Organizers April 2016

organizers@lists.sharedweight.net

1 participants
7 discussions

Re: [Organizers] Non-clique members in sensitive board positions

by Greg Allan via Organizers

Hi, Generally I concur with previous commenters. It seems to me, the problem you have with "sensitive board positions" is a matter of trust, ultimately having to do with money. Because this person is not part of the clique, then the folks having a discussion about changing the bylaws probably don't know them very well and are reluctant to hand over responsibility. Unfortuantely, that's not the way it works. Unless by "clique" you meant the entire dancing community of your organization, elections are elections: it's not the current cliquey board that gets to decide who serves as officer. That being said, there is yet more to say about the sensitivity of the finance position. Here, I would point to the bylaws themselves as a ballast for trust. If your treasurer is the only signing authority required for large monetary transactions, then this is the only bylaw I would suggest changing. If two signing authorities are required, I can't see there being much opportunity for embezzlement when, as a previous person commented, a second set of eyes is on the books. You can also consider drafting and enacting policies or standing resolutions regarding how certain business is supposed to be conducted. This will hopefully allay any fears of being taken advantage of. The difference between bylaws and standing resolutions and be found here <http://www.ehow.com/about_6590676_difference-bylaws-_amp_-standing-rules.ht…>. There's also much to be said about talking to this person face to face and letting them know what your trepidations are, and hopefully you can come to an understanding. Greg On Tue, Apr 26, 2016 at 8:52 PM, via Organizers < organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Send Organizers mailing list submissions to > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > organizers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > organizers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Organizers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Non-clique members in sensitive board positions. > (Claire Baffaut via Organizers) > 2. Re: Non-clique members in sensitive board positions. > (Jeff Raymond via Organizers) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2016 18:00:33 -0500 > From: Claire Baffaut via Organizers > <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > To: David Kirchner <dekirchner(a)gmail.com> > Cc: "organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net" > <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Organizers] Non-clique members in sensitive board > positions. > Message-ID: > < > CADNUGEWSWdUDVYJ6vL4oOEKmCsyuRzp2RsG5HwxLB048yfncHA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Joe, > > Unless I am missing something, your situation is not something to avoid. It > is something to be grateful for. You must be doing something right to have > people volunteer for this position without twisting any arm. The treasurer > position is very important, yet it requires diligence and understanding of > what is required. The work is behind the scene and has few rewards. > > I have heard (and seen) of more organizations going under because of books > being cooked than I ever thought was possible. It happens more often than > we would want too, sometimes because the person is in denial of what the > numbers are saying, sometimes because the situation is too tempting to > resist. > > The best prevention is to have several pairs of eyes on the books and have > frequent changes of treasurers so that no one is too comfortable. It seems > that you are in an ideal situation for either one of those. You could ask > that person to review the books, or you could ask her to take over the > position, or you could ask her to shadow the current treasurer and learn > the ways it is done in your organization before she moves into the > position. What I am saying is that there are many ways for you to use the > talent in a way that benefits your organization, in the short and long run. > > Claire (Columbia, MO) > > On Tue, Apr 26, 2016 at 5:45 PM, David Kirchner via Organizers < > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > I guess I don't see the problem here. Someone wants to volunteer to help > > the organization. Yay! > > > > So the person hasn't danced much. So what? There are other people who do > > dance on the board, right? It's not like this person is going to initiate > > something that would hurt the dance and manage to carry the day against a > > bunch of dancing board members who would know better. > > > > If the problem is that this person would be bad for the board for other > > reasons (unrelated to the lack of dance experience), then you should > > address that the same way you would address it if a regular dancer who > > wouldn't be a good choice asked to join the board. > > > > David > > > > On Tue, Apr 26, 2016 at 5:20 PM, Jeff Raymond via Organizers < > > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > >> It is amazing how helpful new converts I mean dancers are and to ignore > >> qualified personnel because they are not yet fully vetted could mean > >> missing out on some good talent. > >> Qualifications and references are in order. > >> IMHO > >> Be well, Jeff > >> On Apr 26, 2016 5:16 PM, "via Organizers" < > >> organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> > >>> The situation is unclear to me. Is this person unqualified in some way? > >>> > >>> Sent from my iPhone > >>> > >>> > >>> > On Apr 26, 2016, at 5:08 PM, Joe Kwiatkowski via Organizers < > >>> organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >>> > > >>> > It's annual election time, and a new dancer is answering the call to > >>> help the organization. > >>> > > >>> > The individual in question is someone known to a Board member and has > >>> "has served with other groups as funds manager/ treasurer type > positions". > >>> Using her talents, she has volunteered to lend them to the > organization as > >>> Treasurer. > >>> > > >>> > This has sparked a battle among (1) we need to amend the by-laws so > >>> this can't happen, (2) we need to mentor new people into leadership, > (3) we > >>> need to just vote at the general election and see what happens. > >>> > > >>> > A supporter of (1) claims that "that's what other clubs do". > >>> > > >>> > So without asking for the entire contra nation to take sides, let me > >>> ask you organizers: what would your club do/what does your club do to > >>> contend with or avoid situations such as this? > >>> > > >>> > Joe Kwiatkowski > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > _______________________________________________ > >>> > Organizers mailing list > >>> > Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > >>> > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> Organizers mailing list > >>> Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > >>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > >>> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Organizers mailing list > >> Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > >> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > >> > >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Organizers mailing list > > Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > > > > > > > -- > *Claire* >

