In the month of November, a selection campaign commences that allows line dancers across the United States to vote on several line dance categories focusing on line dance activity from November 1st of last year thru October 31st of this year, that concludes with presenting awards of merit and distinction in line dancing at the UC Star Awards.
Processes have been formulated to alleviate the improper manipulating of outcomes. These include:
- including external witnesses to assist in tallying and validating the outcomes,
- incorporating a members voting committee to manage the voting process, and
- reviewing and sealing the winner’s envelope to avoid tampering once the winners are known.
Although the Union Crew members aggressively monitor Award voting and have issued a directive regarding limiting voting to one ballot-one vote, we realize other measures must be put in place to ensure the integrity of the voting process. However, if outcomes are unbelievably far fetched, a mathematical equation to establish probability of the vote outcome is used.
**Union Crew members and their immediate family members are prohibited from voting in the voting.
An initial Nomination ballot is posted in November on the Survey Monkey for one week. Line dancers are invited to vote in order to determine the dances that will be positioned on the final ballot. The dates these dances were in circulation are verified through the use of YouTube and the Urban Line Dance Connection Database.
Due to the overwhelming number of dances, a space for “Other” is provided to write in the title of a dance that could be nominated for an award. This is to ensure that any oversights are included in the nomination process.
Outcomes are then determined by a special committee. The committee uses this data to prepare the final ballot.
Based on the outcomes of the initial Nomination ballot, the final ballot is then posted on Survey Monkey for one week. At the end of that week, ballot outcomes are determined. The final ballot outcomes will establish the individuals to be awarded.
Regular major awards are presented for outstanding individual or collective achievements in several categories.
After final ballots are determined, the winner’s envelopes are sealed with a non-intrusive stamp. Only the voting committee has knowledge of the results prior to the envelopes being opened onstage during a formal ceremony - the January UC Star Awards.
Major Awards
Dance of the Year Award honors and recognizes individuals in various geographical regions across the United States to honor dances that exemplified dedication to artistic development. These are dances that best gained the attention, acceptance, enthusiasm and enjoyment of the line dance community.
US Collaboration Award is presented to multiple individuals functioning within separate line dance groups, or groups functioning independently, who have combined efforts to create a line dance.
Surprise Sleeper Award acknowledges a dance created between August 2nd and October 31st of the previous year that gained attention later than usual, caught up with, and may even have surpassed the popularity of well recognized dances.
Choreographer of the Year honors and recognizes a choreographer for his /her exceptional work in concept, choreographic voice, creativity, and movement in the development of a line dance.
Stepologist of the Year honors and recognizes an individual for their ability to meticulously perform and recall line dance steps —old and new. (No instructors allowed)
Secondary Awards
New Choreographer Award is awarded to an individual who, for the first time, choreographs a line dance that is well accepted and performed throughout the line dance community.
UC + 1 Award is presented to an individual, who has enhanced Union Crew events by suggesting new concepts and ideas to be developed.
Ticket Master Award recognizes an individual who values the work being done by the Union Crew, selling a copious amount of tickets to one or more of their line dance events.
E Blast Award acknowledges an individual who appreciates line dancing and demonstrates its significance by blasting relevant information via emails throughout the line dance community.
Choreographer Extraordinaire Award recognizes an individual who was not awarded the Choreographer of the Year award, but genuinely choreographed line dances favored by the line dance community.
Turbo Woman Award acknowledges a female whose intense and energetic dancing style demonstrates an extraordinary appreciation for line dancing.
Turbo Man Award acknowledges a male whose intense and energetic dancing style demonstrates an extraordinary appreciation for line dancing.
Put a Spin in It Award recognizes an individual who is able to put a turn/spin in a dance in spite of the dynamics of the dance.
Stiletto Diva Award recognizes a female who has the ability to dance in stiletto heels over the duration of a line dance event without once taking them off.
Dynamic Dancing Duo Award is presented to a couple who is known throughout the line dance community who, together, demonstrate the joy of line dancing.
Line Dance Junkie Award recognizes an individual who attends a copious number of line dance events from state to state and is often seen via Facebook/YouTube enjoying these events.
