Final Report Example

1. Please describe the project as implemented.

After the Dance weekend at the Christian Conference Center in Ocala, Florida with 50 registrants, on Sunday evening the people staying for the Leader Training came to Dancing Peacock Paradise. That evening volunteer dance leaders led a dance for the other participants including Amida. The Dance was suggested by Diana with the intention that Amida see where the leaders are in their ability and experience, and use it as a basis for feedback the next day. Tom Malcolm organized the Dance meeting. (By the way, the registration form had requested information about the leaders’ experience, needs, and expectations that was emailed to Amida ahead of time)

Information for Amida if you will be attending Monday’s leader training

Name

Where do you usually dance?

Have you led before? Under what circumstances?

What would you like to learn at this Training?

What specifically do you need to work on?

Are you certified? _____ A mentor?

interested in certification? Do you have a mentor? Who?

On Monday, January 20, Amida led "Deepening in the Dance," training for DUP leaders.

Fifteen people attended: 8 from Florida and 7 from out-of-state.

Certification status: 1 mentor, 4 certified leaders, 6 leaders in training, 4 “not yet”

leaders

Mentors represented by the attendees: 8

Amida was hesitant to give feedback on the previous night’s leading, saying simply that it was “painful.” Even with such a comment he was able to keep people feeling good about themselves and dance leading and himself. He has a winning way with people by being loving and by using humor, and he gains respect by his presence, expertise, musicianship, and creativity.

As promised, the session focused on transmission, and Amida was a living example of connection and transmission of the dances and attunement.

Amida led dances that he had led during the weekend, but with the difference that he told us more background, and more of how and why he did it. He gave some tips for playing guitar and leading. There was individual attention during breaks and meals with help in the "what is the next step for me." As an example, Amida’s advice to me personally for my next steps were that

I am ready to lead a weekend retreat by myself

he would be willing to co-lead a leader training with me

it would be helpful if I would bring through a dance

(which I thought unlikely, then Bernie and I collaborated on in Mexico!)

Amida and half the Dancers were still here on Monday night, so Amida led us in a “bonus” zikr.

2. Which of the goals and objectives cited in your project application were met through implementation of this project?

Goals were met:

a. Encourage excellence in dance leading and dance meeting facilitation.

b. Encourage cooperation, sharing of resources & talents among dance leaders & communities

16 different dance circles were represented in the leader training!

c. Promote and encourage increased participation in the Dances of Universal Peace

d. Enhance and develop local dance activity.

Friday night of the weekend retreat was open to the community. We had about 20 people attend in addition to the retreat registrants. They enjoyed dancing with so many people and with Amida, and talked about it enthusiastically afterwards. This increased the attendance at the following monthly Dances in the Ocala area.

Objectives were met:

a. Host a Dance Leader Training January 20, 2003, led by Amida Harvey.

b. Following a retreat weekend January 17-19, 2003, in Florida, led by Amida.

3. What evaluation method did you use and what were the results of your evaluation?

a. The leaders attending the training filled out a written evaluation on site.

v Full results are below.

v Overall the response was that the event was excellent.

v Amida received much praise

v Amida’s new dances were enthusiastically received, danced, and noted.

b. The dancers attending the retreat weekend filled out a written evaluation before leaving.

v Results below.

c. The leaders discussed the outcome of the weekend and made suggestions for improvement and for further training sessions.

v Amida was able to stay an extra day, so we had a chance to discuss the proceedings

v It seemed to be a positive experience for everyone

v Suggestions:

o A longer time would be better: a whole weekend of leader training or even more, to deepen together

o More opportunities for individuals to work on their leading with feedback.

o Having guidelines as to what kind of dances to present for feedback might help them make more appropriate selections. (Examples of what was led Sunday night by aspiring leaders included non-“Dances of Universal Peace,” “uncooked” new dances, combination dances - mixing 2 together, many in English)

o Having Amida’s new dances written up as handouts.

o Having different sessions for leaders with different levels of experience.

4. What lessons did you learn from doing this project?

v An advanced leader with experience and charisma is an inspiration to the attendees, worth the work and expense!

v Dancing Peacock Paradise is a warm and comfortable space for a small retreat.

v Having someone in our group do the food worked well

v Everyone was helpful and willing to share the work and the bathrooms!

5. Please provide a budget report of actual income and expenses that you incurred on this project. Be sure to include any in-kind contributions of labor or materials that you received.

