The Swedish American Club of Sarasota, Inc.
Annual Report JANUARY 1, 2020 – JUNE 30, 2021
Page 2 of 10
President’s Report The road forward
An annual report is, by definition, an historical document, a look in the rear-view mirror. But allow me also to talk about what I see in the crystal ball and intend to focus my attention on going forward. I am pleased to report that the Club is doing well despite the constraints the pandemic put on us. Our membership has grown by almost 100%, and it is still growing. As we are starting to feel hopeful for a more normal lifestyle, we look forward to an exciting 2021—2022 season. Recently 55 members attended our traditional Swedish Crayfish Dinner at Bird Key Yacht Club and we have already experienced a great response from our members—six new Benefactors and eleven members that upgraded to Benefactors. The Club now has 45 Benefactors. Add to that, 12 new family members and four new individual members. The Board and I are committed to continue the path we started out on: to offer our members and friends quality, live events, traditional Swedish events, Speaker Luncheons with interesting and inspiring speakers, Study Visits, Book Talks and similar gatherings focusing on authors and artists. A Golf Tournament is also in the works. In addition, we are planning interesting new POD casts when opportunity presents itself. We will continue to develop the Club’s website, adding new and exciting features, such as a web shop and Up-Close Personal presentations of our Benefactor members. And we will continue to grow our social media presence. In closing, let me thank you all, fellow Board members, members, and sponsors for your contributions and support during these past 18 months. I am proud to have been given the opportunity to serve the Club as its President. I personally feel, it will be great to meet and greet you at our upcoming events!
Page 3 of 10
Operations and Activity Report How it all started
At a Club meeting in November of 2019, the Board of the “old” Swedish Club of Sarasota decided to resign and close the Club. Several members present at the meeting, however, wanted the Club to continue. Therefore, it was proposed and decided to appoint a nominating committee to establish a new Board. The nominating committee, headed by Tomas Ericson, nominated Renée Lundholm as President. The nomination committee, together with the nominated President, proposed a new Board of Directors. Besides Renée Lundholm as President, the proposal for a new Board comprised Thomas Carlberg (VP and Secretary), Aja Öhman (Membership), Per Nordström (Outreach) and Steve Trygg (Communications). In addition, Lars-Arne Lundholm was proposed as Treasurer for the Club.
The new name expresses the inclusive, binational nature of the Club. A new logo was developed and designed by Toby Trygg.
The Purpose
The Board unanimously agreed that the primary purpose of SACS is to preserve, stimulate and encourage an interest in and appreciation of the Swedish-American heritage, customs, and traditions, including language, music, art, industry, geography and cultural and social programs and events in the Greater Sarasota area. All programs and events shall be developed and executed in accordance with this purpose.
Programs and Events
First official meeting of the new Board took place on December 12, 2019. The Board developed and launched an ambitious plan for its operations. Which all started with a bang!
The proposed Board and the proposed Treasurer were formally elected at an extraordinary Board meeting in early December of 2019.
First items of action
There were quite a few issues to resolve. The new Board needed to address the purpose of the Club, its financial situation, establish Bylaws, apply for not-for-profit status, start organizing programs and events, etc. But first, the Board needed to decide on the Clubs official name. The name filed with the State of Florida now is: The Swedish American Club of Sarasota, Inc. (SACS).
The Wells/Berglund music event on January 31, 2020, at the Historic Asolo Theatre at the Ringling Museum was an overwhelming success.
Page 4 of 10
Robert Wells and his wife, Maria, Anders Berglund, and their friend from Nashville, Billy Dean, enthralled the audience. 150 guests and sponsors participated—all of whom asked for an annual concert of this kind to be continued. Next event was a wine tasting evening on March 3, which gathered some 40 wine lovers. So, the Board figured it came out of the starting gates well prepared for a successful year. There were plans for a spring dinner dance, several luncheons with guest speakers, a crayfish party, and a Lucia event during the fall of 2020. Little did we know what was waiting around the corner. The Pandemic arrived in March of 2020. And we all know what has happened since then. But, when adversity strikes, the entrepreneurial spirit kicks in. There are always ways to communicate with members. And so, the SACS POD casts were born.
POD casts
The Club invested in cost-efficient recording equipment, made a list of potential topics and interesting people to interview, and pushed the start button. Kurt Hoffman, Sarasota County Sheriff addressed the status and situation in and around Sarasota from a legal and safety perspective.
