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2012 WorkshopFlorida Park Friends & Alliances Annual Forum and Workshop January 6, 7 & 8 at the Hilton Hotel, University Center, Gainesville Fl 
Each year the Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc sponsor our signature event, the Annual Friends Workshop. This event draws park Citizen Support Organizations (CSO) from all over the state to learn, share and network in an effort to better support the award-winning Florida State Parks. The conference features seminars and workshops from professionals in nonprofit leadership, development, marketing and management. It also provides an opportunity to learn from State Park management and from each other. Last year's workshop, held at Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa was rated the best ever. This year's event promises to be even better so don't miss out! Who Should Attend? CSO Presidents CSO board members CSO members at large Park Managers District Managers Greenways and Trails Support Organizations District program specialists Park volunteers Park donors and supporters Park Business partners Friends leadership from regional or county parks Registration is $50.00 and includes a Friday evening reception; breakfast, lunch & dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. It also includes a pre-workshop tour of Dudley Farm Historic State Park and a post-workshop tour of Paynes Prairie State Park Click Here to Register Online Now 2012 Florida Park Friends & Alliances Annual Forum and Workshop Agenda Friday, January 6, 2012 Morning, tours ongoing from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Dudley Farm Historic State Park Dudley Farm Historic State Park demonstrates the evolution of Florida farming from the 1870's or Reconstruction to Mechanization and through three generations of the Dudley family. Join park staff and Friends of Dudley Farm on a guided tour of the authentic working farm. The homestead consists of 18 buildings, including the family farmhouse with original furnishings, an 1880s kitchen outbuilding, a general store and post office, and a functional cane syrup complex. On this behind the special tour, learn more about a few of the many CSO accomplishments, including the historic collections, the commissary, and their "Dudley Kids" programming. Lunch: On Your Own 1:30 - 2:00 PM Welcome - Tammy Gustafson, President, Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc. 2:00 - 3:00 PM Engaging the Young & Young at Heart through Technology - Damon Kirkpatrick, Director of Operations and Development, Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites 3:00 - 3:15 PM Break 3:15 - 4:30 PM Breakout Sharing Sessions Engaging Corporate Sponsors for Your Event: How to appeal to small and large businesses! - Betsy Clayton, Lee County Parks & Recreation Waterways Coordinator Payne's Prairie Visitor Center Development - Review of Process - JulieAnne Tabone, Park Program Development Specialist, District 2. Starting a Junior Friends Group: How other CSOs have succeeded: Tessa Roberts, Park Services Specialist, Savanna Preserve State Park Education Center 4:30 - 5:30 PM Table Display and auction set up 6:30 - 7:30 PM Opening Reception (sponsored by Florida Greenways & Trails Foundation) Dinner on Your Own Saturday January 7, 2011 7:00 - 8:15 AM : Full Breakfast Buffet in Restaurant (sponsored by FFSP, Inc.) 8:15 - 8:45 Welcome & Introductions - Tammy Gustafson, President of FFSP, Inc and Donald Forgione, Director of State Parks 8:45 - 9:30 AM - Keynote Address: Carol Weisman "Passing the Torch Without Getting Burned". Great Boards are a combination of being flexible and respecting tradition. Learn the 5 secrets of how to welcome the new while respecting the past. 9:30 - 11:00 AM Breakout sessions Maximizing Support for Your Friends Group and Park with Diversified Revenue Streams: Sustainable revenue programs begin with diversification. But having diverse revenue programs doesn't mean they can't be offered in the same environment. Learn how to successfully engage Florida park visitors in both your donated and earned revenue programs. This session will review elements of the environment, people, products and programs that will maximize support for your parks. - Kimberlee Riley, formerly Vice President and COO of Jefferson National Parks Association Recruiting Orienting and Rewarding a Diverse Board: Great board members don't grow on trees. There has to be a strategy as to where to find and orient young, dynamic board members and keep them involved. - Carol Weisman, Board Builders, Inc. Building your audience through opt-in emails: (Repeated Sunday morning) Grow your Friends group through engaging with people who like you and your park. Sandra Friend presents this workshop on how to find, collect and cultivate new volunteers online using an easy to understand list software - MadMimi. Participants are welcome to bring their laptops and follow along with: how to develop and manage a mailing list, how to generate interest with your e-mail and the do's and don'ts of permission based marketing. - Sandra Friend, Florida Hikes 11:15 AM - Noon Breakout and Sharing Sessions Arts in the Park - A Sharing Session - How has Your Friends Group engaged people of all ages through the Arts? See how arts and artists are becoming a great partner to attract newbies into our parks and turn them into advocates. Stewart Thomas, Creative Director for Florida's Eden will explore the successful ventures known as "Paint Outs" and share insight into planning and working with artists in ways that can help raise revenue for your Friends groups. Strategic Planning & Board Retreats: Is your organization's path to the future well defined? Learn about how retreats can help your board become excited and involved? - Richard Goldman, Facilitator: Carolyn Hufty, Friends of Dudley Farm Historic State Park, Elaine McLaughlin and others. 