After much thoughtful consideration and input from both partners and participants, SRQ MEDIA has decided to postpone its SMARTgirl Mentorship Summit previously scheduled to take place this Friday, March 13, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. While we are disappointed to not have this incredibly vibrant event to look forward to this week, we recognize that our greatest responsibility and concern is to take every precaution for the health and well-being of our 40+, our 90 SMARTgirl students hailing from schools from Sarasota and Manatee as well as Lee and Charlotte counties as well as their families. Given the current realities as they continue to evolve, postponing this impactful event to later this year will likely create an even more powerful opportunity for creating a space for positive, generative dialogue with these 90 future-seeking elementary and middle school girls. "We treasure our time together," says SRQ MEDIA President and CEO Lisl Liang. "We want for it to be as meaningful and productive an experience as possible." Plans are currently underway to reschedule the Summit to a later date this year. 

The Grand Opening celebration for Fifth Third Bank’s new Manatee Ave. location revealed to the Bradenton community a hip, modern space with a focus on digital technology and hospitality. Catering to a younger generation that considers aesthetics and amenities as important as supply and services, Fifth Third are reestablishing its branches with a "NextGen" retail design. This means integrating a new-age, café-style environment (with free coffee) and replacing teller counters/windows by giving employees the freedom to move about the lobby and use tablet computers to meet customers and encourage a more direct, personal way to serve their needs. Meanwhile, inviting seating and meeting areas are available, with flexible layers of privacy that can adjust depending on the type of conversation taking place.

Driven by a fundamental shift in how customers perceive, and use, retail bank branches, Fifth Third recognized a niché in serving those seeking new ways to seamlessly manage their finances in an easy, efficient and non-judgemental manner. The company interviewed many customers in several cities to understand their attitudes, beliefs and needs around their financial lives. “They told us that they wanted an environment where they felt welcome,” says Jennifer N. Auray, vice president of regional marketing and communications. “They didn’t want to feel judged if they didn’t understand part of their finances. They wanted a place that felt warm. They wanted a space that looked and felt approachable, knowledgeable and trusted. They wanted a variety of places to meet with their banker.” 

Fifth Third has since shapeshifted into an experiential “relationship bank”—integrating personal financial tellers that customers can trust and comfortably sit down to talk to about sensitive subjects. “Branches are still very relevant to customers, but they are being used differently than they have in previous generations,” she says. “Today, it’s about growing the relationship by delivering a holistic customer experience – digital and physical blending perfectly to meet their needs.” According to a recent Forbes study, Auray shares, just three percent of Millennials have their primary checking account at a digital-only bank. (1.5 percent of Gen Xers, .08 percent of Baby Boomers). Even in today’s smart digital world, she says, “Customers expect a great experience, whether they are banking or buying something from Amazon.” 

Photo courtesy of Fifth Third Bank

6601 Manatee Ave., West Bradenton, 941-795-2320.

The Van Wezel Foundation and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall named three teachers from Sarasota County as this year's recipients of the Appleton Outstanding Teacher of the Year award, which celebrates the best in arts integration strategies in the classroom. These educators were recognized during the Foundation's 2020 INSPIRATION Gala held on February 21 at the Performing Arts Hall. The Award is made possible by an endowment to the Foundation from the late Mrs. Louise Appleton, a local philanthropist who had a passion for arts education and making a difference in the community. The 2020 Appleton Outstanding Teacher of the Year award was bestowed to Melissa Forsten, a first-grade teacher from Atwater Elementary in North Port who uses the performing arts to inspire her students to learn and educates other teachers on best practices and teaching techniques. With the award, Ms. Forsten is eligible to attend a professional development workshop in Washington, D.C., led by talented teaching artists at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She also received a prize for an arts integration project and classroom teaching materials. Two additional educators were recognized for innovative applications of arts integration in the classroom, including Joanna Fox, a creative writing teacher from Booker Middle School in Sarasota, and Tatiana Ignotis, an ESOL instructor from Venice Middle School. Ms. Fox received funding for an arts integration project, and both teachers received prizing for classroom learning materials. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Cliff Roles. From left to right: Tatiana Ignotis, Joanna Fox and Melissa Forsten at the 2020 INSPIRATION Gala, hosted by the Van Wezel Foundation.

To learn more about The Van Wezel Foundation

Impact100 SRQ, a group of Sarasota-Manatee women philanthropists committed to high-impact, strategic grant-making, announced that it raised $342,000 at its “Big Reveal” event on March 5. Jane Watt, president of Impact100 SRQ, said that the group will award transformational grants of $114,000 to three Sarasota-Manatee nonprofits this November. Local groups can apply for grants for projects in arts and culture, education, environment and recreation, family, and health and wellness. All grant applications must be submitted online by May 15, 2020, at impact100srq.org. “The grants we award are designed to have a major impact on the Sarasota and Manatee county area, the selected nonprofits, and the communities served,” said Watt. “Through collective giving, Impact100 SRQ members demonstrate leadership and comradery as they cultivate transformation together.”  She adds that the chapter grew from 228 members and a total grant amount of $228,000 in 2019 to 342 members this year and grants to be awarded totaling $342,000. A new branding initiative for Impact100 SRQ was also introduced at the Big Reveal event.  JDA Worldwide was selected to create a new logo, signature colors, and website. Watt explains that Impact100 SRQ was selected by Impact100 Council as a beta chapter for the branding launch. 

“The new branding will help Impact100 SRQ become more identifiable as part of the global organization of Impact100,” said Watt. Impact100 SRQ remains its own autonomous entity and operates independently of any parent affiliation, but it receives support, resources, and shared best practices from Impact100 Council. The Impact100 SRQ model is simple: Encourage 100 women to donate $1,000 each, and then pool those resources into one large grant of $100,000 to be awarded to qualifying nonprofits in Sarasota and Manatee counties. 

