About us

ESSDA Mission Statement

ESSDA is the European Same-Sex Dance Association.

ESSDA will respect differences as they may occur between people, concerning race, gender, sexual or political orientation, religion, nationality or language, disability or any other base.

ESSDA will respect differences as they may occur between organisations, concerning nationality, language, political orientation, liaisons with other dance (sport) or sport organisations or organisations for LGBT emancipation.

ESSDA acknowledges that the roots and base of same-sex dance and same-sex dance sport are the expression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities and relationships. This will be considered as part of any decisions, guidelines and developments for the future.

The Mission and Goals of ESSDA are:

  • to encourage the same-sex ballroom and latin dance sport
  • to develop and maintain a level of quality and attractiveness of competitions to dancers and audiences and to encourage the use of guidelines for same-sex dance competitions
  • to encourage the use of these guidelines as standards, specifically at, but not limited to, the ballroom and latin dance events at the EuroGames
  • to provide a forum for communication, support, coordination and development for our members and other people and organisations interested in same-sex dance sport
  • to work towards a climate in dancing and dance sport where people can express what they are, regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnic origins, religion, gender and disabilities
  • to work towards universal acceptance of “leader” and “follower” as teaching terms
  • to support other individuals and organisations with similar goals

Foundation:

European Same-Sex Dance Association (ESSDA) founded in London on 18th February 2007. Follow the ESSDA menu and learn what is ESSDA about and read about our objectives. Hopefully we can welcome you as a new member soon!

Founding Notes (ESSDA Press Release 02/03/2007)

Danish version

Mere end 50 medlemmer fra 8 europæiske lande stiftede søndag den 18. februar 2007 i London den europæiske organisation for same sex dans, European Same Sex Dance Association (ESSDA). Efter mere end 10 år med dansekonkurrencer for par af samme køn er der nu skabt en international paraplyorganisation for denne sportsgren.

Siden 1995 har same sex dans været repræsenteret som sportsgren ved Eurogames, Gay Games og World Outgames, og der arrangeres flere og flere internationale turneringer rundt om i Europa. I same sex danseverdenen (blandt par af samme køn, dommere, trænere og konkurrencearrangører) er der derfor nu et udtalt behov for en europæisk organisation.

ESSDA’s mål er at være med til at fremme og udvikle konkurrencedans for par af samme køn. ESSDA vil i en tolerant og inkluderende ånd etablere rammer for international kommunikation og organisation samt sikre, at konkurrencer holder en konsekvent høj standard. I de kommende måneder vil de ni medlemmer af bestyrelsen sammen med organisationens øvrige medlemmer arbejde med de grundlæggende strukturer for ESSDA og med udviklingen af organisationens nye website, www.essda-eu.preview-domain.com.

Dutch version

Op zondag 18 februari 2007 is in Londen door meer dan 50 leden uit 8 Europese landen de European Same-Sex Dance Association (ESSDA) opgericht. Nadat al meer dan tien jaar internationaal wedstrijden voor same-sex dansparen worden georganiseerd, is er nu een internationale koepelorganisatie voor deze discipline.

Sinds 1995 worden wedstrijden ballroomdans voor same-sex paren geprogrammeerd bij EuroGames, Gay Games en World Outgames. Organisatoren uit geheel Europa organiseren daarnaast een toenemend aantal competities met internationale deelname. De same-sex dansgemeenschap (mannendansparen en vrouwendansparen, juryleden, docenten, wedstrijdorganisatoren) onderkent de reeds langer bestaande behoefte voor een dergelijke Europese organisatie.

Het doel van de ESSDA is het same-sex (wedstrijd)dansen te promoten en verder te ontwikkelen. In een geest van saamhorigheid en tolerantie wil ESSDA bouwen aan internationale communicatiestructuren en bijdragen aan kwalitatief hoogstaande wedstrijden. In de komende maanden zullen de negen benoemde bestuursleden van ESSDA, in samenwerking met tal van overige leden, verder vormgeven aan de basisstructuur van ESSDA, waaronder het ontwikkelen van de website www.essda-eu.preview-domain.com.

English version

On Sunday, 18th February 2007 in London, over 50 founding members of 8 European countries initiated the European Same-Sex Dance Association (ESSDA). After more than ten years of same-sex ballroom dancing competitions, there is now an international umbrella organisation for this discipline.


