20 Aug
2008
20 Aug
'08
1:58 a.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: callers-bounces(a)sharedweight.net [mailto:callers-
bounces(a)sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Greg McKenzie
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 7:44 PM
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: [Callers] The First Three Dances (Was "Trouble Getting Gigs.")
On a related note Dan gave the following link for an
evaluation form
used the the Chattahoochie Country Dancers:
http://www.contradance.org/pdfs/caller_eval.pdf
(This is a 12-page form that is more imposing than many job
application forms I have seen. As a programmer I had complaints that
my "Caller Notes" document--just over four pages--was much too
detailed. This one seems designed to actually discourage new callers
from applying.)
I feel the need to defend our system a bit.
1) New callers are always welcome to share on the program with an experienced caller,
anywhere from 1-2 dances to half an evening.
2) Most of the '12-page form' is really just description of the expected caller
growth process, from just starting out to being on the regular rotation. The 12 page pdf
contains 6 pages of description; a 2 page evaluation form; and a 1 page application.
3) The process was designed to be rigorous. The way the Atlanta dance works is once you
are on the schedule as a local caller you are permanently on the schedule to call at least
once a quarter. That is a big commitment, and the committee does not want to make any
mistakes on who gets on that rotation.
The point is, if you want to be on the regular rotation, you need to really want it. It is
not something to take lightly.
All that said, I'm not certain I agree with the idea of 'once you are on the
rotation, you stay on the rotation' philosophy. However, that's the system we
have, and I'm not going to waste any more of my energy and life trying to change
it.:-) Since we seem to be stuck with it, we need a rigorous process to ensure the people
who are going to be calling the dance for many years are up to par.
Seth Tepfer 770-784-8487 seth.tepfer(a)emory.edu
Director of Administrative Computing, Oxford College
Proud Pappa (again): Zyle Caspian, born Thursday, April 17, 2:38 pm. 8 lbs, 19.5 inches.
Baby Pix at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25804137@N08/
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