Barbara Zoloth

How are you actively and currently involved in same sex ballroom dance?

I have been privileged to serve as founding member and co-chair of NASSPDA’s Board of Directors since January 2007 and am pleased with the progress and growth of this organization. I continue my commitment to the development and success of this transparent and inclusive membership organization dedicated to growing and supporting the same-sex ballroom communities of North America. I also continue to actively compete in international standard same-sex events and to serve on the volunteer organizing committee for April Follies in Oakland, CA. I also helped form and serve on the Board of the newly formed Bay Area Same-Sex Dance Association, a non-profit corporation formed to oversee the production of April Follies

I began same-sex partner dancing socially in the mid 1990's. My same-sex ballroom dancing started in 2002 when I prepared for and competed at the Gay Games in Sydney. I have been an active competitor in same-sex international standard ballroom ever since. Competitions include the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, the U.S. Same-Sex Championships in Orlando Jun 07, in New York in 2008, and in California in 2009.  

I have served on the organizing committee for the 2007 and 2008 California Dreaming competitions, the 2008 and 2009 April Follies competitions and am currently working on April Follies 2010.  

In 2005, two other dancers and I co-founded Rainbow Ballroom, an organization dedicated to producing same-sex ballroom social dance events in the Bay Area.  Rainbow Ballroom has also convened three community meetings, including the meeting out of which came the commitment to form NASSPDA.

I am firmly committed to the creation of a transparent and inclusive membership organization dedicated to growing and supporting the same-sex ballroom communities of North America.

What relevant leadership experience, such as serving on a board of a membership driven or non-profit organization and/or experience in helping to create such an organization, do you have?

I have considerable experience applying my skills to various non-profit organizations.  Those skills include wide-ranging computer applications (spreadsheet analysis, financial reporting, database development, website maintenance and support), extensive financial skills (PhD in Economics, MBA in Finance, and 24 years working for a major commercial bank), and effective facilitation skills.  Several of the Boards on which I've served were actively engaged in issues of social justice and equity which helped me form my commitment to working for greater inclusion.  My board experiences have included facilitating meetings, drafting documents, maintaining and enhancing websites, creating databases, improving financial systems, and writing publications for the organization.  In 1995, I served as a fulltime Interim Executive Director for Spectrum for 4 months.

The non-profit organizations which I have served include the following:

• North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association, Board member and co-Chair 2007-present
• Bay Area Competitions organizing committee (now under the auspices of Bay Area Same-Sex Dance Association for which I serve as Board member and Treasurer)
• National Center for Lesbian Rights (a law firm dedicated to protecting and expanding the rights of all lesbians), Board member 2000-07, Vice-Chair 2003-05, Audit Committee Chair 2005-07, Policy Committee 2003-05, Nominations Committee 2000-07
• Rainbow Ballroom, founding steering committee member 2005 to present
• Spectrum Center of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns (a social service agency in Marin County serving the lgbt community), Board member1990-95, Board Chair 1992-94, Finance Committee, Fund Development Committee, Personnel Committee, Fulltime Interim Executive Director Jan-Apr 1995.
• Campaign to End Homophobia (a national organization devoted to ending homophobia through education), Board member 1989 to present, Treasurer, President, Coordinator of Homophobia Educators Resource Service, website development and maintenance, co-author of pamphlet on "Homophobia"
• Speaking of Lesbians (lesbian speakers' bureau), founder and director, 1989-90