Vol-Interns P.3. One Theater Square P.4 .... Typically, the interns volunteer in one of many areas outside the ... Socia
HAIL AND FAREWELL Pam Chisena is retiring after more than 20 years of Pam Chisena, Austin distinCleary, and Liz Mormak guished service to NJPAC. One of NJPAC's first employees, Pam joined us before the building was completed, and has literally "seen it all." Pam is an avid traveler and is wasting no time planning some long vacations to celebrate. We all wish her well as she inaugurates her retirement by seeing the world. Liz Mormak, who has been performing Pam’s duties on an interim basis for the past three months, has been promoted to Administrative Manager effective immediately. “I’m sad that I won’t have Pam around, we’ve been so close. But I am very excited to step into her big shoes and work alongside Warren and Lennon.”
Volunteer Voices
Upcoming Events
JANUARY – Dance Theatre of Harlem: MLK Celebration
Fall/ Winter 2016
Saturday, January 14 at 8:00pm
THIS ISSUE
Letter from the Director
FEBRUARY – ORCHESTRE NATIONAL de LYON Sunday, February 19 at 3:00pm
Dodge Poetry Volunteers P.1 2016-17 Season Kick-Off P.2 Vol-Interns P.3
Ginny Bowers Coleman
MARCH – HARRY POTTER and the SORCERER’S STONE TM in Concert Saturday, March 11 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
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NJPAC Newsletter Staff
A new year brings time for reflection and NJPAC had seen many changes. Much of the news for 2017 is jampacked in this newsletter, but let's take a moment to reflect on our past. 20+ years ago a construction site was found on Center Street. One lone building decorated with murals of musicians, dancers and performers bore witness to the birth of New Jersey’s Arts Center.
One Theater Square P.4 NJPAC Restructuring P.5 Spotlight: Larousse Pierre P.6 Kwanzaa Festival P.7 Theresa Brown, Poet Juan Felipe Herrera, Lulu Conner, Jeanette Marable
POETRY IN MOTION AT NJPAC: Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival Recollections (
Fast forward to today, and there is again a construction site on Center Street! Affectionately known as the "site office," the two-story building has been demolished in the wake of new growth for the city of Newark.
Office Of Volunteer Services One Center Street Newark, NJ 07102
Not much lasts 20 years; cell phones are out-date within a year, running shoes last 300 miles, Hollywood relationships change by the next tabloid printing, but there are a few special NJPAC volunteers that have endured this test of time.
Volunteer Voices is your newsletter and welcomes material and ideas for future issues. Send material to the Office of Volunteer Services, NJPAC, One Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102.
I tip my [construction] hat to these individuals who have weathered the changes and made NJPAC the welcoming place it is today. Your spirit and endurance are NJPAC's living legend! Doris Revis and Jennifer Reynolds
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“ROOKIE OF THE YEAR”
SEASON KICK-OFF
Dodge Recollections Cont.
What’s New Susan Levine traveled cross-country to Alaska with her husband this July in a camper.
NJPAC Volunteers are Winners QUEETA WELCH Since becoming a volunteer this past February, Queeta has participated in many areas including; Program Monitoring, Community Engagement, and administration in both Arts Education Department and the Volunteer Office, as well as helping during special events such as Ping Pong in the Park, Newark 350 Founder’s Day Weekend and the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival. She has logged an impressive 122 hours since joining our volunteer team. “NJPAC is a fabulous outlet for creative diversity. My passion for the arts parallels my passion for giving back to the community, and I combine both volunteering here. I’m proud to be part of an entity that helps artists realize their dreams and provides audiences with a meaningful experience. Being names ‘Rookie of the Year’ was truly a surprise. I hadn’t realized I’d worked so many hours. That’s how much fun volunteering here is!” 2
Marjorie Mouring and her husband celebrated their 64th anniversary in Aruba. Eunice Taylor traveled to Cuba this past August.
By Lillian Johnson
Mada Liebman and her husband took a riverboat cruise from Vienna, Austria to Basel, Switzerland this October.
