[Callers] Yes, Neffa!

[Greenleaf via Callers]

The New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) is ready for your caller, band, 
discussion, etc applications. Yes, we are looking for a new venue, and yes, we 
are confident the weekend will take place, most likely April 24-26.

https://apply.neffa.org/

What we are looking for:
• More Larks/Robins dance sessions
• Themes that explore and celebrate contra chestnuts 
• Workshops that feature or include squares
• Dance sessions geared for mixed level dancers; we like to be as inclusive as 
possible 
• Intro to contra/square sessions

We want you!

Lisa Greenleaf
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Re: [Callers] Larks and Robins

[Lisa Greenleaf via Callers]

To clarify, the group of dancers I’ve been working with at Pinewoods has been a 
mix of older dancers who are new to this terminology as well as younger dancers 
who have been promoting the change.

Lisa

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 1, 2019, at 5:33 PM, Rich Goss  wrote:
> 
> Lisa, thanks for sharing your observations.  
> 
> Seattle and Portland, OR dances seem to be moving to Larks and Robins as 
> well.  My next Portland dance on Aug 24th will be Larks and Robins. Not 
> all dances are gender neutral terms at this point, but we do announce which 
> terms will be used.  
> 
> Rich
> 
>> On Aug 1, 2019, at 1:35 PM, Lisa Greenleaf via Callers 
>>  wrote:
>> 
>> Update: today at contra class at Pinewoods I tried Lakes and Rivers. Rivers 
>> is not a satisfying or clear word to say for me personally, and the dancers 
>> said it got lost over the sound system. They overwhelmingly prefer Larks and 
>> Robins. 
>> 
>> Lisa
>> 
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Re: [Callers] Larks and Robins

[Lisa Greenleaf via Callers]

Update: today at contra class at Pinewoods I tried Lakes and Rivers. Rivers is 
not a satisfying or clear word to say for me personally, and the dancers said 
it got lost over the sound system. They overwhelmingly prefer Larks and Robins. 

Lisa

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 31, 2019, at 6:45 PM, Ric Goldman - Letsdance via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Given some local political correctness objections to Larks and Ravens (I’m 
> not good on the details, but apparently it’s something regarding relative 
> size of the birds and their symbology – larks associated with marriage and 
> fertility, ravens with loss and ill omen), some of us here in the Pacific 
> Northwest now playing with the terms Lakes and Rivers.At least it’s still 
> a Left and Right terminology with similar cadence.  The search continues.
>  
> Thanx, Ric
>  
> From: Callers  On Behalf Of Lisa 
> Greenleaf via Callers
> Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 1:36 PM
> To: callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> Subject: [Callers] Larks and Robins
>  
> At the urging of dancers who were recently at Harmony Week at Pinewoods, I 
> tried Larks and Robins  today for role identifiers in contra, and it was 
> great. I physically like saying the word Robins more than the word Ravens, 
> and the dancers were fine with it, too, even with a dance that had a Mad 
> Robin. Callers—experiment!
>  
> Lisa
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
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[Callers] Larks and Robins

[Lisa Greenleaf via Callers]

At the urging of dancers who were recently at Harmony Week at Pinewoods, I 
tried Larks and Robins  today for role identifiers in contra, and it was great. 
I physically like saying the word Robins more than the word Ravens, and the 
dancers were fine with it, too, even with a dance that had a Mad Robin. 
Callers—experiment!

Lisa

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Re: [Callers] Dance Title

[Greenleaf via Callers]

Leap of Faith by Bob Isaacs
BUT
It’s a Star R at the end of the B2

Lisa G

> On Apr 26, 2019, at 4:57 PM, Rich Sbardella via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Anyone recognize this dance?
> 
> A1   Bal Wave Spin Right, Bar Wave, Spin L (Ladies all the way across)
> A2   P B
> B1   CL 3/4, N Swg
> B2   F, Star Left
> 
> Thanks,
> Rich
> 
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Re: [Callers] NEFFA 75th Choreography Contest Dances

[Greenleaf via Callers]

Thank you, Colin Hume, for pointing out that Diamonds Are For Neffa is Becket.  
Note to Chris Page!

