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The League of American Orchestras Volunteer Council leads, advocates, and champions volunteer organizations in their efforts to support their orchestras' community outreach and civic partnerships to advance the experience of orchestral music.
December Edition 2024
Kellie Sullivan, Volunteer Notes Editor | Sullivanaxid@aol.com
In This Issue
Meet the Volunteer Council President
Destination Salt Lake City - League National Conference
Introducing New Volunteer Council Members
Engaging New Members in Your Organization
Making Connections through Strategic Conversations
2024-2025 League Volunteer Council
Meet the Volunteer Council President
Kathy Leibrand, President 2024-2025
I am Kathy Leibrand, the President of the League of American Orchestras Volunteer Council. I was raised in St. Louis, Missouri with my three siblings, the product of two wonderful parents and the 1960’s. I am currently a resident of Parkville, Missouri, a cute little river town on the outskirts of Kansas City. My family life and career began in Kansas City where I married my husband Larry and raised our two children, Chris (35) and Sarah (29). We are all loyal fans of the Kansas City Chiefs, as we look forward to one more Superbowl. I am a retired mathematics educator, having taught 33 years in the Park Hill School District located in the Kansas City Northland. My husband is a retired automotive business owner, my son Chris is a business educator and track and field coach, and my daughter Sarah is a homemaker, raising our first grandchild (Ellie Joy) born September 25, 2024.
Since my retirement in 2012, I became active in many volunteer organizations including the International Rotary Club (president in 2023 and Paul Harris Fellow), Project Warmth, Hillcrest Transitional Housing, and Harvesters Food Bank. One of my more memorable experiences was as a medical missionary in Haiti, providing vision and dental care for the Haitian people who were able to travel to the mission.
I am a member of the Kansas City Assistance League which serves the Kansas City area in many charitable capacities. My current responsibility is creating survivor kits for adult victims of violence. I am a member of the Kansas City Assistance League which serves the Kansas City area in many charitable capacities. My current responsibility is creating survivor kits for adult victims of violence.
I have recently been inducted as a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and enjoy being involved with our local Northland Genealogy Society.
My orchestral music volunteerism began when being recruited into the Kansas City Symphony Guild in 2012. From 2013-2019, I have served as Fundraising Committee chair member, Treasurer, President Elect, President and Past President. I served as Secretary for the Kansas City Symphony Auxiliary Council where I currently remain as a member and Volunteer Council representative. Beginning in 2019, I was selected as a member of the League of American Orchestras Volunteer Council and am currently serving as President since taking office following the League's Houston Conference.
As president of the Volunteer Council, I will value our Council’s focused commitment to our mission to "lead, advocate, and champion volunteer organizations in their efforts to support orchestras to advance the experience orchestral music." The Council will continue with the ongoing education of its members to meet the current and future needs of the volunteer organizations in support of their orchestras.
I cherish my work, leadership opportunities, friendships, and experiences as a member of the League of American Orchestras Volunteer Council.
Destination Salt Lake City - League National Conference
June 11-13, 2025
by Maggie Stehman, Conference Chair 2024-2025
You won’t want to miss the 2025 League of American Orchestras Conference in Salt Lake City June 11-13, 2025. I am honored and excited to Chair this year’s Conference and to be working with the Volunteer Council to plan the forward- looking Volunteer Constituency component. Our eyes are on the future as we plan more interactive sessions that reimagine popular program elements and introduce new ways to connect with fellow volunteers. Our content will include Gold Awards of Excellence presentations, Networking sessions and discussions with engaging speakers, with plenty of time to connect with fellow delegates. We will also enjoy the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera in concert at the beautiful Maurice Abravanel Hall followed by the ever-popular Tune-Up Party.
You won’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to meet new Volunteers and re-connect with friends. It’s a unique and once a year opportunity to discuss new approaches and share solutions that will enhance your volunteer experience and that of your orchestra volunteer organization.
The Destination Salt Lake Conference registration rate is now open. From now until January 9, you can register for Conference at the lowest price of the year. Reserve your Hyatt Regency hotel room, plan your visit to local attractions, and secure your tickets to hear the Utah Symphony led by Music Director Emeritus Thierry Fischer on Thursday, June 12 at Maurice Abravanel Hall. Stay tuned for the full schedule of speakers and sessions to be announced at the end of February.
We look forward to seeing you in Salt Lake City, June 11-13, 2025!
Introducing New Volunteer Council Members
Kellie Sullivan is joining the Volunteer Council after serving in various roles with the Kansas City Symphony Alliance, including Public Relations, Showhouse Chair, and President. Her passion for the Symphony, which inspired her to take up the violin at a young age, has driven her commitment to volunteering.
In addition to her work with the Symphony, Kellie is a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist at University Health Behavioral Health, where she provides residential support for individuals with severe mental illnesses, helping them learn to live independently.
