Field of Heroes Chair

DAVID P. WARTELChair, Field of Heroes

Westerville Sunrise RotaryWesterville, Ohio

2011-2014

Organizational Overview• Chartered in 1994, the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Club is

one of two Rotary clubs in Westerville, Ohio. It is comprised of approximately 100 business and community leaders who live and/or work in Westerville.

http://www.westervillerotary.org/

Event Overview• Hosted each Memorial Day weekend by the Westerville

Sunrise Rotary Club, the Field of Heroes is an opportunity to honor your personal heroes - whoever they are... a family member; a friend; a veteran; a member of the armed services; a favorite teacher; a police officer; a firefighter or any other person who has made an impact on your life.

• The Field of Heroes offers a unique and moving way to honor your heroes by flying a flag with a custom tribute in a spectacular display of 3,000 American flags across from the Westerville Community Center.

Event Overview (continued)

• Standing 8 feet tall and measuring 3' x 5', the flags are situated in perfect rows to create an inspirational display that visually represents each individual hero joining together with others to form a community.

• Themed programs run throughout the weekend, including opening and closing ceremonies, a flag retirement ceremony and a free Saturday evening concert.

• Annual tribute displays complement the Field of Heroes, paying homage to a special set of heroes.

• The 5K Run/Walk for Heroes is hosted at the Field of Heroes to provide an opportunity to honor heroes in a truly unique and inspiring setting.

Field of Heroes Event Highlights• Has become one of Westerville’s largest events and

has a very high profile in Rotary International• Each year, purchasers from more than a dozen different

states ship dedicated flags to as many as 90 zip codes in 19 states

• Garners extensive media coverage each year• Approximately 28 stories totaling more than 31 minutes of

coverage for a total Nielsen audience of more than 2 million viewers

• Received coverage on WCOL, in local newspapers, and Columbus Dispatch

• Event costs are supported by local, regional and national businesses

Opening Ceremony

122nd Army Band Concert

5K Run/Walk for Heroes

• 300+ participants in inaugural year

Flag Retirement Ceremony led by the Mallsannuk Chapter,

Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America

Free bus tours of Westerville memorials guided by Police Explorer Post 29

Community Engagement

Korean War Tribute• Celebrating the men and women

who served our country in the Korean War so that it is the "Forgotten War" no more.

• Presented by the Westerville Committee of Honor Flight Columbus.

Lima Company Memorial: The Eyes of Freedom• Displayed at Westerville City

Hall

Special Features

Closing Ceremony

Event Chair Responsibilities Summary

• LEAD COMMITTEE OF 30+ ROTARY AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS SERVING IN FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF: • Community Engagement and Patron Relations• Field Setup, Operations and Logistics• Volunteer Services• Guest Services, Order Processing and Fulfilment• Race Operations• Programs• Marketing, Media Relations and Social Media• Fiscal Management, Club and District Relations

• OVERSEE COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTS, INCLUDING:• Community Advisory Board• City Manager’s Office, Parks and Recreation, and Police Division• Affiliated sales organizations and presenting partners

Selected Leadership Accomplishments

• CONDUCTED STRATEGIC AND BUSINESS PLANNING• Created a sustainable brand and business model, helping make

the Field of Heroes a signature annual event in Westerville.

• DROVE ORGANIZATIONAL AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS• Made the committee and event a more efficient and repeatable

enterprise.

• ESTABLISHED A MORE COMPREHENSIVE MODEL OF EVENT FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT• Helped improve accountability to board of directors.

Strategic Goals Achieved• Provide a unique and moving “signature” community

event• Respectfully honor all heroes: fallen, living veterans and

actively serving military, as well as public servants and civilians

• Become a desired annual tradition for our guests• Provide volunteers with an experience they will never

forget• Build and maintain a sustainable brand, organization and

event business model

Central Ohio’sMemorial Day Weekend Tradition

For More Information

www.fieldofheroes.org

Fieldofheroes

@FieldofheroesOH#fieldofheroes

Fieldofheroes channel

Field_of_Heroes_OH#fieldofheroes

Westerville Sunrise Rotary