Lisa

> On Apr 17, 2019, at 8:17 AM, Greenleaf  wrote:
> 
> Here are the entries for the NEFFA 75th Contra Contest. Thanks again to all 
> of you who submitted dances.
> 
> The dances are presented as written, mostly unedited. They are grouped by 
> author in order of submission, with the exception of the winning dance, which 
> is at the top. I do have all of this in a Word doc., so feel free to write me 
> off list for a copy as it may be easier to read.
> 
> And a big thank you to Bob Isaacs for being a co-judge, as well as caller of 
> the winning dance at Neffa this past weekend. We had a blast working on this 
> together.
> 
> Lisa Greenleaf
> 
> ---
>  
> What Bob Isaacs and I said to announce the winner:
> 
> The winner is Diamonds Are For Neffa, written by Chris Page. The judges feel 
> that his dance has good flow, is suitable for the NEFFA audience, and 
> includes very NEFFA-appropriate inter-set allemandes and a celebratory 
> diamond. Even the title is clever. We thank Chris for this wonderful 
> contribution to the NEFFA tradition. Congratulations!
> 
> Diamonds Are For NEFFA Chris Page
> Improper
> A1 Shift left to new neighbors
>  Circle left ¾;
>  Neighbor swing
> A2 Long lines forward and back;
>  Hands-across star right 7/8 (until Ladies are in the center of a
> diamond, Gents are on the outside).
> B1 Ladies (next Lady from the next star) allemande left 1;
>  Hands-across star right 3/4 (with original foursome);
>  Gents (with previous Gent from the next star) allemande left 1
> B2 Gents (in center of set, facing partner) walk forward to partner on side
>  Partner R Shoulder Round
>  Partner swing
> 
> This is the base version of the dance. However, when there's multiple
> lines and skilled dancers, point out that inactive dancers during the
> B1 can allemande left once with a dancer from an adjacent contra line.
> 
> If this is done, at the top of the A1, it's likely that your current
> neighbors will be on the slight left diagonal, so you'll need to take
> an extra step to the left to make sure you get to new neighbors.
> 
> (as for the title, diamonds are 60th anniversary, but sometimes they
> are 75th anniversary as well)
> 
> Here's the one-line test video (times 14 through 17 of the dance, so
> things had smoothed out):
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhrxUuVfRCY
> 
> ---
>  
> 
> Diamond Jubilee  Becket (reverse progression) Jim Hemphill
> 
> A1 Balance in a ring and spin to a diamond (ladies in center facing up & 
> down, gents facing across)
> 
> Balance the ring and petronella, gents form a long wave in the center
> 
> A2 Balance the wave, turn by the right half way
> 
> Swing a new neighbor
> 
> B1 Slice on the left diagonal (to meet your partner), push straight back
> 
> Ladies allemande right 1 1/2 
> 
> B2 Partner balance and swing
> 
> Notes:  In A1 the 1st spin covers half the distance of a regular petronella.  
> The second spin gents turn an extra quarter to face across, take left hands 
> with current neighbor & right with the next.
> 
> End effect: Put Lady on Left
> 
> ---
>  
> 
> NEFFA! Say NEFFA Again!  Cary Ravitz
> Becket
> 
> A1
> (8) Right and left through across.
> (8) Circle RIGHT 3/4.
> A2
> (6) With partners, ladies lead a zig zag right and left to pass
>   neighbors.
> (10) Look for a new neighbor to swing.
> B1
> (8) Gents pass by the left to start a 1/2 hey.
> (8) Gents allemande left 1+1/2.
> B2
> (16) Partners balance and swing.
> 
> Neffanella  Cary Ravitz
> indecent
> 
> A1
> (16) Neighbors gypsy and swing.
> A2
> (8) Right and left through across.
> (8) Ladies allemande right 1+1/2.
> B1
> (16) Partners balance and swing.
> B2
> (8) Petronella balance and spin 1+1/2 places to a diamond.
> (8) Petronella balance and spin 1+1/2 places to indecent progressed
>   position and turn to look for a new neighbor.
> 
> 
> Neffarious  Cary Ravitz
> Becket, progresses right
> 
> A1
> (7) Right and left through across.
> (2) Partners trade places, gents behind ladies.
> (7) Circle RIGHT 3/4.
> A2
> (6) Neighbors allemande left once around.
> (10) Look for a new neighbor to swing.
> B1
> (8) Circle left 3/4.
> (8) Ladies pass by the left to start a 1/2 hey.
> B2
> (16) Partners balance and swing.
> 
> 
> ---
>  
> 
> Forty-Four Friends for 6 Bits (NEFFA Diamond Jubilee)
> Barbara Renna  DI  
> 
> 1.Two lines forward and back
> 
> 2.Box the gnat with your partner
> 
> 3.Right hand star with your group of four
> 
> 4.Left 

