Outreach and Engagement
Building Out the National ZOA
Community – A New Approach
To inspire new and existing donors to support
ZOA’s important work to their greatest
ability, ZOA has built and launched its new
donor appreciation program, or “Donor Societies,”
to offer our loyal ZOA membership the
opportunity to be part of a new and exclusive
giving community.
Since its inaugural kickoff in the New York
metro area in September 2018, ZOA’s national
donor appreciation program continues to
thrive and expand. The roll-out of ZOA’s Donor
Societies across the country is well on its
way, and our national ZOA community can
look forward to increased engagement opportunities
throughout 2019 and onward.
This effort is both “outreach” and “engagement.”
Part of its purpose is to provide current
ZOA supporters with the increased engagement
they’ve been asking for, and to keep our
national community connected and on top of
the important issues that concern us all. The
Donor Societies are also a draw for individuals
new to ZOA, with the promise of consistent,
quality programming, available around the
country. With the great success of our first few
months of events and overwhelmingly positive
support and praise from our constituents,
we’re very excited for the future.
Where it All Began
The Donor Society programs, launched in
the New York metro area in fall 2018 served
as a starting point. The second phase began in
early 2019 with a roll-out to the ZOA regions.
Talya Messeri, Director of Outreach and Engagement,
has been working with the regional
directors to fine-tune the model for their
particular regions, and Donor Society events
have already taken place and are continuously
being scheduled around the country. We’re
expanding our speaker pool and listening to
your feedback; we are looking forward to providing
you with an even fuller calendar of offerings
into 2020 and beyond.
To date, Donor Society events have consisted
of in-person lectures, seminars and call-in
briefings with prominent American and Israeli
officials, authors, journalists, political advisors
and ZOA staff experts and campus Fellows.
Please see the “Around the Country” section
of this report to learn more about ZOA regional
events.
Donor Societies At a Glance
Supporters who give at the designated levels
(page 43) become members of the corresponding
Donor Society, and are offered
exclusive events and privileges, increasing in
quantity and access. In addition, the Donor
Society program is a national program, meaning
that a member of a particular society in
one region is also a member of the same society
in all regions around the country.
Even this past fall, when Donor Society
programs took place in the New York metro
area only, the excitement had already grown
across the country! The Pre-Gala Reception,
which took place on November 3, 2018 – the
night before ZOA’s Annual Gala – was an
exclusive evening for our Menachem Begin,
Brandeis, Jabotinsky and National Leadership
Societies. It was well-attended by individuals
from all over the country, including the New
York Tristate area, Florida, Washington, D.C.,
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. We’re looking
forward to seeing even more ZOA national
Donor Society representation at the Pre-Gala
Reception next year!
Not only do Society member privileges include
invitations to exclusive events, receptions,
insider briefings and more see full list
of privileges on page 43, but also Donor Society
members will continue to be recognized
with special ribbons at the superstar ZOA Annual
Gala and at all major ZOA events.
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