Council member elections will be held next week! If you would like to be considered for a 1-year provisionary term on the Council, please send your credentials/skill set if available, why you'd like to be on the Council, and which positions you would like to be put up for to [email protected]. Elise will then compile the applicants and post their info here on January 26th, and next week we will ALL vote on council members to fill the following offices via online form.
Officers are expected to attend monthly meetings (or more, as we get started up,) assist each other, be able to delegate and manage small groups of people if needed, must be open to listening to the will of the community, and be committed to helping guide and start up a strong, fabulous Guild! We will also be either electing or assigning a 10-12 person 'board of representatives' after we elect Council members. Board members would be representing different factions (i.e. Westsiders, Instructors, Vancouvians, or Musicians etc, categories are TBD,) so everyone is represented fairly and we can divvy up some of the work easier. Meetings will be open to all to attend.
All submissions of those interested in running are due by January 25th. The election will take place January 26th through February 1st. Elected officers will be announced on February 2nd.
Council Member Duties by Title:
Officers are expected to attend monthly meetings (or more, as we get started up,) assist each other, be able to delegate and manage small groups of people if needed, must be open to listening to the will of the community, and be committed to helping guide and start up a strong, fabulous Guild! We will also be either electing or assigning a 10-12 person 'board of representatives' after we elect Council members. Board members would be representing different factions (i.e. Westsiders, Instructors, Vancouvians, or Musicians etc, categories are TBD,) so everyone is represented fairly and we can divvy up some of the work easier. Meetings will be open to all to attend.
All submissions of those interested in running are due by January 25th. The election will take place January 26th through February 1st. Elected officers will be announced on February 2nd.
Council Member Duties by Title:
|
PRESIDENT
primary contact for Guild/'mouthpiece' schedules meetings compiles/manages agendas assigns roles (committees?) for events ensures followthrough on action items for everyone negotiates contracts as needed (with advice of treasurer) Characteristics: a well-informed strategist who can see the bigger picture TREASURER collects funds for promotion costs advises President on negotiating contracts manages bank account creates budgets & financial reports either handles taxes or hires tax accountant |
VICE PRESIDENT
helps president with agenda and running meetings researches potential gigs for Guild support for President- action items, communications, etc. acquiring/researching potential new members PR/MEDIA HEAD writes and submits press releases for guild events promotes Guild events manages distribution of flyers as needed (assembles street team) manages public email newsletter SECRETARY records/posts minutes oversees calendar meeting reminders (via member newsletter) assists media person with website & social media |
To Be Voted On:
Candidates
Candidates will be listed here as they're received. The submission deadline is January 25th.
Jewels Barrera
Running for: Secretary or Vice President
My 15 years of bellydance history in the Portland community have included a variety of teachers and styles, including being a founding member of Mandala, a member of the Tiger Lilies, the Layalina Dance Company founded by Lilah Perry (now Wallach), and most recently an award winning American Cabaret soloist. I am the scheduler at the Marrakesh, I promote the weekly Oberon Community Middle Eastern Bellydance show which is in it's 20th year. My schedule is such that I have the time and energy to perform the duities of Secretary, which include recording and posting minutes of meetings, overseeing the calendar, creating a member newsletter, and assisting the media person with website and social media. The Portland Bellydance community is near and dear to my heart, it is a source of joy and daily life for me. I founded and run the facebook page "Portland, Oregon, Bellydance Community". I perform regularly and assist in outreach with the Oberon show to find and bring in new dancers to the area and to make it a space for all styles of dance. I appreciate and accept all styles of bellydance. I strive to know and befriend dancers of all styles and ages. I am passionate about dance and want to share that passion with all I meet.
