Great Plain Squares Angel Guidelines
In square dancing, angels are experienced dancers who dance with beginners to help them learn the calls and feel comfortable in the group. At Great Plain Squares, the success of our mission, to practice and promote Square Dancing, comes from dedicated angels. Being able to complete a 17-week course requires lots of angels. All Great Plain Squares members are encouraged to dance with the class at Fun Nights, class lessons and lesson reviews.
You don’t have to be a perfect dancer to be an angel. You just need to be friendly to newcomers as well as supportive of the caller/teacher.
Be friendly and welcoming
Please be at the hall a little early to be ready to help and to greet newcomers. Smile, be enthusiastic, and enjoy the dancing. It’s contagious!
Squaring up
Everyone should square up promptly. As soon as the caller starts the music, find a partner and a square. This helps the Class Coordinator to effectively distribute class members among the available squares.
Introduce yourself to your partner and your corner.
All club members can help out with the class. The better you know your position, the better you can help class members dance.
Experienced dancers pair up with class members.
New dancers should pair up with experienced dancers and help to fill out as many squares as possible.
Let the Class Coordinator do their job
The Class Coordinator ensures that the squares have a good mix of angels and new dancers. The Coordinator may move couples or individuals between squares, or ask you to step out so a class member can have your place. Please help the Class Coordinator without delay.
If you have concerns about club or class members, talk to the Class Coordinator, not to the person directly, especially if you do not have a good connection with that person.
Let the Caller do their job
The Caller’s job is to teach. It is very important that class members learn to listen carefully to the caller. Save chitchat for break time.
Assisting the class members
Be calm and positive, even if your square is having trouble.
Establish handholds after each call, which makes everyone aware of his or her position.
If class members are lost, need help or look confused, give gentle help at the last possible moment.
Use hand signals, i.e., hold out your hand to them, tap on the shoulder, signaling to turn around.
Use short quiet verbal cues such as” turn around,” “you’re on the end,” or “trade with me.”
If the square has larger problems, let the Caller deal with it.
Angels are NOT helping the class members when they
Talk over the caller
Drag, push or grab a class member
Speak harshly to class members when they are making a mistake (please remember to use your “calm” voice when providing direction to class members).
Explain a call in the middle of a sequence
Direct the class member on how to perform each and every call