On Dec 4, 2008, at 1:47 PM, Nicholas Thompson wrote:
It seems like formal letters of support are appropriate. Am I
correct?
Yes, Nick, that would be most appreciated. In particular, we
appreciate support and recognition of our efforts in workforce
development (via internships, seminars and public events) and economic
development through collaborative, multidisciplinary projects.
Likewise, we would appreciate a solid show of support at the council
meeting on the 10th. I do not have the agenda yet so I don't know when
our issue is scheduled. I'll forward that info as soon as I have it.
Santa Fe is at a crossroads, it seems to me, with the budgetary and
financial issues the community and the government face. We've lost the
Academy for Science and Art, the College of Santa Fe is at risk, CCA
is cutting back in some of its programs and the economy faces
significant stress. We can pull our hunker down, hope the storm will
pass and try to catch up (again) or we can invest in our community's
future by taking action in today's maelstrom.
We've had tremendous community response to the complex. Our mailing
list has grown to over 400 active subscribers; we've held 74 public
events through last night with an average attendance of 30, or almost
2200 attendees; we have at least three active youth mentorship
programs underway (chime in, Stephen, if I'm wrong), a mapping project
to create a youth map for Santa Fe, and a long list of additional
projects that I will have on our website by Monday.
We've done this entirely with volunteer labor (except for the cleaning
person) to the tune of 3 man-years of work, raised all of our funds
from private donors and complex supporters except for the initial
$29000 city seed money.
That's after only 6 months of work. Santa Fe Complex has great
potential both as a concept and in the reality of the support it
receives from the community. If the council approves this RFP, we will
have a solid base for its expansion over the next three years.
Likewise, the proposed agreement contains major protections for the
city in the form of regular reports on specific performance
measurements. The city is not locked into this level or term: If we
don't deliver, we won't be funded.
---
Don Begley
Executive Director
Santa Fe Complex
a community studio creating connections across science, technology and
art
Stay current with sfX at http://twitter.com/sfcomplex
624 Agua Fria
Santa Fe, NM 87501
www.sfcomplex.org
505/216.7562
505/670.9432 (cell)
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