24/25 Board Handbook by West Michigan Symphony

WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY

We are a catalyst for a music-infused West Michigan: leading, facilitating, connecting and collaborating with the community to stimulate cultural vibrancy, inclusivity and pride of place.

West Michigan Symphony connects and enriches our diverse community through the transformative power of music

We fulfill this primarily through three core offerings:

• Professional, live symphonic performances in a welcoming environment

• The Block, a gathering space that sparks curiosity, inspiration and fellowship through the shared experience of uncommon live music

• Music Education that enriches the lives of children and adults through exploration, participation and performance

SCOTT SPECK MUSIC DIRECTOR

Making music with Scott Speck is a joy for the mind and the body.

YO-YO MA

Now in his 21st season as Music Director, Scott Speck is the co-author of three of the world’s best-selling books on classical music for a popular audience, Classical Music for Dummies, Ballet for Dummies and Opera for Dummies. These books have received stellar reviews in both the national and international press and have garnered enthusiastic endorsements from major American arts organizations.

In addition to WMS, Speck holds leadership positions with the Mobile Symphony (AL), Joffrey Ballet (IL), and Chicago Philharmonic and is a frequent collaborator with such illustrious artists as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, and Renée Fleming. Although his work keeps him on the road, Scott regards Muskegon as home, where he lives in the Amazon apartments. When in Muskegon Speck gives unstintingly of himself, dividing his time between rehearsing the orchestra and reaching out to patrons to attract new audiences, garner support, and make classical music accessible to everyone.

Born in Boston, Speck is a Fulbright Scholar, a summa cum laude graduate of Yale University, and an Aspen Conducting Fellow. He is fluent in English, German and French, has a diploma in Italian, speaks Spanish and has a reading knowledge of Russian. Musicians respect him for his artistic excellence, courtesy and preparedness. The audience loves him for his warmth, friendliness, and the way he communicates and makes “classical music for everyone!”

Web: scottspeck.org

Twitter: ScottSpeck1

Facebook: facebook.com/ConductorScottSpeck

ABOUT WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY

An anchor cultural organization headquartered in Muskegon, WMS is a resident performing group at the Frauenthal Center, where its eight-concert season is the most visible part of a larger artistic enterprise of farreaching community benefit. At its live listening room The Block, just down the street, it mounts 15 performance events annually featuring jazz, classical and other offerings. WMS concerts and Community Music Encounters learning events bring 16,500 people—more than 30% of whom are children and students—downtown annually, making it the largest performing arts organization on the West Shore. Audiences come from throughout Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, Oceana and surrounding counties.

(continued)

(About WMS, continued)

The Mainstage Symphony Series at the Frauenthal Center features the 64-member symphony orchestra which, under Music Director Scott Speck’s cultivation, has mastered the full Classical-Romantic repertoire and performs at a level normally associated with much larger metropolitan areas. WMS players are professional musicians from Michigan and other states who make their living teaching and performing in a variety of orchestras and ensembles. This provides WMS with the energy and versatility so central to its artistic personality. The series also features guest artists of international profile whose visit often includes educational programs and other community activities. Their residency culminates with a performance or dual performances: a Friday evening concert with the orchestra at the Frauenthal Center and a Saturday evening solo appearance at The Block.

The Block is a 115-seat listening room for the musically curious located on the second floor of the Russell Block Building in downtown Muskegon. First opened in 2013, The Block in its second decade continues to grow and innovate artistically and as a community center. Its core 12-concert series includes regional, national and international artists as well as WMS musicians. During summer The Block hosts a sold-out jazz series featuring legendary regional drummer Tim Froncek and a changing cast of musician colleagues.

In addition to The Block’s primary performance series, it serves as the home for several youth music ensembles: Debut Strings and Premier Strings and the West Michigan Symphony Children’s Choir . WMS makes the venue available for rental on open days or nights. For nonprofit community groups, rent is offered at reduced rates or waived entirely. Users include Muskegon Rotary, the Poppen Foundation, Tux ‘n Chucks, Greater Muskegon Economic Development, Young Black Professionals and the Black Business Expo, to name a few.

COMMUNITY MUSIC ENCOUNTERS

Community Music Encounters. The organization reaches deeply and broadly into West Michigan communities through a variety of learning activities and place-making projects to inspire new generations of music lovers. Provided free or at very low cost to foster wide access, these programs impact more than 5,000 people annually from young children to adults, including students in 50 area schools spanning six counties.