Since 1995 same-sex ballroom dancing has been a featured sport at EuroGames, Gay Games and World Outgames and an increasing number of international competitions take place throughout Europe. The same-sex dance community (all male/all female couples, judges, trainers and competition organisers) recognises that there is now a need for a European association.


The aim of ESSDA is to encourage the promotion and development of competitive same-sex ballroom dancing. In the spirit of tolerance and inclusion, ESSDA intends to create structures of international communication and organisation and ensure consistently high standards of competitions. In the ensuing months, the nine members of the board and the members of the association will work on basic structures for ESSDA and the development of www.essda-eu.preview-domain.com a new dedicated website.

French version

L’European Same-Sex Dance Association” (ESSDA) a été fondée le dimanche 18 février 2007 à Londres par plus de 50 membres ressortissants principalement de pays européens. Après plus de dix ans de compétition de danse de salon pour couples femmes et couples hommes, il existe enfin à un niveau international une organisation de tête pour cette discipline. L’objectif de l’ESSDA consiste à promouvoir et à propager la compétition pour couples du même sexe.

Depuis 1995, la compétition de danses standards et de danses latines fait partie intégrante des Eurogames, Gay Games et World Outgames. Dans les capitales d’Europe et bien au-delà, les compétitions internationales se multiplient et peuvent se prévaloir d’un nombre de plus en plus important de pays participants.

Les danseuses et danseurs, les organisateurs des compétitions, les juges ainsi que les entraîneurs ont reconnu la nécessité d’une telle organisation européenne. En effet, dans un esprit de tolérance et d’inclusion, l’ESSDA souhaite structurer la communication internationale et assurer le niveau qualitativement élevé des compétitions. Dans les prochains mois, les 9 élu(e)s de l’association, soutenu(e)s par les membres, poursuivront la structuration de l’association et ce entre autres par le nouveau site www.essda-eu.preview-domain.com.

German version

Am Sonntag, den 18. Februar 2007 haben in London mehr als 50 Gründungsmitglieder aus 8 europäischen Ländern die European Same-Sex Dance Association (ESSDA) ins Leben gerufen. Mit der ESSDA gibt es nun, über 10 Jahre nach dem Aufkommen des gleichgeschlechtlichen Turniertanzens, erstmals eine internationale Dachorganisation für diese eigenständige Disziplin.

Bereits seit 1995 ist gleichgeschlechtliches Turniertanzen ein fester Bestandteil von EuroGames, Gay Games and World Outgames, und die Zahl internationaler Turniere wächst und wächst. Die Frauen- und Männertanzpaare Europas sowie Trainer, Wertungsrichter und Turnierausrichter sahen nun die Zeit gekommen, einen europaweiten Verband zur Vertretung ihrer Interessen zu gründen.

Im Geiste von Toleranz und Integration sieht die ESSDA ihre Aufgabe in der Förderung und Verbreitung des gleichgeschlechtlichen Turniertanzens, in der Schaffung von Kommunikations- und Organisationsstrukturen über Ländergrenzen hinweg sowie die Sicherstellung eines gleichbleibend hohen Standards bei Turnieren. In den nächsten Monaten werden der neunköpfige Vorstand und die Mitglieder grundlegende Strukturen für die ESSDA erarbeiten und die neue Website www.essda-eu.preview-domain.com mit Leben füllen.

Hungarian version

2007. február 18-án, vasárnap, Londonban 8 európai ország több mint 50 alapító tagja szorgalmazta a European Same-Sex Dance Association (ESSDA), az Európai Azonos Nemu Párok Táncszövetségének megalapítását. Több mint tízévnyi azonos nemu pároknak rendezett versenyzés után most létrejött egy nemzetközi szervezet e terület összefogására, támogatására.

1995 óta képviselteti magát az egynemu párok versenytánc sportja a EuroGames, Gay Games és World Outgames eseményeken, és Európa szerte egyre nagyobb számban rendeznek nemzetközi táncversenyeket. Az azonos nemu táncosok társadalma (mind férfi, mind noi párok, bírók, edzok és versenyszervezok) felismerték, elérkezett az ido, hogy létrejöjjön egy európai szintu szövetség.

