News & Notes - August 2013

NOTEWORTHY: Committee Placement Days

Learn more about SVA happenings, get questions answered and choose to join or opt out of various SVA committees at the following two Placement Days:

  • Thursday, August 15, 10am-noon at the Centene Center
  • Saturday, September 7, 9am-noon at St. Louis County Library Headquarters (1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.)

Members can also fill out Committee Sign Up forms online or download a copy to return by mail. Last season 150 members filled out forms, and many of our committees really grew in number.

Committees especially needing more volunteers include: Membership (Regular and New and Prospective), Boutique, Tours, Express the Music, Bus Valets, and Parties of Note.

MEMBERSHIP

Report Volunteer Hours by August 16
All Team Leaders must send their final hours report for the 2012-2013 season to their committees chairs, and committee chairs should then send their final hours report to Kathy Borges no later than Friday, August 16 to be credited for the M-O-R-E award badges that will be presented at the October 1 Fall General Meeting. Members with 50 or more volunteer hours will be recognized at the meeting.

Good News about Parking at the Centene Center
Director Amee Colvin reports that Saint Louis University will most likely allow use of their parking lot to the east of the Centene Center on a case-by-case basis. Uses may include our larger work parties and events such as SVA Board Meetings, PTM and ETM Judging Days. If SLU has a class scheduled in their building across the street from Centene, the parking lot will not be available. We will continue to use the parking meters when small groups come to the office to work.

New and Prospective Members Meeting
The next New and Prospective Members Meeting will be held at the home of Judy and Brian Nedwek on Tuesday, September 24. SVA Volunteers should be thinking about inviting a new member to join. In many cases, spouses of current members are becoming active members. Our goal is to have 425 members by May of 2014.

2013-2014 Membership Directory
Susan Pribble is in charge of preparing the SVA Membership Directory for the upcoming season. Please check your entry by accessing the Directory online. Send necessary changes to Susan; new directories should be available for distribution at the Fall General Meeting.

SVA Committees and Teams
Moving forward, groups working under Communications and Powell Hall Opportunities will be referred to as Teams and the person(s) in charge will be called Team Leaders. The Team Leaders do not sit on the SVA Board, but they can also hold their positions more than two years. They are not required to attend SVA Board Meetings. View a complete description of Committee and Teams with Chairs, Vice Chairs, and Team Leaders.

Membership in the SVA

  • Members make an annual gift to Friends of the Symphony of $60 or more; due according to timing of contribution made the previous year
  • Members in good standing will be included in 2013-2014 Membership Directory
  • If you are unsure if or when your contribution is due, please contact Amee Colvin at 314-286-4153.

FUNDRAISING

Planning for Gypsy Caravan and Parties of Note
Chairs of Gypsy Caravan and Parties of Note are busily laying the groundwork for a promising 2013-2014 season. Yes, these committees involve a lot of work, but the good news is that they are a lot of fun, too.

Have you thought of a party you could plan and host for Parties of Note? Do you have a special skill that could be useful to Gypsy Caravan? Of course, on Memorial Day, all available SVA members come to help. It’s a great day!

EDUCATION

Work is underway by the chairs of all education committees. Selecting the music and finalizing dates of work parties and events for the calendar year for both Express the Music and Picture the Music are almost complete.

Powell Hall Opportunities will now include: Boutique, Tours, Bus Valet, Coffee Concerts, Youth Orchestra. Ellen and Dennis Brommelhorst are in training to take over the duties of the Boutique. Bus valets help shepherd teachers and students into Powell Hall for education concerts (instead of bus wrangling). This volunteer job offers valuable assistance to the Powell Hall staff and gives volunteers an opportunity to see a wonderful concert along with enthusiastic young people in the audience.

SVA OFFICE

SVA Office Location and Directions
Centene Center for Arts and Education 
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.