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NDCA Rules Update 2009
- Author:
- Lee Wakefield
- Date Published:
- January 11, 2009
Dear NDCA Competition Organizers,
Below is a summary of all the rule changes that were enacted at the recent NDCA Board of Governors meetings (January 11, 2009). These changes will appear in the January edition of the NDCA rule book.
ALSO - PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN MISSED BY SOME COMPETITION ORGANIZERS RECENTLY IN REGARDS TO PRE-TEEN COMPETITORS:
1) The pro/am age categories for pre-teens, juniors, and youths must match the definitions for amateur competitors – NO EXCEPTIONS!!
2) All pre-teen competitors (pro/am and amateur) are not allowed to wear traditional costumes and they must also dance within the gold syllabus – NO EXCEPTIONS!!
3) Competition organizers are NOT ALLOWED to add additional categories that would allow pre-teen competitors (pro/am and amateur) to wear costumes or dance open syllabus – NO EXCEPTIONS!!
Thanks,
Lee Wakefield, NDCA Ballroom Director
RULE CHANGES - JANUARY 2009
RULE THAT WAS RESCINDED:
Rule VI.A.9. (REGISTRATION REQUIRED IN MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS)
This rule, which was passed at the previous meeting (July 2008) was rescinded by the Board of Governors at this meeting. Because a previous notice had been sent to all registrants notifying them that they would be required to register with a NDCA member organization this rule change is listed first! The rule that was rescinded read:
"All registrants of the NDCA must be members in good standing of a Member Organization of the NDCA. (This rule will take effect on July 16, 2009)"
RULES THAT WERE ADDED OR CHANGED:
Rule I.F.1.a.. (MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS)
This rule allows NDCA Member Organizations to hold their own closed competitions. Text was added to this rule to clarify the conditions that must be met by a Member Organization for any closed competitions - the rule now reads as follows:
"Closed Competitions or Championships organized and run by Member Organizations. Full Member Organizations are permitted to run their own closed competitions and championships. A closed event is defined as one at which the organization responsible for it's function only accepts entries from it's own dues paying members and their respective students.
(1) Promotion and advertising may be extended only to specific individuals who are dues paying members of the organization. Dues paying members are defined as individuals who have chosen to pay a membership fee to the organization specifically for the intent of belonging to the organization. Payment to the organization for other intents, such as purchasing merchandise or other services, does not qualify an individual to be considered a dues paying member.
(2) Individuals and organizations who are associated with the Full Member Organization in lesser ways, such as being on customer or interested parties lists, are not considered to be dues paying members. These individuals and/or organizations may not be included in the promotion and/or advertising for the closed competition or championship.
(3) Promotion and advertising may not be disseminated in any general way, such as on non-organization specific websites or in mailings that may be viewed widely by individuals who are not considered dues paying members of the organization. Closed events may be advertised on the member organizations' name specific website, but the home page must clearly show that the event is open ONLY to its' members and is not open to the general public at large.
(4) New members should not be allowed to join the organization at the competition/championship specifically to enter the event.
(5) Only Full Member organizations are permitted to run their own closed events, and all funds and or profit must go directly to the member organization."
Rule I.F.1.c.(1). (LOCAL COMPETITIONS DEFINITION)
This rule deals with the definition of what is a "local competition". This portion of the entire rule defining local competitions was altered to read as follows:
"that is limited to a one-day event with less than 1,000 entries total."
Rules I.F.1.c.(8).(c). & I.F.1.c.(8).(d). (LOCAL COMPETITIONS DEFINITION)
These rules also deal with the definition of what is a "local competition". These portions of the entire rule defining local competitions were altered to read as follows:
(c) Local Competitions who wish to use NDCA registered adjudicators must contact the NDCA Ballroom Director in advance to confirm the local competition's compliance with the requirements listed above.
(d) NDCA registered adjudicators who wish to judge at a local competition must contact the NDCA Ballroom Director in advance to confirm that the competition complies with the requirements listed above for their participation.
Rule II.A.4.a. (STUDENT/STUDENT EVENTS)
This rule defining Student/Student events was added:
"Student/Student events are an accommodation for Pro/Am Student Dancers, and are open only to one adult Pro/Am Student Dancer partnering with another adult Pro/Am Student Dancer - both of whom must comply with the requirements as stated in the definition of a Pro/Am Student Dancer. Student/Student events are not open to amateur dancers who compete in Amateur Competitions and/or Championships at the "Open Amateur" proficiency level as defined in section X. RULES FOR AMATEUR COMPETITORS."
Rule II.B.4. (PRE-TEEN PRO/AM & STUDENT/STUDENT EVENTS)
This rule replaced a previous one which dealt with requirements for pre-teen Pro/Am and/or Student/Student competitors in regards to age categories, dress/costuming, and syllabus. The new rule appears below:
"Student/Student & Pro/Am Student Dancer Events for Pre-teen, Junior and Youth
a. When Pre-Teen, Junior and Youth events are offered for Student/Student and/or Pro/Am Student Dancers the age divisions must be those that are listed in the "Rules for Amateur Competitions" section.
b. When Pre-Teen, Junior and Youth events are offered for Student/Student and/or Pro/Am Student Dancers the dress and/or costuming rules must be those that are listed in the "Rules for Amateur Competitions" section.
c. When Pre-Teen events are offered for Student/Student and/or Pro/Am Student Dancers the syllabus rules must be those that are listed in the "Rules for Amateur Competitions" section."
