Volunteers sought for upcoming events; board saves big on studies
By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
Last week, the Elmhurst Independent received a release with an update on the Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts (ECPA) and its latest endeavors. Later in the week, the Independent caught up with Board Chair Jeff Budgell who provided some more information.
The ECPA Board has launched a volunteer recruitment campaign to engage additional people to join the effort in bringing this state-of-the art performing arts facility to Elmhurst and the surrounding community.
“As we enter into the next phase of our plan, we need more volunteers,” said Laura Michaud, one of ECPA’s board members. “The community support has been inspiring and we are eager to engage the talents, ideas and assistance of more people to help make this vision a reality.”
The ECPA initiative was formed in 2014 with the goal of building a center for music, theater, dance, and comedy anchored in downtown Elmhurst. Since then, the board and volunteer team have successfully established a strategic plan, held multiple fund-raisers, and initiated dialogue with community leaders, organizations and residents.
The next phase of the project entails a feasibility and economic impact study, public relations, targeted fund-raiser events, grant writing, and spreading the plans and enthusiasm for the project.
“We received some good news about the studies,” Budgell told the Independent. “We thought it would cost $25,000 for a feasibility study and another $25,000 for an economic impact study, but we found a company who would do both studies for the $25,000 price tag. That’s a considerable savings for us.”
This volunteer recruitment campaign will help ECPA with four main events; Art in the Park kids tent; Broadway in Elmhurst on May 10; ECPA Summer Fling on June 10; and the Spotlight Gala on September 30.
“The talent in Elmhurst and the western suburbs is endless. We are hoping to tap into those who want to be part of this exciting project, said Becky Marianetti, Board Director. “There are small tasks and greater responsibilities for volunteers, she added, and each will be a building block to bring the Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts to our community.”
The volunteer opportunities include event planning, representing ECPA at community events, general administration, marketing and public relations, community outreach, fundraising and grant writing. For more information, contact Anne Knudsen at [email protected].
