As the primary "door" person for the past several years this has fallen on me to resolve on many occasions.  As a board member I know how costly it is to have too many "freebies"  but I am also very aware of the good customer service, the kindness to new potential dancers, the spouse/sig. other of the band who has helped to heft and tote, the relative that would otherwise possibly not get to hear their family member perform, etc.  We need to hold all of this and how our response will be translated in the re-telling of the experience.  If we are to be open and welcoming we need to be flexible as well.

Here are some of my judgement calls (all, some or none are not necessarily the policy of the group) - 

Low Income - Please pay what you can afford.

Family group - charge adults, if the children are small...free.  If they are older and dancing, the student rate is $5, if there are many I may let them in for a prorated "family rate" TBD.

Lookie Lou's - Come in!  See what we are about, maybe you'd like to try? (If possible, I steer them toward an experienced dancer)  These people often come back for a whole evening of dance.

Family of the band/caller - I generally leave it up to them especially if they are not dancing. They very often ask what they can pay or just pay for the evening.

Non -dancer spectator - I tell them the entry rate and if there is balking or comments about "but I'm just listening"  I explain that we all pay for concerts and that we do need to pay the band.  Please make a donation of what you can.

I try to never turn anyone away - we need every body we can get!

Hope these are helpful.

Mary Collins, Dance Caller

Board Member, QCCD.org