	Cash	In-Kind Contributions	Totals
Income
Participant registration fees	$650		$650
13 x $50	$650		$650
Oneness Grant	500		500
Space rental ¼ day donated		100	100
Tuition Scholarship		50	50
Cook Scholarship		50	50
Guest leader lodging (donated)		50	50

Total Income	$1,150	250	$1,400

Expense
Food & catering	$150		$150
Dance & kitchen space rental:	300		300
1 day X $400 X ¾
Honoraria - guest leader	500		500
Tuition Scholarship		50	50
Cook Scholarship		50	50
Printing & Mailing; phone calls	40		40
Travel - guest leader: flight – leader training day paying ¼;	160		160
airport pickup	50		50
Guest Leader Lodging donated		50	50
Tithe to PeaceWorks	50		50
Total Expense	$1,250	150	$1,400

Evaluation - Florida Dance Leader Training with Amida Harvey

Dancing Peacock Paradise – Jan 20, 2003

v Would you comment on your insights into transmission of the dances.

1. What does “transmission” of the Dances of Universal Peace (or of a spiritual message) mean to you?

v Understanding, depth of knowledge

v Absorbing the message and spirit from a leader

v Dancing the dance & allowing that dance to become a part of you especially the sacred phrase. It comes in stages of absorption

v Opening the dancers to experiencing the dances as deeply as they are able

v To embody “that” in a form that make it accessible to the dancers

v Transmission is being present with the people in the group and divinity embodied in the words, music, traditions, and truth.

v It means allowing the presence of God to enter into the sacred space we’ve created through our dance

v Being attuned to the Divine, and being able to transmit this

v Being a pure channel for the message or dance; being attuned to the tradition, mantra, and intention

v Learning to embody the message and let it show

v Receiving the essence of the message energetically

v Sharing Truth of our being to other parts of the whole

v Being able to convey the spirit or intention of the Dance so everyone can experience the Presence of God

v As teacher to student, energy beyond thought. It is soul to soul

v Taking the Dances within my heart, my self, so I can then bring them forth from myself to share with others

2. How has your view of transmission changed or deepened as a result of this training?

v That it’s not just the Silsila

v Being conscious of being in the present moment helps to be more focused on the here and now, therefore deepening my spiritual experience

v I am not sure if I can put words to it

v New perspectives and insights, via style, techniques, music

v It has been broadened

v I had not framed what I do in these terms. The knowing will allow me to deepen

v I’ve gotten some good suggestions on how to open dance participants

v I realize that it is probably the most important element of leading

v Being yourself – bringing your own being, your presence to the moment

v Importance of physicality… Learn to appreciate the body as an instrument

v More aware of “Presence” – being here now with the Dance

v Deeper past the physical Dance to embodiment of feelings and beliefs

v I liked hearing how others from outside my tradition view it. And that true Presence unites us all – new concept for me.

v I have a better appreciation of the importance of centering myself so I can transmit better

3. What do you see as your next step as a dancer, dance leader, or member of the International Network for the Dances of Universal Peace?

v Practice, practice, practice

v My next step is to take the feeling and experience and incorporate it in my everyday life. Be the Dance

v To attend more dances and study the dances and all on them

v To deepen in my own practice

v Get together with my mentor and communicate more

v Continuing leading and beginning a new circle in Ohio

v To really examine and clarify which role I want to play

v Interpreting this transmission into my leadership

v This has given me a commitment to learn new dances and lead with more presence

v Start another dance group at New College in Sarasota

v More individual study on my personal spiritual path, working with my mentor, continuing to lead the dances locally and attending workshops

v Leading weekend retreats myself

v Being more present, more intuitive – having more fun doing it

v Leading the Dance circle into a deeper attunement

v Keep learning and doing

v I would like to assist small groups to be a resource (maybe via email) to leaders with very small circles

v Learn more, lead more

v Would you give your response to aspects of the Leader Training experience

4 Overall, how would you rate the experience?

v Excellent - 4, want more, Great - 2

v Nourishing. Meaningful, insightful

v Good - 3, very good

v Beyond the beyond. Expanding
Enlightening and inspirational

5.. Your favorite part?

