Posts filed under 'Education'
Posted: June 19, 2010: 6:11 pm
Friday evening the Polk Education Foundation “tripped the light fantastic” as it unveiled a fabulous new scholarship fundraising event entitled Stepping Out for Education. The event featured five well known Polk County business leaders that voluntarily took ten hours of ballroom dancing instruction and then danced themselves into the hearts and wallets of more than 300 guests. (Pictured above left are dancing stars Gail McKinzie, Bonnie Parker and Tracy Porter.) Held at the Lakeland Yacht Club, those attending enjoyed a wonderful dinner as Tampa Electric’s Cindy Price (and PEF Board member) emceed the festivities keeping everyone focused on two priorities – fancy footwork and fundraising. Thousands of dollars were raised to help Polk County graduates pursue their dreams.
Good sports and even better dancers included: Gail McKinzie, superintendent of Polk Public Schools; Bonnie Parker, president of Winter Haven Sun Trust Bank; Jerry Miller, community affairs manager for Progress Energy; Tracy Porter, executive director of the Polk State College Foundation and Tim Harris, a School Board member and a representative of MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. All had accomplished partners to mentor them through the ten weeks of dance instruction and all brought applause from the audience as they performed twists, turns and lifts to waltzes, tangos, quick step and other ballroom standards.
At evening’s end Jerry Miller took the judges’ top honors (Miller scored a perfect 30 in his final dance routine) while Bonnie Parker received the People’s Choice Award and also raised the most money through $1 votes – more than $3,000. (Parker also scored a perfect 30 in her final routine.) In all the five candidates raised more than $7,000 in that voting alone. Sponsor dollars and attendee ticket purchases ensure that those Stepping Out truly “stepped up,” and the Polk Education Foundation was the true winner for what is sure to be a popular new annual event.
All the dancing stars were on their mark, and the judges gave each high marks for technique. We might add that Gail
McKinzie does a mean jitterbug, and Tracy Porter’s waltz was spectacular as well. Bonnie Parker’s dress she wore for her “Last Tango in Lakeland” (right) will long be remembered.
Wow, it was truly a special evening. Congratulations to Susan Copeland and everyone at the Polk Education Foundation for a great new evening of fun.
| See other posts filed in: Crazy Things To Do, Cultural Arts, Education, Success Stories
Posted: December 2, 2009: 11:48 am
Friday, December 11th, 2009 Ridge Career Center will have a formal Ribbon Cutting for the new Health Science Building and the Firefighting Facility expansion at 9:00 a.m. in the Career Center’s Plaza. These two projects (total investment: $10 million) have been under construction since fall 2007. Ridge will present these beautiful, high tech facilities to community members on this day and share how they are training the workforce of tomorrow in health science and public service careers.
Refreshments will be served immediately following the Ribbon Cutting and tours of both facilities will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. We encourage you to make time in your busy schedule to join with area Chamber members in this celebration!
Ridge Career Center is located at 7700 State Road 544 in Winter Haven.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, Education, General Announcements, Technology
Posted: August 7, 2009: 11:06 am
The University of South Florida Polytechnic’s Blue Sky business incubation program is now accepting applications for space in its two facilities — a business accelerator, Blue Sky East in Winter Haven, and an entry-level incubator, Blue Sky West in Lakeland. Winter Haven’s Blue Sky East will be located in the former Verizon building amid an already emerging technology hub. The Six Ten Corporation was instrumental in working with USF Poly on Blue Sky East.
“We want a diverse group of entrepreneurs with the potential to create a significant economic impact in central Florida,” says Marshall Goodman, VP and CEO of USF Polytechnic. “These facilities provide opportunities for a wide range of enterprises. Some will be raw start-ups, and some will be more advanced. Regardless of the stage, Blue Sky represents an opportunity to thrive.”
Applicants must be for-profit technology corporations, with proprietary technologies preferred. Applicants can be a start-up company, an existing small business in a growth phase, an existing business launching a new business project, or an international business looking for a soft-landing site.
The Blue Sky facilities are the first public business technology incubators in Polk County. They will focus on attracting and nurturing entrepreneurial businesses by creating a place where USF Poly faculty, staff and students can work with businesses to develop innovative technology. Incubated companies will benefit from the proximity to and resources of a national research university as well as the assets of economic development networks.