Az ESSDA célja, hogy elosegítse az azonos nemu párok versenyszeru táncsportjának népszerusítését és fejlesztését. Az elfogadás és befogadás szellemében az ESSDA szándéka, hogy létrehozzon egy nemzetközi kommunikációs és szervezeti struktúrát, valamint hogy biztosítsa a versenyek magas színvonalát. Az elkövetkezo hónapokban a kilenc tanácstag és a többi tag az ESSDA alapstruktúráján, valamint a szövetség www.essda-eu.preview-domain.com honlapjának fejlesztésén fog dolgozni.

Italian version

La Domenica, il 18 del febbraio di 2007, a Londra più di 50 membri fondatori di 8 paesi europei hanno incominciato di creare l’Associazione Europea di danza omosessuale (ESSDA). Dopo di un periodo di 10 anni del’esistenza di tornei di danza omosessuale, adesso la prima volta c’è un’organizzazione suprema internazionale per questa disciplina indipendente.

La danza sportiva omosessuale è componente solida degli EuroGames, GayGames e World Outgames dal 1995, e il numero di competizione internazionale continua di aumentare. Per le coppie omosessuale di danza (le donne e pure gli uomini), gli allenatori, i giudici di punteggio e gli organizzatori dei tornei è venuta l’ora di fondare un’associazione europea.

Ai sensi della tolleranza e integrazione la missione di ESSDA è la promozione e la distribuzione della danza omosessuale, la creazione delle strutture di comunicazione e di organizzazione sopra tutte le frontiere come anche la assicurazione di un livello constante alto ai tornei. Nei mesi prossimi la direzione che conta nove persone, e i membri, si guadagnarono col lavoro delle strutture fondamentali per ESSDA e di riempire e completare la pagina web www.essda-eu.preview-domain.com.

Polish version

18. lutego 2007 r. w Londynie ponad 50 osób z 8 europejskich krajów powołało do życia European Same-Sex Dance Association (ESSDA). Po 10 latach istnienia sportu tanecznego dla par kobiecych i męskich powstała tym samym międzynarodowa nadrzędna organizacja dla tego specjalnego stylu.

Od r. 1995 turnieje taneczne dla par tej samej płci stanowią nieodłaczną część festiwali sportowych EuroGames, Gay Games and World Outgames, a liczba międzynarodowych turniejów stale rośnie. Kobiece i męskie pary taneczne, jak też trenerzy, jurorzy i organizatorzy zdecydowali, że pora powołać do życia europejskie stowarzyszenie, które by reprezentowało ich interesy.

Kierując się hasłami tolerancji i integracji ESSDA widzi swoją rolę we wspieraniu i promocji sportu tanecznego dla par tej samej płci, w tworzeniu struktur do międzynarodowej współpracy, jak też do zapewnienia jednolitego wysokiego standardu organizowanych turniejów. Już wkrótce 9 osobowy Zarzad i członkowie wypracują podstawowe struktury ESSDA i podadzą je do ogólnej wiadomości na stronie internetowej www.essda-eu.preview-domain.com.

Spanish version

El domingo 18 de febrero de 2007 en Londres, más de 50 miembros fundadores, provenientes de 8 países de Euoropa, comenzaron la Asociación Europea de Baile del Mismo Sexo (European Same-Sex Dance Association (ESSDA)). Luego de más de una década de la existencia de torneos de baile del mismo sexo, contamos ahora con una organización internacional federativa para esta disciplina.

El baile deportivo del mismo sexo figura entre las disciplinas de los EuroGames, Gay Games y World Outgames desde el año 1995; y un número de competiciones internacionales, que continúa en aumento, se llevan a cabo en diferentes partes de Europa anualmente. La comunidad del baile del mismo sexo (todas las parejas compuestas por hombres y las de mujeres, los jueces, entrenadores y los organizadores de los torneos) reconocen la necesidad actual de que exista una asociación europea.

El objetivo de ESSDA es alentar la promoción y el desarrollo del baile de parejas del mismo sexo a nivel competitivo. ESSDA se propone, en un espíritu de tolerancia e inclusión, crear estructuras de comunicación y organzación a nivel internacional a fin de garantizar consecuentemente altos estándares en los torneos. En los meses por venir, tanto los nueve miembros del consejo como los miembros de la asociación en general trabajarán sobre las estructuras básicas de ESSDA y en el desarrollo del nuevo sitio web dedicado a ésta: www.essda-eu.preview-domain.com.

