In this mailing:
Org List
Organization and Strategy
Inclusiveness
Keeping DLV relevant
Daytime activities
Illness at DLV
Bare Escentuals
Name tags
Lunch With
Administrivia
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Org List:
This is the DLV 2015 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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Organization and Strategy:
As we have a few more weeks in our "Slow Season", now is the time to
bring up any more general or specific items which are organizational or
strategic in nature. We'll be seeding the schedule and switching to
tactical mode earlier in the calendar year this go-round, and we want to
cover any non-programming items thoroughly before we focus most of our
attention on scheduling and logistics and such.
Please continue to discuss the ongoing topics below as well as the
recently (re)introduced topic immediately below.
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One housekeeping note. As we end the slow season and move into the busy
season, we need to keep this particular mailing list for items that are
of an organizational nature. Please remember to send in organizational
items here (dlvorg_at_geekbabe.com) and chit-chat and other items that do
not directly impact the organization and planning over to the DLV
Discussion Forum, either by e-mail at dlvdisc_at_geekbabe.com or else on
the web here:
http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/mydlv/mainforum/viewforum.php?f=2
The URL above is a clean interface into the Discussion Forum and we
suggest that all volunteers check this every so often for items of
interest.
Also a reminder, items received for ORG after Monday will usually be
held for the next mailing unless they are clearly of some urgency.
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Inclusiveness:
JoAnn writes:
As we develop new activities and make sure we are not a convention, I
would like to open a dialog on ways to explore being inclusive for our
activities as a response to how many see conventions as the vehicle
that gives people a feeling that the convention, rather than our
vacation format, is a better alternative to "inclusiveness".
The background for my writing is some "caring feedback" I received at a
dinner following an Art Fashion Show from a group of 6 who have attended
DIVA from California. They love the Diva experience but on several
activities their observation ("feeling") was they were the "out-group"
in attendance.
Annie and I with a half dozen others attending Diva over the years have
worked very hard to be inclusive in all of our events. This "inclusive"
concept is a "customer service" issue where many think they are giving
customer service but they do it "very poorly". Having said such, I
would purport if we really get a handle on inclusiveness/customer
service in a formal-all-out efforts, and especially at the venues in
Vegas, we will get attendees telling others this is one of their "best
of experiences" attending DIVA.
This goes to the statement in organizational development that only the
one "wearing the shoe knows if it is too tight". Some people may
unreasonably define "too tight" but we still need to pay attention to
the statements presented and not just dismiss them.
I have no simple "handle here", however, *schedule development*, and
*event inclusiveness* should be our organization's branding mantra for
2015. How this develops, I believe, depends on how we provide for a
welcoming persona at every event. The particulars for implementation we
should be discussing in the weeks to come.
Beverly is a "standard bearer of inclusiveness". Each attendee needs to
be a "standard bearer" at each event they are attending.
Customer service is a continuing challenge. Its success is the
challenge of the DIVA Coordinators, not the attendees, and has huge
rewards.... in all endeavors.
I have always felt we have lead this group down this positive path.
That is why I (and others) volunteer. But this journey of customer
service is a continuous process as you know.
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Annie responds:
I agree that this is a necessary topic to introduce.
The reported feeling that they were the "out-group" concerns me. :(
While I think some more details about why they felt this way would be
most helpful, I'm reading into this that they felt ignored, excluded,
or possibly even unwelcome.
I really doubt that our people were being intentionally exclusionary or
rude. We just don't have those types.
What I think is more likely is that our people were simply so engrossed
in doing what they were doing, and in interacting with their circles of
friends, that they failed to notice that there are others present who
did not feel included.
Yes, Beverly has been an example which others should be encouraged to
follow. She is most definitely seen as a leader, but not as a Queen Bee
of a clique. (Google "Queen Bees and Wannabees" if you do not "get" that
reference.)
We covered the topic of inclusion in the months leading up to DLV 2013.
Please excuse the rather large cut-paste here:
+1. Early assimilation.
+Help the new attendees (and returnees) to feel "with it" and "part of
+the family" as early in the process as possible. Get them acquainted
+with the others, actively.
+Prior to the big event, encourage all, newcomers in particular, to
+participate in the Discussion Forum, browse the photos on the web
+site, browse the personal galleries and get to know the others,
+etc.
