Comments and feedback requested - New Attendee Orientation ...

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Diva Las Vegas
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Ladies (and gentlemen), we're asking for some feedback both from those
who are new attendees this year, and from those who have been new
attendees in the past. :)

Our newcomer welcoming and orientation process is evolving, and those
who will be coordinating this year's session would like to know a few
things regarding what new attendees would like to see in such a session.

In the past we've had "mixer" type New Attendee Open House sessions,
structured presentations, and free-form Q&A sessions.

1. If you will be a new attendee this year, do you think that a New
Attendee Welcome and Orientation session would be helpful to you?

If you have attended before, did you attend a New Attendee session and
if so, did you find it helpful and relevant? If you did not attend such
a session, would you have wanted one and if so, what topics would you
like to have seen covered?

2. What format would you prefer (or would you have preferred) for a New
Attendee Welcome session? Would you like to see more of a "mixer" type
of affair, or a formal presentation, or more of an open Q&A seminar type
of affair?

3. If you attended in the past, specifically what about Diva Las Vegas
did you not understand clearly before attending? What could have been
covered at a New Attendee session would have been helpful?

4. In general, in a group setting, do you prefer to be actively
introduced around to members of the group, or do you prefer to circulate
by yourself and make your own introductions?

Answers to the questions and additional comments will be appreciated and
you can comment here public or in private by sending email to:

dlv@divalas.vegas

Thanks.


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(This posting was entered by Diva Las Vegas, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Vera Delmar
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Thanks Annie, Hopefully this will get the ball rolling and give us some
guidance as to what questions to answer for the new attendees. After
all, this is all about them. To help alleviate any anxieties, fears,
questions they may have about DLV.


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(This posting was entered by Vera Delmar, an external user of MyDLV.)

[Elaine]

Thank you for asking. As a new comer, I am looking forward to the Orientation Session. I think we would enjoy a small presentation that might stimulate questions of general interest, and then follow up with a little mixer time - too much for the time available?

With respect to topics, it would be helpful to include anything that is a new issue with respect to behavior or to get together opportunities.

With respect to introductions, either format or a combination is fine for me. If the group is not too large (say over ten or fifteen), I do think saying a few words about yourself is help in breaking the ice. If we are sitting at circular tables of six or eight, it is easy to do informal self introductions.

Looking forward to meeting all of the other new people and seasoned attendees!

Thanks again for asking. What ever the format, I know I will enjoy it.

Elaine

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Sarah Charles
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I have to put on my thinking cap for this one because it's been quite a
while since my first DLV (2001). I'd not been out in a public setting at
all at that time so I was very anxious. Fortunately we had the Best Damn
Dam Tour that afternoon. Because it was being lead by someone who worked
at the facility and was not out it was a "non-dressing" function.

I got to meet people and talk openly about dressing for what may have
been the first time. That was followed by a daytime shopping trip where
I used the option of going in "boy mode". Finally I got prettied up and
attended an event and haven't looked back.

Based on my experience, and mine alone, I'd like to let the new
attendees know that if they are uncomfortable presenting an alternate
gender in public, that we are pretty nice folks who understand. Come as
you are and if it takes a couple of events or a few days before you are
ready to dress up, that's fine. There are still days when my face is
recovering from close shaves that I attend activities as Dave rather
than Sarah. I do that because the people at DLV are the attraction, not
the clothes I choose to wear or the activities we schedule. I do believe
your wardrobe should add a level of fun, not a level of difficulty.

Sarah


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(This posting was entered by Sarah Charles, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Vera Delmar
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You make a very good point, Sarah. By all means we want you ti be
comfortable and if that means attending in "boy Mode" then do so. I
don't think there is a requirement that we appear in our alternate
gender appearance. I'd like to think we are all understanding of where
we are all in our transition or our gender expression.


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(This posting was entered by Vera Delmar, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Katie Wilson
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Sarah.

I was thinking that very same thought when I wrote my 2016 activity
Highlight for KKK.B (Anyone interested enough Please read it!)

As I was composing the daily coffee gathering scenario it occurred to me
that at least one of our ladies might be a bit apprehensive about
arriving for a coffee gathering with people she has never met before and
not knowing if they dressed loud or flamboyant or even insanely dull, so
I assured those who cared to read the intro they would be welcome in
either male or female clothing But preferably womens clothes because of
why we all are here.

I also assured them that it was a relatively small gathering so not all
that noticeable and that they should not leave their partners hanging
out to dry somewhere all on their own while they came to meet the gang
at Club Cappuccino.

Mentioning a dress code is of course tantamount to a successful T event
Which is how it should be! but something as casual as Coffee with the
girls sort of bends that theory a tiny bit. and hopefully they get more
bold as the week goes on.

Knowing how a wife or partner might feel in all of this I wanted to be
sure to include a invitation for them too and assure the partners that
we dress nicely and even though we may not look terrific we will be
respectable and likely not stand out and be pointed at.

As I remember I did not add these in last years invitation but I have
won the battle if just one more shy or apprehensive person comes and
meets the morning coffee gang at KKK and feels accepted and kicks off
has a great vacation with us.

NB: DLV was my very first ever public exposure too! I was scared to
death to leave my room but manage it after 10 or 15 tries and when I met
the other DLVers I was in awe of them as they were so nice and easy to
like that I came back 8 or 9 more times.

Huggers. Katie


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(This posting was entered by Katie Wilson, an external user of MyDLV.)

[Michelle V]

Hi,

Just a few comments here.

First it's looking doubtful if I will make it this time. To many work and family things going on which I won't be able to get out of.

Let me say this. 10 years ago when I was a new girl just getting out I was scared u-know-what-less and sure would of been glad if there was something like a welcome event back then. I make friends usually easy so I was ok but for those who were not outgoing they were in big trouble.

Now one important thing back then there was much much to much attention paid to dressing and bathrooms. It was to the point of being scary, afraid to even go pee.

Also the schedule would say that everyone was going to say San Remo but when you got there you found out that everyone went to Flex. It's much better recently but still you go somewhere and expect the whole gang to be there but find out their all someplace Else.

Introductions would be nice for those who don't know anybody yet.

That's about all I can think of right now.

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Vera Delmar
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Thank you for your feedback.



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(This posting was entered by Vera Delmar, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Vera Delmar
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Sorry to hear you won't be able to join us this year. Totally understand
how that is..had to miss a couple myself in my nascent years.



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(This posting was entered by Vera Delmar, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Lisa Brown
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1) Orientaion critical to meet other attendees.. am from another country
so wont know anyone,and without orienation week may be over b4 I get to
know folks whom i mite have affinity with.

2) Format not crirical,provided it makes folks aware that im there, and
helps me decide on activities for the week (and that i dont get left
out!)

4) Actively introduced..like most gurrls, am shy at first and a little
out of my comfort zone with strangers.

Lisaxx

Thanks


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(This posting was entered by Lisa Brown, an external user of MyDLV.)