v Amida’s new dances - 6

o Dancing Amida’s Thic Nat Hanh” Dance

v Discussions that explained concepts in practical terms

v Learning one-on-one with Amida

v It’s hard to choose one part. Experiencing Amida, getting feedback, community – all were good. All of it

v Sharing dance-leader dilemmas

6. General Comments or Suggestions for Event Director (Diana)

v Thanks! Excellent job & preparations & sacred space

v Thank you for all your effort. Wonderful! Thank you!

v If I’d known taping was available, I’d have brought blank tapes & recorder. It would be nice if you had a directional mike set up to get good quality sound

v Keep up the great work – it is greatly appreciated

v Beautiful Space; gracious hostess

v Carry on. I would like to come back

v Consider qualifications of trainees – have a training for beginners, more advanced, mentored, etc.

v Get more directions from Amida to group on how to prepare for the workshop

v Beautifully organized and gracious. Diana did a great job of organizing

v Lucky to have crossed paths with you

7. What needs to be changed?

v Write evaluation over email. I always need a little space in time to let it absorb & think of these things

v Longer sessions

v Have leaders prepare questions and dances

v You need a separate kitchen area – maybe serve meals at the cottage?

v I look forward to your bathroom addition

v All is in perfection

v Provide time for each person to lead a dance for feedback

8. What suggestions do you have for improvement of future training sessions. :

v Longer. Longer, maybe 9-5

v More than one day

v More time for dance feedback

v Bring my tape recorder the remember melodies

v The thing that worked best was staying overnight so we all were here together in the morning and ready to go

9. Comments for the food manager (Jemila)

v Be assertive

v Excellent food – 3. Great job

v I loved the lettuce options

v Food was just excellent! I loved it! Thank you so much, Jemila

v Thank you -3

v Dellicious and on time

v Yummy desserts

v Wonderful food and menus

v Thanks so much for the wonderful meal and your gift of service

v Love you!

10. Quotable comment about Dancing Peacock Paradise (for future brochure)

v Nestled under the oaks

v A living paradise of peace in nature that allows you to connect with your own peaceful paradise within

v A beautiful setting for deepening in the Dances

v Beautiful, serene atmosphere that fed my soul!

v Don’t miss the nature trails

v Step out of the world into paradise

v The place to Be

v It is the embodiment of DUP land, home and Spirit

v I love staying here – I feel at peace.

v Looking out from the house through the tree-filled lawn, I saw a jewel of lake water reflecting back to me the quiet, peace, and joy found here.

v Truly a DUP paradise

The following questions were answered and given directly to Amida.

v Would you give Amida some feedback?

Comment on Content of the main sessions

What did you observe about Amida’s leading that you would like to emulate?

Evaluation Summary for Dance Retreat with Amida Harvey

Florida Christian Conference Center - 2003

41 responses – some answers were left blank, some marked more than one

1. Accommodations? _20_Excellent _20_Good _1_Fair _0_Poor

2. Dance room? _14_Excellent _20_Good _1__Fair _1_Poor

3. Outdoors? _12_Excellent _25_Good _3_Fair _0_Poor

4. Food _8_Excellent _24__Good _9_Fair _0_Poor

5. Price reasonable? _38_yes _0_no _3_ No answer

6. Like having items for sale? _38_yes _3_ No ans _25_purchases?

7. Announcements: 17 – Excellent 13 – Good 5 – More than necessary

8. Favorite 23 – Dancing with Amida 6 - Zikr, (Who Allah Twirl !)

5 - All 5 - Community of Beloveds

2 - Fireplace 2 - Morning practices

9. Continue? 10 - All 5 - Dancing

3 - Zikr 3 - Morning practices by fire 3 - Outstanding leaders

10. Change? 7 – Scheduling: Later in yr (Weather), Longer

6 – Content: add music workshop, eliminate new games

6 – Food: more fruit & veggies

11. Discomfort or inconvenience? 5 - Hard Dance Floor

12. Overall, how would you rate the experience?

31 - Tremendous, marvelous, inspirational, Heart-warming,

fulfilling, opening, Delightful, five star, uplifting, exquisite

13. Facilities 6 – Great 11 – Good 5 - large dance room 4 - Nice Fireplace

14. Content of the main sessions.

18 - Divine, lovely, interesting, helpful 9 - appreciated the new dances

15. Logistics, schedule, etc 10 – Excellent, 10 – Good

16. Suggestions: Many helpful suggestions on food and logistics. Thank you!

Confirmation & Information

2003 Florida Leader Training with Amida Harvey

Thank you for registering for the Leader Training with Amida.

