Committee expectations

WhoMe · 12-21-2006, 05:07 PM

Alot of emphasis has been placed on individuals and contests here on powwows.com. Top dancers and drums have certain expectations that they require in agreeing to be on the head staff. Expenses, hotels, food, tranportation are some of these considerations.

On the other side of the coin...

There are a lot of powwow committee members who monitor this site.

To anybody who has been on a powwow committee,

What do you look for when choosing your headstaff?

What are some expectations you feel your headstaff should produce?

CHEROSAGE · 12-22-2006, 01:13 AM

We look for someone who is honorable, neat, clean, friendly respected. Someone who comes to our dance and helps us out. As the Headsinger I look for someone who knows the Drum(Songs Protocol, Traditions, etc.). I have no problem asking someone who has never been in a headstaff position before.

Things we expect: come to the dance, be friendly to the other dancers, invite others to come and join us, be at the dance on time And just have fun. I never expect any Specials/giveaways that is simply up to anyone/family wanting to have a special.

We're not able to give a great/large gift to our Headstaff, but we do what we can. We don't have a large budget, this dance is sponsored by our family and very close friends. We share with the Headstaff as we can. We offer free camping to everyone attending and participating, we feed the Sat evening dinner and unable to provide motels for our staff. I will help our staff arrange a motel room(s) if they wish.

Thomas S. Taylor · 12-22-2006, 08:50 AM

What expectations should be looked at for head people;
Someone who "sets the example" and is NOT the example everyone talks about

WhoMe · 12-22-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas S. Taylor

What expectations should be looked at for head people;
Someone who "sets the example" and is NOT the example everyone talks about

TST,

Which leads to the second question....

Has anybody been to a powwow where one of the headstaff was LATE, and held up the powwow?

**Eagle Plumes** · 12-22-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoMe

TST,

Which leads to the second question....

Has anybody been to a powwow where one of the headstaff was LATE, and held up the powwow?

yes ive been to some where one was late, but it was mostly because of not being able to find the pow-wow. Ive also been to some where the headstaff would rather goof off then do what they are supposed to be doing. NOw on another note I wouldnt say I dance any diffrently when Im head-Lady, I always dance with respect and carry myself in a certain way always remembering why im danceing and for who. If some reason I cant be in the arena, I always have one of my nieces stand in for me or a close friend to step in for me until I can return, but that is very rare fro me.

Thomas S. Taylor · 12-22-2006, 12:15 PM

I have seen 2 dances where the Head Persons were late (1 dance where they were lost and the second because the contact person gave them the wrong Grand Entry time). Both instances, I blame the committee for those faults. Eagle Plumes also brings up a good point: Have seen a "Head Person" that was been clowing around. Nothing wrong with having fun while you are at the dance, but you need to remember "why" you are there. Both my wife & I have stood in for a good friends when they had an issue that needed handled. Either case.... when you accept a Head Person job, it IS your responsibility to act accordnly and have a "Plan B" if you need it. AGAIN>>> setting the example instead of being the example. Just my opinion and also the ways I was taught.

Nezbah · 12-26-2006, 02:08 PM

well..........our last powwow, I think EVERYONE was late. Gourd was suppose to start @ 12 the Head Gourd dancer didn't showup until 1215, the Host Southern didn't show until about 1220...then it took another 15 mins to get all warmed up and ready, the sound showed up around 1230.... The Powwow portion was to start @ 330pm the Headman showed around 2pm but wanted to go the the 'room' first. I told him the GE was changed to 330pm.... The Head Lady and the H Northern Drum were the only ones on time......LOL. Then 330 came around no sign of the Headman....345...not yet, so I just hurriedly dressed my son to subsitute for him. Finally got GE off at 350 or so, the Headman showed up at the end of the line....LOL. Even though the powwow ended up good and on schedule, all of it looked kinda bad on 'us' since the headstaff all showed up late. I was able to get things going and luckily our MC knew what he was doing too. But even though I had a list detailed from min to min...... having majority of the headstaff late....... didn't look too good. Yes, its a traditional powwow, but does not mean everyone can be laxed about it. Headstaff, your getting paid to represent the committee. So being late or 'not ready' when your suppose to reflects upon us....... I know when my lil one is 'head boy' we'll cut it close but he's always on time for GE, ready to go. Yes, there are circumstances when someone gets lost or times get 'mixed up', just let people know...... Have a backup or a 'plan b'.