[Callers] NEFFA 75th Choreography Contest Dances

[Greenleaf via Callers]

Here are the entries for the NEFFA 75th Contra Contest. Thanks again to all of 
you who submitted dances.

The dances are presented as written, mostly unedited. They are grouped by 
author in order of submission, with the exception of the winning dance, which 
is at the top. I do have all of this in a Word doc., so feel free to write me 
off list for a copy as it may be easier to read.

And a big thank you to Bob Isaacs for being a co-judge, as well as caller of 
the winning dance at Neffa this past weekend. We had a blast working on this 
together.

Lisa Greenleaf

---
 
What Bob Isaacs and I said to announce the winner:

The winner is Diamonds Are For Neffa, written by Chris Page. The judges feel 
that his dance has good flow, is suitable for the NEFFA audience, and includes 
very NEFFA-appropriate inter-set allemandes and a celebratory diamond. Even the 
title is clever. We thank Chris for this wonderful contribution to the NEFFA 
tradition. Congratulations!

Diamonds Are For NEFFA Chris Page
Improper
A1 Shift left to new neighbors
  Circle left ¾;
  Neighbor swing
A2 Long lines forward and back;
  Hands-across star right 7/8 (until Ladies are in the center of a
diamond, Gents are on the outside).
B1 Ladies (next Lady from the next star) allemande left 1;
  Hands-across star right 3/4 (with original foursome);
  Gents (with previous Gent from the next star) allemande left 1
B2 Gents (in center of set, facing partner) walk forward to partner on side
  Partner R Shoulder Round
  Partner swing

This is the base version of the dance. However, when there's multiple
lines and skilled dancers, point out that inactive dancers during the
B1 can allemande left once with a dancer from an adjacent contra line.

If this is done, at the top of the A1, it's likely that your current
neighbors will be on the slight left diagonal, so you'll need to take
an extra step to the left to make sure you get to new neighbors.

(as for the title, diamonds are 60th anniversary, but sometimes they
are 75th anniversary as well)

Here's the one-line test video (times 14 through 17 of the dance, so
things had smoothed out):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhrxUuVfRCY

---
 

 Diamond Jubilee  Becket (reverse progression) Jim Hemphill

A1 Balance in a ring and spin to a diamond (ladies in center facing up & down, 
gents facing across)

 Balance the ring and petronella, gents form a long wave in the center

A2 Balance the wave, turn by the right half way

 Swing a new neighbor

B1 Slice on the left diagonal (to meet your partner), push straight back

 Ladies allemande right 1 1/2 

B2 Partner balance and swing

Notes:  In A1 the 1st spin covers half the distance of a regular petronella.  
The second spin gents turn an extra quarter to face across, take left hands 
with current neighbor & right with the next.

End effect: Put Lady on Left

---
 
 
NEFFA! Say NEFFA Again!  Cary Ravitz
Becket

A1
(8) Right and left through across.
(8) Circle RIGHT 3/4.
A2
(6) With partners, ladies lead a zig zag right and left to pass
   neighbors.
(10) Look for a new neighbor to swing.
B1
(8) Gents pass by the left to start a 1/2 hey.
(8) Gents allemande left 1+1/2.
B2
(16) Partners balance and swing.

