RSCDS Activities 2019-20: A Summary

RSCDS Activities 2019-20: A Summary Thank you to all Committees, Staff, Branches and Members for your dedication and hard work

Photo Š Mathieu Trouillet

Summary of the Trustees’ Report 2019-20

Events

Membership

This is a summary of the RSCDS Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31st March 2020. It is not a legal document. The full report has been made available to delegates and can be found at www.rscds.org/about/governance/legal-administrative. This summary version provides the highlights of the year’s activities and the top-line data on the financial position of the RSCDS.

Description

2019-20

2018-19

2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

Branch members HQ members Total members

11,066

10,995

10,879

11,334

11,463

222

232

252

287

292

11,288

11,227

11,131

11,621

11,755

Description

2019-20

2018-19

2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

Spring Fling

150

145

70

92

75

Summer School Winter School Total attendees

626

652

661

633

637

124

149

132

167

130

900

946

863

892

842

Publications & recordings Thirty Popular Dances, Volume Two was published in November 2019. The contents of this publication were based on a survey of the Society’s membership.

The book comprised popular dances that have ‘stood the test of time’, and contained dances not previously published by the RSCDS as well as some of the more popular RSCDS dances. Two accompanying CDs were released, one containing new recordings for the dances that had previously not been published by the Society and the second CD using RSCDS archive recordings.

The final combined volume of The Imperial Book of Scottish Country Dances, Volumes 4, 5 and more was also published in July 2019.

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Teaching, examinations & assessments 58 candidates sat the Unit 1 theory exam, the first stage of obtaining the teacher qualification, and 43 candidates passed the final stage to receive the Teaching Certificate. These newly qualified teachers will support established groups and, by starting new classes, help to promote SCD to new dancers.

Two new examiners completed the necessary accompanied examinations to enable them to become fully qualified examiners.

138 children took the RSCDS Medal Tests during the year and 78 dancers were assessed for the Dancing Achievement Award.

BBC’s Celebrity Antiques Road Trip during 2019 Summer School.

A Marketing Working Group was formed in June 2019 to lead on the development of a new 3 year Marketing and Communications strategy.

The Archive Young Dancers The Scottish Schools Working Group (SSWG) was represented at the Scottish Learning Festival in March 2019 where over 110 useful educational contacts were made.

In November 2019 representatives of SSWG met with the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney (Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills) for a constructive discussion on RSCDS proposals aimed at giving every child in Scotland the opportunity to participate in, and experience the benefits of, Scottish country dancing.

Follow up meetings with representatives from Education Scotland led to the development of a detailed Business Plan, outlining the project’s targets for the first three years. Three main strands will, firstly, aim to upload RSCDS digital resources “Jigs & Reels” and “Dance Trad” to Glow, the Education Scotland intranet, allowing free access by all teachers. Secondly SSWG plans to deliver Inservice training for Primary teachers through the Active Schools programme, run

by Sport Scotland. Thirdly, it is hoped that Year 3 of the Primary Teacher Training course, at Scottish universities, will include a short module on teaching Scottish country dancing. An

ambitious programme seeking external funding to support the above aims is underway.

Marketing & comms The new RSCDS website was launched in March 2019 to promote SCD and additional features will continue to be added over the next few years.

The Society remained active on social media platforms raising the profile of SCD and promoting RSCDS events and merchandise.

Two issues of the members magazine Scottish Country Dancer were produced.

The RSCDS collaborated with Scottish Ballet for BBC Dance Passion week and also received a visit from Judy Murray for the

There was a significant increase in the number of donations to the Archive, including dance bibliography, video and audio recordings, photographs and general memorabilia. A new Research Group has also now been set up.

Governance A new post of Office Manager was created replacing the role of Executive Officer. The post was filled in June 2019. The Board updated the Licence Agreement with Branches.

The final weeks of 2019-20 were severely disrupted by the impact of Covid-19 and you can read more about the Board’s response to this on pages 6 and 7.

