News & Notes - July 2013
NOTEWORTHY: Conference Complements
The 68th Annual League of American Orchestras Conference brought nearly 1,000 attendees to St. Louis June 16-20. This was the first time the Conference had been held in St. Louis since 1966. By all accounts, the STL Symphony as the host, as well as the City of St. Louis, received high praise from the attendees and the League.
More than 40 SVA members volunteered during the Conference, preparing registration bags, checking in attendees at registration, assisting participants at the Orchestra Leadership Academy sessions, and helping delegates utilize the Employment Center—offering information and courteous service. The League’s staff was grateful for all the assistance from such “friendly, helpful, kind, and great ambassadors.” Thank you to all the volunteers who helped the STL Symphony shine in the spotlight for this important meeting.
MEMBERSHIP
The Regular Membership Committee, under the leadership of Chair Elizabeth Weinman and Vice Chair Dotti Fischer, is well on its way to planning all three of the 2013-2014 SVA General Meetings. This highly organized team looks for unique meeting venues, and they are especially careful about staying in budget. Remember that when you attend a General Meeting and Winter Heat you receive credit for volunteer hours, helping our organization meet one of its goals of increasing volunteer participation. Besides the working meetings are designed to be enjoyable—with an emphasis on enjoyable!
Want to learn more about your SVA membership? Go to stlsymphony.org/volunteer and click on “MORE” under “Membership”. You will find everything you ever wanted to know about the SVA such as:
- How to become a member
- SVA bylaws
- SVA history
- M-O-R-E Volunteer list
Communications Chair Helen Hume reports that Peggy Nielson will write for Playbill. Jamie Spencer, a teacher of English and writing, has agreed to help with communications and should be helpful with Playbill and KeyNotes. Margaret Lahrmann has agreed to head Photography, and there will be the usual great team of photographers. Good recruiting, Helen.
Each member may now access the Membership Directory online. Contact a member of the SVA Board or Amee Colvin for the password to access this file. The directory will be updated with new members and corrections each month so you will always have the latest contact information for each member. Please be sure to notify Amee of any changes to your listing.
SVA BOARD NEWS
An ad-hoc committee of the Executive Board is finalizing a new plan for reporting SVA volunteer hours. Kathy Borges has written acomprehensive reporting plan now posted online that will go into effect on September 1, 2013. Kathy will also present the plan at the Board Meeting on September 12. While the plan looks lengthy, you will find that you can scroll down through the document to see which sections refer directly to committees or individuals.
FUNDRAISING
The Gypsies are hard at work wrapping up this year’s highly successful Gypsy Caravan event on Memorial Day, May 27. Final numbers will be reported soon. Less than one month after the event, Chair Janice Seele and Vice Chair Dan Gogel have been making plans for 2014. What stamina!
Parties of Note never stops as one year’s parties overlap the next. Under the leadership of Anne von der Heydt, the party planners know exactly what they are doing. Look for, as always, exciting new events to be happening with PON.
Volunteerism and friendship was at its best on Sunday, June 23. Party #4: Salmon Fishing in Ladue was an intriguing party title and turned out to be almost more than intriguing event. Host Maureen Hurley hurt her arm the day before the party. SVA volunteers Mary Meyer and Jarmaine Migala, and friend Becky Hatfield, stepped in to help Maureen with the party prep and cooking demonstration. An exciting summer storm hit during the party but the guests were too busy enjoying themselves to notice.
EDUCATION
VP Gerry Frankeneld reports that planning meetings are being lined up for all of the education programs to set dates, recruit committee members, plan mailings, and look for ways to increase participation by individuals, teachers, and schools. The SVA now reaches over 20,000 children and adults with our educational programs.
After a successful 2012-13 season of Instrument Playground, we are already looking forward to 2013-14! Most of our now 38 members will meet on Friday, August 16 in the Whitaker Room of Powell Hall to refresh our training and get set for the new season. And our deep and heartfelt thanks to Correne Murphy for her years of service to IP and to Marjie Smith for the same. We will miss both but know we’ll see them in the life of the STL Symphony and the SVA.
Kathryn Snodgrass and Susan Hoffman have plans for an early July meeting for Express the Music
with VP Gerry Frankenfeld, Amee Colvin, and Sara Fabick. Chair Susan Pribble has spoken with Amee Colvin about kick off plans forPicture the Music. How great to have Susan, a former SVA director, on board to help our education group.
Marilyn Gordon and Margie Knapp are well into setting meetings with team leaders for their Powell Hall Opportunities committee. The Committee consists of the Boutique, Tours, Youth Orchestra, Coffee Concerts, and Bus Valet Support. Amazing!
SVA OFFICE
SVA Office Location and Directions
Centene Center for Arts and Education (link to Google maps)
3547 Olive St., Suite 370
St. Louis, MO 63103
Office Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
SVA committee meetings can be scheduled at the SVA office with Amee Colvin, Director of Volunteer Activities.
A member of your SVA committee should be available in the Centene Center lobby to let you into the building. If you arrive late and no one is there, use the call box at the street entrance. Scroll down to “Symphony Volunteer Association,” hit the call button, and Amee will respond. You may also call the office directly at 314-289-4168 for building entrance.