Neffanella  Cary Ravitz
indecent

A1
(16) Neighbors gypsy and swing.
A2
(8) Right and left through across.
(8) Ladies allemande right 1+1/2.
B1
(16) Partners balance and swing.
B2
(8) Petronella balance and spin 1+1/2 places to a diamond.
(8) Petronella balance and spin 1+1/2 places to indecent progressed
   position and turn to look for a new neighbor.


Neffarious  Cary Ravitz
Becket, progresses right

A1
(7) Right and left through across.
(2) Partners trade places, gents behind ladies.
(7) Circle RIGHT 3/4.
A2
(6) Neighbors allemande left once around.
(10) Look for a new neighbor to swing.
B1
(8) Circle left 3/4.
(8) Ladies pass by the left to start a 1/2 hey.
B2
(16) Partners balance and swing.


---
 
 
Forty-Four Friends for 6 Bits (NEFFA Diamond Jubilee)
Barbara Renna  DI  

1.Two lines forward and back

2.Box the gnat with your partner

3.Right hand star with your group of four

4.Left hand star with the adjacent couple up or down the set

5.Right shoulders around with your original neighbor

6.Box the gnat with your neighbor (all have now progressed but are in 
reversed positions)

7.Balance 2x with partner across the set

8.Swing partner (end with partner on original side of set, ready to begin 
dance from start)

About the title: The 44 is because NEFFA started in 1944, and because you meet 
a 

[Callers] Neffa 75th contra winner

[Greenleaf via Callers]

The winner of the Neffa 75th Contra Choreography Contest is Diamonds Are For 
Neffa, written by Chris Page. The judges feel that his dance has good flow, is 
suitable for the NEFFA audience, and includes very NEFFA-appropriate inter-set 
allemandes and a celebratory diamond. Even the title is clever. We honor Chris 
for this wonderful contribution to the NEFFA tradition. Congratulations!

Thanks to the many people who submitted dances. There were 21 entries, with 
only one repetition of title (Diamond Jubilee). Bob Isaacs and I had fun trying 
out the dances in various parts of the country. Choreography for all of the 
submissions will be posted after the Festival.

Bob will call the winning dance at the Festival’s 75th Dance Bash on Saturday, 
April 13.  We hope that many of you will be there to help us celebrate.

Many thanks,

Lisa Greenleaf 
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Re: [Callers] Opposite StarThru and functional difference in LD v Slide

[Greenleaf via Callers]

> On Mar 21, 2019, at 12:57 PM, Tepfer, Seth via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Two questions:
>  What is the name of the opposite of a star thru (Lark/Gent left hand to 
> Lady/Raven right hand)?

Mirror image star thru.  I’m a modern western square dancer, and I chafe when 
contra callers come up with “new” terminology, or say Star Thru, even though 
the hands are different. 

Depending on the starting position, I will say which hands (inside, for 
example), and who goes wide (Gents, for example).  then I will say, 
“Technically this is a Mirror Image Star thru, but I will call it partner 
twirl.”  Why?  Because we do have a good mix of cross over dancers, and calling 
it a Star Thru will confuse the MWSDers.


> 2) What is the functional difference between slide left circle left 3/4 and 
> on the left diagonal circle left 3/4?
> 
As a dancer, I prefer L diagonal circle L.  Why? Because it’s easier to finish 
the swing facing that diagonal than it is to end facing across and  then 
sliding left, which is a separate move added on before the circle. Just my 
preference.

Lisa Greenleaf
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Re: [Callers] In honor of George Rettie

[Lisa Greenleaf via Callers]

I called it in LA this past Sunday. Thanks for posting, Emily. 

