To: Goleta City Council
From: Lori Goodman, LEAP/IVYP Executive Director
RE: Goleta Community Center Strategic Plan – Public Comment I’m so sorry I couldn’t attend this meeting in person. I am preparing to travel to St. Louis for my son’s wedding.
It has been my honor to serve as a member of the GCC strategic planning c ommittee. Our conversations were robust and creative. There is so much untapped potential for the Community Center, and I’m eager to see this potential realized.
The committee had strong agreement and energy around creating a welcoming, multi‐use, culturally sensitive space that will serve all members of our co mmunity and beyond.
I especially want to highlight the importance of partnerships to deliver services, classes, and opportunities for community building. Many members of the strategic planning committee feel that the GCC needs to be a space which brings not only individuals, but also organizations together to be in service to the communi
ty. In the past, the GCC operated more as a rental facility than as a leader in place making and community building. This plan reflects the idea that the GCC should be more than just a building with programs, but that the GCC management can play a leadership role in visioning and executing the inclusive, vibrant, responsive, and welcoming place we want it to be.
The committee was not unanimous in its recommendation for future management of the GCC. I’d like to take a minute to share my thoughts.
I hope the council will not make a determination yet about center managem ent. I hope the City will fully manage the renovations, and consider asking for management proposals from community groups to manage the programs at the center and to serve as a convener for visioning and planning.
There are some tasks associated with operating the GCC that will be better served by a nonprofit than by a governmental organization. Nonprofits can be well‐positioned to raise individual and foundation funds. Independent nonprofits can be nimble, responsive and creative. Ideally, a close partnership between the City and a nonprofit entity could serve our community well.
I am excited to see what the future brings for our community.
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this process. 1 2