Kestrel:

The Street Team has been a mess for years.  In the past when I've inquired they couldn't tell me anything, not even that I had a leader.  I found out after promoting a couple shows on my own that there was one.  But I think the areas are too large in the states.  I live in central Ohio and my leader is in NY.  That doesn't seem practical to me.  While I agree it is helpful to have a leader organizing the efforts, I think it does make sense for materials to be shipped directly to individuals instead of to a leader that then has to ship them to another state.

As for those existing lists, how current are they?  If the powers that be want to actually get this type of activity ORGANIZED, why not start over (beginning with the existing team leaders, so don't bite my head off, please).  And it is never wrong to ask for additional help!  Newer fans tend to be more enthusistice than many fans that have been around for years, but aside from that, why exclude fans just because they weren't around the last time street teams were mentioned?  Which hasn't been for quite a long time, I might add.

 

 Your street team leader is in NY because at the time, no one else volunteered for it....I just told Fiona to hand me what ever needed a very organized leader.  So she took me at my word. At one point I had folks in NB too, til they got a leader. Basically any area that didn't have a leader was given to me..because I volunteered. Anne and I also offered our held to any leader that got assigned after we did...and on a former incarnation of the board we had a private forum so that leaders could share ideas. It was more popular to be sure as each tour came up, but it made it easier for us to talk with out having to go "off board"  and the PTB could keep an eye on what we were up to .

 As for excluding any that is not what any of the team leaders are saying...what we are saying is that we - who have worked our tails off for years- should not be pushed aside because new folks come in.   

 The Buffalo team as well as most of Western NY has always been one of the most active and most productive teams around.  And we'd welcome even more folks but the leaders have had questions for a while now, both during tours and during the "off season" as to how the PTB are handling things - questions that affect us and our efforts.

 The last time the street team was mentioned was at the start of the last tour.  And that was the last time I tried to contact the folks on my list. I sent out about 400 emails and got a darn good response.  Many of the folks I spoke to tho' don't have access to digital camera, so they feel unwanted. I can see why the PTB want pictures taken, but just as we should not be excluding folks because they are new, why do we need to exclude folks because they can't afford a digitial camera?

  The leaders, past and present, have always had questions - we always will.  Don't take the fact that I ask them in open forum, as an indication that I don't welcome new people...I just don't think the old folks should be tossed aside either.

 I any one in any of the areas  I serve wants to contact me.. the email I have for the street team is gbsstreetteam@gmail.com.  Don't try to PM me...I don't even check those anymore.  :)

 

 

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Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus
"Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." E. Wiesel
OKP's Resident B****
Imprudens est draconem vivum de consiliis tuis omittere.
Steet team Leader for NYS, OH and Southern Ontario.

I hesitate to post this, because I don't want to offend anyone (plus I have already offered to help in Pittsburgh, so you can see I'm somewhat conflicted on this one)...but does anyone besides me have any qualms about volunteering our time for a profit-making entity (i.e. GBS, their management, etc.)?

It's one thing to ladle soup at the food pantry, and another to work for free like this, you know? Now I know that spreading the word about what a great time you can have at a GBS show is a public service of a sort, and I also understand that free merchandise, etc., may be given to the volunteers, so there is some compensation. 

But I have to admit I have some mixed feelings.  I believe college kids, etc., used to be paid minimum wage for stuff like this.

Any thoughts about this? 

Hi annette,

 Well, since you brought it up, I will put my 2 cents in...... along the same path of thought, I have to wonder about this "contest" for GBS shirt designs.  I have seen my fair share of contests like this in the last 30 years and I can tell you I've never seen a contest where there is no "prize" .  If you go and check into the contest thread, you'll notice that there is not even a "free T-shirt" given for the so-called "winner" , I put "winner" in quotes because I'm not sure so sure you are a "winner" if you are not even going to get a free t-shirt, or a couple of free tickets to a GBS concert in your town.

Wouldn't that be nice ? - The boys giving out a ticket or 2, and then even announcing you as the winnter of the T-Shirt contest ( at the show you are at ? ) -- to me this is great free publicity, and can get more fans on board, as they are a band that gives back to their fans. 

Seriously, how much do a few T-shirts cost ? etc.... anyway I found that a bit disappointing, and was dismayed to see that GBS would decide no free "stuff" was in order.

And yes, I know there will be those who say, that it's enough to have your design on a GBS T-Shirt, but wouldn't it be nice *also* getting that T-Shirt as a gift ?.  It's not too fun being the contest winner and having to shell out your own money to buy a shirt you helped design now is it

 

Anyway, that's life I guess.
 

annette:

Any thoughts about this? 

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My basement homebrew bar area

Annette,

I don[t know of any Street Team members for any band who get paid. GBS is not well known down here and can use all the promo they can get. Especially in those cities they haven't played much in.

And frosty, there are perks to doing this. Or at least there used to be. Thing is - unless you take a photo of the posters you put up, no one connected to the band might know about it. The posters are sometimes inside on bulletin boards, etc.

And Louis Thomas, the b'ys manager,  is the one who calls the shots for the Street Team. No one on the site has any input that I know of, other than to forward messages from Louis.

Anne

Anne

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And when the winds of change begin to blow,
I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

Sons of Maxwell

visit my website!:
Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com

Annette, I've never had any qualms about doing this. I've had a tonne of fun doing it, helped make a band that I love better known and gotten to know some pretty fine folks. As Anne said there used to be perks for doing this, I beleive they hinted at perks this time, from the band. Once upon a time when Clear Chanel was the promoter in Buffalo, they were absolutely wonderful to work with. Nice, nice people who appreciated the work the fans did. Some promoters are harder to work with, some we won't get into . GRRRRR. But that was never why I, personally got involved with the Street Team. I love the band, I love helping to promote it and someday I hope to be rich enough to hire them myself. ( Hey, I can dream, can't I?) For me, ever since I got involved in the street team, the start of a new tour was something to look forward, because I loved doing the postering, ect. yes, I'll admit to being weird.