Here’s some information for you.

Sunday afternoon: There will be time for you to visit Silver Springs across the street if you would like. It’s a major attraction with a first magnitude spring (not for swimming), glass bottom boats, flowers, & animals. www.silversprings.com

After taking down & packing up at the conference center, we can have something to eat in Ocala, then head out to the woods at Dancing Peacock Paradise, 20622 County Road 315, between Ft. McCoy & Orange Springs. Phone: (352) 546-1345

DIRECTIONS to Leader Training site:

(Detour from Ocala: Highway 315 is closed on the south side.)

From Christian Conference Center: Go left on Highway 40 in front of the camp to the blinking light at 326. Turn left. Turn right at the crossroads onto 35, the detour for 315, & go to the end. Turn right on 90th St, which is also called 97th at that point. Go to the end of 90th & turn left on 315. Turn North (Left) onto 315. Go straight through the blinking light in Ft. McCoy another 5 miles. Last street sign you will pass is 199th then look for the Yellow Gate on the left. Bear left down the driveway all the way to the house at the end.
The cottage driveway splits off to a right diagonal after you’ve come down about 1/3 mile.

From Ocala: From Hwy 40 east turn north (Left - from Ocala) on County Road 35, which is NE 55 Ave. That’s the corner of Wild Waters. Go straight north, crossing 326, until 35 ends at 90th St (AKA 97th). Go Right (East) on 90th until it ends. Turn North (Left) onto 315. Go straight through the blinking light in Ft. McCoy another 5 miles. Last street sign you will pass is 199th then look for the Yellow Gate on the left.

From Gainesville: I-75 or 441 south to 318. Turn Left (East) on 318 & go through the stoplight in Citra at 301, 4 more miles to 199th St. Rd. Turn right & go to the end. Turn left on 315 & go 1 block to the yellow gate on the left.

When you come down the driveway, please drive slowly to avoid wildlife, especially gopher tortoises, & to make the bumps easier on your car, & stay in the sand tracks, not on the grass.

On arrival, we will need some help unloading “stuff” from the camp, & you can take some time to “move in” to your room, refresh yourself, & take a look around the property. The rooms have linens on the beds and just about anything else you might need. Remember that spending the night at “Dancing Peacock Paradise” will be $25 & will include breakfast. This can be paid along with the retreat weekend fee.

Sunday evening: We plan to have a dance on Sunday evening, with anyone who attended the camp invited. We can dance in the gazebo if it’s a small group, or in the living room if it’s larger or cold. People who will be attending the leader training (YOU!) could have the option of leading a dance. Perhaps we could plan a little beforehand so it will flow smoothly. Or Amida is willing to lead us some more, although by then he will have had a long day, considering the time difference.

For those who are sleeping in on-site in “Paradise” there will be a simple breakfast on Monday morning at 9:00. If someone wants to lead practices earlier we could do that: elements breaths lakefront, or something else.

Leader training with Amida will begin at 10:00 AM * SHARP! *

Goals of the Leader Training

v Encourage excellence in dance leading & dance meeting facilitation.

v Encourage cooperation, sharing of resources & talents among dance leaders & communities

v Promote & encourage increased participation in the Dances of Universal Peace

v Enhance & develop local dance activity.

We'll have a late lunch, some free time in which to converse with Amida & other participants informally, or take a nature walk or boat ride, an afternoon session, & will end around 4:30 PM.

Jemila Felisko will be our cook & in charge of the kitchen. Everyone can sign up for one session of karma yoga before or after a meal to help her: 2 for each: breakfast set-up & clean-up, lunch set-up & clean-up.

Since we are on a septic system & have only one bathroom in the house, please use minimal toilet paper. We have the "Palmetto Pee Palace" a wonderful must-see open-air potty. There are 2 bathrooms in the cottage. If you are staying here overnight, we also have an extra shower with Lots of hot water, behind the laundry room in the pole barn.

Evaluation: Because we would like feedback to have better & better events, & because we have been awarded a grant from Oneness, we will need for everyone to fill out an evaluation after the event.
The evaluation will directly address your response to the workshop's purpose, namely "to focus on transmission - how to strengthen our connection with the dances so that transmission becomes who we are - through breath, body prayer & awareness practices" by having you write your insights into transmission & what your "next steps" will be.