News

myregion.org has always been an organization built on creating partnerships across the region.

Now, in addition to creating partnerships designed to advance only a specific project, myregion.org is also starting to form strategic partnerships with business-led organizations and county vision programs in hopes of increasing the network of leaders across Central Florida that think and act from a regional perspective.

To foster that goal, the myregion.org Executive Committee has approved some operational changes designed to help continue moving “regional ideas to regional actions.”

This new structure calls for one centralized Executive Board of Advisors (EBA) as well as eight Regional Boards of Advisors (RBA). These local boards will provide an opportunity to engage more leaders from across the region.

“We recognized that business connectivity isn’t based on county boundaries,” said Shelley Lauten, president of myregion.org. “These RBAs reflect where people and jobs are centered across our region and will provide leaders an opportunity to engage with other leaders that are not only close in geographic proximity, but also in business needs and makeup.”

The eight economic centers are located in the following areas across the region (see map): North East, North Central, North West, Central, South Central, East Central, South East and South West.

“We envision that the Regional Boards of Advisors will serve as our conduits into the community,” said Shelley Lauten, president of myregion.org. “With the help of strategic partners, we will take the research and initiatives that are being conducted at a seven-county perspective and using the RBAs to gain greater local feedback and engagement.”

To help support the individual RBAs, myregion.org is identifying strategic partners in each of the eight economic centers to help organize and support the local RBA. Depending on the center, these organizations may include Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Organizations or other business-led groups.

Lauten is already out in the community meeting with potential strategic partners.

One organization, the Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida, has already raised its hand and approved a Memo of Understanding for a strategic partnership. Pending approval by the myregion.org Board of Directors, they will become the business partner for the myregion.org South East Board of Advisors.

Lauten has met with several other organizations and is hopeful that additional partnerships will be formulated in the coming weeks.

In addition, myregion.org is working with the four local vision programs and the 17 leadership programs in the region to create strategic partnerships that will help support both the regional and local efforts.

Lauten recently had a positive meeting with the Board of Directors of Lead Brevard and is excited about the possibilities available through partnerships with vision and leadership programs.

“It is time for us to practice what we preach,” Lauten said. “Working strategically with the leadership and vision programs across Central Florida will help all of us increase awareness about both local and regional issues.”

The myregion.org leadership team of Lauten, Chairman Ed Timberlake and Vice Chair Laura Boisvert held a pair of virtual meetings with members of the myregion.org Board of Directors to update them on the organizational changes and ask for their assistance in identifying potential strategic partners in advance of the myregion.org Board of Directors meeting on November 20.

If you are interested in becoming a member of one of the new Regional Boards of Advisors or if your organization is interested in becoming a strategic regional partner, please contact Shelley Lauten at 407.835.2444 or shelley.lauten@orlando.org.

myregion.org is one of four lines of business by which the Central Florida Partnership focuses on “Regional Research and Resolves.”  By identifying and examining the changing demographics and powerful trends that are shaping the Central Florida Region – myregion.org is helping to identify the issues and challenges that affect our future.