Carolee is someone that is right here in our community. And it's probably because she has been so active with the Intensive that Samira wanted to do a Hafla for her. Now that isn't to say we couldn't or shouldn't do a Hafla for our other sisters here in the Valley, someone just needs to know that they are in that type of need and plan it.... It also might be nice to put together a show (if we could get a place cheap enough) with promotion, and either dedicate it to someone or divide it among those of you in need. I would love to participate, but I cannot take the responsibility of organizing it. My schedule won't allow it... Anyone? Any other ideas?

You know what may be possible is to do what the Rodeo does (yes I do watch rodeo). These guys live their life and earn their living from event to event. So if they don't win they don't get paid and if they don't get paid they can't pay for insurance . So they have a ongoing donation nonprofit for the sole purpose of paying for medical expenses for the injured riders.

It is something to think about.

I love the idea of having an injured dancer fund. Especially for those who do make their living or supplement much of it by the dance.

I agree that we don't always share our medical issues with everyone so sometimes it's hard to know how great the need is. And often we don't want to come out and say, "hey, I've been ill and am struggling to pay my medical bills, please help." But in the true sense of "community" I think it would be a lovely gesture to reach out to our own when they are down. My medical issues have been ongoing and painful but I am lucky enough to have medical insurance which has helped alot. Although I've had to pay for much of the testing and medications on my own, my insurance has really helped. And I have a full time job that is also very understanding. But not everyone can say the same. I have been very fortunate also to have some wonderful troupemates and friends that have been supportive through this.

I think in the spirit of community, I would love to see us come together and support our dancers, financially when needed as well as emotionally. Sometimes a kind word or friendly gesture goes a long long way.

Aradia, and community...

I'd like to clarify a number of points that have been brought up as I feel that it's important to have a more complete perspective of what role the haflas play in this community.

First, the haflas by themselves are for the community. The haflas are a family friendly bellydance social activity that I have created to bring our community together. These haflas are a place that students can perform and showcase their work, a place where you can meet and mingle with others who share a passion for a similar art, and a place for vendors to sell their wares. It is a space that I created because I believe in creating and building the Las Vegas community. And the $5 fee at the door is a truly minimal price to ask everyone to pay.

Second, the haflas are not organized by a non-profit group. They are organized by me, Samira, a single mom of two. The money that I make at these haflas goes to put food on the table for my kids...literally...especially since my ex is substantially behind on child support. This means that what I choose to do or to not do at the hafla is decided by me. It is not really subject to discussion, unless of course you want to call or email me to suggest an idea.

Third, I want to make it abundantly clear that nearly all of the charity work I choose to support does, indeed, support our locals. And if it is something that is outside of this community, it is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I do not have to do charity work with these haflas at all. I choose to do so because it is my practice to be grateful and give back to the community and world whenever possible. Over the years I have donated money to our local Cystic Fibrosis Association because one of our local families is affected with that condition. I have also donated money and done membership drives for our local non-profit group, Shifting Sands Bellydance. I organized meals recently for Maggie who had her twins born prematurely. I have also raised money for our local March of Dimes in honor of Maggie's premature twins.

Yes, on occasion I have chosen to support others who are outside of the local community. We raised a small amount ($250) to give to Lisa Fuimaono in Reno because she was a Nevada bellydancer with two small children who was in critical condition while her husband was unemployed. Their situation was dire and I personally felt stirred to reach out to that family. Additionally, I felt it was a good gesture for the Las Vegas community to reach out and connect with our sisters in the northern part of the state. I also did a co-fundraiser with the Nevadans for Midwifery non-profit group to send midwives to Afghanistan. I raised money for a bellydance scholarship from the Reema Samahaha Memorial Fund in honor of those affected by the VA Tech shootings. Regardless, it is my personal prerogative to choose whom I would like to support.

Fourth, Carolee Cameron is one of our own. She has taught in Las Vegas for several years but had to stop due to issues with her back. However, she has remained active by attending haflas and working intimately with me on the Intensive. Carolee is the one who has done the graphic art work for the advertising and the promotional postcards this year. She is a personal and devoted friend who is also a single mother. She struggles to live from paycheck to paycheck...and taking 2 weeks off of work for the mastectomy may literally mean she loses the place she shares with her daughter. She does not receive child support, nor alimony, and the cancer diagnosis has truly created a devastating and dire life circumstance for Carolee. She does not have credit cards to live on nor does she have family to help support her. To be fair...Carolee's situation warrants a fundraiser.

Fifth, of course I am open to organizing additional fundraisers from time to time. However, in order for me to choose who and what to support ...I also need to know who/what needs to be supported. I cannot help somebody if I do not know they need assistance. Aradia, I knew you were having back issues, but I have no way of knowing what your needs are. Part of needing help means you need to reach out and ask for it. I don't feel that you have asked me for support regarding your back issues. I feel that you have questioned my integrity on a public forum. A private phone call or email would have sufficed. And if anyone has something they would like to suggest, I'd be happy to hear it. Sometimes a polite buzz in my ear is all that is necessary.

Sixth, as far as I know Raven, Marisa, and Amaryllis are not at risk of losing their homes or of not having basic things needed to survive. I think it's fair to say that although all of these people may be struggling a bit financially that none of them are in devastating circumstances. And it cannot be expected that our meager community haflas support them all. Certainly I don't think any of you would ask my children to go hungry to pay a medical bill for someone else. If anyone truly does have devastating circumstances, I will do my best to find some way to support them assuming it doesn't take away from the needs of my own children.

Personally, I do what I can to support our community in every way possible, but it's ridiculous to expect that I do it all. I welcome any and all others who would like to step up to the plate and do more for our community. I would support anyone who really genuinely wants to make a difference. I am happy that we have such a great group of organizers who really do want to create a wonderful Vegas community. Linn and Amaryllis are both to be commended for the non-profit work that they do. And big kudos to Tori who donates a portion of her profits to the Nevada Wilderness Project...something that is near and dear to her heart. If you feel that more needs to be done, by all means...step right up and contribute, but please don't criticize me or my haflas for not supporting our local community in the way you think it should be done. Be the change you want to see in the world.

--Samira

Okay taking Teresa's suggestion of a show and in an effort to suggest some another way of doing a fundraiser, so the Haflas can just stay the Haflas. Let me use an example of a Big Fundraiser held in the Seatle area for a friend of mine with brain cancer. Several months ago 2 friends of mine organized workshops and a show at a local restaurant. 2 of my other friends volunteered to do the workshops for free. There was also a silent auction, which many of us (including me) contributed to. They raised over $1200 dollars as I recall and donations were still coming in when last heard. A fundraiser like this could really help pay bills or start a Dancer's in Need fund.

We don't really need to change what we have in place. We need to create something new. If someone wants to organize something on the order of the Seatle event, I would be happy to give them the organizer's names so they could get the details of how it was organized.