The DUPNA Board of Directors and Staff

 
Ted Matin Ryle
(WA, BOD Secretary)
Tajali Theresa Tolan
(MT, BOD President)
Vimlan Barra VanDien
(CA, BOD Treasurer)
Jennifer Stock
(CO, BOD)
       
Douglas Stevenson
(TN, BOD)
Chris Miller
(VA, BOD)
Robin Schnitzler
(WI, BOD Trainee)
Jen Friedman (CO, Executive Director)
       
 

About DUP North America

The North American region of the Dances of Universal Peace (often abbreviated as DUPNA, or simply, NA) is one organized region within the worldwide family of regions and communities that foster the growth and expression of the Dances of Universal Peace. Although the global family “network” is every Dance circle, dancer, Dance leader, musician, and supporter of the Dances worldwide, regional organizations have been formed to support the grass-roots network.

The North American region includes the United States and Canada. It is a non-profit public-benefit corporation run by a volunteer Board and Office staff, drawn from the Dance community within North America. Its main purposes are to:

  • Connect people and provide information and ideas, using communication tools like web sites, e-newsletters, social media,, and periodic regional teleconferences;

  • Support the work of the Guidance Council and Dances of Universal Peace International;

  • Steward the NA organization to allow it to fulfill its purposes, including staffing an office at a central location to answer questions and distribute information, maintain the membership database, manage finances and accounting, and support the work of the Board;

  • Carry out specific projects that involve providing outreach funds, coordinating volunteers and projects within the region, fund raising for future efforts and organizing regional events.


Accomplishments in 2023:

  • Welcomed Douglas Stevenson to our board and said goodbye to former Secretary, Susan Slack.

  • Convened a Reconnection Project committee and, with the help of volunteers, reached out to all Primary Circle Contacts listed on the website and updated most Dance Circle's information.

  • Updated DUPNA website information and fixed broken links and outdated information.

  • Facilitated an organized and triumphant presence of our Dance family at our 3rd Parliament of the World's Religions (PoWR) in Chicago, IL.

  • Supported the connection and collaboration of 50 mentored Dance leaders and musicians to co-lead at 8 organized Dance sessions at PoWR.

  • Introduced the Dances to approximately 2000 new people at PoWR through Dance sessions, the DUPNA information booth and promotional materials.

  • Secured domain name DUPNA.org, acquired PEACEDANCE.ORG url, and created and maintained a landing page for the Parliament of the World's Religions event.

  • Continued to communicate to our Dance family and support Dance events, circles and organizers using Facebook and Instagram social media platforms.

  • Launched DUPNA NextGen Council and provided 8 NextGen scholarships to attend and facilitate an official Dance session for over 200 participants at PoWR.

  • Switched banks to a more socially responsible bank and invested funds into a high interest rate CD.

  • Published 4 newsletters with quarterly concentrations.

  • Hosted a Murshid Sam URS event and a Quarterly Concentration Zoom Gathering.

  • In collaboration with Oneness Project, completed a funds transfer to support an in-person NextGen gathering and received the title to Wilderness Dance Camp tent and trailer.


Goals for 2024:

  • Develop opportunities for Dance circles, leaders and dancers to engage with DUPNA projects and initiatives.

  • Survey dancers and Dance circle leaders and organizers as to what kind of support, resources, and networking opportunities would be beneficial to them.

  • Explore social media platforms to support Dance communities in our region.

  • Continue to publish newsletters and Quarterly Concentrations.

  • Host at least four online events for the community.

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to ensure sustainability and provide the resources needed to support our mission.

  • Expand and support the NextGen Council to actuate their goals with the purpose of cultivating a younger generation of dancers and dance leaders.

  • Begin planning an in-person NextGen gathering to be held in 2024 or 2025.

  • Host an in-person Board of Directors meeting and Dances of Universal Peace event.

  • Continue to explore synergies between DUPIN and DUPNA.

     

    From left to right:  Majida Myriah Pazereckas Roy (President, Board member), Tajali Tolan (Treasurer, Board member), Jen Friedman (Regional Administrator), Hayat Bain (Coordinator, Parliament of the World’s Religions 2018), Jane Sky (Vice President and Secretary, Board member), Astarte Sellars (Board member), Charlotte Sabora Henson (Board member).  Missing Board member ~ Ted Mubdi Ryle.  (Taken at the Parliament of the World’s Religions 2018 Toronto)

     

    In its broadest form and at its heart, the Dance network is a worldwide interlinked circle of hearts, as symbolized by our logo. The circle of hearts logo and the word mark "Dances of Universal Peace" are trademarks registered to Dances of Universal Peace International (DUP IN). Dances of Universal Peace, North America is the central organization connecting the many Dance circles across North America as well as coordinating with other regions worldwide, and supporting the work of the Guidance Council and its support organization, Dances of Universal Peace International. DUPNA is also a non-profit 501(c)3 legal vehicle, handling tax deductible contributions from US residents.

    Contact DUP North America