From: annie (dlvdisc@geekbabe.com)
Date: Thu May 31 2007 - 14:15:20 CDT
These are my personal comments and notes about the comments
on the survey, those regarding activities and general items.
Behavior, dress, and restroom items are posted separately.
All of the activity suggestions, comments, and complaints have
been forwarded to the ORG group for use in planning next year's
event.
However, if any of you see any of these as a personal priority,
there's one way you can make sure that it happens, and that is
to volunteer to make it happen.
If you would like to see things like a trip to the Shark Reef,
dining at Palace Station Buffet, going to a fashion show, game
night, etc., all you have to do is raise your hand and it will
happen.
If you think some of our things are getting old and stale, put
on your thinking cap and propose some fresh ideas.
If you were dissatisfied with any of our facilities, just step
up and volunteer to do some legwork to find new and different
facilities.
Yes, you hold the power to make these things happen, and you
don't even need ruby slippers. Just send a brief note to:
.. and say you would like to volunteer for any of the above.
. . . . . . . . . .
We had a large number of SOs present this year, and they were
very active and seemed to be having a very good time. I think I
speak for most all when I say that we value SOs' participation,
support, and input very highly and we want to encourage SOs to
participate and help plan DLV.
>My only comment is even my wife enjoyed DLV. (not sure she
>expected to)
Those are the comments we like to hear. :)
. . .
>Would wonder if SOs would have any interest in a more formal
>discussion/presentation on coping with cross-dressing partners,
>how to be more positive, discussion of what has helped in the past,
>etc. OR is this week too much of a "vacation" atmosphere with no
>"SPICE"-like learning agenda or interest.
[ DLV organizer's hat on ]
First of all, yes, we do want to keep our "vacation not convention"
atmosphere. In 2001, when planning for DLV 2002, the ORG group
did vote on a standing rule that stated (I am cutting and pasting
here):
+3. All activities should be recreational or participatory in
+nature.
Yes, that's a very broad statement, and was clarified very
informally to mean:
+"something other than sitting in a lecture hall
+listening to somebody drone on about electrolysis ..."
:)
This was at a time in our history where there was indeed some
pressure to become more like the mainline TG conventions, and
this was one clarification which affirmed that such a direction
was where we did not want to go.
Another point which has been affirmed over and over throughout
our history is that we are not a support group nor a TG
convention and we don't want to duplicate/replicate what's
already handled quite well by such groups.
However, the only way to find out if such a thing would work is
to try it.
There's really nothing that says you can't do it, and yes, it
would be "participatory" in nature.
You might get an idea by posing this question in the DLV
Discussion Forum between now and the first of the year or so
to get an idea of what the interest would be.
[ DLV organizer's hat off ]
What I might suggest, however, if you want to get the SOs more
active is to think of things that the SOs would like to do
which their partners would not particularly want to do, and
do them. Think outside the box (to use the buzzword-compliant
term) and think of things that the SOs can't get from the
support groups or mainline TG conventions.
. . . . .
>Give the address of all locations that we attend including
>phone numbers.....
You may consider that done for next year.
Suggestions such as this are always appreciated.
. . . . . . . . . .
Several comments had to do with the welcome dinner at Suede:
>food/drinks pricey @suades, blue ox very reasonable
>the buffet at suades was very pricey @$25
>monday nights meal was with the bigest rip of ever i got my money
>back
>I'm a local who attended Suede but due to a prior committment,
>did not eat anything there. ... I declined to eat at Suede because
>of both the price and the time-conflict. I have eaten there before
>with no problems, both with DLV and on other occasions.
>A true concern about food poisoning should be addressed to the
>health department, they would investigate and run the appropriate
>bacteriological tests, etc.
Yes. :( We did have various complaints, both on the spot and
after the fact regarding Suede.
The activity at Suede slipped this year as far as enjoyment,
from 4.31 in 2006 to 3.84 this year. 3.84 still shows that
more enjoyed it than disliked it, it's OK, but we can do better
than that.
It's still way too early to know if we will use Suede next year,
but if so, management will be well aware of our expectations.
