We start our monthly DFW grotto meetings by briefly introducing
ourselves (the members) and then asking the new visitors to introduce
themselves and tell us how they heard about us, whether they've ever
been caving and how they'd like to be involved in caving. Since we're
a relatively small group, this generally lasts about 15-20 minutes. We
consider this ice-breaker to be a worthwhile time investment. We also
make every effort to take new people on cave trips--but it helps to
know something about them first in order to get them on an appropriate
trip.
We have several new grotto members who have become worthy cavers and
are even great additions to our tank haul teams.
Obviously with a group as large as I've seen attend UT Grotto
meetings, this would be a bit problematic. But our local Sierra Club
chapter has about the same attendance as the UT Grotto, and they
handle new member recruitment in a different way. They have a point
person in charge of talking to new members after the general meeting
(in the same meeting room) to answer general questions. They also have
monthly potlucks for the new members to get to know people in the
club. Various members offer to host the potlucks and of course they
also organize outings geared primarily to the new members.
Diana
On Dec 13, 2008, at 9:09 AM, Thomas Sitch wrote:
Ha ha!
Matt Zapitello and I had this exact discussion several months ago at
lunch. My answer’s the same:
Everyone needs to be the newbie greeter.
Now, just to be clear, I think that we kick ass as a grotto, and we
have a lot of beginner trips and a lot of great opportunities that
are presented at every meeting (Colorado Bend with Crash, various
cool Peter Sprouse expeditions etc.). It’s the social component
(welcoming, conversation, Posse talk, etc.) where I think we can be
more mindful, and that involves everyone in a collective effort.
~~T
--- On Fri, 12/12/08, Terri Sprouse <posada...@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Terri Sprouse <posada...@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Texascavers] Thomas - UT Grotto Newbie Herder
To: "Cavers Texas" <texascavers@texascavers.com>, dreadfl...@yahoo.com
Date: Friday, December 12, 2008, 8:30 PM
Thomas,
Sounds like you just volunteered to take over the role of Newbie
Herder for the
grotto. Should we vote on it at the next meeting?
I agree, the reality is that the best way to get to know cavers is
to go on a
caving trip with them. I wonder how many people who come to the
grotto meeting
have not been on a caving trip. We need a point person for the UT
Grotto to
follow-up with our newbies to ensure that they GET ON A TRIP, even
if its just
locally to Whirlpool. That is really what opens the door, socially.
After a
series of training trips, most newbies either bond with other
cavers, or they
won't. It's up to them.
Not that the rest of us won't have to make an effort too but, in
addition,
I think we could really use someone who is designated to follow-up -
to
absolutely make sure that the invitation (and possibly follow-up
invitations) to
go on trips is personally made to each of the newbies.
Could that person be you, Thomas?
--- On Fri, 12/12/08, Thomas Sitch <dreadfl...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> It was very hard to “break in” and feel welcome at the
> UT Grotto. There were some people who went out of the way
> to do so (such as Jean, or Aimee) and I will always feel
> incredible gratitude to them for that. Now I know lots of
> people and count many friends and it’s a good time, but I
> see a lot of new people show up and sit largely excluded.
>
<snip>
>
> The tough stick it out, sure. Once people go on trips and
> gain the trust of the Old Guard they, too, have a common
> frame of reference. But we lose a lot of good people long
> before that, and we lose the other good people that they
> would refer to the world of the dedicated adventuring caver.
>
> My point here is that for the good of the caving community
> we should do more to seek out and welcome new blood. If
> everyone makes an effort – a conscious effort- to engage
> new people, we’ll grow and be better for it as a
> community.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> ~~Thomas
>
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Diana R. Tomchick
Associate Professor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Department of Biochemistry
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214B
Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A.
Email: diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
214-645-6383 (phone)
214-645-6353 (fax)
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