Shorter or Longer Seminars? Local Groups?

 With the recent cancellation of two seminars (one weekend and one three day) due to lack of signups, I think we need to get a better idea of how our "mix" of shorter and longer events is working. 

The overall trend seems to be considerably fewer weekend seminars at Four Springs, and fewer long summer seminars, due in part to our having to pay an up front deposit that will be forfeited after a certain date. That means if we don't get enough people signing up earlier, we have to "pull the plug" or risk a financial loss for the Guild.

On the other hand several things seem to be promising: our various one day seminars (such as the "Golden Thread" series last year and some "expedition" events Susanna Singer and I have organized), seem to get nice sized groups (maybe 6-10 people), often with several new faces. The low cost and accessibility helps. On the other hand, that same low cost means there is little likelihood of leaders receiving any compensation for the time and effort of planning these events.

The energy and interest shown by some groups of out of state Guild "friends" is also encouraging, particularly the group around Washington, D.C. that Hal Childs has been working with.

There also seem to be sustained interest in local groups whose regular events seem to have built a community ... I'm thinking of "More Fire for Life" and "Nourishing the Soul."

Where do you think we should be focusing? What kind of events would you like to see? Would you be interested in forming a regular Guild group in your area, working with one or more leaders on a particular theme or interest?