2010 Jewel of the Sierra Diamond
Jewelsdances.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Jewels-Bellydancer
www.youtube.com/user/jewelsdances
Running for: Secretary or Vice President
My 15 years of bellydance history in the Portland community have included a variety of teachers and styles, including being a founding member of Mandala, a member of the Tiger Lilies, the Layalina Dance Company founded by Lilah Perry (now Wallach), and most recently an award winning American Cabaret soloist. I am the scheduler at the Marrakesh, I promote the weekly Oberon Community Middle Eastern Bellydance show which is in it's 20th year. My schedule is such that I have the time and energy to perform the duities of Secretary, which include recording and posting minutes of meetings, overseeing the calendar, creating a member newsletter, and assisting the media person with website and social media. The Portland Bellydance community is near and dear to my heart, it is a source of joy and daily life for me. I founded and run the facebook page "Portland, Oregon, Bellydance Community". I perform regularly and assist in outreach with the Oberon show to find and bring in new dancers to the area and to make it a space for all styles of dance. I appreciate and accept all styles of bellydance. I strive to know and befriend dancers of all styles and ages. I am passionate about dance and want to share that passion with all I meet.
2010 Jewel of the Sierra Diamond
Jewelsdances.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Jewels-Bellydancer
www.youtube.com/user/jewelsdances
Rachel Shelton
Running for: Vice President or Secretary
I have been belly dancing since I was 15, which makes this my 14th year. At 16, I attended the first SEEDs (Self-esteem, Education and Empowerment through Dance) program in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with Myra Krien. In 2008, I started volunteering with the Portland branch of SEEDs (founded by Sofia Onstad). In 2011, we changed the name to The Marissa Mission and I became the executive director. We officially became a 501(c)3 that same year. My experience at The Marissa Mission has been extremely educational and rewarding, and I know that this unique field is one I will want to pursue for a very long time.
Once I became director, I decided to return to school to learn more about managing a nonprofit youth organization. I am currently a senior at the PSU School of Social Work where I'm pursuing a degree in Administration of Child & Family Services. So far, I have completed courses in nonprofit administration, board governance and grant writing to name a few. This term, I am studying marketing of diverse nonprofits. As a PSU student, I have access to a multitude of resources and experienced professors' mentorship.
I have also served as a board member at The Lotus Seed movement center for the past five months where I help with event coordinating and specialty class scheduling, plus a variety of other assorted tasks.
I am deeply invested in the Portland belly dance community as a whole because its success lends credibility to the The Marissa Mission in creating positive change in the social environment and self-esteem of our youth by using belly dance as a key vehicle. Belly dance is a tool that has proven to create positive growth in young women over and over again, but it will never get the support it needs until the stigma is alleviated. There are many individuals and organizations that do not value belly dance as an art form, much less an instrument for healthy self-esteem and body image. My personal goal is to raise the awareness of the professionalism of the Portland belly dance community, to demand the same respect that other art forms (ballet, theater, etc.) receive, and to see that all (musicians, performers, costumers, producers, etc.) who work to create this beautiful art form are paid what they deserve by developing both a wider audience and a strong case for grant funding.
In addition to enriching my knowledge of nonprofit administration, human development, conflict resolution and social justice, I have learned about marketing over the past few years. I attended the nine-month WOMB (Women of Mindful Business) program with Shara Raqs and Danielle Cornelius. I created The Marissa Mission website (www.marissamission.org) and all of the fliers we have distributed in schools. I also manage most of the social media. The Marissa Mission now has a strong team of volunteers who are essential to the growth of the organization. I have attended a number of networking events and continue to develop my knowledge every day.
I still have quite a bit to learn in every area I've outlined above (board governance, media and PR, and the many facets of belly dance production), but my willingness to learn is constantly in sync with my passion to be able to let the world know how amazingly awesome belly dance is! I believe in a completely collective and transparent organization that will benefit the entire community, which means I am flexible and eager to gain more perspective from the experiences of others.
Running for: Vice President or Secretary
I have been belly dancing since I was 15, which makes this my 14th year. At 16, I attended the first SEEDs (Self-esteem, Education and Empowerment through Dance) program in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with Myra Krien. In 2008, I started volunteering with the Portland branch of SEEDs (founded by Sofia Onstad). In 2011, we changed the name to The Marissa Mission and I became the executive director. We officially became a 501(c)3 that same year. My experience at The Marissa Mission has been extremely educational and rewarding, and I know that this unique field is one I will want to pursue for a very long time.
