AISC first time powwow

[musicedu77]

Hello. AISC are putting up a powwow next year. It will be our first powwow. For a first powwow and being on a limited budget. What is the ideal lowest amount for a competitive powwow for like 1st, 2nd and 3rd place?
Should I make traditonal seperate (northern from southern)? I've danced at some powwow that combine them.
Any tips you can give me that would be great?

[WocusWoman]

I've been to powwows that gave as little as $100, $75, and $50. Also, don't go overboard on categories; mens fancy, traditional, and grass and then womens fancy, traditional, and jingle. Keep it the same for the youth categories. Another thing that is nice is to give promotional items along with the cash, maybe a nice AISC powwow t-shirt or something. Do what you can, if you could also put on a potluck or potlatch for your dancers and drums, that will keep them happy.

[musicedu77]

thats a good idea:) thanks because we need all the help we can get with this. for sponsors we are asking local radio stations, and restuarantes so far.

[musicedu77]

contest prices i think were going to keep it as such
100,75,50 for all catagories and ages but we are also in th e process of making some really nice t-shirts there is a co. that does silk screening here. and well give away that or something nicer to the winners. or both. and a goody bag to every dancer etc..just like a thank you gift for coming. depending on how much dontations from soon events, funding etc.. we get we might raise the price for the compeition.

i think since it is our first yay i agree maybe we should be careful about the admissions prices. maybe lowering it to 2-3 dollars for adults i dont know just yet we are still in preplans for all of this. any advice on how much to charge ppl? i want ppl to walk away happy.

[WocusWoman]

The other way to get free t-shirts, is to get the sponsors to purchase them, in exchange for their logo placed somewhere on them like the sleeve or off to the side.

[musicedu77]

now i like and i stress i like that i dea alot especially about being free.i think what i will do is talk to the companies and see what they think bout this..were bound to get a couple sponsors..

[Mato Winyan]

contest prices i think were going to keep it as such
100,75,50 for all catagories and ages but we are also in th e process of making some really nice t-shirts there is a co. that does silk screening here. and well give away that or something nicer to the winners. or both. and a goody bag to every dancer etc..just like a thank you gift for coming. depending on how much dontations from soon events, funding etc.. we get we might raise the price for the compeition.

I think since it is our first yay I agree maybe we should be careful about the admissions prices. Maybe lowering it to 2-3 dollars for adults i dont know just yet we are still in preplans for all of this. any advice on how much to charge ppl? i want ppl to walk away happy.

Usually the teens and jrs get less than adults...... just a thought. also tiny tots get like $5.

You can do programs and sell those. Talk to local printers. They could cut ya a deal in exchange for free advertiseing. You can get local businesses and realtors etc to kick in $X for a space in your program. That helps to pay the printing bill and get some bucks. Then any you make off selling them is easy money.

Go to every business and ask for donations for raffles and donations to the powwow...... tell them their name will be printed in the program as a sponsor. You'd be surprised how people will help. For us the local lumber yard would loan us boards for making benches with milk crates loaned from the local dairy. We got all kinds of gift certificates from lighting stores, restaurants, movie places...... all kinds of things. You go to a store....... ask for the manager. Oh....don't forget business supply places, craft stores and yeah..... even churches. Everyone wants there name out there...... let em know your willing to do THEM a favor.

[RedShield]

When is your pow wow? If we can I'd like to come up and do some singing, or maybe us and some friends of ours may be up... Some advice though, don't schedule against the Indiana, Penn State, OSU, U of M or MSU pow wows, you'll get a few more dancers that way... plus we're already planning on hitting the OSU and PSU pow wows... LOL

Good luck with everything (you have any Pepsi or Coke plants around? normally they'll sponsor pretty good!)

Paselo!

[musicedu77]

Sorry for not being on here as much I been caught up in things with school. yay we have a pepsi plant around here somewhere one of my members is getting the address for me. Since there is no budget just yet I am starting off first by writing to co.'s for donations and putting the money into our organization account. then do some pre palnning make out a budget and ask around how much each drum would cost and so on? Hopefully, we won't have to pull out any loans cuz that's not the way I would prefer to go but we should be just fine.

I have a good feeling from all the help on here and help from friends and from teh university this is going to be one awsome powwow. Then once we get our budget and so on we'll get the letters out to all vendors( food etc.)This year we might keep our powwow prizes low in the money because it's our first powwow and then next year add more money onto the contest prize. I think maybe that might be the way to go. I just found out that we have 2 locations of possible to have it at either the stadium which is biiiiiig or the flat lands area which is four times the size of our stadium. bad thing this will be an outdoor powwow so since it's in april we may have problems with weather.

Well I have to get back at making next meeting agenda.

[Mato Winyan]

I think it was asked before ....... where is this powwow going to be?

I would suggest too about the drums ........ going to some powwos and hearing them in person. You'll also get a feel on how they act and etc. If that isn't possible then I would have drums that are being considered to submit a tape of different style songs.... and get some references. That is key. Yeah........sad to say there are some big name drums that have some negative stuff attached to them. One big point is......... never pay ahead. Case in point........ big name drum came on a Friday........ said they needed money for motel, food etc. Got some bucks .........never came back. Have them sign a contract! Um..... can you hear me now........ HAVE THEM SIGN A CONTRACT! For me........ I would have it state that if there were any members drinkin or druggin......... they would not get paid either at all or entire amount depending on circumstances. Just a few thoughts.

[WhoMe]

...... never pay ahead. Case in point........ big name drum came on a Friday........ said they needed money for motel, food etc. Got some bucks .........never came back. Have them sign a contract! Um..... can you hear me now........ HAVE THEM SIGN A CONTRACT!

Mato,

I heard about that.

If it's any consolation, that same drum - from Nebraska - has also done that to other powwows. Word has gotten around.


Yes, a contract is a good thing for both parties.

[musicedu77]

The powwow will be April 28th and 29th. That's a good idea for the contract it makes things secure on both parties. Should I have everyone do a contract?

[musicedu77]

Meaning,
vendors, singers, etc...

[musicedu77]

btw i just noticed the pic i know this is off the subject but that poor dog*l*

[WocusWoman]

The powwow will be April 28th and 29th. That's a good idea for the contract it makes things secure on both parties. Should I have everyone do a contract?

YES, get everything spelled out in writing some where. That way when someone questions something, the Emcee or committee can point them to your paper work that spells out your powwow rules and protocal.