The Utah State University Middle Eastern Dance club (USUMED) was formed in 1997 under the name of Mountain Veils Danse Orientale. The first president was Lisa Duskin who taught a very traditional American style of belly dance. Lisa left shortly thereafter and a dedicated group of student dancers stepped up and took the reins of the organization seeking out instruction for a short period of time with Karla Prudent, an American Tribal Style belly dance instructor, then after Karla left, by bringing in teachers from Salt Lake and other areas for workshops as well as using videos and teaching each other. Three women from that first group of dedicated student dancers became very fine instructors and dancers at USUMED, sharing what they have learned with eager new students in weekly classes: Sumra, Najma and RaSahra. Their accomplishments are truly astounding. They were later joined by gifted local dancer Sadeema and Salt Lake dancer Shems who also assisted in teaching responsibilities. In addition to American styles of belly dance, USUMED's major influences include Egyptian Style Oriental Dance and Folkloric Dances. The group evolved again a few years later, with the addition of Maayyadah and Sevda. Unfortunately, Najma and Shems have since moved and are missed. As a club USUMED believes in giving back to the community. USUMED continues to sponsor many wonderful dance workshops and lectures to help build understanding of and better skill in Middle Eastern Culture and Dance. USUMED also purchases books and videos for the USU library to further build educational resources for this community. USUMED has frequently performed for retirement homes, participated in USU related activities and service projects and has sponsored and produced large fundraising events for a family with a terminally ill child. "As a club, we feel that Middle Eastern Dance itself harbors healing qualities that include strengthening and invigorating the body, building self confidence and an appreciation of a wider definition of beauty as well as bringing joy into the hearts of those dancing and watching dance performances." -club bio by Shems, ammended by Sevda

 

Club Constitution: USU Middle Eastern Dance Club Constitution Article I Statement of Purpose Section 1: Organization title is USU Middle Eastern Dance Club (USUMED) Section 2: USUMED will operate as a nonprofit organization. Section 3: USUMED will be subject to all policies and procedures as outlined by ASUSU and the Utah State University Student Code. CSCO membership will be maintained by service projects including (but not limited to) charity dance performances and educational activities relating to Middle Eastern dance. Section 4: The purpose of USUMED Club is to provide an opportunity for people to learn the art and skill of Middle Eastern dance. This ethnic dance form teaches grace, coordination and strength; it also provides a creative outlet and fosters a positive body image. USUMED. Club will organize and fund weekly dance classes and special dance workshops as instructor availability and funding allow. Secondarily, our purposes are to educate the community about Middle Eastern dance and music. Article II Membership Section 1: Any person may join USUMED Club who is willing to commit to the time and self-discipline necessary to properly learn Middle Eastern dance. However, USUMED Club reserves the right to limit the enrollment in dance classes based upon availability of instructors and dance studio space. USUMED. Club will not arbitrarily exclude any person on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, or disability. Section 2: USUMED Club shall have two categories of membership: USU students and non-students. At least two-thirds of the club membership must be registered students of USU. Because USU students subsidize considerable resources used by the USUMED Club (USU dance studios, sound equipment, etc.), non-student members will pay higher dues that student members (non-student dues will not be more that $10/semester over student rate). Section 3: Before becoming a member, a person should speak with both the club president and the dance instructor (if applicable) and audit a class session. To join the club a person must pay the club dues as mandated in the by-laws, and sign a liability waiver. Section 4: Membership in good standing will be maintained by paying club dues on time. To maintain good standing in specific USUMED Club dance classes, persons must attend classes regularly, and exhibit polite and appropriate behavior during all classes and club activities. Persons who disrupt classes will be asked not to return to classes, at the discretion of the instructor or activity leader. Persons who do not attend classes regularly will not be removed from the club roll, but may forfeit his/her position in dance classes if enrollment is limited and/or if classes require weekly attendance. Decisions to remove a person from class for any reason will be decided by the class instructor or activity leader. Section 5: Club dues will be paid every semester. The dues amount is subject to change based upon availability of instructors and their fees. Dues will be nonrefundable. Article III Officers Section 1: USUMED. Club will elect USU students to office of President, Treasurer, and Secretary. USU policy requires that only students matriculated with USU may be officers. Section 2: Duties of each office are as follows: President: Organizes club activities including dance classes, performances, Aggie pride, service and fundraising projects. Proactively seeks out educational opportunities, performance venues and funding sources. Delegates responsibilities and appoints people to non-elected offices. Makes sure the club is in good standing with CSCO by filling out club paperwork, reporting activities to CSCO and seeing that an elected officer attends CSCO meetings. Acts as a contact person for all club business. Vice President: Organizes promotion