The CSC Gala Happenings

For all of you eagerly waiting for a post-Gala report, I'm sorry it's taken so long. I'll warn you that this entry won't completely satisfy your curiosity. We're still obtaining the license for the survey software we want to use, so it'll be a few more days before I have the survey ready. I promise that it will be quick and easy to use, and we definitely will use your feedback for next year's Gala.

We're also still working on the photos, but they should be up really soon.

What I can provide for you are the financial numbers. Financially speaking, the Gala was a huge success. All of the funds raised at the Gala (aside from the appeal, which I'll get to in a second) go toward the operating expenses at the CSC. That primarily means the staff, who spend every waking hour engaging students and making them feel at home here, but it also includes the basic expenses to keep a building of this size running 24/7. Last year the Gala profited $100,000--after all expenses, that was the amount the CSC could use. This year we had a 30% profit increase--after all costs, we raised $130,000. We also broke the 400 mark in terms of attendance.

Although the Gala was a rousing success, I'd like to address a few concerns that have been expressed (you'll have the chance to express any of your own thoughts and ideas in the survey, or you can e-mail or call me [935-9191 ext. 221] at any time). Financial success is one thing; however, I want to make sure people have a good time on the night of the Gala itself.

The complaints I've heard most was that the band wasn't great and they were too loud, and that people couldn't here the auctioneer during the live auction. These are valid concerns, and we'll make sure to fix them next year. I hope these aspects didn't ruin your night.

A few people expressed a concern that $20,000 is too much to spend on a sign. I think that's a very valid point, and I'd address it with the following:

1. The Sign Doesn't Cost $20,000. $7,000 of the money raised--the funds given by an anonymous donor--specifically go toward lighting the house and the sign. If you drive by the CSC today, you'll see workers busy installing the new lighting. The remaining $13,000 goes toward uprooting the current sign, leveling and paving over the island of plants where the sign currently stands, putting in new landscaping at the edge of the yard for the sign, and erecting the sign itself. I apologize to anyone who was under the impression that we would spend $20,000 on a sign--the full information about this should have been clearly announced at the Gala, just as it was outlined in the auction booklet.
2. Signs Are Expensive: Even $13,000 seems expensive for a sign, right? I think so. However, Clayton has very specific rules about what you can and cannot do with signs and landscaping. The brick on the sign must match the brick on the house. The stone must as well. Stone, in particular, is not cheap, nor is the engraving or the lettering on the sign.
3. Ministry of Welcoming: Despite all this, you may still be wondering why we're spending $20,000 on lighting the house and erecting a sign when we could spend that on students. However, a major part of getting the CSC to "work" is getting students in the door. There are some students who come to Wash U seeking a Catholic community. Many others come from parishes where they haven't felt welcome, and they're not necessarily seeking to expand their faith. The first impression any student has of the CSC is the front of the building and the sign--that's how they find us. That's their first impression. We want that impression to be as welcoming as possible, because if we can't get students in the door, we can't help them grow.. Does the current sign convey "welcome?" Does the current searchlight lighting invite you in?
4. Legacy of Welcoming: We are so pleased that the funds from the sign come from the 38 generous donors who raised their paddles at the Gala and who obviously feel very good about committing their resources to a legacy of welcoming at the CSC. We hope you share our delight in achieving the goal of raising funds separate from our operating budget so that no money would ever be diverted from programs, salaries and the many other things that the weekly collection, Archdiocesan support, and general donations support. These people wanted to give to the appeal. I think it's a disservice to those people who chose to give to the appeal to say it isn't worth it. Rather, let's thank those people and celebrate their generosity. We appreciate that our community represents a variety of values and interests and we like to create a way for everyone to contribute to the parts of the CSC that they are passionate about.

Again, if you have any thoughts about the Gala, feel free to contact me at any time. I look forward to posting the survey in the near future and seeing the feedback from all of you. Thanks for all that you did for the 2008 Newman Gala.