Leadership
Welcome to our 1st Executive Director, Kristin Bayer
Since its inception, COLUMNS has been an all-volunteer organization. “As part of our strategic planning, we explored the best way to ensure the foundation would continue to grow and fulfill its mission well into the future,” said Josie Brzezinski, Secretary of the COLUMNS Board of Directors. “Hiring an Executive Director is an exciting step for us, and we’re so happy to have Kristin representing COLUMNS.”
Officers
Board of Directors
Members
Amy Curler
Anne Marie Danaher
Kris Deiss
Mary Dengel
Phyllis Eichenseer
Shelli Ellis
David Garcia
Boyd Janto
Peyton Janto
Linda Juech
Herb Justman
Amy Kieser
Kathleen Llaurado
Nancy Mehring
Janet Nienow
Mary Ellen O’Connor
Joel Ongert
Barb Rauh
Suzy Rieke
Chris Schatz
Katie Schoenwetter
Jeff Schreiber
John Seifert
Janice Stauske
Bink Steinbach
Linda Steiner
Chandra Topp
Committees
Finance and Investments Committee
The Finance and Investments Committee is responsible for budgeting, review of financial activity and investments, internal controls, and compliance with any federal and state tax requirements.
Duties include:
- Meet with investment advisors annually
- Review federal form 990 annually after preparation, as needed
- Meet as a committee to review financials, controls, etc.
Holiday Concert Committee
The Holiday Concert Committee is responsible for planning and execution of the annual fundraiser which brings the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to the West Bend High Schools.
Duties include:
- Securing a sponsor for the event
- Volunteering the night of the concert
- Selling tickets for the concert
IT/Website Committee
The IT/Website Committee is responsible for website management.
Duties include:
- Supporting the website designer in all needs
- Providing website content, including photos and copy for concerts, events, fundraisers, and scholarship presentations
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is responsible for membership recruitment.
Duties include:
- Recruiting new membership
- Brainstorming member retainment tactics
- Assisting with application submission, as needed
- Helping members understand duties of various COLUMNS committees
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is responsible for nominating members to the Board of Directors.
Duties include:
- Searching for members with talents and skills that can help advance the COLUMNS mission through service on the board
Public Relations Committee
The Public Relations Committee is responsible for promoting fundraisers.
Duties include:
- Submitting advertising to different media sources—radio, newspapers, online news, schools, etc.
- Searching for new ways to advertise and promote fundraisers
Scholarship Committee
The Scholarship Committee is responsible for setting up new scholarships, managing existing scholarships, and selecting scholarship recipients.
Duties include:
- Managing relations with donors and increasing payouts
- Contacting donors, answering their questions/concerns and assisting with scholarship set up
- Receiving and managing scholarship applications
- Setting up scholarship interviews and managing the process with interviewers, schools, and students
- Managing scholarship payments and college student grade reporting
Youth Concert Committee
The Youth Concert Committee is responsible for preparing the annual 4th and 5th grade youth concert.
Duties include:
- Ushering for the concert from 8:30am to 11:30 and enjoy an MSO concert with the students
- Preparing seat charts
- Connecting with high school food service to order MSO snacks
- Updating school registration forms
- Collecting school registrations and collect bus money
- Negotiating MSO date and contract fees
- Reserving negotiated dates and facilities
- Communicating with schools and bus company
- Connecting with MSO contact to receive and then distribute music teacher prep materials
- Connecting with Columns treasurer to secure MSO payment