+In the first few days of DLV, offer them opportunities to meet the
+others. Newcomer (for lack of a better term) Open House sessions,
+the smaller group luncheons, etc.
+. . . . .
+2. Active inclusion.
+This is a very broad category. It also relates to point 1, but
+expands on it. We need to do more than simply present the attendees
+a schedule and wait for them to show up.
+We need to leverage technology, group hospitality, and individual
+hospitality in pursuit of a greater degree of inclusion and active
+participation.
+Technology can really help here! Such things as calendar invites
+and reminders via text message. We need to offer convenient methods
+of subscribing to these, assurance that their e-mail and phones will
+not be abused, and equally convenient methods of turning off automated
+items.
+Personal encouragement to participate fully! We need to send the
+message loud and clear that our activities are fun, and that the
+attendees are indeed welcome and wanted.
+"Are you going to the {whatever} tonight? Do you have a ride?"
+And, encourage all to expand their circles of close friends and to
+reach out to others and include them in their own little get-togethers
+and such.
The term "customer service" got me to thinking. I really do not consider
the relationship between the volunteers and the rank and file attendees
to be that of vendor and client. I consider that relationship to be more
along the line of host(ess) and guest. That relationship (host/guest),
to me, anyway, implies a more personal involvement, and a greater degree
of attention, such as would be given to a guest at a dinner party.
One point that we can emphasize regarding the difference between our
events and conventions is the personal nature of our event, the
inclusiveness and the development of friendships. We need to emphasize
that they are our guests, and we need to follow through and treat them
as the valued guests that they are.
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Keeping DLV relevant:
Dionne writes:
> I think we need events that will begin to attract a somewhat
> younger demographic - in their 40s.
My opinion is that it's not the events that attract the demographic. I
would have LOVED to know about DLV when I was in my 20's (or 40's or
whenever). It's raising awareness and outreach that is the key to
attracting a wider demographic.
Also, when they do visit with us we need to make them feel welcome and
invite them to suggest events that appeal to them. Let's remind our
current DLV attendees to welcome all ages & etc. IHMO, Education and
inclusiveness are the key elements.
> so keeping Annie happy is a must :-).
I could not agree more. I see no reason for the convention style to
be adopted. It's obsolete in today's increasing TG-friendly social
environment.
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Annie responds:
Dionne, your comments tie right in to what JoAnn commented about in the
first of this week's items.
Inviting the individuals to specific activities is a part of the "active
inclusion" I spoke about above.
Although we've tried to emphasize inclusion over our recent years, our
goal is not met, we still have people feeling excluded and not part of
the family so to speak.
I don't think that asking volunteers and rank-and-file returnees to
please reach out and include newcomers and those without a close circle
of friends is too much to ask, but for some reason this still is not
happening to the extent that is effective.
Now, as far as "Keeping Annie Happy", you can keep me happy by keeping
the volunteers and the attendees happy! When I hear of attendees (see
JoAnn's example above) who are not happy, I get very concerned.
The cliquishness, the game-playing, and the faux-exclusiveness within
the TG community are things that have bothered me for over 30 years. I
know we are not going to change this, but within our event we can do
everything we can do to change these much-too-common patterns.
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Daytime activities:
Sarah writes:
I want to update you on a couple of items. First there will be a new
exhibit at the Bellagio when we meet. They will be bringing in Fabergi
egg related items and artwork. I don't have any details beyond that, but
it should be a very interesting exhibit. I got a request from a few of
the golfers that they would like to join in but I've always had the art
tour at a day/time that overlapped. I'm looking for a different day. I
usually drive in on Monday, so that makes it difficult for me, Wednesday
is filling up with EHM, but may be possible and Thursday could work as
well. If anyone has a preference or suggestion please chime in.
I was in L.V. for a day and stopped in at the Erotic Heritage Museum for
a short visit. The entrance area has been redone and opened up quite a
bit and they have some Chicken Ranch items for sale if you missed out on
those things during our last visit. The exhibits are constantly in flux
and while some of the old ones are there, many new ones are in place
with more changes being planned. As always, it's a very welcoming
environment.
I've always been a proponent of doing things in the daytime, just show
up if you can. Being in the Medicare set now, I'm not sure what will
attract the next couple of younger generations to daylight activities.
