**from the moderator**

I will be forwarding this note to WAMEDA and strongly suggest that you also write them or approach them directly with any feedback or questions regarding this past event rather than post something publicly without any clear followup. Given that they are a membership organization, hearing from the community should be very important.

Though i understand that anonymity protects some, it also can be very hurtful to others. We've had previous difficulties with anonymous members leaving commentaries and allegations that have really disrupted this tribe and hurt the reputation of its members.

Please know you are welcome to be a full member of this forum. We look forward to getting to know you.


Sincerely,

-Marta

As an 2009 Board Member and attendee of the 2009 WAMEDA Hafla, I have to respond, professionally yet firmly, to these accusations. I absolutely did NOT witness any disrespet, "barking," "negative energy" or rudeness by the "Coordinator of the event." Since Anonymous lives in Maryland, she sheuld know the name of the "coordinator" of the Hafla, and I will not cite it here. The 2009 Board of Directors has been under UNNECESSARY attack this year and it is all because they DARED to make a change and to move a SERIOUSLY dying organization into the 21st century to keep it alive. Otherwise, it would have died and those who are past officers know this for a FACT. Most of the individuals who are putting forth complaints haven't been active in WAMEDA for a hundred years (not literally) and now, all of a sudden, they have all kinds of things to say. The 2009 HAFLA and 30th Anniversary weekend was a BIG SUCCESS, despite the attempts of fellow dancers to "boycott," tear down or speak negative things against it. "AND STILL I RISE" - SOOOOOOOOO APPROPRIATE!! The intelligence of the 2009 Board is SERIOUSLY underestimated for BLATANT reasons, and I, as well as the other Board members take offense to that. There is a lot of unnecessary division, jealously and competition between Middle Eastern dancers in the DC area and within the different RACES of dancers in the DC area. I am sooooooo sick of it!! Please get yourselves together and CUT THE NONSENSE!!! We are SUPPOSED to be one community, but NOT!!! Also, before you pounce on the 2009 Board of Directors about what their "current practices" are, you'd better stop yourself and check out the previous Board of Directors' "past practices." Also, if you have a complaint, instead of sending emails to the moderator of this tribe, there is a comment section on the WAMEDA website to leave your comments. Posting them on tribe and on any public forum is UNPROFESSIONAL AND COWARDLY, and I have seen more than I've wanted to this year. This is my ONE AND ONLY response on this as I've seen, in previous discussions, it will turn into a bashing session, and I am SOOOOOOOO ABOVE THAT!! Take it to the website!! Thank you!!

Pameyla