Zazpiak Bat:" 7 essentials of a successful Basque club  

The Basque motto of "Zazpiak-Bat" specifically refers to the seven historical regions of the Basque country joining together to be one.  This motto is adapted here to refer to the seven essential elements that make the difference between a Basque club that sputters versus one that thrives.

What does it take to have a successful Basque club?  Many things actually, but here the focus is on seven elements that will make a crucial difference between a club that sputters versus one that thrives: workers, recreation, donors, educators, leaders, a crowd and gogoa.  Combining these seven (zazpi) elements will make for a stronger club (one).

Those who have worked to form and maintain a Basque club know that this task is not an easy one. 

1. WORKERS. A Basque club will be only as strong as its foundation, and in this case it is the strength and dedication of its workers who are willing to give of their time (for no pay) for a common cause.

There are numerous examples of the worker without whom there would be no party.  As some know, putting on a Basque festival is no easy job: facilities need to be reserved, you have to get the necessary permits, put out publicity, arrange entertainment, prepare the food, clean the mess .... 

Here is how it breaks down:  according to the last U.S. Census and the information provided NABO by our member clubs/organizations, less than one of ten people who define themselves as Basque has made the step to join a Basque club/organization!  So less than ten percent of the self-defined Basque community has taken on the task of keeping things going.  Then of course, that is assuming most members actually step up to consistently contribute which is rarely the case in most clubs--thus only a portion of that 10% ends up as workers.  We owe this largely silent, invisible group of people our gratitude: their tireless efforts have made it possible to give a visible form of our celebration of Basque heritage.

 2. RECREATION. The primary impetus behind the formation of most Basque clubs that are now celebrating anniversaries that stretch across decades is that of people who wanted to get together to have a good time.  The immigrant generation--most of whom founded our clubs--arranged informal gatherings that developed into clubs.  Basque families would assemble to share a good meal which remains the defining element of most Basque gatherings.  For most Basque immigrants who had to work hard (i.e., herding sheep was not an easy task) these gatherings offered them an opportunity to enjoy themselves and each others company with a few hours of revelry.

 3. DONORS. While money doesn’t literally make the world go around, in sure does makes a difference for a Basque club. It takes the generosity of people not only to give of their time, but also of money which is why donors are a crucial component.  There has to be some seed-money to get things up and running, thus someone has to step up.  Fundraisers are a reality for every successful because you need money to pay the bills. 

4. EDUCATORS.  This category embraces the teachers & the visionaries.  The immigrant generation were made Basque by their environment; they came of age in the Basque country.  It is not the same anymore, and not just because things are different for a minority group such as ours in America.  The same applies for Basques born in the Basque country.  Being Basque nowadays is more of a choice from a whole list of options.  Thus it falls to the educators to find ways of maintaining traditions and innovating ways of keeping people involved.  Realistically then, if a Basque identity is going to endure in world of numerous alternative choices, Basque clubs have to do an effective job of providing a foundation of what it means to be Basque. Teachers in a club include the dance instructors, the people teaching Euskara classes, the people preparing an exhibit of Basque photographs, etc. 

5. LEADERS.  All the great ideas in the world amount to nothing if they don’t get off the ground.  This is why a successful club is due to a handful of people who find a way to get people to begin pushing in the same direction. This is not easy, and it takes exceptional people skills.  Able leaders are those who find ways of getting people to want to join in the effort because it is worth their while.

6. A CROWD. In the film "Field of Dreams" the mantra is repeated "build it and they will come."  It came out in the movie, but it doesn't always work out that way in real life.  In every club it is always a minority that does a majority of the work. But it is counter-productive to scold people for not working more.  The simple fact of the matter is that we want people to come to our events—otherwise what good is all the effort of setting up tables and chairs if they are empty?  So yes, we also need those people who may work or donate little or nothing, because they too make the Basque club a success because we want our events well attended.  It makes our efforts worthwhile and rewarding.  So let the word go out--yes come to our parties and we won't make you feel guilty because having a good crowd is an essential part of a successful club.

 7. GOGOA is the Basque word for desire or will.  It ultimately comes down to this great intangible: Euskaldun bizi nahia—the will to live as Basque. That is what it will take to keep a Basque world going here in America.  The challenge is to make identifying oneself as being Basque as something worthwhile.