CLICK CLACK MOOsic

Based on books by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, this series introduces children ages 3-8 to instrumental music in a storybook format. A host/narrator introduces the small ensemble of WMS musicians, teaches the children about musical concepts, and then reads the story aloud—accompanied by incidental music written specially for the series. Let us know if you are Interested In bringing CCM to your area!

Free in-school partnership with Carnegie Hall curriculum teaching 3-5 graders to read music and play recorders along with the Symphony. Link Up

Free after-school string orchestra program for underserved students in partnership with Muskegon Public Schools. Tune Up Choral program for children ages 8-13 with multiple performance opportunities, both stand alone and with West Michigan Symphony.

program for young musicians with at least one to two years playing experience.

WMS Children’s Choir

WMS’s unique musical storytime program for families with young children that introduces basic music concepts. Click Clack Moosic

Beginner to intermediate string orchestra

Debut Strings

Intermediate to advanced string ensemble program with extended performance opportunities. Premier Strings

(Community Music Encounters, continued)

DEBUT AND PREMIER STRINGS

Debut Strings introduces beginning and intermediate students to string orchestra through challenging and diverse repertoire. Students who audition to join Debut Strings have one to two years of playing experience and strong note reading skills.

Premier Strings is an advanced string orchestra whose players act as mentors to the Debut Strings members, represent the WMS’s learning programs throughout the community, and even perform on stage with the West Michigan Symphony at the spring Link Up concert.

Led by Angela Corbin, Orchestra Director at North Muskegon Public Schools, both ensembles rehearse weekly from September through May at The Block and prepare fall and spring performances.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR

Audition-based for children ages 8-13, WMS Children’s Choir performs in its own concerts, collaboratively with Debut and Premier Strings, and on stage with the Symphony during Home for the Holidays and the spring Link Up concerts. Beth Slimko, WMSCC conductor, is currently the director of the North Muskegon Public School choir program and a vocal music specialist for elementary music. The choir rehearses weekly from September through May at The Block.

LINK UP

This free beginner music education program—a collaboration with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute—pairs the orchestra with schools throughout West Michigan. Students in grades 3-5 learn to read and play music on the recorder and gain an understanding of orchestral repertoire. They benefit from regular contact with Music Mentors: WMS musicians who visit classrooms to work with students and prepare them for attending the symphony and performing on their recorders. The program culminates with an interactive concert at the Frauenthal Center during which the students perform on recorders along with the Symphony. A founding partner with Carnegie, WMS is the only orchestra in the world that offered Link Up every season since its 2004 introduction. Over 65,000 area students have participated, many of whom are now adults and remember it as one of the seminal experiences of their school days.

TUNE UP

Filling a gap in the local elementary education system, this beginning string orchestra program for underserved students was launched in the fall of 2022 in Muskegon elementary schools. Beginning in 3rd grade, students receive use of a musical instrument, learn to play that instrument, participate in ensemble and sectional lessons, build friendships, and receive instruction and support from experienced and dedicated teaching artists. Beginning middle school students who have participated since elementary school are permitted to take their instrument home on weekends. Those who remain in both Tune Up and school orchestra through 9th grade are gifted their instrument. Tune Up is embedded within the previously existing 21st CCLC IMPACT after school program.

LUNCH ‘N LEARN

Each season free Lunch ‘n Learn sessions invite the community to get better acquainted with upcoming concert repertoire by experiencing a live conversation with Music Director Scott Speck and an invited musician or guest artist. Lunch ‘n Learn is held in The Block at noon on Wednesdays prior to each of the five Masterworks concerts. Delicious small bites are provided by our minority-owned culinary partners. Everyone is invited, including those who already have tickets to the concert, those who are curious and want to learn more, downtown community businesses and area residents.

WATCH MUSKEGON PLAY

WMS collaborated with Muskegon Rotary and other community activists to bring all-weather outdoor musical instruments to Muskegon parks and throughout the downtown, with installation taking place in August and September 2020. Manufactured by Freenotes™ Harmony Park, these are durable, sustainable sound sculptures that enhance outdoor community spaces and are located throughout the Muskegon area.