The application is available at here. Applicants must be for-profit technology corporations. Preference will be shown for proprietary technologies. Applicants can be start-ups, existing small businesses looking to grow, an existing business that is launching a new project, or an international business looking for site in the U.S. that plans to hire locally and pay local taxes.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Economic Development, Education, General Announcements, Technology
Posted: June 25, 2009: 9:02 am
GOAL:
A Polk County School Board Process for Selecting Contractors
that is “Fair, Equitable and Transparent”
A “white paper summary” of a June 15 Meeting between Polk County Chamber of Commerce representatives and Assistant Superintendent for Facilities/Operations, Fred Murphy.
Over the past 90 days a number of Polk County’s Chamber executives and their
volunteer leaders have been approached by local contractors who felt the process used for selecting contractors to manage major construction projects of the Polk County Public School System was flawed and unfair. There exists a strong feeling that dollars spent for Polk Schools should be spent with those businesses that are legitimately based in Polk County. There also exists a strong desire to ensure the process is free of favoritism.
Following discussions that initially took place between Lakeland, Bartow and Winter Haven Chamber executives, a decision was made to request a meeting with Polk Public Schools Administration. Immediately upon inquiry Superintendent Gail McKinzie offered to arrange such a meeting with Assistant Superintendent for Facilities/Operations, Fred Murphy. (Murphy was tapped to resolve contractor selection and favoritism issues in November 2008 following the initiation of an FBI investigation into alleged wrong doing by district staff.)
On Monday, June 15, Mr. Murphy met with representatives from the Bartow, Davenport, Haines City, Lakeland, Mulberry and Winter Haven Chambers of Commerce. The two-hour meeting was framed by a thorough review of where Polk Public Schools are in their efforts to create a Contractor Selection Process that is “fair, equitable and transparent.”
Mr. Murphy spoke for the majority of the two-hours allocated and displayed a sincere commitment to creating a selection process that may not always make every one happy but a process that will truly be “fair, equitable and transparent.” The phrase is repeated here again to underscore Murphy’s repetitive statement of commitment.
He provided detailed information regarding the policy which is currently in its final draft stages. More importantly Mr. Murphy addressed two important points:
a.) Within the new policy (under development), the mere offer of a gift by a contractor to a School Board representative will cost a contractor any future right to do business with the School Board. There has not been a “gift policy” in place and specifications are being drafted to prohibit gifts of more than $50 in value.
b.) The new selection process will include a “local recognition of proximity” policy that will provide a legally defensible edge for Polk County-based contractors.
Chamber representatives present felt that positive steps were being taken to develop a process for contractor selection that was indeed “fair, equitable and transparent.” Those Chambers present have since conferred and expressed confidence that Fred Murphy’s goals for the Contractor Selection Process will be a significant step forward and hold the potential to restore contractor confidence and respect.
The new policy is expected to be presented to the School Board for consideration by August. When the policy is finalized we will present the document in its entirety.
The commitment of all Chambers involved is to bring positive change to this contractor procurement process. Mr. Murphy displays a sincere grasp of the challenge and the commitment to make such positive change.
We encourage your comments on this important “buy local” issue.
| See other posts filed in: Economic Development, Education, General Announcements, Perspective
Posted: June 11, 2009: 6:08 pm
Winter Haven to be home to USF Polytechnic technology business accelerator.
In a memo distributed today, June 12, to the Mayor and City Commisioners, City of Winter Haven Community
Development Director David Dickey announced the following information:
In April 2009, the Polk County Commission, in conjunction with the Central Florida Development Council, earmarked $1 million in funding to help establish a high-tech business incubator to be located on the USF Polytechnic campus.
The incubator concept has gained momentum so quickly that the decision was made to establish two locations prior to the completion of the Polytechnic campus. An incubator will be established in Lakeland with a business accelerator to be located in downtown Winter Haven.
Benefits to new companies will include proximity to, and resources of, a national research university; access to operational infrastructure including office space, equipment and technology; faculty experts; technology consultants; and training programs.
The decision to locate this facility in downtown Winter Haven is result of a partnership between the 6/10 Corporation and the City. The 6/10 Corporation will provide rent-free space in the Verizon building located at 199 Avenue B, NW. This building houses the Inland Fiber & Data Technology Park which makes the accelerator a great fit. Subject to approval and funding availability, the City’s CRA would provide $10,000 annually to help offset operating costs.
It is anticipated that the facility will be operational by September 1, 2009 and will initially house from five to ten new companies. The proposed accelerator can be distinguished from a business incubator in that it will target more mature start-ups that still require a degree of support. It is hoped that the companies will grow into adjacent office space and maintain a long-term downtown Winter Haven presence.
