TEAM Punta Gorda – still evolving
1-30-08

Nancy Prafke CEO

 Team Punta Gorda is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.  For more information, visit our web site or call 941-637-TEAM (8326).

As the new CEO for Team Punta Gorda, I find it thrilling to look around the city and witness its physical regrowth as new buildings continue their rise from the ground.  Someone called 2007 the “year of the shovel” in Punta Gorda.  One city leader says 2008 is the “year of the bloom.”  Just wait.  More is happening that will make this year a truly memorable one.

One thing you can be assured of is that Team Punta Gorda will be here working in support of greater Punta Gorda’s rebirth.  Our citizens group began that mission in 2004, created a Citizens’ Master Plan in 2005, and it has continued to evolve while working with those concerned about and committed to the future of our city.  Our mission statement emphasizes uniting “…the city, county and community to preserve, rebuild, and revitalize greater Punta Gorda as a unique, environmentally attractive, and economically viable waterfront community.”  Ours is an organization that supports and actively works at bringing groups together to achieve our common goals.  As I like to explain our organization to people:  Team Punta Gorda – we HELP make things happen!

For those of you who were at our annual meeting in November, you heard our leaders report on last year’s activities and accomplishments.  These included:

• Increasing active volunteers to support the nine public events Team Punta Gorda helped staff
• Assisting Enterprise Punta Gorda and supporting the new Main Street program
• Expanding and refocusing committees
• Attending city meetings to stay abreast of pertinent issues
• Representing TEAM Punta Gorda on many more advisory committees and boards in our community
• Completing beautification projects with our City partners
• Successfully securing grants to support future projects
• Increasing our membership to 2000
• Advocating for an improved Event Center design
• Helping to promote a successful bridge banner contest in collaboration with government and arts groups

A complete list is on the Team website at www.teampuntagorda.org under Annual Meeting.  While you’re there, check out the meeting notes from our keynote speaker about the new The Loop retail project.

And Team Punta Gorda’s leaders listened to the community.  Through our annual surveys, we heard what the community was asking us to do.  After all, TEAM is an acronym that means Together Everyone Achieves More.

We welcome your participation as a Team Punta Gorda member.  It’s free and we ask only for your support.  Or you can volunteer some of your time.  Why miss all the fun!  You can join a committee or participate in one of the many community events Team’s volunteers support – from the Arts to Main Street to the Redfish Tournament.  Call 941-637-TEAM or visit our website for more information.  We look forward to meeting you.