Once I became director, I decided to return to school to learn more about managing a nonprofit youth organization. I am currently a senior at the PSU School of Social Work where I'm pursuing a degree in Administration of Child & Family Services. So far, I have completed courses in nonprofit administration, board governance and grant writing to name a few. This term, I am studying marketing of diverse nonprofits. As a PSU student, I have access to a multitude of resources and experienced professors' mentorship.
I have also served as a board member at The Lotus Seed movement center for the past five months where I help with event coordinating and specialty class scheduling, plus a variety of other assorted tasks.
I am deeply invested in the Portland belly dance community as a whole because its success lends credibility to the The Marissa Mission in creating positive change in the social environment and self-esteem of our youth by using belly dance as a key vehicle. Belly dance is a tool that has proven to create positive growth in young women over and over again, but it will never get the support it needs until the stigma is alleviated. There are many individuals and organizations that do not value belly dance as an art form, much less an instrument for healthy self-esteem and body image. My personal goal is to raise the awareness of the professionalism of the Portland belly dance community, to demand the same respect that other art forms (ballet, theater, etc.) receive, and to see that all (musicians, performers, costumers, producers, etc.) who work to create this beautiful art form are paid what they deserve by developing both a wider audience and a strong case for grant funding.
In addition to enriching my knowledge of nonprofit administration, human development, conflict resolution and social justice, I have learned about marketing over the past few years. I attended the nine-month WOMB (Women of Mindful Business) program with Shara Raqs and Danielle Cornelius. I created The Marissa Mission website (www.marissamission.org) and all of the fliers we have distributed in schools. I also manage most of the social media. The Marissa Mission now has a strong team of volunteers who are essential to the growth of the organization. I have attended a number of networking events and continue to develop my knowledge every day.
I still have quite a bit to learn in every area I've outlined above (board governance, media and PR, and the many facets of belly dance production), but my willingness to learn is constantly in sync with my passion to be able to let the world know how amazingly awesome belly dance is! I believe in a completely collective and transparent organization that will benefit the entire community, which means I am flexible and eager to gain more perspective from the experiences of others.
Bianca McCarthy
Running for: Vice President or PR/Media
For over a decade I have been dedicated to the study, performance and promotion of tribal and tribal fusion bellydance. I have performed as a soloist and with such groups as Gypsy Caravan Dance Company, Caravan Daughters, Urban Berbers, Black Cat Collective, Origin, the Gemini Project, and directing her own company 9 Ladies Dance Theatre.
I continue to study and seek inspiration by attending as many varied classes and workshops as possible from local dancers in the Portland area as well as up and down the West Coast.
I have volunteered or worked for a variety of arts and cultural organizations in Portland and understand non-profit management, marketing, and development. I have a passion for dance and production and have proudly lent my theatrical and professional skills to JamBallah NW since its inception.
I am most interested in serving as either Vice President or the PR/Media position. I have been cultivating relationships with the local media and other dance organizations for years and feel like I could give the Guild a good foundation for the future as a public representative and ambassador for the community.
Running for: Vice President or PR/Media
For over a decade I have been dedicated to the study, performance and promotion of tribal and tribal fusion bellydance. I have performed as a soloist and with such groups as Gypsy Caravan Dance Company, Caravan Daughters, Urban Berbers, Black Cat Collective, Origin, the Gemini Project, and directing her own company 9 Ladies Dance Theatre.
I continue to study and seek inspiration by attending as many varied classes and workshops as possible from local dancers in the Portland area as well as up and down the West Coast.
I have volunteered or worked for a variety of arts and cultural organizations in Portland and understand non-profit management, marketing, and development. I have a passion for dance and production and have proudly lent my theatrical and professional skills to JamBallah NW since its inception.
I am most interested in serving as either Vice President or the PR/Media position. I have been cultivating relationships with the local media and other dance organizations for years and feel like I could give the Guild a good foundation for the future as a public representative and ambassador for the community.
