We had a new thing last Thursday evening, a Show and Tell session.  We had 10 people sign up and fewer attend.  It was OK for a first session.  You know how to do this if you have taught a class, same video conferencing.  Just pick a theme, announce it in a couple of theme appropriate places and show up for an hour.  No prep, you just moderate.

I think  real Show and Tell sessions  can:

  1. create a sense of community here at Weavolution
  2. create a larger pool of people comfortable with the video conferencing system- a little softer sell than an Open House that is sort of limited to people thinking                                                                                                                                about classes
  3. get people participating more
  4. appeal to younger women who are much more interactive

I think that people should be encouraged to actually "show and tell'; some people love to share what they have made, more people love to see what others have made. It is relatively hard to see cloth that  is held up to the web cams  and pictures on the computer are a lot like projects.  Is there anything in between?  We may just have to let that part  evolve. 

Claudia suggested charging $5 for each session.  I don't like charging small amounts; annoying like the airlines, next they will charge us for air to breathe.  I think it is a necessary cost to get people comfortable with the video system.   Our kind of tired guild perked up last year when they could share- things they made or collected or even food, and to see others work.  I think we should try to capture that kind of energy with Show and Tells.  Show and Tells can be run by teachers, group moderators that are comfortable with the system.  I'm willing to do it again. I would like it listed somewhere where others can find info about it. Topics might be --RH scarves, or scarves with unusual finishes.

I think Claudia wanted the $5 for a commitment so that if no one is coming we can cancel the session.  A commitment maybe helpful now when we are unsure of attendance but it is an obstacle to participation.  Todays' busy, thoughtful people are reluctant to make another commitment unless is is a relatively important part of their lives.  I think we need to work to also allow spontaneous participation ( the kids went to sleep and all is quiet, I can do this for me).  In the future it could be just a regular event, participate when you can.

Comments

Wed, 06/29/2011 - 23:01

Alice Schlein

I think this is a good idea. The only thing that troubles me is that the quality of the video is not really adequate for seeing textiles is detail. Hopefully this will change. 

Thu, 06/30/2011 - 00:51

Claudia Segal (not verified)

iHi Alice, One of our new teachers, Traci Bray (SilverWheelYarn) bought an HD webcam that is extremely sharp and the best picture I have seen so far. I believe she purchased it at Best Buy but am not certain. I enjoy offfering the Open houses and liike the idea of adding new features. At the same time, we have costs associated wtih offering these various programs. Claudia
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 02:09

Karren K. Brito

 but if they have photos they can share via their desk top and you still have them to answer questions.  I hope we can get to streaming from a HD webcam but we have to work with what we have now.  Few in my guild are comfortable online, that is our one challenge.  The younger women wha are comfortable on line like interaction.

Thu, 06/30/2011 - 12:17

Alice Schlein

I hadn't thought about still photos. Another good idea! That would take just a bit more preparation time, but if five people came prepared with three photos each, and talked about each item, & answered questions, that's a whole hour right there.

Sun, 07/03/2011 - 20:18

Silverwheelyarn (not verified)

I bought my HD camera from Office Dept.