Lisa

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 25, 2019, at 8:05 PM, Polly Minstrel via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> Thanks for the info. I did not know George but these dance events run on the 
> work of volunteers and I appreciate them.
> I will be calling Dean's dance on Friday, along with a short introduction 
> commemorating George.
> 
> Condolences to all who called him friend.
> 
> Polly
> 
>> On Fri, Feb 22, 2019, 10:55 AM Emily Rush via Callers 
>> > Hi all, 
>> George Rettie, the NC dancer in the yellow ruler suspenders, passed away 
>> unexpectedly this week. He'd been dancing since at least the 1980's, and it 
>> was a rare dance that he didn't attend. He was always the first to volunteer 
>> (and did, more hours than I can count), personally thanked the musicians and 
>> callers, danced with beginners, dipped everyone beautifully and frequently, 
>> flirted with us all, could call one dance (Gene Hubert's "A Nice 
>> Combination"), brought his children into the dance community, and was a 
>> favorite partner to many, many dancers. 
>> 
>> Myra, Adina, and JoLaine are calling a dance that Dean Snipes wrote for 
>> George some years ago. If you're calling sometime soon and are so moved, I 
>> would like to invite you to call it too. If you're dancing, I hope you'll go 
>> up to the stage and thank the musicians and callers, welcome the beginners, 
>> and have an extra-good time.
>> 
>> Love,
>> Emily
>> 
>> --
>> 
>> George is Rettie, Willing, and Able
>> by Dean Snipes
>> Indecent (2s crossed), double progression
>> 
>> A1. 
>> Neighbor balance & swing
>> 
>> A2. 
>> Pass thru across, turn alone
>> Star R 1x, pull by up and down with your neighbor
>> 
>> B1. 
>> New ladies allemande L 1x while gents orbit 1/2 clockwise
>> Partner swing
>> 
>> B2. 
>> Long lines forward & back
>> Ladies right hand pull by, neighbor allemande L 1.5
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[Callers] Neffa 75th cotra choreography contest

[Greenleaf via Callers]

NEFFA 75th Contra Contest

To help NEFFA celebrate our Diamond Jubilee, we hereby open up the NEFFA 75th 
Anniversary Contra Choreography Contest. The winning dance, as judged by Bob 
Isaacs and Lisa Greenleaf, will be called by Mr. Isaacs at the Festival's 
celebration dance on Saturday, April 13. Besides fame and glory, the winner 
will also be awarded a Neffa T shirt. 

We are looking for a contra dance with good story line and flow, and would 
prefer to have a mostly equal-action dance with good movement for everyone, 
although we will entertain submissions that favor the ones, or that alternate 
between the ones and twos.

Contra Choreography Parameters:

-The title must reflect Neffa somehow, and perhaps the 75th
-32 bars long
-Contra formation
-Intermediate skill level: commonly-used figures, moderate piece count, and 
nothing too complicated out of the minor set
-Good flow
-Limit three submissions per person 
-Deadline is Feb 15, 2019
-Do not need to be at the Festival to win

Send your clearly worded and annotated-as-necessary submissions to Lisa 
Greenleaf at neffacon...@yahoo.com (or you can reply to this email; just don’t 
hit reply all).

Don’t delay—get crackin’!

Lisa Greenleaf



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Re: [Callers] contras for modern square dancers

[Greenleaf via Callers]

Hi Judy-

Here’s a helpful article written by Clark Baker, a MWSD caller and a contra 
dancer, and it explains contras and trad squares to MWSDers:
http://www.tiac.net/~mabaker/how-contra-dances-work.html

I dance both styles, and I’ve noticed a few big differences:

-MWSDers are not used to long contra swings (they usually just go 2 times 
around, commonly with an arm around the waist).  The longer contra swing = more 
centrifugal force, requiring good frame.  MWSDers often get dizzy.

-Contra dancers love their rhythmic balances; the balance is not often used in 
MWSD, and when it is, it’s usually in an Alamo Ring and pretty wimpy.  Not 
their fault!  

-Phrasing: MWSDers dance to a beat, not a phrase.  So for them, a ladies chain 
takes 6 beats, not 8.  They will zip through a  move and stand there waiting 
for the next call at a contra dance. 

-Contra dancing is more aerobic, even though MWSD is done to a faster beat 
(average contra is 117-121 bpm, depending on where you live; MWSD can be 
128-132 bpm).  

