Business Volunteers for the Arts®/Washington Projects

Every business volunteer who participates in the Business Volunteers for the Arts®/Washington program donates time and energy to help nonprofit arts organizations. See how talented volunteers have truly made a difference and enriched our community:

Accounting/Finance I Human Resources I Marketing
Organizational Development I Computer/Information Systems


Accounting and Finance

Wendy Friedland, manager, revenues systems, The Washington Post, established a QuickBooks accounting system for the Washington Sculpture Center, converted the Washington Storytellers Theatre accounting system from Quicken to Quick Books Pro, and provided training in Quick Books Pro to the Society for the Arts in Health Care.
 


Human Resources

Mary Jo Shackleford, principal of ExSelleration and Jennifer Belmont senior manager at Deloitte are conducting a salary and benefits survey on behalf of human resources managers representing mid-size and large theatre and performing arts organizations in the region. The survey will provide a comprehensive view of salary ranges for full-time administrative staff and, is the first of its kind for the region.

Mary Jo Shackelford, principal ExSelleration, LLC is assisting Ann Norton and the Washington Stage Guild Personnel Committee in a Human Resources project Establishing organization chart, developing job descriptions and where possible salary ranges, guide the recruitment process, develop the policy manual.

Dan Shelkrot, manager, human resources at Bowhead Technical and Professional Services assisted IN Series executive director, Carla Hubner and Board Member, Richard Tappan in the development and recruitment for three open positions. The three month project included: development of position and providing guidelines for selection of candidates and interview techniques. "The interview process has begun and the training which we received has immeasurably aided the interview sessions. The process of defining the roles and responsibilities of the existing staff position and developing new ones has focused the Executive Director on the real and specific needs of the day to day functioning of the organization. This will aid in the ability to communicate the daily priorities and long term needs of In Series," said Richard Tappen.

Mary Jo Shackelford, principal, ExSelleration LLC, assisted Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts executive staff in searching for a human resources director. "The whole process went smoothly and assisted us in making the right choice," said Bob Keyes, Wolf Trap's assistant vice president, finance and operations.

Sarah Lengyel, Operations Director at Results, The Gym assisted the Torpedo Factory Artists Association (TFAA) Personnel and Staffing Committee in a human resources project. Over a one-year period Sarah reviewed all of the TFAA Staff position descriptions, interviewed incumbents and made recommendations for changes to eliminate overlap and to ensure clear job descriptions for staff. Sarah also worked closely with the Personnel and Staffing Committee to refine the position description, develop a recruitment strategy and outline a process to fill the Torpedo Factory Director position. "Sarah brought all of the right skills for our environment and helped us avoid a lot of unnecessary process to achieve our goal" Susan Finsen, Chair Personnel and Staff Committee, TFFA.

Marketing

Ann McCarten, Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton is assisting Charter Theatre in developing a marketing strategy for the 2008/2009 season. Included in the project is a marketing/advertising audit to determine ROI for expenditures for previous seasons, analyzing a patron survey, conducting a competitive marketing analysis specific to ticketing and a recommendation and implementation plan for marketing.

Marketing consultant, Christina Friedli assisted Jane Franklin in developing a marketing plan to increase brand and audience for Jane Franklin Dance company performances for the 2007-2008 season. "BVA projects for me have been rewarding both personally and professionally for me. They challenge me to do my best because I understand the importance the work has on these groups with limited resources but unlimited heart and soul for the organization" said Christina Friedli.

Working with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Board and staff, Julie Rosenthal, principal of JR Communications developed a marketing plan to increase single ticket sales for the Sunday performances. "We have seen an increase in single ticket sales for both our Saturday evening and Sunday matinee concerts, using elements of the final plan presented by Julie Rosenthal, our BVA partner" said Adrien Finlay, managing director Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.

