Weighing in for myself (without consulting w my committee-mates)
General Systems
1. I tend to agree with sentiments that structure and general things are
helpful to share amongst ourselves as dance organizers, but I don't think that
the utility of knowing specific numbers of a dances finances outweighs the need
to maintain privacy, especially when actual performer pay is so tied to things
out of the complete control of the organizers (attendance.) [We can do our
best to ensure healthy attendance, but it's impossible to predict, as we all
know.]
I can see the clear utility of sharing spreadsheet arrangements, data tracking
mechanisms, reports, accounting systems, ways that other dances deal with
compensation (formulas), and the like. Learning about other groups' systems is
hugely helpful.
There's some of this sort of thing posted in the Puttin' On the Dance archive
(www.puttinonthedance.org) and I can imagine sharing systems would be useful.
(I could even post such things in the archive there, for easy access to all, if
certain groups wanted to share documents with the general dance organizing
community.)
Specific Financial Data
2. While I also can imagine getting something from knowing 'the numbers', such
as what other dances consider 'expenses", including what those specific costs
are (such as hall rental, insurance, publicity, marketing, website maintenance,
any organizational stipends, etc.) as well as some averages, like average
performer compensation, average overall take, etc. --- I don't necessarily
think it's vital. And it feels a little weird, sort of like me asking someone
their annual income. (Not a question I'd ask just anyone...)
Plus, I wonder where knowing those things might lead. Would groups feel they
are out of the game if they don't take in $2k per night? Would performers get
upset when they see that other performers made more at a series than they did?
Not saying it would be all bad, but it does seem a bit 'tricky.'
I do appreciate what I see as Jeff K's core sentiment - sharing information
within the community of dance organizers. Looking forward to more as it emerges.
Cheers,
Chrissy Fowler
Belfast, ME
