1. Growing a vibrant worldwide community of Scottish Country Dancers 2017 - 2020

3. A Business Plan for 2017 – 2020

4. The process so far:
RSCDS Management Board consulted on 5 Strategic Aims at Open Forum Nov 2015
MB, Committees and Staff drafted outline proposals for change in the future
Business Planning Group consulted Branches and Teacher Associations 2016
Management Board and Committees reviewed proposals for action
We are now informing you of our plans …

5. Strategic Aims agreed Nov 2015
Aim 1. To promote Scottish Country Dance and related dance forms as inclusive and exciting activities
Aim 2. To build the capacity and networking of branches and other dance groups who share our Aims, to help them grow and deliver SCD activity more effectively
Aim 3. To maintain and develop high quality teaching of Scottish Country Dance and music, including the development of dance and music for all ages and abilities

6. Continued…
Aim 4. To enable enjoyable and high quality Scottish Country Dance opportunities for all ages and abilities worldwide
Aim 5. To strengthen and improve the RSCDS, including its governance and long term financial viability, to enable it to deliver the above Aims

7. Business Plan group members:
Helen Russell, Chairman
Elizabeth Harry, MB representative
Jane Rose, Teacher in a Branch
Emma Allsop, Youth Services representative
Ian Muir, Music Director
Philip Whitley, former Membership Services Committee Convenor
Gillian Wilson, Executive Officer

8. Ensuring global consultation
All Branches & Teachers’ Associations contacted by BP group members and invited to give feedback: May – Aug 2016
79 Branches (49% of branches) took part
2 Teachers’ Associations took part
81 individual members also contributed through online survey

9. Key issues raised through feedback - 1
Branches said their own priorities are:
Recruiting members & getting help with this
Working more effectively with young people and attracting more young members
Finding and training new teachers
Sharing experience & networking with other branches, affiliated groups and SCD clubs
Strengthening relationships between the Branch and other local groups

10. Key issues raised through feedback - 2
Branches said RSCDS priorities should be:
Improve the image and profile of the Society
Improve the website and member database
Reach out to branches more, be active globally in partnership with branches - be less UK-centric
Review and improve the teaching programme, to ensure the teaching of social and technical skills
Be more transparent and efficient about the use of money, including membership fees
Be relevant globally – one-size does not fill all

11. Branch prioritisation of Strategic Aims

12. Key issues raised through feedback - 3
Teachers’ Associations said:
They want to work more closely with the RSCDS
They are interested in helping with the Teacher training programme review
They will help with setting up a Teacher register
They support more use of technology for increasing access to teacher training programmes
They want better information on the website for teachers and about their Associations

13. Aim 1 actions (prioritised):
Develop a clear communications and marketing strategy
Review and upgrade of RSCDS’s online presence, both website and social media
Review, upgrade and implement the Health strategy to promote the benefits of SCD
Develop a choreographed high energy version of Scottish Country Dancing
Promote ceilidh dancing
Plan for the RSCDS Centenary in 2023
The following lists are prioritised

14. Aim 2 actions: Strengthen online communications
Link with branches & affiliated groups offline
Work with branches & affiliated groups to recruit and retain more RSCDS members
Support increased branch networking
Review relative benefits of branch and affiliated status and provide incentives for gaining Branch status
Identify places where we could encourage new branches and affiliated groups

15. Aim 3 actions:
Review the teacher training system, syllabus and assessment criteria: incl. digitisation & IT
Improve access to teacher training & Continuing Development around the world
Set up and maintain a Teachers’ Register
Develop Music teaching & access globally

16. Contd.. 5. E-learning site & teacher area on the website
6. Work more closely with the TAs
7. Develop a Schools SCD project in Scotland with funding from Scottish Government

17. Aim 4 actions:
Continue to deliver two major schools each year – Summer School and Winter School
Continue to deliver Youth focused events and youth elements in all events – including Spring Fling and Junior Summer School
Build RSCDS presence at and engagement with existing events around the world
Deliver globally themed events – including Global Youth week and Dance Scottish Week
Secure sponsorships for these events

18. Aim 5 actions: Review RSCDS management committees and their remits
Ensure elected members and RSCDS staff have the relevant skills for their posts.
Review structural relationships within RSCDS: Memberships, Branches, Affiliated Groups and Teachers’ Associations
Strengthen financial accountability and transparency to achieve a consistent operating surplus
Review effective use of 12 Coates Crescent
“ensure elected members… have the relevant skills” means we should be actively recruiting people with the appropriate skills, and training those who need it.

19. This will not happen overnight
Next steps …
This will not happen overnight
We need Branches and members to also be active in helping deliver the Aims and plans … you are the public face of the RSCDS around the world
We look forward to working with you all
We may only achieve the first 2 priorites in each Aim, but even that will produce change and improvement.

20. Questions?

21. Thank you