CALLERLAB History
CALLERLAB began when a founding committee of four Hall of Fame callers made up of Bob Osgood, Lee Helsel, Arnie Kroneberger and Bob VanAntwerp planned a meeting in 1971. Fifteen callers from the Sets In Order Hall of Fame were invited to attend because their backgrounds and accomplishments formed the most impressive foundation of square dance caller-leadership at that time. By working together, these Hall of Fame callers presented a "body of knowledge" that the greatest percentage of callers could respect and follow. Summaries from past regional meetings were studied and, following a long preparation period, major discussion topics regarding the nature and needs of the activity were prepared as a partial charter framework for the potential organization.
Eleven of the invitees were able to attend: Marshall Flippo, Ed Gilmore, Lee Helsel, Bruce Johnson, Arnie Kronenberger, Frank Lane, Joe Lewis, Bob Osgood, Bob Page, Dave Taylor, and Bob VanAntwerp. When the meeting, held at Asilomar Conference Grounds in California, concluded, the group enthusiastically and unanimously signed the charter and began planning for the future. It was decided that the initial growth of the organization would be on a gradual basis, and that each person selected for membership would be personally invited to attend. A second meeting was held in July of that same year. Don Armstrong and Earl Johnson were included as new members and the total membership was now at thirteen. Arnie Kronenberger served the early sessions as chairman pro-temp. It was decided that during these early stages, CALLERLAB would conduct business under the wing of The Sets In Order American Square Dance Society, and that it's home office and staff would be provided by SIOASDS, without cost to CALLERLAB.
Meeting number three was held in February of 1972, with Jerry Haag, Jerry Helt and Jim Mayo present as new members. The fourth Asilomar meeting was held in July of 1972, and Al Brundage and Manning Smith became members. In February of 1973, the meeting included seven new members: Stan Burdick, Cal Golden, C.O. Guest, Jack Lasry, Johnny LeClair, Melton Luttrell, and Bill Peters. This session concentrated on plans for the first CALLERLAB Convention in 1974. By this time, the total "founding" and "charter" membership had reached 25 and this body was designated the CALLERLAB Board of Governors. Jim Mayo was elected the first Chairman of the Board.
Bob Osgood served as Executive Secretary during the critical formation years from 1971 thru 1974, while Stan Burdick served in the same position from 1974 to 1975. In 1976 CALLERLAB hired John Kaltenthaler as their first full time, paid Executive Secretary, and in 1980 they added Herb Egender as an Assistant Executive Secretary. George White served as Executive Secretary during the 1990's with a full staff in Rochester, Minnesota. Jerry Reed became the Executive Director of CALLERLAB in 1999, and now leads a new home office staff in Cocoa, Florida.
CALLERLAB has accomplished a great deal in the years since its inception. One of its first tasks was to try to control the large number of new movements being written and forced on the dancers each month. The result was a Quarterly Selection Program, which limited how many new moves dancers would be exposed to. Definitions and standardization of calls for the various programs from Basic through Challenge 2, were also finalized in written form. The styling for all definitions was undertaken by a Styling Committee and the Timing Committee worked on the number of steps it takes to dance each movement comfortably in time with the music. For the first time square dance programs were identified and standardized for use throughout the world. CALLERLAB continues to monitor the evolution of these standardized square dance programs by evaluating each one every two years.
CALLERLAB continues to hold annual conventions with emphasis on quality education. The callers who attend strive to improve their technical skills, teaching abilities, and leadership styles, as well as share ideas and seek solutions. CALLERLAB has a Curriculum Guidelines for the training of callers and has established accreditation programs for caller coaches, teachers, and general callers. Mini-Lab conventions are also held to reach out to members around the world.
One of the most significant projects, which CALLERLAB completed, was the formation of a Foundation for the Preservation and Promotion of Square Dancing. The Foundation is currently working on a long-range plan to professionally market square dancing for the physical, mental, and social benefits it brings to those who participate. With the support of other organizations, associations, dancers and callers, this plan will carry out market research, develop advertising and public relations campaigns, and align our activity with appropriate corporate sponsors, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. This plan has incredible potential to preserve and promote the joys of square dancing to many more people for generations to come. Contributions can be made to the CALLERLAB Foundation, 467 Forrest Avenue, Suite 118, Cocoa, FL, 32922.
CALLERLAB is committed to unifying the dancer and caller leadership of the activity to promote the fun and fellowship that square dancing and all its associated dance forms can bring to its participants. Through professional leadership, educational materials, conventions, seminars, and a full-time home office staff, its members support the effort to bring this recreational art form, with all its wholesome benefits, to as many people as possible. Bob Osgood , the Founding Father of CALLERLAB , once wrote," There's nothing facing the activity that cannot be handled by dedicated effort. The past has been good and the future can be even better".