Social Swing 2007 – Deaf Gathering – Review
Held on November 17, 2007 – this annual event was a great disappointment. It is an annual gathering of deaf people of all stripes, hoisted with a cowboy theme. Over the past few years, 300 to 400 strong found their way to this event. Tonight, there was at least 126 people who bought the tickets.
At least, that was my conclusion as I received said ticket stamped with the number 126. In the past, hundreds showed up, giving the feeling of thousands in tight quarters. Deaf folks of all ages and backgrounds from across the valley of Phoenix, along with visitors from elsewhere mill together in a fascinating social event.
There were a few things that played against the turnout for this event. The recent Deaf Cruise that experienced a turnout into the thousands, including several from the Valley. Despite diverting the ship due to a hurricane, all told, it was a rousing success for most people. It is an exhausting effort, burning the attendants’ funds and vacation time. Although this event is held on Saturday night, it is indeed the night before Thanksgiving — a busy weekend for many.
There has been a decline of promotional efforts made by the organizers – Phoenix Association for the Deaf (PAD). I attempted to contact the organizers through the e-mail address provided by the flyer, yet nobody took the effort to respond to my questions, much less sell me a ticket. The deaf folks I have talked with in recent weeks have either not heard of this event, or not felt an urgency to attend this celebration. There have been a major turmoil at PAD over the past year, leading to a steady decline with memberships, participation, and marketing efforts for the most simple of events. When the treasurer of your organization have difficulty determining the amount to return on a $50 bill for a $30 admission fee — you have a problem with contributions from your community.
The sense of urgency is something that is disappointing about this event. Within the deaf community, peer pressure reign supreme, with friends encouraging each other to check out any events. This have gotten to the point where you would see young professionals mingle among the elders, trading names and stories. It is a beautiful thing, and commonly seen in larger deaf communities in Rochester, NY and Washington, DC on a very regular basis.
To have a large turnout allows for us to all get in touch with our peers, both friends and enemies alike, in a wonderful neutral zone area, trading drinks and boasting of conquests, and reforming connections that rarely occurs during the lonely year out in the wilderness of the hearing world.
Yes, I am extremely upset by this. Not because I spent $30 for a hour worth of disappointment. There are many people I rarely get the chance to meet, but I usually can count on this event over the past few years to catch up with their lives. That they apparently did not find the need, urgency, or even desire to show up leaves me with no opportunity to say, “hello” to dear friends and acquaintances for yet another year.
I wonders if PAD is a lost cause, and whether our community is in a need of something new to unify everyone. Shall we make this happen?
PAD has had their eyes (vision) rearranged 8 months ago. This comes from a trusty source in the treasury dept.
Richard… if you says that trusted source are telling you that they will rearrange..will they be willing to stick to the new system? I learned that current President and Treasurer (Vice President and Secretary positions vacant) will NOT seek re-election and election were postponed to January, (postponed election normally shows negative images and/or reputation of an organization’s government). They can tell you they will rearrange, but can they prove it? Let’s see if they can keep their word “rearrangement” to accomplishment. Their current visions right now are chiefly sponsorship awards and renovation, but not membership benefits.
8 months ago? then Social Swing 2007 should be given plentiful of time planned without disappointment as mentioned by Teej.
Allan Bernier
In reply to the recent comment of Allan – did he ever thought of membership benefits during his administration? No, if you ever read the minutes – you shall see the facts that he never thought of members’ needs or benefits. He only thought of himself – proof by his actions. A prime example – his attendance to NAD conference on PAD’s expenses and never bother to pass on what he learned from there!! Why? He was DRINKING at the whole time and basically too DRUNK to remember what he learned. Another prime example, when he was voted out by GENERAL MEMBERS in March 31, 2007(not solely on board members), he wouldn’t turn PAD’s property in such as sponsorship information and many more to ensure that all members get their fullest benefits. He simply left a huge mess for everybody to clean up. That’s why you are constantly getting negative emails from him. What does it says about him?? He is the ONE who did the harassment and NEGATIVITY advertisings on PAD, not the officers or board members of PAD. As well with all of the 2007 dates and the recent social swing’s date was reserved DURING ALLAN’S ADMINISTRATION AND APPROVED BY HIMSELF. The proof is once again in the minutes. Think about it very carefully and get BOTH SIDES of the story FIRST before you determinate on what went wrong.
Allan Bernier? Such an alcoholic [CENSORED, profanity -editor] who thinks the world revolves around him. Even people who supports him and his lame point of view agrees with me on that point.
Of course, I believe I know who are writing this… I have 20 serious enemies OUT of 200. I DO EXPECT you become so ANGRY at me because you guys don’t get what you want during my administration… and now, its July 2008, several months since your letters, and tell me what happened to PAD.. they are on verge of collapse…I drink, yeah, but I guess YOU GUYS WANT TO blame my drinking for my failure, but since I was the only President that got 2 organization of the year… End of Discussion, and, what more, I believe no social swing event again this year, 10th years anniversary of Memorial Day Weekend Bash was canceled, -1000 dollars loss on the event after DeafNation.
I had a lot, hundreds of people begged for my return… I told them no… I am happy out there because of the enemies who are jealous of my accomplishment..they cannot find a way but accusing me of drinking. Even one of my enemies got 2 DUI convictions, still even accusing me of drinking while I never had any DUI conviction. SO, Jesus said, anyone who never sin, can throw the first stone, I Belive those two authors above will even throw the stone…. lying about themselves.
God Bless!
Allan Bernier