FAQ
Question: How do I watch BALL lectures?
Answer: Once you've purchased tickets to a series, you can choose to watch the lectures live at the Bayshore Centre, live-streamed online, or (NEW in 2023) you can watch the lecture replays on Vimeo anytime and as often as you want, for a month after the end of a series.
Question: Where and when are the lectures held?
Answer: Lectures are delivered in-person at the Bayshore Community Centre, with Vimeo live-stream and replays for those who prefer to watch from home. Four Lecture Series are held from September through early April, on Thursday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Special Lectures and Events may be held at different times depending on the requirement of the lecture or event.
Question: How soon are the replays available on Vimeo?
Answer: Currently it takes our AV person a few days to edit and upload them. So a good guess would be on the Monday following a Thursday lecture. However, it can be much sooner, so keep checking the Vimeo "showcase" (replay) link you received with your order.
Question: I purchased a ticket and want to watch online. Where do I find the link?
Answer: You can find the links in two places, so do whatever is convenient for you: 1. When you purchase a series ticket, a confirmation email with Vimeo links is sent to you. Or 2. when you purchase, another email is sent with link to a downloadable PDF. Download and save the PDF in a place you’ll remember. Open it and click on the link.
Question: I can't find the email and PDF you sent. HELP!!!
Answer: One easy trick is to download (save) the PDF that you download in a folder that you'll remember. (by default it might go to your Downloads folder.) The filename always starts with "BALL Lecture Vimeo Invitation".
If you can’t find your emails, click Search and type in "BALL Lecture". We'll always include those words in the subject line.
If they still are missing, look in other email folders such as “Spam” or “Promotions”. Still stuck? Email us at info@bluewaterlearns.com.
Question: How do I purchase and redeem a BALL Gift Card?
Answer: Please see More details on Purchasing and Redeeming Gift Cards
Question: Can more than one person watch at home on a single ticket?
Answer: Well, yes, but please consider this: BALL is a non-profit organization run by unpaid volunteers. However, lecturers are paid, and provided with travel and hotel expenses, and it costs for the personnel and platform for streaming. Prior to the pandemic, we only offered in-person attendance, and usually sold out, which nicely covered the speakers and other expenses such as hall rental. But we estimate now that half of our audience watches from home, and many of those are buying just one ticket but having 2, 3 or more watching. Our revenues have dropped sharply, and that's not sustainable. So if you're watching at home, please consider purchasing a 2nd ticket, or make a donation to BALL. ** We can only continue offering these excellent lectures if our ticket revenue equals our expenses. **
Question: Do I have to be a BALL member to attend a lecture?
Answer: Yes, but you automatically become a member for free when you purchase tickets. We need you to register so we know where to send the tickets, online links etc. BALL membership entitles you to advance notice of upcoming lectures and events and to attend and vote at the BALL Annual General Meeting held in May. Plus, if BALL has your email address, you will get news releases and opportunities to evaluate lectures, although you can choose to opt out of these.
Question: How much does a Lecture Series ticket cost?
Answer: Currently, Lecture Series passes cost $60 for a series of 6 lectures. Lectures can be watched live at the Bayshore Centre or at home on Vimeo.
Question: Can I buy a ticket to just one lecture of a series?
Answer: No. Our series are designed as a whole, and selling single lecture tickets would be a lot of extra work for our volunteers, and might result in loss of revenue to mount our series.
Question: How do I go about setting up a new account when I purchase my first tickets online? (unnecessary if you purchased tickets last season)
Answer:
1. From the BALL home webpage, click on the head-and-shoulders icon near the top right hand corner of the webpage.
2. On the next screen, right below the "Sign in" button, click on "Create an account".
3. The next screen will allow you to enter your first and last names, email address and any password you want to use.
4. The system will then send you an email to complete the account set-up. If it already has your name, address or phone number, you can correct or update that information if it is not up to date.
5. Doing all this account setup before placing your first order will simplify the process when you do purchase your tickets online. Otherwise all these steps will have to be done when you place your order.
Question: If I forget my password to my BALL account, what do I do?
Answer: Follow these steps:
1. Click on the head-and-shoulders icon near the top right hand corner of the webpage.
2. The Login page appears.. Click on "Forgot your password?"
3. The "Reset Your Password" screen appears. Enter your email address and click on "Submit".
You will receive an email with instructions for changing your password.
Question: Can I transfer my Lecture Series ticket?
Answer: Yes, you may transfer your series ticket to someone else for one or more lectures in a series and you are encouraged to do so when you cannot attend.
Question: How are lecture cancellations handled?
Answer: All cancellations will be posted as a Special Announcement on the HOME page of BALL’s website. Lectures presented online will consist of a short explanation of the reason for the cancellation and any re-scheduling plans, if known.
Question: What is your Lecture Series refund policy?
Answer: BALL does not offer refunds but you may transfer your ticket to someone else.
Question: Can I record a BALL lecture?
Answer: No. BALL does not permit members or guests to record lectures. We record any lecture where the lecturer given us permission to re-play the lecture. Anyone who has purchased a ticket for the original lecture will be able to replay the lectures for a month on Vimeo at no additional cost.
Question: Who determines the lecture topics?
Answer: The Program Planning Committee takes suggestions from members, recommends general areas of interest for BALL’s lecture series to the Board and finds speakers who have the expertise to address the topics approved by the Board. You can make lecture suggestions by filling in the survey after any lecture or by emailing BALL. Or even better, ask about joining our Planning Committee!