Re: [Callers] Purpose of the List

My personal opinion is just to keep one list.  Sometimes we callers being dance geeks like to discuss some of the minute details of contra dance calling.  And it is true that sometimes discussions bleed over from the trad-callers list (which I think is supposed to have somewhat of a different mission than this list), but having yet another list means another list to keep track of, and you KNOW that if we have two lists that people will try to post the same question to both lists from time to time. Also, just because one is a long-time experienced caller doesn't mean that he/she has stopped learning how to call.  I have been calling for 10 years and I still continue to be amazed at the breadth of information that some callers can share with us.  I think that the best way to keep this list going is to keep it as is, with minimal management, and let discussions organically grow.  I think we all need to keep in mind to be respectful of other differences of opinion, and respectful of the people expressing that opinion.  I know that there are a lot of splits in contras these days, and we as callers need to learn how to facilitate the needs of many types of dancers, from brand new dancers to the weekend-dance gypsies.  And of course this board is very valuable in sharing choreographies, something that callers both new and experienced make use of.  I don't see any need to split the list between one for new callers and one for experienced callers.  Would be interesting to know why those folks who have left decided to leave. Perry ________________________________ From: Chris Weiler (SW) <chris(a)sharedweight.net> To: Shared Weight <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 2:43 PM Subject: [Callers] Purpose of the List Hello all, I've started to become aware of a few trends in the community around the Shared Weight Callers list: 1. The list volume has increased 2. The subject matter is increasingly focused on tiny details of the calling experience, usually only of interest to someone who has been calling for many, many years. And these details are debated at length (increasing the volume of the list). 3. People are leaving. Not in mass droves, but a noticeable amount. And some are telling me that the list does not serve their needs. This list was started 9 years ago (next week!) with the express purpose of supporting and encouraging the newer caller. An open forum where the most basic of question was not only tolerated, but celebrated. We succeeded in creating that community for many years, but lately, that vision seems to have been lost along the way. It would be a shame to lose that part of what made this group special. Seth and I started this list, but all we did was start the ball rolling. This is your community, your forum for discussion. I will support whatever this list wants to become. I just want us to be conscious and deliberate about deciding what it will be. So, let's start a discussion about the Purpose of the List and the future of Shared Weight. Here are some thoughts to consider: A. Since there seems to be a split in the discussion, should we split the list? On one side is experienced callers discussing master-level details of calling, programming, teaching and history. On the other side is the mentoring of newer callers who need help at the apprentice and journeyman levels. We could start a master-callers(a)sharedweight.net list quite easily. People could change their subscription based on their interest. B. If we keep this list as-is, how do we make it easy for someone to determine what will be relevant to their level of interest? How do we know when to ask someone to take their debate of a trivial issue off list? C. How do we keep the experience of the list useful and relevant to the most number of people at the widest range of experience levels? Thanks to all of you for your participation, whether you post, or just lurk. I love being a part of the traditional dance community and especially part of our subset of dance callers. Happy Dancing, Chris Weiler SharedWeight Founder/admin/moderator Craftsbury, VT _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers