[dlvorg] Brainstorming ...

In this mailing:

Org List
Brainstorming and discussion
JoAnn's Notes
Alexis writes
Cynthia writes
Clubs and photos
Gabi's notes
Group photo
Katie's thoughts
Zumanity show
Crystal's thoughts
Administrivia
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Org List:

This is the DLV 2012 Organizational Mailing List (dlvorg_at_geekbabe.com)
Replies to this message will be forwarded to the DLVORG list and not
the DLV-Announce or DLV-Discuss list.
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Brainstorming and discussion:

Please continue with the excellent lines of discussion, as seen
below.

We put out a general query on the subject of group photos, which
was aimed at the rank and file, but the vast majority of the
responses came from volunteers. You can review the thread here:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/mydlv/mainforum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2094

Here are a few rough peg counts on the answers which have come in
so far:

1. How important to you is the group photo?

Very important: 5
Mixed message: 3
Not important: 2

2. Which is more important to you for a group photo, maximum attendees
or the setting?

Setting: 3
Maximum turnout: 5
Mixed/various: 1

3. Would you participate in a group photo organized as a separate activity,
not in conjunction with our major activities?

Would participate: 4
Would not participate: 0
Maybe/uncertain/various: 3

However, for the number of people who are subscribed to the lists
which received the query (close to 200 on the Yahoo side, close to
100 on the Geekbabe side) roughly 10 took the effort to respond to
the query.

Other comments regarding the group photo appear within the items
below.
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JoAnn's Notes:

The "summer heat (with humidity)" might be affecting how quickly we
process the dialog on the _*"group photos" s*_o I would hope the next
'go round' on this query will get more responses so we get some guidance
on how we might proceed. And if you can provide a thought or two on
the other topics of this communication that would be great, too.

Any insights are always helpful and welcome !!

JoAnn
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Alexis writes:

I was one of the girls who suggested that DLV do a shopping trip
because it was one of the things that I most wanted to do and I
did not have the courage to do on my own. Well, since DLV and because
of DLV, I have met some girls and we will probably plan some side
shopping trips during DLV next year. But I still think it would be
of value for the girls that are not comfortable with this, I know
I would have attended the event this year.

But as I have learned more about this as well, I agree that it might not
be good to do in a big group, unless we could get Macy's to agree to
have an afterhours event or something like that. But that might be
difficult to organize. Maybe if we did it like the makeover events,
where the girls agreed to buy $50 worth of merchandise, then it might be
worth their while. But it would probably still not be worth their while,
but maybe a mall shop might be interested? This may be logistically and
timewise, too much of a headache.

As far as the group picture goes, I think this is an important part to
DLV. I think it shows new girls how many people are actually involved
and that the group is growing and you get to see all the different types
of girls that attend. I definitely looked at the group photos and it was
a factor in my decision to attend DLV. I think maximum number of people
is important. I think the photo needs to be done as part of the Welcome
Event.

If the Welcome Event is held at the Artisan again, I don't think
dinner should be part of the event. They could not handle the number
of people who signed up for dinner and it seemed like the event was
winding down once I finished with dinner.

Also, I'm not sure how you are going to move that many people from
the small rooms they had to a place where a big group photo can be
taken. Moving that many people any distance will be a nightmare.

I attended the Beginner's Open House this year and thought it was
not great, no offense to the organizer, but it just seemed weird to
me and I was not comfortable. The room was cramped, it was hot, I
wasn't sure what the point was? I think maybe a dinner for beginners
might be better. I would do it in a secluded and safe place where
girls out for the first time would feel comfortable going to. It
would be a good place for beginners to talk through some things and
get more comfortable with going out and attending the other events. Or
maybe a Beginner's Pizza Party, this could be at a place or at a room.

I would love to see a theme evening. Prom may encourage some girls to
go over the top, but LBD or animal print, etc. would be fun.
. . . . . . . . . .

Thanks, Alexis.

