Upcoming Member Vote
Important Dates
Town Hall Meeting
-When: Saturday, Feb 15 — 2pm-4pm
-Where: Zoom – details TBD
Vote
-When: Now – votes maybe be submitted through Monday, February 24 at 11:59pm
-How: A Google form will be sent to members through email. If you did not receive and email and believe you should have, please email [email protected].
What are you voting for?
Members will vote on the following proposal as a whole package:
-transitioning to a 501(c)(3) status [see below for a more detailed explanation of what this will mean for Naptown Stomp specifically],
-installing a board consisting of Katelyn Griffith, Caitlin Teague, Yara Hairston-Barge, and Kathy Altschul,
-suspending the regular 2025 board elections to transition to the 501(c)(3) status and board.
We need a two-thirds majority vote from members to make this happen.
In order to participate in this vote, you need to be a fully paid member. If you are not a member and would like to become one, sign up at our Membership page. If you need to renew your membership, you can do so from the Manage Membership page. Further membership questions can be sent to [email protected].
Updates Based on Member Feedback
If we are to move to a 501(c)(3) structure, we still want feedback from the Naptown community, and the proposed new board is committed to listen to the community. These are possible ways members could be involved:
Board Nominations Committee – Members can nominate candidates for board seats, with the final selection made by the board.
Advisory Board – A separate advisory group of members can provide recommendations and feedback to the board without formal voting power.
Member Voting on Limited Issues – While members cannot approve or reject board members, they can vote on certain non-governance matters, such as programming or major initiatives.
Board Staggering for Stability
Terms will be staggered to maintain continuity and avoid a complete leadership turnover at once.
Each board member term will last 2-3 years, with only one member rotating out each year.
The structure promotes institutional knowledge retention and smooth transitions.
Ideas we wanted to implement, but are unable per the direction of our 501(c)(3) lawyer.
Allow members a “vote of no confidence” if they feel the board is not meeting expectations.
501(c)(3) board would accept applications/nominations for new board members, and members would get final vote of the vetted candidates.
See the FAQ at the bottom for more detailed answers.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Proposal
Proposed Timeline of Events
Proposed Organizational Structure
There will be four board positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, with terms of 2-3 years. This board will work together to hire one or two paid part-time staff positions. These staff members will organize the volunteer group, along with scheduling instructors and DJs.
Proposed Division of Labor
Board
Quarterly meetings
Part-Time Paid Staff
Expected 5-7 hrs/week of work
Volunteers
Day-of work
The role of instructors and DJs would not change.
Who can be on the board, and how will they be selected?
To be a board member, a person must be a current member of Naptown Stomp.
When a sitting board member is leaving their position, the board will select a successor based on qualifications and experience. This is to avoid popularity-driven elections.
Proposed Board Members
Past NS President (2017-2021)
Former Instructor, Instructor Coordinator, and Community Outreach
During her tenure, Katelyn helped grow Naptown Stomp by approximately 65%, demonstrating her ability to expand and improve the organization while building strong community connections.
Currently an Enterprise Mobility Sales & Marketing Consultant, Katelyn brings strategic planning and business development skills to the board, ensuring that Naptown Stomp remains on a path of sustainable growth.
Past NS President (2007-2009)
Founder of SwingIN and former NS Instructor
Caitlin played a key role in laying the foundation for Naptown Stomp’s success. She founded SwingIN, a weekend swing dancing workshop held in Indianapolis that attracted dancers from across the Midwest with lessons, dances, and competitions.
Currently, the Vice President of Programs & Services at Christel House International, a global education nonprofit, Caitlin brings high-level nonprofit management experience to the board. Her ability to oversee large-scale programs and lead successful teams will be invaluable to Naptown Stomp’s future.
Current NS Instructor
Teacher and Leader at The PATH School
Yara has extensive experience as a President and Board member of White River Guard Inc. – a 501(c)(3) organization, as well as experience in public history as a historian and living interpreter.
Her expertise in leadership, education, and nonprofit governance makes her a key asset to the board, ensuring effective organization and outreach within Naptown Stomp’s growing community.
NS Founder, Former Treasurer, and Long-term Instructor
Kathy has been an integral part of Naptown Stomp since its inception, helping manage its financial growth and teaching numerous lessons that have inspired new dancers.
As an Office Mananger for an orthodontic practice, Kathy brings practical experience in managing operations, budgeting, and organizational logistics, making her a critical contributor to Naptown Stomp’s administrative success.
These proposed board members have a proven track record of successfully running Naptown Stomp, running other nonprofit organizations, and managing large programs. Their extensive leadership experience in the dance community and beyond makes them uniquely qualified to guide Naptown Stomp’s transition to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit while continuing to grow the Indianapolis swing dancing scene.
Why are we working towards this?
