From the Archives

**Notes for the Dance Class Doorkeepers**

The purpose of the classes is to promote participation in MFS dancing activities.

*You Will Need*

Torch, cash box, $40 float, hall key, season ticket list, helpers list, pens, sticky labels, texta, signs, blue tac, publicity flyers, membership forms, remote doorbell.

*Wesley Centre*

There are switches for the lights and heaters switches in the small foyer, with a map showing heater numbers. Please turn on when arriving and off before departure. Turn off all lights and lock kitchen and front doors on departure.

The doorbell works only when the remote button is stuck on glass not the metal doorframe, test it to make sure it is working before locking the door. The bell doesn't work reliably on your belt, only on the desk. If someone has a mobile phone, ask them to leave it turned on and show it's number on a sign on the door in case you don't hear the doorbell. Don't bother with the bell or lock the door when there are other groups using the centre as well.

*Free Entry*

Non-dancing spectators, for example relatives or friends coming along for a look, are welcome at no charge. There is no charge to musicians, teachers, organisers, doorkeepers and other helpers.

The dance classes have always paid their way quite comfortably - we generally need people more than we need money.

*Refunds*

Please refund money in full to anyone who finds the classes not to their complete satisfaction, along with an invitation for them to come back to MFMS activities again. They may for example feel that there are not enough other people in their age group, in which case while refunding their money you may wish to suggest that they get together a group of their friends and try again some other time. We need their future participation more than we need their money.

Refunds on the same night are straightforward - their own money is given back, their attendance is not counted, and they simply don't appear in the books.

Refunds for season tickets after the money has been sent to the Treasurer are a bit more difficult, since the normal audit requirement is that all income must go into the society's bank account and all expenditure must come from the society's bank account by way of a cheque. It is generally not acceptable to take cash out of takings for expenditure items. Please take their name and address and pass on a request to the Treasurer to send them a cheque for the cost of their season ticket less $4 per class attended.

*Helpers*

Experienced dancers are welcome to come along and pay the small fee of $4 and enjoy a great night of dancing to live music - maybe some dances with favourite dancing partners and some with newcomers. They are of course free to do what they like and they are supporting the Society by participating. Many experienced dancers do this.

Alternatively, experienced dancers can put their name on the helpers list and get in for free. They are then expected to dance every dance with those in most need of a partner or of tuition, to dance in the opposite gender role if they are comfortable doing that, and to sit out in deference to paying customers if this is necessary because of gender imbalance or incomplete sets. The helpers have made a big contribution to the success of the classes in this way.

We leave it up to experienced dancers to volunteer to go on the helpers list if they would like to - the list is kept at the door and names are added by simple request.

As well as the above helpers, the musicians and of course teachers all give their time for free and make the classes the great nights that they are.

*Raffle Tickets*

There is a door prize of one free entry to a bush dance. Season ticket holders, day ticket holders, and any promotional free ticket holders are entitled to a raffle ticket. Other free entries are not.

*Statistics*

Please take a note of

- Season ticket holders names (tick the list - to allow refund calculation and statistics count)

- No. of day tickets (can be calculated from takings and raffle tickets)

- No. of free entry vouchers (promotional free tickets)

- Helpers names (tick the list - to allow statistics count)

- Band number including teachers

- Audience number (non-dancing spectators)

*Other*

If anything that is not covered in the notes requires decision then feel free to make your own judgement calls, remembering that the aim is to encourage participation.

If the matter is major and you need advice please phone Dance Class Coordinator

_____________________________ on ___________________

or Dance Committee Convenor ___________ on _________ (H)

Prepared By Barbara and Lance January 2002

Approved by MFMS Dance Committee: 31 January 2002

Minor details re contacts and hall amended December 2003