Dance Representation Next Major Council Issue

Every November, Council puts together a work schedule containing a broad overview of its agenda plans for the coming year and beyond. Planning work in advance this way allows us to ensure that all the basic governance needs are covered on a cyclical basis, and that larger topics are given the time and resources to be explored in depth.

For each year's work plan we identify, among many other things, a major membership issue on which we anticipate focussing a great deal of time. In the past, these have included diversity issues, insurance plan renewal and the independent theatre review. Current multi-year topics include a reassessment of our joining process, and a review of how we respond to harassment complaints.

At its most recent meeting, Council determined that dance representation will be our next major topic under the microscope. Although Equity has long had a solid connection to the major ballet companies, our representation within the world of independent dance has lagged far behind. We'd like to remedy that. The Canadian Dance Policy was inaugurated in 2009, and we would plan to have our work complete in time for its reissue in 2014.

Council will be reaching out to our dance membership, and beyond, as part of this work. We encourage all members with experience or interest in independent dance to contribute when we begin this work in the new year. Please keep an eye out here and at EQUITYONLINE for details on how to participate.

If we are to serve you well, we need to hear from you.