Organizers

organizers@lists.sharedweight.net

6 participants
511 discussions

Shared Weight organizers - want to participate in a wee tool to help us connect further???

by Emily Addison

Hi Shared Weight organizers, I've been talking with Seth (our organizers list moderator) about the following idea and I wanted to bring it to you all. I think it would be super awesome for us to have a contact list with our photo, email, where we're located + what we organize. *Why a SW organizers contact list??* I've always wanted to put a face to your name if I haven't met you before. We've been chatting for so many years and yet, many of us don't know what each other look like. If we showed up at a dance, we could actually miss connecting! Also, knowing what we each organize and where we're located helps put things into context. Finally, having a list will help us reach out to each other directly if there's a specific question we want to ask someone. *Are you interested in participating?* If so, please fill out this very brief google form <https://forms.gle/kpdaDNkscU6cFVZs7>, ideally by April 30th. Then I'll move your information into a google document in early May. All those who share their information will get a link to that google document. We won't be sharing the google doc link directly onto the list as our list archives are public and so can be searched by google and our personal information would be public. The document will say right at the top that it's not to be shared. :) I'm hoping this can strengthen our sense of community & our interest in further conversations if we 'know' each other just a little bit more. Thoughts? :) Emily in Ottawa PS: This is the first time we're trying something like this on a SW list. We'll see how it works here and then maybe it can be used on other lists.

1 year, 12 months

Dance series without vaccination requirements

by Stephen Moore

The Lenox contra dance series is interested in knowing other dance series/events around the country that do not have a vaccination requirement. If you feel comfortable letting us know of your existence, please email us directly at info(a)lenoxcontradance.org <mailto:info@lenoxcontradance.org>. Stephen Moore

2 years

Re: Is it time to change our mask mandates?

by Peter Martel

Thanks Seth for helping to reset the tone. Agreed folks need to feel like they can share perspectives without concern. The OP’s question was: > “I am very curious about what other organizers think. Is it time? And what should be our criteria for lifting our mandates?” That suggests a broader response beyond just what others are doing. For me the broader sharing along with the thinking behind it and related experiences and implications is helpful. There are many way to think and decide, so knowing the thinking beyond just the policy I lends to better decisions. Do we do what’s best for the most people? What is best? At the hospital, folks are asked to wear a mask to make others more comfortable. Do we expect the same from our dancers? I thought Woody shared most of what I was thinking. Specifically, contra dances made be the best way to spread disease. That said, maybe also good for building immunity, if we all survive. For me, important is the idea that I wear a mask mostly for others. For those who are immune compromised, and because people are still dying. I like the idea of different lines, and even alternating dances, where masks are required or not. This give options to everyone. But I also recall a suggestion a while back; we can go back to “normal” when COVID numbers align with Flu numbers. We all should know that varies significantly from year to year, both in transmission and severity, so it’s not an exact answer but a reasonable place to shoot for, and a risk level most folks tend to accept. So everyone knows, we have been dancing every Monday since January, with N95 masks required. We didn’t choose to ask for proof of vaccine. No problems with compliance, from young and old. Doesn’t seem to affect anyone’s ability to dance. Participant numbers are down, but then that seems to be the case generally for all post COVID events. We expect numbers to increase over time. Maybe we’ll try alternating mask weeks and see what that does to our numbers. 🤔 Full disclosure: I’ll be helping the OP make the decision for MFS. Because we host a weekly dance alternating mask requirements each week is more viable than a monthly dance. But we plan to restart a (hopefully) larger monthly Saturday dance soon so the mask question has greater implications. Sent from miHand, Peter ‘…the slimmest of instructions, “To use your gifts and dreams for good.” ’ — From Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer > On Apr 12, 2023, at 11:07 AM, Seth Seeger via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > * People are asking what others are doing. Not asking for advice on what they should be doing. Please don't offer unsolicited advice. I think it is useful to hear what is happening at other dances. But if there is going to be negative/critical feedback, people will not share.