This development will further advance the developing technology-based business core downtown. Congratulations to both Lakeland and Winter Haven. The County/CFDC/USF/Lakeland/Winter Haven/Six-Ten partnership is a very positive step in economic recovery. The Polytechnic influence will grow the high-skill / high-wage sector critical to the area’s long-term future.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Economic Development, Education, Employment Opportunity, Success Stories, Technology
Posted: April 21, 2009: 2:12 pm
PERSPECTIVE FROM OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERS …
Don’t Slam Shut Our Open Door
As commencement season approaches, a sense of accomplishment and celebration prevails on college campuses across the country. We, as community college educators, experience enormous pride and satisfaction as our students graduate. The degree or certificate awarded represents great achievement for our students, particularly in this current economic climate. Many have overcome numerous obstacles while on the path to higher education. With unemployment hovering at nearly nine percent nationally and more than almost 10 percent locally, the challenges for our students – many of whom work at least part time and balance family responsibilities – are getting even tougher.
The Florida Community College System, now called the Florida College System, was founded and continues to embrace the Open Door policy – providing quality higher education to everyone motivated to working toward that goal. Our system has been hailed, both nationally and internationally, as the model for a successful higher education system that delivers high quality education at an affordable price — with maximum return on investment for both students and taxpayers. Our secret to success is no secret at all: we go the extra mile to support students, all students, and the results have been immeasurably positive for our communities and our residents.
Often called Florida’s “best kept secret,” our community colleges are also touted as the “best budgetary bang for their buck” for students and Florida taxpayers. The citizens of our state have benefited by our cost-effective ability to meet community demand for professionals in virtually every field. Think of the nurses, paramedics, and law enforcement officers in Florida who got their start at a Community College. All of this has been accomplished at a fraction of the cost to educate students at a university.
The Florida College System is unique in its efforts to embrace those who come to us with enormously diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities by providing a unique and supportive learning experience. Recent high school graduates, professionals seeking career-change training, former drop-outs who now recognize that education is the answer — thrive in our dynamic classrooms. Now, adding to the mix are the thousands of recently unemployed, seeking to upgrade job skills and credentials. New students are flooding our Open Doors, leading to unprecedented growth in our districts and unprecedented strain on our resources. The logic of the unemployed investing in education is admirably forward-thinking. These people are not waiting for the phone to ring with job offers that simply might not exist. When the economy rebounds and opportunity knocks, our graduates will be the ones called upon to answer the door. Or will they? With the budget cuts currently proposed for our system, we are now being forced to ask this question of our legislators.
In the past, our passion for the community college mission compensated, in part, for what we lacked in funding. Today, however, we struggle to meet enormous public demand with increasingly strained resources. If education and training are so vital to sustain our economy; if our legislators understand that an educated and skilled workforce is vital for communities to flourish, why then is the state funding for community colleges the most threatened in higher education?
As college presidents, it is imperative that we inform the citizens of our communities about the impact of this budget crisis on our operations. In fact, it is our responsibility to represent our Boards of Trustees, faculty, staff and students as we battle this fiscal threat to our mission. The citizens that we serve depend upon our colleges to provide relevant programs of study, customized training and lifelong learning opportunities. And today, our much-admired Open Door may soon slam shut on the people who need us most, at the worst possible time. (PCC President Eileen Holden, Ed.D. pictured (R)
Governor Charlie Crist recently said “Florida’s community colleges enjoy a unique and much-needed role in our state by providing affordable education to students of all ages, including returning students who want to grow, refine and change their careers, because of their ability to respond to local labor market needs,” he continued, “Our community colleges are uniquely positioned to prepare workers for high-demand occupations that are critical to our economy.”
This statement underscores our rationale for establishing a multitude of new programs at the request of business and industry leaders seeking skilled employees in high demand fields. Yet after two years of successive funding reductions, we have been advised by the Governor’s budget office to anticipate an additional four to ten percent cut from our base funding for the 2009-10 budget year – this at a time where we have watched our enrollments swell by over 14% in the last year, bringing our combined enrollment to over 76,000 students this year.
To offset these unprecedented financial losses we have been forced to make tough choices. We are now faced with making the decision to offer fewer sections of classes, reducing the number of workforce training programs, reducing support services to our students, limiting supply and equipment purchases, and, regrettably, increasing tuition paid by our students at a time when their need for financial aid has never been greater.
So what is the solution? If community colleges are the key to economic recovery, what message are state leaders sending to our citizens? The consistency with which the state legislature continues to cut our funding perpetuates the paradox — without training and education, individuals will be unable to find new jobs or afford to pay the taxes that fuel the economy – directly affecting the economic climate of Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Polk counties.