Folake Fabunmi, managing consultant, IBM, and Lea-Ann Bigelow, senior budget analyst, National Gallery of Art, have produced a competitive marketing analysis for Art Enables. Spanning five months and taking 120 hours of combined volunteer time, the final report on the competitive pricing analysis offered a number of alternatives for generating more income from sales of artwork. It also included the findings of a comprehensive survey the consultants conducted among organizations across the country whose mission is similar to that of Art Enables. The survey makes it possible for Art Enables to compare its own programming with that of the other organizations on a number of seminal issues in addition to pricing.

Christine Friedli, marketing consultant, has presented her findings of a stakeholders survey to Board members of Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co. for use in promotional materials for its 15th anniversary season.

Mary Jo Shackelford, president, and Douglas Shackelford, vice president of business development at Exselleration, have completed their project with the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. They have provided the Conservatory with a strategic marketing plan aimed at increasing enrollment and raising community awareness about the school and its programs. Over the course of a year, Mary Jo and Douglas worked directly with the Board and faculty, and logged 220 hours on the project. "The expertise Mary Jo and Doug were able to share and teach has resulted in our marketing dollars being well spent," said Nan Ficca, the Conservatory's VP and CFP. "They've made it possible for us to develop marketing strategies we didn't previously think of, or didn't think were within our marketing budget! And the plan is so very comprehensive and easy to follow."

Gigi Toth, marketing consultant, has completed her work with Hesperus. Working with general manager Tina Chancey, Gigi defined Hesperus' market, created a value proposition, and established a brand identity. With this information, a marketing fundamentals document was created, which can be used by the creative team to develop marketing communications vehicles.

Ira Koretsky, chief storyteller, Koretsky Communications Group, led the Marketing. The Tools of the Trade. workshop 7 Steps To a Perfect Elevator Speech on January 24, 2006.

Marsha Senack, president of Ad-centive Marketing, worked with Board members of the Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra on the definition of a marketing strategy in order to build their audience. Components of the project included an audience survey, a marketing audit, and strategy recommendations. "The BVA process 'jump-started' the Board's focus on identifying who we are, and where we want to be in the next years," said June Whelan, Board member.

Gayle Keck, branding consultant, presented the results of the GALA Hispanic Theatre brand personality project to the Board of Directors and staff. The 55-hour project included conducting interviews with GALA's Board members, stakeholders and funders and then analyzing the results. "We learned a great deal and I know that it will be a good tool for us as we continue to grow and expand our stakeholders," said Rebecca Medrano, GALA's managing director.

Mary Jo Shackelford, CEO, ExSelleration, LLC, assisted the Musical Theater Center in developing a plan to increase their image/brand awareness in the region. This project, logging in at 100 hours, included a marketing program review, analysis and assessment for MTC including strategies and recommendations. "Our organization needed this type of assessment and we got a very professional and helpful tool to work with," noted Rex Bickmore, MTC Executive Director.

Craig Schultz, president of Energy Buying Strategies, has completed a membership survey for the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington. Working with Programs and Services committee member Greg McGruder of National Geographic Live!, Craig devised and delivered the two surveys to CAGW members and made recommendations for membership enhancements. "We've learned that CAGW members value the services we provide and take advantage of them regularly," said Susie Farr, executive director of the Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts and CAGW Board member. "I am very appreciative of all the work that Craig and Greg did to gather this information for us."

Gayle Keck, marketing and branding consultant, conducted a rebranding project with Coral Cantigas. This eight month, 75 hour project included surveying staff, Board and stakeholders to develop a brand essence; development of a branding strategy and positioning statement to provide direction; and development of an organizational image to be used for programming, communications, special events, and fundraising. "Her work behind the scenes was enormous," said Ana-Astrid Molina, Coral Cantigas' executive director. "Even though the organization had carried out audience surveys in the past, this was the first time Coral Cantigas could articulate an organizational tone, feel, attitude and personality."

Terrie Santamaria, president of Corporate Communication Solutions, completed a marketing project for Metro Stage. Working with the Board's marketing committee, Terrie created an audience development plan, with the goal of increasing ticket sales to Alexandria residents.

