Re: [Organizers] what to do about a dancer with dementia

Alas, this anecdote is only the latest evidence of the decline of "community feeling" at dances.  Too many dancers feel that coming to a dance is a contractual relationship; i.e., they pay, they dance, they go home and don't think about it any more...except to think"Was there a dancer on the floor whose capacity is diminished and is thus ruining MY dancing experience?" I would like to see our dance charge these people exactly what it costs to provide them the contractual experience of dancing:  $11.25 for this particular dance (assuming 100 dancers) + whatever we set aside to pay eventually for maintenance and repair of the venue (most of which will be done by volunteers) + whatever we need to set aside to accommodate "vulnerable dancers" (e.g., a special dance for them, perhaps?) = $17-20/per, maybe.   And that's assuming volunteers open and close, find the talent and do the PR. "Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you've got, be resolute, and love without stopping."  St. PaulMerry Kay Shernock         381 VT Rte 12 NONorthfield, VT  05663 (802)595-3972 On Tuesday, October 24, 2017 7:36 AM, Katy Heine via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: For the last three years, one of our older dancers has been declining with dementia--and her husband, not a good dancer himself, continues to bring her to our dances. Invariably, they create chaos on the dance floor. Most people on the board of my dance organization feel it's important to continue to include these dancers until such time that the husband decides it's time for them to stop coming. On the other hand, I'm concerned with the effect that they're having on other dancers. I've heard at least one dancer say that she considered not coming to a dance when she saw that this couple was there--and certainly this couple's presence is diminishing the dance experience of many of the dancers who've come to our events for the high level of dancing that we were able to deliver in the past. Has anyone else wrestled with this sort of problem? If yes, what did you do (or not do) about it? Thanks, Katy Heine _______________________________________________ Organizers mailing list Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net