SRQ DAILY Oct 19, 2019
"The average student loan outstanding today according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is $24,301. That is less than what most college graduates will pay for the first car they buy after they graduate."
We can do better.
That’s a personal mantra of Harvest House executive director Erin Minor. Harvest House has transformed thousands of lives by offering housing, critical social services, and neighborhood revitalization to our most needy. But last week, Erin and her team helped launch, of all things, an environmental initiative. One that will go a long way toward putting money back into their programs.
The collaborative initiative is called Partners for Green Places. It began when the sustainability offices of the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County pitched a promising idea to Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. The opportunity: help seed a program that incentivizes human service and environmental nonprofits to invest in strategic energy upgrades, which will save them operating dollars that they ultimately can redirect to their mission-driven programs and services.
The two foundations invested $75,000 each, which earned a matching grant from the national Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. Additional contributions from the participating nonprofits raised the total to $375,000 to launch the two-year program.
The grant program employs the following strategies:
· Conduct energy, water, and solar audits of nonprofit facilities to identify cost-saving sustainability measures and provide “energy roadmaps” for future investments toward net-zero-energy facilities.
· Implement pilot improvement projects at three nonprofits and track the cost reductions and the programmatic impacts of those savings.
· Pool additional funding from which other nonprofits can apply for matching funds to implement recommendations in their audits.
· Help nonprofits educate clients and visitors about the improvements and how they can achieve comparable results in their own businesses or homes.
In addition to Harvest House, the other two agencies in the pilot phase are Historic Spanish Point and Children First. Historic Spanish Point executive director John McCarthy calls the project an “unexpected dream come true.” His facility sees 25,000 visitors a year. That’s a heck of a lot of people who could benefit from learning how to conserve some energy and water in their daily lives—particularly in the setting of an older, historic structure.
Children First, meanwhile, serves hundreds of the youngest members of our community’s next generation. In typical fashion, CEO Philip Tavill eloquently summarized why his organization was all in: “We could save money, support mission, and do it all by doing the right thing.” So, Partners for Green Places is both a green grant program and a budding sustainability movement.
But we can do better...
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County and William G. and Marie Selby Foundation have joined the collaboration. The Community Foundation added $50,000 to the funding available for energy audits and upgrades, and one of its donors has granted $200,000 for a pilot solar-investment program to help nonprofits finance renewable energy investments and adopt on-site solar power. Selby Foundation, meanwhile, is furthering the movement by incorporating energy-efficiency requirements into its grant funding, which supports many local nonprofit capital projects.
But we can do better...
That’s what DreamLarge, founded by Gulf Coast Board member Anand Pallegar, believes. Seeing the potential for even greater impact, DreamLarge has invested in a strategy, brand, and platform to showcase this union of philanthropy and sustainability and to use it as an inspirational tool. Now the Partners are creating an alliance of nonprofit organizations that can motivate the for-profit sector with their commitment to sustainability and greener practices in their work and their communities.
That energy was palpable at last Monday’s launch event, fittingly hosted at Girls Inc. of Sarasota County. The nonprofit’s headquarters is home to the largest solar array in the county, generously funded by the Barancik Foundation as an investment in the future and a model for the present.
Which proves exactly why this initiative is for everyone.
Mark S. Pritchett is President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. 
Photo courtesy GCCF: DreamLarge founder Anand Pallegar.
The Argus Foundation is a 501 (C)(6) just like a Chamber of Commerce. But we are not a Chamber of Commerce. We focus solely on public policy including policy education. Our Chambers locally provide very important services to the business community including membership services, professional training, concierge services through business, leadership training, and visitor information.
Our Chambers are so very important to our community. The Argus Foundation believes that strong Chambers make a strong community. We are lucky to have great dynamic leadership at our Chambers across the county right now.
In Sarasota, the Sarasota Chamber is hitting it out of the park with CareerEdge in linking businesses with job training and doing it in an efficient way while fulfilling the greatest need in economic development. The Sarasota Chamber is also the de facto go-to for the business community trying to get help through the various government regulations and processes. They are filling an important help desk void that government and other entities have been unable to fill.
The North Port Chamber of Commerce has seen an explosion of membership and that chamber has grown-up into a chamber you would expect of the largest city in Sarasota County. They have had several Leadership North Port classes and are making a conscious effort to be more involved outside of their border in the county at-large. They understand that county policy affects city business.
