[dlvorg] Hospitality thoughts, seconds, lunch, etc. ...

In this mailing:

Org List
Good discussion
JoAnn Sez
Hospitality musings
Seconds
Newcomer comments
Let's do lunch
Two Cents
Beginnings, hospitality thoughts, etc.
Cast Of Characters
Administrivia
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Org List:

This is the DLV 2013 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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Good discussion:

Lots of good discussion and feedback here. Please continue. :)

One housekeeping item. If you send in something to this list and do
not see it or at least a reference to it, please remind or resend.
E-mail is not perfect, and "black holes" in cyberspace are not at
all uncommon.

Let's continue with the excellent commentary and discussion! :)
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JoAnn Sez:

I fully agree with Annie that we will be coming up with a "framework"
for a series of events for those who are new or very recent attendees to
Diva. And we will have a "handle" for these activities which is
welcoming and very "mainstream" which will be orchestrated with all of
the other Diva activities.

On a second note, I really am pleased we are having such active and open
positive dialog so early in the planning for 2013. We are very
fortunate to have all of you sharing your candid and caring comments.
This is how we make our Diva Gatherings so special to both the new and
frequent attendees.

A BIG AND HEART FELT HUG TO ALL OF YOU IN THE ORG GROUP!!! You are
wonderful !!!

JoAnn
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Hospitality musings:

Walter writes:

As I was reading the mailing of today, the thought leapt into my mind
of developing a pseudo-formalized "welcome orientation" to, perhaps,
precede the more free-form "welcome celebration" structured perhaps to
give first and second time attendees a forum to meet the "event
principals" and venue coordinators... if this sounds like a skeletal
description of what you are seeking, I will happily brainstorm to refine
it...
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Annie responds:

Yes, brainstorm, please! :)

Let us know your thoughts.

One avenue I think shows some promise is to re-brand our (Beginner)
Open House sessions appropriately and adopt for them an informal but
effective program of welcoming those who are new to DLV.
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Seconds:

Walter writes:

I second your nomination of Gina.
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Ginger writes:

Here is a second on Gina if needed.
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Michelle (NZ) writes:

Seconded

If I'm allowed
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Yes, you're allowed. :)

The way we've interpreted the meaning of "voting status" since it was
implemented a few years back is that it applies to the casting of the
vote only and that all ORG members can do anything else such as raise
and second motions, nominate and second candidates, etc.

All, do we have any other nominations for the even-year Administrative
Committee seat?

If so, please get them in during this next list cycle.
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Newcomer comments:

Ashley writes:

Hi all

I would like to make a few comments.

At the 2012 DLV I was a newcomer, but not a "beginner". I have been
going out in Public for years. My big sister who I will not name
advised me not to go to these events as I was already comfortable in
public. I did not meet any new friends until some of the dinners later
in the week.

What is discussed in these events? Format? Where is safe and not? What
about where the events are? Returning attendees should be there
especially those the can introduce the newcomers to others through out
the week.

On the lunches, I was confused by these. I was told that they are only
buffets and the not much happened there. This is one regret I have
about last year. I took advise that was not sound. I know better for
next year.

I look forward to helping this year however I do not know yet how. This
will come I am sure
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Annie responds:

First of all, Ashley, thanks for volunteering! And, thanks for letting
your thoughts and feelings known in a frank manner.

To respond to some of your thoughts and questions, first of all, yes,
I think we've been using the wrong terminology with "beginner" and we
are looking for a more correct term for those attending DLV for the
first time. "Newcomer" may have to do, but I am hoping that we can
find a term that better reflects those individuals.

I'm not going to blame a Big Sister for steering you away from the
Beginner Open House sessions. The concept of those, and the semantics,
are evolving and were not clear during this year's event. The purpose
and the target audience were not clearly defined at all.

I think we're on a roll here and that we'll be able to refine the
concept to be more of a true welcoming experience.

As to what went on in these sessions, they were very informal and
they were basically get-to-know-you times. I personally tried to
circulate and meet anyone I did not currently know and welcome them
to DLV and address any questions or concerns. Most of the questions
I answered were about activities, like how to get there, where to
park, etc.

We did encourage our volunteers to attend the BOH sessions.