Kellie continues to play 2nd violin with the Olathe Community Orchestra as well as be an active member in her sorority Alpha Xi Delta. Kellie also enjoys photography, travel, cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and spending time with her three siamese cats. She is particularly excited to learn more about other auxiliary organizations through her work on the council and support symphony volunteers.
Paula Abernethy is joining the Volunteer Council from the Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Paula has severed in several leadership positions for this organization including Chair of the Ways & Means, Membership, Board Member as well as serving as President twice. Paula has always loved orchestral music and was delighted to get involved after retiring from her full time job and wanting to participate in her community.
In addition to her work with Friends of Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Paula volunteers with the Annapolis Opera Board of Trustees, the Naval Academy Museum and a local dog rescue.
Paula spends her spare free time enjoying the outdoors through hiking, boating and taking care of her two golden retrievers. She is hoping that her time on the Volunteer Council allows her to spread the word and promote what volunteer organizations can do while making others aware of how the Volunteer Council helps orchestras. She looks forward to promoting music within various communities and making new friends too!
Engaging New Members in Your Organization
by Darlene Clark, President Elect 2024-2025
Engaging new members is an essential part of every volunteer organization. New members provide additional resources for the organization to fulfill its mission, increase the organization’s revenue to support their Symphony, and bring fresh ideas, high energy, and an untapped crop of leaders. My home volunteer organization, the Houston Symphony League, has recently had great success in engaging our new members, thanks to a five-year membership plan by our Vice President-Membership.
Here is a brief glimpse into the HSO's New Member engagement plan:
The Houston Symphony League's Mentorship Chair worked to develop relationships with all new members by sending welcome packets, informing them of opportunities for events, and following up to answer questions and offer support.
We instituted activities for new members including serving as concierges at 60 concerts where they greeted new subscribers to the Houston Symphony and distributed volunteer organization information, plus staffing the Annual Fund table at Houston Symphony concerts.
Current members, concert goers and donors are our best ambassadors and recruiters. Encourage your members to invite their friends to key Houston Symphony League events. We also gave new members invitation packages to share with their friends.
Due to all of these efforts, membership increased 32%. 94% of current members renewed, which was a 12% increase. Membership revenue was a League record $40,350; an increase of $9,850.
I hope these ideas will inspire your volunteer organization to find new and exciting ways to engage new members!
Making Connections through Strategic Conversations
by Kathy Leibrand, Volunteer Council President 2024-2025
This year, more than twenty participants representing twelve orchestras participated in the Volunteer Council’s Strategic Conversations, a series of four Zoom calls for volunteer Presidents and emerging leaders of orchestra volunteer organizations. Through engaging presentations and conversation among participants, volunteer leaders shared creative ideas, strategies, and gained resources to lead their volunteers more effectively.
Strategic Conversations topics included:
- Ladders to Leaders, Gail Corvette, Charleston Symphony Orchestra
- The Volunteer Council’s Strategic Plan Journey, Paula McReynolds, Waco Symphony Orchestra
- Volunteer Leadership, Orchestra Governance, and National Trends in Volunteerism, David Styers, Director of Learning and Leadership Programs, League of American Orchestras
- Volunteerism and Symphony Staff Connections
Please join us Fall 2025 as we continue the next series of Strategic Conversations.
2024-2025 LEAGUE VOLUNTEER COUNCIL
Our Mission
The League of American Orchestras’ Volunteer Council leads, advocates, and champions volunteer organizations in their efforts to support orchestras to advance the experience of orchestral music.
Leadership Committee
- Darlene Clark, President-Elect (Houston, TX)
- Kathy Leibrand, President (Kansas City, MO)
- Paula McReynolds, Conference Chair-Elect (Waco, TX)
- Laurie Skjerseth, Immediate Past President (Venice, Florida)
- Maggie Stehman, Conference Chair (Washington, D.C.)
Members
- Paula Abernethy (Annapolis, MD)
- Julie Brantley (Richmond, VA)
- Marena Gault (Dallas, TX)
- Charlotte Lewis (New Orleans, LA)
- Florence Mc Lean (Baltimore, MD)
- Kent McNeil (St. Louis, MO)
- Irene Sohm (Santa Rosa, CA)
- Kellie Sullivan (Kansas City, MO)
Ex-Officio Members
- Melanie Hausmann, Houston, TX | League Liaison
- Debbie McKinney, Nichols Hills, OK | Sustainer Liaison-Elect
- Becky Odland, Edina, MN | Sustainer Liaison
- Venise Stuart, Dallas, TX | Association of Major Symphony Orchestra Volunteers (AMSOV) Liaison
- Mary Lou Turner, Kansas City, MO | Sustainer Mentoring Program
- Simon Woods, League of American Orchestras | President & CEO