The Florida Order Of the Traveling Shoes FACTS Who ?

The Florida Order Of the Traveling Shoes is a secret society of West Coast Swing dancers from around the State of Florida. What ? Their mission is to promote better relationships and mutual support among the different West Coast Swing groups and events throughout the state. Why ? . !"perience with dancers and instructors from different areas increases the general s#ill level of all the involved dancers creating a better dance community as a whole. $. %ncreased attendance at the different events &lessons' wor#shops' dances' etc...( helps to #eep the events viable' thus maintaining the number of event choices for the West Coast Swing dance community. ). Closer relationships and more cooperation among the state*s different groups promotes a more cohesive state community which gives Florida dancers an advantage in the allocation of national dance resources and ma+or events. ,ow ? The Order has grouped the various West Coast Swing dancers throughout the state by area into areas according to their various dances. The Order has also produced an %con' referred to as -the Shoes. and has established a set of rules by which -the Shoes. will pass from dance to dance around the state. %n effect' the dance that possesses -the Shoes. will have and display -the Shoes. at their respective dance. Whichever other group brings the most dancers the most miles to attend that dance' will be awarded -the Shoes. to ta#e home and bring to their ne"t dance' and so on' and so forth' thus encouraging all of the various dance groups to travel the state in pursuit of -the Shoes.. !ach year' the Order will recogni/e the groups that best embody the spirit of the 0uest at a ceremony and by engraving the name of the best traveling group on -the Shoes.. %n addition' the three individuals1couples who have traveled the most miles in pursuit of the shoes throughout the year will receive accolades and rewards. The Officers of the Order will also maintain a Faceboo# page whereby the various groups can announce their possession of -the Shoes.' post details of their ne"t dance' determine which group possesses the shoes &-Who*s 2ot the Shoes ?.( in order to plan their ne"t travel party' review the rules and mileage charts' communicate with the Officers' hosts' and1or any other friend of the Order' register a new dance' or +ust generally tal# trash with the other groups.

The Florida Order Of the Traveling Shoes FA3*s . What does it cost to participate ? 4 At this time' there is no fee charged by the Order to any dancer' group' host' dance or venue to be a member or friend of the Order or to participate in the pursuit of -the Shoes.. There are no dues. The Order*s operating costs will be entirely sponsor provided. The only costs for a dancer to participate are the normal costs involved in traveling to and attending1hosting the dances and maintaining an internet connection for Faceboo# access which are the responsibility of the individual members1friends1hosts. $. ,ow do we get our dance on the schedule ? 4 The host sends a friend re0uest to the Order via the official Faceboo# page. Once friended' the host will post a message listing the appropriate information for the dance &type' date' time' fre0uency' venue address' contact info' etc...(. The Officers will then ac#nowledge the new dance and will add entries to the mileage chart and calendar for the new venue. That*s it. ). ,ow do we get -the Shoes. for our dance. 5 6ecome familiar with the rules posted on the Faceboo# page. Access the Faceboo# page and determine -Who*s 2ot the Shoes.. Chec# the events calendar to identify the dance where -the Shoes. will ne"t be available. Organi/e a travel party from among the other members of your group and attend the dance. 7ist your members on the travel roster &available from the Faceboo# page or from the dance host( and present the roster to the dance host prior to the submission deadline. Wait for the announcement by the host of the winning group. 8. Who will ma#e sure everybody plays by the rules ? 5 As golf is a game for ladies and gentlemen' so is dancing and so is the Florida Order of the Traveling Shoes. Therefore' the rules will be administered by the dancer*s themselves on the honor system. The Order has every reason to believe that the dancers will operate in the most honest and ethical way possible. That being said' bribery' non5violent coercion' bac#door deals' etc... within the rules are strictly encouraged. ,A9! F:; <<< Suggestions= Travelers could contact the host instructor in advance and arrange a semi5private1small group lesson for your party before the dance or the following day if spending the night. 2o early the day of the dance or spend the night and do some sightseeing in the area. >a#e it a roadtrip. Contact dancers in the area and arrange a group meal prior to the dance or a special activity the day after &softball game ?(. >any dancers have guest rooms. %f you are traveling too far to drive home after and can*t afford1don*t want to get a room' perhaps arrangements could be made. ,ost instructors could offer discounts or per#s for travelers on lessons or entry fees or offer special wor#shops the afternoon of the dance for traveling dancers arriving early. There are easily a hundred more.

On Faceboo# 4 Florida Order of the Traveling Shoes email 4 footsdirector ?gmail.com