Here's another Big Burning Question to all: How important is it
to you to have food service at the Welcome Celebration?

I do agree that Artsan simply does not have the seating space to
provide meal service to the numbers we get at things such as the
Welcome Celebration. Even with a more institutionalized "banquet"
type of meal (which I dont' think our people want), they (Artisan)
would still require 2-3 seatings to serve our group.

IMAO, the only way to handle dinner at a Welcome Celebration at
the Artisan is to announce that food service is available, take
sign-ups for an approximate headcount, encourage people to arrive
and order early, and let it be known that immediate dinner seating
will not be available at peak times.

Now, if we were to have a large single-track dinner at one location
prior to the Welcome Celebration at the Artisan, we have that
dreaded "move" situation where not everyone who departs from A
arrives at B. IMAO, if we had a large single-track HH and dinner at
A, there's really no point of moving to B, and we might as well
just stay at A for the Quality Social Time following dinner.

Thoughts on this, gang?
. . . . .

We've had occasional mainstream private-time shopping over the
years, the first being Dress Barn. A local Dress Barn shop here
had a similar off-hours thing for out local TG group a few years
back, so I assume this is a semi-regular service they provide.

The recent "open early for DLV" things at Bare Escentuals are
also examples of this theme. I don't know if any of the larger
department stores would do this, but it does not hurt to ask.
Something more likely would be some special attention right
after opening on an otherwise slow weekday morning.
. . . . .

Thanks for the feedback on the Beginner Open House.

I do applaud Sarona's efforts here.

Let's use this as an opportunity to make it better serve the
needs of the newbees, and not be tempted to scrap it due to
the low ratings.

This is really the first explicit feedback we've had on this.
Perhaps just a bit more structure is what it will take, and
possibly an off-site dinner or social to conclude the affair.
. . . . .

The challenge of rounding up all/most of the people and moving
them out to the pool area was really what killed the group photo
this last DLV. The big problem is that the Artisan does not have
any kind of PA system which covers the bar, restaurant, and
reception areas (I'm quite surprised at this) and about all I
can think of is to get a bullhorn (tacky, I admit) and announce
it and have a squad of about 10 volunteers standing by to herd
the gang out and get them posed.
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Cynthia writes:

Moving right along (I've given up on gender vs. sex) I want to
suggest the Penn & Teller Show as a possible event. They host
several Pride events here locally every year including making an
appearance at Pride Week.

I believe we would be most welcome at their show and someone should
inquire into it, they're a really high quality act and a lot of fun.
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Thanks, Cynthia

Penn And Teller has been suggested off and on for a Big Show type
of thing at DLV. Unfortunately it's one of those shows which will
be a challenge if people want to sit together but pay separately.
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Clubs and photos:

Mary Beth writes:

A couple of comments -

You are absolutely right about the big trendy clubs. They are catering
to the 20-something "beautiful people" and the rich guys who will buy
the $300 bottles of Grey Goose. Everybody else can go stand in that line
over there.

The group photo is always difficult to put together, and most of us take
plenty of photos of our friends anyway.
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Gabi's notes:

Gabi writes:

The big sister/little sister program was very successful for both
of us last year. My little sister and I I seemed to get along from
the beginning. I was able to help her and in many ways she helped me.

Please keep it and I do think an orientation time or just a get together
would be great.

I was late arriving to 2010 Diva so missed the photo. I was bummed about
not having one in 2011.

It needs to be at an event because we are all dressed. Not sure the back
ground is important because there could be other ways to show we are in
las Vegas like having a sign.

Trips out of town. As a country girl at heart I get a need for some
quiet time.

The one trip I could fit in last year to the mountains didn't go.
Haven't rented a car as of yet but may next year. As a the owner of
a driving school I looked forward to not having a car for a week.

Shopping omg this is your girl. Shoes, clothes,makeup whatever. This
could become a stroll in the mall (and that could work) or it could be
for trans woman looking to build her ward robe.

