The spirit of volunteering is alive and well within the Deaf Community! Join LaRonda Zupp as she captures successful fundraising dynamics and a variety of familiar faces in the Deaf Community as they gathered together in spirit to support a local bay area organization called DeafHope, a nonprofit organization established for and by Deaf women to end domestic and sexual violence against Deaf women and children through empowerment, education and services. (This is part 2 of 2. Transcript provided below.)
Transcript:
LaRonda: Welcome! Here, in the San Francisco area, we have a wonderful and popular Deaf event called “Glimmer of Hope.” It’s a fundraiser put on by DeafHope, an agency who supports women and children who are survivors of Domestic Violence. Tonight, I will take my camera around and interview people to find out why they have come to support this event.
Julie: How do I feel about this event in it’s fifth year now? Wow! You know the theme of the event is called “Metamorphosis,” which is the term used when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. That’s how I feel here tonight! The number of those attending has grown enormously! The spirit is high among those gathered here tonight! I feel inspired and I look forward to the next 5 years! ILY! Thanks LaRonda for joining us!
Di: Hi. I’m Diana Herron with DCARA. I’m the CEO. I came here tonight to show my support for a good cause and to show my support for domestic violences services for Deaf women who have experienced abuse, sexual assault, and so on. I truly think it’s a worthy cause. We need to STOP that violence, so I’m here to show my support for that cause. Good night.
Linda: This is the 5th year that I have come to this event.
Andrea: DeafHope supports Deaf women and encourages them to learn how to become independent and how to take care of themselves after they have experienced domestic violence. These women are referred to go to DeafHope in Oakland. Once there, DeafHope will explain the services it provides. These are Deaf services. With hearing services, there is too much hassle, but these services are Deaf centered. When a woman has contact with the police, after she has been abused, the police know about DeafHope as an organization, and they will refer the women and encourage them to go there. It’s inspiring. I, myself, was a victim too. I don’t want more and more women to go through what I went through, so I encourage them to seek help. I LOVE coming here to this event! (Smooch!)
Michelle: My name is Michelle Bye and I’m involved in a committee for DeafHope. I’ve been supportive of services for women all along. I’m involved in the “50/50″ raffle ticket sales committee. I’ve also been helping with various other things around here tonight. It’s been great fun! It’s a good turnout here tonight and it’s at a beautiful place, too.
Trina: (laughing) Fine, fine. Ok, I’m looking forward to the auction. I’m excited! Tell me about these two tables of items here.
Woman: Oh, ok. This is the Silent Auction. That table sells tickets for 2 dollars and the other sells tickets for 5 dollars…
Taya: So, why are we here tonight? Why? Because we really want to support the work of this organization, right? Yes! Yes! Ok, and you’ve noticed there are many, many different ways you can provide your support. You know about the Silent Raffle where you can put your bids in with your tickets. But we also have other ways you can give, in addition to the tips you can give to your waiters. Ok. There is the Live Auction tonight. How many of you picked up a bid paddle with a number? Let me see them!
Jim: $125! $125!….. Yeah!
Jessica: There are different flavors. These are $10 and these are $20. When I sell them, if someone says “no” I do this: (long, sad pout with puppy dog eyes). I made $400 so far! (Grinning)
Marta: Hello! Hi! How are you?
(People waving.)
Amber: Hi! Sending love from DeafHope!
Women: We’re the same here. Our hair is the same. We go way back!
(People waving with big smiles.)
Jane: (Waving) I love you all! We are enjoying it here tonight.
Bobbie: I’m his wife and I feel like I’m a very lucky woman. I know that it CAN be different. We’re both here to help make a difference for other women who have suffered.
(People waving. Cat and Claire waving.)
Woman: This is my 4th time here and I love coming to show my support. DeafHope wants women alive! They cherish them and know their lives are precious. They really care!
(Tech Support crew waving)
(VIP waiters in butterfly wings waving - The wings were later sold to the public)
Charlotte: I’m Charlotte W. and I’ve come here with the Deaf-Blind group every year. This is my 4th year. I missed the first one, but I’ve been coming for 4 years now. I feel it’s important to support Deaf women — those who don’t have opportunities and those who have problems and need support. It’s a wonderful cause and I’m a great supporter! I’m so thankful for this organization! It’s just wonderful! I support them!
Sandra: Hi!
Woman from Boston: I’m impressed with the quality of the people, the quality of the waiters, the food, the service, the friendliness and the warmth of this community. I’m really touched. They really care about where their money is going. Their contributions are going to support Deaf women and children and give them HOPE. That!