8 years, 7 months

non-clique members - April 26

by Claire Schaffer via Organizers

I also don’t see what the problem is. If the person who wants to be Treasurer is qualified and gets along with others, why not let them apply. CDNY’s bylaws call for the Treasurer to be elected by the membership at the annual meeting along with other elected officers (President, Secretary, Bursar) and elected members-at-large whose terms are expiring. The Board also consists of committee chairs who are appointed by the President for a two-year term. The slate of nominees is prepared by a nominating committee that is appointed by the President. As President, I choose a group of three or four people who complement each other in terms of age and experience, who are a mix of board members and non-board members, and who know the people in our dance community. This is my second year as President, and I picked different people for the nominating committee than I did last year, to bring in fresh perspectives. This nominating system has worked well for us over the years. Theoretically, someone could put themself forward for election to the Board, but I don’t believe that has ever happened.

8 years, 7 months

Non-clique members in sensitive board positions.

by Joe Kwiatkowski via Organizers

It's annual election time, and a new dancer is answering the call to help the organization. The individual in question is someone known to a Board member and has "has served with other groups as funds manager/ treasurer type positions". Using her talents, she has volunteered to lend them to the organization as Treasurer. This has sparked a battle among (1) we need to amend the by-laws so this can't happen, (2) we need to mentor new people into leadership, (3) we need to just vote at the general election and see what happens. A supporter of (1) claims that "that's what other clubs do". So without asking for the entire contra nation to take sides, let me ask you organizers: what would your club do/what does your club do to contend with or avoid situations such as this? Joe Kwiatkowski

