Sample Dialog B -
Convincing a Co-workerMembership Chair - Our next membership drive is only a few weeks away, and now is the time to start asking your friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to visit the chorus. But how should you go about this? What should you say?
In this role-play, you'll see the importance of keeping a positive attitude when talking to the public about Sweet Adelines. See if you can find anything in this role-play which our member should have done differently...
Script 1
Member - Hey, Jane. How's it going?
Co-worker - All right, Sally. What's up?
Member - Nothing much. I just thought...well... did I ever tell you that I sing with this Sweet Adelines chorus?
Co-worker - Um, I don't know. Is that the one that rehearses on Tuesdays? The one that you're always saying makes you tired on Wednesday because you have to stay out so late rehearsing?
Member - Yeah, that's the one. It really gets exhausting. Sometimes I just want to go home and go to bed rather than stay there and rehearse the same things over and over again. Our director can really be a slavedriver.
Co-worker - That's too bad.
Member - Yeah, well anyway, we're having like this membership drive thing in a couple weeks and, well... I don't suppose you'd want to go or anything...
Co-worker - Oh. Well, no, I don't think so. Tuesdays are always really rough at work, so I'd rather go home and relax.
Member - Yeah, I understand. Well, I suppose I better get back to work. Have a good day, Jane.
Co-worker - You too, Sally.
Membership Chair - You can see from this situation how if you vent your frustrations about the chorus to people outside the hobby, it can come back to haunt you when it comes to recruiting members later. But in addition to keeping a positive attitude about Sweet Adelines, you also need to be persistent and give the potential member reasons to say yes. See if our member does any better in this roleplay.
Script #2
Member - Hey, Jane. How's it going?
Co-worker - All right, Sally. What's up?
Member - Actually, I wanted to ask you something. I heard that you used to sing in a church choir years ago. Do you like to sing?
Co-worker - Sometimes. It's been a long time, though.
Member - Oh yeah? Well, did you know that I sing with our local Sweet Adelines chorus? It's a little different than a choir, but it's a lot of fun! We're looking for some new members, and I was wondering if you might want to come along with me to a rehearsal next week.
Co-worker - Next week. I don't know. I'm kind of busy. I've had to work a lot of overtime lately.
Member - I know what you mean. It's been pretty hectic here in the office. But you know, music can be a great stress-reliever. Even after a long day of work, I usually find that I perk up as soon as I get to my chorus rehearsals. Like I said, it's a lot of fun, and we only rehearse one night a week.
Co-worker - Hmm. Sounds tempting. But I haven't sung in a long time. I don't know if I'd be good enough.
Member - Oh, I'm sure you'd probably be fine. Lots of our members have come into our group without ever having sung in any chorus before. We have a great director and we use learning tapes to help people along, and we even have section leaders that can help people with their part.
Co-worker - Okay. Well, let me think about it.
Member - Sure. In the mean time, here's a copy of a brochure that tells a little bit about our chorus. Look it over and let me know if you have any questions. I'll check back in before our next rehearsal, and maybe you can catch a ride with me.
Co-worker - Okay, Sally. Thanks for the tip!
Membership Chair - By assauging the fears of her co-worker, our member may very well have found the next new member of the chorus. Do any of the words in these skits sound familiar? Think about how you can approach potential guests and gently yet confidently invite them to a rehearsal. A little thought and one-on-one contact with the potential guest can go a long way!
