MAKE A DIFFERENCE (From Callerlink 144 Feb2001)
By: Jeff Garbutt, Western Australia

Now let's put things into perspective. We are now officially into the third millennium. And square dancing is still a relatively young thing. Although our origins are quite old and date back probably 500 years or more, the activity we know as square dancing is probably really only about 50 years old. And the mainstream/plus/A/C programs are about 20 years old. So we are still a relatively young activity which we, all of us, are in a powerful position to influence.

When I look back on my (personal) heroes of the square dance world, (such as Bruce Johnson, Bob Van Antwerp, Bob Osgood and many more who took square dancing from the post war era of the 1940s and 50s to the modern era of the 70's and 80's), I wonder who will carry the torch they lit so brightly all those years ago into this new era ? The answer, of course, is us. In fact all of us. We have the privilege and the responsibility to help shape square dancing for future generations

Which brings me to the question - what part will square dancing have in this new era? Well let's look at some of the good things that happen in square dancing. It promotes fun, friendship, health, teamwork and generally breaks down barriers between people. 
(Fade in background music - Aussie Tempos 1012 - Light the candles).
Humanity has struggled through religious awakenings, the dark ages, renaissance, the industrial age, world wars, the space age, the 60's, the cold war and now the technological age. I believe that sometime in the future we will move into a global age with the recognition that all nations are in fact one race. And from there we (humanity) will work as one to solve our global problems. This new age will need products that: "promote fun, friendship, health, teamwork and generally break down barriers between people". We already have that product! We just need to shape it to fit into the future. 
(Fade out background music).

We all need to look at what we can do. Instead of saying something like "why doesn't someone do something to revitalise the movement?" - you should say: "what can I do to revitalise the movement?" Or, with apologies to JFK, "ask not what square dancing can do for me - but what I can do for square dancing".

We can all make a difference - so get together with your dancers - other callers - maybe even non-dancers and work to make a difference.

The future is ahead, it is up to all of us to make sure it is a good one 

That's enough of the philoshopy. Becoming grandparents just before Christmas was wonderful, and I thank everyone who sent us congratulations.