What is Society for the Arts all about? Or, what have you done for me lately?
Personally:
Having continuously supported my membership for almost 15 years, I have definite feelings of pride and ownership for Society for the Arts. I have been thoroughly rewarded with friendships developed as people passed in and out of the organization. I get tremendous satisfaction knowing that this organization has brought people together while positively contributing to the health of the Greater Phoenix community.
As a singles organization:
Membership is for singles only. The goal is to produce singles activities that bring the membership together while generating funds to support the arts in the community. Over the years these activities include or have included parties, dances, theater events, art appreciation events, sports events(both as spectators and as participants), road rallies, excursions, and on and on. At any given time the calendar includes activities which the current membership supports and promotes. Activities only occur when there are willing volunteers. If a member desires to have a special activity, the Board of Directors will do everything possible to support the success of that activity.
As a non-profit organization:
Currently, the organization is committed to donating an amount at least equal to the number of members times $35 each year. Because of the cost of putting on events which may or may not make money, this commitment becomes a large challenge for the Board of Directors each year. The current dues structure barely covers this commitment. For the past 10 years donations have averaged over $5000 per year with one exception where an additional $15,000 was donated from a single event. Not bad for an organization with an average membership during that period of about 200. As a reminder, member contributions both in dues and in volunteering may be tax-deductible per the rules of the Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).
Lastly, watch for the Grand Re-Opening of the Herberger Theater Center, October 1-2, 2010. Two seats in the new theater will be inscribed with ‘Society for the Arts’ in recognition of the organizations participation as a ‘Founder’ of the Herberger. The list of Founders is very short and we should be proud.
Sincerely, Bob Hurni, President