Raks Almeh

Women Of Dance

Raks Almeh Dance Troupe is a company of women who celebrate the experience of life and sisterhood through music and dance, and in that, form an appreciation and celebration of our differences. We strive to provide Troupe members with the experience of movement, dance and performance through social and fun events and to continuously expand each member’s wealth of dance creativity through sharing what we have learned. Through performance we introduce, educate, entertain and promote the ethnic art of Middle Eastern Belly Dancing to the public and nurture a community of enthusiasts for Middle Eastern costume, culture and dance.

GUIDELINES & EXPECTATIONS

Principles:
1. Have respect for the culture and dance form we represent.
2. Have respect for our fellow Troupe members by providing assistance and support.

Guidelines:
Guidelines have been created so that each Troupe member is aware what is expected of them while a part of Raks Almeh Dance Troupe.

1. Raks Almeh Dance Troupe is a separate entity unto itself and is made up of revolving members as they join and leave. The professional reputation of Raks Almeh Dance Troupe must be remembered at all times and in all locations. (this includes both practice and performance)

2. A member is part of a “Troupe” and must remember that, both on and off stage.

3. Decisions that affect the Troupe must be made by the Troupe as a whole. A Troupe member will not commit the Troupe to anything without full discussion, disclosure and agreement amongst Troupe members.

4. A Troupe member is "on stage" from the moment she appears on a performance site in the sense that the performer represents the Troupe. What people see in you is what they will think about the Troupe, Belly Dance, and in some degree, Middle Eastern culture.

5. A performer will make sure to have grooming, make-up and costume appropriate to each occasion. Members will coordinate to decide the costume appropriate for each performance and each dance performed.

6. It is important to check and to bring costumes to dress rehearsal to make sure everything is in order. Costumes should be clean, pressed and in good repair for each performance.

7. Performers will let the External Coordinator know as soon as possible whether they will be able to participate in a specific performance so that she can develop a list of performers for each show. The floor pattern often has to be altered for each performance depending on number of performers and stage facilities at the site. Consequently, anyone who cannot make the rehearsals will not perform in that show. Members who are not practiced, don’t know the choreography and don’t make the effort to nail it do not perform. As performers we know when we’re not ready, please keep in mind the professional reputation of Raks Almeh as a performance troupe and don’t perform if you’re not ready. Please don’t put the External Coordinator in the uncomfortable position of having to make that decision for you. (This however, does not exclude members from attending a performance to cheer on the rest of the Troupe, however they are expected to be in costume as well)

8. Each show is deserving of a professional presentation whether paid or not and no matter how small the audience. This means members must
a) arrive on time,
b) get into costume in a timely manner,
c) stay focused on the job at hand and the need to coordinate last minute details before performing,
d) be ready to go on as soon as it is your turn, and
e) check with the External Coordinator about when you may leave and/or change into street clothes: for some shows you may change immediately upon finishing, while for others you should stay in costume until the last performer has finished and the announcer has said good bye to the audience, sometimes everyone will take a final bow and you need to be in costume for that.

9. Troupe members should learn each dance thoroughly and take responsibility to help each other learn each dance.

10. Choreography performed by the members of Raks Almeh is considered to belong to the Troupe. Choreographies are not shared outside the Troupe without the permission of it’s members.

Practices
Troupe Members should attend as many practices as possible. Members should arrive warmed up and prepared with zills, veils, swords and any other costuming and props needed. Practices are where we prepare for upcoming performances, share and learn new choreography, work on floor spacing, entrances and exits for dances, etc. The 4 practices before an upcoming performance are targeted at rehearsal; therefore members are expected to know and to have practiced the dance choreographies for that performance. If you do not know the dances and floor patterns for an upcoming performance you do not perform them.
During the performance season (September to July) practices are held twice weekly, more often before some performances, when required, to ensure that we are turning out a polished performance.
During the off season (July and August) practices are held once a week. This is generally a time to work on new choreographies.

Meetings
During meetings decisions are made that affect the Troupe as a whole and therefore you as a member. It is expected that as many members as possible attend meetings so that every member has input in to Troupe decisions.
General Meetings are held every second month and an Annual Wrap Up Meeting once a year at the end of our performance season.
General Meetings are called by the Internal Coordinator and the date for the next meeting is set at each meeting to ensure proper notice is given and that the majority of the group will be present. As often as possible General Meetings will be held after or instead of Troupe practices to reduce the number of evenings taken up with Troupe responsibilities and create some Troupe “social” time.
During a General Meeting each position gives a report, there is discussion about upcoming events and issues related to each position, decisions related to events are made at General Meetings as much as is possible so as not to take up practice time and the date for the next meeting is set.
An Annual Wrap up meeting is held at the end of each performance season to wrap up any unfinished business and rotate volunteers through the Troupe positions.