JESÚS LINÁREZ Concertmaster

MARK PORTOLESE Associate Principal – Violin 2

ALICIA GREGORIAN SAWYERS Principal – Cello

ASAKO FURUOYA Principal – Oboe

EDWARD HICKMAN Principal – Trombone

WMS PRINCIPAL MUSICIANS

GENE HAHN Associate Concertmaster

CARMEN ABELSON Assistant Principal – Violin 2

IGOR CETKOVIC Associate Principal – Cello

JONATHAN HOLDEN Principal – Clarinet

RILEY LINDSEY Principal – Tuba

ROBINSON Assistant Concertmaster

ARTURO ZIRALDO Principal – Viola

CAMERON SLAUGH Assistant Principal – Cello

CHLOE ROBBINS Principal – Bassoon

LEO TAYLOR Principal – Timpani

ADAM LIEBERT Assistant Principal – Violin 1

REBECCA BOELZNER Associate Principal – Viola

ROBERT JOHNSON Principal – Bass

PAUL CLIFTON-O’DONNELL Principal – Horn

MATTHEW BECK Principal – Percussion

DYKHOUSE Principal – Violin 2

JASON BUTLER Assistant Principal – Viola

MARIE BROWN Principal – Flute

BILL BAXTRESSER Principal – Trumpet

NORRIS Principal – Harp

JACIE

SYLVIA

JILL

AMANDA

Music Director

Scott Speck

Mike & Kay Olthoff Endowed Chair

First Violin

Jesús Linárez concertmaster

Second Violin

Amanda Dykhouse principal

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

Endowed Chair

Mark Portolese assc. principal

Viola

Arturo Ziraldo principal

ORCHESTRA ROSTER

Cello

Alicia Gregorian Sawyers principal

Flute

Jill Marie Brown principal

Oboe

Asako Furuoya principal Sponsored by Joanne & Amy Bensinger

Natalie Feldpausch

Clarinet

Jonathan Holden principal

Bassoon

Chloe Robbins principal

Trumpet

Bill Baxtresser principal

Trombone

Edward Hickman principal

Tuba

Riley Lindsey principal

Timpani

Leo Taylor principal

Douglas & Janet Hoch Endowed Chair

Percussion

Matthew Beck principal

Harp

Sylvia Norris principal

Sponsored by Valerie & Fred Church-McHugh

Music Librarian

Amanda Dykhouse

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Susan Cloutier Crain, Chairperson

Spouse: Orville Crain Term Expires: 23/24

Home:

349 Terrace Point Circle p: (231) 722-4930 Muskegon, MI 49440 c: (231) 282-1818 susancrainmkg@gmail.com

Kate Kesteloot Scarbrough, Vice Chairperson Term Expires: 25/26

Home:

1627 S. Lake Street p: (231) 288-2838 Whitehall, MI 49461 kmkkscarbrough@gmail.com

Melisa Baker

Term Expires: 25/26

Home: 1024 Bear Lake Road p: (231) 343-4400 Muskegon, MI 49445

Work:

Webb Chemical w: (231) 733-2182 ext. 225 Service Corporation mbaker@webbchemical.com Human Resources Manager 2708 Jarman Street Muskegon, MI 49440

Merica S. Dobry, Secretary

Spouse: Eric Term Expires: 23/24

Home:

754 Mills Avenue c: (231) 750-4365 North Muskegon, MI 49445 Merica.dobry@gmail.com

Work:

Warner Norcross & Judd LLP w: (231) 727-2610 700 Terrace Point Road mdobry@wnj.com Suite 350 Muskegon, MI 49440

Larry Fife Spouse: Lynette

Term Expires: 23/24

Home: 657 E Lincoln Ave p: (231) 220-9372

Muskegon Heights, MI 49444 c: (224) 501-0501 larryfife2102@comcast.net

Amy Hosford Spouse: Allen Term Expires: 23/24

Home: 339 Terrace Point Circle c: (231) 343-0996 Muskegon, MI 49440 amy.hosford@gmail.com

Bob Garretson, Treasurer

Spouse: Heather Term Expires: 23/24

Home: 1727 Jefferson Street c: (616) 402-1905 Muskegon, MI 49441 rrgarretson@gmail.com

Work: Embark Financial Partners 380 W Western Ave, Suite 250 Muskegon, MI 49440

Donna Joyce

Term Expires: 25/26

Home: 6900 Windwater Court p: (616) 460-4390 Norton Shores, MI 49444

Work: DOOR International w: (616) 741-7200 1142 44th Street SE donnajjoyce1@gmail.com Grand Rapids, MI 49508

Stacy Mellema

Home:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Term Expires: 26/27

4480 Greenfield Street c: (231) 329-4005 Norton Shores, MI 49441

Work:

