I think we have an obligation when we enter a group that is new to us not to be an invasive species. We should look around and try to see what others are doing. We should ask and not presume. We should not impose. I would not go to shape note gatherings and try to get them to not use their books. I would not go to choir practice and try to get them to not use books. Likewise, I expect that if a group has functioned without written or spoken rules, but there at least in recent memory no books in sight (I am not talking about for individual use but group use)I should not be the one to force it on the group. Then next week someone else comes and there will be two, and then it spreads. A group can tolerate a bit of flexibility, but then it changes. People who preferred one way are not going to probably scold you..they are just not going to come back to the original group once it reaches its tipping point. We can all think of many groups in many cities that will never tip back. The only hope is to reform a group with strict written and oral guidelines.

To me the main issue is the late night sessions at the camps. That is why I go to the camps. People have all day at the workshops, they have a concert, they have an official song circle with books and tolerance for books. What happens is that after this is all done, some of us find another building..I am now announcing where I will be and that I want no group books and we will not take turns and we will not pontificate between songs and if anyone wants to join lme that is where I will be. Even with announcements before hand, even when people have to move from the main lodge where the default would be it is OK to use books and take turns..they will still come with their books and expect to take turns in a separate room that has been set up for the purpose of exactly not doing that. That is when I think it is invasive species behavior. mg