News for March 2012

Thanks to all our volunteers for offering their time and talent to promote Partners’ mission of “Bringing People and the Arts Together.”

From the Desk of Your Partners’ President: Can you spare a few hours in April? The Annual Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is happening April 14 and 15. If you have never been to the Arts Festival, then by all means this is a perfect time to get involved with one of main attractions that bring in not only art lovers, but tourists from all over.

Pavilion Partners is one on the charity partners with the Arts Festival and we need every one of you that can volunteer to sign up for at least one shift. You don’t have to be artistically inclined to help out. They are in need of lots of people to help set up before the festival… getting all of the artists settled in their booths, and also during the festival when thousands of people come to see all of the works that are on display. In addition, there is live music and dance, a children’s workshop and plenty of food. All of which takes a lot of volunteers to pull it off.

Best of all, Pavilion Partners raises a lot of money from this event. Last year, we received a check for $13,200 as a donation for all of the volunteer hours that we clocked in. We need to raise this kind of money again this year and that is why your help is needed. Even if you can just work one shift, it would be so very much appreciated.

Sign up this year is easier than ever. Simply go to their website, woodlandsartsfestival.com and on the left hand side, scroll down until you see the tab “volunteer sign-up.” That will take you to the page that talks about the roles of the volunteers. At the bottom of that page there is a button for you to sign up. Press that button and you can register to work. The shifts are outlined with the day and shift hours. It will also tell you how many people they are still recruiting. Sign up for the one, or the ones that you would like to work. If all of them are full on the days that you want to work, then sign up for “flex schedule.” There is so much work to be done, and sometimes they don’t where they will need extra people until the day of the event. Most importantly, at the end of the registration you will be asked to choose a charity partner for which your time will be donated. Be sure to highlight Pavilion Partners.

I am working on Thursday and Saturday so I hope to see many of you out at the festival.

But why stop here? Invite your friends, relatives and co-workers to volunteer with you. They can register to work the same time as you do, and make sure that they donate their hours to Pavilion Partners too.

This is a wonderful event that not only shows off the creativity of some very gifted artists; it is also becoming a stellar show piece for The Woodlands as a community.

For those of you that have signed up already, I truly thank you for your participation again this year and I will see you at the Arts Fest!

Renew Your Membership Today -   Your continued support is appreciated and we hope you will join Partners again this season.  Please remember that membership dues need to be received and processed before you may sign up for events and be issued your badge.  Click here http://www.woodlandscenter.org/donation.html to sign up online. 

Partners welcomes New Volunteer & Special Events Coordinator – Leslie Williams has joined us as the new Volunteer & Special Events Coordinator.  Her relationship with The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion began over 10 years ago when Leslie worked in the public affairs office with HEB.  She was involved with securing funding for The Pavilion’s arts programming.  After leaving HEB, Leslie never lost touch with The Pavilion.  She has volunteered as a Partners event volunteer and as a member of the board of directors for the past five years.  Leslie can assist you with your membership and scheduling needs and questions.  You can contact Leslie at 281-210-1125 or email her at lwilliams@woodlandscenter.org.

New Event Volunteers –  Mark you calendars for the Event Staff Open House which will be held on Saturday, March 24 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.  Partners are to arrive at 1:00 p.m. for a brief introduction to Partners and to have their badge photos taken.  We will meet in the Woodforest Bank Club located at The Pavilion.  Plan to arrive early and park in the parking garage located in the Gold Lot off Six Pines Drive.  Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Late arrivals will not be admitted and volunteers must remain for the entire training.  Please RSVP to Leslie Williams at lwilliams@woodlandscenter.org if you plan to attend.

Also, please plan to attend the Departmental Training on Saturday, March 31.  Two sessions will be offered.  New event volunteers may choose to come at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.  Specific information will be given regarding the duties of event volunteers serving at The Pavilion.

New Performing Arts Volunteers – There are two informational meetings for new Partners interested in being a Performing Arts Volunteer scheduled for Wednesday, April 11.  Volunteers may choose to attend from 10:00 a.m.-Noon or 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.  This is a great way to find out more about our volunteer program.  A mini-tour of The Pavilion will be included.  If you plan to attend or would like more information, please contact Leslie Williams at 281-210-1125 or lwilliams@woodlandscenter.org.