Rules III.A.3.c. & III.A.3.d. (PERMANENT DATE & LOCATION CHANGES)
These two rules were altered to address concerns regarding requests for permanent date and location changes that are requested by competition organizers - both rules now read as follows:
"c. Permanent date changes may not be considered, except at Ballroom Department meetings that are held in conjunction with Board of Governors meetings.
(1) Permanent date changes may be considered only when the organizer can provide substantial justification for a date change, and may not be reconsidered for a minimum five-year period if and when granted for any NDCA sanctioned event.
d. Permanent location changes may not be considered, except at Ballroom Department meetings that are held in conjunction with Board of Governors meetings.
(1) Permanent location changes may be considered only when the organizer can provide substantial justification for a location change, and may not be reconsidered for a minimum five-year period if and when granted for any NDCA sanctioned event."
Rule III.D.6. (CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS)
This rule was changed to require six couples for a bona fide championship instead of three - it now reads as follows:
"At least two (2) couples must participate in any featured event for it to be accepted as a bona-fide competition. For Championship Competitions, at least six (6) couples must participate."
Rule IV.C.1.g. (CABARET/EXHIBITION AND FORMATION COMPETITIONS)
This rule was added to clarify how competitions of this nature may be handled when there are a large number of entries - the rule reads as follows:
"For competitions in the Exhibition, Cabaret & 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 judges 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."
Rule IV.C.8. (CHAIRMAN OF JUDGES)
This rule was re-worded to add more clarity - it deals with a situation where a chairman of judges might need to remove a judge - it now reads as follows:
"Excusing a judge from officiating when the Chairman feels that the sound judgment of the judge may be impaired."
Rule VI.B.1.d. (PRO/AM STUDENT DANCER REGISTRATION)
This rule was clarified to indicate that Pro/Am Student Dancers may voluntarily register with the NDCA if they wish - the full text appears below:
"Pro/Am Student Dancers dancing in the following categories shall not be required to register with the NDCA (although voluntary registration is allowed):
1. All Pro/Am Competitions.
2. Student/Student Competitions that are included within Pro/Am Heats."
Rule X.A.4.f. (AMATEUR COMPETITORS DANCING UP OR DOWN CATEGORIES)
This rule was added to clarify how competitors may dance up or down categories when competition levels are combined. The full text of this rule appears below:
"When an organizer combines age classifications (Pre-Teen I & II, Junior I & II or Senior I, II & III) competitors may dance up or down as follows:
(1) Only Pre-Teen II age category competitors may dance up into the combined Junior age category.
(2) Combined Juniors may dance up into the combined Youth age category.
(3) Combined Seniors may dance down into the adult age category.
Rule X.C.7. (NOVICE & PRE-CHAMPIONSHIP STATUS)
This rule deals with the novice and pre-championship status definitions for amateur couples. The word insure was changed to ensure to correct a grammatical error - the rule now reads as follows:
"It is the responsibility of all amateur competitors to ensure that they are eligible for the category in which they desire to dance."
Rule X.D.1.a.(1).(d). (PRE-TEEN BOYS DRESS/ATTIRE)
This rule referring to the trousers for pre-teen boys was added:
"Satin stripes are not allowed."
Rule X.D.1.a.(3). (PRE/TEEN BOYS DRESS/ATTIRE)
The previous rule regarding sweaters and/or vests was altered to read as follows:
"Sweaters and vests are not allowed."
Rule X.D.1.b.(2).(a). (PRE-TEEN GIRLS DRESS/ATTIRE)
This rule was re-written to clarify what is allowed for pre-teen girl's skirts, and now reads as follows:
"Plain or pleated with minimum 1 to maximum 3 half circles. One plain simple underskirt allowed which is no larger or longer than top layer, and is the same or similar color as the outer skirt"
Rule X.D.1.b.(2).(b) (PRE-TEEN GIRLS DRESS/ATTIRE)
The words "uneven hem lines" and "lettuce edging" were added to this rule, which now reads as follows:
"No uneven hem lines, use of boning, frills, splits, openings, fishing line, "lettuce edging", etc"
Rule X.D.1.b.(7).(h). (PRE-TEEN GIRLS DRESS/ATTIRE)
This rule was added to the list of "not allowed" for pre-teen girls:
"Gathering or shirring on the bodice is not allowed."
X.a.4.b.(1) (PRE-TEEN II COMPETITORS ATTIRE WHEN DANCING UP)
This rule was added to clarify the dress/attire restriction for pre-teen II competitors when dancing up to the junior category:
"Pre-teen II couples who elect to dance up to junior must remain in the approved pre-teen costumes."
Appendix II (NDCA Syllabus)
This syllabus list of the NDCA was removed from the rule book because of confusion between this list and Appendix I, which is the list of the allowable figures and elements (or restrictions) for the bronze level to be used in NDCA recognized Events
X.D.1.e. (DRAWINGS OF PRE-TEEN ALLOWED DRESS/ATTIRE)
Drawings of approved pre-teen dress/attire were approved, as shown in the attached pdf document.