TROUPE POSITIONS/DUTIES

Every Troupe member is equal and essential to the smooth operation of the Troupe. Each position will have a First person who volunteers for that position and takes responsibility for fulfilling the duties of that position. As well each position will have a Second person who volunteers and takes over the duties of that position in the absence of the First person. It is expected, however, that all Troupe members help where needed, in the fulfillment of each positions responsibilities.

External Coordinator – coordinates all performances for other outside groups and events (this excludes performances that the Troupe hosts, these fall under the position of Project Coordinator)
-brings information regarding possible performances to General Meetings to discuss with the Troupe, including what’s required of the Troupe, the type of show/performance, checks Troupe members availability to perform and ensures all performers are aware of dates, times, locations, etc.
-liaise with outside event coordinator to confirm performance and details, or to decline performance
-ensures space is suitable and set up for performance or make required changes with outside event coordinator

***NOTE: at times other Troupe members will likely be approached regarding Troupe performances due to their connections with various organizations and groups. That Troupe member is expected to relay the information to the External Coordinator in a timely manner so that she may respond. It may be that the Troupe member and the External Coordinator work together in liaising with the outside event coordinator, however all information passes through the External Coordinator.

Internal Coordinator – organizes and coordinates all internal Troupe events with members and related facilities. Those events include: practice sessions, dress rehearsals, photo sessions, troupe meetings, etc.
- is the contact person for rental facilities for Troupe events
- keeps Troupe members aware of practice times, dates, locations, rental costs
- chairs General Meetings
- initially contacts any selected new or returning Troupe members

Secretary/Treasurer – collects incoming funds and disburses payments to rental facilities and any other required payments
- maintains account records and provides financial reports to other members at General Meetings
- maintains all outgoing and incoming correspondence
- organizes and calls Annual Wrap Up Meeting
- creates Meeting Agendas and records (or assigns another to record) Minutes of meetings
- Distributes copies of Minutes to members

Media/Public Relations Coordinator – notifies media and creates advertising for upcoming events
- speaks on Troupe’s behalf at events when required and for any contact with the media
- organizes and distributes Media Kit
- works in close association with the Webmistress and Email List Organizer

Webmistress – at the time of creating these Guidelines the Web site for the Troupe is still a work in progress, duties for this position will be added in future Guideline Adjustments

Email List Organizer – keeps Raks Almeh’s email list up to date
- sends out information to the list regarding Belly Dance events in the Fraser Valley and any events hosted by Raks Almeh

Keeper of the Ghetto – brings Troupe Ghettoblaster to practices and performances when required
- ensures that there are CD’s available for practices and performances
- ensures that Ghettoblaster is in good working condition

Project Coordinator – this position is created when the group, as a whole, decides to host an event and the responsibilities/duties change to meet the requirements of the event being hosted. While one or two people will coordinate other Troupe members to successfully host an event, all Troupe members are expected to lend their time, talent and assistance to create a successful and professional event. - coordinates special events hosted by the Troupe where the Troupe plays a significant role in the success of the event(duties may include: creating a “job list”, assigning or finding volunteers for jobs, ensuring that jobs are being completed in a timely manner and any other activities related to the events success)

NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS & MEMBERS LEAVING

The names of potential new and returning members are put forward at a meeting. The decision to invite a new or returning member to the Troupe must be a unanimous one. A Troupe member is not required to give a reason or explanation if they decline a potential new or returning member. The decision may be delayed until those Troupe members who wish to, have had a chance to “check out” a potential member. This may require an audition if no other forum is available. New and returning members are invited by the Internal Coordinator. They are given a copy of the Guidelines to read so that they are well aware of the expectations of Troupe members, and must sign them prior to joining. To ensure no disappointments it is expected that no Troupe member solicits or asks a potential new or returning member prior to bringing that name to the rest of the Troupe.

MEMBERS LEAVING - When a member retires from Raks Almeh Dance Troupe for what’s expected to be a permanent leave, they are required to return music and choreography to the Internal Coordinator (this is not expected of those members taking a temporary or undetermined leave)

TROUPE WISH LIST – each year a wish list is created by Troupe members and where possible we work towards fulfilling as many of the wishes on that list as possible, during our performance season. We each come to this as an individual with different reasons for wanting to share and explore this beautiful art form and in fulfilling the wish list we respect and celebrate those differences.

Each season the Guidelines will be reviewed and revised where needed. Each member of Raks Almeh Dance Troupe is expected to sign the Guidelines and any revisions. This ensures that each member has a clear understanding of what is expected of them and what they can expect from other members.