23 Attendees (wow!): Andrew, Blair (Timekeeper), Brian (Facilitator), Emily, Emma, Felicia, Henry, Jay, Jimmy, Kari (In/Outgatherer), Kiara, Lori (Note aker), Marion, Mellen, Noah, Rebecca, Robin, Sadie, Syd, Steve, Sunshine, Tasja (Vibe Checker), Todd G
Meeting Format
- Choose roles
- In-gathering
- Briefly review How We Roll
- Summarize previous meeting notes
- Gather new agenda items: Survey of PCD dancers, Where Can We Dance update
- Set order and time for items
- Attend to agenda items
- Schedule future meeting(s)
- Evaluation
- Out-gathering
Published Agenda
- Retreat update: Kiara
- PCD sponsored Workshops: Brian (TABLED)
- Code of Conduct: Emily G
Added
- Survey of PCD dancers: Tasja, on behalf of Devin
- Where Can We Dance update: Tasja
Retreat update: Kiara
(Committee: Nate, Elise and Kiara) Multi-year planning with Ferry Beach in Saco is tricky; we will never have access to Ferry before the end of October, given the long-term preference for the other existing, recurring renters (e.g. church groups). Also, booking into the future does not procure a better price, it just ensures that space is saved for us.
Our Spring 2026 retreat currently has 45 registrants; we can go up to 60 and indeed do expect some last-minute registrants even though formal registration has closed. Even so, these 45 participants have already allowed us to break even. Reminder: we pay per room, not per person, so yes, it does behoove us to put more people into each room.
Currently holding/considering at Ferry Beach:
Mar 19 – 21, 2027
Oct 29 – 31, 2027
Mar 31 – Apr 2, 2028 or Apr 21 – 23, 2028*
Oct 27 – 29, 2028
*later date preferred by informal vote of those present
Next Steps: Kiara is holding the above dates until she actually sees and can review the details of the contract (forthcoming from Ferry; not available by today's Meraki). It will be up to Meraki to approve dates.
Reminder from Kiara: while it is true that there has been general consensus around Ferry having generally better amenities and location than Oceanwood Conference Center, we need not feel like we can book only Ferry.
PCD sponsored Workshops: Brian
TABLED
Where Can We Dance update: Tasja
- Current deal-breaker for the Boys & Girls Club (BGC): they would require—but don’t presently have—a staffer to be present during PCD activity (set-up, dance, break-down).
- Brick Hill went flat (see previous Meraki notes for more details).
- Where Can We Dance committee resurrected (Devin, Tasja, Emily, Noah) motivated by Temple Beth El’s floor and its identity as a sectarian place of worship.
First step: culling the current list of 80 spaces down to 30 which seem worthy of follow-up (some are new, some are ancient and may have new circumstances, some have as-yet incomplete data).
Next step: the committee will write a script with which a broader group of volunteers will use to make those follow-up calls/inquiries. Volunteer callers: Jay, Kiara, Rebecca, Sunshine, Syd, Todd.
Code of Conduct (CoC): Emily G
(Committee which formulated the CoC draft: Emily, Alex, Mellen, Dave S, Jess) Emily described the CoC as a distinct and separate protocol from the Wiz’s existing ReFlow for how to deal with difficult issues which come up in the dance community. Also to consider: would Wiz be the sole body to follow up on CoC concerns, or might that role include others in the broader community. Wiz waiting until May to meet and speak in depth on this subject (so as to ensure more Wizzers can participate); Felicia has volunteered to help Emily continue representing the CoC since this process is moving more slowly than she anticipated and spring will pull her time and focus back to her work.
Rebecca sought and received clarification about the two notes at the end of the current draft:
- “no history of old reports”: Emily is concerned that there be access to historical knowledge of past grievances so that as new grievances arise there is a context in which to place them.
- “CoC needs ‘teeth’ to kick someone out for anonymous reports”: Emily confirmed that there might be interest in using anonymous and/or outside-of-PCD reports of grievances to trigger the ability to kick someone out. And furthermore, that those with a grievance should not have to bear full responsibility for their own safety; they should also have support from the community.
Rebecca expressed support for having two avenues to report distressing events: ReFlow supports the individual who has felt boundaries were crossed whereas the CoC could allow the community/Wiz to speak directly to the individual who has had problematic behavior.
It is intended that a lawyer look at the draft.
Survey of PCD dancers: Tasja, on behalf of Devin
Tasja read Devin’s email to the group. Devin is interested in developing a survey which will get to the heart of what the PCD community wants—particularly in regards to space, culture, safety, and retreats. Would Meraki be interested in her spending time developing questions for such a survey?
Without Devin present to answer questions, the group mused about the concept of a survey, what information it might gather (e.g. how does the PCD dance serve its community?), and what might be done with that information (e.g. noting that it might also help inform the Where Can We Dance committee).
Mellen noted that three years ago, a survey successfully gathered a list reflecting people’s willingness to volunteer in various capacities (e.g. greeting, etc.).
Brian not opposed to a survey, but wanting to establish what the gathered information would be meant to accomplish.
The group agreed that it is interested in learning more about Devin’s motivation behind and vision for this survey, and would like that to happen before Devin would spend any time creating survey questions.
Next Meetings
Tuesday, April 21 in person, at Rebecca's; Note Taker: Brian
Monday, May 18 on Zoom; Note Taker: TBD
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