Drayton Saunders, President at Michael Saunders Real Estate Co spoke on the real estate state-of-mind in the Greater Sarasota area. Renea Glendinning at Kerkering Barberio presented the legal and tax aspects related to real estate and inheritance issues, focusing on non-citizens’ unique situations. Dr. Manuel Gordillo, Director Infectious disease at Sarasota Memorial Hospital gave an in-depth analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic and what to expect going forward. Nate Jacobs at The West Coast Black Theater Troupe (WBTT) of Sarasota —founder and artistic director of WBTT—presented the start and future for this magnificent troupe. Ingrid Bergman/Svend Asmussen The Club has also released a video about the famous actor Ingrid Bergman and the Danish music legend Svend Asmussen. The video was launched on February 28, which coincided with the late Svend Asmussen’s 105th birthday. So, all in all, the Club was able to present its members with interesting topics and subjects without meeting in person.
Page 5 of 10
Membership
The membership situation is another success story for the Club redux. Starting from a membership level of just over 60 persons, the Board is happy to report that, as of June 30, we had 107 paying members and 31 benefactors. Several family members have lately upgraded to become benefactors. Also worth mentioning, the Club extended the twelve months’ membership to 18 months due to the pandemic. As a result, we changed to a new annual fiscal reporting period, namely July 1 to June 30.
In summary
Looking back, starting on December 12, 2019, when we held our first meeting with the new Board, we dare say the Club has seen one of the most eventful periods in its history. Ten Board meetings since the start-overt, we can proudly state we have the Club finances under control, we have established By-laws and purpose, we overcame Covid-19 adversity and found virtual ways to communicate and keep Club members in the loop, including a brand-new website. The entire Board is thankful for all input, support, and feedback Club members have provided, and we are truly looking forward to the next twelve months.
Renee Lundholm
Per Nordström
Thomas Carlberg
Steve Trygg
Page 6 of 10
Aja Öhman
Financial Statements Pro Forma
Statement of Income Jan 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 Income Membership
6,332
Sponsorship
4,750
Events
10,473
Total Invoicing
21,555
Expenses Events
12,878 2,106
Communication/Web Site Shipping/Postage
80
Memberships
920
Office Material & Equipment
2,209
Financial & Legal Expenses
2,800
Total Expenses
20,993
Income/(Loss)
Balance Sheet
562
January 1
June 30
2020
2021
Change
ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash in bank
467
6,397
5,930
TOTAL ASSETS
467
6,449
5,982
-
5,420
5,420
-
5,420
5,420
467
-
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Prepaid Membership fees TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES CLUBS' EQUITY Retained earnings - beginning Current Earnings TOTAL CLUBS' EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
467 -
562
562
467
1,029
562
467
6,449
5,982
Page 7 of 10
Board of Directors Renee Lundholm Chair/President
reneelundholm01@gmail.com
Thomas Carlberg Vice President/Secretary
carlberg.thomas@gmail.com
Per Nordström Outreach & Social Media
per@teamnordstrom.com
Steve Trygg Communications
stevetrygg@hotmail.com
Aja Öhman Membership
ajaohman@gmail.com
Page 8 of 10
Benefactors Benefactor, from Latin bene (good) and facere (do). If the word wasn’t slightly derogatory, we wouldn’t hesitate at all to call these members real do-gooders. Jill Andersson
Bo & Kerstin Lindkvist
Hans & Rada Björstrand
Kerstin & Gunnar Linden
Debora Blomster
Renee & Lars-Arne Lundholm
Anita Boakes
Ing-Marie Malkin
Elsy & Totte Bolter
Mariell & Benny Neuman
Thomas & Christina Carlberg
Kerstin Nicholson
Monica & David Dowhan
Gunnel & Lars Nilsson
Madeleine & Börje Ekholm
Per & Helena Nordstrom
Tomas & Gunilla Ericson
Rickard & Ina Ovin
Henrik Facile
Peter & Elke Perten
Peter & Lisa Fagerberg
Patrik & Elin Pettersson
Johanna Gustafsson & Chris Pinckney
Ulrica Regnander
Catrina Hensel
Annika Sandström
Oa Holfve & Kristina Asp
Einar & Linda Thodal-Ness
Margareta Horn
Charlie Trygg
Dennis & Birgitta Hulth
Steve Trygg
Gunilla & Knut Imshaug
Marcus Walfridson
Hans Henrik Jensen
Bert & Bibbi Wate
Kraig & Zdenka Klosson
Ola & Agneta Wettergren
Anna Lanner
Bill & Berit Winnerling
Maritta & Larry Levenberg
Mariana & Per Åhlund
Tore & Margit Lindgren
Bo & Aja Öhman
Sandra & Per-Erik Lindqvist
Page 9 of 10
Sponsors Our Corporate Sponsors
Renea Glendinning heads the International Tax practice for the firm. Her practice areas include Individual and Business Tax Consulting. rglendinning@kbgrp.com
Roxanne Levine heads the Immigration Practice. rlevine@tarterkrinsky.com
PRIVATE SPONSORS Hans Neuman Rickard & Ina Ovin John Hoey Christer Höglund Oa & Kristina Holfve Visit our website
https://swedishclubsarasota.org/
Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/swedishclubofsarasota/