Please accept our appreciation for the time and commitment you have made to the success of our Chicagoland Chapter's competition this coming Friday to Sunday, February 19 to 21, 2010. Here are a few announcements for you to be aware of and to implement during the weekend.

1. Arrive at your position at least 15 minutes before the time listed on the Volunteer Sheet at the start of the morning, afternoon, and the evening sessions.
2. During the daytime sessions from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the dress will be dressy casual wearing any combination of red, white, and blue in keeping with our USA flag theme. Ex: Men: blue trousers, white shirt, red tie; and Women: blue slacks or skirt, white or red blouse, or red, white, or blue jewelry; or any combination of the above.
3. During the evening session from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., the dress will be semi-formal to black tie depending on your preferences again wearing any combination of red, white, and blue. Ex: Men: blue suit with white shirt and red tie; Women: red, white, or blue dress, with red, white or blue jewelry or accessory.
4. All volunteers working during a daytime or evening session will receive free admission to that session only. If you work a total of six hours, your admission to the entire competition is complimentary.
5. There will be a Volunteer's meeting prior to the competition on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 6:00 p.m. before the social dance at the Center at North Park in Franklin Park. If you have not contacted me regarding your attendance, please do so ASAP.
6. We have reserved a block of rooms for our volunteers who would like to stay at the hotel at a $69 reduced rate for Friday and Saturday nights. You can reserve your room by calling 1-888-627-8093 and requesting the Chicagoland Chapter rate. The cut off date for this discounted rate is February 12, 2010. Free parking is available at the hotel.
7. For the safety of all our spectators, volunteers, officials and vendors, we are not allowing overcoats, baggage, backpacks, costumes, duffel bags, etc. in the Arlington Ballroom. Therefore, we have arranged for a secure and manned coat check in the West Lobby of the Sheraton Hotel. There will be one free coat check per volunteer per day. Competitors will also have a Men's and Women's Dressing Rooms in the lower level to change and store any of their costumes, coats, bags, etc. which will have a volunteer overseeing it. Our chapter, however, cannot be held responsible for loss or theft of any items. They may also place their valuables in their rooms or automobiles.
8. No tripods, electrical cords or lights are allowed in the Arlington Ballroom. Personal cameras and video cameras are allowed. We will have a professional photographer and videographer vendors for our competitors to sign up and purchase photos and videos.
9. We encourage all spectators, volunteers and competitors to purchase all their dancing needs from our vendors. All vendors will be in the Paramount Ballroom to the left of the West Lobby Entrance except for the photographer and videographer. Attendees do not need to purchase a spectator ticket to shop or place a consignment with our vendors.
10. Thanks to Jack Stansbeary for his time, talent and generosity, we now have brand new red, white, and blue lanyard name badges for all ourofficials, vendors and volunteers. Please pick up your name badge from Barbara Finn either Friday evening from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday mornings from 7 to 9 a.m. or ½ hour before your assignment begins. You will receive your free admission to the sessions you work by wearing this badge at all times. After your assignment is over, please pass it on to your replacement. If you must relinquish your badge before the session isover or before you begin your assignment, you can receive a hand stamp at the door by showing your name on your volunteer list for free entry to that session. You will be held responsible for returning your name badges to Barbara at the end of the competition or keep it as a souvenir and pay $5 for its replacement.
11. Competition programs will be available for purchase at $5 per program; however, a complimentary program will be placed at each volunteer station as needed. Please do not remove this program from its location. Each official, scholarship donor and vendor will receive a complimentary copy. All competitors receive a copy as part of their competitor's packet.
12. If you are working during the lunch hour or on Friday or Saturday evenings until late, you can pre-order a lunch or late night snack from the hotel using the Express Lunch or Express Late Night Snack order forms that you will find at the Spectator Ticket Table. Fill out this form with your menu selection, your desired pick up time, and return it to the designated location on the form. When you pick up your lunch or late night snack, you will pay for your order at that time. There is a two-hour dinner break on Saturday where you are free to purchase a meal at the hotel restaurant or an area eatery. See Dining and Attractions for places to eat in the area.