How Naptown Works Currently
Naptown Stomp was originally modeled after a college dance club, which fit our needs when we were a smaller organization. At the time we had 5 officers, taught 1-2 (6-week long) lesson series, and hosted dances at Fountain Square twice a month.
Since then we have grown significantly. Our current 6 officers now manage:
Challenges with the Current Structure
Short terms and short transitions: Officers serve year-long terms, spending the first several months learning their roles. By the time they gain proficiency, it is time to hand off responsibilities to the newly elected officer, creating a cycle of inefficiency.
Minimal training: Training is brief (1 day to 1 week depending on the outgoing officer), and most learning happens on the job.
Burnout: Managing weekly events and administrative duties is demanding, often leading to officer burnout. Running Naptown Stomp under the current structure is time-consuming and stressful for officers, as shown by the low number of board member who choose to serve additional terms beyond their first.
Leadership Gaps: Popularity-based elections occasionally result in unqualified officers or officers who don’t take responsibility. Oftentimes, officers quit mid-term, and finding a replacement tends to be challenging.
Loss of Passionate Leaders: Burnout and demanding responsibilities cause some of our most valuable contributors to disengage completely from Naptown Stomp after their terms end.
Limited Growth Potential: The current structure restricts our ability to grow the swing dance scene and provide more opportunities for our community. Right now, many of the most excited and passionate people in the scene join the board, but after their terms end, they often leave due to burnout or the demanding responsibilities. This constant cycle of new people coming in and leaving prevent long-term continuity and stifles growth.
How the new structure will work to solve these challenges
Longer Board Terms: 2-3 year board terms allow for consistent leadership, smoother handoffs, and long-term planning.
Better Division of Labor: The board will be able to focus on the big picture – overseeing strategic planning and organizational decisions, while only needing to meet quarterly instead of monthly. The paid staff will see to the day-to-day operations – streamlining the process through 1-2 people, eliminating the need for board members to repeatedly discuss and revisit operation issues, and avoiding delays.
Reduced Burnout: Without the demands of daily management, the board will be able to focus on strategic planning and community growth.
Smoother Transitions: The board being able to select their own successors will better ensure continuity and effective leadership.
Sustainable Growth: Paid staff will allow us to manage core tasks efficiently, freeing up time for expansion and community outreach.
Consistent Lessons and Operations: With dedicated staff managing scheduling, instructor coordination, and event logistics, we’ll provide a reliable structure for lessons and dances. This consistency will help students, instructors, and volunteers stay engaged and create a better overall experience.
Grants and Tax Deductions: As a benefit of being a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we would be able to apply for grants and receive tax deductions that would allow us more opportunities (like external guest instructors, live music, and more flexible venue options) without needing to increase ticket prices.
Proposal FAQ
No major changes are planned to the structure of lessons and dances. The difference will be in how responsibilities are managed, so attendees should not feel a difference with lesson and dance happenings.
Volunteers will continue to play a vital role in the success of Naptown Stomp. Opportunities will include front desk shifts, taxi dancers, setup and tear down crews, and support for specials events. Our goal is to provide flexible and rewarding ways for volunteers to stay engaged while benefiting from incentives like free dance entry or lesson discounts.
The board selecting their own successors will ensure that new board members are chosen based on their qualifications, experience, and commitment to the organization. This prevents popularity-driven elections and helps ensure the organization remains in capable hands.
Currently, our election process has its flaws. Sometimes only one candidate runs for a position, and whether or not they are fully qualified, that person ends up in a leadership role managing Naptown Stomp. By moving to a process in which the board selects their own successors, we can better match leadership roles with individuals who have the experience and dedication needed to help the organization thrive.
We have identified several financial sources to support this transition, showing that it works within our current budget:
-Reallocated budget: The $300/month currently allocated to the president and treasurer as stipends will be redirected to a paid administrative staff role, creating a reliable base of funding.
-Tax refund and savings: This year, we received a $1,200 tax refund. As we continue to grow, tax savings as a 501(c)(3) will further support our budget.
-Sustainable funding base: This shows that even with our current budget, we can support a part-time staff member working 5-7 hrs/week at $15/hr. As our programming and income expand, we can allocate additional funds to increase staff hours or outsource tasks as needed.
No, in a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, members cannot have governance authority over the board. The IRS expects the board to operate independently in the best interest of the organization’s charitable mission, rather than representing a specific membership group.
No, a vote of no confidence by members is not permitted. The board itself is responsible for governance and decision-making, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission.
The IRS requires 501(c)(3) boards to act independently to protect the integrity and purpose of the nonprofit. This structure ensures that decisions prioritize the broader charitable mission rather than the interests of individual members.
The board will implement a structured selection process to ensure qualified and mission-aligned individuals are chosen to serve. Members will have the opportunity to nominate candidates for board consideration.