In this mailing:
Org List
Dates and decisions
Vote results
Caitlyn Jenner at DLV
Possible night spot
Date comments
Activities
Activity comments and discussion
Volunteer appreciation meeting
Raw votes
Administrivia
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Org List:
This is the DLV 20156 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.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dates and decisions:
A reminder please. All date comments, concerns, and conflicts need to be
brought up during the discussion and Call For Comments periods and not
after the dates have been announced as final. This has been an issue in
the past, and all volunteers are asked to please devote attention to the
date selection process.
Thanks for all of the date comments. Please keep those cards and letters
coming.
We will keep this topic (dates) open until the conversation dies down
and then vote.
. . . . .
In the event you send in something to this list and do not see at least
a reference to it in the next ORG mailing, please resend or remind.
A good example of this happened during our recent vote. A note was
received in response to a reminder, with a copy of the original response
including the vote. A check on the server logs of all of our MX
receivers show that the message was never delivered to us. E-mail is not
a perfect medium and sometimes items get lost in transit.
. . . . .
We had another very nice note from another new volunteer. We would love
to hear the thoughts of others who are new to the volunteer scene as
well as those who have been with us for some time.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vote results:
Votes are in and polls are closed on our election for the Odd-Year
Administrative Committee seat. Results are as follows:
Bob/Sara: 10
Katie: 6
Abstain: 3
19 total votes were received.
Last vote was received Sun, 2 Aug 2015 12:50:42 CDT and polls were
closed at that time on Tuesday.
One undelivered vote was reported in response to a reminder. It was
counted as of its original sending time.
Raw votes appear below.
Congratulation to Bob and Sara on their re-election and big thanks to
Katie for her effort and participation in the race.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Caitlyn Jenner at DLV:
(That got your attention, didn't it?) :)
Cami writes:
This may sound crazy, but with Caitlyn Jenner being in the spotlight,
I'm wondering if we could reach out to her and see if she might be
interested in speaking to our group.
It's a long shot, but it never hurts to try. These are my preliminary
thoughts, but of course it depends on when DLV is held and whether I can
work it into my schedule. Hope all of you are well.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
If you would like to do some homework and reach out to the Jenner
people, please feel free to do so.
As you say, it's a long shot. My guess is that there will be some kind
of appearance fee involved, plus expenses, for showing up in any
capacity.
We've never had a speaker before. About 10 years ago there was a chance
that one of the noted TGs (Mara?) would come, and we talked about having
a reception type of thing in lieu of a keynote address.
Should things materialize, The Center would probably be the venue of
choice either for a public forum or reception or both. That also will
most likely cost real money, lacking a sugar-mommy?
Comments about this, gang?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Possible night spot:
Jean writes:
This was (my) first and only time attending.
I stayed at the four Queens on Fremont Street. I believe I was the only
one staying there. The staff and everyone there was great.
The only reason I went to DLV was to meet other girls, which I did. I
have no problem being on my own and am now completely out to work and
all my friends.
I found this piano Bar (don't tell mama) that would be perfect for DLV.
I went there one night, the next night I returned with two girls I met
at DLV. Walking in the second night they all knew my name. The third
night that I went there it was with just one other girl.
Anyway its across the street and down a block from the Denny's on
Fremont Street. The drinks might be a little high but there is no cover.
This place may not be for everyone but I love it there. What made this
place was Frank Salerno the piano player. He sings, the bartenders sing
and the customers get up and sing, Karaoke. The thing is it is to a live
piano, Frank will change the key, tempo and even fill in if needed. He
gets the whole bar singing.
This place is off the hook. Its a small place and so would not
accommodate everyone. Of course you would have to check with the manager
before walking in with a big group.
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
Thanks, Jean, and welcome to the volunteer group!
IIRC, Don't Tell Mama is right next door to the Beauty Bar, which has
been a semi-popular DLV downtown venue.
We will most likely have one evening in 2016 which is centered around
downtown, and this is definitely one venue which would be of interest.
Something like this is very easy to coordinate. It would be particularly
good for a newer volunteer. No heavy lifting! :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Date comments:
Comments and feedback from others on the dates will be appreciated.
. . . . .
Dionne writes:
Potential DVL 2016 dates in order of my personal preferences;
Timespan 5: Sunday, May 15 thru Friday, May 20.
Timespan 3: Sunday April 24 thru Friday, April 29.
