KSDA Hall of fame

Members of the Russell Cross Trailers, David and Jean served several terms in every club office and numerous times as Committee Chair Couples. Voting to be a committee run club, they assumed the duties of securing callers and cuers for the Cross Trailers’ dances and submitting the club’s dance information to Travel On. After the Cross Trailers folded, they continued to travel to dance and play an active role in the KSDA and Northwest District’s actives. David and Jean joined KSDA in December 1979 and are currently 35-year active members.

Taking an active role in the development of square dancing in the Northwest District, David and Jean served seven years as District Chairpersons from 1986 until 1993. Under their leadership, the District grew from a semi-developed District to a well-organized District of 12 active clubs. When KSDA reduced the number of districts to 4 instead of 6, it was David and Jean who served as the first Secretary for the West District.

Starting in 1995, David and Jean progressed through the KSDA Vice-Presidents’ chain of command to become KSDA Presidents in 1998-1999. After serving one year as KSDA Ex Officio, they joined the Budget Committee, a five-year term. During 2005-2006, they were the KSDA Recording Secretaries. David and Jean were the Kansas State Convention Coordinators for the 42nd Kansas State Square Dance Convention in 1993. With the assistance of John and Rita Moyer, Caller Coordinators, they developed the current Convention Policies. This couple served as Convention Style Show Chairman, and were on the Decoration Committee and many other committees. They were KSDA representatives to the United Square Dancers of America for at least four years. In 2012, David and Jean once again stepped up to place their mark on KSDA history. As members of the first Hall of Fame Committee, they helped form the committee, developed polices, and selected the first inductees to the Kansas Hall of Fame.

It was Jean who suggested having the first National Kansas Dinner at the 48th NSDC in Indianapolis, IN. Thirty-six Kansas dancers attended. When asked by a NSDC representative if Kansas could host a National Convention, Jean’s answer was “YES.” David and Jean were one of the dancers serving on the National Convention Exploratory Committee to determine if Kansas could host a National. They were two of the “prairie people making a difference” in the success of the “Promenade On The Prairie” National.

It is impossible to think of KSDA, the Northwest District, and a National or State Convention and not include David and Jean Mai and their many contributions. KSDA, the Northwest District, and Kansas dancers owe a great deal to this enthusiastic, dedicated couple from Russell. David passed away May 19, 2014.