Plans for 2020-21 In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the Board intends: 1. To review central costs and reduce expenditure 2. To sustain the interest of members, other dancers and musicians in SCD and the Society 3. To help Branches prepare for a resumption of dancing 4. To continue Society projects including a register of SCD teachers, a new qualification for SCD instructors, dance and music publications, and the development of SCD in Scottish schools 5. To plan for the RSCDS Centenary in 2023

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Financial report The results for the year ended 31st March 2020, as shown in the schedule opposite, show that the Society reported a deficit of £46,717 (2019: surplus £47,504).

This significant turnaround was anticipated and reflects a less financially successful Summer School, ongoing investment in website capability and the fact that 2019 benefitted from a significant legacy.

The Society’s main source of income is the annual subscription. The subscriptions accounted for in the financial year, £197,343 (2019 £205,203), shows a modest fall reflecting timing issues and more couples benefitting from the joint membership option.

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At this point this report would normally continue to compare the financial numbers to the previous year but that was pre Covid-19. The dancing world has changed and we believe that it is more useful for members to be aware of how we believe the current pandemic impacts finances of the RSCDS. Therefore, the schedule summarises the financial activities of the Society, as detailed in the Trustees’ report and financial statements, on one page. Normally this would be compared to the previous year but, on this schedule, it is compared to the Society’s Budget for the year to 31st March 2021. This was not the first budget prepared but the likely impact of Covid necessitated a complete rewrite. The budget that is produced each year covers the General Fund where all the regular income and expenditure occurs. The General Fund deficit

for the year to 31st March 2020 was £6,843, but the revised budget for the General Fund shows a deficit of £139,012.

In order to make the numbers comparable one has to add the charge for depreciation from the Designated Assets Fund and some anticipated spend in the Development Fund and one reaches an anticipated deficit of £170,452 compared with the 2020 actual of deficit of £46,717.

These numbers are shown as the bottom line of the schedule.

Starting at the top of the budget, we never budget for legacies and we reduced the anticipated investment income in expectation of companies reducing their dividends. The lower subscription income reflects the recent subscription reduction, implemented to encourage recruitment by Branches and a modest reduction in membership renewals. Under charitable activities there are yawning gaps where in the past Summer School and Winter School income would have been shown. Similarly, it was anticipated that sales of books and CDs would be hit by the lack of Summer School and the closure of the office. As a result, total income is budgeted to fall from £818,802 to £230,322.

Obviously, the cancellation of the Schools and the Autumn Gathering mean that there are no expenses related to these events but what the Society has lost is the very significant financial contribution of these events. The cost of the magazine was reduced as we anticipated distributing two editions of the magazine

digitally to save money in these difficult times. The support costs are dominated by the staff costs where we anticipated and have benefitted from the UK government’s furlough scheme.

The depreciation charge will be similar to the previous year as we write down the value of the website. Elsewhere miscellaneous expenses which cover stationery, printing, heating, postage, telephone were reduced for the budget. Some governance costs are unavoidable but the budget anticipated reduced travel.

The overall budget shows that, while Covid has caused a significant loss of income, it is difficult and painful to reduce costs to mitigate the impact.

The result is a budgeted deficit of £139,012 for the operations of the Society in the General Fund and with the additional depreciation charge to the Fixed Assets fund giving an anticipated accounting deficit of £170,452.

We are now halfway through the financial year and we have reviewed draft numbers for the first six months. Predictably they show a reduction in subscription income which is usually collected

by Branches when classes start.

This actual reduction looks to be more severe than the budget anticipated so it is vital that Branches make membership returns to the Society, even if they are only partial returns.

Sales of books and CDs are below even the low budget because the shop has been closed, although now reopened, and the continuing difficulty in producing new material. On a more positive note we are very grateful for the

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2020

Revised Budget 2021

£'s 7,259 3,512 34,600

£'s 3,000 26,188

I ncome fr om: Donations and legacies Other trading activities - advertising Investment income Charitable Activities -

Membership subscriptions Summer School Winter School Educational activities Rental income Sales of CDs, music & books