2 years

Is it time to change our mask mandates?

by Lisa Sieverts

Hello fellow organizers, I have been a big proponent of our dance mask mandates and feel we have prevented quite a bit of COVID spread by requiring good facemasks. However, our local hospital has announced that after 3 years of a mask mandate for everyone entering their building (it’s both a hospital and a medical center), they are lifting the mandate on April 10 for anyone asymptomatic and who hasn’t had a recent COVID contact. Our board will be discussing this soon but I am very curious about what other organizers think. Is it time? And what should be our criteria for lifting our mandates? Best, Lisa Monadnock Folklore Society Nelson, NH Lisa Sieverts 603-762-0235 lisa(a)lisasieverts.com

2 years

Re: REMINDER TO SAY WHERE YOU DANCE. : Is it time to change our mask mandates?

by Peter Martel

2 years

Re: Is it time to change our mask mandates?

by Jon Greene

Yes, Don I was being a little tongue in cheek and I apologize for that. I was in a bit of a rush when I wrote that. Here's a fuller response. Mac is almost certainly correct in claiming that mask wearing is less risky than no mask wearing with respect to community spread. But implicit in his response is that whatever risk remains is an acceptable one. It certainly is to him (and me) and probably everyone reading this. But one can imagine people for whom this lower risk would still be unacceptable. Such people might look at contra dancing as a selfish, recreational activity that during a pandemic endangers the health of the wider community. They would have a point. The only risk-free dance is no dance. Now, fortunately, there are health organizations that provide guidance to all of us on matters of public health. We don't have to set policies based on the least or the most risk averse people in our community. We can look to these organizations for guidance. They don't set their risk tolerance thresholds at zero just like water departments don't set the acceptable parts per million of e coli in the water supply at zero. A certain amount of risk is acceptable (yay, we can all have a contra dance!). The premiere such health organization in our country is the Centers for Disease Control. In our dance community in Berkshire Count, MA, we decided to simply follow CDC COVID-19 guidelines, not reinterpret them or add to them, just follow them. Ever since our dance restarted last July, the CDC guidelines with respect to mask wearing in indoor spaces is that everyone should be masked if the community spread level of the virus is high (red). If it is low (green) or medium (yellow), certain individuals should be masked (e.g., the immunocompromised, those with a known recent COVID exposure, etc.) and anyone who wishes to mask, certainly can, but the CDC does *not* explicitly recommend that *everyone* masks. So, neither do we. If the community spread level is high, we simply cancel the dance (which we've never actually had to do). We have followed the same guidance for COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. The CDC has made it very clear that the purpose of the COVID-19 vaccination program is to prevent severe infections, not stop transmission, which makes sense given how poorly the vaccines have done at stopping transmission. So we don't exclude unvaccinated or partially vaccinated dancers from our dance because, as organizers, we are only concerned about transmission at our dance, not what health choices people might make for themselves. - Jon Greene (Lenox contra dance organizer) On Sun, Apr 9, 2023 at 11:16 AM Don Peabody <donpeabody(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Jon— > > You may be using sarcasm, but I agree with what you’ve said. > > Love to you all— > > Don > > > On Apr 9, 2023, at 10:23 AM, Jon Greene via Organizers < > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > > Mac, > > > > I guess none of us then should really be contra dancing at all because > dancing surely creates more transmission risk than not dancing. And for a > recreational activity that, unlike earning a living, is not even a > necessity. > > > > - Jon Greene > > > > Sent from my iPhone > > > >> On Apr 8, 2023, at 5:27 PM, Walker Sloan via Organizers < > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > >> > >> > >> Becoming infected by Covid today is a lower risk to the individual than > at the start of the pandemic. > >> > >> However, becoming infected by Covid is also an opportunity for the > Covid virus to be transmitted to others, and to mutate. > >> > >> R0 is the number of people that an infected individual is likely to > infect. > >> > >> R0 was 5.4 in Dec 2022. > >> > >> XBB.1.5 is estimated to be 82% of all Covid cases today. > >> > >> 5.4 and 82% are not numbers influenced by communities or individuals > attitudes towards risk. Only by community and individual behavior. > >> > >> People who assume increased risk for themselves are also assuming > increased risk for 5.4 other people. > >> > >> Masks, vaxes, and emails mitigate risks. > >> > >> These data are from an article published by a reputable university > hospital last month on Mar 17 2023. Scroll to the last page for R0. > >> > >> > https://www.ohsu.edu/sites/default/files/2023-03/Oregon-Hospital-Forecast-T… > >> > >> Mac Sloan > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > >> To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > _______________________________________________ > > Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net > >

