Effective September 2026 there will be changes to our Mainstream and Plus Dance Programs. Some of the current calls will be changing between the Mainstream, Plus and Advanced programs. Eight new calls are being added to Plus Program.

Today to dance the various dance levels you should be proficient with the required calls within each of the dance programs. Each dance program includes the calls of the previous program levels, so Plus includes all the Mainstream calls.

Our focus is the changes to the Mainstream and Plus Programs:

Dance Level	Today	Sept 2026
I. Basic	48 calls	N/A
II. Mainstream	67 calls	50 calls
III. Plus	96 calls	100 calls

Who: Callerlab, the organization callers created in 1974 to standardize the calls in the programs, has adopted these changes. Just like our WNYF clubs belong to the Federation to provide insurance, our callers belong to Callerlab for their required licenses, insurance, etc.

Why: To simplify our dance levels and programs and make it possible for our clubs to offer more than one class a year for new dancers. Dance festivals and conventions will be easier and cheaper to plan with offering fewer dance programs.

How it will be affecting us: Together, we all will need to learn the changes. It impacts us all, our callers and our dancers. Our callers have the biggest challenges with these changes. They need to teach us the impacted calls and incorporate them into their choreography. Several of our WNYF callers are already introducing some of the new calls. As dancers we will need to listen more closely to the calls and not just execute them.

We all will need to be patient as we transition.

Mainstream Program List Plus Program List

Debbie and Jeff Blood

The Federations purpose is to promote square and round dancing through a variety of activities and provide a forum for coordination among its affiliated 15 clubs.

The Federation’s Executive Board meets with club presidents or representatives a minimum of 6 times a year to keep clubs informed of programs, issues and help coordinate activities.

Western NY Federation of Square and Round Dancers Inc (WNYF) is a not-for-profit 501 c 3 organization that maintains the following online presence for the benefit of our member clubs and dancers:

Our WNYF website
Our WNYF Facebook page
Our WNYF Quarterly Online News


The WNYF website online news is updated quarterly, on the first day of March, June, September, and December.

The WNYF website includes the following information for our WNYF Clubs:

• Club Dance Schedules along with Ads and Flyers
• WNYF Club Presidents & Contacts
• Caller and Cuer contact information
• Club News, Articles and Photos
• Insurance - Membership in the WNYF enables our clubs to purchase USDA dancer and liability insurance which is required by most dance venues.

WNYF organizes the annual Dance-O-Rama (DOR) Festival, traditionally the first Saturday in May This is the largest Square Dance event in western New York. During the DOR program, recent class graduates of the WNYF square dance clubs are recognized. The Daphne-Norma Leadership Award, the highest honor given by WNYF is given to an individual dancer or couple who has demonstrated leadership for an extended period of time, furthering the cause of square and round dancing. Usually between 175 to 200 dancers attend DOR.

Some Activities that have been sponsored by WNYF:

• Annual Grants to help member clubs with New Dancer Recruitment, Promotion and Retention.
• Administers the Mike Callahan Caller Grant Fund- which provides caller education funds to perspective new callers in Western NY Federation region.
• Provides Safety guidelines for member clubs - especially during COVID and post-COVID return to dancing.
• In response to COVID the Federation sponsored Virtual Square Dances and Round Dances via Zoom and held several Free Outside Summer Dances to help clubs dance safely as they returned to the dance floor post COVID
• Provide Western Square Dance Demos and assist with Community Square Dance Events.
• Ordered “Learn to Square Dance” Lawn Signs and made them available to all WNYF clubs.
• Ordered Square Dance Polo Shirts and made available to all WNYF clubs.
• Co-Sponsor Annual New Year's Eve Afternoon Dances, Amateur Calling Night Dances and Free Summer Dances.
• Created the Annual Promotions Task Force to promote square dancing
• Actively promoting square dancer etiquette and creating a welcoming dance environment.
• Sponsors the Daphne -Norma Leadership Award and the Circle of Service Awards

Western NY Federation of Square and Round Dancers - Volunteers
Executive Board:
Co-Presidents: Debbie & Jeff Blood
Vice President: Anne Granger
Treasurers: Donna & Rick LaDonna
Secretary: Lucy Pietrzykowski
Promotions Coordinator: vacant
Insurance: Carol Ann Stahl
Contracts: Mary Claire Carlino
WNYF website: Jim Gotta , Sidney Marshall

