The Entire Blue Rendezvous in 2022 Gala Team
Co-Chairs: Deb Jepson and Sheila Moran
Members: Madra Christian, Jean Robie-Finnegan, Connie Stolp, Jeff Wilkinson, Rob Bial, Brittany Nethers
Congratulations to the entire Blue Rendezvous in 2022 Gala Team for being named the April 2022 Activists of the Month. This team did an outstanding job coordinating volunteers and making this our most successful large event ever! Our shout-out goes to specific members for their outstanding contributions!
Sheila Moran and Deb Jepson co-chaired the Gala held April 9 at the Lake Mary Westin Hotel. During the planning stages, Sheila came up with the name Blue Rendezvous in 2022 and it stuck. Sheila and Deb had been co-chairs for the last planned gala that was cancelled due to Covid in 2020.
Deb dealt with the financial aspects of the gala and kept track of tickets sales, sponsorships, donors, etc. In addition, Deb planned the fabulous gala program and worked with Brittany Nethers on the design.
Sheila was in charge of the auction, security, and was the liaison to the Westin Hotel. Because of the number of elected officials and candidates that attended, Sheila worked with the County Sheriff’s Department Division of Homeland Security. Deb and Sheila worked closely together on every aspect of the gala and would communicate daily, if not more frequently. Both Deb and Sheila secured auction items and worked to sell tickets and sponsorships.
Madra Christian and Jean Robie-Finnegan came on board to help organize the auction and decorate the tables for the gala. Madra was with the team through it all. Her marketing and decorating skills made each of these galas special. For months, Jean and her husband Paul gave up a large space in their home to deal with and store the auction items. Connie Stolp joined the auction team midway through and generally assisted with all aspects of gala.
Jeff Wilkinson secured the keynote speaker, Congresswoman Val Demings, and was the point person for all communications to Demings’ team. Rob Bial worked with Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy who became our very first True-Blue Sponsor by donating $10,000. Rob and Madra headed up the sold-out VIP Champagne Reception team, as well.
Sheila and Deb have worked on several events in the past-Comedy Night (Deb’s idea), Trivia Night (Sheila’s idea), Wine Tasting paired with Girl Scout Cookies (Brittany’s idea), and now they have worked together on three galas. They are also heavily involved in promoting monthly giving (SemGems) and have helped increase monthly revenues for the SemDems. Deb says, “We learned early on that the secret to fundraising events is to keep expenses low and to allow plenty of time for promotion. The generosity of various Democrats who supported these efforts made each event a success because donated services and items allowed SemDems to keep more of the gross.”
Applause to all who helped make this Gala so successful!!