Dancer FAQs
Image by: Jamak Fabrication
Q- What are Dancers?
A- Dancers are the real heroes of DDM. A Dancer is an individual who dedicates hours of their time to the marathon. They raise money from friends, family, or businesses. During the marathon, Dancers are the VIP’s! The DDM Club provides them with great food, prizes, and entertainment throughout the marathon.
Q- I can't dance very well. Why should I be a Dancer?
A- Being a Dancer does not mean that the focus is on dancing. Dancers should know that they are a part of something much bigger than themselves as they join in the fight to cure Diabetes. They will attend DDM not to dance, but to show their support!
Q- What if I Don't Know Anyone at DDM?
A- That's not a problem! If you're registered to be a Dancer, then the Dancer Relations Committee will pair you up in on a team. Each team will have a Dance Captain who will plan socials as well as large fundraiser events with up to 10 people. If you like riding solo, no problem! Just know that attending at least one social or fundraiser can help you meet new people who will be at the marathon with you.
Q- Will I Have Time for This?
A- Dancers might be one of the most important members of the Diabetes Dance Club, but they also determine how much time they want to contribute. Dancers are required to attend one orientation session. Afterwards, $50 becomes pretty easy to come up with from supportive family members, neighbors, and friends. People who are interested in being a part of Diabetes Dance Marathon but do not have the time to be Committee members are highly encouraged to be Dancers!
Q- Are There Leadership Opportunities As Dancers?
A- There sure are! Dancers can become Dance Captains if they wish to do so. This means gathering a group of 5-10 friends or having a group of Dancers assigned to one Dance Captain. Unlike regular Dancers, Dance Captains must be committed individuals. They meet with club members often to plan events and act as a liaison between the club and Dancers. If you think you have the leadership skills to become a Dance Captain or want to know more about it, then click here.
Q- What is the Fundraising Minimum?
A- The fundraising minimum is $50 for Warwick Valley High School Dancers, and $25 for students coming from other neighboring high-schools. However, every Dancer is encouraged to set their fundraising goal higher than the minimum.
Q- Why is the Minimum so High? Most Dances are Free.
A- You are fundraising, not paying. Fundraising may seem like a lot of work, but in reality they can be easy and a lot of fun. Most dance marathons have a fundraising minimum between $150-$700. Dancers also have hours of free food and entertainment at Diabetes Dance Marathon. Taking that into perspective, the minimum is rather low.
Q- Why are other high-school students fundraising half the amount that Warwick students fundraise?
A- The fundraising minimum's difference is due to the fact that many if not all larger fundraiser events, like Dine for Diabetes Week, will be local. To account for the price of gas and other expenses, the minimum is less. This does not mean that we don't encourage every Dancer, no matter the student, to fundraise past their minimum. Prizes are available to Dancers no matter what school you attend.
Q- Where does the money go?
A- Every cent that a Dancer fundraises goes directly to our beneficiary, the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. To find out more about Diabetes and its research, click here.
Q- How am I supposed to raise $50 on my own?
A- You aren't alone! We have a whole committee at the DDM Club devoted to seeing you reach your $50 minimum and go beyond! You can contact a Fundraising Committee member at their page. There are plenty of ways that you can fundraise that $50, too! Just check out the Fundraising Tips and Tricks page to get some ideas!
Q- What do I do during the Diabetes Dance Marathon?
A- You have fun! There'll be a lot to do, from eating free food, listening to Diabetes speakers, and of course DANCING! The Club will also be working on creating theme blocks during the marathon, so that way boredom is never an option. Check out the Entertainment Committee's page to see what they are planning. You are the star of the Diabetes Dance Marathon, so the club works hard to make sure you have an unforgettable night!
Q- What if I can't make it through the whole marathon?
A- No one is going to force you to stay for the full duration of the marathon, but if you want to see the closing ceremony then you are encouraged to be there. Once you leave you cannot re-enter. DDM will be a rewarding experience because you know what a great cause you are benefiting! It is a fun challenge that you will remember forever.
If you have questions about your upcoming experience as a dancer, don’t hesitate to e-mail DDM at [email protected]. The DDM Club looks forward to seeing you at the first Diabetes Dance Marathon at Warwick Valley High School!
