Mission Statement:

Dances of Universal Peace North America (DUPNA) promotes the Dances of Universal Peace and Spiritual Walks, by providing support, resources, and networking opportunities to dance communities throughout the North American region.  

Vision Statement:

DUPNA envisions a world where peace, justice, interfaith celebration, and spiritual nourishment can be experienced and realized through the Dances of Universal Peace.

A core value is to expand inclusive circles that inspire the next generation of dancers and foster practices that resonate with the unique conditions of the times in the service of peace and unity.  

The DUPNA Board of Directors

 
Majida Myriah Pazereckas Roy (WA; BOD, President)
Jane Sky (MI; BOD, Vice-President Secretary)
Tajali Theresa Tolan
(Treasurer, WI)
      Astarte Sellars        (BOD, B.C., Canada)
       
Adam Wolter (MN; BOD)
Ted Mubdi Ryle (WA, BOD)
 Hayat Donna Bain (VA; Regional Administrator)
  
 

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 2020:

  • Updated DUPNA Mission/Vision Statements and Non-profit Corporation Bylaws

  • Offered ‘Quarterly Concentration’ to dance communities to support positive focus for collective and individual contemplation and action.

  • Facilitated Zoom events:

    • Urs of Murshid Sam with Murshid Mariam Baker

    • DUP and the Pandemic: Dancing, Connecting and Looking Inward

  • Revamped the annual Holiday Card process with an updated mailing list. Shared another beautiful piece of original art by Nurullah Anya Godwin on this year's card.

  • Continued to publish an informative quarterly newsletter

  • Welcomed a new board member!

  • Hired an accountant to assist with finances

  • Maintained our current FB page, and created a new Page – Dances of Universal Peace: the Beloved Community

  • Updated financial and website software programs; purchased a new work computer; migrated e-mail to a new host company

  • Kept up communication with the dance community via e-mail letters and FB posts

  • Started organizing and archiving DUPNA documents into a shared cloud application

  • Continued dialogues between Dances of Universal Peace (DUPIN) and North America (DUPNA) to support and strengthen communication, connection, and collaboration


Goals for 2021:

  • Develop short, medium, and long term goals to meet the mission and vision of our organization.

  • Explore potential restructure – What sort of leadership will support our goals?

  • Update and revamp the website to increase dynamic content and highlight dance communities and events.

  • Continue publishing quarterly newsletter, with an eye toward connecting newsletter and website content. Explore strategies for increasing dance community engagement with newsletter development and readership.

  • Continue offering ‘Quarterly Concentrations’

  • Manage financial donations and make practical investments for the benefit of the organization and those we serve

  • Continue to provide an annual holiday card with original art

  • Explore new fundraising strategies

  • Identify ‘special projects’ and enlist volunteers to assist with them

  • Increase board membership

  • Host at least 2 Zoom events

  • Continue DUPIN and DUPNA dialogues

     

    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 (a registered Service Mark). 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