SANGGAR LESTARI
MEMBER AGREEMENT
Thank you for your expression of interest in joining Sanggar Lestari Melbourne. For the past 30 years, we have prided ourselves on being a welcoming community that proudly promotes Indonesian culture. Sanggar Lestari members are expected to abide by the following member agreement. Please read through to truly understand our values and expectations at Sanggar Lestari Melbourne.
GUIDELINE
Rehearsals: We rehearse weekly at our base: Bu Ningsih's (Mama Ning’s) House in Burwood East. We hold rehearsals every Thursday during school terms unless otherwise specified due to a special event or unforeseen circumstances. Members must attend a sufficient amount of rehearsals before an event to be able to perform.
If you aren't feeling well or have other commitments, you must let us know in advance so that we can coordinate outfits and choreography. To ensure all of our members can enjoy the dance classes and commute home at an appropriate time, we have implemented the following schedule:
7 pm - 8 pm: ‘Makan Malam’ and Warm Up (dinner provided by Mama Ning for those who would like to join)
8pm - 9:30pm: Rehearsals (a.k.a ‘Latihan’). This time is to focus on and model movements and choreography for dance performances. Your full attention and commitment are required as rehearsals will often be filmed to refer back to. If friends of Lestari or partners are present (they are always welcome) please ensure they are seated out of the direct dance space to ensure there is sufficient room for all dancers to move around.
Following this, all are welcome to stay for coffee/tea and further rehearsals if required.
Please note choreography of dances learnt with Sanggar Lestari is exclusive for performance by Sanggar Lestari members. Dances are not to be re-taught for workshops/other groups without prior consent and permission from Mama Ning.
Performances: Sanggar Lestari performs for various events including school incursions, community events, charity events as well as multicultural festivals throughout the year. If you would like to participate in assisting a school workshop, you must have a valid ‘Working With Children Check’.
We update performance dates and important information through our weekly bulletin, which is posted in our private Facebook and Whatsapp group.
Generally, we perform for volunteer community events and festivals. In the case that a festival or event is reimbursing our parking/food costs we will inform you in advance to keep a copy of your parking receipt for us to pass onto organisers. Mama Ning will also ensure we are well fed if we are provided with a meal allowance from organisers.
In the case that you are participating as a performer/teacher for a paid incursion or performance for private events, Sanggar Lestari will inform you of your fee payable in advance. A friendly, professional and high standard must be maintained when visiting schools or private events such as wedding, business conferences, etc.
There are opportunities to perform with Sanggar Lestari Melbourne interstate or overseas. In some cases, you must provide an application/expression of interest to be considered for such performances. For non-sponsored performances, you are responsible for your own tickets/transport and daily costs. We inform members as soon as we are made aware of the relevant details for Lestari Trips.
Sanggar Lestari Workshops: Workshops will also be available for public attendance and participation, for which members of the wider community will pay a fee to attend and learn a dance or cultural skill. This fee goes towards our studio hire, with a portion also donated to our two charitable groups. Your membership fees cover your costs, and you are not required to pay entry for these workshops. Members are expected to participate in workshops, wear the specified uniform and support members of the workshop to learn.
Membership fees: You must be an active, paying member to perform with Sanggar Lestari. Fees can be paid monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually through our online Member Registration. You will receive a notification automatically when your next payment is due and must inform us if you do not wish to renew your membership with Sanggar Lestari. Your membership fees contribute to the upkeep and dry cleaning of authentic costumes and accessories, studio/workshop fees and other costs associated with maintaining our community group. Members have free access to our Lestari Workshops. Your first Membership fee includes your Membership t-shirt. Other merchandise can be ordered through our online store.
Contribution to Community: Sanggar Lestari supports various charity groups and causes through volunteer performances as well as direct donations. We are currently supporting the upkeep of an orphanage in West Timor through Foster Parents Indonesia, as well as ‘Canteen for Kids with Cancer. We provide both causes with a monthly monetary donation on behalf of Sanggar Lestari Melbourne. You can contribute to this by donating small change on Thursday Latihan into our donation tin.
Uniforms and Costumes Expectations:
Membership t-shirts are our official uniform. Therefore, they are to be worn for Latihan and pre/post performances, unless otherwise specified. For pre/post-performance, we wear our Sanggar top with batik or other Indonesian prints. If you are a new member or do not have your membership top available, please wear an appropriate plain, dark t-shirt and leggings for Latihan.
Please respect our Sanggar by representing us professionally at public and private events. We encourage the use of Sanggar Lestari merchandise appropriately to promote our group.
Our costumes and accessories are authentic and a large portion of these are imported from Indonesia. As many are irreplaceable, it is extremely important to respect and handle them with care and responsibility so we can continue to use them in the years to come. To avoid any damages, please ensure any perfume, lotions and deodorant are worn before wearing your performance costume. Hairspray and aerosols discolour our Gold Hair Accessories as well as our jewellery. These must also be used before wearing accessories or jewellery. It is your responsibility to ensure you take care of your costume and accessories whilst using them and following performances to avoid rips, soiling or damage. Impaired costumes can lead to out-of-pocket expenses for deliberately careless members.
Staying engaged: Our website keeps members and the public informed of our upcoming events. We also have a blog and photos/videos updated from past events at: https://www.sanggarlestari.com/
Please let us know if you would like to contribute to writing a blog post. We share all of our images online on our social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook.
We are a welcoming and non-discriminatory Sanggar. We do not tolerate any discrimination against others based on their appearance, age, marital status, religious or cultural beliefs, race, sexual or gender background (including sexual preference, transgender status or homosexuality). People of all backgrounds are welcome to celebrate our culture respectfully.
Most importantly, Sanggar Lestari is a family. We love one another and support each other. We are so excited to have you onboard and thank you for continuing to follow our values and represent Sanggar Lestari in the community.
Peace Lestari,
Sent on behalf of Mama Ning