I couldn't really blame one person or get after just one person since 90% of the headstaff was late, we just had to go with the go and do what needed to be done. Hopefully next year we'll emphasize on the 'lateness'. LOL I didn't want any drama for a powwow that was to be fun......

WhoMe · 12-26-2006, 06:07 PM

How 'bout being on the committee and the hotel sends you a bill for "extra ammenities?"

Or ...

You send your head staff some travel money and one of them stiff you?

Sound familiar?

Paul G · 12-26-2006, 08:44 PM

Just to add to the list of things to look for, I always look for people that traveled with a large group, or had a big "draw". We are a small dance and inviting a family to be our head dancers that brought many quality dancers with them was very important.

**Eagle Plumes** · 12-26-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul G

Just to add to the list of things to look for, I always look for people that traveled with a large group, or had a big "draw". We are a small dance and inviting a family to be our head dancers that brought many quality dancers with them was very important.

I was head-lady at a dance that was a couple of hours away, they knew my family would travel and support me, wich brought alot of great dancers and in if I remember rite covering every dance style. Before the dance was over on sunday I was asked back for the next year, then I knew I was being asked not just for my family but for my showing them I could do the job that was asked of me.

WhoMe · 12-28-2006, 12:47 PM

If signing a contract between the head staff and a powwow committee is binding, are the stipulations enforced?

Have you ever heard of powwow people getting summons to court because they took their money and ran?

Nezbah · 12-28-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoMe

If signing a contract between the head staff and a powwow committee is binding, are the stipulations enforced?

Have you ever heard of powwow people getting summons to court because they took their money and ran?

I heard it the other way around, the head staff wasn't paid or wasn't paid the amount of $$$ they agreed too. It's been 2 years now and still not everyone has been paid from the IWASIL Powwow @ the Tacoma Dome, including my sister. Then of course, sad to say, winning contestants that didn't get paid by the committee, cuz someone took off running with the payouts......*S*. I have seen that happen way too many times......

I also learned from a friend that the easiest way is to pay everyone the same amount of money across the board, it really helped us on this years powwow.

12-21-2006, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
WhoMe PauWau Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Land of 370 Broken Treaties Posts: 5,433	Committee expectations Alot of emphasis has been placed on individuals and contests here on powwows.com. Top dancers and drums have certain expectations that they require in agreeing to be on the head staff. Expenses, hotels, food, tranportation are some of these considerations. On the other side of the coin... There are a lot of powwow committee members who monitor this site. To anybody who has been on a powwow committee, What do you look for when choosing your headstaff? What are some expectations you feel your headstaff should produce? __________________ "Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture." WhoMe

12-22-2006, 01:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
CHEROSAGE Pow Wow Committee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: , mo Posts: 1,316	We look for someone who is honorable, neat, clean, friendly respected. Someone who comes to our dance and helps us out. As the Headsinger I look for someone who knows the Drum(Songs Protocol, Traditions, etc.). I have no problem asking someone who has never been in a headstaff position before. Things we expect: come to the dance, be friendly to the other dancers, invite others to come and join us, be at the dance on time And just have fun. I never expect any Specials/giveaways that is simply up to anyone/family wanting to have a special. We're not able to give a great/large gift to our Headstaff, but we do what we can. We don't have a large budget, this dance is sponsored by our family and very close friends. We share with the Headstaff as we can. We offer free camping to everyone attending and participating, we feed the Sat evening dinner and unable to provide motels for our staff. I will help our staff arrange a motel room(s) if they wish. __________________ BOB