12:00 Noon - Lunch Buffet sponsored by FFSP, Inc (Note: You may join a table to discuss the following topics or take a break and network - your choice!) Round table session: Fund raising events. Do you have a good special event story or tip to share. This is the place to do it? You have a question about special events, ask it here? Round-table session: Effective methods for managing your membership is presented from how to establish a membership plan to maintaining an active membership with a focus on developing younger non-retirees. Round table session: Working with Your TDC or CVB to promote and support Friend sponsored Event Marketing, Richard Goldman & Harvey Campbell both TDC Execs will share wisdom and answer questions. Round Table Session - Park Advocacy: Best Ideas and best practices. Saturday afternoon sessions organized and hosted by the Florida Park Service 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Florida Park Service Updates - Donald Forgione, Director, Florida Park Service A candid review of recent Florida Park Service news and other items affecting Citizen Support Organizations. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CSO Liability/Insurance and Special Event Procedures - Scott Robinson, Assistant Director, Florida Park Service - Phil Werndli, Assistant Bureau Chief, Bureau of Natural and Cultural Resources - Katie Parrish, Planning Manager, Concession Program All you need to know regarding CSO liability and the Florida Park Service, special event fee collection/permits, and more. 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM Break 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM Proven Techniques for a Successful Partnership - Ben Faure, Park Manager, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park - Khrys Kantarze, Past President, Stephen Foster CSO and Statewide Volunteer of the Year 2010 Successful partnerships and the role of the park manager. 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CSO Field Guide and Answers to Your Most Important Questions - Karen Darvill, Statewide Volunteer and CSO Coordinator, Bureau of Operational Services - JulieAnne Tabone, Park Programs Development Specialist, District 2 Administration - Aggie Armstrong, Park Programs Development Specialist, District 3 Administration 5:00 PM-6:00 PM - Networking and Visiting Displays and auction items 7:45 PM - Park Friends & Alliances Annual Dinner (sponsored by Friends of Florida State Parks, Inc Sunday, January 8, 2011 7:30 - 8:30 AM- Full hot breakfast buffet in the restaurant (sponsored by FFSP, Inc.) 8:30 - 9:00 AM Table top Display Visiting and Auction 9:00-10:00 AM Partnerships that will grow " Friends" for your organization - Success through kinship! Cultivate and partner with other groups that share your mission and love your park. - Nancy MacPhee, Manager, New Product Development, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Visitors and Convention Bureau. The FFSP Project Funding Program: Questions and Answers about the 2012 Cycle. Building your audience through opt-in emails: ( Repeat session) Grow your Friends group through engaging with people who like you and your park. Sandra Friend presents this workshop on how to find, collect and cultivate new volunteers online using an easy to understand list software - MadMimi. Participants are welcome to bring their laptops and follow along with - how to develop and manage a mailing list, how to generate interest with your e-mail and the do"s and don'ts of permission based marketing. - Sandra Friend, Florida Hikes 10:00 AM Break 10:15 - 10:45 AM Group Brainstorm and Idea Capture The best events, programs and projects to capture the GenX and GenY advocate and volunteer. Facilitated by Damon Kirkpatrick and Elaine McLaughlin 10:45 - Noon: Q & A and Auction Wrap-up 12:00 - Lunch on own Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Sunday, January 8th - Afternoon, 1.5 hours The Florida Park Service through a grant from the National Scenic Byways Program and the assistance of Friends of Paynes Prairie is planning major improvements to the Paynes Prairie Visitor Center. New, compelling exhibits and dynamic audiovisual programs will create a meaningful and accessible gateway for exploring the Preserve's natural significance and rich cultural history. Thinking about tackling a capital improvement at your park? During this special program, learn more about how funding was secured, see the exciting visitor center plans and proposed exhibit designs, and get the nitty-gritty details on this big undertaking from Park Staff, District Staff, and the CSO. Then, enjoy wildlife viewing and learn more about Paynes Prairie on a short ranger-led walk to the observation tower. 
To make your room reservation click here to go to the FFSP room reservation page at Hilton.com. If you prefer to make your reservation by phone call 352-371-3600 and use our group code FSP112. Keynote Speaker for Friends & Alliances Workshop - January, 2012 - Carol Weisman - Board Builder Expert Coming to Gainesville.  Carol's Keynote address will cover the topic: "Passing the Torch Without Getting Burned: Great boards are a combination of being flexible and respecting tradition. Learn the 5 secrets of how to welcome the new while respecting the past."
Carol will also offer a workshop session titled "Recruiting, Orienting and Rewarding A Diverse Board" Great board members don't grown on trees. There has to be a strategy as to where to find and orient young, dynamic board members and keep them involved. You will learn: To learn more about Carol and her experience click here. |