The idea that our colleges and the Florida College System as a whole is a discretionary part of higher education funding must change. With our state budget in crisis, our goal is to convince legislators of the value of funding our state colleges. We must also enlist the support of business and industry and the citizens of our communities to bring a voice of reason to this funding process. We ask that our legislators fund enrollment growth, assess the lowest percentage of budget cuts possible, minimize tuition increases and allow our local boards of trustees the maximum flexibility to administer those cuts.
As we prepare to congratulate our graduates receiving degrees and certificates this spring, we are proud to be an integral component of the local economy and workforce. Faculty, staff, administrators and our trustees attend our commencement ceremonies with great pride. Unfortunately, our sense of accomplishment is tempered by concern for future students. How many will we be forced to turn away? With the help of our legislators and the support from the communities we serve, we hope that the answer will be “none.”
Eileen Holden, Ed.D.
President – Polk Community College
Katherine M. Johnson, Ed.D.
President – Pasco-Hernando Community College
Gwendolyn W. Stephenson, Ph.D.
President – Hillsborough Community College
| See other posts filed in: Education, Perspective
Posted: January 29, 2009: 4:20 pm
You may not realize your company is a victim of fraud until you lose your company!
RSVP now next week’s First Wednesday Better Business Breakfast “How to Reduce the Chances of Fraud in Your Business”
Presented by: Bob Lynch, CPA, CFE, CVA, Manager – Forensic Accounting and Litigation Support Cross, Fernandez and Riley, CPAs LLP
Here’s what you’ll take away from the C/F/R presentation:
Why Employees (Fraudsters) Steal?
How Employees (Fraudsters) Steal
Statistics on Fraud by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
Learn “Red Flags” of Fraud
What you can to reduce the chances of Fraud
Cross, Fernandez and Riley merged with Winter Haven’s Beckert, Price and Rowse, CPAs in August 2008. The combined firm has offices in Orlando, Winter Haven and Tampa. Join us for this timely topic to reduce your chances of losses from fraud in your business. You’ll have a great breakfast and hear timely updates from the City of Winter Haven, Main Street and the Chamber as well.
Join us Wednesday, February 4 at 7:30 a.m. in the Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium. $10 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. RSVP required and due to food guarantees, no shows will be invoiced. Make a date for great professional advice for the cost of breakfast. RSVP here.
First Wednesday Better Business Breakfast Series is presented by Tampa Electric Company, Tinsley Family Concessions and Wachovia.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, City of Winter Haven, Education, Main Street Winter Haven
Posted: December 19, 2008: 8:36 am
We want to take this opportunity to wish you and yours the best of the season. But before you settle in to enjoy the fast-approaching holidays, make this reservation. It will be a great way to start 2009! Join Us January 7 for the All New First Wednesday Business Breakfast!
“Financial Literacy” is First Program
New for 2009, the Chamber and PCC Corporate College are proud to introduce a “Business Breakfast” the first Wednesday of every month. The program will feature regular updates from the five minute updates from City of Winter Haven, MainStreet Winter Haven and the Chamber followed by a Best Business Practices presentation.
January’s program will be presented by Rob Sansome of the Financial Literacy Group (pictured at left).
January Program Overview: “One in three American workers are in financial distress; many live payday to payday by raiding their retirement plans to maintain their lifestyle, more companies than youa imagine actually lend directly to employees to handle short term “emergencies”.
In the past employers have confronted personal issues such as drugs and alcohol, but we didn’t address these by giving the affected employee access to more drugs and alcohol. We sent them to or provided information and counseling. Why do we then give the employee who is in financial trouble, most often by their own doing, access to more money and not address the root problem?
The take-aways…
- Research and insight on how we got here
- How to recognize the signs
- Doing nothing is certainly an option but not desirable
- It can be fixed but not by any one group alone
- A list of effective options and resources
Join us January 7 in the Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium for a great breakfast and new perspectives. $10 Chamber members, $20 for non-members. Doors open 7:30 a.m. Program begins at 8. To RSVP, click here.
The First Wednesday Best Business Practices Series is sponsored by Tampa Electric Company, Tinsley Family Concessions and Wachovia.
Upcoming Chamber events…
First Wednesday Business Breakfast – Jan. 7
7:30 a.m. @ Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium
Program: Financial Literacy by Bob Sansome
Admission: $10 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members
Click here to RSVP.
Business on the Balcony – Jan. 13
4 – 6 p.m. @ Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium
Start your new year with the power-networking event!