Committee members encouraging volunteers to ....”Come on Down!”
Xiyu Wang traveled to London this past May with fellow students and NJPAC staff members, Aisha Irvis and Alexis Almeida as part of a Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration class (SPAA) taught by former NJPAC President and CEO Lawrence Goldman.
Above; Lucy Wilkerson, Yvonne Littles and Larousse Pierre
“The volunteer kickoff dinner showed how much volunteers are caring and have a winning spirit. The game show theme was a fun example of how NJPAC volunteers love to take on challenges and win. I had a great time!” Theresa “Ginger” Brown
Photos below from left: Kathleen Braslow and Lucy Wilkerson; Jacquelyn Gates, Shirlene Wonzer, Betty Meeks-Manning, Ayce Layton and Alice White; Amy Hohn and Sharon Thompkins
Photos top: Daniel Parham & Denise Talley, Ginny Bowers Coleman, Barbara Hampton, Shirley Richard, Theresa Brown & Betty Meeks -Manning. Photo bottom: NJPAC Ushers & Volunteers at Peddie Baptist Church
KWANZAA FESTIVAL 2016
Photos Clockwise: Bernice Murray learning to facepaint, Patrica Bouie in Sennheiser, Jacquita Hayes in Social Media, and Everlyn Hay in Coat Check
Alice White toured Nevada and California this past September seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and wineries. The highlight was wearing the pilot’s hat in the cockpit! Adilah Quddus has a cousin, Diamah Talley, who performed in Crowns at the Maplewood Theater this October. Alyce Layton saw elephants chasing sugar smugglers in Africa this December. Alyce Layton and Adilah Quddus planned and hosted their 50th reunion at Weequahic High School! Susan Lippa visited Iceland this December. Junyi Liu returns to China after 10 months at NJPAC.
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WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU?
ONE THEATER SQUARE:
Ruby Simmons connected with Arts Education to host a poetry residency in her Union County TEAMS charter schools.
NJPAC TEAM RESTRUCTURING: Open Letter to Volunteers & Staff
VOLUNTEERING IN GROUP SALES By Barbara Freidin
At the Heart of Newark’s Renaissance
Jennifer Reynolds, former Principal, trained this August to be a mentor to science teachers in Paterson, NJ. Anne Streater was promoted to chairperson of the Woman’s Department of 3rd Jurisdiction of Northern NJ God and Christ Church.
By John Schreiber
Jessie Jimenez
By Mada Liebman
Marlene Abitanto traveled to Dominican Republic this past July. Sandra & Ronald Lilly visited Virginia Beach this past July.
April Jeffries & Thomas Stocky
I've been working with April Jeffries who is the Community Sales Coordinator. Community Sales falls under the larger umbrella of Community Engagement. I have been helping April organize the Ticket Subsidy Fund for the past several months by maintaining an excel spreadsheet to track participants and follow-up on their applications, 501c3 certificates, plus updating their information as appropriate. The Ticket Subsidy Fund is funded by a grant from Joan and Allen Bildner and allows NJPAC to offer deeply discounted tickets to underserved organizations in the community.
Barbara Freidin traveled to Florence, Tuscany, Rome, and enjoyed much wine this past fall. Bill Liess traveled with his children and grandchild to Ireland this past July and in October he had a new grandbaby!
Ed. Note. Before moving into Community Sales, Barbara was essential in helping out in the Volunteer Office.
Amy Hohn toured Mexico, visiting cities: Coba, Xichen and Tulum this past October.
I am very excited about this new opportunity, although I will miss my amazing “Box Office Babes.”
Jeannette Marable enjoyed a trip to California this past August. Peter Kahn traveled to several states this past September celebrating the National Park’s 100th anniversary; Zion N.P, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone N.P., to name a few! Ruth Frazier displayed her artwork in the NYC Pop UP Art Show this summer. Wayne Gibson, Theresa Brown and Jeannette Williams attended the dedication of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.