WNYF Website Quarterly News - updated March 1st, June 1st, September 1st and December 1st
Editor: Jim Gotta
Obituary coordinator: Anne Granger
Proof Readers: Jim Gotta, Sharon Meyer, Carl Webster, Donna LaDonna, Rick LaDonna, Susan Thomas, Peter Emmel

WNYF Facebook
Content: Debbie Blood
Administrator: Jim Gotta

DOR Committee
Co-Chairs: Debbie & Jeff Blood Linda English, Anne Granger, Lorraine & Gary Granath, Donna & Rick LaDonna, Sharon Meyer, Don Naulin, Mary Jo & David Webster

Recently we heard a comment from a former club president who had moved out of the Rochester Area. She mentioned the important role our Federation plays in helping the square dance clubs in Western NY. The square dance clubs in their new location are struggling and there is no organization like the Federation to assist them.

What makes the WNYF work is the participation of volunteers from every club devoting a small part of their time and attention to the wider dancing community. Whether a Federation volunteer’s role is behind the scenes or in a leadership role, it takes all of us to make the Federation and our clubs successful in keeping square dancing available in western New York. As Co-Presidents of the Federation, we are very thankful and proud of all the dancers who volunteer their time to the Federation and in turn assist our clubs and our dancing community.

Hopefully sharing this insight of the Federation and the role it plays in relationship to our clubs, will encourage others to volunteer to be involved in the Federation and the programs it sponsors. Federation meetings are virtual and not in-person, so you are able to attend from the comfort of your home.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer positions available, please contact us directly at: dfbjvbhome@aol.com Hope to see you on the dance floor!

Debbie and Jeff Blood

Caller Lab – Caller Scholarship Grants Scholarships shall be awarded based on the following priorities: Calling experience, previous training, need, and intentions. Grants shall be awarded based on the following priorities: need, existing skills, training, intentions, and educational aspects of the event/school. Applicants will possess less than two years of calling experience or youth callers.

No award shall exceed $350.

In the event that a husband/wife or other “team” of callers, both of whom are paying for the caller school, should apply, any award given the “team” shall not exceed $700 in total.

The school to be attended must include at least one Callerlab Accredited Caller-Coach on the staff and the school must offer the full 40 hours Callerlab Caller School Curriculum, or be a 40-hour school focused on specific topics within the Curriculum.

Applicants must complete the application form in its present or later amended form. Applications will be accepted at the CALLERLAB Home Office prior to the start of the school to be attended. Applications received after the school will not be considered. Each applicant must submit a written essay. This essay must include:

1) brief history of dancing & calling experience
2) history of past caller training, including list of schools
3) statement of need
4) and a statement of intention.

Those callers who have been calling less than five years and have not yet attended a caller school shall be given priority in the selection process. No single individual shall receive more than one scholarship award from this Fund. No husband/wife or other “team” shall receive more than one scholarship award from this Fund, considered jointly or separately. Applications by a caller or “team” who has received another scholarship through Callerlab or the Callerlab Foundation will not be considered nor approved within a 24-month period of the approved grant/scholarship.

The Callerlab Foundation Executive Directors shall review each application and may award additional grants as deemed appropriate by the circumstances of the application.

Caller Lab Info     Caller Lab Applications

WNYF – Caller Grants - The Mike Callahan Caller Grant

The WNYF Board established 2 caller grants:
1. Grant for up to $350 to be used towards the costs of a CallerLab accredited 30+ hour training/school/education and lodging expenses.
2. A $50 grant for any type of caller instruction clinic.

The Mike Callahan Caller Grant will fund the accredited 30+ hour calling school grants. These grants are open to all perspective callers who are currently a member of one of our WNYF clubs. It is recommended any person considering calling school should call a song or two (singer or patter) to see if they really like it before attending a school and applying for grants. We would encourage perspective callers to apply for both the WNYF sponsored caller grant and Callerlab Caller education grants (if eligible) to defray the costs of training/school/education and lodging expenses as much as possible.

