Topic of the Quarter
ONCJC DJ Magic
by Kappy Chermak, Ohio’s North Coast Jitterbug Connection
When the charter members began this organization in 1997, we realized we needed two things right off the bat. A location we could call home and music! After trying a few locations that turned out to be unaffordable, Lou located the Hudson Inn. Then, with an evening spent at Don and Patty Ondecker’s home creating music tapes using the Ondecker’s equipment, their son Andy’s amplifier, and Lou and Kap’s music system we set up shop and and began spinning the tunes and dancing up a storm on a weekly basis.
We didn’t have anyone who had ever DJ before. We also knew we could not afford to pay a professional DJ and our by-laws state that no member could personally profit from the club. So our members learned to DJ and donated their time, talents, and expertise.
As our membership grew, so did our treasury and we began to invest in our own equipment and music. Joe Price began to DJ and he and Donny Guinter helped to select our equipment and counseled us on the purchase of music. We then created a DJ committee and allotted so much to purchase new music each month.
For the past 8 years we have been at the Cuyahoga Falls Moose Lodge. We continue to spin our own tunes on our own equipment with our own DJs, Lou Chermak, Duane Shepler and Dave Wilson who graciously and generously still donate their time. No one has to do “all the work” or even play an entire evening. Nancy Wilson created a schedule that splits the evenings, allowing time for each DJ to dance and enjoy the club as “a member” as well.
Our DJs also play for our special events... unless we have a guest DJ or band. Without having that extra expense, we can keep the cost down and pass the savings onto our members. Our event prices are based on “breaking even” and we usually do.
This has worked well for our club. With these savings keeping the “overhead” down allows us to continue to invest in the club and to give back to our members, which we feel is “what it’s all about.”
Besides, working together, giving back, and embracing new friends really makes one feel great!