Purpose and Early Years
The United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association, Inc., known nationwide as USABDA, was formed in 1965 to promote the acceptance of ballroom dancing into the Olympics. At that time the late Norman Martin, a leading social and competitive dancer and ballroom dance champion, organized a group of interested amateur dancers to petition the Olympic Committee for inclusion of Ballroom Dancing into the Olympics.
Those early efforts to get into the Olympics failed but in developing the USABDA bylaws, it was realized that the dance world of the American Amateur went far past accommodating the "International Style" competitors who were interested in the Olympics. As the founders of USABDA worked on defining the dancing guidelines and needs to be considered in developing the Bylaws, the American Style competitor and a vast number of serious and dedicated Social Dancers suddenly came into view.
The resultant Bylaws of USABDA addressed three very important areas of association – the International Style competitors, the American Style competitors and the Social dancers. Those early-on plans of USABDA, while helping the competitors to compete nationally and internationally, also helped set the stage for the availability of floors, music and venue for the Social dancers which then were and still are, the backbone and strength of USABDA.
Becomes a National Organization
During its early years USABDA consisted primarily of a small number of members in the greater New York area, a few in the Washington, DC section of the country, plus a small number on the West Coast. In 1978 the Mid-Eastern Chapter was formed and actions were initiated to take USABDA into other parts of the country and to commence creating a national organization. National elections were held in 1979 and the next few years saw the beginning of the present organization, with chapters being formed in several states.
During the 1980s efforts were made to bring all other amateur ballroom dance organizations into USABDA. In 1985 USABDA reorganized and was granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. New Bylaws were formulated providing for a national organization with a regional and chapter structure.
In 1987, a unification election was held that brought all amateurs into one national organization which then was recognized by the international world governing body, now known as the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF). Since then USABDA has functioned as the National Governing Body for all forms of amateur ballroom dancing in the United States.
Activities and Growth
During the last 12 years USABDA focused on promoting the growth of all styles and forms of ballroom dancing, both competitive and recreational social dancing. This included a program to establish a network of chapters in each state. These efforts were very successful with major growth each year in the number of dancers, chapters and related activities such as competitions, workshops and social dances. Much labor and resources were devoted to promoting ballroom dance and DanceSport in colleges and secondary schools, a long term project that will extend over many years.
USABDA organizes and supports educational programs among the public about the healthful aspects of recreational ballroom dancing and DanceSport, the competitive form of ballroom dancing. These programs emphasize the physical, mental and social benefits of dancing, and include the expansion of dancing skills among those of all ages and capabilities.
Annually, USABDA conducts national, regional and local DanceSport Championships. National DanceSport Champions are selected and USABDA then finances their participation in the IDSF World DanceSport Championships. United States representatives also are sent to the World Games, which are held for Olympic recognized sports that are not yet in the Olympic Program.
Journey Into The Olympics
The last few years produced significant progress in DanceSport’s journey into the Olympics. In 1997 the IDSF was granted full recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the worldwide governing body for DanceSport. Then in 1999, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) granted Affiliate membership to USABDA, including recognition as the National Governing Body of DanceSport in the United States.
The next step in DanceSport’s journey into the Olympics will be for the IOC to grant Program Status to DanceSport. That’s when DanceSport will be added to the Olympic Program. It is our hope that this will occur soon.
Focus of Current Activities
The project to gain for DanceSport full status as an Olympic Program Sport and to prepare for that day will continue. However, the main focus of USABDA ‘s current activities is on actions to enable members to achieve their dance goals and to grow the sport, regardless of what may happen some day regarding the Olympics.
In 1999 a separate division was established to promote and guide the growth of social ballroom dancing in the United States. The goal is to promote social dancing as a healthful lifetime recreational activity, with progression to competitions encouraged for those who are so inclined.
Also in 1999, the Youth College Network was restructured and the staff of volunteers was greatly expanded to provide a promotional and management organization that will be capable of meeting the immense challenge of taking social ballroom dancing and DanceSport into every college and secondary school in this nation. That is one of USABDA’s major goals for the next decade. It is the foundation of USABDA’s program to create here in the United States a pool of world class DanceSport Athletes that will dominate the international world of dance in the years ahead.
Summary
In summary, USABDA has developed into a nationwide nonprofit organization of thousands of volunteers who love ballroom dancing and appreciate the excitement and romance, as well as the social and health benefits, that ballroom dancing brings into their lives.
At grass roots level in communities, colleges and secondary schools all over the country USABDA provides opportunities for the public to engage in affordable social ballroom dancing and DanceSport. Beginners are welcomed, helped to get started and then assisted in achieving their goals. USABDA’s goal is for everyone to ballroom dance.
And now . . .
Did you know that USA Dance is an affiliate member and is recognized by the US Olympic Committee, the International DanceSport Federation and the US Congress as the National Governing Body of DanceSport in the
The IDSF has been recognized by the IOC as the worldwide governing body of DanceSport, which is the competitive version of ballroom dancing.
In furtherance of its educational and charitable purposes, USA Dance promotes ballroom dancing as a sport and a recreational activity locally, nationally and internationally.
USA Dance chapters create dance opportunities for local citizens by organizing affordable social dance lessons and workshops. Chapter members present dance demonstrations in nursing homes, retirement homes, hospitals, schools, shopping malls and other public places and strive to educate the public regarding the health and social benefits of ballroom dancing. The goal of each chapter is to serve as the leader and focal point for ballroom dance activities in the community.
USA Dance is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a Section 501c(3) non-profit organization.