PURPOSE OF THE DANCE TEAM The purpose of the dance team is to promote school spirit and entertainment while providing athletic opportunity and assisting in collegiate requirements of participating students. Team unity develops friendships and support outside of the classroom. Leadership opportunities and team building are taught to enforce working in diverse groups and environments. Dancers will become role models for their appropriate behavior and respect towards college facilities and policies.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A RANDOLPH-MACON DANCE TEAM MEMBER
Academics are a priority for all dancers. If a dancer is having trouble maintaining a GPA of 2.0, they will not be allowed to hold office or participate in performances. The dancer will, however, still be required to attend practices and performances. Dancers on academic probation must turn in a weekly progress report to the Coach until the end of each semester until grades improve. Steady progress will determine readmission to the team.
J-TERM
Because most of our performances are held during J-Term, please do not plan to be away as this interferes with practiced, planned formations.
PRACTICES
Two-hour practices will be held 3 times per week and are mandatory. If for any reason a dancer misses a practice, it will be their personal responsibility to make up the material missed by getting together with another dancer before the next practice. All practices will consist of the following unless altered by the Captain/ Choreographer:
a. An organized warm-up / stretch led by the Captain /Choreographer
b. Learning and practicing dance technique
c. Learning and practicing routines
d. An organized cool-down
FUND RAISING EVENTS
All dancers will be required to participate in fund-rasing events planned by the Fund Raising Chair.
TEAM SOCIAL EVENTS
A team-bonding fun night will be planned by the Social Chairs once per month.
WEIGHT TRAINING
Randolph-Macon College Dance Team will not require mandatory weight training; however, weight training is encouraged. See Bill Blackmore, Director of The Brock Sports and Recreation Center, for a customized training plan.
SPRING SESSION
Spring Show - TBA
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Every team member will receive a copy of the dance team schedule prior to events. All dance functions are mandatory. Members will not hold jobs that interfere with dancer activities. The following 2 reasons are the only legitimate excused absenses from any practice, basketball game, or performance:
a. Personal illness, injury or accident verified by note from parents, school nurse, or doctor noting reason and expected recovery date
b. Funeral or death in the family
PENALTIES
Dancers may be penalized or pulled from a practice, performance, or from the team at the discretion of the Coach and/or the President, for any of the following reasons:
a. Lack of knowledge of a routine
b. Lack of ability to perform at required skill level for said routine
c. Lack of mental or physical preparation for any scheduled event
d. Attitude not promoting respect, teamwork, or sportsmanship. A dancer must show determination, dedication, desire and a positive attitude at all times
e. Any injury for which dancer is unable to perform at their normal level
f. Tardiness will not be tolerated. If a dancer is more than 10 minutes late to a practice, he or she will be asked to sit out at practice. If tardiness occurs more than twice, the dancer will be given one dismissal warning before being dismissed from the team and will receive a 'failed' grade towards P.E. credit for the current semester
g. Unexcused absences - After the 3rd absence, report to the Coach
h. Academic probation
i. Controllable injuries / alcohol related injuries
j. Drugs
k.Violation of the "24-hour rule" before performances.(24-hour rule: consumption of any amount of alcohol within 24 hours of a time that a dancer is assigned to start dancing, including the warm-up before a performance)
l. Any violation of R-MC College policy
m. Any violation of signed Commitment Contract
UNIFORMS
Uniforms and poms are the property of the Randolph-Macon College Dance Team and must be returned to the President of the Dance Team at the end of the academic year on a specified date. Uniforms must be returned clean and on a hanger with your name attached to the top uniform. A Uniform Return Sheet (issued to each dancer before the turn-in date) must be filled out, signed, and given to the President along with the uniforms and poms. It will be the responsibility of the dancer to financially replace any missing articles.
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
The current line members shall vote for President for the following academic year after the Spring Show of the current academic year. The Coach shall verify the vote. President responsibilities /duties are as follows:
a. Calls meetings and prepares agendas
b. Shall preside at all meetings
c. Shall be a current sophomore, junior, or a senior
d. Communicates and updates information to team
e. Shall inform the Coach of any information to keep the team running smoothly
f. Shall be a good role model for the group
g. Shall insure that all performance tapes are made, with an extra copy
h. Shall help with administrative duties with the Coach
i. Shall assist with new team member selection
j. Shall attend officer meetings as designated
CAPTAIN/ CHOREOGRAPHER
The current line members shall vote for Captain/ Choreographer for the following academic year after the Spring Show of the current academic year. The Coach shall verify the vote. Captain/ Choreographer responsibilities /duties are as follows:
a. Shall be a current sophomore, junior or senior
b. Shall assist the President or Coach in any area as requested
c. Shall lead practice sessions
d. Shall be a good role model for the group
e. Must possess the ability to be creative with new dances, and the knowledge of a variety of difference styles and techniques
f.Responsible for choreographing routines, teaching technique and approving music
g. May appoint warm-ups and/or cool-downs during practice
h. Shall assist with new team member selection
i. Shall attend officer meetings as designated
TREASURER/ FUND RAISING CHAIR
The Coach shall appoint the Treasurer/ Fund Raising Chair for the following academic year after the Spring Show of the current academic year. Treasurer/ Fund Raising Chair responsibilities/ duties are as follows:
a. approves and maintains budget
b. responsible for accounts payable and accounts receivable
c. orders uniforms and supplies
d. plans and organizes fund raising events
e. Shall assist with new team member selection
f. Shall attend officer meetings as designated
SOCIAL CHAIRS
a.Two Social Chairs will volunteer to be in charge of a team-binding fun night once per month; one member for even months, and one member for odd months.
b.Shall assist with new team member selection
c.Shall be available for officer meetings as needed