Event: SF Symphony Chinese New Year Concert and Imperial Ball
Date of Event: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Volunteer Organization: San Francisco Symphony Volunteer Council
Beneficiary: SF Symphony Community and Educational Programs

What is it about the organization that made you willing to take on the role as event Chair?

I am proud to say that through its fundraising endeavors such as CNY, the SF Symphony has helped support over 75,000 SF Bay Area school children through its educational and concert programs. The Aim Program, Concert for Kids, and many other symphony directed activities makes a tremendous impact in people’s lives and its community! This event also serves as a platform for community outreach. It showcases the Chinese culture and traditions, giving opportunity to share our heritage with others. I feel great about all these various elements and support the symphony because them.

What will be special about the event? If this is an annual event, what will be new elements added to this year’s event?

CNY 2010 is special because this year marks our milestone TENTH ANNIVERSARY. To celebrate we’ve launched many “FIRSTS” for this event. We hosted our FIRST Preview Kick Off Party and we are creating our FIRST Imperial Ball, where following the spectacular concert we will dine underneath the grand rotunda in City Hall to enjoy live entertainment, adding dancing this year.

Of course, the centerpiece of this event is the concert program on the great stage of Davies Symphony Hall featuring our very own SF Symphony orchestra conducted by award winning and sensational Carolyn Kuan. To make it more special, Michael Tilson Thomas, will join Carolyn Kuan on stage to conduct featured performances by Hoa Chen Zhang, Gold Medalist of the 2009 Van Cliburn Piano Competition who is performing the dramatic first movement of Tchaikovsky’s – First Piano Concerto. We are also collaborating with the San Francisco Ballet , and non other than world famous ballerina Yuan Yuan Tan and her partner Tiit Helimets, will be performing the Grand Pas De Deux from Swan Lake! I am sooooo excited and can’t wait to enjoy perfromances by an all star cast this year!

What constitutes success for you with regards to the specific event you’re chairing?

Success to me is achieving what we set out to do ten years ago and for the vision to perpetuate.

I am so fortunate to reside in a city where there is such great diversity. I love learning about other cultures and embracing them. When we first launched this event, the symphony’s dual mission was to utilize CNY for the purpose of showcasing the Chinese culture as it is a vibrant and important population in SF Bay Area and also to outreach to the community featuring a quality family oriented program.

This event is important to me because being Chinese it has become part of a tradition for SF families during CNY celebrations–mine include. I’ve been privileged to be a part of something very special — to know that this event will be perpetual even after our lifetime, to carry on our traditions and culture for our children, next generations and for everyone to enjoy is moving indeed. CNY is important to me not only to preserve our heritage & share it with others….. more important, through the power of music CNY connects people and bring them together making our community, our world a better place.

Currently, CNY event is a sell out year after year. For the program, we have approximately 3,000 attendees. Seeing the amount of diversity in the audience—5 year olds to 98 year old grandmas, regular patrons to first time concert goers, various ethncities—all joined together in celebration is a beautiful thing. This is outreach, this is success.

How do you balance the quantifiable goal of raising money with the goal of broadening goodwill?

I believe these two components work hand in hand together, not separately. If the mission & its goals are something I am passionate about, I think it naturally emanates to others. Feeling good and being genuinely committed makes collaboration, partnering, and leveraging resources much easier because you start attracting those who have the same mindset.

What plans have you made to address problems that may arise?

Last year, there was a power outage in the Civic Center area where we held the Gala Dinner! We had 400 plus people attending and I thought they would bolt! However, we made a joke out of it and told attendees, this the ambiance will make the experience more romantic and memorable! A megaphone was brought in for the speeches. This year, we are bringing the megaphone back (LOL)!

Are there any pre-event parties for Benefactors?

Yes two spectacular parties!, A beautiful and elegant Preview Party that launched this event was done in a private home during December. An intimately exclusive post-concert party featuring YO-YO Mah as our honored guest was also enjoyed in January!

What background do you have to take on the role as Chair?

I have pioneered the Annual Multicultural Fairs in Independent Schools around the City, promoting diversity and cultural education. I started and chaired many fundraising endeavors, including the Annual Champagne Luncheon & Bingo for Salesians Boys and Girls Club, which I am mentioning because it was fun & unique to see a fundraiser that drew revelers already in festive mood to spend before stepping in the door – not only for bingo but also for silent and live auctions too! That was cool!

What was will be the most compelling event auction lotelement?

This particular event does not have an auction, but does sell raffle tickets. We have great prizes including hotel stays with dinner, VIP CNY Parade tickets, etc..

What are you wearing to the event?

Because of the elegant Asian influenced ambiance, guests get decked out in tuxes, Chinese/Asian wear, western gowns, cheung sum and so forth. The Imperial Ball is unique in that it blends & mixes tasteful eastern and western attire which promotes the “coming together of cultures” adding to the fun of this evening!!! I am wearing a traditional sequin beaded cheong sam!

What is your fundraising motto?

“Keep raising the bar! Always make it Bigger, BOLDER, and BETTER than ever before!” As this is the Year of the Tiger, I say to the committee…..” Make them Grooowl for more”!

What qualities make an event Chair successful?

* Be selective and able to choose good people and those who are willing to “work” for your committee,

* Stay focused and driven to create a successful event

* Persistency and resilient – don’t let “no’s” damper your spirits when asking for sponsorships. Keep moving forward.

* Have heart and genuine interest it will catch on

* Be thankful and sincerely gracious for what others do for you—they are putting in time and money to volunteer or help. Don’t forget that!

What external resources do you use in your fundraising efforts?

* Attend other fundraisers

* Network with seasoned philanthropists, development chairs, and corporate external affairs

* For fresh ideas for our family oriented Festival Reception, I make it a habit of keeping my eyes open at all times for potential entertainment: street artists, attend local fairs in The City and when traveling, go to destination spots such as parties and community events geared towards families

* Attend numerous cultural events to learn and gather information

What was the best charity event you’ve ever attended and why?

Too many to name, but the ones I enjoy engages the attendees through fun activities or funny commentaries.

What is one fundraising tip you’ve learned that you’re willing to share?

The signature marks of CNY are the elements of surprise, mystery, exoticism, and fun which draw people back to this event time and again. The bar is raised year after year. We’ve had Cirque De Soleil perform, kicking off the Imperial Banquet Dinner with a surprise ceiling drop from an aerialist. What’s next???–Guests always wonder and return each year to see.

My tip is to always try to keep event fresh & exciting. Have a “WOW” factor and giving them perceived value on their ticket price.

What faded tradition do you wish would be resurrected?

I ditto the person who said, “handwritten personal thank you notes!”

What are three words that best describe you?

I don’t know which three words to describe myself…..but do know what same words come from others: Cheerleader, Pistol, Diplomat.

[Feature photo courtesy of Heather Wiley/ Drew Altizer Photography]