On May 1st, you, the attendees at ROPECRAFT, got a very special email from Survey Monkey which contains a very special link:
Your Personal Enrollment Survey.
This is how you are going to get to tell us what your preferred classes are for ROPECRAFT Chicago. It’s not a guarantee that you’ll get in a class. Oh, man, that would be nice, wouldn’t it? We can’t quite do that – yet. But what we can do is make it an equitable process.
Blind Draws and No Waiting
It’s a simple idea which we’ve put a lot of effort into so that the process is as easy as possible for you:
- Click on the link and fill out the survey for each of the class sessions (there are full instructions there).
- On Friday evening we’ll do the blind drawing and create the door list for each of Saturday’s class sessions, and do the same on Sunday.
- Each night at midnight we’ll post the door list. If you’re not chosen for the class you selected, you still have options! Read the fetlife post or the survey instructions to learn about them.
Please fill out the survey as soon as possible. We are trying to make sure we get the classrooms set up in their most optimum configuration so that there’s plenty of room. The sooner you fill out the survey, the more accurate we can be! Change your mind? No problem! Just fill out the survey again and save your results – we’ll automatically update the Enrollment Pools to reflect your preferences.
Watch for the Survey
Remember, this is high-tech, and you’ll get the link to your personal survey from “surveymonkey.com”. If you don’t have it by May 3, please check your spam folders and if it’s still not there email [email protected] and we’ll make sure we figure out how to get it to you.
MORE QUESTIONS?
What do you use this information for?
- We will make sure our classrooms have the right equipment for the right number of people (some classes, naturally, have a cap on attendance).
- We will do blind drawings from each class “enrollment pool” to create a “Door List.” If your name is drawn, you get into that class without having to wait in line!
If your entry is not drawn, you still have a really good chance at attending the class – last year, everyone who stood in the standby line got into the class they wanted. Can’t remember what a class was about? Check out the descriptions here.
Does this reserve my space in the class?
This Survey does not reserve your place in a class.
It tells us you’re interested and it puts you into the Enrollment Pool for your preferred classes.
How does it work?
Here’s how it works:
We will randomly select from the Enrollment Pool for each class based on its maximum capacity. In order to make the event as fair and welcoming as possible, we’re asking people
- to select their top choice for each class slot.
- to let us know if they’re participating or observing
- to know if you’re coming to the class with a partner or meet someone (these last two apply to hands-on classes only)
At midnight on Friday and Saturday we will email you to tell you whether or not you are enrolled and post your name on the door lists in the common areas.
“I’m on the list! Now what?”
You may attend this class without worrying about whether there will be space available! Just head to the door five or ten minutes before class time.
“I’m on the list, but I changed my mind.”
You can choose to attend a different class during this class block – just check the board to see what is open or join the standby line for anything you like!
“I’m NOT on the list! I really wanted to attend this class!”
Relax! You can join the standby line for your preferred class. The odds of you getting in aren’t 100%, but they’re pretty good – last year, everyone who stood in standby lines got into the classes they were waiting for.
“Can I trade a class with someone who was selected for the class I want?”
Sure! Both of you should go to the help desk at least one hour before the class to make the switch.
“Can I game the system to increase my chances?”
Sure! Here’s some of the ways you can choose to improve the odds of getting into your class:
- You AND your partner can choose the same class, doubling your chances of getting into it (just remember, you have to specify who you’re attending with)
- You and your partner can choose DIFFERENT classes, increasing the odds of getting one you like (see above about attending)
- You can pay attention to the classes that are over-full (we’ll keep you updated via email and fetlife) and change your preferred classes (right up to 9pm the day before the class) to classes with fewer attendees
- You can choose to treat the StandBy line like a regular convention line, and show up early and wait. We don’t recommend this, but hey, you do you.
What if I get clever and find a way around the system?
Gaming is fine. Please do not cheat. We worked hard on this system in an effort to make access to classes equitable for all attendees. If you try to subvert that, you will simply lose the right to be in any Enrollment Pool and you’ll be on standby for EVERYTHING.
Most classes will have plenty of room. This will help more attendees get to the classes they are most interested in faster, without having to wait in long lines, leave classes early, or jockey for position.
How soon do you need the survey?
The sooner you fill this survey out, the sooner we can start making arrangements to get everybody where they want to be AND the sooner we can tell you what your chances are of attending what you’d like to so you can make and adjust plans!