Hey, Bahama Breeze sure responded to the concerns that were
voiced last year.
However, if you feel strongly about not using Suede again, please
feel free to do some legwork and seek out an appropriate alternate
facility.
. . . . . . . . . .
We had a number of suggestions and comments about activities for
DLVs to come, and some constructive or critical comments about
the activities this year. I'm not trying to be defensive, but
some comments seem to indicate that those commenting did not
take full advantage of the options that were available to them.
>The 'ballroom dance' is very misleading - learning The Hustle is
>pure disco and very outdated. 'Dance Instruction' with the specific
>dance(s) planned would be better.
If I remember correctly, the dance to be featured did appear on the
activity sign-up screen with an option to change with consensus.
Please feel free to suggest alternate ways of handling this. Dance
instruction is a frequently-requested activity.
. . . . .
>I was disappointed with the roomate responses. I feel this is
>because the questions are too much by category. I was willing to
>take on most anyone who wanted to share the cost, but was limited
>by the groupings. non-smoke, age, etc. Ask the question just want
>to save money!
You shouldn't have been limited. Those questions tell about you,
and don't necessarily limit the roommates to be assigned to you.
There's a space for you to indicate that certain things don't
matter to you.
The first few times we tried matching roommates it didn't work out
very well. The two problems that were most common were disagreements
on smoking in the room and on the hours that the room was to be used
for restful sleep only.
Other issues were roommates who talked too much, kept the TV on loud
and late, roommate request notices (we used to publish them in our
mailings) that started looking more like personal ads, and concerns
that a roommate might split without paying.
In the recent years we've had a dedicated Roommate Coordinator
whose primary DLV energy is focused on matching roommates.
We've also asked quite a few questions, and those are for the purpose
of making a better match and getting some better satisfaction on the
roommate matching process. We also have one big blank area where
something like "I don't care about smoking, I just want the cheapest
room" could be entered. I really don't see how we can do this better.
Specific suggestions would be appreciated, however.
. . . . .
A few comments came in about the Night Of The Soiled Doves.
>many of the doves disappeared and did not participate in the parlor
>activities. The parlor could have been used more for social
>conversation only.
(By "doves", I'm assuming you mean the "contractors" at the facility.
We often use the term "doves" to mean those from our group who are
participating.) :) :)
There are some complexities of the Night Of The Soiled Doves that
aren't very obvious to most of the attendees. One is the use of the
"parlor" area. This is normally reserved for one function only, that
is to hold the "line-up", to let a paying customer select his
companion(s) for a party. It's not available for socializing and
is normally kept immaculately clean and tidy and ready for its
one intended function at a moment's notice.
We are some of the very few non-customers who have ever seen this
parlor, let alone use it for a noncommercial function. It's great
that we have established a level of comfort with them, in that
they are willing to let us use that room.
Had a paying customer requested a line-up, we would have been
given the order to vacate immediately and very rapidly via the
rear hallway.
>Night of the Soiled Doves has run its course and it's time to
>find something to replace it with.
Don't worry, there are plans in the works to introduce a few new
"twists" so to speak, and keep the activity fresh and exciting. :)
However, if you want an alternative, please feel free to propose
something such as a local dinner, show, etc. for those who do not
want to do NSD.
. . . . . . . . . .
Some various comments and suggestions about our timing, structure,
scheduling, etc. ...
>Maybe a published spreadsheet of who and where they are going to
>might help others in planning the days they are going to attend.
>If that doesen't make anyone uncomfortable.
I see two issues with this (three actually, the third being that
it would be a nightmare to compile and keep current).
First, I'm sure many would not want their daily sign-up list to
be published in public. I sure wouldn't want it.
Second, we don't want people choosing activities on the basis of
who else is doing them, we want them choosing them because they
are of interest to them and want to do them.
. . . . .
It appears that both early and late starts are at issue this
year ...
>Start things on TIME. It's my understanding that the art tour
>was over an HOUR late is starting versus the printed start time.
>NSD was so late in starting that it ran into rush hour traffic
>when that could have been avoided had it started on time.