The Venice Chamber has created an entrepreneurial exchange series which features among other programs, the WEW initiative, Women Empowering Women. They are hosting leadership and networking panels and featuring some of our strong businesswomen in the community for other women to learn from.
The Siesta Key Chamber serves as an important visitor hub on our beach itself. Many of our chambers are visitor hubs, but the Siesta Key Chamber focuses on our number one tourist attraction in the county and makes sure that the millions who visit are informed and well-cared for.
There is not enough space in this column to get into all of the various chambers we have in the county which vary by geography, ethnicity, and heritage. They are an economic development resource that are underappreciated by our various local governments. Frequently, they pick up the slack when the government lets up its foot on the economic development accelerator pedal during good times, which is happening right now.
Never complacent in their missions and always giving back to our communities outside of business, we are grateful for their presence and for incubating our economy.
The Argus Foundation thanks our partner chambers. We see what you are doing for our economy and we understand how hard you are working to make our county a great one.
Christine Robinson is executive director of The Argus Foundation.
Free college has become a hot button, politicized issue as candidates run for office on its promise and some states adopt policies to provide free tuition. The belief that free college leads to a more educated and informed society is a noble one, but I believe we have to ensure such a program helps the students most in need and ensures the outcome of a higher education remains worthwhile.
First, are we asking the right questions? Are we trying to enable students to attend college or should we really be working on keeping the cost of college affordable? Those are very different questions that have very different outcomes.
One of the driving factors for this topic is the student loan crisis, but we need to be clear about what is in student debt. The average student loan outstanding today according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is $24,301. That is less than what most college graduates will pay for the first car they buy after they graduate. I submit that is not too much to invest in one’s future.
As individuals we value what we invest in, we take pride in what we earn, and this is what drives us to persevere.
Tuition is only a small part of what comprises student debt. It is also the choices that students make—where they choose to go to school, how they live, their lifestyle choices. Those decisions have financial consequences. Focusing alone on tuition is not going to solve the student loan debt crisis.
What about quality outcomes in a free higher education environment? Florida currently spends $6.4 billion a year on the state’s higher education system, according to Florida Tax Watch. The estimate to replace tuition is about $10 billion in recurring funding each year. The portion of the state budget that goes toward higher education would increase from 7 percent to 18 percent. That is unlikely to happen in a state with so many competing funding needs. An under-funded education system leads to lower quality outcomes and less access to higher education.
Government takeovers have not historically led to innovation and change. What we need right now is change in our higher education system so that we are relevant and creating the talent that is demanded of us for the future.
What about students with financial need? This year, a student with high financial need can receive $6,195 in Pell Grants. Students do not have to pay back Pell Grants. Across the nation annual full-time tuition at most of our community colleges can be covered with $6,195. At the State College of Florida, full-time tuition with indexed fees is $3,100 a year, leaving those students with $3,100 a year for other expenses such as transportation and books.
The free tuition models across the nation mostly require students to exhaust all grant, loan or scholarship resources before the free assistance begins. They don’t favor the financially needy, in fact they favor the other end of the spectrum. So, who is it we are actually trying to help with a free college model?
I am not in favor of free higher education—not because I do not want to support students, but because I don’t want to hurt the students that need our help the most.
Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld is president of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
Sarasota voters approved Single Member Districts for County Commission seats last year. It’s a move that turns the current power structure on its head. Big donor dollars are far more effective with the diluted accountability of At-Large voting. Our current County Commissioners are the beneficiaries of At-Large Voting. They failed to convince constituents to vote against Single Member Districts. Now they want to change district boundaries.
At-large voting for Sarasota County Commissioners meant every voter in the County voted for all five Commissioners. This created huge disadvantages for grass-roots candidates. The old at-large system required candidates to campaign in the whole County, reaching a population over 400,000. It was like running for Congress. Candidates with huge war chests and PAC support had the advantage vying for this important local position.
If a Commissioner elected “At-Large” voted against his own district’s interests (like Mike Moran did with the Celery Fields or Al Maio did with Benderson’s Siesta Promenade) it was difficult for voters in the district to “throw the bum out” at the ballot box. With Single Member District voting,
getting rid of a Commissioner who is throwing your district under the bus is easier, because the voters who live in the district are the only ones deciding if that Commissioner deserves a second term. Grass-roots, door-to-door campaigns have a shot against candidates anointed by developer dollars and dark money.
After Single Member Districts passed, our County Commissioners got busy with redistricting.
