IFMA | NWO holds nine meetings each year, addressing topics of greatest interest to our members. Most meetings are held at noon at the Toledo Club in downtown Toledo, although some meetings are held in the evenings and may feature a guided tour of an area facility. Two recent tours were of the Toledo Zoo
and Savage Hall at the University of Toledo (including a basketball game). Sustainability and green construction has been the subject of several recent meetings and it remains popular with members. Most recently, the members heard an address by newly elected Mayor of Toledo Mike Bell on the difficulties facing the city and resolutions he will try to impose.
Recognizing the difficulty members in outlying areas may have in traveling to Toledo in mid-day, the organization is also exploring webcast meetings, using Go To Meeting software.
Last Program Review
On February 17, newly elected Mayor of Toledo Mike Bell addressed the noon lunch meeting of IFMANWO at the Toledo Club, outlining the severe fiscal difficulties facing Toledo and the resistance to tax increases as a possible solution.
Despite painting a bleak picture of the economic environment for the coming year, the Mayor created a very positive impression of his management philosophy and style by answering questions forthrightly and at a deeper level of understanding than many of us had heard from previous administrations or council. In conversations with individual members after the formal address, Mayor Bell left nearly all with great hope for the future of Toledo and left to glowing comments about the effectiveness of both his communications skills and the honesty and common sense of his approach to governing the city.
It was a great turnout, with about 60 members and guests showing up for the program.