Television related places, like the Pawn Stars and Rick's Restoration
are there and open for business. There are a variety of 'tourist'
attractions in town that range from antique cars and wax works to sharks
and low-end, but entertaining magic shows and the like. We have done
daytrips to natural areas and gathered for makeovers. There is always
shopping, but that doesn't seem like an event that works well with a
crowd. I'll try to come up with one more daytime event but you better
have a good cup of coffee first because I don't do exciting, just things
that give us a chance to visit and see a little bit of the sun for those
who are so inclined.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
Thanks Sarah.
Yes, if you've been doing the Art Tour activities consistently during
the same timeslot as golf, yes, it's time to shake things up.
WRT getting younger people more active I've been thinking along a few
lines. First, what did I like to do when I was back in my 30s and 40s
that we don't currently do? Next, what to 30-40-somethings, regardless
of gender identity, like to do in today's Las Vegas?
I began visiting Las Vegas when I was in my 20s. At the time, one of
my gripes was that there was very little entertainment geared toward
20-somethings. Disco was very big back east, but not in Las Vegas. I
would have loved to see some big name rock acts in Las Vegas, but they
were few and far between. I felt like Las Vegas was geared for one
generation older than I was, which really was true in those times.
The one very "in" place that I do remember from those days was Don The
Beachcomber at the Sahara. You could sit and sip a pricey umbrella drink
and dine on Polynesian fusion cuisine while shivering with anticipation
waiting for any of many A-list celebs to drop in. :)
Now today, the Powers That Be cater to the younger crowd.
Clubs come to mind immediately. We've apparently been well-received at
Surrender, and that's one that would appeal to the younger set. Dayclubs
are the latest rage. Think nightclub prices in the afternoon! :)
The most important thing I can think of, however, is not activities
which are age-specific. Just about everything we do transcends most
generational boundaries. What I think is key to keeping some of the
younger folks is more along the line of reaching out to them, making
sure they feel welcome and are included in things, and truly absorb
them into the group!
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Illness at DLV:
Dionne writes:
> First is along the line of what do other events in Las Vegas ...
> do, if anything, about raising the awareness of infectious
> diseases at their events, and suggesting clinical providers ...
I've noticed that Hotel check in counters, restrooms and other public
places have hand sanitizer lotion readily available to customers.
> Also, is there any evidence to support the opinion that events
> happening during the so-called "cold and flu season" may be more
> impacted by attendee illness than those occurring in warmer months?
The CDC created this website:
http://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/main.html
Press PLAY to see the 2013-14 Flu map.
The disease exhibits a Gaussian (Bell) curve though the Fall to Spring
seasons. Just in case you are curious (or a future epidemiologist).
> would recommending a particular provider (or providers) expose the
> organizers and volunteers to any liability should any serious issues
I think it's healthy to express concern for our gurl friends. It's just
a nice gesture of friendship and builds community feelings.
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Ginger writes:
I've attended many transgender conferences and been actively involved
in a major one. I have never seen any mention of emergency medical
information or health warning. I don't see that DLV needs one and think
its better left unsaid.
If mention were made where would one draw the line? The warnings could
go from effective hand-washing to safe sex and I don't think we want to
go there!
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
I took a good look at the CDC web site listed above.
The flu reports most definitely peaked right around the winter holidays
last year and continued into late January. During the weeks leading up
to and including our 2014 event, Nevada (as well as most of the rest of
the states) was consistently in the three "minimal" levels.
This map, unfortunately, only appears to cover true influenza and not
the common cold, gastroenteritis, and other various diseases which
appeared to affect our attendees.
I don't think that anyone who regularly attended our activities last
year had true influenza. "Stomach flu", which is not true influenza, was
reported, as well as symptoms (and response to medication) typical of
the common cold.
This page most definitely indicates that our event last year was not in
what would be considered "peak flu season", although some instances of
colds and other maladies were obviously present at our event.
Like Ginger, I do not recall any emergency medical information being
given to attendees of any TG event I've attended in recent decades. I
can say likewise for all tech conferences I've been to in recent years
as well. It does not appear to be customarily done.
Now, as to what we can and should do ...
Here is my opinion.
I do not think that a friendly reminder to consider others and practice
good hygiene and such is out of line at all. Precedence was set a few
years back when DLV followed a major flu outbreak.
I do not think that we should recommend or even mention specific health
care providers by name. IANAL but I think that could easily expose us.
