Election Information 2009-2010

This is the Central Board for the 2009-2010 year (ending July 1st, 2010)

Voting closed at midnight on September 15th, 2009

President MECDA Central Board

     Blume Bauer

I have been an active member of MECDA for several years. Currently, I hold the offices of Central Board President as well as the appointed position, Happenings Editor. In addition to those positions, I also temporarily co-share the responsibility of Secretary with our temporary appointed officer, Barbara Rara. I care deeply for the state and continuance of MECDA. As President of the Central Board for the short term of 6 months, I have worked hard to help redefine MECDA and what it means to our community. I have worked closely with belly dancers from all genres of belly dance and feel that my open mindedness to dance aids in my ability to be fair when voting on matters that are important to our membership. I helped our organization move from a dark point in its history to a moment filled with brilliant light and clarification. Not only with increased memberships, but also with increased member confidence in our organization. All of this without the dramatic effects members had been feeling for some time that I know we would all like to avoid. If elected for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, I plan to continue to work on initiatives that I have already begun regarding membership, MECDA's place in the community, and the advancement of belly dance as a whole. We are already in a state of momentum and I plan to keep that positive momentum going while keeping MECDA's integrity intact.

In addition, I would like to see MECDA offer more to its members, not only in physical freebies, but also in support, motivation, and training. I have plans to get our organization designated as a nationwide non-profit; to bring back the printed Happenings to members who miss it; to locate and win grants dedicated to arts to help support our organization and therefore our dancers. With the plans for an official conference for members in the works, an even more incredible Cairo Caravan for 2010, and the possibility of an all-new event to replace our anniversary party, I know that I can make MECDA the best it can be. I hope that you will vote for me and give me an opportunity beyond the 6 months already provided to make MECDA benefit our members even greater. I would like to thank the membership for the time I have had helping MECDA thus far and I hope to continue to work for MECDA in the future as the Central Board President.

Sincerely, Blume Bauer

Vice President MECDA Central Board

     Lia Kamminga -  MECDA, Desert Communities

I have been performing Polynesian dance for 40 plus years and various forms of Middle Eastern dance for over 30 years now. My stage experience spans local venues and tours across the United States and abroad.

Currently, I am the artistic director for the Iolani Polynesian Dance Troup, Halau Hula O Kanoelani and a Trustee of Devotion in Motion. I also direct Wandering Caravan, a local performing belly dance group.

I feel that I possess management skills as well as people skills that will benefit the operation of MECDA Central Board. I have served on many boards of various organizations in the positions of President, Vice President, Board Member and adjunct committees. Some of these organizations include MECDA High Desert Chapter (1980¹s), local Chambers of Commerce, AV Movement Arts Foundation and Zonta International, to name a few.

I wish to serve MECDA Central Board in this capacity because I now see, and have experienced the positive direction the current Board is taking. I feel the caliber of members and their insights for the future of MECDA is commendable and want to be involved in this effort.

Thank you for your nomination,
Lia Kamminga

Secretary MECDA Central Board

Donna Frey - Current president of the IE MECDA Chapter Director and founder of the Jewels of Miehana Dance Program YMCA Program Director.

I have been dancing on stage since the age of 10 and am skilled in lots of different types of dancing including Ballet Folkloric, Flamenco, Hula, Tahitian, Maori, Samoan, and various types of Belly Dance. I have performed with many different troupes but am currently not dancing. Instead I am directing a youth troupe for at risk girls in Orange County through the YMCA.

I have been working for the YMCA since high school and have taught hundreds of children to dance. My most rewarding experience has been working with the Jewels of Miehana, watching and helping these little tiny girls grow up into the beautiful and extraordinary dancers they are today. We have shared laughter, joy, heartbreak, loss of loved ones, and everything in between. My goal is to help them grow into healthy confident women who hopefully will take over the program and share it with other girls as needy as they once were. This has already started to happen!

Because I currently work for a nonprofit I am very in tuned with what it is and how it works. I have always done volunteer work and would accept the challenge head on.

Treasurer MECDA Central Board

     Barbara Rara - MECDA CB Webmaster , Acting Membership volunteer, Temporary Treasurer, assistant Temporary Secretary and DC MECDA President/Vice President

I am accepting the nomination of Treasurer from the community of MECDA because over the last 18th months of assisting the Central Board of MECDA I have observed many things that need to be updated, corrected or changed from the past boards. I fully support the current president in cleaning up the leadership offices of the central board and ensuring that the members not only receive the benefits that they deserve but that MECDA as a community furthers the goals, health and security of the dancers. The dancers are the beginning of enlightening our community about the dance we all love without conveying or expanding on the misinformation so many Americans have about Middle Eastern Dance.

Barb