what's this: April 2016

Wow this is so awesome!!! You have to start getting more DATA . . . you planned for this a xillion years ago. E=mc2 is our communication = Truth, Respect . . . follow threw. . . So check the cc and become a member, Manager, Director of every Yahoo list, blog, google.doc . . . That's your first data set!! . . . REMEMBER: For AASHE STARS you need to Get them ALL (STARS databases)

Regards,

Sent: Monday, April 11, 2016 12:01 PM
Subject: Thursday's STARS MEETING

Hey Team!

Just wanted to let you know I think I will be a few minutes late to our 10:30 AM Thursday morning.

I have a meeting with the Principal of the local Mort Elementary school and will be discussing my plans to implement an after-school sustainability program.

This education piece is one of the focal points of my thesis and will use this time to gather more information.

Adjunct Instructor for Honors College

Office of Sustainability Fellow

Teaching Assistant for Social Entrepreneurship

Sent: Monday, April 11, 2016 12:17 PM
Subject: Fwd: Entrepreneurship Training Pilot Program Launches to Aid Florida Veterans

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jeanette Fenton <Jeanette.Fenton@tampagov.net>
Date: Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 1:17 PM
Subject: Entrepreneurship Training Pilot Program Launches to Aid Florida Veterans
To: Jeanette Fenton <Jeanette.Fenton@tampagov.net>

From: Coney, Chloe [mailto:Chloe.Coney@mail.house.gov]
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2016 1:14 PM
To: 'Albert Lee'; Ed Johnson; Ernest Coney; David Jones; virgil.perry@cdcoftampa.org; 'dhartconsulting@yahoo.com'; Jeanette Fenton; West Tampa Chamber of Commerce; Joseph Robinson; 'CarCollins1@aol.com'; Yvette Lewis; Nikki Capehart; Gypsy Gallardo
Subject: FW: Entrepreneurship Training Pilot Program Launches to Aid Florida Veterans

Please see email about new Entrepreneurship training Pilot program to aid Florida Veterans!

Please share with Veterans! Thanks!

Chloe Coney

District Director

Office of Congresswoman Kathy Castor FL-14

4144 N. Armenia Ave.

Suite 300

Tampa, FL 33607

phone: 813-871-2817

fax: 813-871-2864

www.castor.house.gov

From: FSBDCN State Office [mailto:kelly@floridasbdc.ccsend.com] On Behalf Of FSBDCN State Office
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2016 11:55 AM
To: Coney, Chloe
Subject: Entrepreneurship Training Pilot Program Launches to Aid Florida Veterans

Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program Kicks Off First of Three Phases

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Media Release

Contacts:

Gerry Goldstein

Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program

(850) 898-3489

info@FloridaVetBiz.org

Dianne Gross

Florida SBDC Network

(850) 898-3486

Dianne.Gross@FloridaSBDC.org

March 28, 2016

For Immediate Release

Entrepreneurship Training Pilot Program

Launches to Aid Florida Veterans

Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program Kicks Off First of Three Phases

FSBDCN State Office (Pensacola, Fla.) - The Florida SBDC Network, in partnership with Veterans Florida, welcomed the first class of participants in the new Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program, a statewide initiative offering qualified veterans the opportunity to receive an accelerated entrepreneurship education at no cost. The pilot program, which began the first of three phases March 15, received over 600 applications and accepted 400 participants.

Delivered through five participating institutions of higher education, the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program is an educational training program in entrepreneurship offered to military veterans that meet the following requirements: have been honorably discharged, are National Guardsmen or Reservists, or are active duty within one year of separation; reside in Florida, and demonstrate a strong interest in entrepreneurship.

The first phase of the program, an accelerated online training, seeks to equip participating veterans with the essential information to build their venture on a strong business foundation. The course entails developing business concepts, exploring feasibility, researching target customers, and gaining an understanding of Lean Startup and the Canvas Business Model, programs utilized in the phase two in-class training. Over a period of eight weeks, participants will receive exercises, readings, videos, and guidance from instructors from one of five institutions of higher education - the University of West Florida (UWF), University of North Florida (UNF), Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and Hillsborough Community College (HCC).

Due to funding support provided by the State of Florida, the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program is offered to participating veterans at no cost. In December, Veterans Florida, a non-profit created by the Florida Legislature to attract and retain veterans, selected UWF, through its Florida SBDC Network and Military Veterans Resource Center, to administer the program.

"Military veterans are 45 percent more likely to start a business than those with no prior active-duty experience," said Bobby Carbonell, Executive Director of Veterans Florida. "The support and training the program provides is designed to serve as a catalyst for veterans to kick-start the launch of their business concepts."

Michael Myhre, CEO and Network State Director of the Florida SBDC Network, described the positive response the program has received.

"Demand for the program exceeded resources, capacity, and our expectations," said Myhre. "Our initial goal was to recruit 400 qualified veteran applicants within six weeks - a feat we achieved within a two week period. Prior to suspending our statewide marketing efforts and closing applications earlier than planned, we received over 600 applications - demonstrating the significant demand and need for this type of program in the state."

Following the conclusion of phase one in May, participating veterans will attend six days of in-class training held over a period of three consecutive weekends at their assigned institution of higher education. Following successful completion, participants will receive up to six-months of ongoing mentorship from Florida SBDC business consultants to drive success.

The objective of the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program is to assist all participants realize their entrepreneurial potential and develop practical skills - both technical and behavioral - to achieve their entrepreneurial aspirations.

For more information, please visit www.FloridaVetBiz.org.

About the Florida SBDC Network:

The Florida SBDC Network, the state's principal provider of business assistance, is celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2016. Since its inception, the Florida SBDC Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide emerging and established business owners with management and technical assistance, enabling overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for the state. In 2014, the initiatives of the Florida SBDC Network resulted in 42,664 jobs created, retained and saved; $5.8 billion in sales growth; $140.2 million in capital accessed; $210.2 million in government contract awards; and 952 new businesses started. A statewide network of over 40 centers, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network's designated lead host institution. The Florida SBDC Network is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

About Veterans Florida:

Veterans Florida was established by the Florida Legislature in 2014 as part of the Florida GI Bill to serve as an innovative corporation to encourage recently retired or separated military personnel to make Florida their permanent residence. The 501c(3) corporation will reinforce Florida's standing as the most veteran-friendly state in the nation by helping veterans to bring or develop the skills needed by Florida businesses to the state. The board of directors is comprised of nine individuals from across the state. For more information, visit www.veteransflorida.org.

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