We should have some personal shoppers if that can be worked out.

Im not sure I as excited as Sarah to get this e mail but I'm close.

Wanted to share with everyone that recently @ the dance studio where go
a 9 year old trans girl registered for belly dance. With full support
from her mom.

The mom the owner after she was registered about being trans. No
problems no issues.

Times are definitely changing.!!!!!!

One of my favorite restaurants is mon ami Gabi (can you guess why?
and even though I loved the food that's not the reason)
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Group photo:

Katie writes:

The Group photo has become a staple for most T events and from what
I have seen they are quite manageable and reasonably small but I
think given the ever increasing popularity of our event they are
now becoming unmanageable and too large. It might be a good idea to
have a mish mash of smaller less crowded pics for our Annual albums.
say 20 to 30 girls max.

Looking back on some of the pics I have had taken at the Annual
pilgrimage I thought the NSD photo I was involved in was a perfect
size and the High tea staircase was nice too. NSD had about 30 or
so and everyone was recognizable. When a monster photo is on my pc
screen it looks fine but when it is in a callup album I find that it
is not as nice as I remembered it. Unless a portrait camera is the
prime mover so to speak the larger gatherings will look this way.

I am sorry to say I arrived a day late in 2011 so I missed rhe
Artisan kickoff night so I don't know the demographics of the place
but it sounds like the perfect group pic opportunity in a nice
setting with everyone in attendance. If the surroundings are not
large enough to accommodate a mass photo with everyone in attendance
then we could divide up and take smaller ones. There is no limit to
how many pics we can place in the Album section and the more pics we
take the better the album becomes.

Our previous years Annual Big Picture page has several photos anyway
and most are from way too far back as in 2010= @ Firefly and even a
good camera can't fix this. Ok in answer to your question, "No I am
not a camera buff. I just take pics now and then and they come out
ok ". A good camera in my hands would be a huge mistake anyway
*lol* Let's ask the Camera experts in our midst. I am sure they
will come up with an idea to make it better and I am sure we have
them aplenty. Looking forward to hearing from you. *Grin*. Hope this
helps.
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Katie's thoughts:

Hi. As an Old DLVer who has been reading the Org letters since
2003 or thereabouts I have noticed, that some events initially
don't seem to get very good response in the volunteer category
and then others do almost immediately.

Obviously the popular ones are a big draw for volunteers but Not
necessarily! What I am getting at is a lot of people shy away from
the **Hands off it's mine** high profile events which has been the
case sometimes and then eventually just say nothing and just attend
and enjoy leaving it to the main cogs to turn the machinery.

I would like to put this one out there for discussion to see if
there is any interest in doing things a little differently. Every
Org message has a footnote disclaimer etc' so if we just added a
list of possible events to this with a short message attached...

IE:-- **would you like to volunteer for assisting or running this
event? Please let us know**. The names could be updated weekly or
as often as the newsletter comes out as there will be people who
jump at the chance to help then realize that they are not ready or
they don't like the 3rd hostess or for any amount of other reasons.

A good hostess will be able to sort through the possible helpers
and decide how many and who they need. (Always adding a emergence
girl) who I wouldn't mind being for someones fallback helper in

case as often happens that the helper can't make it to DLV this
time around due to etc' etc' Example.... Limo Tour. Hosted by Mary
Hart. Assisted by (( Janice, Betty, Carol etc'=0A2)... Production
show Hosted by ( No one as yet...///// Assisted by?? (( Denise
Karen, Dave etc').... Afternoon tea and daytime Photo op'.Hosted by
Katie. Assisted by ??Gabi. Jamie, Maryanne. etc'

This way even if it is just an idea in the making and not yet a
Set in Stone event you can still add your names in the hope that
you can break into the social scene and help out a little if that's
all you want to do. It's hard to break those barriers when you are
new and adding your name then getting all keyed up as the event
approaches is part of growing up as they say.

