SHUSHERS

Ravinia Festival, our outdoor music venue on Chicago's North Shore, employs “Shushers” for special performances. “Shushers” carry clearly worded signs asking concertgoers to respect their fellow audience members and to supervise their children. “Shushers” disappeared halfway through a Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance this summer when James Conlon conducted Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 -- the “Symphony of a Thousand.” He synchronized 374 people on stage: three choruses – Chicago Symphony Chorus, Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and Chicago Children’s Choir – eight vocal soloists and an expanded orchestra.

Who would expect to need “Shushers” for a self-selected heavy listening crowd? I can’t imagine subjecting children to such an experience to begin with - well, maybe a juvenile Yoyo Ma - there are exceptions to every rule. Unfortunately, we parked our picnic in front of a group of card-playing children. By the second half of the evening’s performance, the kids were getting restless.

I was fascinated with their parents on a certain level. They didn’t seem to notice the “Shushers” or the should be Shushees. Had the four sets of parents failed to plan for babysitting? Did their babysitter cancel at the last minute? Why weren’t they sitting next to their children? How could they be so oblivious while surrounded by listeners?

Mulling over the neglectful parents reminded me of negligent parents of one of my favorite local organizations. Those parents, the Board of Directors, have no fundraising requirements for Board membership, not even an expectation of a personal gift. Some members feel their names are an important enough contribution to the organization. Like the parents at Ravinia, they are oblivious to their responsibility. The reality of fundraising for nonprofit organizations is the necessity for the Board to help solicit gifts. They might be averse, aloof or apprehensive, but if the leaders of the organization won’t ask for support, who will?

Today’s supporters have expectations of organizational leaders. I’m pleased to cite one organization as a model: Community Health Net of Erie, PA, which provides primary health care and a variety of other medical services, including dental and vision care, to the needy. They have announced a $100,000 fundraising campaign to buy a handicap-accessible van and a handicap-accessible dental chair, among other needs. The agency's 11-person board has pledged to support this drive with its own dollars, 100 percent! This small-scale fundraising effort won't solve the national dilemma of broadening access to health care, but it can make a difference in Erie!

How can you excite your board about getting involved in the development process? How can you persuade board members to assist? Use guerilla tactics! Call me for how to attack this.

Oh, and Mahler, absent the “Shushers,” still a stunning performance under the stars!