The Next Generation of Civic Leaders: Fundraising

CLEVELAND: August Napoli, Jr., president and COO of Summa Hospitals Foundation, will share insights into good fundraising practices and tips on how to turn the fear of asking for money into the opportunity for people to support organizations integral to our community at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31, 2007, at The City Club of Cleveland.

Excellent fundraising skills can make a good volunteer into an invaluable board member. With nearly $300 billion given to charitable organizations in the U.S. in 2006, civic leaders need to know how to help the organizations they serve attract funding.

Napoli, one of Northeast Ohio’s most respected and accomplished fundraisers, previously served as vice chairman of government relations and strategic support at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the president and CEO at the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation and the Catholic Charities Corporation.

This program, organized by The City Club New Leaders in partnership with the Cleveland Bridge Builders and Cleveland Executive Fellowship, is second in the three-part series The Next Generation of Civic Leaders: Engaging Cleveland’s Young Professionals, sponsored by Tucker Ellis & West LLP. The last program in the series is Board Service: What Does It Mean to Serve on a Board? on August 7.

The City Club New Leaders develop significant opportunities for civic involvement and freedom of speech among young professionals under the age of 40.

Tickets are $10. A networking reception is included. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance of the event. They can be purchased by calling The City Club at 216.621.0082 or visiting the website at www.cityclub.org.

Prescription for Prosperity: The Case for a Medical Mart in Cleveland

CLEVELAND: Cuyahoga County Commissioner Tim Hagan, Frederick Nance, Cleveland managing partner of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, and Baiju Shah, president of BioEnterprises, will argue the case for bringing a medical mart to downtown Cleveland at noon on Friday, August 3, 2007, at The City Club of Cleveland.

The U.S. medical industry produces 571 trade shows a year, and most change venues each year. In order to capitalize on Cleveland’s leadership in medicine and attract these medical trade shows, the city and Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) have proposed a plan to bring a medical mart to Cleveland. A medical mart is a permanent showroom space for suppliers and exhibitions in the health care industry that can be used throughout the year. The plan also calls for a new convention center to provide additional exhibition and meeting space.

In order to help fund the project, the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners must vote for a proposed quarter-percent sales tax increase—to 7.75 percent. The vote is scheduled for July 28. But many, including elected officials, have expressed opposition to passing a tax increase without placing it on the ballot.

In late 2005, Tim Hagan first explored with MMPI the possibility of bringing a medical mart to Cleveland, and he supports the sales tax increase. Frederick Nance, chairman of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, was asked by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson to facilitate the project. Nance has negotiated several major Cleveland projects, including saving DFAS and bringing the Browns back to town. Baiju Shah feels a medical mart would give entrepreneurs in Cleveland the opportunity to showcase their work and their city to people from around the world.

Tickets for this City Club Friday Forum are $18 for members and $30 for non-members. Lunch is included. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance of the event. They can be purchased by calling The City Club at 216.621.0082 or visiting the website at www.cityclub.org.