2 years

Listserv dynamics

by Chrissy Fowler

Dear organizers, On a slightly different topic, when I read Darlene's post, I nodded my head at this: I seldom chime in on things, though I lurk in the background, due to people going on the defense or sometimes attacking. I am only posting so you have some information on what we are doing here in our part of the world. This has been true for me lately. (But Darlene's willingness to share emboldened me to share data from our dance series. Thanks Darlene!) I hope that this list can be a place where divergent experiences are shared, and where those varied perspectives are received respectfully, knowing they're offered with the intent of helping others in their organizing work. When I have questions or seek clarification or want to challenge that perspective, I know that I can either pursue those conversations off list (1:1 email, phone call or in person) or I can respond on the list with careful kindness and respect, hoping that the other person will respond in kind. When a listserv devolves into attacking or defensiveness, then the list members are effectively silencing people like Darlene. Which is a loss for all of us. But when many voices are heard, I learn new things, have my assumptions challenged, and get nudged into more complex thinking. And I can return to my community with fresh ideas. Which is the point of this listserv :) Cheers, Chrissy <><><><><><> chrissyfowler.com<http://www.chrissyfowler.com> dance leadership belfastflyingshoes.org<http://www.belfastflyingshoes.org> participatory dance & music

2 years

New England Venue Search

by Liz Burkhart

Hi, I'm with Lavender Country and Folk Dancers. We've been running queer dance camps in New England for around 30 years. Covid has messed up our venue situation, so we're searching for a new venue in the general New England region for our fall dance camp, which is usually in the 3rd weekend of October. Does anyone have any suggestions? It must have a dance floor, cabins/dorms for attendees, and be run by LGBTQ+ friendly people. It would be for ~80-150 attendees. I think we also need food to be provided by the venue's staff (that might be negotiable). Money generally not an issue. We will be having our spring camp at Pinewoods for the first time this year, which is exciting! We're looking for a different venue for fall. Thank you!

2 years

Band(s) needed

by Mary Collins

Covid & elder ailments has wiped out my basket of bands. I am in need of music for April 14 and possibly some summer & fall dates. We welcome new bands that need dances under their belts! As always the pay sucks, negotiations for some travel relief is available. Nativedae(a)gmail.com Thanks! Mary "from Buffalo", not. Collins

2 years

Need ideas/feedback about how to get new dancers to return

by Sandy Seiler

Newbies are not returning my thoughts... Why? not feeling welcome?, feeling intimidated/too hard? Coming late to lesson and being lost/confused during dance? Lack of feeling of mastery/learning? Need follow up lesson since we only dance 1x/month? One month is a long time to wait for another lesson. Not enough younger dancers like themselves? Ideas: 1. Use beginner friendly buttons 2. Ask experienced dancers to dance with beginners for first 2 dances at least. Board members lead by example. 3. Encourage experienced dancers to come for the beginner lesson to welcome/socialize with new dancers. 4. Have caller or one of us give out free passes (pass for next dance) at the lesson so we don't have to remember to do it at the table. We gave out 15 free passes to new dancers in Feb and did not get any to return in March. (March dance was on 2nd sat instead of our normal 3rd sat and it's spring break. Feb attendance 61, March 38 (paid dancers, not including 3 listeners). Also there was a local magazine article about LBDA in February and we had our most experienced and popular contra dance band (Kaw Creek) playing. 5. Our Lesson is at 7:00, Dance 7:30. Should we use start time 7:00 in advertising bc experienced dancers will figure it out and adjust to coming at 7:30 more easily than new people knowing they need to come at 7:00 for the lesson. New people attending and being on time for 7:00 lesson is important for a smooth dance so do we need to advertise that way? Want experienced dancers to be there to meet and socialize with them so they can be better integrated into the community and not feel so awkward. I have suggested this to our board before, but was told that would be manipulative toward experienced dancers who would be upset that they came too early and wasted their time. That feels like a very unwelcoming attitude, and I would like to encourage all our dancers to consider that 7:00 is our start time because beginners are important and we need to be there to greet them and socialize. 6. Schedule a 1 hour lesson or series of lessons led by experienced callers Lisa and or Jill and a couple new callers... before the dance? On a different day? Through Parks and Rec this summer? 7. New dancers are far outnumbering experienced dancers. Need to do advanced dance to pull back in some dancers who drifted away after the pandemic. Contact individually by phone/email? And then getting younger people to attend is a whole other but strongly related topic we need to address more effectively. We are not getting enough young people at dances. It appears to me that when a young person comes they often decide to not return because there aren't enough people in their age group. Please tell me if you like/encourage these ideas I have come up with so far and add others. Especially I want to know how to get new people to come on time for the lesson. Is it ok to advertise dance for 7:00 even though first 30 minutes is lesson? It's frustrating for our callers and then they don't get a full lesson which is not good for anyone.

2 years, 1 month

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