Swedish version

Söndagen den 18:e februari 2007 i London invigdes den europeiska organisationen för samkönad dans (European Same-Sex Dance Association, ESSDA) av över 50 medlemmar från åtta europeiska länder. Efter mer än tio år av samkönade ballroom-danstävlingar, finns det nu en internationell paraplyorganisation för denna gren.

Sedan 1995 har samkönad dans varit en framträdande sportgren vid Eurogames, Gay Games och World Outgames samt vid ett ökande antal internationella tävlingar runtom i Europa. Den samkönade dans-”communityn” (samkönade danspar, domare, tränare och tävlingsarrangörer) är överens om att det nu finns ett behov av en europeisk organisation.

ESSDA:s mål är att uppmuntra främjandet och utvecklandet av samkönad tävlingsdans. I en tolerant och inkluderande anda vill ESSDA skapa strukturer för internationell kommunikation och organisation samt säkerställa att tävlingar håller en konsekvent hög standard. Under de följande månaderna kommer styrelsens nio medlemmar och organisationens övriga medlemmar att arbeta med de grundläggande strukturerna för ESSDA, och med utvecklandet av den nya hemsidan – www.essda-eu.preview-domain.com.

Constitution:

1. TITLE

1.1. The name of our association is European Same-Sex Dance Association, also to be known as ESSDA.

2. LOCATION

2.1. The headquarter is in London.

3. FOUNDATION AND DURATION

3.1. It was founded on the 18th February 2007 in London, United Kingdom and established for an indefinite period.

4. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

4.1. The membership is the highest decision making body of the association.

4.2. The membership makes its decisions per vote in the General Meetings or through referendums initiated by the Board.

4.3. Decisions of the members are made with a minimum of an absolute majority (one vote more than 50%) of the members participating at a General Meeting or a separate referendum. Decisions about changing the constitution, dissolving the association, decisions about further Board membership of a Board member or a honorary membership are made with a majority 2/3 of the members participating.

4.4. Further details about these and other decisions (Participating, Quorum,…) are specified in other articles of the Constitution and the Bylaws.

5. LANGUAGE

5.1. The official language of the association in correspondence, General Meetings and meetings is, in principle, English.

6. GEOGRAPHY

6.1. ESSDA concentrates its efforts within Europe as a geographically defined continent. However, ESSDA supports other individuals and organisations with similar goals throughout the rest of the world.

7. ORGANISATIONAL YEAR

7.1. The organisational year of the association starts on 1st January and ends on 31st December.

8. USED WORDS

8.1. Association: European Same-Sex Dance Association, also to be known as ESSDA.
8.2. Board: The Board of the association.
8.3. Delegate: A representative, who is an authorised proxy of a member organisation, group or club, looks after the rights of the member and cast its votes.
8.4. General Assembly: The sum of the members participating at a General Meeting of the General Membership; this may be an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or an Extraordinary General Meeting.
8.5. General Membership: The sum of all members. It is the highest decision making body of the association.

9. RESPECT DIFFERENCES

9.1. ESSDA will respect differences as they may occur between people, concerning race, gender, sexual or political orientation, religion, nationality or language, disability or any other base.
9.2. The association will respect differences as they may occur between organisations, concerning nationality, language, political orientation, liaisons with other dance (sport) or sport organisations or organisations for LGBT emancipation.

10. LGBT IDENTITIES

10.1. ESSDA acknowledges that the roots and base of same-sex dance and same-sex dance sport are the expression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities and relationships. This will be considered as part of any decisions, guidelines and developments for the future.

11. OUR MISSIONS AND GOALS ARE:

11.1. To encourage the same-sex ballroom and latin dance sport.
11.2.To develop and maintain a level of quality and attractiveness of competitions to dancers and audiences and to encourage the use of guidelines for same-sex dance competitions.
11.3. To encourage the use of these guidelines as standards, specifically at, but not limited to, the ballroom and latin dance events at the Eurogames.
11.4. To provide a forum for communication, support, coordination and development for our members and other people and organisations interested in same-sex dance sport.
11.5. To work towards a climate in dancing and dance sport where people can express what they are, regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnic origins, religion, gender and disabilities.
11.6. To work towards universal acceptance of “leader” and “follower” as teaching terms.
11.7. To support other individuals and organisations with similar goals.

12. CONSTITUENCY OF MEMBERSHIP

12.1. The association consists of
a. Ordinary members,
b. Extraordinary members,
c. Associate members,
d. Honorary members.