Front row; left to right: Michelle Fisher; Jodie Zerega; Rose Dalsandro; Dianna Manoogian; Andrea McHenry; Jane Watt; Amy Tupper; Kristin Holm; Joanna Benante; Toni Schemmel; Dana Duckman. Back row: Jamie Black; Julie Brum; Betsy Friedman; Tilly McFadden

To learn more about Impact100 SRQ or how to join

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is nearly halfway toward the goal of raising $1.5 million by June 1 to complete the permanent protection of Orange Hammock Ranch. When the $1.5 million is raised, it will, in turn, bring $19.5 million in Florida Forever dollars to this region, and free up $9 million for other properties that Sarasota County had set aside to purchase Orange Hammock Ranch. This means the community’s contribution will be leveraged 19 times for land conservation. On February 4, the Florida State Cabinet voted to purchase Orange Hammock Ranch contingent upon Conservation Foundation’s pledge to raise $1.5 million from our community. Florida Forever funds will contribute $19.5 million toward the $21 million purchase of the 5,777-acre ranch. Conserving Orange Hammock Ranch has been a major priority for Conservation Foundation for more than 10 years. The Foundation was successful in getting this property added to the Florida Forever list in 2013 and has worked to build public and political support since then. The ranch is located on the north side of Interstate 75 within the City of North Port. It connects RV Griffin Preserve with the Longino Preserve through about six miles of shared boundaries, and increases the 120,000-acre buffer surrounding the Myakka River and strengthens the connection between the Myakka and Peace Rivers. Immense volumes of rainfall collect on the property and feed the Snover Waterway and RV Griffin reservoirs, both of which are critical sources of North Port’s clean drinking water. The property is also nearly pristine, with natural areas in better condition than many public lands. Over 200 wetlands are intermixed with pine flatwood, globally-imperiled dry prairie, and other native habitats. Given this location and exceptional natural condition, the conservation of Orange Hammock Ranch will have sweeping benefits for regional connectivity, water quality, public recreation, and wildlife habitat.   

Photo courtesy of CFGC.

The community may learn more and donate by calling Conservation Foundation at 941-918-2100 or online

Throughout the month of February, Veteran Air Conditioning held a donation drive to support Goodwill Manasota’s mission services. The company picked up gently-used items that its clients in the Sarasota-Manatee area no longer wanted or needed, and transported them to Goodwill, where they are being sold in retail stores throughout the area. Proceeds support Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through the power of work. Veteran Air Conditioning owner Kevin Henault, who has been a proud Ambassador for Goodwill Manasota for a number of years, supports the organization in particular for its commitment to helping veterans reintegrate into their families, jobs, and communities. "I appreciate that Goodwill works to help and employ veterans through its many programs and services," said Henault. "Especially given my own family’s tradition of service, I'm honored to partner with Goodwill to help the veterans in our community as well as those who are seeking to improve their lives through career services, education, and training." Henault, who employs numerous veterans, has hired veterans through Goodwill's Veterans Services Program. Veteran Air Conditioning management offered up a prize of $200 for the technician who brought in the most donations. Nearly 50 households donated to the effort, with eight technicians collecting goods during service calls. Items the team members collected included clothing, shoes, jewelry, functioning computers, household items and decor, kitchenware, books and more. 

To learn more about Goodwill Mansota

Thanks to a $1,000 donation by Every Child Sarasota, the Music Compound will provide nearly 50 hours of music enrichment for preschoolers at Children’s First at Helene Payne Annex Helen R. Payne Center on 33rd Street. “Music carries many benefits for the overall development of young children,” said Children First VP of Programs Kathleen Sullivan. “Language and memory, as well as social and emotional skills develop as children engage in musical experiences. Music can translate to pure joy for young children as they learn and grow.” Music Compound’s Alicia Schiavone who specializes in early childhood education will expose the children to singing, instruments, and movement. Music Compound will provide 3 hours of enrichment every Friday from February through May 2020.    

To learn more about the Music Compound, and programs offered

The Manatee County Cattlemen’s Association (MCCA) invites the public to attend the 12th Annual MCCA Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 5 pm. The annual event will celebrate armed forces this year with a “Military Appreciation” theme with free entry for veterans and active-duty servicemen and women. Local cattleman and veteran Arlin Taylor will be honored during the ceremony with the inaugural “Manatee Cattlemen’s Patriot Award.” Nominated by his fellow cattlemen, Taylor is a 90-year-old Manatee County resident who served in the Korean War as an Army Supply Sergeant. In addition to the inaugural “Manatee Cattlemen’s Patriot Award,” the Manatee County Cattlemen are establishing the “Manatee Cattlemen’s Patriot Award Scholarship Fund,” with an amount earmarked for a youth member planning to serve in the military after graduating high school. This year, the scholarship will be awarded to Private First Class Walker Broxson, a 2018 graduate who is currently stationed at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Military Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Gates will open at 4pm and the event will be held at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, located at 1402 14th Ave. West in Palmetto in the Mosaic Arena. Children 10 and under will receive free admission; tickets are $10 for adults and can be purchased at the gate the day of the event. Event proceeds are used to provide scholarships for the Manatee County Junior Cattlemen’s Association, along with awards and scholarships for local FFA and 4-H chapter members. The junior members will be handling concessions and there will be a raffle for prizes during the event. 

Photo courtesy of MCCA.

To learn more about this event or for sponsorship information

Sarasota Art Museum's visionary exhibition objectifies the theory of color. 

Check out this story in our March 2020 Home Edition of SRQ Magazine!