Growing a vibrant worldwide community of Scottish Country Dancers 2017 - 2020

A Business Plan for 2017 – 2020

The process so far: RSCDS Management Board consulted on 5 Strategic Aims at Open Forum Nov 2015 MB, Committees and Staff drafted outline proposals for change in the future Business Planning Group consulted Branches and Teacher Associations 2016 Management Board and Committees reviewed proposals for action We are now informing you of our plans …

Strategic Aims agreed Nov 2015 Aim 1. To promote Scottish Country Dance and related dance forms as inclusive and exciting activities Aim 2. To build the capacity and networking of branches and other dance groups who share our Aims, to help them grow and deliver SCD activity more effectively Aim 3. To maintain and develop high quality teaching of Scottish Country Dance and music, including the development of dance and music for all ages and abilities

Continued… Aim 4. To enable enjoyable and high quality Scottish Country Dance opportunities for all ages and abilities worldwide Aim 5. To strengthen and improve the RSCDS, including its governance and long term financial viability, to enable it to deliver the above Aims

Business Plan group members: Helen Russell, Chairman Elizabeth Harry, MB representative Jane Rose, Teacher in a Branch Emma Allsop, Youth Services representative Ian Muir, Music Director Philip Whitley, former Membership Services Committee Convenor Gillian Wilson, Executive Officer

Ensuring global consultation All Branches & Teachers’ Associations contacted by BP group members and invited to give feedback: May – Aug 2016 79 Branches (49% of branches) took part 2 Teachers’ Associations took part 81 individual members also contributed through online survey

Key issues raised through feedback - 1 Branches said their own priorities are: Recruiting members & getting help with this Working more effectively with young people and attracting more young members Finding and training new teachers Sharing experience & networking with other branches, affiliated groups and SCD clubs Strengthening relationships between the Branch and other local groups

Key issues raised through feedback - 2 Branches said RSCDS priorities should be: Improve the image and profile of the Society Improve the website and member database Reach out to branches more, be active globally in partnership with branches - be less UK-centric Review and improve the teaching programme, to ensure the teaching of social and technical skills Be more transparent and efficient about the use of money, including membership fees Be relevant globally – one-size does not fill all

Branch prioritisation of Strategic Aims

Key issues raised through feedback - 3 Teachers’ Associations said: They want to work more closely with the RSCDS They are interested in helping with the Teacher training programme review They will help with setting up a Teacher register They support more use of technology for increasing access to teacher training programmes They want better information on the website for teachers and about their Associations

Aim 1 actions (prioritised): Develop a clear communications and marketing strategy Review and upgrade of RSCDS’s online presence, both website and social media Review, upgrade and implement the Health strategy to promote the benefits of SCD Develop a choreographed high energy version of Scottish Country Dancing Promote ceilidh dancing Plan for the RSCDS Centenary in 2023 The following lists are prioritised

Aim 2 actions: Strengthen online communications Link with branches & affiliated groups offline Work with branches & affiliated groups to recruit and retain more RSCDS members Support increased branch networking Review relative benefits of branch and affiliated status and provide incentives for gaining Branch status Identify places where we could encourage new branches and affiliated groups

Aim 3 actions: Review the teacher training system, syllabus and assessment criteria: incl. digitisation & IT Improve access to teacher training & Continuing Development around the world Set up and maintain a Teachers’ Register Develop Music teaching & access globally

Contd.. 5. E-learning site & teacher area on the website 6. Work more closely with the TAs 7. Develop a Schools SCD project in Scotland with funding from Scottish Government

Aim 4 actions: Continue to deliver two major schools each year – Summer School and Winter School Continue to deliver Youth focused events and youth elements in all events – including Spring Fling and Junior Summer School Build RSCDS presence at and engagement with existing events around the world Deliver globally themed events – including Global Youth week and Dance Scottish Week Secure sponsorships for these events

Aim 5 actions: Review RSCDS management committees and their remits Ensure elected members and RSCDS staff have the relevant skills for their posts. Review structural relationships within RSCDS: Memberships, Branches, Affiliated Groups and Teachers’ Associations Strengthen financial accountability and transparency to achieve a consistent operating surplus Review effective use of 12 Coates Crescent “ensure elected members… have the relevant skills” means we should be actively recruiting people with the appropriate skills, and training those who need it.

This will not happen overnight Next steps … This will not happen overnight We need Branches and members to also be active in helping deliver the Aims and plans … you are the public face of the RSCDS around the world We look forward to working with you all We may only achieve the first 2 priorites in each Aim, but even that will produce change and improvement.

Questions?

Thank you