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Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus
"Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." E. Wiesel
OKP's Resident B****
Imprudens est draconem vivum de consiliis tuis omittere.
Steet team Leader for NYS, OH and Southern Ontario.

Some good points raised here...one thing I'd want to emphasize is that if the street team leaders/volunteers enjoy what they're doing, then it's a good thing for them.  Obviously, the equation works in that case.  And I don't necessarily think it's weird that you enjoy doing the work, Andi - I knocked on hundreds of doors last fall for a local candidate I supported, and I actually enjoyed that, too, to an extent (and that's even weirder ...).

And yes, I'm aware that the "street team" idea seems to be getting more and more popular among bands (why not?), and that none of them pay their "teammates." Maybe it's because I worked for a nonprofit organization for several years, and it was a challenge to recruit people to spend their time/money with us...but I am somewhat uncomfortable with volunteering my time to make other people richer.

That being said - if it's fun for you, and if the promoters treat you with the gratitude and respect you deserve, it's great.  I would suggest, though, that perks are relevant, as a tangible way of expressing that gratitude - good perks, such as free tickets and perhaps a chance to meet the band (if that's not too unwieldy)...

In the end, strangely enough, I may even do this, because I know that the Pittsburgh neighborhood where GBS will be playing is full of bars, music stores, etc. - prime postering territory.

Andi, if you're the resident something-or-other (a characterization that seems unfair), then I guess I can be the resident socialist... 

For me, the biggest "perk" is that a good turnout at the show makes it more likely they'll return! 

I've been a part of numerous street teams and have put up posters for two GBS shows alone and never gotten thing beyond the satisfaction of seeing a crowd.  Oh wait, the CL guys said thanks and I got hugs.  I guess that's a perk but it was an unasked and unexpected one.  ;o)

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~Kes


Desperate times call for desperate measures
Open your mind to all life's little pleasures
The hole in this world could be healed if by chance
everyone just stood up, took their pants off and danced

~Bruce Guthro

"Andi, if you're the resident something-or-other (a characterization that seems unfair), then I guess I can be the resident socialist... "

 

 Thanks Annette, you can be anything you want. I call myself that because I don't think it's necessarily an insult. It seems to me that that word gets hurled at Girls and women when they stick up for themselves or go against the social norm, than when they are actually being bitchy.  I hate the fact that the "girl words" are far too often used as insults (especially towards men) and it's my little contribution towards  "reclaiming" that particular girl word. 

 

  
 

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Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus
"Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." E. Wiesel
OKP's Resident B****
Imprudens est draconem vivum de consiliis tuis omittere.
Steet team Leader for NYS, OH and Southern Ontario.

Hey everyone,

Our intention is not to replace anyone that was previously on the GBS Street Team. However, since the Street Team has not been used in awhile - the list is out of date; so we're using this tour to populate a new list.

Also, we want to offer this fun opportunity to new members of the community and anyone who missed out last time around.

If you were previously on the Street Team and want to take part again, let us know in an e-mail to help@greatbigsea.com 

Any questions, let me know!

-Nicopop

 

Well, color me amused...but not really.  I finally got an email response to my offer to help out with the Street Team here in St. Louis.  Considering the show is tonight, it seems a little late.

Here's hoping that means they'll sometime come back here.  I'm still more than willing to help in any way I can, whenever I can.  It just kind of made me chuckle. 

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--Tina

Come on, now. Let's lock the world outside! Hang your jacket from the door...grab a chair and raise a jar!

Me too.  The show is Friday.  *snorts*

Of course... it is sold out... but still!! 

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~Kes


Desperate times call for desperate measures
Open your mind to all life's little pleasures
The hole in this world could be healed if by chance
everyone just stood up, took their pants off and danced

~Bruce Guthro

Hey everyone,

To those of you that have already signed up for the Street Team, a great big thanks!

We're now putting out an open call for everyone to join the Street Team.

If you are interested in helping us spread the word about the boys, please e-mail help@greatbigsea.com with your name and the city you live in.

Don't worry if the boys aren't touring your city at the moment, we'd still love to have you on board.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Cheers,

Nicole
 

Ah, the joy of differing opinions!  I sent my email off today to be on the list - again.  So what if it's the 3rd time I've done it?  I know more people now than I did the last two times, so I have more people to bring into the fold.  It's a fun way to meet folks, talking about the music you listen to.  I'm hoping the boys will come back to New Haven at some point, I'd love to host an OKP meet up!

Last week, I took my friend's mix CD out of her CD player when she wasn't looking and put "Play" in instead.  She liked it and I got to giggle hysterically when she went "what the h*!! is this?"  Beware, musical changes abound....

 

Cheers all!

Kati 

 

 

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"Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength." - John Wesley

"If you wanna touch the sky, better learn how to kneel" - U2

Hmmm... this is all very intriguing...but I'm a good two hours from the closest location on that list.  Does that mean anything?

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~Squeezy~
I can wiggle my bum and I can slide on my tummy!
"Alan's true calling [is] to be a whacko percussionist... to hit things with mallets." ~ Sean McCann

squeezeboxsarah:

Hmmm... this is all very intriguing...but I'm a good two hours from the closest location on that list.  Does that mean anything?

It's no problem at all!

We're reworking the Street Team and want to populate the list with people from all over, so go ahead and sign up.