New Kid on the Block recognizes an individual who has only consistently engaged in line dancing for no more that six months.
Dynamic Instructor Award is presented to an individual whom did not receive the Instructor of the Year Award, however, demonstrated a passion for teaching line dance and gained the respect of those being instructed.
Mr. Smooth Award acknowledges a male whose style of line dancing makes him appear to be effortlessly suspended on air whether the dance is slow or fast. The ease at which a fast line dance is done doesn’t even allow him to produce sweat—always dry and confident.
Community Service/Humanitarian Award recognizes and honors an individual who has gone above and beyond all expectations in their service to the community—not only sharing the importance of line dance, but promoting volunteerism, community involvement and leadership. His/her community involvement demonstrates an unusual understanding, empathy and devotion of mankind and has made it “a way of life.”
Will Travel to Dance Award is presented to an individual who travels great distances to attend line dance classes and/or line dance events. No matter how great the distance, he/she is willing to make the sacrifice.
YouTube Princess/Video Queen Award acknowledges a female for her dedication to promoting line dancing by frequently posting attended events on YouTube, Face book and other social media.
Facebook Junkie Award acknowledges an individual who finds it extremely difficult to focus on anything other than posting comments on Facebook regarding line dancing. This is recognizable by the frequent posts on various Facebook pages.
Forever 21/Recycled Teenager Award recognizes an individual who is an active older line dancer that enjoys line dancing and dances with poise and confidence—indicating that age is nothing but a number.
Creative Step/My Own Flava Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates new and creative ways of interpreting steps in line dances. Their own personal style enhances their dancing.
No Sweat/Ms Smooth Award is the female version of the Mr. Smooth Award. This award acknowledges a female whose style of line dancing makes her appear to be effortlessly suspended on air whether the dance is slow or fast. The ease at which a fast line dance is done doesn’t even allow her to produce sweat—always dry and confident.
Warm Spirit Award recognizes an individual whose presence reflects a conscious love and concern for others. This demonstrated by acts of kindness, compassion and generosity.
Request Line Queen Award is awarded to an individual who, at most attended events, often confers with the DJ regarding playing a personally favored line dance. Her strategies are usually effective and get the DJ to play the dance.
The Union Crew reserves the right to award three special categories: Lifetime Achievement Award, Trailblazer Award and the Hall of Fame Award.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a member of the line dance community for exemplary leadership, research, scholarship and/or artistry, and philanthropy or service to line dance as a cultural art form. The honoree will have contributed to the field of line dance at the local, national, and/or international levels for a period of at least ten (10) years. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious award the organization confers. Individuals will be evaluated in the following areas:
- Serves as a role model or mentor that shows dedication to the advancement of line dance.
- Evidence of commitment to personal growth in line dance.
- Demonstration of exemplary leadership abilities that enable others to succeed as teachers, choreographers, etc.
- Excellence in outreach and building public awareness to the value of line dancing.
- Innovation of ideas that promote growth in the field of dance education.
- Evidence of implementing programs and/or services to the field that merit national attention and acclaim.
- Evidence of sustained leadership at the national level.
- Evidence of commitment to developing future leaders.
- Active involvement in endeavors that promote line dancing on a major scale.
- Impact and sustainability of proposed ideas/programs implemented.
- Demonstrated strength in facilitating creating, performing, and responding to line dance as art.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate important life skills embodied in line dance Developing, supporting, implementing, and/or promoting line dance in their community.
- Innovativeness of contributions to the art of line dance.
- Recognition by peers as an influential figure in the line dance communities.
- Evidence of sustained line dance administration, teaching, choreography, mentoring or research
- Provide monetary support for individuals to further develop in dance (optional)
Trailblazer Award
The trailblazer award is presented to an individual who is innovative, one who has made important contributions to line dancing which brought about change or has lead to positive outcomes in the line dance community. Selection criteria include the following:
- Contributions have uniquely carved a path in the general advancement of line dance
- Individual has demonstrated ingenuity and imagination in pioneering change
- Contributions have enhanced the image of line dance
- Individual has demonstrated commitment to raising the level of awareness for the values and importance of line dance.
