[dlvorg] Hospitality, terminology, etc. ...

In this mailing:

Org List
Moving along
JoAnn Sez
A few quick random thoughts
Terminology and such
Volunteer and newcomers
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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Moving along:

Please continue discussing and brainstorming regarding newcomers
and hospitality. See below.

Thanks to all who recently submitted photos. We had about a 20%
increase in our photo collection. If anyone else has any and have
not sent them in, please do so. If there are any difficulties or
concerns about uploading or getting the photos to us, please let
us know.

Three more removal requests have been received since the last
report. All have been processed.
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JoAnn Sez:

While saying that we need to be careful to avoid beating to death
various "handles" suggested to refer to those who are new to a Diva
Gathering, we probably need to continue for couple of weeks to think
our way through this challenge, including "me, myself, and I".

So be ready for the "sounding of the end bell" and not delay sharing any
and all thoughts on the subject.

Thanks. JoAnn.
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A few quick random thoughts:

Danielle writes:

Re the newbie/newcomer issue, what about calling first-timers "first
year attendees." At DLV, people ask each other how many years they've
attended, anyway. This is a simple term, which could be shortened to
someone being a "first year."

And, by the way, this is what they use at Smith College, which is still
all female. They wouldn't want to call someone a "freshman," now would
they.

As for newbies, if you define that as people just beginning to step
out, I think you need a different designation, although it most likely
would go hand in hand with "first year." So try on "first year
newbie," as opposed to "first year attendee."

Or something like "first year star." And when someone asks what the
star means, which they will, these people can say they're a star for
stepping out, in public, maybe for the first time. Which should give
them an added boost of confidence. To which we can say, "you go, girl!"

Okay, I'll stop.

On name tags, I think it's helpful to see someone in an unfamiliar
venue who's wearing a name tag, because then you know you're in the
right place. But, to me, it really goes just that far. I can't read an
actual name on the name tag without pulling out my glasses. And then,
half the time, in 15 seconds I forget the name. It's an age thing, and
I'll just leave it at that.

Happy summer and stay cool
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Thanks, Danielle.

"First Year Attendee" is probably the most correct term we have so
far. Only downside is that it's more difficult to say and write out
than "newcomer" is.

Yes, nametags are helpful to many, but they've been of lukewarm
importance at best to many of the attendees, as reflected on our
surveys over recent years.
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Terminology and such:

Rosada writes:

> Using the thesaurus I come up with terms such as fledgling, newbie,
> entrant, freshman, neophyte, starter, beginner, initiate, enlistee,
> recruit ...

Our group attracts many women who come from many levels of "dressing"
experience from "fledglings" to fully matured and very comfortable being
out in public, and every point along the spectrum in between.

Annie, none of these terms would aptly apply to a very successful and
experienced lady who is attending DLV for the very first time.

This debate on the correct terms, are we trying applying them to the
level of experience of being out in public or our experience attending
DLV. I think this is where the hangup is occuring.

I feel that the DLV group is so large now, growing from the small group
of gals that first decided to get together way back in the Dark Ages to
the large group we've seen in the recent past, that our idea of being a
small group getting away for an informal vacation, although still a
valid one, needs to at least give the idea of a formalized check-in
procedure, as Walt suggests, a try. If that doesn't work for us, then we
go back to the drawing board.
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Annie responds:

Thanks, Rosada.

Yes, we've identified two classes of individuals who need some kind
of support, particularly during the early part of our event, those
are:

1. The newcomer (for lack of a better term) to our event, who may
or may not have any experience in public or for whom public exposure
is irrelevant. (This would include those who have a lot of experience
in the overall TG community and/or a lot of public exposure but do
not know how things work at DLV.)

2. The individual with little or no public exposure, who probably
has not attended before, and is somewhat apprehensive about the
event.

If we're going to formalize our check-in procedure, these are two
classes of attendees who do have special needs which can be
addressed as part of the check-in process.

We also have to keep in mind that our group is extremely diverse,
and even though the two classes above are some of those we need to
zero in on, we do need to be flexible.

What I'm hearing from the survey responses is that a number of
those who are new to DLV are feeling left out. I'm also hearing
that we, the volunteers, are taking this seriously and want to do
what we can to be more aware of their needs and be more inclusive.
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Volunteer and newcomers:

Crystal writes:

Hi everyone.

I'm sorry I missed DLV 2012. I'm playing a little catch-up here and just
read the last several e-mails.

I plan on attending DLV 2013. I only have one conflict on my calendar
and that is on 4/6/13. Hopefully the dates will work for me.

What I am reading is that additional attention needs to be paid to our
newcomers. Count me in. I'm available to serve as a big sister in 2013
and will certainly extend myself to new members of our group. I've
become a bit of an early bird these days and would like to assist with
breakfast and lunch events.

In addition, I can help out with check-in and distribution of name
badges at many of the daytime events and the larger evening ones.

I'll be volunteering for more. I promise. I'm focused and willing, so
please, utilize me. It feels good to be back on the grid. I'm looking
forward to DLV 2013!
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Thanks Crystal, good to hear that you'll be with us in 2013.

We will definitely use you.

We'll be introducing the topic of dates next month. However, you
probably will not have an issues since April 6 is surrounded by
two weeks which will not work for us.

Yes, the current topic of discussion is the inclusion of those
who have not attended before. Any ideas you may have on how to
better do this will be appreciated.
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Administrivia:

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Received on Wed Jul 25 2012 - 07:38:35 CDT