12.1.1. Ordinary membership is open to: all individuals who accept, abide by and comply with the mission statement of the association and who live in Europe or elect to dance for a European club or country. (Details in Bylaws)
12.1.2. Extraordinary membership is open to: all legal entities, clubs and groups located in Europe, whose main concern is same-sex dancing or LGBT sports including same-sex dancing or are organizing an international same-sex competition, who accept, abide by and comply with the mission statement of the association.
12.1.3. Associate membership is open to:
a) all other individuals, who are interested in communication and getting information and who accept, abide by and comply with the mission statement of the association.
b) all other legal entities, clubs or groups who support our mission and who are interested in communication and getting information.
12.1.4. Honorary members are individuals who have rendered outstanding services because of their extraordinary contribution to the same-sex dancing community at large.

13. MEMBERSHIP

13.1. One can become:
13.1.1. An ordinary, extraordinary or associate member by submission of a completed application form to the Board which has to be accepted by the Board or a membership committee.
13.1.2. An honorary member upon nomination by a member or by the Board, by appointment of the General Assembly with a majority of two thirds of the cast votes.
13.2. Rejection of a written application by the Board.
13.2.1.In case of refusal of membership, the Board or a membership committee reports to the applicant and to the General Assembly at the next General Meeting, giving the reasons for denial of the applicant.
13.2.2. The General Assembly may still grant membership to the applicant by 50% plus one vote of those present.

14. ENDING OF MEMBERSHIP

14.1. Membership of the association ends by:
14.1.1. Death, if the member is a natural person.
14.1.2. Bankruptcy or dissolution of the legal body of the member.
14.1.3. Written withdrawal of membership.
14.1.4. Exclusion from membership by a written notice of the Board or a membership committee.
14.1.5. Failure to pay the annual membership fee in time (Details in Bylaw).
14.2. Withdrawal by a member
14.2.1. A member must withdraw one month prior to the start of the association year.
14.3. Exclusion by the Association
Exclusion from membership by the Board occurs when the member acts contrary to the Association’s rules or decisions, or contrary to the constitution, or when the member harms the Association in an unreasonable way.
14.3.1. The Board shall inform the member in due course of this decision in writing.
14.3.2. The excluded member shall have the right to appeal this decision and address the General Membership at the following General Meeting.

15. OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

15.1. There is an obligation to pay an annual membership fee, should one be set in the Bylaws, for:
15.1.1. ordinary members and
15.1.2. extraordinary members.
15.2. There is no obligation to pay an annual membership fee for associated and honorary members.
15.3. Associate members pay a minimum fee covering the costs incurred on their behalf.
15.4. There is no principle right to recover the membership fee when the membership has ended.
15.5. The amount of the membership fee for the members is set in the Bylaws.

16. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

16.1. All members are entitled to attend the General Meeting.
16.1.1. All members are entitled to express their opinions at the General Meeting and other meetings.
16.2. Appointment of members
16.2.1. Voting by proxy, if it is possible, is described in the Bylaws.
16.2.2. Each extraordinary member (legal entities, clubs, groups…) has the right to appoint delegate(s) for the General Meeting as specified in the Bylaws.
16.3. Voting rights
16.3.1. An ordinary member has one vote.
16.3.2. An extraordinary member has at least one vote specified by the bylaws.
16.3.3. An associate member has no vote.
16.3.4. An honorary member has one vote.
16.3.5. Representation of members and casting of votes is possible as specified in the Bylaws. The Bylaws must contain objective criteria for representation of members and casting of voting rights.

