You can be a pivotal part of Restoring Dignity’s 2025 gala by joining or leading a planning committee!
See descriptions below & sign-up via the form at the bottom of the page
We are looking for:
(1) Leaders who can help chair different committees (bigger time commitment)
(2) People who can volunteer the night of the gala (Thursday, April 24th, 2025) (smaller time commitment)
Leadership descriptions are as follows:
- Night of Gala Food Chair: Manage all food & make it look beautiful!
This person is responsible for determining how to present and serve each of the food items that will be delivered for the event. This role is ideal for someone who has experience serving food at large events. This person will also oversee the flow of the food as it arrives and moves from the kitchen to the community room, as well as manage all food server volunteers. Time commitment: team meetings as needed, set-up the day before the event (April 23rd) and on the day of the event (April 24th). Must be available from 3pm to 10pm on April 24th.
- Sponsorship Chair: Shamelessly ask for businesses and individuals to support Restoring Dignity.
The Gala Sponsorship Chair is responsible for securing financial support for our gala through corporate and individual sponsorships. This role is ideal for someone with strong networking skills, a passion for fundraising, and a commitment to our mission. The Sponsorship Chair will work closely with the Gala Chair & Audience Development Chair to ensure the gala’s success. Time commitment: This role requires a substantial commitment in the months leading up to the event, with responsibilities peaking as sponsorships are secured. This person may need to attend gala planning meetings in person or virtually.
- Audience Development Chair: Fill seats to support our mission!
It is the responsibility of this role to fill seats at the gala with people who are going to generously support Restoring Dignity. Our work is incredibly important for Omaha’s refugee community and we are excited to showcase what we do during our gala, and to inspire people to support the many refugee families that we serve. But we need people at the gala in order to do this! This role is ideal for someone with great networking skills and the ability to passionately explain our mission & inspire people to attend the gala with the aim being to support Restoring Dignity. Time commitment: This role requires a commitment in the months leading up to the event, until all seats are filled. This person may need to attend gala planning meetings in person or virtually.
- Silent Auction Chair: Acquire items in our community that will support Restoring Dignity!
The Silent Auction Chair is responsible for managing the acquisition and details of all the goods/services for the gala auctions. This role is ideal for someone with good organizational skills and the ability to lead a small group, as well as the ability to reach out to many local businesses. Time commitment: This role requires a commitment in the months leading up to the event, until all auction items are secured. This person may need to attend gala planning meetings in person or virtually.
- Raise the Paddle Chair: Our biggest fundraiser of the night!
This person is responsible for ensuring the Raise the Paddle event runs smoothly and all payments are processed before the event ends. They will work with RD staff before the event to understand how this portion of the gala will run and will be responsible for a team of volunteers who will help during Raise the Paddle. This is ideal for someone who is naturally organized, can work in a fast-paced environment during raise the paddle and can problem-solve on the spot. This person must also be capable of learning the financial platform used to process payments. Time commitment: This person must attend meetings as needed, practice at least one time in person with the Raise the Paddle team, and attend the gala from 5pm to 9pm on April 24th.
- Display and Decorations Chair: Make the gala look beautiful and inviting!
This chair will lead the Decorations committee and is responsible for implementing the vision of the event. Key skill sets for this role are creativity, crafting and a love of creating decroations on a budget, and the ability to organize and direct a small team. Time commitment: Attend meetings as needed, ordering and acquisition of decorating supplies (with coordination and budget from RD). This person must be available to decorate the day before the gala on April 23rd and the day of the gala on April 24th.
- Check-in Chair: Welcoming guests with a smile!
Our check-in volunteers are the first smiling faces guests will see as they arrive to the event! As the Check-In Chair, you will be responsible for leading the team of check-in volunteers. Key skill sets for this role are being warm and friendly, great people skills and leading a small team. Time commitent: Attend meetings as needed, and arrive to the gala early to setup check-in tables and stay through most of the evening (3pm to 8pm on April 24th).
- Grounds Chair: Cleanliness is next to godliness
This person is responsible for making sure that the facility is clean and beautiful all night long. They will work with a small team of volunteers to ensure things are kept clean and in stock as well as work with the clean-up crew to make sure the building is ready to be used the next day. Time commitment: This person must be available from 4pm to 10pm on April 24th, as well as attend a few meetings and become familiar with the building prior to the event.
- Parking Chair: Finding a space for everyone
This person is responsible for ensuring that the parking at the event runs smoothly and that guests have a good experience. Responsible for driving the shuttle van from the overflow parking lot to Yates. Time commitment: Attend meeting in person or virtually as needed, must be available from 3pm to 10pm on April 24th.