A number of ideas and suggestions were raised. One event proposed was a Sister City Festival emphasising ethnic food. An effort to make presentations about Sister Cities was also discussed.
This is an important issue. The committee discussed options for doing this. The consensus was the best means of keeping funding was providing value for the investment - strong programs that promote our city. And we need to let the City Council know we are doing this.
We must ensure that we have all the proper paper work so that people can deduct their donations to Sister Cities.
Larger tours of our sister cities and countries would expose more people to Sarasota Sister Cities and our sister cities. Bringing a number of tourists to our sister cities would help their economic development.
Grants are a good way to increase our funding. Finding people with the time and expertise to pursue grants is difficult.
Community Visibility
Sponsoring or participating in other events and festivals is important. We currently sponsor our Gala, Luncheons, Meet and Greets, and other special events.
Getting the organization known to the general public is an ongoing effort. The organization uses email, social media, the web site, the blog, and participation in community events to make the efforts of the organization known.
The organization collaborates with a number of organizations on events and programs of interest to the organization. We will continue these efforts, looking for more and better ways to collaborate.
Making presentations to various groups about Sister Cities is a excellent way to increase interest in Sister Cities.
The Board would like to improve our partnership with Alliance members. We need to examine our partners, determine if there is a need for closer connections, and if so work to improve those connections.
Future Leadership
An Executive Vice President position should be added to the Board. This person would assist the President in his or her duties and be the logical next President of the organization.
Training our future leaders and planning for succession is a clear need for the organization.
We need to have a better understanding of the talents and interests of our membership and connect with those members to best use those talents.
The Board determined that we should review our membership form and come up with methods to understand the interests of our members and call upon them.
No one if fond of more meetings. But our members only come in constant with the Board at the Luncheons and the Meet and Greets. A meeting in the evening once a quarter could help inform our members about what the organization is doing and how they might help out.
Our new members join but often do not know what is happening and how they can participate. We are trying to let them know by publishing information on our blog and social media. But face to face contact and phone calls from Board members to new members is a very effective way to gain their interest and commitment.
Partnerships
We should always be on the look out for possible new partnerships. When identified
We need to examine our Alliance partners and rekindle and revitalize relations where possible.
The organization participates in some festivals. The organization could lead an international fest featuring booths with ethnic restaurants and shops.
There are numerous other cities in Florida with Sister City organizations. Networking with them on programs and tours is a logical way to expand our reach.
