Do you ask?

[WhoMe]

When you are asked to be on head staff, do you ask if you will get paid and how much?

If travelling a great distance to you ask if you will be put up in a hotel and be fed?

Do you ask for this to be in writing?

On the other hand,

If you are on a powwow committee...

Do you tell your headstaff how much they will make for being on your head staff?

If your head staff is coming from over a day's drive, do you put them up in homes or hotels and feed them?

Do you put this in writing?

[Josiah]

When you are asked to be on head staff, do you ask if you will get paid and how much?

If travelling a great distance to you ask if you will be put up in a hotel and be fed?

Do you ask for this to be in writing?

On the other hand,

If you are on a powwow committee...

Do you tell your headstaff how much they will make for being on your head staff?

If your head staff is coming from over a day's drive, do you put them up in homes or hotels and feed them?

Do you put this in writing?

yes
yes
in writing
yes
in writing
and
yes in writing
signed in blood
and in writing

[Coyot_In_The_House]

Like how my bro put it......

When you are asked to be on head staff, do you ask if you will get paid and how much?

If travelling a great distance to you ask if you will be put up in a hotel and be fed?

Do you ask for this to be in writing?

On the other hand,

If you are on a powwow committee...

Do you tell your headstaff how much they will make for being on your head staff?

If your head staff is coming from over a day's drive, do you put them up in homes or hotels and feed them?

Do you put this in writing?

We were working on a big Powwow and things were not running as smooth as we anticipated. So my bro called a meeting with the staff. He reminded them the very reason they were selected and the great amount of respect people have for them. He emphasized that our word is our bond and we put alot of weight in verbal agreements, and how our traditions make that possible....Then in a rather eloquent way he handed each staff member their signed contract and reitterated their legal obligation to uphold that and how the Committee could resind on that agreement and basically send then home.....Silence....Absolute silence.....Well to say the least things ran pretty dam smooth after that.....

Money talks and B.S. walks.....In other words just what Josiah said......

[legalstraight]

Hmm, the competing sides of my brain are coming out on this one. And, I just had this discussion with a committee.

Depending on when you get asked the writing only makes things easier. I say you at least send a letter to people so you have a record and they have a record.

For me personally if I am going to have to travel a long distance I do ask and make sure arrangements are made (also hotel does not mean any flea bag you can find- if you are gonna put me in a wacko place just give me the cash and let me find my own)

However, if one is local and I get asked I don't so much care, although if I am going to be AD I will ask them to put together all the ties and treats.

I have also been asked upon arrival to be emcee or AD after one did a no show on them.

[Eagle Plumes]

I dont want to intrude in on the men please for give my rudness, but would like to add my 2 cents. I never have askd how much, i figure if its good people comming to me asking i figure they know whats expectd of them, ive not been cheated yet . NOw thinking of my children I have askd if I have to travel if I will be put up, helps me packing wise ya know if i get a room i dont have to take all the camping stuff. And have more room for my give away items. And as Head-Lady I know whats expectd of me, im dress'd ahead of time and availble for any thing that they may need me for..
oh and so far no written contract , I say I can and im there, there was one pow-wow yrs ago I was head-lady and was nurseing my son i was always availble but if I need'd to excuse my self, I always apointd one of my nieces to step in ,but i always let some one know who was stepping in for me, but other than that i was always ready to go so to speak.

[chipster]

If you're being asked for head staff position, the committee should be the ones to know whether or not the individual in the local area or drives long distance. And know what to pay & have a room for them. As far as contracts, not many people uphold their end of agreement, especially if it's a handshake. The committee assumes that the person is coming, then the person doesn't show up because there was a better offer. So, the contract is a backup to make sure the person will be there. Also, for tax & budget purposes.

[Nezbah]

Well I agree, if your picking your staff the committee should know where they are coming from. If you don't want to pay hotels, etc then use someone local. I think its out of courtesy and respect that the committee 'puts them up' or at least offers a place to stay, if there is no hotel around. Plus use a hotel that is respectful and not a dive.

