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nceca from a half-empty reflection

updated sun 5 apr 98

 

terryh on fri 3 apr 98

------------------
this was my first NCECA (now i know what NCECA stands for.)
i enjoyed many exhibits in downtown, though i didn't have time to stay
longer to see other larger exhibits. there are a few things i thought
frustrating. this is my wishing list for future NCECA mtg.
1. i'd like to have the mtg/conf/demo/seminars/etc. ALL the activities
at ONE location (a hotel or convention center). though shuttle service
was very well organized, it still took about 15 min. minimum to move
from one room/presentation in one hotel to another presentation that
was taking place at a different hotel. i think i missed a lot by being on
the bus on transit.
2. i found my attention time span was very short when i was watching
demonstrations. now and then, i learned many interesting and illuminating
points and, yes, definitely i'm going to try some of the techniques i =
learned
there soon by myself. but, i found it very hard to be attentive when
demonstartors were all at coherently =22meditative=22 process, waiting for
clay to dry/settle. i'd rather see demonstrators prepare potteries at =
several
different stages of making and show separate stages of a production
process using them, instead of working on a single piece from beginning
to end. i know it is demanding for the demonstartors. but, this is my =
wishing
list.
3. i wish i could find a program or any relevant details of the mtg on
the NCECA web site. i didn't know what to expect when and where,
untill i got there thursday noon.
4. i knew there was a CLAYART room but didn't see any sign nor
direction. (well, i wasn't thinking to attend the mtg till the very last
moment, so i really didn't pay any attention to clayart postings on
that matter.) maybe there were signs, but i didn't see them. (and,
i'm one of those guys who hate to ask directions.) well, next time.

actually, i'm glad i went. i learned a couple of things (at least. some
other ideas may pop up sometime later,) i'd like to experiment. as a
matter of fact, ten of us went to the mtg from our school (Glassel
in Houston), and everybody brought home very positive impressions
and appetizing new ideas. oh, one more minor complaint: i couldn't
find a sushi restaurant there in FW.
terry

terry hagiwara
e-mail: thagiwara=40halnet.com (W)=3B terryh=40pdq.net (H)
web: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/3755

Michelle H. Lowe on sat 4 apr 98

>3. i wish i could find a program or any relevant details of the mtg on
>the NCECA web site. i didn't know what to expect when and where,
>untill i got there thursday noon.

I found the program on the web site the day before I left (tuesday) and
printed it out, and spent a few minutes highlighting what I wanted to do on
the plane ride over to Fort Worth. It had times and places laid out for
all except the break out sessions.
Michelle Lowe, potter in the Phoenix desert \|/ |
mishlowe@indirect.com -O- | |
mishlowe@aztec.asu.edu /|\ | | |
|_|_|
http://www.amug.org/~mishlowe ____ |
-\ /-----|-----
( )
<__>

Louis Katz on sat 4 apr 98

Dear Terry
Thanks for your comments. As with all the comments I recieve I will forward
them as hard copy to the board, deleting names. If you would like your name
left on your messages please let me know.



terryh wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message-------------------------> 1. i'd
> at ONE location (a hotel or convention center).

We all would. Running a conference in three hotels is expensive, not to
mention that I ran between hotels more times than I would like to remember. It
is just not as expensive as renting convention space. NCECA guarantees a
certain number of rooms at hotels in order to obtain "free" conference space.
It is hard to find people willing to host the conference living in places with
hotels able to house the number of people our conference attracts. We plan our
conferences many years in advance. If you are interested in hosting one please
contact Minerva Navarette.
Renting convention space would make for a worse conference. Student attendence
would drop precipitously with $300 fees, I suspect our membership would be cut
in half. Worse, I think we would fail to attract new members.


> 2. i found my attention time span was very short when i was watching
> demonstrations. now and then, i learned many interesting and illuminating
> points and, yes, definitely i'm going to try some of the techniques i learned
> there soon by myself. but, i found it very hard to be attentive when
> demonstartors were all at coherently "meditative" process, waiting for
> clay to dry/settle. i'd rather see demonstrators prepare potteries at several
> different stages of making and show separate stages of a production
> process using them, instead of working on a single piece from beginning
> to end. i know it is demanding for the demonstartors. but, this is my wishing
> list.

My students live the demonstrations. I can't sit through them. I also prefer
mediocre slide presentations to panels. If something in the conference isn't
working for you, try something else.I have heard that the demonstrators all
peaked at the same time, and Jerermy will see your comments. Maybe he can
find a way around this problem without asking the demonstrators to start
working a day in advance.

> 3. i wish i could find a program or any relevant details of the mtg on
> the NCECA web site.

There was a program schedule on the NCECA website. Also if you preregister you
get a pack in the mail with a program in it. If you ask for information early
enough in the year you can get a copy of the tentative schedule (early fall).
I will try to get more information up earlier. I get all my information as
hard copy. I will try to get someone to send it to me on disk or better yet
email it too me. It is part of my agenda for the board meeting.



> 4. i knew there was a CLAYART room but didn't see any sign nor
> direction. (well, i wasn't thinking to attend the mtg till the very last
> moment, so i really didn't pay any attention to clayart postings on
> that matter.) maybe there were signs, but i didn't see them. (and,
> i'm one of those guys who hate to ask directions.) well, next time.

I am not sure why it was so hard to get the number of the room out of the
hotel staff. I just about had to bribe someone to find out what floor it was
on. I figured I would hear the noise once I got close.

I want to thank everyone for there positive feedback both on the list and off.
This is a much easier job this year. I know what I can and cannot do to solve
problems, and have better sense of why things in NCECA happen the way they do.

It is important to remember that NCECA is a member run organization. There are
many ways to get involved. You can submit a proposal to run a panel or give a
lecture. You can help run the K-12 slide room or International Slideroom, cup
sale, or auction. Involved can even mean standing next to the projector and
focusing. Every little bit makes for a better conference.


I am certain that more written feedback will be recieved by the board through
Clayart then by mail.

Thanks,
Louis
NCECA DAL