8 years, 7 months

Re: [Organizers] Organizers Digest, Vol 20, Issue 7

by Emily Addison via Organizers

Hi All, Thanks for such great feedback regarding the first-timer handout. Totally agreed that there are lots of influences on what would make a beginner come back, the biggest being in my mind, the welcome/encouraging feel of the dance community. We've been working on all sorts of aspects the last number of years from the hall decor, ensuring really strong music/callers, and encouraging the welcoming nature of the dancers. This handout is one of those little extra bonus projects we'd like to try to see if it will help ===> but we want to make sure it's done well! I realllllly appreciate all the suggestions for content/links/etc. Especially interesting to see Larry Jenning's handout. (Jim -- thanks so much for all that info -- that must have taken you a while!) I'm seeing some echos of ideas across the feedback I've seen so I'll work on digesting all that info and wordsmithing to pull something together. If I'm lucky, I'll be done by August ... will definitely share what we end up with. Much thanks again! Emily On Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 9:51 AM, via Organizers < organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Send Organizers mailing list submissions to > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > organizers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > organizers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Organizers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: suggestions for a beginner contra (Greg Allan via Organizers) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2016 09:51:23 -0500 > From: Greg Allan via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > To: organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net, > organizers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net > Subject: Re: [Organizers] suggestions for a beginner contra > Message-ID: > < > CAEd_4OWH49SQaxYY943SSc4kVuNiuTpnF2EPLgjSbG0cxtvGYQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > I agree with Takemori's comments and with the echo provided by Saxe. I you > take it to be true in anyway then I would go one step further and advise > that you put your efforts into making a flyer for experienced dancers, > reminding them how important their role is, and how they might accomplish > it better. As leaders in a community, you'd be surprised how much authority > you have to set those kinds of standards, to good outcome. > > Greg > > On Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 8:45 AM, via Organizers < > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > Send Organizers mailing list submissions to > > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > > > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > > organizers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > > > You can reach the person managing the list at > > organizers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > > than "Re: Contents of Organizers digest..." > > > > > > Today's Topics: > > > > 1. Re: suggestions for beginner contra handout > > (Mac Mckeever via Organizers) > > 2. Re: suggestions for beginner contra handout > > (James Saxe via Organizers) > > 3. Re: suggestions for beginner contra handout > > (Stephen Moore via Organizers) > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > Message: 1 > > Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2016 21:33:49 +0000 (UTC) > > From: Mac Mckeever via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > > To: Emily Addison <emilyladdison(a)gmail.com>, > > "organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net" > > <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > > Subject: Re: [Organizers] suggestions for beginner contra handout > > Message-ID: > > <1952693951.4636010.1461188029913.JavaMail.yahoo(a)mail.yahoo.com> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > > > Emily, > > We give first time participants a flyer that is focused on marketing our > > various events.? We have talked about changing to something more like you > > describe but haven't moved in that direction yet > > One thing we do include on it is an offer that if they bring the flyer > > back for their second dance they get in free (we mark the flyer so we > know > > it has been used and they still keep it). > > Mac McKeeverSt Louis > > > > > > From: Emily Addison via Organizers < > > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > > To: organizers shared weight <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > > Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 1:43 PM > > Subject: [Organizers] suggestions for beginner contra handout > > > > Hello shared weight organizers, > > I just posted the following idea on the shared weight callers list as I > > thought it would be of interest to callers but I really wanted to include > > it here too as it has to do with organizing. > > Ottawa Contra is working on a 1-pg handout to give to first time > dancers.? > > The goal of the handout is to provide tidbits that will help convince > first > > timers ?to come back, that contra's accessible/they can be > successful/climb > > that learning curve, and that contra's a great fit for them.? Who knows > if > > the handout will actually work but we want to try as part of our focus on > > increasing the retention of all the beginners we get. > > I have a few examples of other handouts but they often focus on > explaining > > the specific moves.? > > We're thinking more along things that speak to the spirit of contra/are > > inspiring PLLLUS great technical tips (nuggets!) that can make a huge > > different to their experience as beginners. Things for them to reflect on > > and absorb. ? > > If you have any ideas, please pass them along. They may be little > messages > > you feel every beginner should know, or even tips you you've heard > callers > > provide in beginner/intro lesson before the actual dance. > > I've heard some real nuggets in the past but they don't stay in my brain > > and I think their hard for beginners to absorb as well! > > With much thanks :)Emily Addison in Ottawa ON > > _______________________________________________ > > Organizers mailing list > > Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > > > > > > > >

