K-Laires Square Dance Club records

Identity elements

Reference code

US US kmk U2011.35

Level of description

Collection

Title

K-Laires Square Dance Club records

Date(s)

  • 1978-1993 (Creation)

Extent

4.50 Linear Feet, 2.00 Boxes

Name of creator

(1971-1993)

Administrative history

The K-Laires square dance club was a student organization at Kansas State University from 1971 to 1993. Membership was open to all K-State students. The organization’s purpose was to teach members the methods and techniques of square dancing, have fun, and make friends. The group met for lessons on Sunday nights at the Union. It generally took 22 lessons to learn all of the steps. Beginners could join at the beginning of the fall semester. The K-Laires sponsored specialty dances throughout the academic year and traveled around the state to participate in other clubs’ square dances. Non-members who attended dances were called “outlaws.” According to the Royal Purple yearbook, the Hoe-downers were the K-Laires’ predecessor.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

This collection includes an undated information sheet describing the K-Laires in a question and answer format. It includes information about purpose, activities, cost, membership requirements, benefits and meeting times. A constitution and bylaws from 1978 provide details about name, purpose, membership, officers, meetings, dues, amendments, and rules of order. There is no explanation of what the name K-Laires means. Advisor responsibilities are listed on a separate document. An undated organization information sheet for the Royal Purple yearbook and a 1992 registration form for the University Activities Board provide additional information including a number of members, membership composition, activities, and contact information for officers.
Agendas for 1991-1992 and 1992-93 list activities for each academic year.  There are two meeting agendas and a Spring Festival Committee sign-up sheet from 1992. Minutes from the spring business meeting in 1983, 1984, and 1985 name newly elected officers and describe plans and assignments.  Extensive minutes from meetings held during the 1986-1987 academic year provide the most insight into the K-Laires. The minutes' record member recruitment, event planning, announcements, voting outcomes, budget reports, activity calendars, elections, and faculty advisor selection.  Brief notes from two fall 1987 meetings describe events. Minutes from the 1988-1989 academic year record business meeting topics and describe dances giving an indication of how they were viewed by participants.  From 1992, there is an agenda for the 30 August meeting, and minutes; dues, membership, activities, and a treasury report were covered. Minutes from the 27 September meeting state there are only two to four student members and that the club will shut down for the year and try again in 1993-94.
Correspondence consists of four letters. From 1986 there is a letter to officers and a letter requesting a public service announcement about the K-Laires be made. From 1992, there is a letter to University Activity Board registered organizations and a letter from a caller requesting calendar dates. Financial documents consist of a checkbook register covering 1985-1991 and an undated checkbook register, receipts from 1991-1992, student union room reservation rental information, a bank statement showing a balance of $11.66 in July 1993, and detailed financial ledgers from 1982-1990. Membership information consists of contact information lists from 1991-1993, dance attendance sheets from 1991-1992, undated name badges, and guest book pages from 1982-1986 and 1991-1992. A computerized printout of names and addresses is identified as an alumni list current as of 14 September 1986.
Numerous colorful flyers advertise square dance lessons, dances on campus sponsored by the K-Laires, square dances held in Manhattan, and square dances sponsored by various clubs throughout Kansas.  The flyers have dates and locations and most provide the name of the callers and the cuers. The K-Laires were members of the North Central District of the Kansas Square Dance Association (KSDA); there is a 1991 bylaws book for the District and an undated blank dance booklet. A 1992 copy of Travel On -- Square Dancing in Kansas, a quarterly KSDA publication, lists a K-Laires’ dance. A collection of “dangles” or badges collected from various dances are undated. There are two large purple and white felt banners with the name of the club and figures of a square dancing couple.

System of arrangement

Arranged by material type.

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

No access restrictions: All materials are open for research.

Physical access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Languages of the material

  • English

Scripts of the material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

Materials were in possession of faculty advisor until donation in 2010. The collection received accession number U2011.35.

Immediate source of acquisition

Acqusition Source: Former K-Laires faculty advisor
Acqusition Method: Donation.
Acqusition Date: 20100101

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

The materials document a student organization at Kansas State University.

Accruals

Related materials elements

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related archival materials

Related descriptions

General note

Separated Materials: The two banners are part of the artifact collection.

Specialized notes

  • Citation: [Item title], [item date], K-Laires Square Dance Club records, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.

Alternative identifier(s)

Archon Collection ID

79

Description control element

Rules or conventions

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Sources used

Archivist's note

Finding Aid Author: Jane Schillie
Processing Info: Curator Jane Schillie processed this collection in 2011 and university archivist Cliff Hight reviewed the finding aid in 2014.
Publication Date: 2014-02-24

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Accession area