Wendy Snader Ellman, development and major gifts coordinator, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, worked with the staff of the Washington Bach Consort to develop a SWOT analysis, which resulted in new ideas to impact audience development. "Wendy stimulated thoughts and ideas, and innovative and realistic approaches to address the many issues facing the Consort in the current economic climate," said executive director Stephen Borko.

Deirdre Albert, manager of outreach and development, National PACE Association, completed an audience survey for Bowen McCauley Dance.

Marsha Senack, president, Ad-Centive Marketing, developed a SWOT model and marketing analysis for Young Playwright's Theatre. "Working with Marsha was a joy and an education all rolled into one," said YPT executive director Karen Zacarias.

A BVA team from Accenture assisted Teatro de la Luna in developing a marketing plan to increase audiences. Jaleh Allemeh, media specialist and analyst, and Elena Galanides, marketing specialist, conducted and analyzed results of an audience survey and made recommendations for advertising and public relations. "Possibly the most valuable help Elena and Jaleh provided was helping us restructure our press releases to be more streamlined and vital," said Gae Schmidtt, Teatro de la Luna's marketing and development director.

Pat Peyser, principal of The Catalyst Group, has been engaged as a Business Volunteers for the Arts Consultant to conduct a Board Development project with The Embassy Series. Retreat will be focused on mission and roles/responsibilities of Board members and is scheduled for a September 2008 completion.

Kelly Bowling, Senior Organization Development Consultant, Kaiser Permanente worked with artistic director, Cynthia Word and Board Chair, Debrah Shaver of Word Dance Theater with developing an operating plan and to help them develop a Board of Directors. The Board development piece entailed developing a Board packet which included roles/responsibilities, term lengths/specifications, policies and procedures and an operating plan. The operating plan included the organizations objectives and linking them with target, threshold and stretch goals so that the organizations clan clearly measure and track success throughout the year. Kelly indicated that the project "fit my experience very well, particularly with the strategic planning component. It was also a good match with the client".

Pat Peyser, principal, The Catalyst Group, has facilitated a bylaw review with the Board of Directors of The Art League. The four month project included survey Board members, conducting a retreat and returning with a read out of the results that could be incorporated into amended Bylaws to be voted on by the organization's Board. "We had the privilege of working with an extremely experienced and gifted individual that provided the guidance that we needed to successfully eliminate any ambiguities in our bylaws that surfaced during our reinvention process. This project is the perfect segway into our strategic planning efforts" said Michelle (Miki) Guilmain, Board President, The Art League.

Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh & Company has completed a Board development project with Gail Fisher, principal of Resources for Change, which concluded with a day-long Board retreat. "After the meeting participants felt that they had a better sense of Dakshina's purpose and Dan's artistic vision," said Ken Courier, Dakshina Board chair.

Cara Seitchek, foundation relations, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, has assisted Third Millennium Ensemble in developing a template for a common grant application. "The BVA program just doesn't offer a pair of hands, but also helps create a community of arts lovers," said TME artistic director Pamela Helton.

Pat Peyser, principal of The Catalyst Group, has completed a bylaw review and Board of Directors retreat for the Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia. At the close of the project, spanning five months and 120 volunteer hours, the Board voted on revised bylaws and developed a detailed manual that addressed director qualifications, search and selection, Board orientation, roles and responsibilities, committees, and financial management. "Pat enabled us to begin development of a strategic plan for the next three to five years," said Jean Shirhall, Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia Board president.

Cynthia Schoeppel, senior consultant at Beacon Associates, has assisted Dance/Metro DC executive director Johanna Seltzer in the area of organizational development.

Folake Fabunmi, senior consultant, IBM, and Pat Peyser, principal, the Catalyst Group, completed a strategic planning project with Washington Improv Theatre (WIT).

Gail Fisher, president, Resources for Change, assisted Lyra Chamber Ensemble in the development of a working Board of Directors. "We were very fortunate to find at least four additional members" through the process, said Lyra director Pam Helton.