Returning Event Volunteers - Welcome back!  Event volunteers who met their eight event requirement in the 2011 are not required to attend a training to qualify for the 2012 season.  You are required to work 8 events which must include 2 performing arts or educational outreach events and one of the mandatory events listed below:

·        The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival (April 14 & 15)

·        Houston Symphony (April 20)

·        Buzzfest (April 21)

·        Houston Symphony (April 25)

Additional options for the mandatory event will be posted if you are unable to work one of those listed above. 

For Returning Event Volunteers who did not make their required eight events last season:  We would be very excited to have your help again this year.  You are asked to attend the Departmental Training on March 31 either at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. and volunteer to work one of the following events:

·        The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival (April 14 & 15)

·        Houston Symphony April 20)

·        Buzzfest (April 21)

·        Houston Symphony (April 25)

Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival - Approximately 600 volunteers are needed for The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival in Town Center on April 12-15, 2012.   Volunteers are asked to work a four hour shift and, in exchange, receive free admission to the festival and a commemorative t-shirt.  Volunteer positions include artist relations, festival admissions, gate monitor & greeters, entertainment assistants, children’s art activities, souvenir sales and student art exhibit.  Visit www.woodlandsartsfestival.com for online registration form and other details.  Registration is to be submitted by April 12.  Please indicate that you would like your volunteer hours to benefit THE PAVILION PARTNERS when you register.    You do not need to be an event volunteer or even a member of Partners to participate.  Volunteers must be 18 years or older.  Event volunteers will receive one event credit per volunteer shift.

Please sign up for The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival through their website and not The Pavilion event staff calendar.   

Recruiting Incentive – The Partners Board would like to encourage you to expand our membership this season.  Therefore, Partners will be awarded one opportunity to win dinner for two for each new member who joins Partners as an event volunteer qualifying for a 2012 season badge.  The drawing will be at the New Member Party in June.  In addition, event volunteers will receive one event credit for recruiting one or more qualified volunteers.   Let’s see if we can bring in 100 new volunteers!

Come join the fun! – Partners Social Committee will be holding its first committee meeting of the season on Monday, March 19^th at 6:00 p.m.  If you would like to participate in planning the Partners social events including the New Member Party, please meet at the Black Walnut Restaurant located at 2520 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands.  For more information, contact Sarah at partners@woodlandscetner.org.  

Hats Off to Reading – Volunteers are needed to help with Hats Off to Reading Celebration preceding “The Art of Baseball” symphony performance on April 25.  Hats Off to Reading promotes student literacy and a love of reading.  The event is held in the House of Blues Hospitality Tent.  Children are able to take a free book home and participate in fun activities such as a book walk, coloring contest, hat making and face painting.  Partners are needed from 5 p.m.– 7 p.m. to assist with the activities.  To sign up, contact Leslie Williams at lwilliams@woodlandscenter.org. 

YMCA Healthy Kids Day – will be held on April 28^th from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Creekside YMCA Adventure Center, The Woodlands.  Ten volunteers are needed to take our Instrument Petting Zoo out to share with our community.  Over 800 guests are expected.  Please contact Leslie Williams at lwilliams@woodlandscenter.org to volunteer. One event credit will be given. 

14^th Annual Wine Dinner -   Partners 14^th Annual Wine Dinner will be held Sunday, March 25^th on the main stage of The Pavilion.  Guests are invited to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, dinner and premier wines while offering support for Partners Fine Arts Scholarship Fund and The Pavilion’s educational outreach programs.   We are excited to announce that the event is sold out!

The Pavilion Buzz - Sign up to receive The Pavilion Buzz, your link to the nerve center of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, home of The Pavilion!  This periodical source of information will give you insight about “Hot” topics and events at The Pavilion.  To join, visit www.woodlandscenter.org. 

Again, thank you for your loyalty and dedication to The Pavilion and Partners looks forward to your continued support in 2012.