I don't think it would hurt to put a note to the effect of "most major
brand pharmacies within the Strip corridor have quick care clinics" in
the "If Something Is Wrong", section of the Final Attendee Information,
but I think this fact is something that most attendees already know.
I think that informally handing out those individually-wrapped sanitizer
wipes and encouraging people to use them would be one of the most
effective things we could do.
I think we need to draw the line between the friendly reminders and the
recommendation of specific providers.
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Bare Escentuals:
Dionne writes:
I checked with Cindy at the Bare Essential makeup store about the dates
for DLV 2015. She confirmed those dates work for her store. So, Monday,
March 23 & Tuesday, March 24 are Good-to-Go.
I asked if it would work better if we changed our reservation system.
Should we ask our attendees call the store directly to schedule their
appts?
She is open to changing our system for next year. She is asking for 30
days advance notice so she can schedule enough MU artists for us.
No payment is required to hold the reservation, though.
She offered to hand out DLV schedules to low info attendees.
She also mentioned many attendees returned for follow-up appts. that
same week.
We need to discuss this approach and see how it works with the
reservation process. If this doesn't impact our process significantly,
we should consider it.
. . . . . . . . . .
Thanks Dionne.
When we start the schedule next month (actually later this month, time
flies!) we will get these items in. Please let us know your plans for
sessions and exact times.
It will be up to you, as Coordinator, to decide whether to have the
participants book directly with the shop or use the DLV sign-up method.
My opinion is that you will get a better turnout and better level of
participation by having this on the sign-up screen than by having the
attendees do an out-of-procedure hoop-jump in the form of phoning the
shop. (TGs can be incredibly shy WRT phoning vendors.)
There will be fall-out, of course, but this year we will have more tools
to help deal with it.
We'll have two specific priority overrides this year, to help with the
no-show issue, and you can choose if one or both should apply to this.
First is the "Priority will be given to those who have a valid cell
phone number on file", in other words, a means of contact which is
traceable and which may be used, if you desire, to actively confirm
intent to show up and participate.
We also have a related previously-unused option to totally restrict any
activity to those with a valid cell phone number. I was planning to use
this on a subsequently-cancelled activity in 2013. It is still
available.
The other new override this year will be the "Priority will be given to
returnees without any no-show/no-pay on file" option.
Knowing the history of this activity, and the associated no-show issue,
I would suggest giving priority to those with a valid cell phone and to
returnees with a clean track record. This will give a good shot to those
who are sincere about keeping the appointment and put those who are less
likely to show directly on the waiting list.
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Name tags:
Dennis writes:
Okay gang, we have 100 plastic card holders and about 110 of the metal
clips. I think we may need more of each don't you think?
Vera & Dennis, your lil' old name tag maker
. . . . . . . . . .
Thanks Dennis. This is probably too few for DLV 2015. We'll relay this
to our Tag Holder Sugar Mommy. :)
To all, it appears that we are heading down the default path for name
tags this coming year. If anyone wants to bring up other options for
name tags for DLV 2015, please get your thoughts in during the next few
list cycles.
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Lunch With:
Dionne writes:
Just want to offer to hostess the Lunch With Dionne event that I had
last year. The Blue Ox worked great and we felt comfortable there. The
food and service were exceptional. We ordered off the regular menu and
received individual checks.
I'm guessing that Wed. and Monday would not work on the DLV 2015
calendar. I'm open to scheduling this on another day, maybe Tues. or
Thurs. Please let me know when a timeslot is open.
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
Thanks Dionne.
IIRC, the activity you had last year was commercial in nature and was in
addition to the normal "Lunch With" session. Is this what you want to do
this coming year?
If this is to be a commercial activity, or is to segue' into one, I do
not think that it should be our official "Lunch With" for the day. I
also suggest that all of the official Lunch With sessions be located a
bit closer to the center of the action.
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Administrivia:
This is the Diva Las Vegas 2015 organizational list.
One address for all items regarding this list, additions, removals,
changes, submissions, questions, etc.:
dlvorg_at_geekbabe.com <--- NOTE: all lower case
Diva Las Vegas 2015
Sunday, March 22 - Friday, March 27
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Archives of this list appear on the web at:
http://www.geekbabe.com/annie/org15arc/
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Received on Wed Oct 01 2014 - 05:39:38 CDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.2.0 : Wed Jun 03 2015 - 07:09:18 CDT