07/08/2024
I have gotten all the way to the payment page on CLRG but haven't been able to hit the "continue to payment" button. I will, but it just gives me pause (understatement of the year)
When I was thinking about it today & about the meeting last night I was as blue as Mrs Kelly's (Marie Walsh's) blue shed 😭
How did we take something as beautiful as our dance form and reduce it to this? In both Glasgow & Texas I was blown away by the absolute excellence & artistry of our collective dancers. They are a credit to you all. It is such an incredible art form which has been enhanced by the purest form & intention of competition the likes of which we have all been following in Paris this past week.
But then there is the dark side, the win at all cost, the ego's, the greed, the putting aside the well being of children for the sake of a title or a moment on stage or to be honest I am not sure what. My most important title is that of dance teacher & the best moments are with the children I teach, not at their expense.
I am still waiting (good thing I am not holding my breath) for anyone to take accountability, anyone?
I will take it for my part. I put my students in what I knew was unfair competition. I thought it was a "you scratch my back" situation... I didn't know it was like ordering at the drive through. I'll have one of those 1st places & a WQ spot with a side of fries 😳
Without the new disciplinary procedures which should be of paramount importance I will not renew next year. Without that we have nothing to offer the students. We have failed them thus far & again, no apologies to them for any of it.
I am more invested in CLRG than I have ever been but less trusting. More knowledgeable but I understand less. I know there are a lot of good people working hard, very hard, to their own detriment to try to help. I also know there are people in it for their own good even though it is to the detriment of the organization. I want to help and last night we had our 10th meeting of Teachers Talk. Such a good group of people and the main reason I have any hope at all. You all & my students. I am staying for now for those 2 groups. I will help in any way I can and keep the group going as without it I would truly not have any faith at all.
Deadline for dues is 12am tomorrow Aug 7th at which time the 400 Euro fee will double!
I will be in Dublin tomorrow and will be waiting to hear if we get the 75% of the membership to sign up that we need to continue.