197,343 388,948 94,233 11,720 1,008 63,309

Information & dancing services, the Autumn Gathering

153,080 7,248 38,356

559,218 16,870

2,450

Charitable Activities subtotal T ot al I ncome

Exp e nd it ur e on: Charitable Activities -

Information & dancing services -

Summer School Winter School Sales of CDs, music & books Educational events

Conference weekend & specials Magazine and marketing Website & Archives

Sup p or t Cost s Staff costs Property Equipment, software & support Accounting support Depreciation Miscellaneous expenses Gove r nance Cost s Legal and professional Audit Management Board & Committee meetings

283,060 55,348 25,100 18,363

27,946 37,077 5,244

235,275 18,833 21,300 6,660 26,428 74,504 1,590 7,505 15,204

773,431

201,134

818,802

230,322

381,871

19,093 15,222

34,315

70,267

8,070 18,554 5,325

31,949

383,000

199,326 15,858 20,262 6,074 29,691 36,003

307,214

24,299

3,000 8,007 9,945

20,952

859,437

394,430

6,082

6,344

865,519

400,774

Raising Funds T ot al Exp e nd it ur e Sur p lus/- De ficit for t he Y e ar

45,604

-

46,717

donations received, which are not budgeted for, and investment income has held up reasonably well.

General Fund of £64,342 is not unreasonable compared to the budgeted deficit for the full year of £139,012.

The actual staff costs were similar to budget and miscellaneous expenses were down further on the budget while the equipment and software costs rose with Zoom costs. Governance costs were lower than budget as there is no traveling to meetings.

Overall, the draft deficit for the 6 month period for the

One bright spot in the overall financial picture is that the Society’s investments, which showed a loss in value in the Trustees’ Report of £34,582, have recovered most of their value by 30st September. This indicates an encouraging resilience in the Aberdeen Standard Capital fund which holds the investments.

-

170,452

This year, and possibly next year, will be difficult years for the Society’s finances. The prudent management of our predecessors means that we have reserves to help us survive the Covid induced dancing famine. However, we do need to respond positively to the Society’s appeal and, even more importantly, retain members so that we are ready to start dancing again in what we all hope is the not too distant future.

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Activities since March 2020

This is a synopsis of RSCDS activity following the worldwide disruption to dancing caused by the Covid-19 crisis.

The office was closed on 13th March 2020 and staff began working remotely from home the following week. As part of the overall effort to reduce central costs the Society has taken advantage of the Government’s Job Retention Scheme and the Job Support Scheme, but the Board still had to take the difficult decision of making two members of staff redundant.

All priority tasks have been reallocated among the remaining six members of staff.

On 13th March, Branches were advised to make the welfare of dancers and musicians their priority when deciding whether or not to continue with local events. The Board met virtually on 21st March and cancelled Summer School and agreed with the local organisers to cancel the two Spring Flings scheduled for May. Dancers and musicians who had booked for these events were offered refunds. The Board

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continued to meet monthly in order to manage the Society’s response to the crisis. The Autumn Gathering and Winter School were cancelled and it was decided to hold a remote AGM.

On 27th March, the first in a series of weekly eNewsletters entitled Dance Scottish At Home was issued to provide members and anyone else interested

with some entertainment and to help them stay in touch while staying safe. Alongside the newsletter a weekly music podcast and online dance class have been produced. All three have received excellent feedback and continue to help members stay in contact and engaged in Scottish dance and music.

The newsletter and podcast are now produced fortnightly, with the class continuing with a different teacher every week and broadcast from over ten countries worldwide.

In the absence of Summer School, a week-long virtual Summer Celebration was organised including classes, a dance playlist, a musicians’ workshop and children’s activities, plus contributions from North America, Australia and New Zealand where annual RSCDS schools had also been cancelled. A Virtual Festival attracted entries from several Branches. Their videos were shown during Global Youth Week in October. Plans are in place for a virtual event to follow the AGM. There has been lots of activity

A SUMMER CELEBRATION

AT

on the website and social media platforms with Dance Scottish At Home and Summer Celebration proving popular. The magazine has continued to be published but to reduce costs it was distributed digitally where possible and a new digital viewing platform, ‘issuu’ was trialled.

A printed version was sent by post to members who had not registered a valid email address with the RSCDS and to those who specifically requested one.

