A town hall-style meeting Oct. 24 at the Center of Anna Maria Island was scheduled to update the community on the center’s progress, including steps the nonprofit is taking to improve services.
But few people attended. Of 14 people present, most were board members, staff or volunteers and the press. Only three-four audience members were not already affiliated in some manner with the center.
Executive director Kristen Lessig walked through a PowerPoint presentation on the center’s mission and vision, partnerships, services, strategies, programs and attendance since the July 1 start of the fiscal year.
Lessig reviewed initiatives to improve services, including expanded partnerships with Centerstone of Florida, CrossFit and IMG Academy.
“We don’t expect to be the expert in everything we do,” Lessig said. “So we’ve been reaching out and forming partnerships.”
Dividing the center’s services into six branches helped to focus program development, Lessig added. The branches are youth, sports, fitness, arts, culture and education, senior and events centers.
The center recently began tracking attendance rates to evaluate which programs need more attention, Lessig said.
“We’re finally at a stage where we are able to identify where our volunteer needs are,” she said.
She said one of the greatest needs is for after-school tutors.
Popular programs in September were youth soccer, with 111 participants, and yoga, with 62 participants. Tennis boasts 58 participants and the Beyond the Classroom program has 54 participants.
In addition, the center began a youth gardening program that could supply produce for an its in-house cafe. Earlier this fall, the center signed a lease with EmpaCurious for use of the kitchen and cafe.
A partnership with Meals on Wheels to deliver meals to citizens on the island is possible, Lessig said, limited only by the center’s vehicle capacity.
Absent from the presentation was the center’s financial picture, which Lessig said would be offered at the next community meeting, Jan. 23, 2017.
Board meets, reviews financing
At a center board meeting Oct. 27, members reviewed a financial report.
“It’s not great right now,” said board treasurer Jim Froeschle.
The center’s year-to-date income is $182,300, down from a projected $239,900. The center received $5,800 in donations since August, resulting in a net loss of $106,900 in the budget.
Representatives from Carter, a philanthropic institution led by Anna Maria resident Bob Carter, presented the nonprofit with strategies for improving community relations and its financial situation.
Froeschle encouraged board members to prioritize fundraising, as well as bring in new members to the center.
“The biggest communication gap is getting people through the door,” Lessig said.
Froeschle said increasing membership is critical, particularly because all-inclusive membership fees directly impact program income.
Two new board members were voted in at the Oct. 27 meeting.
Pete Paciorek is a Bradenton resident, an IMG coach and former professional baseball player. “He brings a lot of gravitas,” said board chair Bill Shuman.
Karen Harllee, an Anna Maria resident, also joined the board. “She brings a community foundation to this board that we’re looking for,” Shuman said.
The board, which currently includes 12 members, is seeking to reach at least 17 members.
The next board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. The public is welcome.
The PowerPoint presentation shown at the town hall is online at www.centerami.org.