Lois Huot, attorney at law, worked with Board members of Tappers With Attitude on a 39-hour project to revise the organization's bylaws. "We would never have gotten through the process of revising the bylaws without the BVA assistance from Lois," said Board president Christine Manor.

Working with a team of three Board members of the Alexandria Singers, Irene Wagner, business consultant, developed, implemented and analyzed an online survey for the organization's members. "Irene's suggestions on types of questions and actual wording gave the membership the opportunity to be honest in their responses, thus giving the board of directors a good feel for the desires of the group," said Sandra Carson, the Alexandria Singers' past president.

Jackie Simchick, principal acquisition analyst for CACI Inc., assisted MusicLink Foundation in building a business plan that will be used as a starting point to develop a strategic plan. "We received a grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to move forward on our strategic plan as a result of the business plan developed through this project," said Joanne Haroutonian, MusicLink's director.

Gail Fisher, president of Resources for Change, has completed her organizational development project with The Spoken Word.

Pat Peyser, principal of The Catalyst Group, completed a Board recruitment project with Tappers with Attitude. Deliverables of the project include basic policies and job descriptions for the Board, along with a Board recruitment plan. Pat also ran a facilitated retreat for the Board of MetroStage, with the assistance of Folake Fbunmi, senior consultant, IBM.

Carma Fauntleroy, interim executive director, led a Board development project with the Jane Franklin Dance Board of Directors resulting in the identification of steps to be taken to build organizational capacity over the next 12 months. "Carma has guided us through a process that focused our goals and objectives and put them in measurable pieces that can be accomplished step by step," said Jane Franklin.

Michael Blackshear, manager at KPMG, conducted a risk management analysis for the Washington Stage Guild with recommendations regarding workers' compensation coverage.

Cynthia Schoeppel, human resources manager, American Red Cross, assisted the Board members of the American Composers Forum in refining their mission statement and defining Board roles and responsibilities. "Cynthia brought incredibly valuable expertise to our organization, allowing us to refine our understand of our own mission and how our programming fits together to realize the mission," noted executive director Jonathan Morris.

Amy Johnston, management consultant at the Department of State, completed a strategic planning process with BlackRock Center for the Arts. Contributing 70 hours of volunteer time over the course of five months, Amy conducted a Board of Directors survey, structured and facilitated a strategic retreat, and provided an action plan based on the retreat. "As a new arts center, it is essential to bring the Board and staff together around a common vision and to develop a strong plan of achieving this vision," said executive director Nancy Petrisko. "Amy helped us define where we want to go and how to get there; this is invaluable."

David Cheng, principal of DMC Consulting, has completed an audit of the Cultural Alliance's member database and has made recommendations for enhancements of the current system. David has also completed technology audits for Art Enables and Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co. These projects included a review of current systems, a needs assessment, and recommendations for purchase. "David researched new systems that will enable all our staff to be networked on new Mac computers," said Dana Tai Soon Burgess, organization founder and artistic director, "which will save us time and allow us to work more efficiently. "

Ayanna Rice, IT specialist, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, has completed a technology audit and recommendation for Serenity Players. This thirty-hour project included a technology assessment which identified the organization's hardware and software needs, and the evaluation of a donor database system that will support the organization's overall mission. "Ayanna identified practical approaches for managing day-to-day operations with improved technology and software," said Gertrude Saleh, Serenity Players' executive director. "The BVA program gets high marks for its effectiveness, from its inception in laying out the expectations for the project to following up to determine the concrete outcome and end results."

Anne-Louise Marquis, research and communications specialist, Smithsonian Institution, provided the Cathedral Choral Society with research and recommendations to establish online ticketing through their site for the Holiday 2002 concerts. At the close of the project, CCS selected tickets.com as its vendor. In addition to meeting the launch date, Mark Ohnmacht, CCS Executive Director said that due to single ticket sales exceeding expectations by 400%, "there was no need for additional staffing of the box office and it was the calmest ticketing season to date."

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