Timespan 2: Sunday April 3 thru Friday, April 8.
Thanks for asking!
> Timespan 1: Monday March 28 thru Saturday, April 2.
This timespan would make Easter a potential travel day for attendees on
an already busy travel day.
. . . . .
Ginger writes:
Either week, beginning Sunday April 3 or Sunday May 15, look the best
considering the notes provided with other possible weeks.
I'd prefer May 17 because I like it hot; most would probably prefer the
promise of cooler weather in April.
. . . . .
Sherry writes:
Probably not important enuff to mention. And, u probably already know.
But, Wildside is scheduled for the week after Mother's Day. I saw 10 or
12 girls that were also at 2015 DLV. Since I missed more days of
Wildside than I attended, there may have been many more.
. . . . .
Katie writes:
Week beginning Sunday April 3: No significant issues.
No Significant issues? Well this sounds like the right week then! I am
not concerned about other T events which are scheduled at the same time
as DLV, They have to do what they do and I have to do what is right for
me or in this case US!
April 3rd to 9th or 10th the weather will likely be quite acceptable for
a T event, Also there are no other big scale Do's going on in Vegas so
prices at hotels will not be detrimental either and there will also be a
lot less pros and cons for us to hash about for the next 6 months.
Personally any public holiday except Xmas would be fine with me.
Being retired I usually pick vacation times to align with price,
Availability of flight if I am flying there and weather being much
warmer than here
As most people already know .. or maybe not. Flights are usually very
reasonable when there is a public holiday in the mix because most people
stay home for (Easter, Xmas, New years, Valentines day. Labor day,
Mothers day, Fathers day, Memorial day to name just a few. Labor day is
a great example of this and an absolutely excellent time to be in Vegas
too because the weather is always perfect. especially for a femme
vacation. = >> Hot in the day and warm in the evenings. IE:-- No need
for jackets wraps and shawls or the carrying around thereof just in case
it gets too cool after 6PM or before 7AM. (I think about these things)
So Labor day week or April 3rd for me. I assume I am flogging an
extremely dead horse with Labor Day week but I just thought I would
mention it yet again because it would be the very best date for me
personally and even though it was not nominated I think it would be dead
right for an event such as this.
2nd choice April 3rd.
. . . . .
Delaney writes:
15 May is closed for me. However, I may be able to arrive on the 16th,
so I wouldn't kill the week on my account alone.
. . . . . . . . . .
Annie responds:
There's a definite preference for the Sunday-Friday spans, which we've
been using since 2010, and have worked out reasonably well.
The last time we had DLV start on the Monday after Easter, I don't
remember any complaining about travel or holiday issues. In fact, I
remember queries about a possible Easter Parade in LV. (I don't think
there were any parades.)
We did have a very good showing at the Pre-DLV gathering at the Hard
Rock on Easter Sunday evening.
Again, if we are to consider fork-lifting our entire event to another
part of the calendar, we will need to have evidence as to why the
proposed major move will improve the event.
There was a suggestion a few years back that we (DLV) and Wildside
should coordinate things to have both events the same week. It has
happened before by coincidence, but none of our volunteers have as of
yet expressed a desire for a formal coordination of the dates.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activities:
Cami writes:
I think this email is a great start to another great event. It's
exciting to think this is the 20th year.
I agree that having some more daytime activities would be a good thing.
It gives people a chance to meet one another, socialize and get a chance
to build relationships. Towards that end, I'm thinking of hosting a pool
party at hopefully the hotel that the group will be using as the main
location.
I also think an afternoon at the carousel court which is between
Harrah's and the links would be fun. Stacy James and I have done that
many times and it's a great place to socialize, dance and have a few
cocktails, which we can follow up with by having dinner at one of the
local restaurants.
I am also willing to host another dinner and show as we did last year,
which everyone who attended really enjoyed.
. . . . . . . . . .
Thanks, Cami.
A daytime pool party would probably work very well. The Garden Party (at
a home with an in-ground pool) in previous years always worked well
except for one year when the water was very cold.
Having such an affair at a hotel pool will require some formality, and
most likely an admission charge for those not staying at the hotel, but
these details can be worked out and we will have a contact person at
least at one of our hotels.
There's been some off-line chit-chat about centering one evening around
the various Linq venues, and an afternoon at Carnaval Court could segue'
very nicely into something like that.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Activity comments and discussion:
Annie writes:
Here are a few thoughts on some of our various activities, both last
year and in previous years.