and advertising for club activities. Sends press releases to local media sources (TV, Radio, Newspapers), oversees creation and distribution of flyers, banners, signs and posters. Documents contacts, resources and other means of her job. Reserves poster and banner spots in the TSC. Acts as promotional contact for upcoming club activities. Actively seeks new advertising avenues. Determines the amount and type of advertising appropriate for each activity. Coordinates ticket sales for events. Appoints people to assist in these duties. Conduct polls to see what advertisements are most effective. Treasurer: Maintains Financial Records. Reports financial records. Reports financial status of club members at least once per semester or more often if requested by members. Works with secretary at the beginning of each semester to update roll and collect dues. Collect funds for other club events and fundraisers. Approves and records club budget and expenditures. Makes deposits and withdrawals from club bank account. Assists in transferring responsibility to next treasurer Secretary: Prepares copies and distributes necessary club handouts. Works with treasurer at the beginning of each semester to update club roll and collect dues. Maintains current e-mail/phone lists for dispatching necessary club information. Takes minutes at club meetings. Assists President in organizing club activities as needed. Section 3: Officers will be elected by members in good standing at the end of each spring semester. Current members will be notified of upcoming election during weekly classes and via e-mail at least two weeks in advance of election. Candidates will be nominated during the election meeting. Any member may nominate any student member, and student members may nominate themselves. Elections will be via written ballots. Officers will serve one-year terms. No limit will be placed on the number of consecutive terms a member may serve. Article IV Committees Section 1: No permanent committees are mandated. Temporary committees will be formed as needed for club activities. Article V Meetings Section 1. Regular meetings: Weekly club business will be dealt with at either the beginning or end of weekly classes. Such meetings will be called to order by one of the club officers. Officers will coordinate business meetings with the class instructor. Members wishing to open discussion on a specific topic (other than brief comments or questions) should make his/her wished known to a club officer before the meeting so that appropriate time for the discussion can be scheduled. Section 2: Decisions brought to vote will be decided by simple majority, either during a regular weekly meeting time or a special meeting whose time and place has been communicated to all members of good standing (see below). No quorum is mandated. Section 3: Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the club president. Special meetings will be announced at least a week in advance during weekly club meetings. Article VI Financial Matters Section 1: USUMED Club shall not provide monetary gain, incidentally or otherwise, to its directors or membership except as payment for services rendered in the form of wages, salaries, or incentives. Section 2: In the event that USUMED Club should dissolve leaving residual assets, such assets shall be distributed as follows: Funds donated to USU library to purchase books and audio/visual materials related to middle eastern dance, music, and culture. (This is your president's choice) Funds donated to local chapter of AVA (Alliance for the Varied Arts) Funds donated to charity. Article VII By-laws Section 1: Suggestions for changes and/or additions to by-laws may be made by any member. The member should discuss the suggestion with the club president, who will schedule time during weekly meetings (or a special meeting if required) for discussion of the suggestion. By-laws will be voted upon by all club members. No quorum is mandated; however, members must be informed of by-law initiatives during weekly meetings *and* via e-mail notices. At least one week notice will be give before voting on by-law initiatives. Absentee votes may be cast via phone or e-mail. By-laws A. Costuming. 1. Dress Code Nonperformance dress code: Members should wear modest clothing while coming to and leaving from dance classes. A jacket, veil, or other cover-up should be worn in the hallways to cover the torso if practice clothes are midriff-baring. Performance Costume Dress code: The following dress code will be strictly adhered to by any member attending a public performance or other club activity where Middle Eastern dance costumes are worn. Any member who thinks someone is wearing a costume that in not professional and modest, or otherwise does not reflect a positive image of Middle Eastern dance, should speak to a club officer. Club officers and dance instructor shall serve as final judges of appropriate performance costumes. a. Bra-style tops must be constructed so that no part of the garment resembles underwear. If a bra undergarment is to be used as the base of a costume top, it must be fully covered with fabric and trims, including the cups, shoulder straps, band, and back closure. Only hard cup bras should be used as costume bases. It is strongly encouraged that bra tops be worn with some type of vest that covers the back. b. Skirts or pants that are sheer or have high slits must be worn over a non-sheer garment (e.g. another skirt or pants, or non-flesh tone leggings). Circle skirts that twirl out must have pants or leggings underneath. c. Members must wear their costumes to at least one dress rehearsal prior to every performance, so that the appropriateness of the costume can be determined. 2. Club costume: A club costume was initiated and "phased in" during Fall Semester 1998. Beginning Spring Semester 1999, members will be required to wear a costume that follows these guidelines for certain group performances.