This might be a crazy idea, Emily, but the by-donation pay model works wonders in many different areas, in particular, here in Winnipeg, and could work for social gatherings as well. For those of you who may not know, "by-donation" means being admitted, receiving a product, or getting whatever you normally get for an established cost, for the cost of any amount of money the patron chooses. It works extremely well in fundraisers utilized by students. I have heard that makes way more money than with itemized cost-list bake-sales. It works extremely well in community shops around the city, for learning how to fix your bike. 

The only other detail that tends to vary from model to model is the accompanying list of so-called "suggested donations". This is a list of what the organization might hope you to donate for a particular items, and is usually given as a range, with, of course, the option to get the item for free or for whatever pocket change you happen to have on at the time still on the table. This could take the form of a list of expenses your business incurs for the night, or an average donations that you think would suffice if everyone paid it, or a mathematical equation which brings it all together with an estimation of how many people are going to show up. It could take the form different amounts depending on who you are, like 0-12 years old: $0-1; 12-17 year old: $1-5; etc. etc., or how you have arrived, like with partner, with costume, with family, with new dancer friends, etc. It also should be obvious where the money is going, like to the musicians, or back into the organization, etc. 

The shift here is less about money and more about psychology. Lots of different theories out there, but for me, it's about autonomy, feeling included and feeling important, filling a need, etc. rather than just being a paying customer to fill the seats. After all... how can patrons not feel like a cog when organizers and producers go on and on about "getting people out". The focus there is about all the people that aren't there, rather than being grateful for the people that ARE there. It will give you so much more of a reason to say "Thank you" to people at the end of the night, and really mean it. 

I will be implementing this cost structure for a dance on March 31st here in Winnipeg. I'll keep you updated, if you wish. 

On Sun, Feb 5, 2017 at 3:08 PM, via Organizers <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
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Today's Topics:

   1. Dance pricing, communicating about pricing and more
      (Emily Addison via Organizers)
   2. Fw:  Dance pricing, communicating about pricing and more
      (Mac Mckeever via Organizers)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2017 15:42:35 -0500
From: Emily Addison via Organizers <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net>
To: Shared Weight Organizers <organizers@sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Organizers] Dance pricing, communicating about pricing and
        more
Message-ID:
        <CAD7WKUX+dADRd4-8Nc=qj+t9Y-cSg5vzfwg+uiDq0nwG0JRLvA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hi fellow organizers,

Following up from some discussion in December about low attendance, here in
Ottawa we're working on 'recovering' from a surprising attendance drop this
year.   We're having a major strategy session later in the month which
includes talking publicity, programming, finances etc.

I'd love to hear about any ****innovative ideas you have for door
pricing****

Our current system:
$12 regular, $10 members and students, 16 and under free
Membership is $30 start of year, $20 in January.  People who want to be
generous and buy a sustaining membership can pay $50.

Possible options currently on the table:
The easiest solution which would be the default is to raise the price for
all by $2 which some feel is a fair price compared to a movie.  However,
others think paying $12-$14 every two weeks will be not only hard on those
with low incomes but also a psychological be a turn off for others.

Ideas I'm wondering about:

   - $10/12 base, adding sliding scale up to $15... hopeful that people
   would contribute more.
   -  Also communicating effectively (we don't do this at all now) on the
   cost of running a dance.  This would mean exposing what the average cost of
   talent and sound but I think if people knew where money was going and how
   little talent actually get paid for their efforts, they'd be more generous.

Your ideas??????
Any thoughts on the ideas above and in particular, anyone doing a great job
of communicating costs to their dancers?
Any other brilliant thoughts?  Maybe different donor levels? Donation jars
(but how to do well)?
Other?

With much thanks!
Emily Addison in Ottawa
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2017 20:57:10 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mac Mckeever via Organizers <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net>
To: "organizers@lists.sharedweight.net"
        <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Organizers] Fw:  Dance pricing, communicating about pricing
        and more
Message-ID: <698980140.381059.1486328230145@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Why are you concerned about exposing how much you pay the artists?? I don't know what your situation is - but as I understand it here, as a not-for-profit, our books have to be available to the public if requested.? I have no problem telling what we pay if asked.? Our artists are very generous working for what little we offer - so I am somewhat proud to let others know so they can appreciate them even more.
Are you also focusing on the reasons for declining attendance?? That would seem to be a more positive solution.
Mac McKeeverSt. Louis


----- Forwarded Message -----
 From: Emily Addison via Organizers <organizers@lists.sharedweight.net>
 To: Shared Weight Organizers <organizers@sharedweight.net>
 Sent: Sunday, February 5, 2017 2:42 PM
 Subject: [Organizers] Dance pricing, communicating about pricing and more

Hi fellow organizers,
Following up from some discussion in December about low attendance, here in Ottawa we're working on 'recovering' from a surprising attendance drop this year. ? We're having a major strategy session later in the month which includes talking publicity, programming, finances etc. ??
I'd love to hear about any ****innovative ideas you have for door pricing****
Our current system:$12 regular, $10 members and students, 16 and under freeMembership is $30 start of year, $20 in January.? People who want to be generous and buy a sustaining membership can pay $50.
Possible options currently on the table:The easiest solution which would be the default is to raise the price for all by $2 which some feel is a fair price compared to a movie.? However, others think paying $12-$14 every two weeks will be not only hard on those with low incomes but also a psychological be a turn off for others.
Ideas I'm wondering about:
   - $10/12 base, adding sliding scale up to $15... hopeful that people would contribute more.
   - ?Also communicating effectively (we don't do this at all now) on the cost of running a dance.? This would mean exposing what the average cost of talent and sound but I think if people knew where money was going and how little talent actually get paid for their efforts, they'd be more generous.
Your ideas??????Any thoughts on the ideas above and in particular, anyone doing a great job of communicating costs to their dancers?Any other brilliant thoughts?? Maybe different donor levels? Donation jars (but how to do well)?Other?
With much thanks!Emily Addison in Ottawa
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