I Do realize that there will be names which will get get added in
a fleeting thought with not much going into it and then withdrawal
might likely follow when the final signup crunch approaches but we
will get a much better idea of who is willing to help and even
switch events to help where needed and they may become main event
runners at some time in the future.

When DLV is looming on the horizon the organizers can be in contact
with the volunteers anyway and find replacements if necessary or
even have to decline offers. who knows. Up to now we often have
pleas for help and the silence is deafening sometimes then the event
is sidelined till' a future DLV event might be ready for it.

Just to note that I personally would not be hurt if I was politely
declined for an assistants job due to an abundance of help! I have
volunteered for assisting on several events for quite a few years
now since my first *Shopping trip* Assisted by Tootsye, Monique,
Rhianna etc'=A0 to Primm Valley way back in 1900 or thereabouts but
sometimes I asked to help and never had a reply so being Me, Thinking
the worst and the best then back to the worst again I tried 1 more
time more then gave up not wanting to muscle in where I was not needed.
These were obviously just DLV Org oversights but thinking outside the
big picture and from a new volunteers perspective a new person can be
put of quite easily. I know I have dragged this on but I wanted to look
at it from an outsiders point of view, We are not all out and about and
confident so when someone is trying to break into the group which has
been running successfully for a long time it can sometimes cause some
apprehension and setting it up this way may be better and simpler
approach. Maybe we could try this or a variation of it! What think
you Gang?
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Thanks, Katie.

In the planning of DLV 2011, we really didn't have any issues
of significance in getting volunteers to step forward to plan
and coordinate the activities, large or small. Many, including
several newer volunteers, did so willingly and did a bang-up
job in making the various activities happen. We hope that the
same will happen for 2012.

If necessary, yes, we probably can add the coordinators of record
to our ongoing working schedule in the ORG mailings.
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Zumanity show:

Lori writes:

How about taking in the show that Circ does at New York New York called
zoomanity.
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There are frequent requests for Cirque shows. All it really takes
for it to happen is for somebody to sponsor it. As with other
newer shows, we'll have the challenge of getting our group to be
seated together.
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Crystal's thoughts:

Hi Ladies.

I just want to add my two cents regarding some of the topics brought
up in the last mailing.

I think an annual large-group photo would be great. I know that I,
personally, enjoy looking at the group pics to see my DLV friends
 - old and new. The max number of attendees, in my opinion, is
more important than the location.

Honestly, I do not think that the attendees would show up for the
photo if it did not happen in conjunction with one of the events
where we expect a very large turnout. I'm a big camera whore, but
I do not think that I would make a special trip just for a photo-op.

I like the "theme" evening very much, but not really a prom theme. A
prom really sounds like fun, but some of us travel alone and who wants
to show up at their prom without a date? I'm willing to come up with
a theme and coordinate an activity like this if no one else has already
claimed it.

I'm willing to volunteer as an EON hostess. I really enjoyed
coordinating a happy hour and dinner event. Coordinating a HH and
dinner isn't a headache at all and really allows some of the gals to
get to know their new DLV friends better.

As far as clubs go, unfortunatley, I agree. I live in New York and
gender identity really isn't a big deal here at mainstream nightclubs,
but age is. I'm in my forties and really do not feel like I fit in with
the twenty-somethings that usually go to these types of places. I hate
to admit it, but the bloom is off the rose. I ruled the dance clubs once
upon a time and now it's time for the young'ns to take over. I'm okay
with that. I feel more welcome at alternative dance spots, but again,
age can be an issue.

I'm also willing to be a contact person during the event again. It was
pretty painless and I feel pretty confident doing this. So, publish my
number to the masses.

I'm excited that the planning has already started to happen for DLV 2012.
Count me in to help out!
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Administrivia:

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This mailing was addressed to: annie_at_annie.net

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Diva Las Vegas 2012
Dates to be announced autumn of 2011
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Received on Tue Aug 09 2011 - 06:41:58 CDT