Hungerford CPA + Advisors 4927 Stariha Drive Suite A w: (231) 798-7500 Norton Shores, MI 49441 smellema@ hungerfordnichols.com

Jason Olthoff

Spouse: Jayme

Term Expires: 25/26

Home: 1570 Rood Point c: (231) 955-2838 Muskegon, MI 49441

Work:

VP Sales/Marketing, Nichols 1391 Judson Spring Lake, MI 48456

Emma Peterson

Spouse: Frank Term Expires: 23/24

Home: 1593 Jefferson St c: (231) 343-9066 Muskegon, MI 49441

Work:

Director of Philanthropy w: (231) 672-4814 Mercy Health emma.torresen@mercyhealth.com 1150 E Sherman Blvd Suite 2100 Muskegon, MI 49444

Jennifer Ross

Term Expires: 26/27

Home: 693 Ada Ave c: (231) 903-9981 Muskegon, MI 49442 jenniferross1978@gmail.com

Work: City Clerk w: (231) 733-8999 City of Muskegon Heights jross@muskegonheights.us 2724 Peck St. Muskegon, MI 49444

Ryan Sterkenburg Spouse: Kris

Term Expires: 25/26

Home: 12585 Canterbury Ct, c: (231) 632-6645 Grand Haven, MI 47417 rsterk66@gmail.com

Work:

Personal Trust Administrator Senior VP | Wealth Management w: (616) 396-9134 Macatawa Bank rsterk66@gmail.com 141 East 8th St Holland, MI 49423

Tom Trzaska Spouse: Liz Term Expires: 26/27

Home: 1110 Lake Ave c: (231) 855-1533 North Muskegon tjtrzaska@aol.com Michigan 49445

Work: Chief Engineer RENK American w: (231) 724-2736 76 Getty St. thomas.trzaska@renk-america.com Muskegon, MI 49442

PROFILE AND COMMITMENTS

The Board of Directors represents the public trust and serves as the governing body of the WMS. Its purpose is to safeguard the public interest and provide the resources that will enable WMS to deliver on its mission.

Responsibilities of the Board:

• Determine, periodically reassess, and maintain focus on the mission and vision

• Secure the financial support required to fulfill the mission and vision

• Review, approve and track budgets and plans

• Select, support and review the Music Director and Executive Director

• Engage in self-evaluation

• Select, orient and review Board members

• Provide a supportive environment that empowers musicians, staff and volunteers

• Advocate on behalf of WMS

Responsibilities of individual Board members:

• Participate in governance by attending as many Board meetings as possible; serve on at least one Standing Committee; participate in discussions and make informed decisions; actively support majority decisions of the Board

• Purchase season tickets and attend as many concerts as possible

• Participate in the annual Gala by buying or selling a table

• Make the WMS a charitable priority by pledging or making a gift to the Annual Fund by September 30 (the end of the first quarter); this show of commitment and support is important to grant solicitation efforts

• Support WMS Fund Development programs and projects in ways best suited to you as an individual

• Serve as an advocate and ambassador on behalf of WMS in the community

• Become familiar with the artistic and educational “footprint” of WMS (its subscription concerts and education and outreach programs), its basic business model and revenue drivers

Our commitment to you:

In order to empower Board members to be successful, the leadership and staff commit to providing:

• Accurate and timely financial and operational reports

• Straightforward and clear answers to all questions

• Appropriate notice of meeting dates as well as advance information and meeting materials

• Advance notice of any significant news prior to its public release

• Information about industry trends, issues and best practices

ANDY BUELOW PRESIDENT/CEO

Andy Buelow has dedicated his professional life to revitalizing orchestras and building strong connections between patrons, communities and orchestral organizations. Since his arrival in 2018 he has instigated a new Vision, Strategic Plan and DEI Framework; expanded community initiatives to include an after-school string program for at-risk youth; revamped the organization’s audience engagement programs to attract new subscribers and single ticket buyers; and collaborated with board and community leaders on a campaign to build the organization’s endowment and reserves.

As Executive Director of Symphony Tacoma from 2007-2017, Buelow instigated board team building and governance best practices; established a cycle of three-year strategic and annual operating planning; revised the business model to focus on patron revenue; and led a national search for a new music director that culminated with the hiring of Sarah Ioannides in 2014.