Tanja: My name is Tanja. I’m a VIP Waiter. Wow! I’ve been running around here serving people, meeting their needs and helping them feel pleasant. I am rewarded by seeing their faces smiling and their expressions of joy as they chat, eat together and meet new people. We had a thrilling live auction tonight, and a silent auction as well. Mostly, I see the strong communal spirit here! Whoo! There is love and warmth, and the atmosphere is social and engaging as people share their energy with one another as a community. Wow! It’s really clear how important DeafHope is to this community! I have truly enjoyed my experience here. I feel like I could volunteer as a VIP waiter for 1,000 hours, day and night, day and night! I’m inspired to GIVE because I know what I give comes back to me! What goes around, comes around. Wow! Thumbs up!
Jim: Hi LaRonda! The 3 best VIP waiters here tonight are: Susie Gonzalez, Tanja and Leslie. These three are fabulous waitresses! Just fabulous! These three women are working very hard! They are REALLY working for their tips! I’m very impressed!
Susie:We must add that this is our 3rd year as VIP waiters! We set an awesome example! Look! Look! (Showing off their money)
Tanja: For DeafHope! Yeah!
Dyan: Hello! I’m Dyan. Wonder why I have these papers taped all over me? They are trivia questions on sale for $1.00. The money goes to DeafHope!
Man: Hello! I just now gave her a trivia question. She’s busy thinking of the answer. Let me see if her answer is right….She’s right! Yeah!
Terrylene: You people are the blood that pumps through these women (the heart). They cannot do this without you — the Deaf Community. And, we, as a community, are responsible to take care of these women and this organization which we cherish!
(Women on stage cheering!)
Julie: The board and staff, plus volunteers, gathered together to brainstorm ideas about what we would like to do in the next 5 years. Know what we decided? To set up a building of OUR OWN with a shelter and transitional home. We’ve had a strong 5 years so far, and we can go an additional 5 strong years with your belief in us! Yeah!
(Staff and Board cheering and waving)
Julie at the end of the evening: How do I feel right now, at this point? Wow! The spirit here is just awesome! WOW! And people have been so generous! It inspires me to believe that our goal to set up our own shelter and transitional home WILL HAPPEN! It WILL. That’s all! THANK YOU! (Hands waving! Kisses and Love!)
Can you guarantee me and the community that DeafHope is actually providing services to each and every person that comes to them for help?
Left by disillusioned on March 1st, 2008
Disillusioned,
I didn’t delete your comment as you might have anticipated. I decided to post it in part here. I encourage others to respond to your comment above. It’s a fair question, but I am not qualified to guarantee anything. I do believe that any organization tries their best to serve all it’s clients or customers. It’s okay to question, seek answers and solutions. I, personally, remain supportive of the work they do.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 1st, 2008
Thank you for showing us the great clip, LaRonda!
I enjoyed feeling the spirit of the people that night!
All the women there are beautiful, intelligent, and funny!
I loved that young girl’s pouting face!
Way to go, DeafHope!!!
Left by IamMine on March 2nd, 2008
I think Julie should let go of her position as CEO of DeafHope and become a professional fundraiser and be contracted by other worthy Deaf organizations (with a strong Deafhood center). There are plenty of skilled women who can run DeafHope with the many ideas Julie has brought to the organization. Also, I believe the board is now experienced with fundraising and running the organization.
We need to pool in our knowledge, skills, and focus on the bigger prize….and that is the removal of Audism (violence against Deaf identity) and the promotion of Deafhood in individuals and the whole community rather than being pulled down by the “deafness” thinking.
Just my two cents worth of opinion which have been hard earned.
Left by Ella Lentz on March 2nd, 2008
LaRonda, Disillusioned, and IAmMine
This is Julie Rems-Smario. LaRonda, I am touched by your talents with the
video. Its the first time I viewed it and I think you did a great job
capturing the spirit! It was like reliving the whole event!
Disillusioned, thank you for expressing your feelings. I encourage you to
visit with our Board of Directors about your concerns. Kate Kovacs, our
Board chair, is open to hearing the community’s feedback so we can build
your suggestions into our next strategic planning retreat. You can reach Kate Kovacs at
DeafHope@Deaf-Hope.org. You can also contact me at Julie@Deaf-Hope.org.
We have Board meetings second Wednesday every
month at 630 PM at Family Justice Center in Oakland. I
look forward to hearing from you to continue this dialogue. I will do
another posting soon about what DeafHope advocacy services can do and cannot
do to help the audience understand the scope of our services.
I AmMine, The pouting girl is my daughter, Jessica. She had a ball! She
singlehandly brought in the most tips by selling the truffles. She
attended every Glimmer of Hope event during past five years. I am so proud
of that girl!
Thanks so much LaRonda for being part of the Glimmer of Hope event–It was
such a blast for an important cause–to eradicate violence against women and their children!
Julie
Left by Julie Rems-Smario on March 2nd, 2008
Julie,
Thank you for responding and offering a place for people to ask questions and give input. Very good of you to do that. I enjoyed being a part of this event in my own small way. I continue to support the work that you do.