And a reminder to folks on this lest to be respectful of BOTH traditions.  I 
love ‘em and one isn’t better than the other!

Lisa Greenleaf


> On Jul 18, 2017, at 10:28 PM, Judy Greenhill via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone,
> I have undertaken to teach some modern square dancers how to contra dance, 
> and I’m wondering if anyone has experience with this and has any dances to 
> recommend? I’m a square dancer myself but most of my contra repertoire is for 
> modern contra dancers- 2 swings, lots of Balance and swing, etc. I’d like 
> more dances with MWSD moves in them and possibly without any, or only 1, 
> swing, and they don’t need to have a partner swing. The dancers I am teaching 
> are all either plus or advanced, so they will tire pretty quickly of the 
> usual simple glossary contras I would normally do in a teaching situation. 
> They can do the moves; it’s the formation that is new to them.
>  
> Thanks,
> Judy
>  
> 
>   Virus-free. www.avast.com
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Re: [Callers] Name that dance

[Lisa Greenleaf via Callers]

> On Jul 21, 2016, at 7:41 PM, Vicki Morrison  wrote:
> 
> But is "Cheri" the author?

Yes—I’ve danced with her many times!

Lisa 

Re: [Callers] Name that dance

[Lisa Greenleaf via Callers]

Cheri prefers that the Ladies do a R shoulder gypsy.  

Lisa
> On Jun 23, 2016, at 5:46 PM, Amy Wimmer via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> I collected a dance from Lisa Greenleaf. Neither she nor the person
> from whom she collected it knows the author. I'm hoping you can help
> me. Here it is:
> 
> Holiday Daze
> Becket
> A1 Cir L 3/4, pass through
> New neighbor swing
> A2 Long lines F
> Ladies chain
> B1 Left diag. hey for 4
> B2 (original) Ladies L shoulder gypsy
> Partner swing
> 
> Thanks
> -Amy
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Re: [Callers] Calling to a square dance crowd

[Lisa Greenleaf via Callers]

Check this out:

http://www.tiac.net/~mabaker/how-contra-dances-work.html

Clark Baker is a MWSD caller and a contra dancer, and he wrote an article 
explaining the differences.

Lisa


> 
> On Sat, Feb 20, 2016 at 3:28 PM, Joseph Erhard-Hudson via Callers 
>  wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
> 
> I've been pretty low-key on calling for several years now, just a few local 
> dances a year. Years ago I did close to one gig a month at home and around my 
> local region, but cut back due to busy life. Now I've accepted an invitation 
> for a regular gig that's going to be a bit different, so I'm back on this 
> email list, and I seek your advice.
> 
> A few people from the nearby Western Square Dance group came to one of our 
> local contra dances where I was calling, and had such a fun time they have 
> invited me, and the band from that evening, to come and do a monthly series 
> in their hall, promoted and sponsored by them. The band and I decided we'd 
> give it a shot.
> 
> I've had barely any exposure to Western Square Dance, but I know their 
> education system is formalized, calling is improvised, and the music is 
> mostly recorded; whereas in contra dancing the education is more by 
> assimilation, the calling is mostly fixed within a given dance, and the music 
> is live and improvised. I anticipate we may feel like strange cousins to each 
> other. Do any of you have any experiences or thoughts about crossing over 
> into this parallel universe of traditional dancers? I'm particularly 
> concerned about how I can best help them feel comfortable with the way Contra 
> Dance is done, and how I can be a gracious presence in their space.
> 
> Bonus question: they want to know how to split the gate, since they don't 
> have experience paying bands. Your thoughts?
> 
> Best regards,
> Joseph
> 
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> 
> 

Lisa 

Re: [Callers] Problem dancers / Crying Wolf

[Lisa Greenleaf via Callers]

Hi Everyone-

I am cringing every time I read the word victim.  VIctim implies powerlessness, 
so why not use the word dancer and encourage self-empowerment?  

