (doc, 118 KB)

09.06.2010:

All ESSDA members have received this email:

Nominations for elections to the Board

Dear Members of ESSDA!

Please find attached the BOARD CANDIDATE NOMINATION FORM. (doc, 118 KB)

This form must be used for anyone who wishes to be nominated as a member of the Board of ESSDA.
Nominations must be received by Midnight on 21st June 2010.
The elections will be held at the AGM in Cologne (2nd August 2010; place and time TBC)

Nominees must be an Ordinary Member of the ESSDA. All nominations require one proposer and one seconder both of whom must also be Ordinary Members of the ESSDA. Proposers and seconders should get the agreement of those nominated.

If you are nominating yourself, you should email a short biography (maximum 150 words). This will be circulated amongst the membership ahead of the voting period. Proxy and Postal voting will be set up.

Thanks,
Angelo
General Secretary of ESSDA

April 2010:

DVD "Dance Highlights 2009 of Same-Sex Dance Sport" now available.

DVD Dance Highlights 2009 back
photos: Alec Myers, www.danceportraits.co.uk

For more information visit ESSDA's outreach website.

04.04.2010:

Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010
July 31 - August 7 2010

Special Information for dancers on the ESSDA website

31.10.2010:

Council of Europe to advance human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons

Press release - 277(2010) of the Council of Europe - www.coe.int:

Strasbourg, 01.04.2010 - "The Secretary General of the Council of Europe welcomes the decision of the Committee of Ministers on Wednesday 31 March to adopt a recommendation to member states on measures to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

This is an important achievement, being the first legal instrument in the world dealing specifically with one of the most long-lasting and difficult forms of discrimination to combat.

The recommendation, which draws on existing standards in international legal instruments, in particular the European Convention on Human Rights, will advance the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.

"The recommendation is an expression of the Council of Europe's commitment to the equality for all and respect for the dignity of all. I invite all member states to make all the necessary efforts to implement this recommendation", Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland declared".

Full text of the Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity

Extract concerning sports:

IX. Sports

39. Homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity in sports are, like racism and other forms of discrimination, unacceptable and should be combated.

40. Sport activities and facilities should be open to all without discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity; in particular, effective measures should be taken to prevent, counteract and punish the use of discriminatory insults with reference to sexual orientation or gender identity during and in connection with sports events.

41. Member states should encourage dialogue with and support sports associations and fan clubs in developing awareness-raising activities regarding discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in sport and in condemning manifestations of intolerance towards them.

19.03.2010:

FGG and GLISA publish statements/press releases "One quadrennial event in 2018"

"Dear Friends of Gay Games,
Thanks to all for your continued support of the Gay Games movement and the worldwide LGBT Sports and Culture community.
The following press release (doc-file, 137 KB) was issued today, 19 March 2010 at 9:00AM PST. Your feedback is welcome as we work together towards our common goal of one quadrennial event in 2018.
Sincerely, FGG Board of Directors"

"GLISA International is happy to inform you that both our Board and the Board of FGG have now decided to support the one joint global event in 2018, based on three components: Sports, Culture and Human Rights! ... Please do not hestitate to contact either Julia, myself or Emy or Kurt if you have any questions or contributions!
Vriendelijke groet / Kind regards, Wessel van Kampen"
Press release (pdf, 59 KB): Statement approved by the Board of GLISA International on 19 March 2010

19.03.2010:

Historic EGLSF Assembly, held in Manchester, UK, March 5-7 2010

In a press release the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation calls its Annual General Assembly of 2010 a "historic one".
ESSDA was represented by our member Ralf Schiller. Concerning the collaboration between the two LGBT sport world organisations he reported: "It was announced that there will be one games every 4 years after 2014, probably under a new name."

Read the whole EGLSF press release.

17.02.2010:

This is the European Mailing List for the EGLSF Technical Commission for Ballroom Dancing. Only members can post messages. To subscribe follow this link.
(A service of the EGLSF - European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation).

webmaster:
Jean-Marie Cuelenaere, Dörte Lange and Frank Morche (webmaster(at)essda.eu)

Hadass Armon (UK) Female Co-President	hadass(at)essda.eu
Angelo Berbotto (UK) General Secretary	angelo(at)essda.eu
Davy Brocatus (Belgium) Male Co-President Treasurer	davy(at)essda.eu
Mette Bugge (Denmark)	In September 2010 Mette resigned from the ESSDA Board for personal reasons :-(
Ursula Hegglin (Switzerland) Membership Officer	ursula(at)essda.eu
Thorsten Reulen (Germany) General Board Member	thorsten(at)essda.eu
Andrzej Selerowicz (Austria) General Board Member	andrzej(at)essda.eu


ESSDA News issue 2 (AGM Cologne 2010), pdf, 599 KB