Committees/Task Forces

Community/Economic Development Task Force

The Task Force has a multitude of roles. It works with the city on collaborative projects such as the economic development feasibility study and the Office of Economic and Community Development. Members monitor upcoming commercial development and follow public projects such as the downtown Event Center and prospects for an FGCU satellite campus in the area. It initiates projects, such as 3-DAS, a computer program that would identify and categorize vacant land parcels for interested developers. Affordable and workforce housing projects also are monitored by a task force committee.

Contact: Dr. Tom Kerr.

Current needs: Architects and those experienced in architectural design

Waterfront

Current projects include serving on a city task force studying a proposed mooring field on our waterfront and investigation of a cut-through from the Punta Gorda Isles canal system to Alligator Creek to provide additional egress for boaters into Charlotte Harbor. The group researches a variety of issues related to waterfront development.

Contact: Jay Buckley.

Grant and Non-Profit Resources

The goal of this team is to assist other organizations in acquiring funding from a variety of sources for public and private community needs through the research and writing of grants. Several grants have been funded over the last year.

Contact: Nancy Johnson

Beautification

This committee works collaboratively with the city to identify potential landscaping and cleanup projects. Volunteer teams have been organized to implement them. Some funding has been raised to support projects. Completed work to date includes Marion Avenue landscaping and the Herald Court brick walkway.

Contact: John Benande.

Volunteer Forces

Volunteers are notified when various TEAM projects arise, such as the Herald Court bricklaying. We also organize our volunteers to assist other organizations with their activities, like the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce’s Wine and Food Festival. Within the volunteer structure are categories for Event leaders and other support roles.

Contact: Georgette Sibbio

Government Relations Team

Volunteers in this category attend various city and county board and council meetings and file reports. Besides the City Council and the Charlotte County Commission, our volunteers attend meetings of the Historic Preservation Advisory Council, Revitalization Committee, Planning & Zoning Board, and Beautification Committee, to name a few. For each board assignment, a backup volunteer is appointed to cover when the primary volunteer is not available.

Contact: Judy Brentano

Communications

The Communications Team is responsible for internal and external communications, including media liaison, website content, the speakers’ bureau and other communications projects such as our on-line newsletter.  News articles and op-ed pieces are written by this team.

Contacts: Marilyn Thomas or Lew Morrissey.

Current need: Individuals with marketing experience.

Office Operations and Administration

Office and Administration is responsible for finance, office staff, membership, and events.

Contact: Nancy Prafke or Gini Pender.