Stephanie Sandmeyer
Running for: PR/Media or Secretary
My bellydance roots began in my childhood, and, bizarrely enough, smack-dab in the middle of suburbia. Originally taught by my mom and her friend’s troupe, I tagged along to their bellydance rehearsals, proudly dressed in my mini-bellydancer regalia. Over the next twenty years, I visited and revisited bellydance with many instructors and several troupes, complimenting my learning with years of experience in theater arts and music performance. In 2008, I began studying in Grace Constantine’s advanced class and was asked to join Deviant Dance Company in 2009 (www.deviantdance.com). I continue my own development as a dancer in my private home studio.
Of particular relevance to the officer positions I am running for, I am the editor and publisher of From the Hip, a Portland-based bellydance journal now coming up on its 6th issue and a little over a year old (www.newsfromthehip.com). I also produce quarterly professional showcases associated with the journal at the Star Theater. My responsibilities in both of these entrepreneurial endeavors include:
I am deeply committed to actively nurturing and fostering bellydance-- and particularly in Portland. At the heart of this commitment is my desire to see bellydance grow into an art form that is recognized, respected and nurtured by our larger community.
Running for: PR/Media or Secretary
My bellydance roots began in my childhood, and, bizarrely enough, smack-dab in the middle of suburbia. Originally taught by my mom and her friend’s troupe, I tagged along to their bellydance rehearsals, proudly dressed in my mini-bellydancer regalia. Over the next twenty years, I visited and revisited bellydance with many instructors and several troupes, complimenting my learning with years of experience in theater arts and music performance. In 2008, I began studying in Grace Constantine’s advanced class and was asked to join Deviant Dance Company in 2009 (www.deviantdance.com). I continue my own development as a dancer in my private home studio.
Of particular relevance to the officer positions I am running for, I am the editor and publisher of From the Hip, a Portland-based bellydance journal now coming up on its 6th issue and a little over a year old (www.newsfromthehip.com). I also produce quarterly professional showcases associated with the journal at the Star Theater. My responsibilities in both of these entrepreneurial endeavors include:
- Professional, journalistic writing and reporting including interviews
- Magazine content development
- Marketing and social media promotion
- Editing
- Layout and design of the journal using InDesign
- Photo scanning, imaging and editing
- Print production, including working with vendor
- Bookkeeping
- Subscription/subscriber list management
- Event Production (production of live music and dance showcases at the Star Theater, The Alberta Rose and the Someday Lounge in Portland, Oregon)
I am deeply committed to actively nurturing and fostering bellydance-- and particularly in Portland. At the heart of this commitment is my desire to see bellydance grow into an art form that is recognized, respected and nurtured by our larger community.
Elise Morris
Running for: President or Vice President
I have been head-over-heels with the Portland bellydance community since starting Tribal Improv at Paulette's Caravan Studios in '03. For years I have mainly performed as a theatrical fusion soloist, but have also performed with several troupes and fabulous one-off projects including Caravan Studio's Urban Berbers, a stint as assistant director of Tableaux Vivant out of Znama Studio, Rachel Brice's first Datura Project at Tribal Fest and several fullscale bellydance productions in town.
I cut my production/organizational teeth partnering with Endymienne and Jen Samson for two years on Bellydance Uncorked, a fabulously successful monthly variety revue in Portland showcasing top-shelf, unique and compelling dancers and live music from all over the Pacific Northwest. Since then, I've put on many professional shows, sponsored top-shelf instructors for workshop weekends, and of course kept busy creating and producing Portland's premier bellydance festival JamBallah NW, now going into its fourth year and including management of hundreds of volunteers, associate-producers, staff, instructors, attendees, vendors, and musicians. Throughout I've learned to perfect larger-scale personnel organization (artistic personnel at that, gah!), an eye for branding and artistic direction, and developed that pesky 'get-sh#^-done' tendency.
