On behalf of everyone at Jobsite, we want to thank outgoing development chair Autumn Bonsall for her 4 years of selfless service.
Autumn came on to the board at the start of 2022 when we were really just beginning to get back to normal in the theater after the pandemic. It was a critical time in a number of ways, and we had just energized our board the previous summer through a search that had just netted us a new board chair in Marge Marchak and saw the return of Elissa Getto. Autumn could not have been a better addition at that time.
She took over the development committee with great gusto, helping us launch a series of parties and celebrations across the year that not only helped us toward our fundraising goals but helped us reconnect one on one with so many of our artists, supporters, and stakeholders.
Of course the big event was always Jobsite Rocks!, our end of the year party with its affiliated drawings and silent auctions. Autumn has done all the heavy lifting there for these past few years: dealing with the venue, securing and helping underwrite the food and drinks, reaching out into all corners of the community for items to raffle and auction and of course coordinating that whole effort to make sure everything got the to the event night-of looking good.
We not only met but exceeded our fundraising goal every year under her stewardship.
Autumn is responsible for the sponsorship we currently have from Raymond James. She’s worked to bridge our two organizations not only to help us reach our annual goal but to get the word our about our work and people into the seats to witness it. She brings folks to the theater so that they, too, can become fans of our work. Generous is a word that describes her at every level, perhaps paired best with the word kind.
And not for nothing she’s fun to hang out with, I’ve enjoyed many nights hanging out with Autumn and her husband Ron. Good people are good.
Good people, however, aren’t always destined or cut out to be “board people” and here is where my thanks for her time and energy has no end. She is a unicorn of board member, a heart of gold and the wherewithal to actually get things done.
I will miss her SO much, but am equally thankful for all she gave.
PLEASE join me in celebrating Autumn Bonsall for all she has done for us!
We can never replace her, but we do have her shoes to fill. We have an immediate need for a new development chair (term starting Jan. 2027) among several other roles on the board. We’ve done our best to outline what we need and how you can help, but I would love to chat if you’re interested in hearing more.
