In June 2018, CDSS began a new Web Chat series to support organizers of dance, music, and song communities across the continent and beyond. For each Web Chat, a pertinent topic is chosen and guest organizers from communities having success with that topic are invited to share their valuable experiences and suggestions (Q&A included).
Join us for our next Web Chat:
Check back soon for more information. Questions? Contact resources@cdss.org
Let's Talk About Reentry, Part 7: Singing Together Safely
May 3, 2022
An online discussion to support organizers of song groups
In this Web Chat, we heard first-hand experiences from two organizers about keeping their song groups alive and well through the pandemic by hosting in-person and online singing events. Our third guest provided the latest COVID-19 news from her public health perspective, offering suggestions especially pertinent for song group organizers. We included Q&A with all three guests:
- Janice Hanson from Golden Link Folk Singing Society in Rochester, NY
- Steve Deering from Vancouver Folk Song Society in Vancouver, BC
- Dr. Kimbi Hagen, public health professor from Atlanta, GA
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded above)
- Full Transcript
Help us launch a new reentry resource!
During the February 2022 Web Chat, we introduced a new online resource from CDSS: Groups that Have Resumed In-person Events. If your group is considering reentry, check out this page and access firsthand experiences from groups that have reopened their events. If your group has resumed and would like to pass along what you’ve been learning, please take our survey. Questions? Email resources@cdss.org.
Let's Talk About Reentry, Part 6: Prioritizing Safety at In-person Dances
February 28, 2022
An online panel discussion featuring organizers of dance events
CDSS Executive Director Katy German had a conversation with three contra dance organizers who have resumed in-person dancing. We heard what adjustments they’ve made to their “normal” processes, what impacted their decision to resume, what they’re asking of participants, and what they recommend to others. We also presented a new online resource from CDSS to help organizers share how they are resuming their events and connect with others who are trying similar strategies.
Our brave panelists:
Sherry Nevins, Seattle, WA
Coordinator - Lake City Contra Dance
Eric Schedler, Bloomington, IN
Co-organizer - Weekly community contra dance, Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group (BOTMDG)
Janine Smith, Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD
Organizer - independent contra dance series
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded above)
- Full Transcript
- Additional materials from our guests:
- BCP Contra: Event Announcement Email
- BCP Contra: Day Before Event Email
- BCP Contra: First Follow-Up Email with Survey Link
- BCP Contra: Final Follow-Up Email
- BCP Contra: Customizable Post-Event Survey
- BCP Contra: Possible COVID Exposure
- BCP Contra: COVID Exposure Follow-up
- Lake City Contra: Flyer for Vaxxed Events
- Lake City Contra: Registration Form for Dances
- Lake City Contra: Follow-up Email for Dance Attendees
Weathering the Winter Together
November 1, 2021
An online discussion for organizers of music, dance, and song communities
As we prepare for another pandemic winter season, we know many of you are considering how to keep your groups safe and connected. So we’ve used this Web Chat to generate lots of ideas for keeping communities engaged during the coming months. We shared some suggestions from Affiliates and used breakout rooms to allow small groups to brainstorm further ideas. We also heard current news and perspectives from a public health professor, Dr. Kimbi Hagen, about how the pandemic is progressing.
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Full Transcript
- Ideas from Web Chat participants for keeping groups engaged this winter
- PowerPoint from Dr. Kimbi Hagen (81 MB): Information and concrete planning considerations for organizers who are planning pandemic-era dance, music, and song events
Let's Talk About Reentry, Part 5:
News from Groups That Have Resumed In-person Events
Thursday, August 12, 2021
An online discussion for organizers of music, dance, and song communities
We've heard from numerous organizers that there is strong interest in hearing news from communities that have already resumed in-person events. This Web Chat provided valuable experiences and suggestions from two dance and song organizers who are already navigating their reentry, as well as perspectives from a public health professional.
We know caution is still high, especially as reports of virus variants fill our newsfeeds. Whether your group is still waiting or has a reentry event on the horizon, we hope that hearing other folks' experiences will provide information that helps in your planning.
Note: If your group has reopened your events and would like to pass along your experiences, please fill in this form. We’ll be posting results from this form on the CDSS website, and many organizers will benefit from your input. We’re all in this together!
Please see our extensive Reentry Resources for Organizers, designed to answer all your questions about returning to in-person events.
