Re: [Callers] sometimes not the caller's fault!

[Greg McKenzie]

Thanks to all who spoke up, for bringing this 
issue into more clarity.  “It’s always the 
caller’s fault,” is a clever line that is often 
misunderstood.  Too many callers see it as a 
throw-away gesture that has a laudable sentiment, but no real substance.

It might be more accurate, and more useful to 
say: “The caller always takes full responsibility 
for anything that happens in the hall.”

This posture is one with a history that grows out 
of the caller’s role as the master of 
ceremonies.  MCs have always understood the need 
for taking responsibility as part of their task 
of holding the attention of the hall.  This is 
how they maintain their position of 
leadership.  It was with the development of 
amplified public address systems that this 
responsibility became much more salient and much 
more necessary.  When speaking with a microphone 
the emcee has the awesome power of projecting 
their thoughts into the minds of all present, 
with little effort.  This ability comes with a 
great responsibility of leadership, and 
professional emcees have learned that their role 
is to always speak on behalf of the interests of 
everyone in the hall.  That means taking full 
responsibility for anything that goes wrong.

How can the caller take responsibility for 
everything that happens?  If the toilet in the 
ladies bathroom backs up, is it the caller’s fault?

Actually, it is.  More to the point, it is the 
caller’s responsibility, as a leader, to deal 
with the situation.  Here is one possible example:

“Ladies and gentlemen: Please accept my sincere 
apologies.  I have been informed that there is a 
serious problem with the plumbing in the ladies 
bathroom.  I am sorry about this inconvenience 
and ask for your gracious cooperation.  The 
ladies bathroom will be closed for the rest of 
this evening.  Julie, our wonderful dance 
manager, has made a sign with both a “Men’s” and 
a “Ladies” side which will be hung on the working 
bathroom.  Julie will take responsibility for 
switching the sign during each dance.  We ask 
that you use this bathroom only when it is 
labeled for your gender.  Once again, I am sorry 
about this inconvenience.  We all appreciate your 
cooperation and consideration in dealing with 
this problem.  Now, please take hands in groups 
of four from the top of the hall.”

This announcement could, of course, be made by 
the dance manager or some other responsible 
party.  The caller, however, should apologize, in 
any case, for the disruption of the dance 
program.  In the absence of anyone else stepping 
forward it is the caller’s responsibility to 
address the problem.  The point is to put the 
dancers at ease so that they can do their job of 
enjoying a wonderful evening of social dance with live music.

Someone brought up the issue of dancers who fail 
to integrate into the community and form clumps 
of newcomers.  Is this the caller’s fault?  Yes 
it is.  The tradition of contra dance includes 
learning at a regular dance rather than in 
separate lessons.  Consequently, integrating 
newcomers into the community is the caller’s 
responsibility and is one of the most essential 
core skills that define an excellent contra dance 
caller.  Clumps of newcomers in the hall are a 
clear symptom of poor calling.  Sorry.  It’s one 
of your primary responsibilities.  (Note that if 
we relinquish this responsibility it eliminates 
any discussion of how the caller can integrate 
newcomers, something that really should be addressed.)

There have been some good points made in this 
thread.  In the final analysis, however, the idea 
of the caller taking total responsibility is an 
inescapable position.  While it may be true that 
the caller is not omnipotent I would submit the 
following points about the caller’s responsibility for the hall::

   * This is not a statement of fact.  It is a 
statement of policy which defines the professional role of a caller.

   * Any alternative policy offers no possible 
action that the caller can take to “put out 
fires” or improve the situation.  Other positions 
offer only excuses for the caller to relinquish leadership.

   * By accepting this policy the caller can 
provide both leadership and a positive example 
for others.  If the caller makes excuses others will follow that example.

If there is any core principle to calling 
effectively and with professionalism, this is 
it.  If the caller is not willing to take 
responsibility for everything that happens in the 
hall they are simply not doing their job.  If 
there is a problem with the evening­whether it be 
disruptive dancers, a band that plays 
inappropriate tunes, or “incompetent dancers,”­an 
excellent caller will always ask: “What could I 
do differently next time to better address this 
problem?”  Without taking full responsibility the 
caller will not have the motivation to 
improve.  There are always excuses to employ.  A 
professional caller does not make excuses.  Most 
importantly, this action sets an example for everyone.

Calling is a role of leadership.  If the 
caller­who has a PA system­is not willing to take 
responsibility, why should anyone else?

Greg McKenzie