Last May, County staff provided population data to the Commissioners indicating current district populations are reasonably balanced, ranging form 79,915 to 87.525. The population database County Staff used is the same one used by the U.S. Postal Service, and has a clear methodology. Undeterred, the Commission chose to hire a consultant who (surprise!) found a wider district population range from 79,590 to 89,824, exceeding the 10 percent difference the Commission was looking for to justify redistricting. Problem is, the consultant data has been proven deeply flawed. A subcontracted consultant recommended against redistricting before the census, and conceded he was unable to calculate a margin of error for his data. Ron Collins, a local activist who analyzed the data, flagged multiple, significant mistakes. Collins puts the margin of error at 25 percent or more, making the consultant information unreliable.
It’s worth noting the consultant maps include the addresses of the current Commissioners. Taking incumbent addresses into account introduces another credibility problem. Right now there is a cluster of Commissioners living in Nokomis (Maio), Osprey (Hines) and Venice (Detert). If we are going to make changes, should Nokomis and Osprey be in the same district? Moran and Ziegler live near the University Town Center mall and along Fruitville Road respectively. We don’t have any Commissioner living between Bahia Vista and Blackburn Point Road, and no one lives east of I-75. Districts are supposed to be drawn based on community representation as well as population.
Take it easy Commissioners. Wait for the census.
Cathy Antunes is the host of The Detail.
Rendering courtesy KSA
In the decades to come, residents and visitors to Selby Gardens will thank the city commission for approving the Selby Master Plan, just like residents and visitors to Sarasota are appreciative of the beautiful Ringling Bridge. Let’s give safety, progress and beauty a ringing YES! John and Donna Gary, Sarasota.
I am opposed to the monstrous construction and consequences to our Magnificent city. I believe research and education can flourish with more thought being and conciousness to our environment. Simplify, quality not quantity. TM Dubreuil, Sarasota.
Photographs are now available online from the seventh rendition of SkillSHARE, which took place at the SRQ Studios on Wednesday, October 17, 2019. Powered by the Women in Business Initiative, SkillSHARE is a speed mentor summit focused on management, entrepreneurship, philanthropic engagement, professional development and business growth.
Thank you to the mentors and mentees who participated in this insightful evening of conversation and deep relationship building.
Designing Women Boutique presents the author of "Never Fly Solo," Waldo Waldman. A member of the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame, Waldo Waldman is a motivational speaker that leverages his real world military, sales and business experience into a transformational program that empowers leaders to take action and produce results. This Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Coach and Decorated Combat Fighter Pilot puts you right on the flight line and in the cockpit to experience how high performance teams really function under pressure. Every motivational keynote and analogy is based on real world jet fighter combat and training missions. Whether veteran, military personnel, corporate executive, grandparent, parent or child, experience the transformational power of becoming a Wingman when you attend this event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Sarasota Military Academy and the local Disabled American Veterans Chapter. The event will start at 11:30am at Michael's on East on October 25.
DreamLarge Weekends, recently held a 3-day event hosted by The Ringling College of Art + Design where students worked together, along with the guidance of mentors, toward a goal of figuring out unique and creative solutions to community challenges. Throughout the weekend sessions, students and mentors ideated, prototyped and designed solutions to the challenges local nonprofits face. The weekend culminated in a Student-led Presentation and Judging ceremony Sunday afternoon, where students pitched their multifaceted and innovative ideas to a panel of local community leaders. Student presentations represented a range of creative mediums, from theatrical skits and user-generated content style videos to traditional data-driven business plans.
You deserve a Saturday for yourself. Don’t miss #SelfcareSaturday A Free Women’s Wellness Event at Sarasota Memorial Hospital Auditorium on Saturday, Oct. 26, 8:30am - 2:30pm. Enjoy a delicious, complementary buffet-style lunch and meet SMH self care experts providing guidance on wellness screenings, mindfulness and stress reduction, improved pelvic health, and self confidence. Featuring keynote presentation by Teresa Carlson VP, Amazon Web Services. A self-made success story, Ms. Carlson is helping women embrace their power and make the most of every day. The event is free; however, RSVP is required. Call (941) 917-1981 to reserve your spot.
