The North American region of the Dances of Universal Peace (often abbreviated as DUPNA, or simply, NA) is one organized region within the worldwide family of regions and communities that foster the growth and expression of the Dances of Universal Peace. Although the global family “network” is every Dance circle, dancer, Dance leader, musician, and supporter of the Dances worldwide, regional organizations have been formed to support the grass-roots network.
The North American region includes the United States and Canada. It is a non-profit public-benefit corporation run by a volunteer Board and Office staff, drawn from the Dance community within North America. Its main purposes are to:
- Connect people and provide information and ideas, using communication tools like websites, e-newsletters, social media, and periodic regional teleconferences;
- Support leaders, local Dance circles and the growth of the Dances, via resources like our Dance Organizer Toolkit;
- Steward the NA organization to allow it to fulfill its purposes, including staffing an office at a central location to answer questions and distribute information, maintain the membership database, manage finances and accounting, and support the work of the Board;
- Carry out specific projects that involve providing outreach funds, coordinating volunteers and projects within the region, fundraising for future efforts and organizing regional events.
- Support the work of the Guidance Council and Dances of Universal Peace International;
Accomplishments for 2024/Goals 2025:
It is fulfilling to reflect on our goals for 2024, and recognize that we accomplished or intentions, took steps forward, and strengthened our commitment to serve our Dance Community and the practice that connects us all.
- Community Conversations
DUPNA initiated Community Coversations, national Zoom meetings to connect with Dancers, Dance Leaders, and Circles to discuss the future of DUP in North America. - Our first DUPNA National Collaborative Dance Retreat at The Farm Community, Nov 1-3
The DUP Board of Directors led a conversation with dancers and Dance Leaders on how we can support each other. What kind of support, resources, and networking opportunities would be beneficial to us all? - Quarterly Concentrations
We continue to explore how we can connect as a spiritual community across time and space. We share our gifts and feel sacred presence that is real. - Our Newsletters
Our newsletters help connect us as a greater Dance Community, with both timely news, inspiration, and our Dance Event calendar. - Development of a new website.
To better connect our community, DUPNA has created a new mobile website with updated access to Dance Circles and other resources. - NextGen Council
We have expanded our support the NextGen Council to actuate their goals with the purpose of cultivating a younger generation of dancers and dance leaders
Our 2nd National Retreat will be hosted by the members of the NextGen Council to be held in July 31-August 3, 2025. - Synergies between DUPIN and DUPNA
DUPNA is an active participant and Beta Tester of the new website and DUP Mighty Platform, which combines community through social media connections, along with resources for Dance Leaders and Dancers.
Accomplishments in 2023:
- Welcomed Douglas Stevenson to our board and said goodbye to former Secretary, Susan Slack.
- Convened a Reconnection Project committee and, with the help of volunteers, reached out to all Primary Circle Contacts listed on the website and updated most Dance Circle’s information.
- Updated DUPNA website information and fixed broken links and outdated information.
- Facilitated an organized and triumphant presence of our Dance family at our 3rd Parliament of the World’s Religions (PoWR) in Chicago, IL.
- Supported the connection and collaboration of 50 mentored Dance leaders and musicians to co-lead at 8 organized Dance sessions at PoWR.
- Introduced the Dances to approximately 2000 new people at PoWR through Dance sessions, the DUPNA information booth and promotional materials.
- Secured domain name DUPNA.org, acquired PEACEDANCE.ORG url, and created and maintained a landing page for the Parliament of the World’s Religions event.
- Continued to communicate to our Dance family and support Dance events, circles and organizers using Facebook and Instagram social media platforms.
- Launched DUPNA NextGen Council and provided 8 NextGen scholarships to attend and facilitate an official Dance session for over 200 participants at PoWR.
- Switched banks to a more socially responsible bank and invested funds into a high interest rate CD.
- Published 4 newsletters with quarterly concentrations.
- Hosted a Murshid Sam URS event and a Quarterly Concentration Zoom Gathering.
- In collaboration with Oneness Project, completed a funds transfer to support an in-person NextGen gathering and received the title to Wilderness Dance Camp tent and trailer.