News & Notes - October 2014
From the SVA President
Members of the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association often ask me, “What’s happening? What’s new in the SVA?" The SVA president is an ad hoc member of all committee teams in the organization. Observing the chairs, vice chairs, team leaders, and the support of the STL Symphony staff in action as they set the new season in motion for the year, is a humbling experience.
To answer the FAQs, I'd like to share an abbreviated version of the goals your 2014/15 SVA Committee and Team Leaders have set for their assigned areas this season.
Membership
- Increase SVA membership to 415 members
- Increase volunteer participation to 80% by providing good communication, orientation and training for members
- Encourage SVA members to attend STL Symphony concerts; increase the number of season and/or single ticket purchases by 10% over the previous season
- Nurture leadership successors from within all committees and teams
Fundraising
- Gypsy Caravan
- Increase revenue to $185,000
- Secure better parking facilities and traffic control
- Nurture leadership successors from within the experienced Gypsy Caravan committee
- Parties of Note
- Wrap up successful 2014/15 schedule of events with thoughtful party coordination
- Reach 85% capacity of spaces available for 2014/15 total sales
- Place current events in hiatus after February 2015 in order to assist as needed with special anniversary parties offered by the STL Symphony
- Form Friends Campaign Committee (FCC) fundraising committee
- Work with STL Symphony Development Department to define the purpose of the new committee and help to plan initial activities
- Define the roles of chair and vice chair and seek volunteers to fill positions
Education
- Increase contacts of SVA education projects and tours to 20,000 community members
- Picture the Music (PTM)
- Notify teachers of PTM program in August 2014 with early postcard announcements and full participation instructions on the STL Symphony website
- Increase percentage of student participation by 10% by reviewing the school database and targeting select schools and/or school districts
- Notify teachers of ETM Program in August 2014 with early postcard announcements and full participation instructions on the STL Symphony website
- Increase percentage of student participation by 10% by reviewing the school database and targeting select schools and/or school districts
- Instrument Playground (IP)
- Increase number of IP volunteers
- Increase the familiarity of all volunteers with the instruments of the orchestra and the ability to assemble, clean and store the instruments
- Offer classroom management and instruction training to IP volunteers
- Improve the current PowerPoint introduction tool for students
- Powell Hall Opportunities
- Seek more lead cashiers
- Offer year-round orientation and training for new volunteers
- Train volunteers in stocking and restocking merchandise
- Offer a Powell Hall tour to SVA members
- Seek additional tour guides
- Continue to supervise safe passage for Education Concerts patrons as they enter Powell Hall and serve as ambassadors for the STL Symphony
- Seek additional volunteers to take lead positions on some concert dates
- Serve as ambassadors for the STL Symphony while serving complimentary refreshments to patrons
- Assist Youth Orchestra Manager with YO auditions
- Assist Manager with other volunteer assignments as needed
The SVA Board and Team Leaders cannot achieve these lofty goals without your help. Please say, “Yes!” as often as you can when called to serve the STL Symphony with your participation in the SVA.
Regards,
Sara Fabick
President
St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association
p: 314-822-1183
SVA Board News
Dates have been set for combined Board and Team Leader Meetings:
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Membership
If you did not receive your 2014-2015 Membership Directory at the Fall Membership Meeting, you can stop by the Powell Hall Boutique (open one hour before concerts and at intermission). Each SVA member is entitled to one copy.
As of September 1, 2014, the minimum Friends of the Symphony contribution to apply for SVA membership is $75. A formal letter from VP of Membership, Anne Carman, explaining these changes will be mailed to each SVA member. Each member’s current renewal date.will be included in the letter as well.
Have you completed a 2014/15 Committee Sign-Up Form? Perhaps you want to try a new committee. Maybe you would like to resign from a committee. Here is your opportunity to do so on the committee form.
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.