A special printed version of Dance Scottish At Home was sent to members in the former group.

A survey was also issued for all members in October to gauge opinion on how the Society should communicate with its members in future.

The crisis has had a profound impact on all Branches. They have made great efforts to stay in touch with their members and run their own online events. A few are dancing again but often in restricted circumstances.

For most, any form of social dancing is impossible in the near future. The RSCDS has published points for groups to consider when thinking about a return to dancing. Despite the uncertainty, members have continued to renew with approximately 4,150 already confirmed by mid October. This is encouraging, but it is important that as many members as possible renew because the crisis has had a seriously damaging effect on the Society’s finances. In addition to the measures already taken, an appeal for donations was launched in October through justgiving.com. So far this year, the Society has raised over £8000 via Just Giving and the RSCDS Donate webpage.

“Thank you for this initiative to keep us dancing and fit.”

Support your Society With your help we want to rebuild the finances of the Society so that we are able to continue to: • Support the return to dancing where, and when, specific needs become evident • Provide training and support for teachers and musicians, alongside ongoing education projects • Regularly review upgrading our technology to allow enhanced digital communication in coming years • Support dancing in Branches, classes and groups through the vital contributions made by office staff, Working Groups, Committees and the Board A donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated and will help the RSCDS recover from the Covid-19 crisis. Please give what you can. www.justgiving.com/campaign/dancing-donations

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Since March there has been very little dancing, but our three Management Committees have remained busy:

Membership Services • Members of the Committee have been the mainstay of Dance Scottish At Home organising the newsletter, the podcast and the weekly Zoom class.

• In August ‘Dance Scottish - A Summer Celebration’, a week of online teaching, music and entertainment was organised.

• Work has continued on other projects, but timescales have been revised. These include: • Producing the latest book in our Combined Volume series covering RSCDS dance books 39 to 45.

• Processing the Branchproduced videos.

• Progressing a book of historic dances celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Sir Walter Scott.

• In addition to being heavily involved with the podcast and A Summer Celebration, the Music Director has continued to update and add to the music resource section of the website.

Education & Training Committee • A Teachers’ Register has been compiled with the names of 890 teachers. It is hoped more teachers will join in the coming year.

• 6 probationary Examiners are ready to begin final training which has been delayed due to Covid-19.

• A sub-group has been formed to develop the Committee’s work on Scottish Step and Highland Dancing.

• Most examinations have been cancelled or postponed, but 15 candidates worldwide sat Unit 1 in October.

• The Medal Test syllabus has been updated following a survey of children’s teachers.

Strathspey has been added to Grade 4 by popular demand.

• Work on the Core Training for Instructors programme is progressing. The paperwork is being checked and experienced teachers will be invited to become trainers for the prospective instructors.

Youth Services • From March to July, the Committee set a weekly Thursday Challenge on RSCDS social media to keep dancers entertained during lockdown. Thank you to everyone who participated with photos, videos and stories.

• The Get Creative section on the RSCDS website was launched in conjunction with A Summer Celebration. It features puzzles and games for young Scottish country dancers. Join us on www. rscds.org/get-creative • Groups from around the world entered the Virtual Festival. Their imaginative videos showing that dancing can be fun in 2020 were premiered online during Global Youth Week in October.

• The Spring Fling 2021 team in Aberdeen are considering options for an event that will be different from any previous Spring Fling.

And finally...

Scottish Schools Working Group

Centenary Working Group

Primary pupils in Scottish schools returned in August but group activities, including dance, are only permitted outdoors at present. Safe guidelines for when lockdown restrictions are eased, and dancing resumes, are being developed in consultation with Sport Scotland.

It is anticipated that the Centenary Working Group will move into overdrive in early spring 2021, two years before the RSCDS celebrates its 100th birthday.

Many of the exciting plans have, out of necessity, been put temporarily on hold due to the pandemic.

These will be shared more widely over the next few months.

THE ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY 12 Coates Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 7AF | +44 (0)131 225 3854 | info@rscds.org | www.rscds.org

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Registered as a Scottish Charity No. SC016085, Company No. SC480530