Are You A Square Dance Angel?
Square Dance Angels are wonderful  people who have the desire to help new dancers.  They give of their time to attend classes each week to make sure new dancers have the best possible learning experience.  A good Angel is an asset to any Caller teaching a beginning square dance class!  A Caller does not rely on the Angel to "TEACH", rather, the Caller relies on the Angel to be a good listener and to execute the Square Dance Commands correctly.  Therefore, the Angel must know the "Basic" definitions of all the calls for the type class that is being taught.  An Angel is also a "Student of Modern Western Square Dancing."  Angels strive to be the best that they can be so they will set a good example for the new dancers.  Angels are active participants in their club as well as going out and dancing.  One thing I truly believe is, "You Learn The Basics of Square Dancing in Class, You Become a Polished Dancer by Going to Your Club Dances, Visitations, Weekend Festivals, State and National Conventions and Workshops."  The more you dance, the better you're skills will become.  Here is a list of Do's to be an effective Angel:

• Be On Time:  You should be at class before the students arrive.  If you are late all the time, class members will arrive late because they might think it's not important.  Arriving late eliminates one tip (sometimes 2).

• Form Squares:  When the Caller puts the music on you know it's time to dance so start forming a Square.  Even though you might have to "sit out", don't assume you will.  By immediately "Squaring Up" you show the new dancers that it's important to "Square Up" when you hear the music.  Make sure you dance with all the students and especially the new dancers that might be having some problems.

• Be a Good Listener:  If you are "chit chatting" while the Caller is explaining a Square Dance Command, the students pick up on this and will do the same thing, which of course means the Caller will have to spend more time talking.

• Dance with Confidence:  Don't slouch.  Believe it or not, you will get more fatigued dancing improperly.  Keep your head up, shoulders back, bend your knees slightly and stay in rhythm with the music.  The pace of most Square Dance Music is between 128 to 132 BPM (Beats per Minute), that means every beat requires a step. 

• Definitions:  Know the basic definitions of the Calls.  If you don't do the Calls properly, the students won't do them either.  Knowing the basic definitions of the calls allows the Callers to be more flexible with their choreography.

• Smile:  Your smile says a lot.  If you smile, the students will smile. 

• Support Your Club:  Go to your club dances and support visitations your club organizes.  If you don't support the club how can we expect the students to do it?  Lead by example.

• Eye Contact:  This is truly one of the best ways to help new dancers gain confidence. 

• Name Badge:  Don't forget your name badge.

• Lend a Hand:  If you're asked to help set up the hall, take care of refreshments, do it cheerfully

• Positive Mental Attitude:  You know the old saying you draw more bees with honey than vinegar?  It's true in everything we do and say.  Are we human and do we make mistakes?  Sure we do.  The United States Army has a new slogan called "An Army of One."  At first I didn't like it but looking at that slogan I get it now.  It all starts with one person, an individual making a "Choice" to join the Army.  All these individuals making the "Choice" to join the Army makes the Army what it is, a cohesive unit.  Each of us has made a choice to join the Square Dance Activity.  By keeping a Positive Mental Attitude we help the new dancers make the choice as well.

• Recruit:  Classes and clubs survive because of their recruiting efforts.  Recruiting doesn't stop the first night of class and it doesn't stop the last night of class it's an on going process.  Everyone we have contact with has the potential to be part of the best activity going today.  Nothing in the world recruits better than having a Smile and a Positive Mental Attitude.

These are a few of my thoughts on what it is to be a "Square Dance Angel."  There are numerous articles on this subject, but they basically have one common thread and that is a desire to help Square Dancers become good Angels.  I hope this article stirs your imagination and motivates you to become the very best Angel you can be.  Thank you for taking the time to read this.  Part of this article came from this website http://www.sqdancer.com/ideas/ take a look at it, as it has other useful articles to read.