Buelow came to Tacoma after six years as ED of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra in Michigan. Prior to that, he spent 16 years with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, culminating as Director of Public Relations. Buelow holds a BA in Music from Lawrence University and is an avid sailor, Great Lakes historian and keyboardist.

WMS STAFF

Andy Buelow President/CEO

Amanda Dykhouse Orchestra Librarian

Megan James Marketing & Design Manager

Karen Mueller O’Neill Vice President of Development & Marketing

Maris Myers Patron Services Manager

Gabe Slimko Vice President of Operations & Orchestra

Lisa Tabaczka Finance & Office Manager

Karen Vander Zanden Vice President of Community Learning & Engagement

ORGANIZATION CHART

ELEVATOR SPEECH

WHY LIVE MUSIC MATTERS

• Society has become fragmented. Live music brings people together to share beauty.

• People are hungry for authentic experiences of community. We provide a welcoming, inclusive gathering space.

• Muskegon is striving for year-round vibrancy. WMS brings 16,000 people downtown annually.

WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT WMS

• A world-class conductor who is approachable, friendly and a fantastic communicator

• An amazing quality orchestra with professional musicians from more than 10 different states

• Our orchestra can play it all: Classical, Jazz, Blues, Motown, Movies and more.

• Performances in a stunning historic renovated theater with warm, lush acoustics.(Scott Speck declares: “the finest concert hall between Chicago and Detroit!”)

• Learning programs that enrich students and adults through exploration, participation, and performance. (Carnegie Hall national education program administrators claim: “WMS is our poster child!”)

WHAT’S

UNIQUE ABOUT THE BLOCK

• A listening room for the musically curious—where every concert is immersive!

• Great sound, casual atmosphere where you can enjoy music with your favorite drink—and take in the sunset from the downtown’s only roof garden

• We book the artists but we don’t tell them what to play

• A mixture of jazz, classical, folk and crossover—you never know what you’ll hear

WHAT’S VITAL ABOUT WMS COMMUNITY MUSIC ENCOUNTERS

• WMS Community Music Encounters take place in the concert hall, classroom and community for all ages —from toddlers to adults.

• It’s like a “Community Music Center” without walls.

• Studies show that music learning positively impacts a child’s self-esteem and emotional health. Learning a new skill over time through practice and weekly rehearsals strengthens their ability to persevere and delay gratification. The experience of performing in front of peers and adults builds their self-confidence and risktaking. These personality traits will carry them through the rest of their academic career and into adulthood, regardless of whether they continue in music.

• According to STEM Jobs Career Network, music strengthens memory, language, temporal reasoning and attention.

• Students who participate in orchestra programs test an average of a full academic year ahead of their peers.

• Through the generous support of our donors and the community, we are able to provide these learning encounters free or at very little cost to schools and parents.

(Elevator Speech, continued)

• We’re building a community of listening and learning together for all ages.

• Click Clack Moosic is a storybook series for ages 2-8 developed by WMS. We present it at home in The Block and out in the community in libraries, schools and hospitals. We’ve even “lent” it out to other orchestras!

• WMS was a charter orchestra in Link Up when Carnegie Hall rolled out the curriculum in 2003. Now, over 20 years later, WMS has been presenting Link Up longer than any other U.S. orchestra. Parents who experienced Link Up in grade school themselves are now watching their own children participate. Carnegie Hall administrators refer to us as their “poster child”!

• WMS Tune Up eliminates barriers to participation in music for under-served children. It is tuition-free, removing any cost barrier; it takes place in the school, removing any transportation barrier.

• WMS Tune Up is an embedded activity within Muskegon Public School’s 21st Century IMPACT after-school program. Students receive homework assistance and participate in fitness, art, and sports. WMS benefits from IMPACT’s already established safe, supportive environment. IMPACT is provided with a needed musical component. It is a win-win for MPS students, teachers and parents.

• We’re building a community of listening and learning—and it starts with the children.

WHAT THE AUDIENCE SAYS ABOUT THE SYMPHONY

• “One of the cultural foundations of a developing Muskegon.”

• “I love how Scott Speck talks to the audience and help us understand the music.”

• “I am so proud of WMS and grateful to those who support its existence.”

• “We are so fortunate to have Scott Speck and the WMS in our community.”

THE BUZZ ABOUT THE BLOCK

• “So professional—I felt like I was sitting in a club in Chicago!”

• “The Block is a wonderful atmosphere where audience and musicians can interact.”