17. GENERAL MEETING

17.1. The Annual General Meeting must be held each year between 1st April and 31st August somewhere in Europe.
17.2. Convocation
17.2.1. Notice about any General Meeting shall be given in writing by the Board to all members no later than 4 weeks prior to the scheduled date of the Meeting.
17.2.2. This 4 week notice period also applies to Extraordinary General Meetings.
17.2.3. The invitation will include the agenda and any proposal for amendments to or changes of the constitution and bylaws.
17.3. The agenda for the Annual General Meeting covers at least:
17.3.1. The Board’s Annual report.
17.3.2. The Financial Report presented by the Treasurer or by his/her designee
17.3.3. The budget for the forthcoming year.
17.3.4. The determining of the annual membership fee.
17.3.5. Election of Board members.
17.3.6. Plans for the coming year.
17.4. Chair and minutes
17.4.1. The outgoing President or a chairperson to be appointed by the Board will chair the meeting.
17.4.2. The General Secretary or a person to be appointed by the Board will make the minutes of the meeting
17.5. The cash-controllers committee
17.5.1.The cash-controllers committee, if there is one, is elected by the General Assembly. It consists of at least two people.
17.5.2. The cash-controllers committee reports its findings to the General Assembly.
17.5.3. The cash-controllers committee has the right to inspect any financial documents of the association it requests.
17.6. The General assembly can discharge the outgoing Board after approval of the Annual Report and the Board’s accounts for its management activities and expenditures.
17.7. Quorum
17.7.1. A minimum number of votes must participate at a General Meeting (annual and extraordinary) in order to conclude valid decisions. Further details about voting are specified in the Article about voting; details about the definition of participation, majority and the quorum are specified in the Bylaws.

18. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

18.1. The Board can convene an Extraordinary General Meeting at any time. Notice for a Extraordinary General Meeting shall be given following the same guidelines as for an Annual General Meeting.
18.2. Furthermore, the Board is obliged to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting if requested by at least 10 percent of the entitled to vote members in the association.

18.2.1. In this case the meeting must be held within three months after the Board received the request. If the Board does not comply with the request within three months, the requestors are entitled to convene the General Meeting themselves, following the usual procedure of the Board.

19. BOARD

19.1. The Board must include members from at least 2 countries.
19.2.The Board should consist of members representing more than one gender.
19.3. Board membership is only open to individuals who are ordinary or honorary members and who accept, abide by and comply with the mission statement of the association, with the Association’s Constitution or decisions or does not harm the Association in an unreasonable way. The Membership decides (Details in the Bylaws).
19.4. The Board for the following period should consist of at least 5 and no more than 9 members. The number shall be uneven. The number can be specified in the Bylaws.
19.4.1. The General Assembly determines the number of Board Members.
19.5. The Office Bearers of the Board shall consist of:
• President
• Vice-President
• Treasurer
• General Secretary
19.6. The additional Board Members are called “General Board Members”.
19.7. The Membership elects the Members of the Board per person.
19.7.1. The Office Bearers of the association; the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer and the General Secretary, are elected by office title by the new Board from among its own members as soon as possible. (Details in Bylaws)
19.8. The members of the Board are elected on a rolling base (defined in the Bylaws) and are eligible for immediate re-election.
19.9. Rights and obligations of the Board.
19.9.1. The Board is responsible for the management of the association and to guide it into the direction of the missions and goals.
19.9.2. Specific responsibilities of the Board are:
• To hold a register of the members
• To maintain a financial structure
• To maintain a communication structure
• To establish committees with tasks and control their progression
19.9.3. The Board is entitled to decide to enter into agreements to obtain, dispose of or encumber immovables.

19.9.4. The Board is not entitled to enter into agreements in which the association commits itself to guarantee for or to share other parties’ debts, in which the association supports third parties, or in which the association vouches for the debt of a third party.
19.9.5. The Treasurer can represent the association in all financial matters up to the sum specified in the Bylaws.
19.10. Rules of conduct for the Board incl. internal decision procedure are defined by the Bylaws and other Board internal rules.
19.11. Resignation – A Board Member may resign from the Board at any time by presenting his or her notice of resignation to the Board of ESSDA. This resignation will become effective the date on which the request is accepted by the Board.
19.12. Filling a Vacancy on the Board
19.12.1. Where the position of a Board Member becomes vacant for whatever reason, the Board may appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy until such time as a new Board Member is nominated or elected at the next General Meeting.

20. COMMITTEES WITH SPECIAL TASKS

20.1. The General Meeting as well as the board can appoint committees as may be considered appropriate, with a specific task like for example membership administration or drawing up guidelines for competitions.
20.2. The Board shall determine their respective terms of reference, powers, duration and composition.
20.3. All acts and proceedings of such committees shall be reported back to the Board as soon as possible. Committees report upon a regular basis to the AGM or the Board.
20.4. Results of committees should be taken as an advice to the AGM or to the Board.

21. VOTING

21.1. Ways of participating, Majority and Quorum
Ways of participating, majority and quorum are defined in the Bylaws except decisions to change the Constitution or to dissolve the Association.