Yes, schedule slippage is one thing that we've fought ever since
the early days of DLV. We're well aware of it, we don't like it,
we admonish organizers and volunteers to please keep their things
on time.
>There appeared to be some discrepancies of the time schedule, such
>as time listed on final mailing for departure was posted as 10:30
>a.m. but actual group left at 10:00. Perhaps some leeway should
>be allowed (such as maybe 10-15 minutes) to allow for girls with
>less experience to give them a chance to allow for problems or
>mistakes. Other than that, was a great and enjoyable experience! :)
I'm unaware of anything happening early. This is another item I will
bring up in ORG. We want things to start on time, but not to leave
those out who are indeed on time.
. . . . .
>Disappointed that there wasn't much structure, like checking-in
>or someone as a greater at the events. Would have liked to contact
>someone on events I wasn't able to attend, usually ran out of time
>or spent time with wife.
This year, every activity marked "check-in available" on the final
schedule should have had a check-in hostess there at the start time
and at least for a reasonable length of time into the activity.
If we missed connection on this, please let us know. I'm not aware
of any cases of this in 2007.
Check-in at DLV is always more informal than at other events.
Except for the larger early activities, there will never be a
desk. You may end up checking in at the bar. :) We just don't
need any more of a formal check-in at DLV.
You should have received general-info contact phone numbers.
Those answering them should have been able to get you in touch
with about anybody in charge of anything at DLV.
Now, as far as having a designated greeter at some of our larger
activities, the main reason we usually don't have one is because
nobody has volunteered to take on that role. The job is open. If
you (or if anybody reading) want to volunteer specifically as a
greeter, please do so.
. . . . .
A few comments regarding larger gatherings, or maybe the lack of
them, and the numbers, or maybe the lack of them.
>This was the first year that it seems difficult to see and meet
>everyone. Perhaps venues that can accommdate more people at the
>same time.
Even though we thought we may run over capacity at a couple of our
places this year, both Suede and Bahama Breeze (our two largest
activities this year in terms of number of bodies) expanded their
seating to accommodate our anticipated turnout. Both said they
could even seat more if needed. The limit for now is not venue
capacity, it's how many sign up and how many show up. We got
60-some at Suede and 70-some at Bahama Breeze. With our size
crowd, without compulsory attendance at any activity, this is
about the number we're going to see at any one place at any one
time.
. . . . .
>I felt like you were teasing me saying 150 were showing up when
>there were no where near 100! Tis is deceptive!
Let me assure you, we are not trying to exaggerate our turnout.
"How many are coming?" is the most frequent question we get. It's
on everyone's mind. We try to answer that question as early as
we can, and keep everybody updated as the date approaches.
The DLV organizers need accurate headcount projections, both for
the event as a whole and for any activity that requires any kind
of a count to the facility. I can say that we have this down to
a science, and can usually predict overall turnout or activity
turnout within +/- 10%.
You got the same numbers that the organizers did, and this year
they were almost always very close to the number showing up.
Our total projection this year was for between 120 and 150. At
final count, we had a total of 134 individuals who actually made
contact in Las Vegas. That's about as dead-center as you can
get. :)
The thing that's different, perhaps unexpected on your part, is
that at DLV we will never have all in one place at one time. Our
attendees arrive and depart most every day, plus, not everybody
will want to do any particular activity. The largest group
activities tend to attract maybe 70-80% of those of our group
who are in town at the current time.
. . . . .
>Got 22 pages of directions and NO map
The link to the map was toward the top of the main Large Final
Mailing message, item 3 in the "do-it list" to be printed out.
Did you not receive this?
I know some did, because I saw people with printed copies of it
at DLV.
. . . . .
>My first attempt to answer the survey bombed out--SERVER error.
>Hope this one works!
It worked. :)
This (fortunately) does appear to be a one-time issue. I have
copied the error log for the day this comment came in and I will
see if anything can be determined as to why.
. . . . .
>In my experience the dlv attendees were to clicky. It was nice
>to be with the people that I already knew. But I didn't make many
>new friends and I usually don't have that problem.