Hugs.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 2nd, 2008
Ella,
I agree that Julie has amazing fundraising talents. She is one of the best! We would all LOVE to have her in our corner supporting our individual or global causes. In our economy today, and especially among Deaf services, there is a lot of competition for funding. I’m sure many organizations serving the Deaf community would like to have Julie’s leadership, fundraising talents, equal resources and widespread community support.
Looking at the large turn out, volunteerism, and contributions at this recent fundraising event, I can’t help but assume that the Deaf community has moved beyond any past personal issues or differences. Their supportive presence and comments show they have faith in Julie’s current leadership, as well as the vision and mission of DeafHope. They equally realize that offering support to survivors of domestic violence is a worthy cause. That speaks volumes.
I continue to remain impressed with the current leadership and inspiration Julie gives to her organization and I wish her the best.
I do appreciate your thoughts, and I thank you for your comments.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 2nd, 2008
Ella,
Looks like you and I posted our comments at the same time because When I responded earlier, I didnt see your comment until afterwards. Thanks for the nice compliment that you think I have something to offer to the DeafHood centered organizations. DeafHope is already part of the whole picture of changing the system which includes identity violence and communication abuse.
I volunteered my time for DeafHope during first four years because I believe in DeafHope’s mission. Just this year I became salaried for the first time so there is much work to do for DeafHope. Additionally, I am committed to DeafHope’s capital campaign called “Door To Hope” to build a Deaf Space architecture for abused families to reside after leaving abusive families. Its my calling. I personally see it as part of the whole picture in eradicating violence everywhere. Furthermore, I love working with DeafHope’s Board of Directors and the staff because we all have shared passion to build the “Door To Hope” center. However, I do share the fundraising resources. For example Roz Rosen used DeafHope’s fundraising approach for CSUN just last month and it was a great success. I flew out there to root her on. Next month I will be at NAD’s Leadership Conference in Austin, Texas to give a workshop about creative fundraising. I believe in the power of sharing resources. Once again, thank you for your kind words, Ella.
Julie
Left by Julie Rems-Smario on March 2nd, 2008
This is totally off the point here but I need to express that as women, we need to take a stand against blogs and vlogs promoting violence of any kind, and encourage Deafread to remove such posts if they overlooked it in the rss feed. I am on the war path today. Someone brought to my attention regarding “jack’s vlog” today’s post, throwing darts at this woman? Last week was this supposedly joke “news story” about 2 kids murdering their parents because they were forced to get CI’s! Any psycho out there may view this and actually copycat. Seriously, to promote violence through humor is NOT acceptable!!! I fully expect anyone against violence to send a letter to DeafRead requesting strict guidelines re posts that promote violence in this manner.
Left by Sheri Farinha Mutti on March 3rd, 2008
Thank you, Sheri.
I ave sent a copy of your comment to the DeafRead Human Editors.
I feel your strong concern.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 3rd, 2008
Hello LaRonda-
According to your video, it looks like people had a good time at Deaf Hope’s Glimmer of Hope event. Congratulations to Deaf Hope’s staff, Board and all the VIP volunteers for making the event such a success!
Doing fundraisers for a cause, such as services to help abused victims rise above domestic violence, rescuing abandoned animals, or getting food/ medicine to impoverished nations, are all important. But it is also equally important to ensure that the money given out of people pockets towards charities, that have been given a 501(c)(3) tax-status by IRS, are spent towards programs that the money was intended for, such as building a shelter or providing services. That in itself requires a different set of skills in terms of making sure that the money is spent the way it was intended in a nonprofit organization, and I wish the Deaf Hope Board and staff the best of luck in succeeding in their endeavors.
Also, in my opinion, it is equally important to give credit towards individuals or groups where it is due. I didn’t get the sense from the video that there is recognition that there is already a national shelter for victims of domestic violence in Seattle, Washington. Abused Deaf Women Advocacy Services (ADWAS) had worked hard in a capital campaign to raise funds for several years, and successfully opened doors for what is the first national transitional housing program of its kind in the United States. (You can check http://www.adwas.org for more information) It’s great that other Deaf DV organizations, such as Deaf Hope, want to do the same, but just to be sure there is recognition for the first one. Also, in reference to Julie’s response to Ella in the comments section regarding NCOD having used Deaf Hope’s fundraising approach, I am not sure if Julie meant the auction, and if so, I wanted to remind that credit be given to ADWAS, as Marilyn Smith, ADWAS Executive Director, had trained several of us back in 1998 and 1999, including myself and Julie, on fundraising ideas and practices. Ms. Smith had encouraged us to use the Auction concept for fundraising activities and shared tips on how it can be done. Julie did a great job in bringing to the Bay Area. I think its great when organizations share resources with others to make our community stronger; but again, I think it is important to make sure we give credit where it is due. : )
With regards,
Chriz Dally
Left by Chriz Dally on March 3rd, 2008
Hi Chriz.
