Signature Events

Host Committee

Lead With Purpose

Behind every signature event is a team of dedicated volunteers who make the magic happen. Our host committees bring together community leaders, business professionals, and passionate supporters who lend their talents, networks, and enthusiasm to create unforgettable experiences that move vision research forward.

Whether you’re a natural connector, a creative storyteller, a skilled planner, or simply someone who believes in the mission, there’s a role for you. Committee service is a rewarding way to build meaningful relationships, expand your leadership, and make a lasting difference for people living with blinding diseases.

Explore the roles below to find the one that fits your strengths and interests:

GALA CHAIR/CO-CHAIRS

The Gala Chair serves as a champion for the event's vision, bringing people together around a shared purpose and inspiring others to invest in a future filled with discovery, hope, and progress. As a visible leader and ambassador, the Chair helps shape the event's success by engaging influential supporters, securing resources, recruiting key volunteers, and motivating the committee to achieve ambitious goals. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys connecting people, opening doors, and making a tangible difference in the community.

Ideal Attributes

  • Well-connected and respected in the community
  • Natural leader who inspires action and enthusiasm
  • Strategic thinker with strong relationship-building skills
  • Goal-oriented and results-driven
  • Confident communicator and ambassador
  • Passionate about advancing the mission
  • Collaborative and team-focused
  • Influential networker who enjoys bringing people together
  • Visionary mindset with the ability to motivate others
  • Committed, dependable, and enthusiastic

CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT CHAIR

The Corporate Engagement Chair plays a critical role in building meaningful partnerships that fuel the event's success and advance the mission. By engaging local businesses, corporate leaders, and professional networks, this volunteer helps create opportunities for sponsorship, visibility, and long-term community involvement. This is an excellent role for someone who enjoys cultivating professional relationships and connecting organizations with causes that make a lasting impact.

Ideal Attributes

  • Strong professional and business network
  • Comfortable making introductions and connections
  • Outgoing and relationship-oriented
  • Persuasive and confident communicator
  • Goal-driven and proactive
  • Skilled at business development or partnership cultivation
  • Professional, polished, and credible
  • Passionate advocate for the mission
  • Strategic and opportunity-minded
  • Persistent and resourceful

MARKETING CHAIR

The Marketing Chair helps amplify the event's reach and visibility by generating excitement and awareness throughout the community. Through media relationships, storytelling, and promotional opportunities, this volunteer ensures more people learn about the event and its impact. The role is perfect for someone who enjoys creative thinking, communications, public relations, and finding innovative ways to engage audiences.

Ideal Attributes

  • Creative and innovative thinker
  • Strong communicator and storyteller
  • Connected to community, media, or marketing networks
  • Outgoing and enthusiastic
  • Social media and brand awareness savvy
  • Resourceful and proactive
  • Collaborative and team-oriented
  • Strategic in promoting messages and opportunities
  • Detail-conscious while balancing big-picture thinking
  • Passionate about inspiring others through the mission

AUCTION CHAIR

The Auction Chair helps create one of the gala's most engaging and revenue-generating experiences. By leveraging personal and professional connections to secure unique and desirable items, this volunteer helps drive excitement, participation, and fundraising success. This role is ideal for someone who loves networking, creativity, and the challenge of securing experiences and items that will captivate guests.

Ideal Attributes

  • Well-connected in the community
  • Outgoing and comfortable making asks
  • Creative and opportunity-focused
  • Detail-oriented and organized
  • Goal-oriented and motivated by results
  • Strong follow-through and persistence
  • Relationship-builder who enjoys networking
  • Skilled negotiator and influencer
  • Resourceful and entrepreneurial
  • Passionate about supporting the mission through fundraising

EXPERIENCE/LOGISTICS CHAIR

The Experience & Logistics Chair helps bring the event to life by creating a memorable, seamless experience for every guest. From developing engaging activations to coordinating volunteers and supporting event-day execution, this volunteer helps ensure every detail contributes to an inspiring and successful evening. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys planning, organization, and creating exceptional experiences behind the scenes.

Ideal Attributes

  • Highly organized and dependable
  • Detail-oriented with strong project management skills
  • Creative problem solver
  • Calm and adaptable under pressure
  • Service-minded and guest-focused
  • Strong communicator and coordinator
  • Connected within the community
  • Team player who enjoys collaboration
  • Ability to anticipate needs and manage details
  • Passionate about creating meaningful experiences

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Committee Members are the heart of the gala's success. By sharing their networks, supporting fundraising efforts, promoting the event, and serving on subcommittees, they help expand the event's reach and impact throughout the community. This role offers a meaningful way to contribute, build relationships, and be part of a team working toward a common purpose.

Ideal Attributes

  • Passionate about the mission
  • Connected within the community and/or industry
  • Positive, helpful, and collaborative
  • Willing to advocate for the event
  • Reliable and responsive
  • Comfortable introducing friends and colleagues to the cause
  • Enthusiastic team player
  • Relationship-oriented and community-minded
  • Supportive of fundraising goals
  • Eager to make a meaningful difference