One thing I am a bit surprised by, and surprised that any DLV Big
Sister would make such a suggestion, is how you were steered away
from the daily lunch! :(

I would go as far as to say that it's more along the line of the
duties of a Big Sister to encourage you to attend and accompany you
to them, or at least to one of the first ones!

IMAO, Big Sisters should encourage participation in DLV activites,
not discourage it! :(

Yes, the lunches were mostly buffets. Why do we do buffets?
Because a buffet will have a very wide selection and anyone, even
the most fussy eaters (and we do have some), will find something
they can enjoy.

One thing we did hear, LOUD AND CLEAR, was that the reasonably-
priced buffets are preferred over the higher-end ones! Message
received! :)

As far as what to do to help out, please be thinking of what you
did enjoy at DLV, or what you think you might enjoy. When when we
begin the actual programming phase later this year you can let your
ideas be known.

Thanks again for the feedback! :)
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Let's do lunch:

JoAnn writes:

(2) The buffet lunches are excellent events, however, I suggest "Lunch
Foursomes" as a concept that might be an "add-on" while continuing the
Buffets. Let's hear how that might get implemented.
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Annie responds:

Thanks, JoAnn. I'm all for this.

What I'm hearing from you is that this will be in addition to and not
in place of the existing LW(o)G and I like that concept.

We do have the tools to do complex scheduling and complex sign-up if
needed, so all that will be necessary to nake something like this
work are the volunteers to host(ess) such sessions.

I say that this is a promising possibility! I'll go as far as to
volunteer to host(ess) one foursome.

Comments?
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Two Cents:

DocRobbySherry writes:

Here's my 2 cents worth:

I think a consistent, organised breakfast mite eventually become well
attended. But, it needs to be every morning, the same place, and at some
time OTHER than 6:00 AM! Someplace where a small group can gather.
Dressed or not.

Like the McDonalds on the strip that has a more private area upstairs?

Maybe the buffet lunches r too much? Too much food for some and too much
$$ for others? And, they mite more convenient? The Gold Dust was kinda
out there for me! I got lost again! Maybe a coffee shop type place on
the strip? The same place every day? Hosted by different folks? So folks
could get used to the place and seeing their "friends" there?

I would have liked to attend at least one "Newcomer" event. However,
they were either before DLV started or conflicted with other events I
attended. There r so many days where nothing much was happening. Maybe
schedule them then?

I volunteered this last DLV. No one called on me. I'm not competent or
confidant enuff to singularly host an event. Maybe there r others like
me who could help in some small way and feel more a part of the
DLV/activity? Or, maybe simply tag along and be Tonto to someone's Lone
Ranger?

Here's a big one! The singularity solitary issue! While I'm at an
activity with other girls, it's great! Then, the activity is over and
I'm completely on my own. With NO CONTACT OR FEEDBACK OR CONNECTION with
any other dressers until the next event!

I'm quite the loner, but even I felt a sudden and complete separation
from everyone and that feeling was daunting! That may be why some
retreat to their hotel rooms and STAY THERE?

Even if there were some way for girls to chat on line while they're at
DLV, I think it would help us all feel more connected! Any techies with
a suggestion?
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Annie responds:

Thanks D.R.S. :)

(I'm not really sure if I should call you Doc, Robby, or Sherry!) :)

Several good points here.

Please allow me to touch on a number of them ...

The breakfast or morning coffee session will most likely happen.

There appears to be enough demand for it and yes, it will probably
be recurring for most DLV days in 2013. As to venue, that will be
up to the volunteer(s) to decide. Katie has first refusal rights
on it, but may wish to have others take some mornings.

As to the time of it, that will be up to those who volunteer to
host(ess) it. :)
. . . . .

The "Newcomer Open House" session or sessions will also most likely
happen, under that or another to-be-determined name. Everyone seems
to be in agreement that something like that should happen, and I
think we are converging on something that can be effective with our
mis-named Beginner Open House sessions.
. . . . .

Yes, it's very easy to totally pig out and OD on food at a buffet,
but it's all voluntary. Nobody is holding a gun to your head to make
you go back for that third piece of cheesecake! :) The cost factor
was brought up in feedback many times this year. We'll most likely
be staying with the reasonably-priced buffets for the LWG sessions
this coming year.