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The “Voice” of NJPAC is retiring!
NJPAC Welcomes New Volunteers! Astrid Acevedo Shant Agopian* Anne Alston* Martin Cox* Jacquita Hayes* Karen Johnson* Janice Jones* Geraldine Lee Lynn McFarlane* Lauren Millard Hadiyah Muhammad*
Daniel Parham Karen Pitt Melissa Raak* Takeisha Stewart Denise Talley Theresa Tarkington June White (*– not pictured)
Interviews will take place January 30 for new applicants. Sign up online: NJPAC.org/ support/volunteers
I am grateful to those who believed in and supported me though my NJPAC journey. Jessie Jimenez
BY THE NUMBERS Since July 2016, Volunteers have served NJPAC’s patrons:
COAT CHECK: 936 items collected
CUSTOMER INFORMATION CENTER: 1,671 guests helped
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Larousse Pierre
What’s New Arthur Albert traveled up the Mississippi by riverboat and visited Georgia, Tennessee and Washington D.C. He visited Graceland, Smokey Mountains, the Civil Rights Museum and much more! Peter Fiore was voted President of Sigma Pi Montclair University fraternity this fall. Congratulations, Pete!
Dodge Recollections Cont.
VOL-INTERNS A recent initiative is turning NJPAC’s college interns into “vol-interns.” Students are now required to dedicate 10 percent of the time they spend at the Arts Center to Volunteer Services.
Larousse Pierre
Sirena Terr and Robert Neveloff rented a mini van and drove her parents, son and family dog to Ohio. Diana Davis has had a leg amputated, but her spirits are high. Stay strong, Diana! Queeta Welch started a new job at Carnegie Mellon University as Assistant Director over Career Services in The Tepper School of Business.
IYO student
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“Volunteering at NJPAC is the ultimate way for me to connect with the community.”
Doris Moses, Elayne Lite and Jeanette Williams helped over 600 kids get ready for school with new supplies and clothes this past July in a program sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women. Vince Wells participated in a Veteran’s Day service honoring the two African American serviceman from Newark of which the post is named, Emmet GuytonArchie Callahan American Legion Post 152. Lillian Stroud passed away peacefully this past November. Lillian was a member of NJPAC, The Women’s Association of NJPAC and Metropolitan Baptist Church.
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Social Media Outreach NJPAC volunteers use the most up-to-date communication tools to engage and enhance the NJPAC community. Through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, they highlight the many events showcased at the Arts Center. But it’s not just technology– there’s a critical person-to-person component. Our volunteers are social ambassadors who invite patrons to take free photos in the Social Lounge with NJPAC’s iPad and their own personal mobile devices; provide fun and festive props for the photos; and
encourage patrons to upload their personal photos to Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using #NJPAC. NJPAC volunteers have truly re-written the definition of what it means to be “social.”
Pictured Below: Jaqueline Marc and Queeta Welch, Lillian Johnson and Jennette Williams, Jacqueline Gates with NJPAC usher staff, Jeanette Marable & Joan Lowery.
Typically, the interns volunteer in one of many areas outside the department that supervises them. To deepen their knowledge of NJPAC’s overall operations, they are encouraged to take on Pete Fiore, responsibilities Montclair State University outside the scope of their interests. The students also receive training from Volunteer Services in such duties as social media, coat check, or serving as an ambassador for NJPAC at informational tables. Throughout the summer and fall, about a dozen Jacklyn Le Renard, students arrived Drew University from universities that included Drew, Montclair State, Rutgers, and others. By serving as a vol-intern, students may complete service requirements and gain hands -on experience in non-profit management. “I aimed for an internship that was different from things I learned in school but still very much a part of my [Business] major,” wrote Taylor Jones from Drew. “For example, I have not taken any classes dealing with non-profits, marketing or event planning. That is exactly what my time at NJPAC consisted of! I had an awesome time at this wonderful organization.” Ellen Woods, Erik Wiehardt and Taylor Jones at Dodge Festival
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