The Anna Maria Island Community Center is opening its doors for a town hall-style meeting.
The meeting — in place of the monthly board of directors meeting — will take place Thursday, July 27, with refreshments being served at 6 p.m. and discussion to begin at 6:30 p.m.
“We want to get out there with our message,” board treasurer Jim Froeschle said. “We want to give the community a more vibrant community center.”
“It’s a chance for everyone to see what we’ve learned and discovered,” executive director Kristen Lessig said.
The meeting is an opportunity for the center to discuss operations, its budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year and other plans, as well as to hear from people.
“We’ll have a story to tell,” Froeschle said. “But it’s not about the story, it’s about the community.”
“It’s a time for the community to come share, ask questions and give ideas,” Lessig said.
Lessig and Froeschle plan a presentation to discuss upcoming programs and the current and future status of the center, including its financial situation.
According to Froeschle, the center has seen some financial improvement though there is a long way to go. He said the summer is especially difficult, with fewer donations and a small number of residents. Most of the center’s membership fees are paid in the fall.
The center wants to introduce new staff and allow any questions or concerns to be aired.
Froeschle said that in the restructuring process, five staff members were put in charge of managing their own departments. “It’s like running their own business,” he said.
Each program director is charged with developing programs and budgets.
To assist them, the center provided mentoring, training and reviews with both Lessig and Froeschle.
“We want to be transparent. We want the community to see the improvements,” Froeschle said. “Our mission is to provide services for the community.”
The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.