No particular order here ...
First, some general things I think would be good for 2016:
1. One day/evening centered around downtown.
2. One day/evening centered around The Linq.
3. Richer set of daytime activities.
4. At least one side trip or excursion.
. . . . .
Dining in general:
The more I think of it, the more I like the idea of surveying the
Teeming Millions WRT the check-splitting issue. We can time this to
commence right after our next general mailing goes out, which will
be when our tentative dates are selected.
. . . . .
New Attendee Orientation:
I think this is a very important thing to have. However, I think this
needs a tune-up. Not a tear-down and rebuild, not an overhaul, not a
change in personnel, just a tune-up!
I think it needs more of a structured "program" as opposed to simply
letting the newbees ask questions, something more like what we had in
2014. After 20 years, we have a very good handle on what a newcomer
needs to know in order to effectively participate, and we also have a
good handle on what items the attendees (both newcomers and veterans)
are often times not aware of.
The newcomer activity is still an evolving concept, and we are learning
by trial and error as to what works. IMAO, the formal session works much
better than an informal reception. The timing of holding the newcomer
session right before the first major gathering is about the best. Having
the session led by those who have attended many years but have a very
good rapport with the newer attendees is also a good fit.
. . . . .
Welcome Celebration (and major gatherings in general):
I am of the opinion that we do need two major single-track gatherings,
one toward the beginning of the event and one toward the end.
I'm also of the opinion that a large dinner activity is nice to have,
but is not absolutely necessary, at one of these. Our Welcome
Celebration in 2012 at Drink And Drag, which did not have a single-track
dinner, was our best-attended gathering of all time!
Assuming we have the same Sunday-Friday timeframe as we've had since
2010, I might suggest that we consider holding the second major
gathering on the Thursday evening, to capture those who have been
departing on Friday during the day.
I do not like the idea of using the same venue for more than one of the
major gatherings. Too much of a "been there, done that" factor which can
hurt the turnout at the second major gathering.
Likewise, if we're to have two major gatherings, I think we need to use
the stronger venue for the second gathering.
If we are to have two major gatherings which include a single-track
dinner, we need to begin searching for and vetting additional venues.
. . . . .
Official Group Photo:
Gaaad these things are a royal PITA to do!
However, everybody loves the results and the group photos are some of
the most "hit on" items on our web site.
. . . . .
Dancing at Paris:
This has been one of our best-attended activities in recent years!
We've had some movement toward rotating this among venues.
I do think, however, that the first session of this activity this coming
year needs to be in a "tried and true" venue, IE Paris.
. . . . .
Katie's Koffee Korner:
It's not the best-attended activity we have, but it's gotten a small but
loyal and consistent following over the past three years. It's now at a
more reasonable time. Ain't broke, don't fix it! :)
. . . . .
Bare Escentuals (and other) Makeovers:
We started this series in 2010 and IMAO it's been a clear winner. Here
are the survey ratings for this year:
+ Bare Escentuals Makeovers all sessions: 5.0 (11 responses)
+ Nordstrom Makeovers, all sessions, Nordstrom's: 5.0 (6 responses)
Perfect 5.0 for enjoyment all the way around. (Comfort was 5.0/4.83.)
When something shows 5.0 for enjoyment, it tells us, the volunteers,
that it is most definitely working.
The BE makeovers were plagued with no-shows in 2014! However, my
conversation with the staff in 2015 indicated that the no-show rate for
our people was no worse than they get from their usual "civilian"
clients.
This related item below is an enigma!
+ Fragrance Seminar, Nordstrom's FSM, Friday: 4.50 (4 responses)
I heard a report that nobody showed up for the Fragrance Seminar, but
with 4 ratings, both in the enjoyment and comfort categories, some had
to have been there and thought they were attending it! :)
. . . . .
Afternoon Social:
This was an experiment for 2015.
+ Afternoon Social, Chayo at the Linq, Tuesday: 5.0 (2 responses)
+ Afternoon Social, Chayo at the Linq, Thursday: 5.0 (5 responses)
+ Afternoon Social, Chayo at the Linq, Friday: 5.0 (2 responses)
I (Annie) hostessed all three sessions for it. It scored 5.0 for
enjoyment across the board, and this means that the people who did
attend liked, it that and we can say that it is working.
However, I took all three sessions simply because nobody else stepped
forward to do so!
