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Greetings!
Sarasota's unseasonably warm weather appears to have jumpstarted an early Spring. In the same way SCOPE's year has gotten off to an exciting start. As we look forward, both SCOPE staff and the Board are training and preparing for an enhanced Engagement Campaign as well as a broad range of Community Data 2.1 engagement sessions. We anticipate a breakthrough year for the Sarasota County Community Data Collaborative, and their Geographic Information System-based, neighborhood-centric, interactive website. This innovative tool is being created in partnership with the Urban Institute. In addition to displaying a portfolio of demographic information and indicators of community well-being at the neighborhood level, this new site provides a unique platform for citizen participation and engagement. As the year unfolds, these complementary approaches will work together to shine light on the status and direction of the community while fostering a climate for positive community change. And like every life-bringing sunrise - each new day brings an opportunity to advance a positive difference in our community.
Colleen McGue and John McCarthy SCOPE Staff |
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Celebration in the Park | 
Martin Luther King Day was what many would call a perfect day; not too hot, not too cold, a cool breeze every so often, and the sun peaking through. For many it was a day off from work. For many it was also a day to remember a man who was a part of a community and took many chances to bring about change.
Read more here. |
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Connect - Engage - Inspire: Data as a Community Building Tool | |
The collection, study and sharing of data has always been core to SCOPE's mission and a key approach to community building. Mining  data for valuable insight provides an objective way to understand the issues and opportunities of the community, forming the basis for SCOPE's annual Community Report Card and other community building activities. While some may view data as "cold", it is the realities behind the data that bring life to the numbers and create opportunities for deeper understanding and the potential to inspire positive change within the community. Making data about the community available to the community, for the community, is the essence of the Community Data Platform now being developed by the Community Data Collaborative in partnership with the Washington D.C.-based Urban Institute. Read more here. |
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Data Byte:
Digging Deeper on our Nation of Immigrants |  Whatever your opinion on immigration reform, this is undoubtedly a hot topic right now with the roll-out of President Obama's comprehensive immigration reform plan on Tuesday. Why is immigration reform such an important topic, and why should we be paying attention here in Sarasota County? |
| Thanks to Our Supporters |  Thanks for your recent gift: Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Kiehl, Sparkman Architects, Inc., Jim & Kathy Silverberg Thank you for supporting SCOPE's core mission: City of North Port, City of Sarasota, City of Venice, The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Roskamp Foundation, Sarasota County Government, Town of Longboat Key, William G. and Marie Selby Foundation. |
Read more about SCOPE on our website at www.scopexcel.org. Our phone number is 941.365.8751.
Sincerely,  |
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Next Community Data Collaborative Meeting | |
The next Community Data Collaborative Meeting
will be held on:
Wednesday,
February 20, 2013
2:00 - 3:30pm
North Port City Hall
4970 City Hall Boulevard
North Port, FL 34286
Everyone is welcome. | |
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SCOPE Out in the Community | |
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SCOPE attended the January meeting of the Community Alliance of Sarasota County and was provided an opportunity to share an update on SCOPE's active projects. A number of participants expressed an interest in the community data collaborative and will be invited to upcoming meetings. The mission of the Alliance is "Partnering Assets Together for Human Services", and the participants represent a broad range of human service providers from non-profits to government agencies. Alliance members were eager to learn of SCOPE's current projects. Thanks to Pauline Tracy for the invitation and to Benny Weaver for his gracious introduction. |
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UPCOMING MEETINGS | |
SCOPE
Board of Directors Meeting,
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Twin Lakes Park,
4:00pm | |
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Quick Links | |
Latest Blog posting
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check out the SCOPE
website at
www.scopexcel.org
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Our Corporate Partners |
Their support of SCOPE's mission reflects their belief in the power of active citizens working together to make Sarasota County an even better place to live, work and play.
Platinum
CAP Brand Marketing
Herald-Tribune Media Group
Willis A. Smith Construction
Silver
Caldwell Trust Company
Florida Power & Light
Kerkering Barberio
Bronze
Gator Grading & Paving
Interested in supporting SCOPE's collaborations with active citizens? Contact SCOPE for details on the Corporate Partners Program. |
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