When called on to make the needs of the Jewish community a priority by volunteering for the 2013 Federation Campaign and coming to a special program to prepare them, 20 people stepped forward and came to the 2013 Volunteer Training and Campaign kickoff event with Vicki Agron on Monday, November 5, at BJ’s Brewhouse. Many Jewish Community of Louisville staff members attended, too, to brush up their skills.
The event started with an opportunity for the volunteers to socialize while enjoying appetizers and dinner, but quickly got down to business. On behalf of Campaign Chair Karen Abrams, a pediatrician who was delayed for professional reasons, Jewish Federation of Louisville Campaign Director Stew Bromberg welcomed everyone and thanked them for taking an active role in the 2013 Federation Campaign.
“With everyone’s help,” he said, “I am confident that we will have a strong Campaign this year that will allow us to fulfill or Jewish needs locally, nationally, and overseas.”
He then introduced Vicki Agron, who owns a consulting firm that specializes in strategic fundraising and has many Jewish organizations as clients. She is also a former executive with the United Jewish Appeal and the Jewish Federations of North America.
Agron’s presentation was energetic and engaging, and those present became more familiar with how the Federation Campaign helps to provide the funds necessary to continue programs and services to the community and more comfortable with talking with others about it and asking for their support.
Agron also challenged the volunteers in the room to stretch their own support and they responded generously with their own pledges that night, many pledging increases in their gifts of between 20 and 100 percent to set the tone of the Campaign.
Karen Abrams closed out the evening by thanking the volunteers for attending, encouraging them to begin talking with people about the Campaign using what they learned that evening and inviting them to several upcoming events.