I'm suggesting that we repeat this if and only if we can get a variety
of individuals, meaning those who are not already coordinating multiple
activities, to do these.
. . . . .
Meet Dr. Victoria:
+ Meet Dr. Victoria, EHM: 4.77 (9 responses)
Whether this has been done as an adjunct to a museum tour, a rooftop late
night session, or a stand-alone activity, this always has been very well
enjoyed.
See below for some thoughts on continuing this.
. . . . .
DLV Fantasy Ball:
To Valorie and others who worked on this one, please don't think I'm in
any way discounting your efforts here. I commend these efforts and I
think with a bit of refinement something along this line can be planned
to be a successor activity.
I really hope I am wrong on this one! I am speaking very freely here.
I think that the Fantasy Ball, in the form we've had for 2014 and 2015,
has run its course. I felt a definite "slide" from 2014 to 2015.
It's very rarely that I would not suggest retaining an activity which
has been well-attended over two years, and whose enjoyment rating on the
survey INCREASED from year to year, but I'm doubtful that the same
activity in the same venue will be viable for the third year.
The "vibes" I'm sensing are that there were disappointments by both
those who attended and the venue staff over the lower than expected
turnout for 2015.
I think the reason the enjoyment rating increased from 2014 to 2015 has
to do with the 2015 FB crowd being more into it, and therefore enjoying
it more.
What I think we can do, however, is something along the line of taking a
giant step backwards and having, if the EHM is available and reasonable,
an affair similar to that which we had in 2013. A combined EHM session,
Dr. V. session, and Fantasy Ball.
Comments on this one?
. . . . .
Pinball Museum:
The sleeper of the year!
Cami has right of first refusal to do this again, but if she does not
want to repeat it, I'll do it.
. . . . .
Audrey Lounge Tour:
Rated highly in 2015 and 2014. I see this as a higher-class replacement
for the Bar Crawl which we had in earlier years. I think this needs to
be refined and promoted.
. . . . .
High Roller Big Wheel:
I think this can be repeated and expanded as part of a more expansive
evening centered upon the Linq complex. Not everyone will want to do the
High Roller again, but there are many other venues and attractions
there.
. . . . .
Lunch With Ginger:
Yes, I know it was really Lunch Without Ginger this year. :)
This is another recurring activity which garnered perfect 5.0 enjoyment
scores across the board.
+ Lunch With Ginger, Flamingo Buffet, Monday: 5.0 (4 responses)
+ Lunch With Ginger, Flamingo Buffet, Tuesday: 5.0 (3 responses)
+ Lunch With Ginger, Flamingo Buffet, Thursday: 5.0 (5 responses)
+ Lunch With Ginger, FSM Food Court, Friday: 5.0 (4 responses)
I would sure like to see the participation in LWG return to the level we
saw roughly 10 years ago, but if it's not gonna happen, it's not gonna
happen. We may have to accept the fact that a turnout of 5-10 is indeed
a "good turnout" for LWG.
We had a reasonably-good turnout on three of the days we had LWG this
year. The exception (Tuesday) was when we had multiple other activities
on the schedule covering the LWG timeslot.
I think the strategy of a mix between consistency and variety is
something we need to continue for 2016.
. . . . .
High Tea:
It appears that the turnout for this activity has been dropping off in
recent years.
+ 2010: High Tea, Four Seasons: 4.81 (11 responses)
+ 2011: High Tea, Four Seasons: 4.87 (16 responses)
+ 2012: High Tea, Four Seasons: 4.58 (12 responses)
+ 2013: High Tea, Four Seasons: 4.80 (10 responses)
+ 2014: High Tea, Four Seasons: 5.0 (7 responses)
+ 2015: High Tea, Four Seasons: 4.40 (5 responses)
This year, in particular, they could not get enough sign-ups to make it
work in a private room.
I'm wondering if there are some new twists that we can apply to this to
give it a shot in the arm and get the level of participation back up.
. . . . .
Mainstream Clubbing:
When this comes up in discussion, it's often in the context that it will
appeal to our younger attendees. However, most of those I know who have
done this are over 50.
Those who have done this activity in recent years report being well
received, which is in contrast to reports we received in earlier years.
Again, I think this needs to be repeated and possibly expanded.
. . . . .
Night of the Soiled Doves:
In 2014 we took a "giant step backwards" and had a very enjoyable
get-together with little cost and little formality. I think this
deserves a re-run assuming we have an appropriate evening for it.