Sustaining and promoting the Portland bellydance community as an entity is something I've been extremely passionate about from the start, and has been the driving force in all my projects large and small--including co-creating a Portland Bellydance Producer's forum in 2011 to help us all support and be aware of other's events and shows. Now it's time for the entire community to pull together, and be it on the Board or on the Council, I would be honored and completely dedicated to helping make that happen!
Running for: President or Vice President
I have been head-over-heels with the Portland bellydance community since starting Tribal Improv at Paulette's Caravan Studios in '03. For years I have mainly performed as a theatrical fusion soloist, but have also performed with several troupes and fabulous one-off projects including Caravan Studio's Urban Berbers, a stint as assistant director of Tableaux Vivant out of Znama Studio, Rachel Brice's first Datura Project at Tribal Fest and several fullscale bellydance productions in town.
I cut my production/organizational teeth partnering with Endymienne and Jen Samson for two years on Bellydance Uncorked, a fabulously successful monthly variety revue in Portland showcasing top-shelf, unique and compelling dancers and live music from all over the Pacific Northwest. Since then, I've put on many professional shows, sponsored top-shelf instructors for workshop weekends, and of course kept busy creating and producing Portland's premier bellydance festival JamBallah NW, now going into its fourth year and including management of hundreds of volunteers, associate-producers, staff, instructors, attendees, vendors, and musicians. Throughout I've learned to perfect larger-scale personnel organization (artistic personnel at that, gah!), an eye for branding and artistic direction, and developed that pesky 'get-sh#^-done' tendency.
Sustaining and promoting the Portland bellydance community as an entity is something I've been extremely passionate about from the start, and has been the driving force in all my projects large and small--including co-creating a Portland Bellydance Producer's forum in 2011 to help us all support and be aware of other's events and shows. Now it's time for the entire community to pull together, and be it on the Board or on the Council, I would be honored and completely dedicated to helping make that happen!
Mindy Malkiera
Running for: Treasurer
I am an accomplished professional accountant whose soul loves to dance. I discovered bellydance several years ago and have since immersed myself into this beautiful art form by studying the music, movements and culture with the help of various instructors and by partaking in many of the amazing opportunities that the Portland bellydance community has to offer. Bellydance has freed me in ways I never thought possible and I am excited for a chance to give something back to the community that has embraced and shared so much with me. I would bring a unique prospective to the council as I am not a professional dancer, but rather, I am a student who has a deep appreciation for this art and a sincere desire to support this community and all who want to be a part of it.
That much said, I have a solid background and education in accounting and finance and have spent the last 13 years working as an executive level accountant for multiple businesses. I have extensive experience working with management teams to make key decisions and am very comfortable with creating budgets, financial reports and managing cash flow and bank accounts. Throughout my career I have been actively involved in reviewing and providing guidance regarding contracts.
I have the experience to provide a solid financial foundation for the guild, while also having a passion for bellydance and sincere desire to serve the community and help make the Portland Bellydance Guild a success. <3
Running for: Treasurer
I am an accomplished professional accountant whose soul loves to dance. I discovered bellydance several years ago and have since immersed myself into this beautiful art form by studying the music, movements and culture with the help of various instructors and by partaking in many of the amazing opportunities that the Portland bellydance community has to offer. Bellydance has freed me in ways I never thought possible and I am excited for a chance to give something back to the community that has embraced and shared so much with me. I would bring a unique prospective to the council as I am not a professional dancer, but rather, I am a student who has a deep appreciation for this art and a sincere desire to support this community and all who want to be a part of it.
That much said, I have a solid background and education in accounting and finance and have spent the last 13 years working as an executive level accountant for multiple businesses. I have extensive experience working with management teams to make key decisions and am very comfortable with creating budgets, financial reports and managing cash flow and bank accounts. Throughout my career I have been actively involved in reviewing and providing guidance regarding contracts.
