Sunday, February 28, 2010

Pacesetter Reception

2009 Pacesetter Awards Reception

Event hosted at United Way headquarters, catered by Rococos.





Campaign Kickoff

United Way Campaign Kickoff 2009

Event hosted at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.












My sister and sweet baby niece, Eden, came to support me at Kickoff. Great surprise!

Building Dedication/Community Investment Reception

Having moved the United Way headquarters in December 2008, we felt like it was about time to dedicate the new building. So, we tacked it on to an existing event to bring two important groups together - volunteers and community leaders.

Hosted at United Way headquarters, catered by the Skirvin Hilton Hotel.





Pacesetter Games

2009 Pacesetter Games

Hosted at OPUBCO Communications, catered by INTEGRIS Health.










Pacesetter Luncheon

2009 Pacesetter Luncheon

Hosted at Oklahoma City Marriott Hotel





Round Two - And So It Begins...

After Gala, I needed a break, and thankfully, the way United Way events work, I would get one. A three month long break, to be exact.

In the time following Gala, I began to prepare for my 2009 events season. Booking venues, calling caterers, getting AV bids. As busy as that makes me sound, it took merely days to do that.

So, you ask, what did I do with down time? Also, thankfully, part of working at United Way means you wear 27 hats on any given day. And this time, I got to put on a new one. My allocations hat was a little scary at first, but I got the hang of it.

Crash course. Allocations hat = working with 15 volunteers, four agencies and learning how to balance your role of no opinion, but still effectively answer questions. It was tough, but it was an exciting process to be a part of.

As that season wound down, it was time for my first event. Leadership Reception. Nearly 500 people attended the 2009 Leadership Reception (where we thank our 'Leadership' donors, those who gave $500 or more to the 2008 campaign) at Coles Garden.

Guests were treated to an open bar and 'black and white fare,' courtesy of Tom and Jerry's(consisting of tuna or chicken with black and white sesame seeds served with ginger soy vinaigrette or wasabi aioli; beef carpacio rolled with black olive rings and garlic or bleu cheese aiolis; truffles with dark chocolate ganache and white chocolate; white monterrey jack cheese sauce with blackened poblanos and dark blue and white corn chips).