21.2. Personal issues

Unless the Annual General Meeting decides otherwise voting for candidates for the Board and about other persons will be in writing.
21.3. Non-personal issues
Unless the Annual General Meeting decides otherwise voting in a General Meeting about non-personal issues will be by show of hands or by other means.

22. ACCOUNTS & FINANCE

22.1. The Board shall keep such books of accounts as are necessary to exhibit and explain the transaction and financial position of the association regards to the sum of money received and expended by and on behalf of the association. Audited accounts of these transactions shall be made available at each and every Annual General Meeting.

23. REPRESENTATION

23.1. The General Meeting or the Board may grant persons the right to act as proxy of the Association.

24. BY-LAWS

24.1. The General Membership or the Board determines the Bylaws of the association, which may not include regulations that contradict the Law or this Constitution.
24.2. The Bylaws regulate everything this Constitution enforces to be regulated in the Bylaws, and everything of which regulation in or with the Bylaws is desired.
24.3. Proposals about changes to the Bylaws are announced one month in advance in the invitation to the General Meeting or one week in advance in the invitation to the Board Meeting in which these proposals are to be discussed.
24.4. Decisions regarding changes of or amendments to the Bylaws are made by a majority (50% plus one vote) of participating votes by the General Membership or more than the half of the Board Members.
24.5. After the invitation is mailed proposals to change or amend the bylaws are only allowed according to the rules set in the Bylaws.

25. CHANGING OF THE ARTICLES

25.1. The decision to change the Constitution or to dissolve the association can only be taken by the General Membership in a General Meeting if there is a quorum of 25% of the total numbers of votes of the association and with a majority of at least two thirds of the votes participating (details about participation in Bylaws).
25.2. If the quorum mentioned in paragraph 1. is not present, a new General Meeting can be convened to be held within six months after the first General Meeting. For this meeting no quorum is necessary. The decisions must be reached by a majority of two thirds of cast votes.
25.3. Proposals to change the Constitution are announced one month in advance of the General Meeting together with the invitation to this meeting.
25.4. After the invitation is mailed, proposals to change or amend the Constitution are only allowed according to the rules set in the bylaws.

26. SURPLUS

26.1. A possible financial surplus of the dissolved association is spent according to the decisions of the General Membership, taking into account the mission and aims of the Association as much as possible.

27. REFERENDUM

27.1. The Board may ask for a referendum of the members in case there is a topic that requires an immediate decision and cannot wait for a General Meeting. The rules for the referendum will be set out in the Bylaws.

28. OTHER BUSINESS

28.1. In all situations that are not covered by the Constitution, the Bylaws and the Law, the Board is entitled to decide.
28.2. Members are entitled to appeal against the decisions, mentioned in paragraph 1., at the General Assembly.

29. THIS CONSTITUTION

is in force and becomes valid after its adoption by the General Assembly. The Constitution has to be presented to the appropriate authority or government office right after its adoption.

ESSDA Constitution 20 August 2022

Download Constitution and Bylaws

The ESSDA Constitution can be downloaded here and the bylaws are available here. These are the versions that were amended at the AGM on 20 August 2022.  Please note that the Bylaws need to be updated to reflect the new membership fees from 1 January 2024 and the associated voting rights as agreed in the membership referendum held in December 2023.  The new fees can be found here 

Board

ESSDA Board Members and Roles

Davy Brocatus, President
Davy Brocatus
(c) Davy Brocatus

Ballroom dancer since the age of 15
Professional International Ballroom Dancer (1995-2000)
International Judge since 1996
Organisation team EuroGames Antwerp 2007:
Press and PR Coordinator for Golf and Dancing
EuroGames Antwerp 2007 Main profession : Official Advisor for Sport City of Antwerp
Alderman Ludo Van Campenhout
Media : different programmes and also judge on the Belgian Television Series of “Strictly Come Dancing”

Contact Davy

Tessa Cleaver, VicePresident
(c) Tessa Cleaver

Tessa has danced all her adult life. She discovered ballroom and latin dancing in the early ’90s at classes at the London Lesbian and Gay Centre, and has been social dancing ever since. She was briefly a member of the Pink Dancers, and in the last few years has been competing on the same-sex/euality circuit. It is through same-sex dancing that she found her family and her community and wants to do what she can to ensure that the same warmth and strength of community can be there for others.  She is particularly interested in addressing the gender and non-binary agenda to ensure that the nobody feels excluded. 

