conference

[k.kade at att.net]

Hello, I really enjoyed the conference!  I had submitted a proposal for a presentation dealing with issues concerning money that was not accepted which was a bit disappointing but I still wanted to come to the conference.

I have a little to say about meeting in a University or school environment.  I spent  a lot of my youth in England and Europe.  A lot of meetings and educational kinds of retreats were in schools.  However, that is part of the culture there and accepted as is.  A year and half ago I attended a psychodrama conference in Brescia Italy.  It was held in an elementary school where the seats were so small that it was easy to bring out the "child within" smile!  It was also free I believe and on top of that child care was provided which included an absolutely fantastic psychodrama workshop for the children where the director had a large group of children role reversing with their fears..... One of the top facilitators has a theatre that is largely subsidized by the borough.  It holds about 50 people and he has to do something with it like once a month.  He does some really neat community psychodrama stuff..... American is not like that...we do not expect to attend a conference in a school
 and there is an element of what that looks like.  I am not saying don't ever do it....I like the idea of variance however if we are attracting others sometimes we have to do the stuff that will attract... When in Rome do as the Romans, When in America do as the Americans..... This again maybe just trying to get what the priorities are and needs and find ways to meet all of them.  Maybe this means local chapters having small conferences at the local university/school and the annual meeting being an outreach to a larger group with a more mainstream professional appearance.  This is one of our struggles is our professional appearance.

I would be curious for both the San Francisco and NYC conferences, how many of the attendees were local versus how many stayed in the hotel or surrounding hotels?  It seems to me that both those cities could attract a significant amount of local interest.... Here in Anchorage, we do not have such a large theatre or art community... It would have to be directed at the oil industry or the environmental industry.  I am not sure that when push comes to shove that those who work in the oil industry would be willing to role reverse with the oil rigs, or workers on the oil rigs, or the surrounding areas.... smile... It was great to see you all there!  Can't wait till next year, and I am hoping that Alaska Airlines adds Texas to its route before then!  Kaya
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