8 years, 8 months

Re: [Organizers] suggestions for a beginner contra

by Greg Allan via Organizers

I agree with Takemori's comments and with the echo provided by Saxe. I you take it to be true in anyway then I would go one step further and advise that you put your efforts into making a flyer for experienced dancers, reminding them how important their role is, and how they might accomplish it better. As leaders in a community, you'd be surprised how much authority you have to set those kinds of standards, to good outcome. Greg On Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 8:45 AM, via Organizers < organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Send Organizers mailing list submissions to > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > organizers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > organizers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Organizers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: suggestions for beginner contra handout > (Mac Mckeever via Organizers) > 2. Re: suggestions for beginner contra handout > (James Saxe via Organizers) > 3. Re: suggestions for beginner contra handout > (Stephen Moore via Organizers) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2016 21:33:49 +0000 (UTC) > From: Mac Mckeever via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > To: Emily Addison <emilyladdison(a)gmail.com>, > "organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net" > <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Organizers] suggestions for beginner contra handout > Message-ID: > <1952693951.4636010.1461188029913.JavaMail.yahoo(a)mail.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Emily, > We give first time participants a flyer that is focused on marketing our > various events.? We have talked about changing to something more like you > describe but haven't moved in that direction yet > One thing we do include on it is an offer that if they bring the flyer > back for their second dance they get in free (we mark the flyer so we know > it has been used and they still keep it). > Mac McKeeverSt Louis > > > From: Emily Addison via Organizers < > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > To: organizers shared weight <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 1:43 PM > Subject: [Organizers] suggestions for beginner contra handout > > Hello shared weight organizers, > I just posted the following idea on the shared weight callers list as I > thought it would be of interest to callers but I really wanted to include > it here too as it has to do with organizing. > Ottawa Contra is working on a 1-pg handout to give to first time dancers.? > The goal of the handout is to provide tidbits that will help convince first > timers ?to come back, that contra's accessible/they can be successful/climb > that learning curve, and that contra's a great fit for them.? Who knows if > the handout will actually work but we want to try as part of our focus on > increasing the retention of all the beginners we get. > I have a few examples of other handouts but they often focus on explaining > the specific moves.? > We're thinking more along things that speak to the spirit of contra/are > inspiring PLLLUS great technical tips (nuggets!) that can make a huge > different to their experience as beginners. Things for them to reflect on > and absorb. ? > If you have any ideas, please pass them along. They may be little messages > you feel every beginner should know, or even tips you you've heard callers > provide in beginner/intro lesson before the actual dance. > I've heard some real nuggets in the past but they don't stay in my brain > and I think their hard for beginners to absorb as well! > With much thanks :)Emily Addison in Ottawa ON > _______________________________________________ > Organizers mailing list > Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > > > >

8 years, 8 months

suggestions for beginner contra handout

by Emily Addison via Organizers

Hello shared weight organizers, I just posted the following idea on the shared weight callers list as I thought it would be of interest to callers but I really wanted to include it here too as it has to do with organizing. Ottawa Contra is working on a 1-pg handout to give to first time dancers. The goal of the handout is to provide tidbits that will help convince first timers to come back, that contra's accessible/they can be successful/climb that learning curve, and that contra's a great fit for them. Who knows if the handout will actually work but we want to try as part of our focus on increasing the retention of all the beginners we get. I have a few examples of other handouts but they often focus on explaining the specific moves. We're thinking more along things that speak to the spirit of contra/are inspiring PLLLUS great technical tips (nuggets!) that can make a huge different to their experience as beginners. Things for them to reflect on and absorb. If you have any ideas, please pass them along. They may be little messages you feel every beginner should know, or even tips you you've heard callers provide in beginner/intro lesson before the actual dance. I've heard some real nuggets in the past but they don't stay in my brain and I think their hard for beginners to absorb as well! With much thanks :) Emily Addison in Ottawa ON

8 years, 8 months

Dipping and aerials

by Orin Nisenson via Organizers

At a recent Friends of Greenfield Dance board meeting the topic of dipping and aerials came up. Have other organizers had problems with these dance moves and how have you handled them? Thanks, Orin

8 years, 8 months

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Organizers April 2016