A WNYF grant requirement is that the applicant has a WNYF caller mentoring them and recommending them to attend caller training/school/education.

Federation grant form page

Debbie and Jeff Blood

Joann Baxter, member of Silver Squares & Batavia Silver Stars, became involved in this program 15 years ago through a friend. The program is where you donate your unused manufacturers coupons to our military through the Support our Troops Troopons Program (SUPPORTOURTROOPS.ORG) Joann indicated that over the years several churches, senior groups, college kids and groups, hospital staff, and at least three local square dance clubs have donated their coupons. The value of the coupons is estimated based on a formula provided from a group from Rochester Institute of Technology. The value of the coupons is based on the weight of coupons collected.

The to date totals from 2010 through 2025 are: 2059 Pounds of coupons with a dollar value of $ 7,355,333.

If you are interested in participating in this program manufacturers coupons are collected at the Silver Squares Dances held on Monday afternoons or mail them in directly yourself.

Here are the guidelines: Coupons are valid in this program up to two months after their expiration. It is recommended coupons are separated into baggies marked in the following categories: Food   Pets   Household   Baby   Personal items

When sorted by category, it makes it easier for the volunteers to get them where they need to go in the PX’s on the various bases.

The coupons can be mailed the cheapest way to the following address:

Support Our Troops, PO Box 16575, Boise, ID 83715

There is also is a website you can check for additional information: https://supportourtroops.org/troopons

Joann indicated “Our military families thank you for getting the word out about this program. Our support is making a difference”

Debbie and Jeff Blood

Square dancing, like all forms of dancing, has its own set of guidelines.

1. Ready to Dance - When getting dressed for square dancing, think about what you are going to wear… square dance attire, polo shirts, t-shirts or blue jeans. If you sweat excessively, wear a long sleeved top/shirt. Do not wear any jewelry that could poke or hurt someone and make sure you wear comfortable and supportive shoes or sneakers. Avoid using alcohol or drugs or anything that could affect your reaction time or equilibrium before attending the dance. Personal cleanliness is also important in square and round dancing.


2. Arrive on Time - There’s a lot to do and a short time to do it. Give yourself enough time to park, get situated with personal items and check in at the treasurer’s table.


3. Dance at Your Level - Don’t dance over your own level of dance, unless invited. If you haven’t completed mainstream lessons, don’t expect to dance with those who have unless you are explicitly invited. If you are a mainstream dancer and a plus tip is announced, sit out.


4. Square Up Promptly - When the music starts, quickly get on the dance floor. Try to join the square nearest you. It is considered “bad manners” to walk through a square or pass a square needing dancers in order to fill another square. If your square is not full, raise your hand with as many fingers extended as couples needed. If couples are squared up and do not have a hand up, they are waiting for someone who has promised to dance with them. Don’t cut into their square.


5. Dancer Considerations - When squaring up, if needed, introduce yourselves to each person in the square. Check to see if there are dancer considerations in your square. Be aware of “do not swing/twirl” badges. Some dancers have a difficult time lifting their arms and use a tap of the hand instead. Remember to not hold hands too tightly or to grab and clamp down on your hands or hook your thumbs. Be a gentle dancer.


6. Refrain from Talking - Once a tip is underway, refrain from talking. It is frequently difficult to hear and talking may very well prevent someone else from hearing a call. It is also difficult to hear announcements when others are talking. Give the speaker the same consideration you would want.


7. Never Leave a Square Early - Always dance to the end of the tip unless you become ill or there is an emergency. If so, advise the other members of the square so someone can find a replacement.


8. Thank you and Clean Up - At the end of each tip, applaud the caller and then thank each dancer for dancing with you! At the end of the dance, remember the dance is not over until the clean-up is done!

Additional Square Dance Manners

1. Sitting This One Out - You are not required to dance every tip. “No, thank you” is a perfectly acceptable answer. Don’t let anyone talk you into dancing if you need to sit one out.


2. Dance With Lots of Different People - Do your best to always avoid dancing with the same group. Also, when you “square up” don’t always be a Head or Side Couple. Mix it up!