I have the experience to provide a solid financial foundation for the guild, while also having a passion for bellydance and sincere desire to serve the community and help make the Portland Bellydance Guild a success. <3
Samira Alemana
Running for: President or Treasurer
I started my belly dance journey 20 years ago while I lived in New York. I studied for a couple years and then took a 7 year hiatus to move across the country, get married, get a few college degrees including a Master of Arts in Teaching (AKA: Master Cat Herder), have kids and such. After my son was born in 2003, I went back to belly dancing as a way to get my body back in shape, and fell deeply in love with it all over again! I've been actively reimmersed in belly dance for the past decade, having studied primarily with Ruby Sowder of Vancouver, but also taking many other classes and workshops with some of the area's AMAZING dancers and instructors as well as jumping on as many opportunities as possible to get my shimmy on with any visiting workshop intructors who grace us with their presence! I've performed professionally at various area restaurants, belly dance shows and private functions for over 6 years. Four years ago, I started producing the show "Bella Notte" which quickly became an area favorite. A few months after starting that show, I decided that the area needed a show where beginning to intermediate student soloists and troupes could perform without the "eight month wait list" or "sorry, professionals only" answers they were often faced with when seeking out performance opportunities. And thus, The Rising Stars of Belly Dance show was born! The experiences I've gained as a result of producing these two shows for the past four years, has helped my community involvement to blossom and grow exponentially, opening up - to quote the song from Disney's Aladdin - "A Whole New World" of opportunities to interact with, perform with and manage performers from all factions of the community - from the beginner dancer who's never performed in public before, to the seasoned professional, from musicians, to variety performers, and all the various styles of belly dance - and I've loved every second of it! Portland is a Mecca of talent and I love being in the thick of it all, "doin' mah thang!"
In a leadership capacity, I've not only been a producer of local shows for four years, but I've worked with JamBallah NW for the past two years as the Marketing Director and Associate Producer, and happily continue to work with that festival in a leadership capacity. I've also worked to organize and coordinate other area festivals and events, such as the "PDX Goddess Gala," "A Day of Euphoria," - a fundraiser for the Portland Women's Crisis Line, various other fundraising and charity events, the annual "Hafla-Ween" show, and an annual "International Night" student-produced dinner show at the high school where I taught for twelve years, just to name a few. I'm a member of the Marissa Mission Advisory Board, I've gone through the Marissa Mission teacher training and continue to support their programs in any way I can. I've been teaching my own belly dance classes in the Battle Ground and Vancouver area for the last three years. I've been actively participating in the Portland Belly Dance Producer's Group as we've met over the past months to discuss the issues leading up to the formation of "The Guild" (official name forthcoming). At the risk of sounding immodest, "running the show" is kind of my forté. Leadership is something I've been rocking hard since the Autumn of 1987 when I won my first high school student body election with my compelling and hilarious "TV Evangelist" parody speech. While I do like to take a fun, light-hearted approach to many things, rest assured that when there's a job to be done, I'm a force to be reckoned with! I will not rest until the job is done, and done in the most amazing, professional a fashion possible.
Having been a public educator teaching high school for twelve years, I am confident running meetings and addressing audiences of all sizes. I also understand the imperative nature of open, honest communication for the successful operation of any group, and if I'm elected President of "The Guild," this will be one of my primary goals. As the guild is building, keeping people informed, regularly inviting input, making decisions based on the needs and desires of the community and being on top of the communication piece is going to be of vital importance to the creation of a strong, cohesive, thriving group of people supporting our art. As a former educator, I've been "ever-so-fortunate" enough to have a multitude of meeting experiences, from after-school staff meetings to multiple-day trainings. I understand the difference between meetings that bore you to death and feel like they're sucking the life out of you, and those that make you feel excited about accomplishing something, learning something or putting plans into action. I much prefer the latter both as a facilitator and a participant, and would always strive to keep guild meetings productive, efficient, and (dare I say it?) perhaps even enjoyable! (GASP!) Regarding the position of treasurer, I feel that I would be equally qualified to serve in that role, if chosen. Prior to my teaching career, I worked in the banking and insurance industries, providing me with vital experience managing financial and data-based accounts and "keeping the books balanced." I've served as treasurer in the past for other groups I've been a part of in the education realm, including the social committee at my former school, which collected dues and used those funds to pay for staff luncheons, parties and the like. I understand that complete transparency with financial dealings is crucial to building and keeping trust amongst the constituency. This is also the attitude I take with paying my performers at my shows - I don't hide away in a back room to divide up the money, but rather count it out in front of everyone, being completely transparent about how the money is divided. That's how I will always operate. I'm also currently the proprietress of two businesses and therefore, I understand that keeping the financial records for a business or organization up to date, balanced and accurate is paramount. I am confident that my skills in this area would be of great service to the Guild.
