David and all, Our regular dance has flourished and waned over the last 25 years. The parent group started as an amalgam some contra dancers and bluegrass campout enthusiasts. Over the decades the organization sponsored many concerts, special dances and eventually a successful bluegrass weekend. The budget for the complete range of activities is now in six figures. When the local university took to increasing rent every year on the dance hall (eventually tenfold), the organization picked up the tab, at one point covering dance operating losses of $5,000/year. This disconnect between finances and the dances eventually led to a drop in volunteers and as a direct result (I believe) dancer participation. We have now realized (I hope) that volunteers are critical stakeholders, important to the vitality of the dance. In most basic terms-- if somebody is setting up chairs and lights, they will be there to dance. If somebody is taking money at the door, they will be there to dance. Other members of the community know they will be there and are more likely to show up to join them in the dance. From our experience the people taking money at the door are more important than the actually money they collect. Our dance has moved to a smaller community hall and is operating in the black. We do offer "pay what you can" to students and other members of the community. Our sign at the desk says "Suggested donation $8" but also says "the actual cost of the dance is $10/person, pay what you can." Our limited experience suggests that our volunteers are much more important than the amount of money we charge an individual. If we are successful in convincing our volunteers that they are important to the success of the dance, then our dance community will thrive. This is my first contribution, but I have benefited from many useful comments and threads over the years. Thank you, Mike Reddig Flagstaff, AZ _______________________________________________ Organizers mailing list Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net