For the coming year, we'll most likely be doing the lunch foursomes
thing, and, among other things, this will serve those who prefer
more of a sit-down place like a coffee shop or specialty restaurant.

We did the same location for the first few years of the "Lunch With"
series, that being the Sahara Buffet. We started moving it around
due to comments that variety was wanted. We've always kept it within
a mile or so of the main Strip area. The only time we ever tried a
specialty place (sushi) for our official Lunch With series, the
turnout was poor.
. . . . .

The reason you weren't "called on" this past year was certainly not
a snub, but simply due to the fact that for the second year in a
row we did not have to do any serious begging, arm-twisting, etc.,
to get a full and well-rounded schedule of activities.

If you want to actively volunteer and are a bit unsure as to what to
do, you can get your feet wet by host(ess)ing such things as one or
more sessions of the daily lunch, or one of the upcoming foursome
lunch sessions, or one of the multi-track evening dining options.
Things like this are very easy to do and don't require much in the
way of formality or "heavy lifting" on your part.

If you do want to get involved in the planning of one of the more
intense activities as an assistant, just say so and you will be
used. :)

There are many other things you can do. Think of something that you
enjoy doing that you think others would enjoy as well! Specifically,
think of something that you would have enjoyed doing doing those
periods of "down time" that you mentioned and help make that happen.
. . . . .

As far as means by which the attendees can electronically keep in
touch during DLV, we have two of them. One is the Discussion Forum,
and the other is the "Chirp" mechanism which works well on most
smart phones and text-capable call phones.

This is how we received (LOL, a few minutes after we had successfully
parked) the word that parking was tight for Margaritaville. With such
things as smart phones and netbooks becoming more and more commonplace,
all we really need to do is to encourage attendees to use these things.
. . . . .

You've also touched on an item I've heard concerns about off and on
for several years, and that is the continuity of the event as a whole.
This is exactly what you mentioned. One activity ends, and for many,
there is a period of undesired down time until the next activity they
wish to attend begins.

Although we do our best to fill our schedule both during the days
and the evenings, this is still an issue. I see intertwined roots
between this issue and the occasionally-recurring requests for such
things as common areas and hospitality suites.

I think we have a very good start in addressing issues such as this,
so please, all, continue with the comments and feedback. :)
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Beginnings, hospitality thoughts, etc.:

Michelle (NZ) writes:

Other than the very first DLV's there has always been a conflict, the
needs to the newcomers versus the needs of the experienced returnees.

Those that are new to the "real world" and appearing in public are
certainly mostly apprehensive if not not plain scared. Equally a new
comer may not be inexperienced either in terms of feminisation or in
terms of real world experience; we shouldn't confuse the the two.

The issues related to newcomers and the poor buffet lunches may in fact
have the same root cause; a need by the experienced majority to play
around, go do a variety of things, try new stuff and eat where and when
they choose.

While LWG or LWOG could be continued there's no reason to that's we
should focus on it. IMHO its probably passed its use by date simply
because of the way DLVers have evolved and matured...a god thing!

I would propose some possible approaches:

- One or two designated buffets each DLV where we try and obtain maximum
attendance. Probably not as large as the evening based welcome and
farewell affairs but where we encourage a full attendance. Maybe this
can be coupled with more transparent or clearer costs expected. Maybe go
A la carte instead for one or more and see how that works instead.

- Some clear new comer welcome activities, something while mainstream or
nearly so that are not overtly so, such that those with trepidations
will venture out and realise the sky is not about fall in!

- A meet the organisers session at the Welcome event. Specifically all
the newcomers and non organisers line up and the organisers introduce
themselves to each one and have "a little chat". (Just a side comment
here it doesn't actually matter who is in the "organisers line" as long
as they have been before, the purpose is make the new comers welcome,
get them introduced to different people, know we are all friendly etc)
 
While I've never really liked the name badges I can see that if they are
used then certainly colour coding could differentiate different groups.

I want mine to be BLACK with white writing to represent NEW ZEALAND and
the mighty ALL BLACK rugby team... World champions and of course not to
forget the might BLACK FERN women's rugby team also world champions!

But I digress....

