• Winter Forum
• Join the ActorFCU Family
• Government Affairs Update

Who handles the hiring and payroll for your organization?
Send that person to the Winter Forum!

See who else has already registered for this year’s Winter Forum, January, 2009 in NYC and invest in yourself and your staff. Join your peers in discussions about compensation, personnel challenges, your organization’s performance and much more.

Already joining in the discussion are: Executive Director, Artistic Director, Director or Development and Director of Finance from Ballet Hispanico; General Manager of Houston Ballet; Executive Director of Lar Lubovitch Dance Company; Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of American Ballet Theatre; Artistic Director of Dance Affiliates; Executive Director of Paul Taylor Dance Foundation and many more!

Only a few spots left for the discounted registration price, register today!

New Member Benefit: Be Part of the ActorsFCU Family

Dance/USA is pleased to offer all members access to the services of Actors Federal Credit Union. With branch offices in New York City and Los Angeles, extensive online banking options, and 25,000 fee-free ATMs throughout the US and Canada, all Dance/USA members can take advantage of this new member benefit. Members who open a Power Checking Account by January 31, 2009 will receive an extra $25 deposit (coupon required)! To learn more about ActorsFCU’s services and apply for membership, please visit www.actorsfcu.com. Please contact Membership Manager Katherine Fabian if you have any questions about this new exciting benefit.

GovernmentAffairs Update

ARTS POLICY FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATION

After many months of collaboration between 16 national service organizations, the Arts Policy Transition Statement is finally complete! Submitted to Bill Ivey and John Podesta on Obama’s transition team in addition to the co-chairs of the Congressional Arts Caucus, the document gives vision statements for the National Endowment for the Arts, Arts in Education, Cultural Exchange, National Service and the Arts and Arts in the Not-for-profit Community.

Enjoy reading the statement here and please feel free to share and post on your websites!

DANCE/USA BOARD MEMBERS ADVOCATE ON THE HILL

On Friday, November 14, Dance/USA Board members Paul King (chair-elect), Wayne Hazzard, and Karen Brown walked the halls of Congress to speak about the arts in their districts and build relationships with their federal legislators. “It was a really fulfilling experience,” commented Paul King. “I had written a list of what I wanted to discuss and had materials to back me up.” Wayne Hazzard noted that “the meetings were inspiring” and he reflected afterwards that, “we are all motivated to go to the Hill. At some point… you will find time to participate in such a visit in DC or your home state. What I promise you’ll discover when you’re able to speak with your elected officials is the I’ve made a difference feeling. How do I know this? Because, like the dance-making we all believe in, some things are beyond words – we know they are true.” Karen Brown conducted Hill visits for the first time this fall as where King and Hazzard have been on the hill for the past few years. Brown commented, “it was wonderful to hear from Senator Casey’s (D-PA) staffer how important it is for them to be aware of constituent concerns and issues. I am confident that the recommendation to visit my local offices will be met with the same graciousness. I really feel as though I have a personal connection now.”

All Dance/USA members are encouraged to conduct Hill visits when visiting DC. Not only are your words powerful and influential, but the experience is inspiring and builds valuable relationships with your policy makers. Many thanks to Paul King, Wayne Hazzard and Karen Brown for volunteering your time and passion to advocate for the arts on Capitol Hill!!

WHITE SPACE ISSUE

The FCC issued the Report and Order on opening the White Spaces to new unlicensed devices on November 14. The document states: “We [the FCC] conclude that the suggestion to preserve unoccupied TV channel space below channel 21 for wireless microphones is an appropriate solution for providing spectrum to meet wireless microphone needs.” Stay tuned for detailed emails on compliance with the new allocation of the spectrum. Please alert your production managers and sound technicians of the changes! For the full FCC Report, visit the following link: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-260A1.pdf

WIRELESS MICROPHONES IN THE 700 MHz BAND

On December 18, the FCC is expected to vote on whether to ban wireless microphones from the 700 MHz Band. Separate from the White Space Issue, this area of the spectrum was auctioned off to Verizon and ATT over the summer. As the ban is anticipated to be confirmed, all wireless microphone users must be prepared to cease operation in the 700 MHz band following the switch to digital television on February 17.