Although I've always said, and still say that the DLV people do
not tend to be cliquish, I noticed what I think elicited your
remark this year.
I think what we had, even at most of the larger functions, was
less mixing and circulating than we've seen before. People would
tend to chose tables with those they already knew, and stay put
as opposed to getting up and mingling.
I'll bring this up in ORG. This also correlates with one item
on the obective part of the survey.
. . . . .
Yes, there was a too-late-for-LFM management decision that killed
the free cover for most of our people for Studio 54. This was not
known to most of the organizers until it was too late to send out
anything or even effectively pass the word.
>Two: although $10.00 per person is no real big deal, we were lead
>to believe that we would be "given" free admission passes to Studio
>54 - that did not happen!
>Studio 54 - This should have been listed that it "may" (or does)
>cost $10 for entrance, so those that are on a limited budget may
>plan accordingly. The fee is reasonable, IMHO, but some complained
>because they thought it would be a 'free' event.
Sorry if anybody was disappointed. I was. :(
Here is the story the way I heard it. As of the time this activity
was planned, cover was customarily waived for all ladies. At some
time between then and DLV there was a change in that LOCAL ladies
only were no-cover. Those who had local ID should have still been
admitted without cover.
>Also, the Hostess should have been waiting at the entrance with
>those 'line passes' for those that had signed up for them. We
>didn't see her until we were in the club.
Those volunteers who handled the check-in were supposed to tell
all that the DLV badge was indeed the line pass. It's very
possible that by human error it may not have happened in all
cases. Please accept our apology.
There have been a few comments this year that we need more in the
way of "hostesses" or "greeters" at our activities. There's nothing
in our standing rules that requires an activity coordinator to be
a greeter, although some choose to do it.
However {broken record mode} if it's a priority for you for this
to happen, it's very easy for you to make it happen. :)
. . . . .
>two items: One, there was apparently no one in charge of the boat
>tour. The location was VERY difficult to find and we almost
>"missed the boat!"
>Lake Mead boat cruise - The hostess never showed up, and a map &
>driving directions would have been most helpful, especially as
>driving 'caravan style' is not a safe thing to do. We barely made
>it to the dock on time, which was made a bit more complicated
>because they had also moved to a new site and the road signs
>were wrong!
This is one "missed connection" which unfortunately happened this
year. The coordinator could not be in town on time and for some
reason (I don't know exactly why) a replacement was not assigned.
Fortunately, somebody who knew the ropes was there and took over.
From what I heard, things went well overall.
Yes, if we repeat this next year, we will include directions to the
dock in the LFM as opposed to directions to the assembly site only.
. . . . .
>One thing that can be done, cut down on the amount of bottles in
>each Limo, it's not a drunk fest, getting in and out of the limo's
>is tricky enough.
Guess what?! :) :)
The position of Beverage Diva for the DLV 2008 Limo Tour is open!
This is the person who makes the call on how much of the Good
Stuff each limo will get.
LeeAnna, who has handled this very well the past few years, will
not be able to make it next year, so the job is yours. Please
send resume and references! :)
(You also get to handle complaints from those who don't think they
have enough Good Stuff in their limo as well.) :) :) :)
. . . . .
>I know DLV works on volunters to make it work. I feel that several
>do it for ego boost and wear it like a badge along with their
>attitude.
This disturbs me to hear somebody say this. It bothers me that
this perception is out there. I'm honestly having a hard time
thinking of anybody who showed this (I hope you are not referring
to me) since this has been one of my pet peeves at other events.
Since you say "several", it appears your perception is not limited
to one or two.
Please, get to know these people better. They are not that way at
all. Yes, they are proud of who they are and what they do for DLV,
but we just don't attract the Queen Bee Wannabe types at DLV. I'm
sure that if you get to know the organizers better, your image of
them (us) will change.
The volunteers I know really care about making their activities
and DLV as a whole the best that can be. In a few cases, some of
the volunteers have lost some of (even more than "some of" on one
occasion) their own money trying to make DLV activities happen.
They certainly give their time and effort, and in many cases their
own money, to make DLV a better thing for all.