WHAT TEACHERS SAY ABOUT LINK UP

• “I work for an urban school where not many students are exposed to the arts. Link Up is very therapeutic for my students, as many of them have endured trauma at home.”

• “My students LOVED meeting the orchestra player that visited them this year. When the player was introduced at the concert they all cheered and were abuzz with excitement!”

• “Many of my students had never been to a performance hall or heard an orchestra before.”

WHAT PARENTS SAY ABOUT OUR YOUTH ENSEMBLES

• “Having our daughter be a part of the Children’s Choir has been great for expanding her love of music. There was never any hesitation in including her, despite her hearing challenges.”

• “Debut Strings offers a wonderful opportunity for our children to practice and perform music outside of school. By learning new pieces with student musicians from several area schools, they are challenged to grow in their playing.”

AUDIENCE COMMITTEE

Purpose:

Optimize audience development, experience, loyalty and retention.

Method:

Align organizational culture and resources toward retaining existing and attracting new audiences through creative promotional techniques, exemplary customer care and systematic engagement.

Type:

A standing committee of the Board

Membership:

The Committee will consist of not less than three nor more than five Board members and may be augmented by community ex officios providing needed competencies and expanded reach.

Committee Chairperson:

Appointed by the Board Chairperson

Activities & Responsibilities:

• Lead Board participation in audience engagement activities

• Collaborate with staff in annual audience development goal setting and planning and advocate for appropriate revenue goals in annual budget

• Ensure that audience building and retention goals and objectives in the Strategic Plan and DEI Framework are being continually reviewed and translated into ground level strategies and tactics

• Participate in single ticket, repeat buyer and subscriber cultivation, engagement and stewardship; encourage and empower other Board members to do the same

• Assist in brainstorming and executing ideas for effective and creative concert curation and promotions

Meetings:

Held monthly or as determined by issues and needs, on a schedule determined annually by the committee chair. The committee will maintain minutes and provide these to the full Board, and make reports and presentations to the Board periodically as needed.

COMMUNITY COMMITTEE

Purpose:

Foster community-wide relationships and engagement activities to build awareness, relevance and impact.

Type:

A standing committee of the Board

Membership:

The Committee will consist of not less than three nor more than five Board members and may be augmented by community ex officios providing needed competencies and expanded reach.

Committee Chairperson:

Appointed by the Board Chairperson

Activities & Responsibilities:

• Lead and participate in public affairs and community engagement activities, ensuring that organization is a collaborative, participatory, inclusive and relevant community resource

• Oversee effectiveness of WMS Community Music Encounters and DEI Framework and ensure consistency with organizational mission, vision and values

• Identify underserved areas in regional music ecology and, when appropriate, help to foster opportunities for WMS to extend service

Meetings:

Meetings held monthly or as determined by issues and needs, on a schedule determined annually by the chair. The committee will maintain minutes and provide these to the full Board, and will make reports and presentations to the Board periodically as needed.

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Purpose:

Ensuring the optimal and effective performance of the Board of Directors and its direct reports, the Music Director and CEO.

Type:

A standing committee of the Board

Membership:

Staffed primarily by Board members, the Committee may consist of not less than three nor more than five members and may be augmented by community ex officios providing needed competencies.

Chair:

Appointed by the Board Chairperson from among the slate of Officers

Activities & Responsibilities

• Establish and lead process for annual performance review and goal-setting for the Board as a collective and for individual members to enhance engagement, participation and impact

• Provide continual opportunities for Board development to ensure that members have the knowledge, skills and resources to fulfill their responsibilities

• Develop and recommend to full Board for approval an annual slate of nominees for all officer positions as required by organizational Bylaws, as well as chairmanship and membership of each committee.

• Develop and recommend to full Board new nominees for membership and term renewal for existing members to ensure continual refreshment of Board membership

• Regularly review and recommend updates of Bylaws, Policies & Procedures. Monitor on an ongoing basis organization’s adherence to these practices.

• Establish an inclusive and organization-wide process for performance reviews of both Music Director and CEO and ensure that this process is conducted annually.

• Ensure appropriate human resources policies and procedures that facilitate productivity, effectiveness and retention

• Ensure that Board operations are conducted in accordance with the WMS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework

• Oversee facility management and lease, including office and Block, to ensure appropriate overhead costs and optimal utilization, as well as positive relations with lessor and fellow tenants

Meetings:

RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Purpose:

Ensure adequate financial resources needed to fulfill organizational mission

Method:

1.) Lead creation of annual budget and monitor compliance; 2;) Maintain oversight of financial reporting and controls; 3.) Lead programs relating to Major Gift/Sponsorship cultivation and solicitation

Type:

A standing committee of the Board

Membership:

Staffed primarily by Board members, the Committee may consist of not less than three nor more than five members and may be augmented by community ex officios providing needed competencies.