The history of NSD is a good lesson learned in how a simple, informal,
and enjoyable activity can become bloated and overly complicated, and
how a tune-up and simplication can again make it viable.
. . . . .
Limo Tour:
The only reason we haven't done this in the last couple of years is
that we had a variety of newer activities which took up our "anchor"
evenings. I would like to see the Limo Tour come back. I've been
thinking about what we could possibly do to simplify it, and the thing
I keep circling back to is to either make it BYOB or else plan the
first stop at a convenient boozatorium.
In previous years, this was often paired with some kind of a big show,
and most of the participants did both of these. This made for a nice
extended dress-up evening. (Followed, in those days, by the Charles
Bar!) :)
. . . . .
Lake Mead Cruise:
This would be a very simple one to reincarnate! It was always rated very
highly when it was a recurring annual activity. Other than the fact it's
about a 30 minute trip from Strip to dockside, it's a very easy one to
do.
Comments on any of these, gang?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Volunteer appreciation meeting:
Katie writes:
Hi.
I am not necessarily stuck on The Artisan but even though the service
was abysmally slow the room was perfect for what we had to accomplish,
It was private enough for a meeting such as this and the location was a
short cab ride from the strip and it cost us nothing.
We don't necessarily have to Dine in style somewhere, Heck it's just a
meeting of fashion conscious women and the word luncheon can be used
loosely as it is not really necessary so we just need to have a mid day/
afternoonsy style drink or two and some finger food somewhere which
might be considered semi private. I wish the Blue Ox was not so far out
because their room was quite private too but it is and attendance would
likely not be great there. A Pool side meeting sounds great too but I
suspect not very private. unless someone knows something i don't?
If anyone does know of somewhere we can find a semi private room near to
the Strip free of charge please yell out. I would really like to see
this one fly.
. . . . . . . . . .
Thanks, Katie.
There are many places which will give us a semi-private room. Since we
now have a contact person with CET, it might be good to check and see
what places they have available.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Raw votes:
For those who are new, the votes below include enough of the Message-ID
of each ballot response so that irregularities can be detected, but not
enough to possibly give away the actual voter. This is followed by the
actual text of the vote as received.
If anyone thinks that their vote was not properly recorded, please let
us know.
(In no particular order)
Message-ID: <CAHdTt72fRb1=TAvyMNw9CmBt9rmEyNC_n313WCP+eGGMgwSRmg@
1. Bob/Sara (seat to be held jointly)
Message-ID: <630584741.4483685.1438183204230.
My vote is 2
Message-ID: <CAP3r2cuYk286359kibJrJWzXsW9G9XSb-bv01Zw7bPq5h8pxPA@
1 Bob/Sara
Message-Id: <F1251590-E00F-4023-A6F8-58BCDB8D47C0@
#1
Message-Id: <20150729095202.6fdfd82802f6c8e31d96337bc963ac5e.e8bb9a71d9.
1. Bob/Sara (seat to be held jointly)
Message-ID: <COL403-EAS254C190DEBFDA0A87657789D78C0@
2. Katie
Message-ID: <1438204692.65510.
Katie
Message-ID: <2039029071.4763757.1438204574573.
2. Katie
Message-ID: <1438214906.72648.
Katie
Message-ID: <55B99D37.7050706@
My vote is for #1- Bob/Sara
Message-ID: <CAOFnsGCLRokyLPBh5ukQSTq0ong1NyJdsL9qNUt_6XSxXsxNfw@
1. Bob/Sara (seat to be held jointly)
Message-ID: <BAY172-W3980437A509A34159515AEDF8A0@
#1
Message-Id: <14ee69442da-5f49-26fce@
Abstain
Message-Id: <20150731132005.6ccb45e73335d9a1d9b88990371dc01b.148fa36dcf.
1. Bob/Sara (seat to be held jointly)
Message-ID: <1438444628.57730.
Sara/Bob (ladies first :)
Message-id: <D1E4D2CB.F0ED%
>3. ABSTAIN, cast no vote for this position.
Message-Id: <201508021750.t72HogH8011829@
> 1. Bob/Sara (seat to be held jointly)
Message-ID: <qyq45bwgqr0wxrhp45mb5f4d.1438522616529@
Abstain
Message-ID: <001b01d0cba2$2f5674c0$8e035e40$@
I Cast my vote for 2. Katie.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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