Today, about 130 Saints gathered to socialize at Galleria Marchetti and participate in the Saints' Annual Party and Fund Raiser. The co-chairs, Bob Korabik and Laurie Nagatomo deserve credit for doing a wonderful job.
Although there probably are many different ideas about how a fundraiser like this should be run, the space was appealing, parking was abundant (and could be found for free), the entertainment was fun, and there were over 150 donations from local performing arts groups, restaurants, etc. There also was a silent auction where many of our members both provided and bid on prizes that ranged from legal services, and sailboat cruises to beautiful and interesting books.
While one can think of things that might have been different, we learn each year from our successes and failures, and it was obvious that there had been much care and thought put into today's event.
It's too soon to know how much money was raised but this year, the drawing of raffle tickets and awarding of prizes was handled much better than the past two years. We all could see the tickets being drawn, put with an envelope (it sounded like the donors' and their prizes were filed in alphabetical order), hear the name of who won, and what they won, It took awhile but it was fun to see what fellow saints had won, and hear who the generous donors were.
Imagine how much more successful we could be next year if every single Saint purchases at least one raffle ticket for $5 and finds one donor. WOW. Let's keep that in mind at our next benefit, and make a point of thanking the Benefit Committee (Barbara Burdiak, Roberta Chapman, Helen Corman, Lorraine Edelstein, Ann Gunn, Neil and Leila Handelman, Krys Lordahl, Sandra Posner, Myles Rothstein, and the Co-chairs - Bob Korabik and Laurie Nagatoma for the hours they must have spent to make this day a success.
As soon as the totals are tallied, we hope that you will post a comment stating how much money was raised today.
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I think if you are going to offer these comments up to general consumption, you ought to post points on both sides, not just seek to inflame. Or better yet hash it all out at board meetings and abide by the will of the majority. Not For Profit theatre's give themselves opening night parties all the time. The 25th anniversary is a great memory for those who attended and made us a fast friend in Hershey Felder. Maybe 30th is too soon to do it again. But I trust the board to come up with a decision and if I don't like the way people vote, I can vote against them in the next election.
ReplyDeleteWhile "anonymous" suggestion of offering both sides rather than a discussion the blog is a personal statement, isn't it? Of course that could, be done if the writer actually understood the other side.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Not for Profit theatres, the difference with the Saints are we are a Not for Profit CHARITY which changes the picture. When Theaters have opening night parties, it's usually a thanks to donors who helped make the production possible, staff who received little 'on stage' recognition, a celebration for hard working actors and crew who may not be paid much (or at all), mix and mingle with press representatives, and encourage the purchase of subscriptions to the season or interest new donors. Now, you can’t really equate that with an internally focused event, can you?