Admission: $10 for Chamber members (Chamber members only)
Click here to RSVP.
Future Dates to Save …
Thursday, January 22 - Networking Showcase at McGee Tire
Thursday, February 3 – Banker’s Cup 2009/Taste of Winter Haven
Thursday, February 26 – Networking Showcase at the New Winter Haven Honda?
Saturday, March 14 – Wheels & Keels Auto & Boat Show
Friday, March 27 – 2009 Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament
Click here to see upcoming community events.
Watch video clips of East Polk Christmas events presented by the News Chief ….
Polk Winter Wonderland
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, Education
Posted: October 31, 2008: 10:13 am
Chamber Will Intro New Info Vehicle Next Friday … Here’s a sample.
In our 2008 Member Survey 75% of you told us you preferred to receive Chamber news electronically. With that in mind we will introduce a twice monthly “blog post” that will publish the first and third Fridays of the month. We will use this vehicle to announce upcoming Chamber events and programming as well as late-breaking news from the business community. Our printed publication, “Haven View,” will be published quarterly. We do have several reminders we will share today, and then the new blog format will roll out next Friday, November 7. Be sure to check the post each time we publish. You’ll find surprises and discounts (be sure to read all the way to the end) that will make your read even more enjoyable. Now for a sample of the new format:
Best Business Practices: HR and Employment Law November 12
11:30 a.m. @ Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium
Best Business Practices luncheon “What Now Your Honor?” Human Resource and Employment Law Issues. Actual court cases will illustrate challenges for small and large businesses.
Admission (includes lunch) is $10 for Winter Haven Chamber members and $20 for non-members.
Click here to RSVP. http://winterhavenfl.com/calendars/534-Best-Business-Practices-luncheon-What-Now-Your-Honor-/details
Young Professionals Lunch and Learn November 13
11:30 a.m. @ Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium
Winter Haven Young Professionals Group Lunch & Learn “Community Involvement and Volunteerism” Speakers: Terry Worthington, president of the United Way of Central Florida, and several community leaders.
Admission (includes lunch from Tijuana Flats): $10 for WHYPG members and $20 for non-WHYPG members. (No shows will be billed).
Click here to RSVP. http://winterhavenfl.com/calendars/505-WHYPG-Lunch-Learn/details
Weekend Options as detailed at the Chamber’s Online Calendar:
October 31 and November 1
- Fall Festival @ Cypress Gardens
- Halloween Costume Party @ Tanners
November 1
- Water, Wings & Wild Things: Polk Naturefest 2008
- Pops in the Park @ Lake Silver Amphitheater (Note: Main Street Winter Haven Wine Taste rescheduled for November 7 downtown)
Complete details on above events: http://winterhavenfl.com/calendars/community_calendar
Coming Next Week:
November 4
- Election Day. Vote Vote Vote!
- Outback Steakhouse Now Open for Lunch
This Week’s Special Chamber Offer:
“Wine Down at the Sundown” (Look for new options at an old favorite!)
- Wednesdays, beginning November 5th - 5 to 9 pm
- Samplings of wines from around the world. Have a taste or a whole glass. Samplings of appetizers from Christy’s Sundown. Live relaxing music, not full bands. Come and have a great time, and network with others in the Winter Haven business world.
- $15 for Chamber Members (print and present this ad or show Advantage Card)
- $20.00 dollars non-members
Do you have news for the blog or this bi-weekly update? chamber1@winterhavenfl.com
| See other posts filed in: Dining, Downtown, Education, General Announcements
Posted: July 8, 2008: 7:18 am
Polk Community College is one of nine Florida Community Colleges participating in a pilot program to offer four-year degrees. The main objective of the effort is to offer resources to improve the skills of Polk County’s workforce. To help determine the content and scope of the curriculum, the college is seeking employer input. This business community input is essential to the program’s success so please take a moment and complete the online surey at this link.
PCC is exploring the possibility of offering a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management and Supervision degree in three areas of specialization: Business Administration, Public Administration and Public Safety Administration. Your input as a business leader will play a significan role in the direction of the program. PCC President Eileen Holden added that surveys such as this underscore PCC’s commitment to an ongoing dialogue with the communities the college serves.
The deadline for providing input is July 31.
| See other posts filed in: Education
Previous Posts
McKinzie does a mean jitterbug, and Tracy Porter’s waltz was spectacular as well. Bonnie Parker’s dress she wore for her “Last Tango in Lakeland” (right) will long be remembered.
The Official Website of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
