Welcome

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF JUNIOR COTILLIONS 

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Chapter

Enriching a child's life through

the practice of courtesy and kindness

Cotillion's response to COVID-19

The National League of Junior Cotillions is one of the finest character education programs in the country. The mission of the National League of Junior Cotillions is to teach students the value of treating others with dignity and respect for better relationships with family and friends and to teach social dance. In light of the challenges posed by the Pandemic of 2020, Cotillion will also meet a critical need by offering students an inspiring example of "how to connect with others, digitally, creatively, and physically, but in safe and socially distanced ways”.  

Junior Cotillion in Southwest is a three-season program with each season building on the lessons taught in the previous year. The Cotillion program culminates with the Season III Graduation Ball, an elegant Rite-of-Passage, to which family and friends are invited.  

Cotillion will open in January 2021 for Season I, II, and III.  This season only, we will be accepting high school students into a Season I Advanced class.  Only those events we can deliver in full compliance with Cotillion Safe Participation Standards are scheduled. The remaining events will be held when it is safe to have instructional dinners, engage in close conversation groups, and dance in the closed position. Season I can be delivered in full by May 2nd. Season II and III events may extend into the Fall with Graduation in the spring of 2022. 

So you may make a well-informed decision and are comfortable with your decision, we have prepared three presentations that explain how decisions were made in response to COVID-19, details on the Season Schedule of Events, and the implementation of Cotillion Safe Participation Standards.  You may view these presentations as a movie or read the notes for each slide.  

Click the version you would like to view 

First in the series

Making the decision_Movie

Making the Decision_Slides & Notes

Second in the series

Season Schedule of Events 2021-2022_Movie

Season Schedule of Events 2021-2022_Slides & Notes

Season Schedule of Events 2021-2022_Direct Link

Third in the series

Implementing Cotillion Safe Participation Standards_Movie

Implementing Cotillion Safe Participation Standards_Slides & Notes

Testimonies 

https://www.evernote.com/l/AGvGB2iCQ29O2YQvE0quDsxxjgQ-a_q6qX0

HOW TO REGISTER

Registration is online. 

Click the Registration Tab to the left.  Select your class and follow the prompts.

A $250 deposit is due at the time of registration.

Payments are made online only.

We do not accept checks or cash. 

Contact the director if you need help with this.  

REGISTRATION 

Registrations are processed for acceptance on a first-come-first-served basis and our numbers must balance between ladies and gentlemen.  This means for every lady registered there must be a corresponding gentleman and visa versa. In order to be accepted into the class, a deposit is required.  Deposits are kept in the online account until acceptance is confirmed.  

Class size is limited due to restrictions on the number of people at a public gathering.  The class size is set to this limit.  When the first class has reached maximum capacity, students will be put on a waitlist.   Provided there is a sufficient number to justify opening an additional class, we will do so.  

ACCEPTANCE

The director is notified when a registration is received and accepts the next student on the list providing there is a corresponding registration.

The only exception to this procedure is when a student, boy or girl,  recommends a corresponding registration of their own.  Providing the director is notified in advance, the two are accepted together no matter where the referring students are on the waitlist.  

Notice of acceptance is sent out via e-mail.  Parents must accept the offer of acceptance and agree to comply with Cotillion's Safe Participation Standards.  Once parents accept the acceptance, a formal acceptance is sent by mail, the student's deposit is transferred to the Cotillion Operating Account.  After formal acceptance is confirmed, there are no refunds in fairness to those on our waitlist.  

information for parents

Information for Parents

General information on the program, the curriculum, registration, 

fees, sponsorships, standards of conduct, and testimonials

https://www.evernote.com/l/AGv77yQbzy5MkrAOXlhIE1QBjlK33BkB8Pc

Season Schedule of Events 

Season Schedule of Events 2021-2022_Direct Link

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

Advisory Board 

https://www.evernote.com/l/AGuDIWp3JPlJt6ryqO0mQ7NgSbPXoxeL7vs

Dress Code Season I  

https://www.evernote.com/l/AGvXGkEsoA1B1b3f6wagxEwYw3Q9M3ExG0g

Dress Code Season II    

https://www.evernote.com/l/AGu9wLzzxhNNGLmCH78OunecC5n5O0iiLiM

Dress Code Season III  

https://www.evernote.com/l/AGvZM-iJGjlDqJgNvdqoiIbgWZnHKNowyU4

Standards of Conduct 

https://www.evernote.com/l/AGt9r6GDLqZBGoE2w6DpQnsdHHjYedJlcU4

Memory Book Order Forms 

To be uploaded when the season opens

David Meardon Photography 

Cotillion in Southwest Florida is magical!

Portrait and Event Photography by David Meardon, Sanibel, Florida 

In the event of severe weather, local or national emergencies, or a pandemic, 

activities and events may be postponed, rescheduled or canceled.

There are no refunds once acceptance is confirmed

Announcements

About Director

Laurie Coventry Payne is the director of the National League of Junior Cotillions Southwest Florida.  Miss Laurie, as she is addressed by the children, opened her first chapter in 2004.  Since that time, she has taught over 3000 students. Miss Laurie was a professional classical dancer in Europe before returning to the United States and earning her master's degree in environmental science.  She worked for several years as an adjunct professor at Florida Gulf Coast University before becoming the executive director of a non-profit Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation is to change lives for the better, building a culture of kindness that extends to the entire community of life. Her work with Cotillion suits the mission of the Foundation beautifully. Miss Laurie has been married to her husband, John, for thirty years.  She has five grown children, three beautiful grandchildren, and a golden retriever named Gentle Symphony.

Laurie Coventry Payne, M.S.

[email protected]

(941) 677-3277 

if no answer, leave a message 

 The message comes through as a text and e-mail

Please feel free to contact the director at any time

with questions, comments, or sugggestions