DANCER REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
REGISTRATION FORM
Midwest Dancer Registration 2023
SDUSA WAIVER AND RELEASE
All competing dancers must register annually (late fee penalty if postmarked after February 15 will be collected). All cards will be validated with a 2023 sticker on the front (white with gold lettering), and a new white sticker on the back of the card certifying approval for SDUSA to safely start competitions.
The dancers must have a registration card with the 2023 sticker before going to their first competition in 2023. All cards expire on December 31, 2023.
Following are the general guidelines for registration. Regional Registrars, organizers and teachers are requested to remember that everyone is expected to follow the guidelines. We should err on the side of the dancer when making reasonable and fair exceptions.
Teachers who wish to be recognized as the dances’ Teacher of Record at the USIR must sign the dancers’ registration form prior to 30 days before their regional championship.
Every highland dancer who wishes to compete must register under the RSOBHD worldwide (international) registration scheme. All competing dancers must register annually. A late fee penalty will be collected for all annual registrations postmarked after February 15. Brand new dancers registering in Primary or Beginner categories may submit their registration at any time during the year.
For U.S. citizens (or legal residents) the official body for registration is FUSTA. Dancers should register in the region of residence. Dancers who are taking instruction from a foreign teacher should contact the National Registrar.
Dancers must obtain a registration form (which includes the Code of Ethics, Assumption of Risk and the Photo Release Form) from their teacher, their Regional Registrar, or the ScotDanceUSA website. Dancers may be requested to resubmit their registration form if they do not use a current version of the form. (It is advisable that the dancer should keep a copy of the completed form for their records.)
Date of Birth be verified on initial registration via submission of a copy of an official document showing date of birth (e.g. birth certificate, passport). If previously registered prior to 2016, then verification is required.
A teacher is defined as the qualified person who is actively teaching the dancer on a regular basis (more than 3 times in a 12-month period) virtually or face-to-face. The training includes all instruction, either on a personal basis or an individual studio basis, relative to improving Highland Dance skills.
The teacher must be qualified by one of the official examining bodies i.e., BATD, UKA, and SDTA and be a current member (in good standing) of that body.
All teachers with competitive dancers must have completed the SafeSport child protection training.
Undecided and previously registered dancers who have allowed their registration to lapse will be assessed the late fee if registration is postmarked after February 15, 2023.
All teachers must personally sign each registration form. Photocopied signatures will not be accepted. It is understood that this signature indicates the teacher has reviewed and approved the dancer’s registration for the coming year.
If the dancer changes teachers during the year, it is the responsibility of the dancer to notify the National Registrar, in writing. National Registrar will contact regional registrar and SDUSA Secretary.
If a dancer attends any class, workshop or seminar, including tuition by electronic methods that dancer cannot compete in front of any adjudicator who has instructed at such training sessions, for a period of 3 months after the last class, workshop, seminar, or tuition method, electronic or otherwise.
The current registration number must be used for all competition entry forms.
All dancers must be registered and present their current registration card to the competition organizer prior to competing. If no card is produced, the dancer is allowed to compete; however, the dancer MUST produce the registration card to the dance organizer within 10 days from the date of the competition. Prizes must be withheld until a card is produced.
It is the responsibility of the organizer to report the name and address of dancer(s) who competed without a registration card in hand at the time of the competition to the National Registrar within 10 days of the date of the competition.
The card must be produced whether or not a prize was won.
Prizes and registration card will be returned to the dancer within 10 days of receipt of the card, unless other arrangements have been made. Any expense incurred will be the responsibility of the dancer.
Beginning in 2021 all dancers must have a validation sticker on the back of the card which is signed by the Regional Registrar. This is the long white sticker on the back of the card.
It is the responsibility of the organizer to check each card, ensure it is valid with a 2023 sticker, and to stamp cards of Beginner dancers who place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any of the Highland Dances (Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Truibhas, Reel, or Special or Trophy Fling) and also date below stamp. For the Novice and Intermediate categories, their cards will be stamped at every competition where they win a 1st, 2nd or 3rd prize in any dance and date below stamp.
Wrongfully stamped cards: the organizer returns the card to the regional registrar with an explanation of the error and the registrar will write up a new card filling in all the appropriate spaces. There is no charge for this.
Organizers should mark the card with the date (in space provided) if the competitor is receiving their first competition stamp. This is located on the back of the registration card in the space provided along the side.
If the competitor is using the twelve-month rule in the Beginner, Novice, and Intermediate categories it is twelve months from the date of the first competition stamp.
All cards issued in the US will have the address of the National Registrar rather than dancer’s home address.
Participants will dress appropriately and modestly when in public at Competitions.
All registration forms must have a signature of the Parent or Dancer (if over the age of 18) of the RSOBHD Code of Ethics, Assumption of Risk form and the SDUSA Website Photo Release form attached to the registration form. As soon as a dancer turns 18 years, they must immediately sign all new forms.
RSOBHD registered dancers taking part in un-registered competitions which include pre-premier events and/or providing incorrect information will incur a six-month penalty. During this period, they will not be accepted as eligible to enter any registered competitions.
Dancers who move up from one class to another during the year will not pay an additional “upgrade” fee if they have already submitted their annual registration for the year. They will, however, need to send a signed registration form, new photo, their old card and a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) to obtain the upgraded card.
Immediately upon moving up a category, dancers should request a new card.
All completed dancer registration cards must be returned to the regional registrar and will not be returned to the dancer. It is suggested that dancers take a photo of their card as a memento.
Regional Registrars must provide a new card within three weeks of receiving the paperwork from the dancer or teacher. Dancers and teachers may not request rush registrations – turnaround time is three weeks.
The loss of a Registration card should be reported immediately. Lost cards are subject to a $20.00 replacement fee. To receive a replacement card, dancers must provide a new registration form, new photo and SASE. If a Beginner, Novice or Intermediate dancer loses their card, they can receive a replacement in that category for ONLY 12 months from the date of process of original registration for that category. After 12 months the dancer automatically advances to the next category. A letter must be sent to the National Registrar explaining the situation. If approved they can receive a replacement card by submitting a registration form and the appropriate fee. If a Primary or Premier dancer loses their card, A letter must be sent to the National Registrar explaining the situation. If approved they can receive a replacement card by submitting a registration form and the appropriate fee. The Primary dancer may continue to complete their time in the Primary class.
If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact the National Registrar.