| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
- What is SCOPE?
- What does SCOPE stand for?
- What do they do?
- What is SCOPE's purpose?
- Who runs SCOPE?
- What area do they serve?
- How come I never hear about what SCOPE does?
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| 1. WHAT IS SCOPE? |
SCOPE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to getting people involved in improving the quality of life in Sarasota County. SCOPE's mission is to connect and inspire citizens to create a better community. |
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| 2. WHAT DOES SCOPE STAND FOR? |
SCOPE’s acronym stands for Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence. However, it is easier to refer to us as “SCOPE.” |
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| 3. WHAT DO THEY DO? |
Initiatives – SCOPE facilitates initiatives on important community issues like affordable housing, school dropout or traffic. Through engaging processes, we bring people together from all walks of life to address these complex issues. For a list of some of SCOPE’s and the community’s achievements, read more here. Currently, SCOPE is facilitating two community initiatives one on race & cultural relations and another called “Aging: The Possibilities.”
Data – SCOPE is a resource for anyone to access a fact-based picture of our community. We publish data reports like the Community Report Card or People Count and promote awareness through data-related classes and events.
Neighborhoods – SCOPE has taken a balanced approach to building community. In addition to working on big-picture, community-wide initiatives, SCOPE is also working with individual neighborhoods in Sarasota County. Reaching one neighbor, one neighborhood at a time to makes communities strong and vibrant places to live. |
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| 4. WHAT IS SCOPE'S PURPOSE? |
SCOPE exists to increase the connectedness of Sarasota County. Not in the World-Wide Web, online sense but in the inter-personal sense. Do we know our neighbors? Do we trust our fellow citizens? Do we have a sense of community where we live? When SCOPE is successful, the answer to all of these questions will be a resounding “Yes!”
This is more than just feel-good writing though. Research has shown that communities whose residents are more connected have an overall better quality of life. They have less crime, higher test scores in the local schools, less heart attacks and even fewer colds. Building connectedness among people and a strong community is more than just “feel good” talk, it has some powerful effects.
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| 5. WHO RUNS SCOPE? |
SCOPE is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It has a Board of Directors with community-minded leaders and a staff of nine full-time people and several volunteers.
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| 6. WHAT AREA DO THEY SERVE? |
Centered in the Sarasota area, SCOPE reaches throughout the entire County of Sarasota. Although our formal geographic area is Sarasota County, we regularly interface with organizations outside of the county in order to learn, teach and ensure we can deliver an excellent community building experience. |
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| 7. HOW COME I NEVER HEAR ABOUT WHAT SCOPE DOES? |
SCOPE is not out to get flashy publicity. We work behind the scenes to assemble the coalitions and collaborations that will result in long-lasting improvement in the quality of life. SCOPE is not a project or an experiment. It is not about silver bullets, quick fixes or overnight change. SCOPE’s work is to create meaningful progress towards making Sarasota County a better place to live, work and play for this and future generations.
Want to be in the loop? Sign up here for SCOPE’s e-update to be delivered to your inbox every three weeks.
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