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Comment: add week one talks entry

Prep:

Make sure something about the start of class gets into the weekly email; consider linking to Advice to 'Angels'. 

You'll want to update the Sign-In Form  with the correct year and make sure the responses show up somewhere you can see them. If you recreate it, the sign in sheet should include name, email, name on badge (nickname), association with MIT/Tech Squares, and how they heard about us.

You'll also want to update the week 1 handout/intro-sheet. It is currently a .tex file in the athena locker called class-overview (/mit/tech-squares/doc/lessons/) You should update it. It is also linked to on the lessons page of the website (tech-squares.mit.edu/lessons/), you should make sure that the copy on the website updates as well (talk to another officer if you need help with this). 

You'll need the following:

You'll want to be in place at 7:30, with some signs up pointing your way. Take a table and put it outside the room. As people come to the table, try to get a paper list of their names to cross check against the sign up spreadsheet (this is especially useful is someone is late). You'll be able to look up information on them separately if needed. Give t-shirts to MIT students. Then send people into the room to watch. If possible, have a club member inside to chat with them as they watch. 

Tips: Try to get squares forming quickly, especially the first tip. Have some extra club who can be cut out by late arriving class. 

Class Meeting:

  • Take this chance to get anyone who hasn't signed up yet to sign up. 
  • Then give out the intro sheet and talk through it. Offer week 1 definitions to people who are interested.
    • There's some other shpiels you can give – try searching for "week one talks" in the Tech Squares officers Google Drive
  • If PE credit is being offered, the PE instructor will want to talk to PE. 
  • Introduce yourself & all class assistants
  • Bring registration cards, info sheets, first night definitions, peel off name tags, thick markers, extra pens and two copies of the evening's schedule (one for the table and one for the caller). Currently the schedule is: 8-9: club, class,         
    rounds/class check in at table, welcome announcement, class, rounds/class meeting in hall, club announcements 9-10: club, class, rounds, class; 10-10:30 (subject to change depending on week): rounds, club. See sample schedule in notebook. Mark the table copy, "Table Copy--do not remove." You will put out this schedule every night, so if you want, you may leave it in the briefcase.
  • Set up two stations where new folks check in, one on either side of the door. At each table layout registration sheets, info sheets, pens and markers. If there is a line at the door, ask a club member to escort folks to the side table where they can fill out the registration sheet, make a name tag and pick up the info sheet. They should then proceed to the registration table and hand in their form to the Coordinator or door tender.
  • As you begin to build your own attendance sheet (separate from the club's), keep track of which class members have bought a subscription (usually this is a line drawn through all of the dates; see sample in book). Also set up a column to indicate who wants PE credit (MIT undergrads only). These people pay no admission, so in effect, they automatically have a subscription. Mark with an"s" all class members who are students, as they pay a different rate. Also designate which students are from MIT.
  • In the spring, this first night follows Fun Night, and is free to new class members. Encourage them to buy subscriptions to ease check in. If they are interested but can't pay this night, tell them to bring check/money next week, and don't charge them this week (but make a note of it). Also in spring, come to this night with your first draft of the attendance sheet, filled with the names of those who came to fun night. Be prepared to add more names during registration tonight.
  • Remember that students have until Week 3 to decide if they want to take the class for PE credit. Keep in mind that no new people may join the class after the first week without your permission.
  • Start to keep track of how many students and how many squares are dancing. This is useful info for the club (don't throwaway the early attendance sheets, as they can help you keep track of the information. See sample attendance sheet in book).
  • Class Meeting: Introduce yourself and Assistant (Bill Ackerman); Bill may want to say a few words. Check in with Bill about how he would like to be introduced; sometimes he does not want to have a title. Explain what this class/club is (how it differs from other clubs). Encourage them to ask questions as they go through the class. Go over schedule: Every week starts with a 7:30 optional review session; if they are signed up for PE and miss a class they must attend the following week's review session; they should check in every week at the registration table; they can pick up weekly definitions at table or find them on the web. Explain what tips are, what rounds are (and the class may dance rounds if they choose--just mention there is a flow of traffic and they should keep up with it!), there is a class meeting every week at this time; ask them to participate in every class tip; if they have problems finding a partner they can come ask you for help; how to ask someone to dance ("Would you like to dance?" and don't take it personally if someone says no). Dance tip: While in the square, always hold your partner's hand (and partner may be someone new after a particular move).
  • Start weekly emails (see samples in notebook).