Chair:

Treasurer of the Board

Activities & Responsibilities

• Oversee staff development of annual budgets and present final proposed budgets to Boards for adoption

• Review monthly financial reports and monitor performance against budget; provide regular written and/or verbal reports to the Board

• Ensure observance of appropriate financial controls, gift acceptance and acknowledgment, and adherence to GAAP and other appropriate not-for-profit policies and procedures

• Collaborate with staff leadership in planning and implementing annual Major Gift/Sponsorship program and encourage Board-wide participation in annual campaigns to generate increased support

• Formulate investment policies and maintain prudent and effective investment of working capital and endowment funds

Meetings:

2024/25 BUDGET SUMMARY

FUND DEVELOPMENT AT WMS

As you can see from the 2024-2025 Budget pie-chart, more than 70% of WMS’s $1.619mm revenue goal is to be raised from contributed revenue sources. However, 14% of this is slated to be drawn from investment earnings and restricted funds. This is a significant improvement over WMS’s budget model prior to the 2020 Play Your Part Campaign, when investment earnings amounted to less than 3% of budget.

Our fund development goals for 2024-2025 break out into the following:

FUND DEVELOPMENT AT WMS

Our Fund Development Strategy

Even the most sophisticated organizations sometimes lose sight of the fundamental concepts that shape good fundraising. We can all benefit from periodically refreshing our understanding of the field’s best practices, which are grounded in research.

Here are six overarching concepts that we use to shape our fund development strategy:

• Spend more time on seeking individual contributions than sponsorships or grants. Individual donors are more likely to give on an unrestricted, sustained basis.

• Pay the most attention to the people closest to the organization, not those outside. It is more effective to focus on those who already believe in our cause and are already contributing toward it.

• Prioritize retaining-upgrading current donors and re-activating lapsed donors over acquiring new donors. See above.

• Focus attention on donors who have given the most money. Treat every donor with respect and honor—while concentrating our time and resources on those whose giving level sustains and furthers our mission.

• Invest more energy deepening donors’ relationships with our work than asking. Ask only when we know people are ready to say yes. This is why it is called fund development. While small, one-time gifts result from letter appeals and special events, sustained giving comes from our nurturing of advocate/investors.

• Emphasize lower-cost-per-dollar-raised methods over high-cost methods. The highest-cost method of all is the special event, while the lowest-cost is the direct major gift appeal.

Adapted from Boards on Fire! by Susan Howlett

How you can help:

Every Board member helps to support the fund development program, and this can be done in a variety of ways. We request that all Board members participate in these ways:

Make a gift that reflects WMS as one of your top giving priorities—whatever that means to you. Fill a Gala table, either by sponsoring a table yourself or by inviting friends to join you at your table by purchasing their own tickets.

Beyond this, board members support the development effort in these ways:

• Identification: Help the staff to identify donor prospects

• Engagement: Invite a prospect to engage with the organization through attendance or volunteering

• Cultivation: Invite a prospect to meet with you and the CEO for an informational meeting

• Solicitation: Join the CEO or another Board member at a meeting in which a prospect will be invited to consider a gift

• Stewardship: Thank donors for their support

A healthy Fund Development program has many facets, and asking for a gift is only the final step in a process. We spend far more time on engaging, cultivating and thanking than we do on asking. You can support the process in many ways!

Where we are today:

- A world-class conductor who is approachable, friendly and a fantastic communicator

- An amazing quality orchestra with professional musicians from more than 10 states

- Performances in a stunning newly restored theater with warm, lush acoustics - “the ﬁnest concert hall between Chicago and Detroit!”

- A listening room for the musically curious where every performance is immersive

- Community Music Encounters that enrich students and adults through exploration, participation and performance

Where we’re going next:

- Become the most welcoming, audience-friendly orchestra in the U.S.

- Eliminate barriers to participation in music throughout the community

- Expand geographic reach to underserved areas of West Michigan

- Build community partnerships to make West Michigan a year-round cultural center

- Make WMS a destination orchestra for musicians

MICHIGAN SYMPHONY

2024/25 BOARD HANDBOOK

19402025