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Full Transcript
Let’s Talk About Reentry, Part 4:
Addressing Legal and Other Burning Questions
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
For this fourth Web Chat in our Let’s Talk About Reentry series, CDSS hired a lawyer to address some of our broader community’s legal questions. Other guests on our panel provided resources and considerations to help organizers chart your group’s course for safely emerging from the pandemic. Ultimately, each group needs to ask your own questions and find answers that are right for your location, type of event, and community. We’re all in this together!
Please see our extensive Reentry Resources for Organizers, designed to answer all your questions about returning to in-person events.
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Presentation Slides by Ann Marie Noonan
- Full Transcript
Note: During the Web Chat, this Waiver Template was shared by attorney Ann Marie Noonan for educational purposes. This template does not constitute legal advice, and individual organizations should consult their legal counsel. Attorney Noonan noted that waivers do not prevent groups from being sued; however, they may be helpful in the event of a lawsuit. She further reminded us that this is an emerging area of law and subject to change, and organizations should continue to stay on top of changes in federal, state, and local guidance and laws.
Let's Talk About Reentry, Part 3:
An MD Discusses Vaccines, and We Discuss Our Sector’s Needs
Monday, March 1, 2021
In this third installment of the "Let's Talk About Reentry" Web Chat series, we featured presentations and discussions about how the pandemic has altered our communities' needs and how we can best prepare for returning to in-person dancing, singing, and music-making.
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Log
Singing and Playing Music in REAL TIME!
An online discussion for organizers of song communities and open bands
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
Members of the Sacred Harp group FaSoLa Philadelphia (PA) and the Phoenix (AZ) Traditional Music & Dance Society joined us for this conversation. During this Web Chat, they shared their successes with using the computer program Jamulus to enable their groups to sing and play music in real time!
We know a return to in-person singing and jamming is on the horizon, but it will still take some time before it’s safe to gather in groups. Find out how these groups have tackled the challenge of creating online real-time song and music sessions.
Let’s Talk About Reentry: Working Together Now for a Strong Return to Dancing
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
So much of what we love is on hold or shifting to online formats. But there will be a time when we dance together again. And there is work we can be doing during this down time to ensure a joyful and fulfilling return to the dance floor! In this second installment of the Let’s Talk About Reentry series, we talked about our evolving expectations for reentry, the changes we need to prepare for, and the important role organizers can play in preparing our communities for a bright future.
Supporting Song Communities Across the Continent
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
Many organizers of song communities are finding creative ways to keep your community engaged and connected during the pandemic. In this Web Chat, we heard from organizers about experiences that are working well in their song groups. We featured a few guest speakers and took time for Q&A, open conversation, and breakout rooms.
Let’s Talk About Reentry: Recommendations and Q&A for Organizers
July 8, 2020
This Web Chat was hosted by Katy German, CDSS Executive Director.
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
We addressed the BIG questions on organizers’ minds: How can we keep our communities safe in a pandemic? When can we dance and sing in the same place again? What does it mean to be a dance/music/song organizer when we can’t be together?
We were joined by several guests who provided their perspectives, including a dancing MD, a COVID contact tracer, a professional freelance musician, and music, dance, and song organizers from far and wide. We also included time for Q&A and open conversations in breakout rooms.
Yes we CAN keep in touch!
Connecting Our Communities During the Pandemic
April 29, 2020
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
Diversifying Income: Thinking Outside the Money Basket
February 12, 2020
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
- Shaking the Cushions – a PowerPoint from Web Chat guest Jennie Worden
This presentation provides many useful questions and suggestions to help each dance group assess which fundraising ideas will work best for their group. Ideas for additional income sources included.
Connecting Community Sing Organizers
October 16, 2019
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
Building Safe Dance Communities
July 11, 2019
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
- CDSS Community Safety Task Group Toolkit: This is a work-in-progress draft of the Safety Toolkit being produced by the CDSS Board's Community Culture and Safety Task Group. The Toolkit provides exemplar language, drawn from communities across the U.S. & Canada, to aid local leaders in drafting their own safety guidelines and policies.
Family/Community Dance Organizers Unite!
April 4, 2019
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
Increasing Youth Involvement
January 16, 2019
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
Creating a Thriving Open Band
September 20, 2018
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded to the right)
Boosting AttenDANCE
June 21, 2018
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded to the right) - Note: We didn't capture the beginning of the chat. The recording begins with Jo Mortland of Chicago Barn Dance Company speaking.
Because the beginning of the Web Chat wasn't captured, we're offering the entire narrative from our first guest speaker on this page.