My son has been headboy a number of times but we discuss everything before he accepts. As I was taught, being asked is an honor so if you receive all this stuff its only right to give back. I think I spent more than we received on his giveaways or specials. I was taught always to honor the people, headstaff, and the committee. One year he was headboy 3 times, man, that just took hold of me financially, but I didn't mind, I was proud of him.

I don't really ask for a contract because a verbal agreement is always binding. However, I usually email everything, keep emails for at least a year or 2, so I have everything in black and white. In case something happens, I have all the documents. Maybe that's just my business side of me, own my own business for 7 years now. But I usually know the people I am dealing with and trust them. So far, crossing my fingers, nothing has happened to us.

We are not picky but the committee should include gas, rooms, first rate parking (lol), and the headstaff should be fed. I was always taught to treat your headstaff like royalty...LOL. Even at our social one in Dec for the kids, we treat everyone as equals, every one is treated well.

I just really believe treat everyone as you want to be treated back. Trust is a big big thing between the committee and headstaff.

[CHEROSAGE]

When you are asked to be on head staff, do you ask if you will get paid and how much?

If travelling a great distance to you ask if you will be put up in a hotel and be fed?

Do you ask for this to be in writing?

On the other hand,

If you are on a powwow committee...

Do you tell your headstaff how much they will make for being on your head staff?

If your head staff is coming from over a day's drive, do you put them up in homes or hotels and feed them?

Do you put this in writing?

No, I have never asked for money/ how much. I have raised my children the way I was taught, IF asked and available then give your help without asking for anything in return. I have been on occassion stiffed, if you will. I just rely on the Committees sense of respect.

No, we make our own arrangements unless the Committee makes the offer up front. I know a wonderful Committee in Texas. They have always offered a Motel room for us each time we travel down to help them out. We would rather stay with our great friends whom we consider to be family. They treat us as one of the family and we believe them to be part of ours. If this is not offered I will bring my camper and stay right there at the dance.

No, I have never asked for this to be in writing. In fact I am quite put off when someone/ Committee asks for a written contract. I feel my word is enough.

No, Our Committee has never discussed money with our Head
Staff first. I have had folks ask and then I will talk about it. We try to help our Headstaff the best we can. I believe we do a good enough job.

We have a lot of camping space at our dance. Our Committee pays for all the camping at the dance grounds, this is at the MO State Fair Grounds. They don't give anything away. We are State Residence and they will take everything they can get from us. I have just recently started to give a room for our Headsinger. I know I would rather camp if possible.

No, our Committee doesn't require a written contract. IF, we ask someone to help and they back out on us we just find someone else who can help. I personally will spread the news about the person who was the no show. NOW, on the other hand IF the person had a real reason for not being here I can understand, Things like a death in the family, accidents, Military matters and other such things. These are reasons beyond our control and anticipation.

I think I have answered all the (?)s.

[Zeke]

1. If I don't know you, I don't accept.
2. If I know you, I'm not doing it for $$$ or a room, anyway.

Seems to keep any issues from coming up.

[50cal]

Hmmmm.....I usually go thru negotiations.....and I would be willing to put anything in writing, because it not only holds you to your word but to the committees as well....2 way street here.....I negotiate what my singers would like and I also ask what they are willing to offer.....everytime, both parties are satisfied with the outcome.....only thing I don't like doing is phone negotiating.....I'd rather talk to the person and get a feeling for them, you can just read a person well that way......and as for camping, I don't miind it at all.....but you know the saying, whats good for the goose may not be good for the gander......just because you like something a certain way or do it a different way doesn't mean someone else is going to like/do it that way..........

[TKMJ Productions]

When I am asked to do stuff, I give my requirements in writing. A Staurday night in a close hotel room is a must. I need my down time. If offered a place in someone's home. My first question is "smoking or non". If they say no smoking, then I say no staying. There may also be things that I do that requires me to be alone. Like prayer. I do not like to be questioned about what I do. Also in someone's home upon looking around, sometimes there are things questionable to me or things I do not agree with. Those things may make me feel uncomfortable. They may be right for the owner but not right for me. For example some tribes do not agree with owl feathers or specific icons of sorts. Could you sleep in a home where things may bother you? I can't!

