dancing such a joy (no one commented on our novice attempts at dancing) that we quickly joined. Soon after, we were invited to join the board of directors. We found the board to be a wonderful social, as well as service enrichment to our lives. Board meetings haven’t been all work either; they are a wonderful way to get to know our fellow Debonair Dancers.

As we begin our tenure as Presidents we’d like to focus on a few areas. We’d like to continue to improve logistics so that the steps involved in putting on a dance are as seamless as possible. We’d also like to expand some of our dance themes and make some small, but notable changes to other themes. These steps are taken with an eye on increasing membership through recruiting or retention.

While a good operation is important to recruiting and retention, it’s our members that are our best recruiting and retention ambassadors. To that end please either invite a guest couple or get to know someone new at each dance. Building community will keep Debonair Dancers thriving!!

Jim and Laura Clark-Moore, President

Around the Dance Floor As this is our last column as your presidents, Robyn and I would like to dedicate this piece to our outstanding board of directors. We would like to thank the entire board for the hard work and dedication that they have shown for the last two years. In all of our decisions, the health and well-being of our club has always been our primary objective. From catering, to bubbly and beer tasting, to music, to seating arrangements, to dance lessons, it has always been our hope that the club would become a more active, higher quality and friendlier place for our members. We feel at the bottom of our hearts that the leadership and board team have met our goals and beyond. Over the last few years, our membership has become stronger, our meals have been consistently good, dance attendance is up, and most importantly, everyone appears to be having a great time at our functions.

Additionally, we would like to thank you, the members, for sticking with Robyn and me throughout our “Reign of Terror”. Without your support and continual kind words, it would have been so much more difficult to achieve our goals. It has been a pleasure to meet and get to know the many fine people of our club. Your patience and support is what has made the difference. We look forward to getting to know all of you even better in the years to come.

I would like to thank my lovely wife Robyn for her help and support. I have to admit, she is really the brains behind the outfit!

Thank you again for allowing us to serve as your Presidents. We’re looking forward to Jim and Laura taking the reins as your new Presidents of our new board. I know they will do a great job!

And remember to always – Be Debonair!

Jim and Robyn Alves, now Past-President

Welcome to all our fellow Debonair Dancers. We want to thank all of you for allowing us the honor and opportunity to serve as Presidents of the Debonair Dancers board of directors. We would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Robyn and Jim Alves for their prior service as Presidents and continued service on the board. Laura and I are native Californian’s, currently residing in San Jose, and the proud parents of two wonderful daughters. Although we are ‘infant’ dancers, we’re enjoying learning new steps and meeting new people.

Laura and I first came to Debonair Dancers as guests of JoAnne and Ernest Brooks. Everyone was so friendly and fun and the

DANCE SCHEDULE S U N N Y V A L E S E N I O R C E N T E R , 7 : 0 0 P M – 1 1 : 0 0 P M

Theme & Dress Date

Presidents’ Ball, Formal Friday, Apr. 21, 2017

Island Escape, Casual Friday, June 23, 2017

Swinging Summer Social, Casual Friday, Aug. 18, 2017

Oktoberfest, Casual (costume optional) Friday, Oct. 20, 2017

Holiday Dance, Formal Friday. Dec. 15, 2017

Sweetheart Special, Dressy Friday, Feb. 16, 2018

Debonair Dancers Highlights Volume 60, No. 2 March 2017 www.debonairdancers.org

Membership Matters New members We have no new members since the very successful Sweetheart Special. However we do have two returning couples: Aurel Keck & Donna Keiffer, and Lisa Sanders is back with us, bringing a new partner, Joe Hinds.

This brings our membership to 87 couples as we close out the fiscal year. This number is down a little from this time last year. We have managed to replace most of those who left us for one reason or another, but we always need to set our sights on that 100 member limit.

Dues increase As we said last time, your Board always tries hard to keep our prices as low as possible, but as I am sure you all understand that your club’s costs continue to rise and we must balance the budget. During our transition to new catering, we were able to absorb the increased costs using reserve funds. Now it is clearer what the future meal charges will be. J&R Catering comes from Alameda, and needs to use the kitchen in Sunnyvale. The rental adds to our fixed per-dance costs, so Board voted to increase the annual dues, starting now, to $75 per couple.

The results are in

The election of the new Board took place at the February dance. In a most unusual turn of events, all of the candidates ran unopposed. There were no heated debates and no one was ejected from the room. What a civilized procedure! As a result your new Board is:

• President: Jim & Laura Clarke-Moore • Past-President: Jim & Robyn Alves • Treasurer: Pat & Janet Keating • Secretary: Dana Ellingen • Event Director: John & Anneke Vandenbogaardt • Assoc. Evet Director: Bob & Nancy Wulff • Membership Chair: Wes & Evie Williams • Member-at-Large (catering liaison): Nora Mason • Member-at-Large (music liaison): Howard Feinberg &

Maureen Thrush • Editor: Campbell & Joyce Scott

This slate leaves open one Board position – an opportunity for you to join, give back to your club and have fun doing so. Email us, campbell@castlescott.com or joyce@castlescott.com with suggestions or comments. Keep the Beat.

Editors: Joyce and Campbell Scott

Next Board Meeting

The May 11th Board Meeting at 7:30 pm, will be hosted by Nora Mason & Dana Ellingen, at 20282 La Paloma, Saratoga. Everyone is welcome, but please call ahead to 408-867-1707.

The Chief steps down. Hail to the new Chief at the Presidents’ Ball

Sunnyvale Senior Center, Orchard Pavilion

550 East Remington, Sunnyvale 6:30 to 11:00 pm, Friday, 21th Apr, 2017

Bubbly tasting: starting at 6:30

Attire: Black Tie Optional

Music by Bob Gutierrez Band

Members and new guests: $89.00 per couple Repeat guests: $106.00 per couple

(in the same calendar year)

Buffet Dinner: 7:20 pm Chicken scaloppini

Oven poached salmon with aioli cream sauce Wild rice blend, sweet peas and Julienne carrots

Spring salad mix with balsamic vinaigrette Sliced French bread

Flourless chocolate cake with whipped cream

Host Couples Kathy & John Taecker Lynda & Ray Barbieri

Note that dues are due for 2017-18. Please include a separate check for $75

if you have not already paid.

To cancel your reservations and receive a refund, call John or Anneke at 408-997-3474 no later than 5 pm on the Tuesday before the dance. If the dance has a waiting list, later cancellations may be refunded. Please call if you reserved and are unable to attend.