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Embracing 2010 with Positive Energy!

 

Written by Becky Hsia, on 21-01-2010 08:46 There are always challenges for directors to manage a growing organization such as TangoTang especially most projects are run by volunteers with various professional, education and experience levels. For over 15 months since taking the post of the TangoTang directorship, the directors and project teams learn to work better as a team and suport each other's shortcomings to achieve a common goal. Yes, we do run a tight ship to ensure we provide best guidance base on our learned experiences through the past and coach the project teams to successful results. It is not productive to consume our effort on negative comments but we wish those to voice out openly and directly to give us constructive feedback with recommendations. It's comforting to read some positive comments about the directors from time to time especially when the diretors are being overlooked and under appreciated. We are truly thankful for those who appreciate our hard work and give us a pat on our shoulders! Let's embrace 2010 with positive energy! Last update: 21-01-2010 08:51 Users' Comments (2) Comment language: English (2), 繁體中文 (0) Add your comment Posted by Clement Siu, on 22-01-2010 13:01, 1. Notes Thank you Ray for such wonderful word, it makes me want to cry. It is hard to be directors and we need to make decisions based on the best interest of the club and the tango community. We cannot please everyone and but hopefully by constant communications, we can compromise as much as possible for the greater good. We are always actively listening and make changes accordingly, and we are certainly not dictators. For example, we let members who are passionate enough to bring themselves forward to become a project manager, to choose his/her favourite teacher to come to Hong Kong for workshop. Project managers propose the length, price and content of the workshop. We do discuss in great length sharing our experience of how to make a workshop better. When project managers focus on each workshop, the directors team is focusing on the overall club events.    One thing I might want to point out, in my humble opinion, making extra money in one workshop and save it for the rainy day is not too bad a thing, and workshop does not always make money. When in 2008, half the workshop were in red and it has to make up by income from Helena May practica and other workshops. In 2009, not all workshops are in black either. Also we have other expenses to pay including ARTango, marketing etc that is supported fully by the successful workshops. Some works we do will never have income and if by project base, they will not even exist.     According to Tangotang's mission, we have to promote not only dancing, but also music and culture. Dance workshops is the only projects we can make extra income to support the other 2 missions.     Also being able to generate extra income from dance project does not mean more expensive workshops for each student, but, only because those workshops that are popular can attract more students, hence extra income. In fact, we have always been considering lowering the workshop price that we cannot go any lower than the local teachers do or else we are cannibalizing the tango community in HK, the local teachers are so important to the growth of tango in HK.    I think we all love tango in HK so much and with more communications and understanding, we can make an even better club and tango scene here.    Sincerely  Clement   » Report this comment to administrator » Reply to this comment... Posted by Ray Rudowski, on 21-01-2010 10:15, 2. Big Thanks A note to all directors, volunteers, project managers to thank all of you for the passion and hard work you've put in to make these last 15 months so wonderful.    I can speak both as someone who once ran the club and as a member, to say that it's all too easy to take the club for granted, as something that will always be there and then criticize decisions or point to how well things are done outside Hong Kong.    The grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence, but we must realize that TangoTang is unique in Asia and in the world. It has always been more than one single member or one single director or project manager. It is what makes this truly a 'community' vs a school, or business, or special project.    Where else in the world would you find an organization that brings other organizations together and serves as a platform for promoting tango and Buenos Aires culture in all its forms? Anyone with a good idea and a passion to carry out can volunteer and make it happen.    It takes strength to make decisions and there are always individuals who will find fault. But take heart in the satisfaction of knowing that you made a difference is the biggest reward for being part of the club.    I travel around Asia and when possible go to milongas. In Hong Kong, we always welcome and acknowledge visitors---not something I've encountered anywhere else.    In Hong Kong all the organizations work together---there is generally an avoidance of clashing events and schedules so that members can benefit most.    Then there is the daily grind of organizing regular events on behalf of the club---being the first in to turn on the lights and staying to shut the place down, collecting money, doing the administrative paperwork to keep the club running---all the things that benefit everyone but that members rarely see or understand the importance of.     Having an organization that is bigger than any one single member makes us a unique organization and something we should all be proud of playing a part in developing and maintaining.     Thank you Becky, Clement, Erica, Rebecca and all who contribute.   » Report this comment to administrator » Reply to this comment...

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