Tessa was elected to the ESSDA Board in 2023 and took on the role of vice-president. Tessa is also the chair of the the diversity and inclusion working group.

Contact Tessa

Diana Vinke, Secretary

Dancing is and has been a connecting experience for Diana. Though she is more of a social than a competitive dancer, the Gay Games of 1998 introduced her to the excitement and inviting atmosphere of same-sex dance competitions. 

Diana has explored various sides of same-sex dancing: being a member of the board of Equality dancE, being a volunteer at the European Championships in Budapest in 2012, Board in 2012, and supporting the organisation of various EuroGames.

Diana rejoined the ESSDA board in December 2022 and took on the role of secretary in 2023.

Contact Diana

Janina Dobberschütz, Treasurer
(c) Janina Dobberschuetz

Janina is German and has been living in Denmark for the last 9 years. Professionally, she is an accountant, but in her freetime she loves to dance. Attracted by the social activities and the inclusional approach, Janina became a member of the Danish PanDans Dance Association, which is organises the Nordic Open Dance competitions in Copenhagen. In 2021, Janina joined the organisational team for Eurogames 2021 which led to her being the Social Media (FB+website) / Registration responsible for Nordic Open 2022. 

Although, Janina dances socially/non competitive in a mixed couple, she is a strong supporter of same sex dancing.

Janina was elected to the ESSDA Board in 2023 and took on the role of treasure. She also chairs the finance working group.

Contact Janina

Mark Hebell, General Board Member
Mark Hebell
(c) Mark Hebell

Mark Hebell has been an active participant in both Ballroom and Latin competitions representing German Dance Sport Federation (DTV) from 1996 to 2008. Since retiring from his active career he concentrates on working as a professional coach, choreographer and adjudicator. He has been judging same-sex competitions since 2011, including the German Open Championships (2015), Le Rendez-Vous de Paris (2014, 2019), Pink Jukebox Trophy London (2019) and the Nordic Open (Helsinki 2028; Copenhagen 2019).

In addition to his work in dancesport, Mark Hebell has broadened his knowledge of human movement by qualifying as an Alexander Technique Teacher in 2005 and studying Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies since 2017 to become a Certified Laban Movement Analyst.

After relocating to Vienna/Austria in 2020, he keeps working in Berlin/Germany, where he has been living the past twelve years.
Mark Hebell’s motivation to stand for election at the 2020 ESSDA AGM comes from his wish to bring his experience of nearly 25 years in dancesport to the table in order to help further improving and strengthening same-sex dancing in Europe.

Contact Mark

Tom Dane, Membership Officer

Tom had his first dance lessons in 1999 while studying in Germany and subsequently competed in waltz for Bristol University. A few years later he discovered the same-sex dance scene in London and went on to compete in the Eurogames in Barcelona, Helsinki, Stockholm, Rome, Copenhagen and Nijmegen, the World Outgames in Miami, the World Championships in Paris as well as smaller same-sex competitions across Europe.

Tom joined the ESSDA Board in February 2022 and took on the role of Membership Officer. Tom is also the chair of the UK Equality Dance Council.

Contact Tom

AGM Documents

AGM 2020 Online

Agenda for ESSDA AGM 20200829v2

ESSDA AGM minutes 2019 – revised

Financial Report 20192020

Budget 20202021

ESSDA AGM 2020 Annual Report v4

V2 Essda Show Dance Competition Rules 2020 (2)

IFSSDA Competition Rules, 5th Draft (Aproved Draft by NASSPDA+IAGLCWDC+ESSDA) 200706

AGM 2019 Rome

Minutes ESSDA AGM 2018

ESSDA Annual Report 2018-2019

AGM 2018 Paris

AGM 2017 Minutes
Annual Report 2017/2018

AGM 2017 Berlin

AGM 2016 Minutes
Annual Report 2016/2017 with activity report for PR and for Outreach

AGM 2016 Helsinki

Annual Report 2015/2016

AGM 2016 Meeting Minutes

AGM 2015 Stockholm

ESSDA Annual Report 2014/2015

AGM 2015 Meeting Minutes

AGM 2014 Blackpool

Essda_AnnualReport_2013_2014

AGM 2014 Meeting Minutes

AGM 2013 Antwerp

essda_AnnualReport_2012_2013

AGM 2013 Meeting Minutes

AGM 2012 via Skype

AGM 2012 Meeting Minutes