39th CALLERLAB Convention 
MILESTONE AWARD
Presented by Elmer Sheffield
This evening I am honored to present a CALLERLAB Milestone Award. Because of our language differences, Tac Ozaki will interpret my remarks. The Milestone Award is CALLERLAB’s highest honor. It is presented to an individual who has met the five point criteria in the field of square dancing and has been selected by the Executive Committee (EC) to receive it. The five points are: . The recipient must have worked in unchartered fields.
- The individual’s contributions to the activity much have stood the test of time.
- These contributions must have been unselfish.
- In the course of making these contributions, the recipient must have displayed true leadership and professionalism.
- Finally, the recipient’s work must have had a broad influence on the activity.
Tonight, I am privileged to present the Milestone Award to an individual who has truly accomplished each of the criteria listed. He is a pioneer, a leader, and a motivator; a man with visions of promise for the future.
In 1985, he became President of the Japan Square Dance Association (JSDA) at a time when it had 136 clubs and 3,035 dancers. During his leadership, JSDA has grown. It now has 503 clubs and 14,726 dancers. This growth occurred over his 26 years of leadership, with his deep commitment to see square dancing thrive in Japan.
JSDA adopted CALLERLAB’s Program Policy in 2007. The information, program definitions, and guidance have been relayed to six regional branches of JSDA together with the domestic ones. With his guidance, JSDA has sent representatives to several CALLERLAB Conventions. Our recipient negotiated with the Japan Government to allow JSDA to become a public service corporation, which increased square dancing’s public recognition and its population. He was also instrumental in the development of educational programs, leading JSDA to conduct and support various schools, workshops and, clinics for callers, instructors, cuers, dancers and leaders to help them improve their qualities and skills. He developed concrete goals, courses, policies, plans, and leadership which gained popularity for square dance activities in Japan.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to present CALLERLAB’s Milestone Award to the President of the Japan Square Dance Association, Mr. Tatsuzo Takase.