SLO Tango -- rotation, skill level, and issues of fairness

[Glenna Thompson]

Well, I've been keeping out of these discussions, mainly because I 
haven't been around since injuring my knee.  But, I can't keep quiet on 
the "rotation optional" issue.  I suppose this keeps some people coming 
who might not otherwise attend, but what other purpose does it serve?  
It is not good for the dancers who refuse to rotate, and it is 
absolutely unfair to those who don't have partners.  As Laura mentioned, 
novice dancers should not be discouraged from taking these classes.  
What about the experienced dancer who has paid for a workshop, but ends 
up dancing with a novice for the entire workshop, because rotation stops 
when one couple ignores the rotation rule?  That person has paid to do a 
good deed, but does not end up getting the benefit of the workshop, and 
neither half of that couple gets the benefit of seeing how things are 
done differently by different people.  What's a group class for?  Why 
not take private classes if you have a partner and don't value the 
opportunity to dance around?

And with respect to the issue of how much time it takes to read these 
emails?  You don't have to be on the list.  You don't have to open 
emails.  You don't have to read long messages. 



Laura Elizabeth Andes wrote:

> I am attaching a document for those of you who prefer reading
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>on paper.
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>Dear SLO Tango Dance Community,
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>For a community to effectively serve the interests of its members, it is necessary that our opinions be both heard and discussed. I am so grateful for your willingness to openly express your thoughts and would like to comment regarding some recent postings. (Any suggestions, if implemented, will begin with Christy & Darren's visit in October.)
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>1.	A one-hour "introduction to tango" for all beginning levels for a set $20 fee sounds great.
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>2.	Everyone in the community seems to agree that group classes need to be the primary focus of the weekend schedule. Seven group classes make 10 hours of weekend instruction. This does not include time for required breaks, meals, and transportation to the other special events that often occur on our busiest instructional days. I suggest that we avoid overbooking our teachers by scheduling privates on non-weekend days whenever possible.
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>3.	Scheduling classes that accommodate the spectrum of ability in our community should be a priority. I am suggesting that a fair approach is offering 1 introduction class for all beginning levels, 2 beg. & int. classes, 2 "all levels" classes, and 2 int. & adv. classes.
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>4.	Following Jack's suggestion, we can designate intermediate-advanced classes as "couples recommended, rotation not expected." It is reasonable to assume, however, that if you attend such a class partnered, you will learn a great deal more than someone who attends without a partner. Non-partnered paying dancers would likely be disappointed and possibly frustrated by such classes. "Couples required, rotation optional" seems to be a more honest description. While I cannot make guarantees, I am willing to facilitate dancers finding partners for intermediate and advanced classes. Also, consider Norm's suggestion that any interested non-partnered dancers be welcome to observe intermediate-advanced classes free of charge.
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>5.	Failing to offer appropriate instruction for all skill levels in our dance community is likely to have many unfavorable consequences. Workshop attendance will dwindle, less money will be generated by our workshop weekends, and reputable instructors will no longer want to visit our community. Even more, dancers will be encouraged to replace, as opposed to supplement, group classes with semi-privates. These undesirable yet probable results are bad for everyone.
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>6.	With "couples required, rotation optional" classes, novice dancers do not need to be discouraged from taking more advanced classes. With the help, support, and understanding of the community, we can create this ideal type of inclusive intermediate-advanced class. As a result, our community should feel and be more integrated, and everyone will truly have equal access to the instruction of our visiting teachers.
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>I apologize to those of you who feel like reading or writing about tango is taking too much of your time. But we all know it takes time and effort to do things right. Every community is made up of individuals with varying notions of what is "fair for me." While policies we implement may not always be fair for each individual, cooperative effort will help create a proposal that is "fair for us."
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>Thank you for your considerate response,
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>Laura Andes
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>---
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