Re: [Organizers] Fwd: Fw: [danceambassadors] Dance Attendance Project

I have just started a simple initiative with new dancers to the Lenox (MA) Contra Dance. It's very simple... I send them an email if they've given it to us. About half of them reply, and I do a quick reply to any of these. Some of the replies are asking for more information... other places to dance, where to get certain kinds of dance instruction, etc., and I tell them what I can. I can't know for sure if all of these people will come back. We take their email addresses when they enter, so if they leave unhappy for any reason, they're not all that likely to reply to my welcome message. Data is great for some aspects, but I think that the issue of new dancers has to do mostly with each individual new dancer. People who go away with a not-positive experience are not likely to be mollified by a survey. I think the key is to make things as warm and attentive as possible. In addition to the email message, we're also trying to be attentive to actually getting around and talking with the new dancers if they're sitting out. Just chatting, more welcoming. I'd be interested in any other kinds of follow-ups that folks do to welcome new dancers and encourage their returning. Stephen Moore Lenox (MA) Contra Dance Here's the text of the message I send out: Thanks for coming to the Lenox Contra Dance. I think we've got a really nice, warm, and welcoming community of dancers and friends, so I hope you'll enjoy coming back and dancing with all of us often. For new dancers, remember when you return for your second dance to mention this, and we'll let you dance for free! (... and if you're happy paying anyway, that's a help.) I'd be very interested in knowing how you heard about the dance, whether it was from someone you know or through a particular media outlet. We have limited resources to put into publicity, so knowing what works is a real help. If you'd be willing to take a moment and reply to me, I'd really appreciate it. We get occasional requests to use our email list to publicize other dance events, but our policy is that we do not use our list for any other purpose than communicating directly with our dancers. We send out a monthly reminder for the upcoming dance, and occasionally messages to keep folks informed about what goes on to put on the dance. If you know of a dance event that could use some exposure (however limited) we do offer to post an announcement on our website (LenoxContraDance.org). The dance is produced by a committee who thinks of themselves as just the custodians of this dance. We have six members: Wendy Jensen, who is our treasurer and handles our email messages; Bill Cawley, who helps with getting us some grant money (which let us put on a free dance for beginners in November!) and offers candid views on various matters: Jon Greene, who does our performer bookings and a couple of times a year calls our dances; Adam Goodman, who manages our website; Janice Tassarini, who bakes the refreshments, handles our relationship with the Lenox Community Center, and is often opening the dance and greeting people at the cash box; and myself - I do the publicity and try to keep things on track and moving forward. We all take turns being there to open and close the dance as well. As you can see, there's quite a bit that goes into putting this dance on. I am attaching below a list of our upcoming dances that we have booked for this year. You can also check www.LenoxContraDance.org for listings as well. We also have links on our site to other area dances that might interest you. So, thanks again for coming. If you wouldn't mind sharing with me how you heard about the dance, that would be great. Hope to see you dancing soon, Stephen Moore Great Barrington, MA Upcoming dances this year: (feel free to print and post our posters as well to help get the word out.) (I attach a pdf flyer for our scheduled dances coming up this year.)