Simply put, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS COMMUNITY! I am completely invested in supporting the Portland Belly Dance Community of dancers, musicians, vendors, artists, photographers, costumers, and fans. We have something here that doesn't exist in many other communities. We're extra special, and people know it. This is why performers move from all over the country to come to Portland to be a part of our AWESOMENESS! I want to be a part of taking our community to the next level of professional presence in the greater community by growing audiences and raising awareness of, education about and appreciation for our art. I am also dedicated to educating area performers of all levels about the various aspects of the art, providing professional resources for them, and supporting their success in every way possible. VIVA PORTLAND AREA BELLY DANCE COMMUNITY!
Running for: President or Treasurer
I started my belly dance journey 20 years ago while I lived in New York. I studied for a couple years and then took a 7 year hiatus to move across the country, get married, get a few college degrees including a Master of Arts in Teaching (AKA: Master Cat Herder), have kids and such. After my son was born in 2003, I went back to belly dancing as a way to get my body back in shape, and fell deeply in love with it all over again! I've been actively reimmersed in belly dance for the past decade, having studied primarily with Ruby Sowder of Vancouver, but also taking many other classes and workshops with some of the area's AMAZING dancers and instructors as well as jumping on as many opportunities as possible to get my shimmy on with any visiting workshop intructors who grace us with their presence! I've performed professionally at various area restaurants, belly dance shows and private functions for over 6 years. Four years ago, I started producing the show "Bella Notte" which quickly became an area favorite. A few months after starting that show, I decided that the area needed a show where beginning to intermediate student soloists and troupes could perform without the "eight month wait list" or "sorry, professionals only" answers they were often faced with when seeking out performance opportunities. And thus, The Rising Stars of Belly Dance show was born! The experiences I've gained as a result of producing these two shows for the past four years, has helped my community involvement to blossom and grow exponentially, opening up - to quote the song from Disney's Aladdin - "A Whole New World" of opportunities to interact with, perform with and manage performers from all factions of the community - from the beginner dancer who's never performed in public before, to the seasoned professional, from musicians, to variety performers, and all the various styles of belly dance - and I've loved every second of it! Portland is a Mecca of talent and I love being in the thick of it all, "doin' mah thang!"
In a leadership capacity, I've not only been a producer of local shows for four years, but I've worked with JamBallah NW for the past two years as the Marketing Director and Associate Producer, and happily continue to work with that festival in a leadership capacity. I've also worked to organize and coordinate other area festivals and events, such as the "PDX Goddess Gala," "A Day of Euphoria," - a fundraiser for the Portland Women's Crisis Line, various other fundraising and charity events, the annual "Hafla-Ween" show, and an annual "International Night" student-produced dinner show at the high school where I taught for twelve years, just to name a few. I'm a member of the Marissa Mission Advisory Board, I've gone through the Marissa Mission teacher training and continue to support their programs in any way I can. I've been teaching my own belly dance classes in the Battle Ground and Vancouver area for the last three years. I've been actively participating in the Portland Belly Dance Producer's Group as we've met over the past months to discuss the issues leading up to the formation of "The Guild" (official name forthcoming). At the risk of sounding immodest, "running the show" is kind of my forté. Leadership is something I've been rocking hard since the Autumn of 1987 when I won my first high school student body election with my compelling and hilarious "TV Evangelist" parody speech. While I do like to take a fun, light-hearted approach to many things, rest assured that when there's a job to be done, I'm a force to be reckoned with! I will not rest until the job is done, and done in the most amazing, professional a fashion possible.
Having been a public educator teaching high school for twelve years, I am confident running meetings and addressing audiences of all sizes. I also understand the imperative nature of open, honest communication for the successful operation of any group, and if I'm elected President of "The Guild," this will be one of my primary goals. As the guild is building, keeping people informed, regularly inviting input, making decisions based on the needs and desires of the community and being on top of the communication piece is going to be of vital importance to the creation of a strong, cohesive, thriving group of people supporting our art. As a former educator, I've been "ever-so-fortunate" enough to have a multitude of meeting experiences, from after-school staff meetings to multiple-day trainings. I understand the difference between meetings that bore you to death and feel like they're sucking the life out of you, and those that make you feel excited about accomplishing something, learning something or putting plans into action. I much prefer the latter both as a facilitator and a participant, and would always strive to keep guild meetings productive, efficient, and (dare I say it?) perhaps even enjoyable! (GASP!) Regarding the position of treasurer, I feel that I would be equally qualified to serve in that role, if chosen. Prior to my teaching career, I worked in the banking and insurance industries, providing me with vital experience managing financial and data-based accounts and "keeping the books balanced." I've served as treasurer in the past for other groups I've been a part of in the education realm, including the social committee at my former school, which collected dues and used those funds to pay for staff luncheons, parties and the like. I understand that complete transparency with financial dealings is crucial to building and keeping trust amongst the constituency. This is also the attitude I take with paying my performers at my shows - I don't hide away in a back room to divide up the money, but rather count it out in front of everyone, being completely transparent about how the money is divided. That's how I will always operate. I'm also currently the proprietress of two businesses and therefore, I understand that keeping the financial records for a business or organization up to date, balanced and accurate is paramount. I am confident that my skills in this area would be of great service to the Guild.
Simply put, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS COMMUNITY! I am completely invested in supporting the Portland Belly Dance Community of dancers, musicians, vendors, artists, photographers, costumers, and fans. We have something here that doesn't exist in many other communities. We're extra special, and people know it. This is why performers move from all over the country to come to Portland to be a part of our AWESOMENESS! I want to be a part of taking our community to the next level of professional presence in the greater community by growing audiences and raising awareness of, education about and appreciation for our art. I am also dedicated to educating area performers of all levels about the various aspects of the art, providing professional resources for them, and supporting their success in every way possible. VIVA PORTLAND AREA BELLY DANCE COMMUNITY!
Mission Statement
Voters will be able to give a "yes" or "no" vote. Those who vote "no" will be asked to give suggestions on how the mission statement should be revised.
The Portland Metro Bellydance Guild is a membership organization with a mission to increase public awareness and appreciation for dance and music rooted in, or inspired by, the middle-eastern diaspora. We are committed to inclusively cultivating the collective talents of Portland Metro area performers via instruction and community celebrations and ensuring the presence of bellydance as a vital and growing art form by offering artistically excellent productions in the Portland area and beyond.
The Portland Metro Bellydance Guild is a membership organization with a mission to increase public awareness and appreciation for dance and music rooted in, or inspired by, the middle-eastern diaspora. We are committed to inclusively cultivating the collective talents of Portland Metro area performers via instruction and community celebrations and ensuring the presence of bellydance as a vital and growing art form by offering artistically excellent productions in the Portland area and beyond.
Bellydance vs. belly dance
For consistency, all titles and literature should use:
Bellydance
Belly Dance
Bellydance
Belly Dance
Guild Names
Portland Bellydance Guild
Portland Regional Middle Eastern Arts Guild Bellydance Guild of Northern Cascadia Columbia - Willamette Bellydance Guild Portland Area Bellydance Guild Portland Metro Bellydance Guild Columbia - Willamette Middle Eastern Arts Guild |
Tag Lines
Representing the performers, musicians and artisans of Northern Cascadia
Representing performers, musicians and artisans of the Columbia-Willamette Performers, musicians and artisans of the Bellydance Arts Uniting performers, musicians and artisans inspired by the Middle Eastern arts. |
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Elise at [email protected].