On October 15th the Sarasota Gateway Hotels Campus opened their 193-room Comfort Inn & Suites and dual-brand Sleep Inn/ MainStay Suites. Sarasota Gateway Hotels Ringmaster and SRQ Women in Business Leadership Circle member Laurie Pike, hosted “The Greatest Ribbon Cutting on Earth” alongside performances by Circus Arts Conservatory students and appearances by special friends from Big Cat Habitat and Bearadise Ranch Bear Preserve. Guests toured the 19 different room types the two hotels have to offer and the shared resort style zero-entry heated pool.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College presents the Boomer Conference 2019 “Discovering What’s Next?” on Friday, November 1, from 9am-1pm. Almost every aspect of your life changes when you move out of the career phase into retirement. Are you prepared for this transition? Come hear experts share secrets on how you can successfully navigate your next chapter.
Blossoms of Asia combines a dazzling display of living orchids in the Tropical Conservatory with an elegant exhibition of orchid treasures from Selby Gardens’ bibliographic and preserved collections in the Museum of Botany and the Arts. The magnificent orchids in the Tropical Conservatory will include Asian specimens from Selby’s living plant collection. The display will reference traditional Japanese garden design and horticultural practices, including ikebana (the art of flower arrangement) and bonsai (the creation of miniaturized trees), in order to evoke a sense of Asia in the heart of Sarasota.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Famed in particular for his speed and a tendency to create images overflowing with colorful characters, Jack Davis was one of the founding members of Mad Magazine's "Usual Gang of Idiots." He supplied covers for Tim and TV Guide, designed numerous album covers and movie posters, and, over his 60-year career, became one of the most in-demand caricaturists and cartoonists in the world. This exhibition attempts to show Davis' range by bringing together a selection of his original work that demonstrates his breadth of subjects and his skills as an artist. This body of work focuses on American popular culture, diving deeper into his career than the sports and caricature work for which he is best known. Opening Reception, Friday, October 18, 5-8pm. Evening Panel Discussion, Thursday, November 14, 6-8pm.
Lois and David Stulberg Gallery in the Richard and Barbara Basch Visual Arts Center, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
UPDATE: The 14th Annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon, Relay, 10K & 5K, a signature event produced by Life Time, the premier healthy lifestyle brand, will be moving to Sunday, October 20, 2019 due to inclement weather. The Half Marathon, Relay and 10K showcase the beautiful Sarasota area. All participants will start and finish at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and embark along a captivating waterfront route, including the John Ringling Bridge and around St. Armand's Circle before heading to downtown Sarasota.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join SRQ Magazine and its family magazine RocketKids for an evening with representatives from local private and charter schools in Sarasota and Manatee Counties in a panel discussion about how each school prepares their students for success. With the future workforce continuing to evolve rapidly, we ask local schools how they are creating programs that will prepare our students. We will also discuss the increasing importance of teaching social emotional literacy (SEL) and the role of schools in engaging with students in fostering these skills. Schools include: The Out-of-Door Academy, NewGate School, Sarasota Christian School, Island Village Montessori School, St. Martha's Catholic School and The Pinnacle Academy. Free admission. Lightbites, beer and wine will be served. RSVP at srqmag.com/moed.
SRQ Studios, 331 S. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota
The second annual Out of the Blue benefits National Alliance on Mental Illness Sarasota County. NAMI works to support families in Sarasota County who have a loved one living with mental illness; advocate at the county, state, and national levels for non-discriminatory access to quality healthcare, housing, education, and employment for people with mental illness; educate the public about mental illness; and work to eliminate the stigma of mental illness.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
Safari Sarasota is a three-day, five event experience, produced by Michael's On East in partnership with the All Heart Fund of South Africa's Good Work Foundation. Safari Sarasota is the only event experience in the United States that brings together internationally-recognized guests from South Africa's Good Work Foundation and its founding patron, the Londolozi Reserve. There will be five sensational opportunities to experience the flavors of South Africa through food and wine, including an Interactive Cooking Experience led by Chef Anna Ridgewell from Londolozi Game Reserve and Chef Jamil Pineda of Michael's On East.
Michael's On East, 1212 East Avenue S. Sarasota
Somewhere deep inside, you know what your gift, purpose, and mission are. Boyd Varty, a lion tracker, life coach, and gifted storyteller reveals how ancient wisdom can teach you how to recognize the essential ingredients that create a meaningful life. Boyd will kick off the press tour of his NEW book, The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life, with an intimate talk at Ringling College Morganroth Auditorium in partnership with Ringling College Library Association. Celebrating the release of his new book, each guest will receive a signed copy. Watch Boyd Varty's Ted Talk here.
Ringling College, Morganroth Auditorium, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
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