Thank you for your comments. It’s always important to recognize ADWAS for the role it has played as a founding organization for Domestic Violence services to Deaf women. I appreciate you bringing that up.
I just wanted to be clear that my vlog was just my own little project. My only goal was to highlight the event that evening from my own eyes, meaning what stood out to me. I was impressed with the male perspective, the spirit of volunteerism, and the fundraising dynamics that took place that night. I feel I accomplished my goal.
However, I thank you for adding to the bigger picture about DV services and it’s origins in the Deaf Community through ADWAS.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 3rd, 2008
Dear Chriz,
Thanks for joining this discussion. I was generally speaking about VIP waiters concept. CSUN used the VIP waiter concept for their fundraiser. The difference was that the CSUN students were the VIP waiters serving food and drinks to earn tips . It was a blast! Roz Rosen teased me that she stole our ideas. I told her that she did not steal our idea, she was inspired by the ideas we used and created her own style. This in return inspired me with more new ideas for our future events. It was just like how I was, and still am, inspired by Marilyn Smith and her auction ideas. ADWAS new building is beautiful. in 2006, DeafHope staff visited the building and sat with Marilyn to pick on her brain. She gave us wonderful words of wisdom which we cherish. She will always be the original mover and shaker in the Deaf DV/SV world which she successfully did so by sharing her resources. It all comes out in the wash for the betterment of our Deaf community. Why dont you come to our next fundraising event organized by our creative fundraising committee and talk with our Board of Directors about their vision for the capital campaign. Here is my email Julie@deaf-hope.org so we can have dialogue directly if you need more clarifications.
Thank for your kind words,
Julie
Left by Julie Rems-Smario on March 3rd, 2008
Julie,
May I ask you for specifics on how “DeafHope is already part of the whole picture of changing the system which includes identity violence and communication abuse”? I am thrilled to see that comment and would love to know how specifically it’s happening because as you know I’ve been pushing for system change, facing up to the audism by AGBell, sharing information and ideas about Deafhood, etc. and haven’t received any news or information on how DeafHope has been dealing with the bigger picture. I look forward to the enlightment.
Congrats to DeafHope folks on the success of the event last week.
Left by Ella Lentz on March 3rd, 2008
LaRonda, thank you for sharing with us the vlog of the DeafHope Fundraising Gala.
This is what I sent to Julie last night: I want to congratulate you on the successful fundraising gala for DeafHope. You have brought so much spotlight on this Deaf organization. For such a new organization it’s receiving a lot of recognition worldwide and I am proud of your efforts, julie you are doing a damn good job
Left by Mishkazena on March 3rd, 2008
If people have an issue with DeafHope, then they need to take it up with the board. This kind of thing can’t be solved on the blogs.
As it is, I applaud Julie for her strong advocacy for deaf women and being a role model for the Deaf Community! I hope people follow Julie’s lead… we need more Julies!
Left by A Deaf Pundit on March 3rd, 2008
Thank you Deaf Pundit. My sentiments exactly.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 3rd, 2008
I don’t agree with Deaf Pundit. Deaf culture requires collective information sharing, and the tone of people here asking questions is very respectful. If it were a free-for-all, ripping people to shreds, that wouldn’t be appropriate. It is OK to question our leaders, to ask for transparency and accountability, and so forth. I don’t understand why people fear this.
The only way this controversy will die down is if we address this openly. LaRonda, the controversy is far from dead. We need to be able to examine this for the betterment of Deaf people in the Bay Area and everywhere.
LaRonda, I’m impressed that you left my question up. Thank you.
Left by disillusioned on March 3rd, 2008
Disillusioned,
You question why people fear asking our leaders for accountability and transparency, yet you hide behind a pseudo name. You suggest that this controversy, whatever it may be needs to be examined openly, yet you remain anonymous to the public here.
Why? This puzzles me.
I did not anticipate the reaction received from this vlog. Please let me respectfully clarify that I am not the person to respond to these questions. I agree with Deaf Pundit that these kinds of questions should be brought up to the board and with the CEO. Don’t shoot the messenger.
I think that if there are issues to be discussed or brought out into the open, then people can discuss them with those involved first. I do not feel that this comment box is the place to resolve these issues, nor am I qualified to respond to the questions asked here. I encourage those who question to take Julie up on her invitation to contact her or the board president and discuss these things with them.
Thanks.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on March 3rd, 2008
I agree with LaRonda. This topic focuses on the fundraising gala and nothing else. It’s not fair for her when people hijack the blog tto address other issues which LaRonda isn’t familiar with.
Please bring these agenda to the attention of Julie or DeafHope directly
Left by Mishkazena on March 4th, 2008