September 2013 Newsletter

In this issue:

• Introducing 2014 Event Chair Leaders
• Join us for a 9/11 day of service
• Time for a Roadie Volunteer Recap: September Service Project
• Moose Tracks: Leadership

Introducing 2014 Event Chair Leaders

We’ll be the first to admit, we have a lot to tackle for the 2014 event. With two nonprofit partners and a $1 million goal, we needed to be sure we brought in the best. Brenda Berg, along with Shannon Tucker, will lead the CIS of Wake County and Durham co-partnership. Alongside them will be our very own Amanda Cheney, who co-chaired the silent auction committee last year and also assisted in running the raffle, artist’s village, and wine grab, all of which raised more funds than any prior year.Shannon Tucker has been involved with Band Together in the past and became involved with CIS Durham several years ago when she was Community VP for the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties.  Brenda Berg is actively involved in education issues in Wake County and beyond through a wide range of initiatives including Communities In Schools of Wake County.We know that these three women will settle for nothing but greatness, and help us make this the most successful Band Together year to date.back to top

Join us for a 9/11 day of service

As we reflect on the events of September 11, 2001, we remember that out of tragedy, good things can happen (like Band Together!). Join fellow do-gooders next Wednesday, September 11 at 6 PM at the Red Hat Amphitheater for the Evening Commemoration of Activate Raleigh, the 9/11 Day of Service coordinated by Activate Good and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance!Enjoy live music, participate in hands-on service projects, bring non-perishable items for an on-site food drive, and hear words from Mayor Nancy McFarlane and Activate Good to wrap up this community-wide day of service. There is no cost to attend this event.Live Music by Mary Selvidge and Chris Hendricks BandService Project Line-Up at the Evening Commemoration

• Create toys for adoptable pets with animal rescue organizations Calvin's Paws, Safe Haven for Cats, and the SPCA
• Create pillows for breast cancer patients with Fight for 1in9
• Write letters for troops oversees with Operation Write Home
• Donate food and sort food for the Urban Ministries of Wake County food pantry: Bring peanut butter, rice, cereal, beans, and other non-perishables! See the full list of needs.

Sign up to attend here or for a full list of projects available on 9/11, click here.back to top

Time for a Roadie Volunteer Recap: September Service Project

Last month, our volunteers, a.k.a. “Roadies,” kicked off the school year by partnering with volunteers from SAS to help CIS of Wake County sort donated school supplies and fill backpacks with these much needed items to distribute to students across the county. An estimated 200 backpacks were stuffed during this event with an overall value of supplies donated reaching an estimated $400!Join us on Saturday, September 21 as we organize this effort in the CIS Durham office. Keep an eye out for more details and sign up here! Contact Cari Swann with questions.back to top

Moose Tracks: Leadership

Leadership is a word that has become engrained in the American lexicon. It is revered as an ideal, ability and sometimes even an innate gift.  In its simplest form leadership is one’s ability to lead a group of people or organization. However, there is nothing simple about leadership. If I asked you to name the qualities of a good leader, I am sure you could reel off several…courage, integrity and humility all come to mind, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Regardless of whether you have these qualities and the many more that encapsulate a good leader, leadership is a competency that must be practiced. Enter Band Together!I love Band Together for many reasons. The impact it has in the community with our nonprofit partners, the great music that it celebrates in the Triangle, and all of the amazing people that it seems to pull in and unite with gravity-like force. Equally as important, Band Together offers folks a learning laboratory for leadership development. It has become a vehicle that allows people to practice and develop their leadership competency. I am constantly amazed to watch one-time volunteers transform into great leaders within our organization. Developing leadership competency is about more than gaining skills, talent and knowledge – an opportunity must be afforded. At Band Together we not only provide that opportunity, but actively encourage people to become leaders.I hope that you will consider joining the Band Together family. You will definitely make some good friends, support the best causes in the Triangle, hear some fantastic music and, who knows, you might even develop into a fantastic community leader along the way.back to top