Sarah Houde Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Atlanta, Ga

• Coordinate and execute 10-12 national events ranging from 50-3,500 participants plus 12-20 regional events, annually. Events take place across the U.S. and are varied in type: adult training conferences, youth conferences, and major donor events. Some include virtual attendance components.• Manage team of two full-time staff, two seasonal staff, four part-time conference coordinators, and hundreds of volunteers on site at events. Directly handle the search/hiring process for all new Events Team employees.• Prepare annual Events Team Action Plan aligned with strategic plan and provide quarterly board reports.• Prepare annual Events Team budget. Ensure timeliness and accuracy of revenue & expense reporting.• Secure event venues and manage contracts, site visits, room blocks, banquet details, and venue communication. Experience both in working with the same venue for many years and in the search, contracting, and event planning process with new venues. Experience working with variety of venues: hotels, resorts, convention centers, college campuses, theme parks, parishes, and camps.• Direct event registration processes. Manage Cvent event registration software account and train employees on effective usage. Oversaw development of custom-built digital paperwork platform.• Oversee project management processes in collaborating with external subcontractors and internal coworkers on event programming, design, marketing, web, and production needs.• Source and coordinate with vendors for food, production, stage decor, printing, and materials.• Supervise travel coordination to ensure economical processes with flight booking, accommodations, and ground transportation.• Develop event schedules to accomplish event goals and objectives and ensure smooth logistics for an outstanding experience for all attendees.• Schedule, invite, contract, and communicate with keynote speakers, bands, clergy, and staff.• Lead on site meetings and direct staff and presenters at events.

• Manage registration for all national events including adult trainings, youth conferences, & camps. Build online registration pages via Cvent event software, maintain and track registration changes, collect payments & paperwork, and provide customer support via phone & e-mail.• Invite and communicate with guest speakers, musicians, priests, & bishops and coordinate travel, contracts, & hospitality. • Oversee and execute event logistics such as meals, transportation, liturgies, & set-up.• Handle event finances by collecting payments, requesting stipends, and providing detailed post-event financial reports.• Work with regional partners to plan and execute three Steubenville Youth Conferences.

Portland, Me

• Oversaw all logistics for major diocesan retreat offerings, trainings, and conventions.• Coordinated details such as locations, contracts, speakers, food, schedule, and budget.• Handled all registrations including payments, invoicing, and data input.• Invited and led teams of volunteers & committees in planning and executing events.• Provided support and training to parish catechetical leaders throughout the diocese.• Created and implemented retreat programs throughout the diocese.• Assisted in formation and leadership training of Diocesan Catholic Youth Leadership Team.• Maintained upkeep of website, blog, and other social networking tools.• Planned, facilitated, and led Diocesan pilgrimages (including WYD 2011 & March for Life 2011, 2012, & 2013).

Macomb, Il

• Completely planned and executed a two week pilgrimage to Paris, Lisieux, Lourdes, Assisi, & Rome for a group of 12 people. Created the travel itinerary, researched and made all travel arrangements, ran weekly meetings to prepare the pilgrims logistically and spiritually, oversaw all fundraisers, and led the actual pilgrimage.• Directed the entire music ministry. Led students in weekly practices to provide music for all Sunday Masses as well as one weekday Mass each week. • Provided catechetical opportunities for students including Confirmation classes, catechesis on prayer, women’s discussion group, Bible study, and retreats.• Performed clerical work, volunteer recruitment, and one on one relational ministry with students.

Steubenville, Ohio Area

• Served as president of the student organization for 3 semesters.• Led team of 12 women in planning and executing weekend long “Capture My Heart” Women’s Retreat serving 50 college-aged women. Tasks included decision-making, advertising, monitoring applications, selection of retreatants, facilitating weekly team meetings, choosing and contacting speakers, priests, and retreat center, and procuring campus funding and support.• Founded and led team of five women in planning, organizing, and executing multiple events on campus, including talk series, Chinese auction, and group discussions. Responsibilities included brainstorming ideas, preparing for and running weekly meetings, and coordinating delegation of tasks.• Developed interpersonal and administrative skills by working with external speakers, team of peers, and multiple internal campus departments.• Organized ministry by compiling information, creating resource binders, founding on-campus team, restructuring leadership, and training future leaders.