How to Join ENCSC, Step by Step

Joining Is Simple

If you have visited a dance night and enjoyed yourself, you may be ready to become a member. The good news is that joining the Eastern North Carolina Shag Club is simple. There is no audition, no complicated process and no special qualification. All you need is a love of the music and a desire to be part of the club.

This guide takes you through the process from beginning to end, so that you know exactly what to do and what to expect.

Step One: Visit and Enjoy

Although it is not required, the best first step is to visit. Come to a Tuesday dance night at the Doghouse Tavern, 506 Second Street, Ayden, NC. Doors open at 5pm, and the DJ, music and dancing run from 6pm to 9pm. Admission is five dollars per person.

Watch a few songs, listen to the music, meet members and dance if you feel ready. A visit helps you see whether the club suits you, and it lets members say hello.

Step Two: Learn What Membership Offers

Before you apply, it helps to know what you receive. ENCSC sponsors several fantastic parties during the year, including a New Year’s Eve party, a Valentine party in February, a Re-Up party for members in June, a Fall Fling party in October and a Christmas party in December.

Members also enjoy five dollars in savings on the SOS card, email reminders about upcoming meetings and events and the opportunity to serve on committees. With more than one hundred members over the past two years, each one is a potential new friend.

Step Three: Print the Membership Application

When you are ready, print the ENCSC membership application. The application is the form you complete to become a member. If you need a copy, ask a member at dance night or check the club’s website.

Print it clearly on paper, so that it is easy to read. Keep a copy for yourself if you like.

Step Four: Complete the Application

Fill out the application carefully and completely. Write clearly, double-check your details and make sure that the information is accurate. Accurate information helps the club send you email reminders about meetings and events.

Take your time. The application is not a test. It is simply a way for the club to know who you are and how to reach you.

Step Five: Know the Fee

The ENCSC membership fee is twenty dollars per year. That modest amount supports the club and gives you access to the benefits of membership. Plan to include the annual fee as directed on the application.

Many members say that the fee is one of the best values in their social lives, given the parties, friendships and dancing it makes possible.

Step Six: Mail Everything In

Mail your completed application to ENCSC, PO Box 44, Greenville, NC 27835. Double-check the address before sealing the envelope. Use a stamp, send it in good time and keep a note of the date you mailed it.

Once the application is received, the club can welcome you as a member. You can also mention it to members at dance night so they know to watch for you.

Step Seven: Watch Your Email

Members receive emails reminding them of upcoming club meetings and events. After you join, keep an eye on your inbox. These messages let you know about dance nights, business meetings, parties and SOS weekends.

If you do not see emails, check your spam folder and let a member know. Staying informed is part of enjoying your membership.

Step Eight: Dance and Meet People

Now comes the fun part. Come to Tuesday night, introduce yourself as a new member and dance. Ask people to dance, accept invitations and enjoy the music. Members love welcoming new faces.

Sit with different groups, ask questions and share your own stories. Friendships begin quickly when everyone is enjoying the same thing.

Step Nine: Consider the Business Meeting

Business meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at Parker’s Restaurant, Memorial Drive, Greenville, NC at 6:30pm. If you would like to eat, arrive at 5:30pm.

Attending a meeting is a good way to learn how the club runs and how you can help. You do not need to speak, only to listen and enjoy the company.

Step Ten: Join a Committee

ENCSC committees are available for members to actively participate in events. If you would like to help plan a party, prepare for SOS or contribute to the club in another way, ask how to get involved.

Committee work is a rewarding way to make friends and to take pride in the club’s success.

Plan Your Year

As a member, you can look forward to a full calendar. In April and September, whenever possible, the club joins other shag clubs for SOS at North Myrtle Beach, which is like Spring Break for adults. Mark the dates and plan with friends.

Having a calendar of events gives your year a pleasant rhythm and gives you many reasons to dance.

Give Back With the Club

As a member, you also share in the club’s community work. Each year ENCSC contributes to the TEDI BEAR foundation in Pitt County, giving a minimum of $1,000 and numerous teddy bears for needy children.

Being part of a club that gives adds meaning to your membership and to every night on the floor.

Tips for New Members

Introduce yourself, be patient with yourself and be kind to others. Practice your steps, dress comfortably and wear smooth-soled shoes. Dance with many partners and say thank you after each dance.

Most of our members belong to the 50+ baby boomer era, and dancers of all ages are encouraged. Whatever your age, you will be welcome.

Part of a Larger Family

When you join ENCSC, you also join a club that belongs to the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs, an organization of more than one hundred non-profit shag clubs stretching from Baltimore to Miami. Your membership connects you to a wider world of dancers.

It is a small step with large rewards.

Frequently Asked Practical Questions

Many newcomers have small practical questions before they apply. Can I bring a guest to dance night? Yes, admission is five dollars per person, and guests are welcome to see the club for themselves. Do I need to attend every Tuesday? No, you can come as often as your schedule allows. Must I attend business meetings? They are open to members who wish to take part, but you can start slowly.

If you have any other question, ask a member at dance night. Everyone remembers joining, and everyone is glad to explain how things work.

What Happens After You Join

After your application is received, you become part of the ENCSC community. Expect to hear from the club by email about upcoming meetings and events, and expect a warm welcome at the next dance night. Members are proud of their club and are eager to introduce it to new people.

Take the chance to learn names, ask about favorite songs and find out which events are coming soon. In a few weeks, you will feel like a longtime member, with familiar faces around every table and a dance partner or two waiting when you arrive.

A Few Words of Encouragement

If you feel nervous about taking the step, remember that every member once stood where you are. They walked into the room, felt a little shy and then found out how friendly the club really is. You will have the same experience. The application is simple, the fee is small and the welcome is generous.

There is nothing to lose and a great deal of music, laughter and friendship to gain. The hardest part is deciding to begin, and you have already done most of that by reading this far.

Bring a Friend Along

Joining with a friend or spouse makes everything easier. You can practice together, cheer each other on and share the excitement of a new adventure. If you know someone who has wanted to try dancing, invite them to Tuesday night and let them see the club for themselves. Many of our happiest members joined alongside someone they love, and they often say it doubled the fun.

Ready to Begin

You now know everything you need to join. Come to a Tuesday night, print the application, complete it and mail it to ENCSC, PO Box 44, Greenville, NC 27835. The fee is twenty dollars per year.

We look forward to welcoming you to the floor. Your new friends are waiting.

Frequently Asked Questions