3. Courtesy - Treating others how you want to be treated is a good rule of thumb. Each person who attends a dance should be able to leave saying they were treated with courtesy, friendliness and helpfulness.


4. Refrain From Giving Unsolicited Help to Other Dancers - We have knowledgeable callers/instructors and it is their job to teach students. When people are learning at the class level, angels are teamed up with new dancers in the squares to support the instruction of the caller. They can help the dancers in that specific tip to execute the calls.


5. Mistakes Happen - The goal of square dancing is to have fun, but we all make mistakes. Do not be angry with yourself or anyone else. Remain calm so others are encouraged to keep trying and practicing. If the entire square breaks down, it is best to form lines or square your set and start over again!!


6. Emergency Call for Medical Aid (ECMA) - If a dancer goes down, a second dancer attends to him. The remaining couples join hands and take a step backward (this allows the injured person and attendant space and air). They raise joined hands as high as possible in the form of an arch. Upon seeing this signal, the caller or hall monitor will immediately access the situation and possibly place an emergency call for aid. If you send for medical help or an ambulance, put a spotter outside the building to help the EMT team find the location.


7. Welcome visiting dancers - It is important to try to welcome every visitor to your dance. You want them to like dancing with your club and come back.

SQUARE DANCERS NEED TO SUPPORT THEIR CLUB

Square Dance clubs are the backbone of Square and Round Dancing. While there are Round Dance clubs, there are many more Square Dance clubs where Round Dancing is also a part of the activity. Without our clubs, Square and Round Dancing will cease to exist.

Therefore, it is very important that all dancers belong to and participate in at least one club. As a member of the club, consider how to support the club in addition to paying dues and attending dances.

You can volunteer to be an officer, support refreshment obligations, help set up and/or clean-up at the dances, attend dance demonstrations, attend club meetings, participate in special events, etc.

It is important to help clean up at the end of the dance. The rented hall along with the kitchen, bathrooms may need special clean-up before the building can be locked up and the officers leave.

Etiquette documents

Happy Squares Dances at the Pittsford Community Center on Fridays at 2 to 3:30 pm.

They dance Basic and Mainstream calls. Each week Jim Gotta calls to the level of the floor.

There are several regulars but they also get some folks who haven’t square danced, or it was years in the past. Jim adjusts the calls to the experience level of the participants for that day.

Over the past year, the participation has grown from drawing enough folks to get one square, to now where they typically are drawing three squares. They are having lots of fun!

On the first Friday of each month, Happy Squares celebrates the birthdays for those with birthdays in that month. Below sharing some pictures from their January 2026 celebration.

Happy Squares is open to everyone: current dancers, new class members, people that just want to try square dancing, and dancers that haven’t danced in a while. Pittsford residents are free and non-residents pay $3 per class. The Pittsford Community Center is located at 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY.

Jim Schaefer

What a fun time at Copy Cats Holiday Dinner Dance. We had 7 Squares dancing to Mike Callahan calling and Jim Gotta cueing. Our Kitten Class joined us for our first Class/ Club Dance.

Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful holiday season and fantastic new year!

Debbie and Jeff Blood

Over 50 dancers welcomed 2026 dancing to Jim Gotta calling & cueing at the New Years Eve Dance. Happy New Years everyone!

Debbie and Jeff Blood

Who knew going to a Prom Dance at our age could be so much fun!

Copy Cats held it's first Prom Dance. Many came in formal attire and it was fantastic. We had 6 squares dancing to Jim Gotta calling and Chuck Meyer cueing.

Debbie and Jeff Blood

The weather did not keep dancers away from the Copy Cats Winter Wonderland Dance from 2-4 pm.

We had 7 Squares dancing to Ron Brown calling and Jim Gotta cueing.

We were glad class members from several WNYF clubs joined us.

We had a special treat: Judy & Rick Pratt did a fantastic job performing a singing call to “Baby it's Cold Outside” They both also received their WNYF Silver 25 Club Dangle for dancing to 25 callers & cuers at club dances.

Thank you to the Copy Kittens (class) for hosting the dance. Thank you for bringing treats, helping with set- up & decorations and clean-up. Thank you to Copy Cats Hospitality Committee and other dancers for all their help too.

Debbie and Jeff Blood