Sometimes dancers approach me because I am an official organizer, and other 
times friends of the person approach me because they know I might be able to 
help. My first question around complaints is always, “Did you talk with the 
person whose behavior bothered you?” And then I model an “I” statement for 
them: “I don’t like that,” “I don’t feel comfortable dancing with you because I 
don’t like to be twirled,” etc.

Of course, most people find it difficult to talk directly to the person 
disturbing them, but it’s still worth encouraging, especially if you show them 
how to do it.  You are teaching them a real-world skill that they can use 
outside of the dance.

When a dancer approaches me with a complaint, I don’t see them as a victim who 
needs rescuing.   For one thing, I don’t know the real situation until I have 
heard both sides of the story. Yes, the situation may expand to a larger 
problem, but even then I don’t change “dancer” (or more specifically, the name 
of the person) to “victim.”

Lisa


> On Sep 9, 2015, at 8:02 PM, Yoyo Zhou via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> Taking you at face value: if you have a systemic problem, you need a
> policy. If you have a problem with one person, you need to come to
> terms with that person. I'm not sure if it's just the board, or if
> other dancers also have issues with her. But if you seek mediation,
> take notes on your interactions so you have evidence to back yourself
> up.
> 
> 
> Now, I think the last thing you need is a policy requiring victims to
> speak up. It's counterproductive to making a safe dance space.  (Let's
> discuss that on the other thread.)
> 
> Let's say I'm new to your dance and I have a bad experience with
> someone. What do I do? I might complain about it to my friends who
> convinced me to come. I might just avoid that person. I might just go
> home dissatisfied. One of the last things I might do is complain to
> the management (and I might view that woman as an extension thereof),
> because who knows if they'll just shrug it off and not take me
> seriously?
> 
> 
> Also, you wrote, "it seems to me that she's committing violence." No,
> I disagree. This totally cheapens the meaning of "violence". What
> words do you use for when punches are actually thrown? (It's happened
> at a dance here.)
> 
> Yoyo Zhou
> 
> On Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 7:42 AM, Ron Blechner via Callers
>  wrote:
>> Maybe. Maybe not. My point was that we should be very, very careful about
>> making a definitive statement about something being "just an accusation",
>> especially when in your example, there was a second problem - even if it was
>> a year earlier.
>> 
>> On Sep 9, 2015 10:39 AM, "Lindsay Morris via Callers"
>>  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Appreciate that.  Don't think the "where there's smoke there's fire" issue
>>> applies here, though.  It would if there were several different women
>>> complaining about one man...
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Lindsay Morris
>>> CEO, TSMworks
>>> Tel. 1-859-539-9900
>>> lind...@tsmworks.com
>>> 
>>> On Wed, Sep 9, 2015 at 10:34 AM, Ron Blechner  wrote:
 
 Hi Lindsay,
 
 I realize this is a tricky topic, so apologies in advance if my brevity
 comes off as bruskness.
 
 These two suggestions work for Amherst Contra.
 
 As a proxy complaint comes in, a board member would seek out the source.
 Anonymous complaints are permitted, and a high level of ensuring that we 
 ask
 open-ended questions, and not leading questions.
 
 We also wear board member buttons at dances and make regular
 announcements about us being available for any reason. Usually 4-7 members
 of our board attend any dance.
 
 You might speak privately to Will Loving, our lead organizer, if you're
 interested in more specifics.
 
 I would also caution about making such definitive statements as "just an
 accusation". In my experience, where there's smoke, there's fire. For every
 accusation, there's five people who are too uncomfortable to speak up.
 
 That said, I have seen the success of proactive addressing of issues. The
 biggest benefit is simple:
 
 Address it early when it's small, and not a huge deal. Maybe it's a
 simple misunderstanding. Maybe the person needed a clear boundary drawn. 
 But
 wait until there's a pile of complaints, and you've already lost dancers 
 and
 the resolution will need to be more severe for the offender.
 
 Best regards,
 Ron Blechner
 
 On Sep 9, 2015 10:08 AM, "Lindsay Morris via Callers"
  wrote:
> 
> Chris Weiler's Positive Solutions on dealing with problem dancers,