Youth & Teen Dances

We run responsibly-operated teen (Grade 7&8) and youth dances (Grade 9-12) within Stratford, and fully understand the desire for Community Groups to use our dances to help in their own fundraising efforts. As a result, we partner with local community groups under a profit sharing model. Groups that awarded a dance simply provide volunteers, and work with City staff to carry out the event in safe and fun manner. At the end of the evening, net profits from the dance are calculated, and shared between the Community Group and the City. Community dances have become a win-win for all parties involved.

How can we direct you?

Calendar of Dances
How your group can become involved
Recent groups awarded a dance
Roles and responsibilities
How much profit should our group be expected to earn?
Submit an application

Calendar of Dances

Check out our upcoming Grade 7 and 8 teen dance dates!

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How Your Group Can Become Involved

To ensure the selection process is fair for all groups, two call outs will be made between September and June of each year. Community Groups should complete an electronic application when it opens. Groups are not guaranteed their first choice of dance. If two groups request the same dance date, a process by lottery will determine which group will be granted the dance.

As we typically receive a large number of applications, we will only contact those organizations who are awarded a dance.

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Recent Groups Awarded A Dance

The following organizations were awarded, by lottery, a dance for the most recent 2013 call out.

January – Girl Guides of Canada
February – Stratford Minor Hockey PeeWee
March – Stratford Volleyball Club U16 Boys
April – Stratford Minor Baseball Club
October - Gallery Stratford
November - Stratford Minor Baseball
December - Perth County Cricket Association
January 2014 - Stratford Women's Dragon Boat Team

Thank you to all those who submitted an application.

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Roles and Responsibilities

What are the roles and responsibilities of the volunteer group?

In order for a community group to qualify to operate a Teen Dance at the Kiwanis Community Centre, they must commit to supply the following:

• Provide a main event contact to the City; he/she will be provided event materials from the City, and must agree to be present on-site all times during the course of the dance
• Provide ten (10) responsible adult volunteers eighteen years of age or older, between the hours of 7:30 pm -11:30 pm the night of the dance.
• Take the lead in any additional marketing/advertising efforts of the dance
• Provide the City with details on how their share of the net profits will be used

Volunteers will fill the following roles:

• Front Door Monitor (1) – to control traffic in and out of the facility, and to enforce a “no re-entry” policy
• Washroom Monitor (1) – to ensure washrooms are checked regularly for safety and security
• Ticketing (1) – receive tickets/money as youth enter. Stamping or wristband will occur
• Concession Booth Attendant (1) – sell concession goods, and collect money
• Dance Floor Monitors (4) – assist in controlling exists, provide participant assistance, spot unwanted behaviour, report to supervisor or police
• Parking Lot Monitors (2) – assist in monitoring outdoor space

What are the roles and responsibilities of the city?

The Community Services Department, as the coordinating body of both dances, will fulfill the following duties:

• Book of the community facility
• Book of disc jockey and lighting services
• Arrange of two (2) security personnel, or two (2) paid-duty Police Officers (if needed)
• Provide definitions of roles and responsibilities for volunteers
• Provide two (2) City staff at the dance to assist volunteers with their duties
• Market/advertise the dance in the Leisure Activity Calendar and Leisure Activity Handbook
• Sell advance tickets
• Collect of dance revenues
• Disburse share of the net profits to the community group
• Provide liability insurance for the dance

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How much profit should our group be expected to earn?

A sample profit model for Teen Dances held at the Kiwanis Community Centre is illustrated below.  Under no circumstances are these figures guaranteed.

Based on a maximum of 260 teens in attendance:

Income

Tickets (260 x $10.00) $2,600.00
Booth $250.00 $2,850.00

Expenses

Police $ 0.00
DJ/Lighting $500.00
Facility $330.00
Booth Expense $125.00
Tickets Printed $ 85.00
Marketing/Advertising $ 40.00
SOCAN $ 67.00
Staffing $200.00 $1,347.00

Net Profit/Loss $1,503.00

Community Group at 65% share of net profits $976.95
Community Services at 35% share of net profits $526.05

Please note: A single honorarium payment of $25.00 per volunteer will be issued to a Community Group if a dance fails to generate more than $500.00 in net profits.

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