I would appreciate it if you would share more detail. Please
e-mail me (annie@annie.net) in confidence. If you don't want
to be identified, please use any of the anonymous remailers
here:
http://www.dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/E-mail/Anonymous_Mailers/
My guess is that you have a very bad mistaken impression about
some very good people, but if there is something we need to know,
please let us know it. (I admit that at one time in DLV's history
I was unaware of one "personnel" issue until somebody rubbed my
nose into it.) :(
. . . . .
>Two of us stayed with a frind in the local vacinity. This option
>was not listed in the choices.
This will be added to next year's survey. Thanks.
. . . . .
>In the question about the Big Sister program, I volunteered to
>participate as a big sister but was never assigned a little sister,
>so none of the responses to that question applied to my situation.
Nora can jump in with more comments if she wants.
First, we do appreciate you volunteering and thank you for doing so,
and please don't be discouraged from volunteering next year. What
happened was that you were just not the "best match" for the LSs.
One thing that I do know happened this year, and I don't know if
this applied to you or not, is that we had more volunteers than
needed to cover the LSs who were arriving later in the week, but
a shortage of BSs to cover the LSs arriving early. We had to go
into our "reserve pool" of volunteers, those who were already
volunteering to do something else, to cover all of these.
. . . . .
Detailed suggestions, particularly those intended to make a
difference in the lives of the DLVers, are always welcome.
I'm not going to quote all of it here, but it's all going to
ORG. Keep these coming, please.
>For those that always asks for convention type activities or
>those that need basic necessities, ie "How to do hair, or nails,
>or make-up, dress, etc ..." Try and get venues like Glamour Boutique,
>Studio Lites, and Harmony Spa together and create a whole or
[deletia]
I think that something like this is desired and very do-able.
Now, all that's missing is ... :) :) :)
. . . . .
One very obvious item missing from this year's survey responses
are comments about smoking. Thanks to all, both smokers and
nonsmokers, for helping out on this! It is noticed and appreciated.
. . . . . . . . . .
The most common theme in comments was this year, and has been
ever since we started doing the survey, expressed by the following
remarks. This lets us know that we are indeed doing something
right!
>Thanks to all who attended and helped
>organize. Thanks to all who are so open to talk and share their
>time.
. . .
>Thanks for a time to dress, socialize, party, express myself, and
>learn. All of these are of significant and equal value to me and why
>I continue to come to Diva. I look forword to attending and that is
>the reason I do volunteer for a couple of events.
. . .
>Thanks to all... everyone is special in my opinion.
. . .
>Keep up the good work!!!!!
. . .
>enjoyed meeting new girls
. . .
>I enjoyed meeting other GG's and CD's, and found everyone to be
>very pleasant. We learned from each other, and it was all very
>constructive and positive.
. . .
>I'm looking forward to next year's DLV!
. . .
>Ballroom dancing was great
. . .
>My mother lives in the area and we were both invited and welcomed at
>places we attended. Thank you for having us and we both look forward
>to seeing all of the ladies next year. My mother being a product of
>the 50's we so impressed with all of the ladies and enjoyed the
>education and felt that it made her ideas of people more expanded.
. . .
>I had a wonderful time, and enjoyed meeting with new people. I
>missed some of the regulars that couldn't make it this year, so it
>gave me the chance to meet some new participants. I like the
>freedom of the schedule that allows you to pick and choose the
>activities and that there is no registration fee.
. . .
>Thanks again for the best girl time you can
>ever think of!
. . .
>Thanks much.
. . .
>This was the most inclusive, friendly group of people I have ever
>been around. Given my experience level, I was a bit apprehensive
>but from the pre-DLV dinner at Greek Isles through to the retro bash,
>the group was wonderful to be with. I can't wait to get back and
>do it again!
. . .
>I thought the organizers did a fabulous job. Aiko, excellent job!
(I normally edit out proper names in these responses, but in the
case of the last remark I'm making an exception.) :)
These comments are read thoroughly and appreciated, every one of
them! It's feedback like this that keeps DLV going! Thanks.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Jun 15 2007 - 07:03:26 CDT