Page Title

How

                  How can you get involved in SASS?

Whether a educator interested in opening a free SASS forum or network of clubs in
your area, a sponsor looking to support pro.-writer workshops, concerts, or writing
contests, or a parent or student wishing more information, please write

                                      sass@sasscanada.net

and Dale Russell, Artemis Chartier, or Don McLeod will be pleased to answer your
questions by e-mail, phone, or a personal meeting.

                               How did SASS start?

SASS began in Oshawa, Ontario, in 2003, when 70 students filled singer-
songwriter and veteran high-school teacher Artemis Chartier's classroom to form
the first SASS writing club.   Artemis so appreciated the new opportunities to
listen to and appreciate the ideas of today's young people that she encouraged
teachers in 20 other Ontario schools to begin their own writers' clubs the next year.

Dale Russell (Lead guitarist of The Guess Who from 1983-2000, and award-
winning songwriter- producer), was present at the first meeting, and was also
moved by the voices and thoughts of young writers, remaining involved, over the
next seven years in the development of the program.

After donating thousands of hours to SASS, Dale calls that first meeting "a life-
changing event for so many, including me."

Don Quarles, (now the Executive Director of the Songwriters Association of
Canada), helped establish the SASS mentor program.

SASS has been a registered not-for-profit since 2007, run by a 12-member board.

SASS thrives on the support of the Durham District School Board’s Student
Success program, the generosity of Oshawa’s Long & McQuade, and a donation
of $20,000 from philanthropist, Byron Nelson, of Leland Industries. Caring
educators like Darlene Voogt, Josh Raycroft, Mary-Ann Nova, Stephanie Siegner,
Judy Hung, and Victor Fuke, as well as encouraging families like the Moynes, the
Regans, the McNevins, the Axfords, the Alis, the McTaggarts, and many others
have all strengthened the program with their gifts of time, creative input, and
energy.

By 2004, SASS had grown to 40 Ontario clubs, adding four schools in British
Columbia, under the guidance of songwriters, Don McLeod and David Blair,
teachers, Kelly Boechler and Michelle DeYoung, and with the aid of Annette Coffin
and the Coquitlam School Board, and sponsors like Music BC. By 2005, there
were over 50 SASS songwriting clubs in Canada, providing free guidance in music
creation to over 1,000 students each year.