From Strangers to Neighbors: Creating a Welcoming Greater Gainesville

Feb 10th from 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm
with Lauren Poe, President/CEO of the Greater Gainesville International Center
Please register by Monday, Feb 3rd.

The talk will focus on the mission and vision of the Greater Gainesville International Center, with an emphasis on refugee resettlement, serving our international community and creating a welcoming community in a changing political climate.

Speaker Bio

Lauren Poe moved to Gainesville, FL in 1982 when his father took the Director of Bands job at the University of Florida. Lauren has been a member of the Gator Nation ever since. He completed his BA in History and M.Ed. in Secondary Social Sciences from the University of Florida and taught at Ft. Clarke Middle School and Santa Fe College for 24 years. Lauren was elected to serve on the Gainesville Commission in 2008, serving two terms before being elected Mayor in 2016. He left office in January of 2023 after reaching his limit on consecutive terms in service. In 2016, Poe received more votes than any other candidate in Gainesville City electoral history.

Since leaving office, Poe has be appointed the President/CEO of the Greater Gainesville International Center, an local nonprofit organization whose mission is to, “Elevate, celebrate, and empower our local international community and to better connect Gainesville with the rest of the world.” GGIC is now in their third full year of operations under Poe’s leadership, which has included a formal affiliate partnership with the International Rescue Committee, allowing GGIC to provide refugee resettlement services for our newest international neighbors.

DETAILS

• Mon, Feb 3rd – Registration deadline
• Mon, Feb 10th – Luncheon at Institute of Culinary Arts at Eastside High School
• 11:30 – Lunch
• 12:00 – Presentation begins

 

REGISTRATION

Registration is now closed

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