Committees

Working Committee Structure

The ESO board members are organized into committees in order to perform the functions required for smooth continuing operation of the symphony. A person who does not wish to commit to serving on the Board of Directors, but would like to volunteer on a committee of interest is welcomed. Please contact us if you would like to participate on a committee in any capacity. All help, large or small, is appreciated.

Each committee chairperson is responsible for establishing an annual budget and for monitoring income and approving expenses within their scope of responsibility.

The committees and their responsibilities are listed below:
Strategic Planning

Because this committee will at times deal with sensitive discussions within and without the orchestra, the Chair of this committee will endeavor to ensure that the committee is comprised of members free from conflicts of interest and capable of maintaining confidentiality. In cooperation with the elected officers of the Board, the Chair will engage in negotiations and evaluation discussions with the Music Director.

Stategic planning committee :

• Define, implement and monitor “direction and mission” for orchestra
• Maintain input from other Board and Orchestra committees
• Establish venue selection and development
• Community and Orchestra surveys
• Audience outreach (chamber groups and special performances)
• Assure implementation of plan
• Search for side-by-side opportunities on accordance with our mission of educational and community growth
• Search for outreach opportunities
• Deal with confidential issues

Nominating:

The Chair will endeavor to find and recruit new Board members so as to maintain an appropriate balance of talent and affiliations on the Board, looking both to the Eastern Suburban community and within the ranks of the players. The Chair can recruit, on an ad hoc basis, other Board members to assist in this activity.

Overall duties of the committee at large include:

• Search/recommend new board members based on needs of organization as defined by the strategic plan
• Contacting nominees to determine interest
• Providing nominees with information about the ESO board (including bylaws, information on committees, etc.)
• Arranging for the nominees to attend a board meeting
• Telling the board about the nominee at the meeting
• Letting the nominee know of the board’s decision
• Handle the election of officers at the Annual Board Meeting

Finance

The Chair need not act as the Treasurer, but is responsible to understand and, if necessary, to carry out the essential financial activities of the committee, including:

• Establish yearly budgets
• Monitor budget vs. actual income and expense, reporting to board at least quarterly
• Arrange preparation of annual tax returns, 1099’s and other financial reporting
• Administer day to day financial issues

Publicity

The publicity committee is responsible for planning and executing all activities surrounding the promotion of the ESO and their performances. The committee will prepare an annual publicity campaign including, but not limited to the following elements:

• Design and production of all printed materials (tickets, programs, brochures, etc)
• Coordination of communications (radio spots, newspaper coverage, poster placement, etc)
• Advertising sales
• Community awareness and involvement

Fund Development

The Fund Development Committee is responsible for planning and executing all fund development activity and for ensuring that those activities are coordinated and linked with the Strategic Plan and Marketing Plan of the ESO. These activities include but are not limited to:

• Preparing grant applications
• Concert sponsorship
• Fundraising
• Contributions
• Sales of CDs, candy, clothing, etc.

The committee will prepare an annual fund development plan to be presented to the Board.
Operations

The committee is responsible for overseeing all logistics necessary for mounting concerts at the various sites, including:

• Performance Logistics
• Concert receptions
• Coordinate with Personnel Manager to accommodate special requirements for specific performances
• Arranging for rehearsal sites

Music Committee

The Chair will work closely with the MD to arrange the repertoires, soloists and special events for each of the concerts.

The Committee will:

• Recommend music for each of the concerts to be proposed to the MD, or work with the MD to select the music
• Recommend prospective soloists for the concerts to be proposed to the MD, or work with the MD to select the soloists
• Coordinate special events or effects for special occasion concerts such as Halloween, Holiday or Theme concerts to be proposed to the MD, or work with the MD.

Players Committee

The Players Committee will communicate with the musicians and address any and all concerns. The Personnel Manger and President are typically members of this committee. The committee will:

• Publish information in the Newsletter to inform players of rehearsal venues and times.
• Respond to personal needs and hardships involving players.
• Update and distribute the Players Handbook each year
• Welcome new members and provide them with a Players Handbook
• Announce concert dress, concerts information and all important information at rehearsals.

Would you like to volunteer for the ESO? Call 412-473-8880 or Contact Us.