A- Dancers are the real heroes of DDM. A Dancer is an individual who dedicates hours of their time to the marathon. They raise money from friends, family, or businesses. During the marathon, Dancers are the VIP’s! The DDM Club provides them with great food, prizes, and entertainment throughout the marathon.
Q- I can't dance very well. Why should I be a Dancer?
A- Being a Dancer does not mean that the focus is on dancing. Dancers should know that they are a part of something much bigger than themselves as they join in the fight to cure Diabetes. They will attend DDM not to dance, but to show their support!
Q- What if I Don't Know Anyone at DDM?
A- That's not a problem! If you're registered to be a Dancer, then the Dancer Relations Committee will pair you up in on a team. Each team will have a Dance Captain who will plan socials as well as large fundraiser events with up to 10 people. If you like riding solo, no problem! Just know that attending at least one social or fundraiser can help you meet new people who will be at the marathon with you.
Q- Will I Have Time for This?
A- Dancers might be one of the most important members of the Diabetes Dance Club, but they also determine how much time they want to contribute. Dancers are required to attend one orientation session. Afterwards, $50 becomes pretty easy to come up with from supportive family members, neighbors, and friends. People who are interested in being a part of Diabetes Dance Marathon but do not have the time to be Committee members are highly encouraged to be Dancers!
Q- Are There Leadership Opportunities As Dancers?
A- There sure are! Dancers can become Dance Captains if they wish to do so. This means gathering a group of 5-10 friends or having a group of Dancers assigned to one Dance Captain. Unlike regular Dancers, Dance Captains must be committed individuals. They meet with club members often to plan events and act as a liaison between the club and Dancers. If you think you have the leadership skills to become a Dance Captain or want to know more about it, then click here.
Q- What is the Fundraising Minimum?
A- The fundraising minimum is $50 for Warwick Valley High School Dancers, and $25 for students coming from other neighboring high-schools. However, every Dancer is encouraged to set their fundraising goal higher than the minimum.
Q- Why is the Minimum so High? Most Dances are Free.
A- You are fundraising, not paying. Fundraising may seem like a lot of work, but in reality they can be easy and a lot of fun. Most dance marathons have a fundraising minimum between $150-$700. Dancers also have hours of free food and entertainment at Diabetes Dance Marathon. Taking that into perspective, the minimum is rather low.
Q- Why are other high-school students fundraising half the amount that Warwick students fundraise?
A- The fundraising minimum's difference is due to the fact that many if not all larger fundraiser events, like Dine for Diabetes Week, will be local. To account for the price of gas and other expenses, the minimum is less. This does not mean that we don't encourage every Dancer, no matter the student, to fundraise past their minimum. Prizes are available to Dancers no matter what school you attend.
Q- Where does the money go?
A- Every cent that a Dancer fundraises goes directly to our beneficiary, the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. To find out more about Diabetes and its research, click here.
Q- How am I supposed to raise $50 on my own?
A- You aren't alone! We have a whole committee at the DDM Club devoted to seeing you reach your $50 minimum and go beyond! You can contact a Fundraising Committee member at their page. There are plenty of ways that you can fundraise that $50, too! Just check out the Fundraising Tips and Tricks page to get some ideas!
Q- What do I do during the Diabetes Dance Marathon?
A- You have fun! There'll be a lot to do, from eating free food, listening to Diabetes speakers, and of course DANCING! The Club will also be working on creating theme blocks during the marathon, so that way boredom is never an option. Check out the Entertainment Committee's page to see what they are planning. You are the star of the Diabetes Dance Marathon, so the club works hard to make sure you have an unforgettable night!
Q- What if I can't make it through the whole marathon?
A- No one is going to force you to stay for the full duration of the marathon, but if you want to see the closing ceremony then you are encouraged to be there. Once you leave you cannot re-enter. DDM will be a rewarding experience because you know what a great cause you are benefiting! It is a fun challenge that you will remember forever.
If you have questions about your upcoming experience as a dancer, don’t hesitate to e-mail DDM at [email protected]. The DDM Club looks forward to seeing you at the first Diabetes Dance Marathon at Warwick Valley High School!