12-22-2006, 08:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Thomas S. Taylor Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Oakdale, Pa Posts: 49	committee expectations What expectations should be looked at for head people; Someone who "sets the example" and is NOT the example everyone talks about

12-22-2006, 12:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Thomas S. Taylor Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Oakdale, Pa Posts: 49	committee expectations I have seen 2 dances where the Head Persons were late (1 dance where they were lost and the second because the contact person gave them the wrong Grand Entry time). Both instances, I blame the committee for those faults. Eagle Plumes also brings up a good point: Have seen a "Head Person" that was been clowing around. Nothing wrong with having fun while you are at the dance, but you need to remember "why" you are there. Both my wife & I have stood in for a good friends when they had an issue that needed handled. Either case.... when you accept a Head Person job, it IS your responsibility to act accordnly and have a "Plan B" if you need it. AGAIN>>> setting the example instead of being the example. Just my opinion and also the ways I was taught.

12-26-2006, 02:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nezbah Peace n Mutton Grease Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ober here in NM Posts: 772	well..........our last powwow, I think EVERYONE was late. Gourd was suppose to start @ 12 the Head Gourd dancer didn't showup until 1215, the Host Southern didn't show until about 1220...then it took another 15 mins to get all warmed up and ready, the sound showed up around 1230.... The Powwow portion was to start @ 330pm the Headman showed around 2pm but wanted to go the the 'room' first. I told him the GE was changed to 330pm.... The Head Lady and the H Northern Drum were the only ones on time......LOL. Then 330 came around no sign of the Headman....345...not yet, so I just hurriedly dressed my son to subsitute for him. Finally got GE off at 350 or so, the Headman showed up at the end of the line....LOL. Even though the powwow ended up good and on schedule, all of it looked kinda bad on 'us' since the headstaff all showed up late. I was able to get things going and luckily our MC knew what he was doing too. But even though I had a list detailed from min to min...... having majority of the headstaff late....... didn't look too good. Yes, its a traditional powwow, but does not mean everyone can be laxed about it. Headstaff, your getting paid to represent the committee. So being late or 'not ready' when your suppose to reflects upon us....... I know when my lil one is 'head boy' we'll cut it close but he's always on time for GE, ready to go. Yes, there are circumstances when someone gets lost or times get 'mixed up', just let people know...... Have a backup or a 'plan b'. I couldn't really blame one person or get after just one person since 90% of the headstaff was late, we just had to go with the go and do what needed to be done. Hopefully next year we'll emphasize on the 'lateness'. LOL I didn't want any drama for a powwow that was to be fun...... __________________ You have crossed my path, you have touched my heart, you are my friend, You will never be forgotten......

12-26-2006, 06:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
WhoMe PauWau Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Land of 370 Broken Treaties Posts: 5,433	How 'bout being on the committee and the hotel sends you a bill for "extra ammenities?" Or ... You send your head staff some travel money and one of them stiff you? Sound familiar? __________________ "Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture." WhoMe

12-26-2006, 08:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
Paul G Webmaster Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 12,946 Blog Entries: 1	Just to add to the list of things to look for, I always look for people that traveled with a large group, or had a big "draw". We are a small dance and inviting a family to be our head dancers that brought many quality dancers with them was very important. __________________ New to the site--Introduce Yourself Need Help--FAQ--Search Feedback--Post your suggestions MyTribalSpace.com \| NativeGatherings.com \| PowWows.com Podcast \| Indigitunes.com NativeSeek.com \| Pow Wow TV \| Pow Wow Radio \| NativeMusicSource.com Radio \| NDN411.com \| eSnag Online Dating Pow Wow TV - Find out how you could win a 42" Plasma TV!

12-28-2006, 12:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
WhoMe PauWau Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Land of 370 Broken Treaties Posts: 5,433	If signing a contract between the head staff and a powwow committee is binding, are the stipulations enforced? Have you ever heard of powwow people getting summons to court because they took their money and ran? __________________ "Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture." WhoMe