How We Began

We began with an information meeting October 20, 2005 at Erna Fergusson Library in Albuquerque; 15 enthusiastic dancers attended! From this meeting, we acquired volunteers and our official steering committee. The Steering Committee that organized the chapter was made up of Shawna Hollen (Ballay), Ed Jonas-Morrison, Ben Porter, Sally Semm, Caren Waters, and Anna Watkins (Chapter Coordinator).

Our first dance party on January 7, 2006 was held at The Dance Studio which donated the space for both January and February. Dance parties continued on the first Saturday of every month after that during our early days; they later became twice a month on the first and third Sunday of each month.

The first Chapter elections were held February 4, 2006. The resulting first Board of Directors comprised Anna Watkins, President; Ed Jonas-Morrison, VP for Social Dances; Shawna Hollen, VP for Special Events; Janis Pullen, Secretary; Caren Waters, Treasurer; Ben Porter, Member-at-Large and Webmaster; Patsy Carper, Member-at-Large.

We were certified as Chapter #5047 by the USA Dance national organization on February 28, 2006. The rest is history.