A FinnFest 2013 "Big Group" community information meeeting for is Thursday, July 28, at 12:00 noon in the Finnish American Heritage Center Theater. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch. The goal of the meeting is to match volunteers with committees.

Dear friends and volunteers,

A few months have passed since the last public meeting of FinnFest USA 2013 and when one realizes now time is flying we know the importance of empowering the community to a higher level of ownership of FinnFest here in the Copper Country. Please forgive our delays, but rest assured that we have been doing a lot of work in regards to FinnFest, including creating our contract with the FinnFest USA National organization, as well as developing a marketing plan, a budget, the bylaws, etc. We now have our tax ID number, a bank account, mailing address, and a Facebook account. In the very near future we hope to have the webpage on line and little by little, we're creating a system through which we can share our progress and work.

In the meanwhile, we know the need to create sub-committees, which is a huge task. It's difficult to know exactly which committees are needed when not all the program is yet determined, but no less than the following committees need to be formed and begin their work:

Programming (chair - Cynthia Cote)

- performances, dance, exhibits, youth, education, genealogy, religious heritage, fashion, films, books & poetry, demonstrations, sports & games, outdoor events, opening ceremony, health symposium

Facilities (chair - Mike Abbott)

- registration, hospitality, transportation, webpage & social media, food & servies, tori

Fundraising (chairs - Glenn Anderson & Scott MacInnes)

- grant writing, fundraising event planners and others

Other:

- program booklet, tours, etc.

The next "Big Group" (community information meeeting) is set for 28 July at 12 noon in the Finnish American Heritage Center Theater. Folks are welcome to brown-bag. Our goal is to match volunteers with committees.

It's a time to move forward on all the great ideas and visions for FinnFest 2013 - A Midsummer Eve's Dream. If you can't attend this meeting, forward your thoughts and willingness to work to Robin Bonini at robin.bonini@finlandia.edu or 906-487-7205.

Terveisin,

Jim Kurtti - FinnFest USA 2013 Chairman