Actually my requirments are very reasonable. All I really ask is a clean place to stay where I can feel comfortable and not questioned about my ways. I do not need a fancy hotel room and an indoor pool with a hot tub. I do require a safe and reasonable place. No hookers knocking or porn TV is my way. I also require my fuel costs taken care of. If my drive is more then two hours from home, I also require a Friday evening stay because I will leave home on Friday so I will be well rested for powwow on Saturday. Anything else is icing on the cake!

[Kamama]

If I dont know the people asking me, I like to put it in writing, or atleast save copies of emails or what have you. I havent had to do written contracts in a while though, and normally they have asked me how much I need/want. Which, is never that much. I dont always ask for a hotel room, unless its like the middle of October for example, as sometimes we like to camp on the grounds with everyone, or if its a Friday-Monday thing, I do like to shower. (although sometimes we can bum a shower offa a friend that has a room). Like TKMJ said, it doesnt have to be a super fancy place with a pool and hot tub, as long as it has a bed, a shower, and wake up calls, Im happy.....oh, and a Denny's across the street. LOL. jus' kidding about the Denny's........maybe

[TKMJ Productions]

If I dont know the people asking me, I like to put it in writing, or atleast save copies of emails or what have you. I havent had to do written contracts in a while though, and normally they have asked me how much I need/want. Which, is never that much. I dont always ask for a hotel room, unless its like the middle of October for example, as sometimes we like to camp on the grounds with everyone, or if its a Friday-Monday thing, I do like to shower. (although sometimes we can bum a shower offa a friend that has a room). Like TKMJ said, it doesnt have to be a super fancy place with a pool and hot tub, as long as it has a bed, a shower, and wake up calls, Im happy.....oh, and a Denny's across the street. LOL. jus' kidding about the Denny's........maybe

Denny's is cool. I can handle a place like that. Opened 24/7 for coffee and food. I don't even mind driving a few miles for a place like that.

There is a place in Hurracane WV where we all stoped for a bite to eat after a powwow. It was me, smartybell, Red Shield, Little Red Blanket, our daugter, and about 10 or 12 other people from the drums. All you can eat!!!!! Big mistake on the restuarunts part.

After the food fest we all started singing powwow songs and having a good time. The manager was NOT very happy with us for making "all that noise".

You should have seen the looks other patrons gave us. If looks could kill, we would have never made it out of there alive.

So we escaped out the back door.

Yes, we paid the bill before we left.

[Kamama]

Denny's is cool. I can handle a place like that. Opened 24/7 for coffee and food. I don't even mind driving a few miles for a place like that.

There is a place in Hurracane WV where we all stoped for a bite to eat after a powwow. It was me, smartybell, Red Shield, Little Red Blanket, our daugter, and about 10 or 12 other people from the drums. All you can eat!!!!! Big mistake on the restuarunts part.

After the food fest we all started singing powwow songs and having a good time. The manager was NOT very happy with us for making "all that noise".

You should have seen the looks other patrons gave us. If looks could kill, we would have never made it out of there alive.

So we escaped out the back door.

Yes, we paid the bill before we left.

Hmmm, all you can eat near Hurricane.... it HAD to be Golden Corral, or Ryans. Looks like me and Danny wont be at that pow wow this year, I think we're at Tawawa Springs OH pow wow that weekend, if I have the dates right.

[TKMJ Productions]

Hmmm, all you can eat near Hurricane.... it HAD to be Golden Corral, or Ryans. Looks like me and Danny wont be at that pow wow this year, I think we're at Tawawa Springs OH pow wow that weekend, if I have the dates right.

I haven't even posted my schedule yet for 2009. Between powwow and concerts, I only have a few weekends left opened this summer. Get em while the getting is good if you want a sound system for your powwow!