I’ve been thinking a lot recently about service. I think that it’s a common theme that is running through our chapter events.
Recently, we had several FEI Members demonstrate service to our community. These members took time out of their busy schedules to participate in an event at Junior Achievement’s Biz Town to help show the young members of our community the basics of the financial world they will soon be stepping into. I think that I can safely speak for all who attended, the day was exhausting but exhilarating. There was something like 100 5
th graders running around and keeping up with them was a feat. My only regret was that we didn’t have more FEI volunteers. We will do more of these sessions in the future, so be on the lookout for the next opportunity. DO. NOT. MISS. IT.
Our April event was at Strategic Property Partners where we were able to do a walking tour of the Water Street development and tour one of the buildings. We were also treated to a high-tech architectural model of the Water Street development. While the technology was impressive, my key take away was the fact that rather than just modelling the development, Strategic Property Partners also modeled the entire downtown core. Their goal in doing so was to show how they were thinking about their neighbors and how they are proposing to deal with the effects of Water Street on the larger Tampa Bay community. Before the first shovel hit the ground, they were already thinking about how this development would impact the city and how the development could best serve the community.
Our upcoming May event is an Environmental, Social, and Governance, or “ESG” panel. This event will highlight how each company we represent is impacting the world around us. In short, it’s all about how our companies are serving the environment and society. It seems that our world is becoming more polarized each day. Many people are looking at companies and brands to reflect ESG thoughts and feelings that they, as customers support. This panel will be a great starter for how you as an individual and the company you represent can reflect the ESG thoughts of your current and potential customers.
In the spirit of service, I am very sad to report that one of our members – Jennifer Weidrick – the CFO for AAA, was catastrophically injured in an equestrian accident. Jennie has suffered a spinal cord injury like the one that Christopher Reed had and is looking at a future very similar to what he went through. Jennifer’s family and friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs that health insurance will not. Please join with other members and contribute to help Jennie. The page is at the following link
https://gofund.me/875bbff0
Thank you for being a member of FEI. You make the chapter and better by your involvement. If you want to serve the chapter on a deeper level in the future, please consider volunteering to serve as a Board Member. Simply approach any one of the Board members at the next event or by email and we will happily discuss the opportunity and responsibilities with you.
Best regards,
Rob Taylor
President
FEI Tampa Bay Chapter