Navi Ganancial, an avid BRAVO! Club volunteer, shares her experience:

I’ll be the first to raise my hand and admit that I’m a serial volunteer. I love planning, producing, and working events but since there’s just one of me I can’t create all of them from scratch. This is where my love for volunteering comes in. I love going to as many events as I possibly can, and more importantly I love learning about the organizations I’m helping by working next to their members, patrons, and staff.

On my list of organizations to volunteer, the SF Opera was always hovered at the top. I finally got the opportunity to check that one off of my list last October at their opening Gala.

Let me start by saying that it was one of the best parties I have ever attended. The SF Opera's BRAVO! Board members and fellow volunteers were so friendly and I immediately felt like I was part of the group. I knew right away that this was an organization that I wanted to make myself a part of, so I’ve continued to sign-up for every available event shift that I could get my hands on.

From registering attendees at the Opening Gala to making sure people didn’t drink water in the Carol Channing room at the Valentines event, I’ve met so many interesting people, who not only shared in my passion for Opera, but who have also broadened my horizons to food, SF nightlife and technology.

As a former orchestra geek (yes I’ll admit I played third chair violin), Italian student, and all around art lover I wasn’t sure that this organization was the best way for me to participate in the arts that I grew up to love.

Since the first day I met these amazing people, I’ve gone to so many fabulous BRAVO! functions, which led me to meet people who introduced me to informative tech events (I mean I’m even to the point where I’m heading up San Francisco magazines social media initiatives). Now, I spend at least 2-3 nights a week all dolled-up and experiencing the best of SF nightlife because of the individuals I met at BRAVO! Club.

While this may not be the path that every BRAVO! Club member takes, I do urge you to come to our events and just get to know us. We’re an amazing bunch of people! Hey, you never know where hanging out with us will take you.

To learn more about my adventures, follow me on Twitter @navi_ganancial