melbourne-flashmob wrote:
To:
melbourne-flashmob@yahoogroups.com
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Hey mobbers,
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Okay, the mob is getting anxious... so here it is:
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It's happening ***SATURDAY 13th September***... around 4pm in central
Melbourne, Australia. Lots of people will be happy that we've chosen
a weekend. Lots of people will be unhappy. No, we won't change the
day cos it's your Mum's birthday, or cos you've got a Netball game.
And YES, we'll be using SMS again. If you're stuck in the 80's and
don't yet have a mobile - we're really sorry. My only suggestion is
to get a friend to join/register, and use their mobile.
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If you can make it, please read on carefully. If you can't - well,
I'm sure you'll read on anyway with a sense of loss. Unlucky! - Chin
up.
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Now, for the flashmob guidelines (lifted from the sydmobbers--
thanks). From the accounts of anyone that has participated in a
FlashMob, it's the actual end of the whole planned act that really
leaves the impact on both those involved and those watching.
Witnessing 100+ complete strangers suddenly come together and perform
something in itself is impressive enough, but seeing those same
people suddenly leave the area in totally random directions acting
like nothing actually took place is where the real fun begins.
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Here's some basic guidelines for the final act of a planned Flashmob:
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- If you are attending a mob with either a partner or a large group
of friends, organise to meet at a designated spot after the act has
taken place. Preferably this spot should be far enough away so that
people who have just witnessed the event don't put 2 and 2 together.
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- When the act is over, disperse from the area at the time mentioned
in the SMS. Choose a direction and leave alone. This cannot be
stressed enough. Leave no trace. The dispersion is just as
important as the mob itself.
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- Try and not converse with anyone when you are assembling at or
leaving the area. If someone really wants to ask what happening,
shrug and deny any knowledge - especially if they look like they're
media related. Don't talk to them! What just took place didn't
actually take place at all.
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- If you're attending the mob with digital equipment and wish to take
a photo at some stage, try and allocate yourself away a bit from the
area. Or have a friend organized to take the wanted shots for you so
you don't miss out on the fun.
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- There has been reports at some mobs that participants have suddenly
gone into a round of applause at the end of the act just before the
disperse happens. Even if the SMS instructions don't outline this
action during the act, there's nothing actually wrong with doing
it.
Feel free to share your appreciation with fellow mobbers. But ensure
you still disperse as planned.
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- When the disperse happens, leave the area in a calm and sensible
manner. When you have a group of people which could reach well over
100 it's never a good idea to initiate a mass stampede, the threat of
a real injury happening is quite real. Don't spill onto the streets,
we're NOT wanting to stop or hinder normal life, just make it more
interesting for a few minutes!
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- If there is a presence of authority (police, security etc) and they
give out explicit instructions to leave the area, do so. Even if its
before the designated disperse time. Having people arrested for
taking place in a flashmob is not the kind of attention we are
seeking - and won't happen unless you do something stupid. If police
are around, they are there to ensure public safety - and our flashmob
will not be harming anything or anyone. So don't get stressed at
their presence either.
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- Leave nothing behind but the lasting effect on the minds of your
fellow mobbers and the witnessing general public.
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By abiding by these guidelines your mob experience should be a total
success. These are simply guidelines which have worked well with
other organised mobs globally, and in practice you will understand
how and why they work so well.
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======
Now, for the details...
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Below is a URL used to submit your email address and mobile number.
This information will only be used for the organisation of this
SECOND flashmob  not future ones. If you 'hid' your email
address
in the Yahoo Group, you now need to provide it -- don't worry, it
won't be released to anyone.
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If you're reading this email after 5pm on Thursday 11th, you're too
late. The registration list is closed! Sorry - you'll have to wait
for the 3rd mob. No exceptions.
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Now, at some stage shortly after 5pm on Thursday, you'll receive
another email - with further details, times/locations for when/where
to initially be.
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So -- please ensure you check your email again to receive this, at
some stage on Thursday evening, Friday, or Saturday before midday.
Again, mobbers will need to be assembling from about 3:30pm Saturday
onwards.
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Register NOW at:
http://members.lycos.co.uk/melbourneflashmob/
(Registration will only be accepted up until 5pm on Thursday 11th,
DON'T REGISTER IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT on Saturday!!!!))
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No doubt - this email is all a blur of excitement! But it's
important you understand the guidelines above, and the registration
process -- so read through this email again if it didn't make
complete sense.
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PS. Yes -- I know this email looks remarkably like the one used for
the 1st mob! Do I need to rewrite it though ? I think not.
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PPS. For those of you who are receiving too many 'discussion' emails
from this group - please change your membership to 'special notices'
only. Do that by visiting
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/melbourne-
flashmob and changing your membership type to 'special notices'.
Of course, if you want all the discussion, then change it
to 'individual emails' or 'daily digest'.
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See ya in the streets!
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Trawnee & Co.