Group Evaluation (Plusses and Deltas)

Instead of written evaluations, we chose to do a group evaluation, facilitated by Griff, at the beginning of the closing session Friday afternoon. First we called out and listed all of the Plusses (things we liked about this Congress). Then we called out and listed all of the Deltas (things we would like to see changed or done differently at future Congresses).

PLUS
Tradition/Innovation balance
Free laundry
Role of Pre-Congress in integration of elders/those with special needs
Free afternoon
Who came
Interns: the position, who they were,
Presenters: clarity, opportunities to present
Going outside the lines
Material
Breaking barriers
With all the experimentation we didn’t let go of our roots
New voices presenting
Discussion, writing, drawing
Open Space
Music
Facility: proximity of dining, living, dancing spaces
Whole sense of NEW
Opening Dance!
Emily Dickinson experience, the video taping at E.D.
Having own room
Gallery exhibit (Susan Dayall)
Integration of photography
More like a Congress—more of a peer group
Good food
We lived the innovation
Conception/organization
Welcome in rooms
Community locations stimulated interest
This evaluation process

From individuals (written evaluations from people who had to leave before Friday):
#1
Ditto on open space providing each member a non-threatening chance to contribute to the Congress
Loved the freedom within the structure
Loved that everybody came to DANCE fully, deeply & felt safe to take risks
Very satisfying from beginning to end.
Great loving supportive organization.
Proud to be a member. Grateful—very grateful.

#2
Thank you Griff, Helen, Rob—Superb.
Thank you BOD! Kudos.
Loved the dancing
Vocal patterns in free group dance
Loved teaching at the pre-Congress and NOT teaching at the Congress
Loved seeing Jean’s strength and clarity as presenter
Loved that open space process allowed everyone to lead, contribute

#3
The material covered in the Pre-Congress was excellent review for me.
First day of regular Congress constituted a very different experience from that of the Pre-Congress with less time spent on basic concepts of Mettler based material. Large group dance was a different experience from that of Pre-Congress and more challenging. In my first dance I quickly saw the difference in ability—I could see how through experience in Mettler-based work one really does (as musicians say) improve one’s chops. The was an encouraging revelation.
Every one of the sessions was helpful and interesting. Presenters managed to allay feelings of anxiety about whether I could do this stuff.
Food was great.
The annual meeting was very well run.

DELTA
Need tune-up before Open Space
And coming together after morning and afternoon sessions
More time to learn about Open Space in order to better transition and plan the timing
Some of Open Space brought into movement (out of verbal)
More shifting and negotiation in Open Space scheduling
Evening meeting
Surprise of co-ed bathrooms
Not enough awareness and introduction of assistive devices
Dirty, noisy dorms
Plastic mattresses, crappy blankets
Going out for a meal would have been nice
Helen wasn’t here
Members’ meeting needs to be give a more important role in Congress
More attention needs to be given to our gatherings as members
Time for honoring members in meetings [Side comment from Griff—not sure I captured the last three comments fully, so feel free to clarify of expand.]
Early departures of some participants
Coordinators’ jobs need to be opened up beyond board members [Side comment from Griff: I thought we had begun that, so I guess this means further opening up.]

From Individuals:

#1
We try to cram too much into the first day. Members’ meeting felt forced and too much talking from BOD, not enough from members. I like to get feedback from members about how we can change it.
Open Space structure needed time set aside for sharing and debriefing as a whole group (live and learn . . .)

#2
Could there be a way to buy snacks between meals?
Trouble with coed bathrooms
Include suggestion of reading lamp, extra bedding in “What to bring” letter

#3
Infusion of movement in Open Space set-up & process (not so much sitting)
Not bringing the group back together in Open Space at end of morning and afternoon sessions
Early departers not having the opportunity to say goodbye—lack of closure