HomeMy WebLinkAboutVII(E) Discussion Of The Founder's Day Community Volunteer Board Taking The Lead And Control In Organizing The Founder's Day Event With Staff And Assisting And Monitoring Agenda 2-19-'LUU2
Item VII E
"CENTER OF GOOD LIVING-PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE" MAYOR•COMMISSIONER
Ocoee S.SCOTT VANDERGRIFT
CrCITY OF OCOEE DANNY HOWELL
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c� 9. OCOEE,FLORIDA 34761-2258 RUSTY JOH RSON
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CITY MANAGER
JIM GLEASON
Memorandum
Date: January 22, 2002
To: Jim Gleason, City Manager
From: Janet Shira, Community Relations/Projects Director
Subject: Founders' Day
As discussed at the last staff meeting, this memorandum is to formally request that
management of all Founders' Day activities (road race, golf tournament, and festival) be turned
back over to a citizen committee as soon as possible.
As the notes from the last City Commission meeting attest, at least two City Commissioners
have expressed their desire for a change in the way Founders' Day is currently managed.
Specifically, they have expressed concern about the cost of the event, the staff time involved,
and the desire to have citizens take control of the day-to-day planning and management. After
our workshop in December, I was in the process of developing a plan to start working towards
building an organization of community leaders to eventually take over the management of
Founders' Day; however, I am now of the opinion that it would be more appropriate to turn it
over to the citizens immediately and allow them to establish their own structure.
It is critical that this group of citizens be organized as soon as possible so that staff can meet
with them to go over all the various components of the event and answer any questions they
may have. Planning for Founders' Day generally starts in late February or early March. Of,
course, staff will also be available as questions come up during the year.
The City Commission will also need to decide how to provide the necessary funding to this
group. Wanda Horton may be able to provide some recommendations on how best to do this.
One other thing to note...we did request information from several members of the Florida
Festivals and Events Association who currently manage other festivals in Florida. No one
responded to our letter of request for information on how they contract to manage these
festivals.
I have very much enjoyed my involvement with the Founders' Day events. I have made many
friendships over the years through my work with Founders' Day. Many, many hours are spent
brainstorming, researching, planning, and implementing the various parts of Founders' Day.
Although I approached this part of my job with a special zeal, the people I've worked with have
made it so much fun, that it seemed more like a pleasant pastime than a job to me.
I am confident that these talented people and many others in the community can work together
to continue to produce a quality event.
PoWF
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