By Christina Farnsworth
The nine-member fall fundraiser steering committee is deep into planning the October 2 event at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church.
On August 8, steering committee members gathered at Saint Paul’s to view C.B. Wooldridge’s careful mockup of the event layout. C.B. walked committee members around cardboard cutouts of the registration area, jazz trio stage, food stations, bar areas and everything else that will contribute to the success of the annual fundraiser.
"The annual event contributes about 15 to 20 per cent of Village revenue, so it's success is crucial to the organization," said Jane Scholz, Village president and chair of the event.
The committee also agreed on a name for a new Village community spirit award that will be awarded every year to a community leader as part of fundraising festivities.
Each committee member has a specific role:
Scholz, Leah Schroeder, Mary Bernstein and John Seichter are back for their third year of organizing the event to raise money for the FBWE Village.
Retired journalist Scholz wears many hats in the village. She is not only Village president, but also chair of the fundraising event and, in her spare time, she is FBWEV Web site coordinator.
Seichter and Bernstein are recruiting the sponsors and donors so important to FBWE Village’s success. Bernstein has an extensive career as health care executive in both the public and private sector. Seichter, an attorney, held a variety of positions in both finance and legal affairs. Though retired as General Counsel of BAE Systems, he remains a director.
Also returning to team for the third time, Schroeder is finding wonderful topics and venues for the Salons. She came to the Village following a career that included serving as chief of staff to a US congressman. She has also been a campaign manager, speechwriter, lobbyist and fundraiser.
Wooldridge is in charge of decoration as well as the liaison with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, which is graciously hosting our gala. C.B. is a former social worker (MSW) who is now an independent meeting professional, managing meetings and special events. He is also very active with Saint Paul’s.
Semi-retired real estate journalist and author Christina B. Farnsworth is doing publicity for the second year.
New FBWE Village member, retired mediator and business owner Evie Hirsch is handling food (stay tuned for mouth-watering details).
Retired RN and newly-elected board member Jane Selby is in charge of Village member attendance (though one does not need to be a village member to attend).
Peter Sacco is a recent graduate of The George Washington University (GW) and FBWE Village board member. He has temporarily stepped down from the board to serve as the Village senior program specialist to complete work on a study of social isolation. He is coordinating volunteers for the event.