Working in membership development we deal with different levels of donors between $1,000 and $10,000. ABT designates a special subset group of donors called Junior Council to a community of young professionals ages 21-40 who are lovers of ballet. While all membership levels have perks, it is really great to have a Junior Council group that is able to come together and socialize specifically with other young patrons.
One of my very first events I worked on as an intern was the annual Junior Council fundraiser in which they held a silent auction. This was a very exciting cocktail affair at the beautiful Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo. Though the actual event was held early on in my intern experience, the work load for this ordeal was so involved, it lingered long after the final auction bids were made. In preparation for the day I helped in tasks such as writing up gift certificates and signage for donations made, compiling company dancer bio’s who would be attending the event, collecting any physical items for auction, and compiling VIP gift bags to give away. I was amazed at the incredible number of items that were donated which spanned two full rooms of the hotel. Prizes included everything from jewelry to wine, fitness and spa packages, ABT memorabilia; even vacation packages and television tapings! Once at the hotel, set up and clean up were vital duties, but during the auction I was able to relax and mingle with members of the Junior Council (and dancers!).
Junior Council Silent Auction
The party was truly exciting and to watch everyone’s hard work successfully come to fruition was very gratifying. The final moments of the auction were intense as everyone rushed to place their final bids and we ran down collecting bid sheets marking the winners. Once back in the office after the auction was over, we had to input all of the bidder’s information and winning bids into a spreadsheet to be able to accurately charge credit cards and disperse items. In total, nearly $30,000 was raised on behalf of the Junior Council Sponsorship Fund. To complete the experience I helped to formulate acknowledgment letters according to all of the various attendants from members, to sponsors, and donors.
While the auction was a success I did not imagine putting on such a fundraising concept could be so intricately detailed. The fall membership internship was incredibly busy this season and I really got to sample so much of what this department is all about. My time has flown by and I am so grateful to have this extremely hands on opportunity to learn!
Alana Kyriak
Membership Intern
Fall 2013
abtinterns 
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