February 2011 PDF - Temple Sinai

Daddy Daughter Dance 2011 - Perspectives from a Volunteer by David Kepniss
Although I cannot recall how I came to
be the original chairman for the DDD, as
soon as it was over last year, I knew I had
to give it another run. This year, I was
determined to apply lessons learned and to
recruit other Dads to share in the powerful
experience I had. There is tremendous joy,
satisfaction and pride that comes with
making a successful event at Temple Sinai.
Recruiting volunteers for the DDD is pretty
simple. I have made wonderful friends
within the synagogue that have young
daughters of their own, so all I had to do
was tap into our shared desire to be great
Dads. After all, this event is as much for
our own daughters as it is for the Men’s
Club, our synagogue and the larger
community. I knew these guys would be
committed, and they did not let me down.
The secret to making any event a
success is to plan way ahead. With our
date reserved at August’s calendar meeting
and the team assembled by October, our
first order of business was to choose a pub
for a planning meeting! I think everyone
immediately recognized that the 2011
DDD was going to be as much about the
journey as the destination. All meetings
were held at pubs and no official business
was discussed until the second round of
beers. This was our kind of committee!
For the most part, everyone took
ownership of their individual duties and we
came together as a team early on. This was
invaluable when faced with obstacles like
date conflicts, technical difficulties and the
announcement of Upper Dublin Parks &
Rec’s 1 st Annual Father Daughter Dance to
be held the weekend after ours.
Competition served to galvanize our efforts
and we surpassed our ticket sales goal of
200 attendees.
When the day of the dance finally
arrived, all was on track. However, I had
underestimated my own daughter’s
anticipation. She could barely contain her
excitement all day. As far as she was
concerned, her daddy was making her a
―royal ball.‖ Regardless of the dance’s
outcome, I knew all the effort was worth it
just to see her so happy and excited.
The dance was pure bliss. My daughter,
like all the other girls, was illuminated with
joy amidst the magical, star-lit night
decorations. Instead of venturing off with
friends, she never wanted leave my side
and felt impatient for the next slow dance.
Looking around the crowded dance floor, it
was obvious that fathers were smitten with
their little girls. Some lifted them high and
carried them through dances, while others
enjoyed the tight bear-hugs. With iphones
away, daughters were the focus of every
Dad’s attention. The smiles in the
commemorative photos resting on each
table told the whole story and would
continue to for years to come. I’d say the
DDD hit a home run!
I got so much from that evening, as did
the whole DDD team. I not only enjoyed
the opportunity to share a few special hours
with my little girl, but it was a pleasure
being surrounded by so many other Dads
enjoying the same. I look forward to the
next DDD and encouraging my peers to get
involved with this and other, rewarding
volunteer opportunities at Temple Sinai.
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