Later in the week we need some upmarket activities such as a trip to one
or more of the upmarket steak Houses. Smallish groups of less than 8-10
that can be seated at a single table. Assuming I get there next year I'm
keen to try the business women's meeting type activity, where a nice
business attire is a requirement! Now As any one who watches TV knows
business women need their apprentices so maybe the twist is to find some
newcomers to add to the mainly experienced groups. Not sure how that
might work out but I'm sure there's away!

Other than specific activities a effort should be made to avoid the
"gaggle of trannies" parade.. If anything has ever made me uncomfortable
it has been when 10-20-30 of the group parade through areas such as the
Ceasers Forum shops. OTOH the limo tour I see this as perfectly
acceptable and in fact a form of corrupting the normals!

As to the secret society of trannies with their secret agendas. Come on
have you ever know a group of trannies to keep anything hidden, they're
worse than women! :-) Seriously, I can see to a new comer the references
to off line discussions could easily be construed as a uber group
activity. I know its not but I've known most of the people here for 15
or so years (Yes really Oh goodness I feel old!).....
. . . . . . . . . .

Annie responds:

Thanks, Michelle. Please let me respond to a number of your talking
points.

I think we're all in agreement that some kind of a welcome activity,
specifically focused on newcomers, is in order. Let's refine the
idea and make it happen!
. . . . .

I'm all for a more organized "Meet The Organizers" program.

We can brainstorm on how to pull this off, either at the Newcomer
Open House sessions or at our main Welcome Celebration.
. . . . .

There are no secret committees! If there were, JoAnn, Ginger, and I,
at least one of us, would know about them. We can all assure you and
everyone that there's no such thing! Speaking freely, such drek can
be traced to a small number of people with an axe to grind. We need
to focus our efforts on our attention toward moving forward and let
those with axes go grind them elsewhere! :(

I think the answer here is to keep the transparency very high! Let
all know who our decision-makers are and exactly how said decisions
are made. (I think we do a good job of this.)
. . . . .

And {deep breath ... sigh ...} yes, it seems to be a fact of life
that TGs have a propensity to congregate in one big bolus, as if
attracted by gravity, and to parade in groups.

Despite the frequent obvious suggestions (stand off to the side, let
the group go and you follow - way behind) this is frequently mentioned
as an uncomfortable public situation.

I've tried such things as encouraging our people to walk individually
or in pairs at most, keeping 15-20 paces between, to break the
attention span of all but the most avid people-watchers. Things like
this have never caught on.

I don't know if it's worth fighting, or even if we should be fighting
it.

Oh well ... :)
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Cast Of Characters:

Michelle writes:

> Volunteers of voting status are those who are on record as
> coordinating or assisting with at least one DLV activity during
> the past two yearly events.

These are voters only

In which case you need a list of all the the others on the org list ...
Towards better transparency
. . . . . . . . . .

That's certainly fair. Here is the current complete ORG list, which
includes those of voting status as well as recent volunteers, those
who have been active recently, and those who have asked to be kept
on the list. Total is 77 as of this time.

Alanna
Alexis
Ann E. (Other Annie)
Annie (Annie R)
Ashley
Bev (HI)
Bev W. (IA)
Bob
Caitlin (Mackenzie)
Cami D.
Cathy
Courtney
Crystal
Cynthia
Danielle (CO)
Danielle (NV)
Darlene
Deb
Delaney
Denise (Densie)
Dennis
DocRobbySherry
Dorothy
Edy
Eileen
Gabi
Genevieve
Gina
Ginger
Heather
Holli (NJ)
Holly (NV)
Jamie
Jane
Jeannie
Jennifer
Jill
JoAnn
Julie (NV)
Julie Anne (LV)
Kaitlin
Katie
Kimberly K (LV)
Kimberly V
Laura
Lori
Lulu
Marilyn
Marisa
Mary Beth
Mia
Michele (VT)
Michelle (NZ)
Mindy
Monica
Nicole
Nikki
Nora
Norma
Pamela Ann
Penelope
Randi
Rosada
Sabrina
Sara (CA)
Sarah (UT)
Sarona
Stefhanie
Sue (UT)
Susan (NY/NV)
Tony
Tracy
Valerie
Valorie
Vivian C.
Vanessa
Walter
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Administrivia:

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Received on Wed Jun 27 2012 - 06:56:09 CDT