Upcoming change in RAM leadership

[urbanlibertarian]

Below is an email from Tony Allegretti to RAM artists and vendors:

Every Saturday you can get into something very cool on our River!

I have had the best time directing RAM in its first year plus of
record breaking recreation. You may or may not know that I will be stepping down at the end of the month.

The person who replaces Dr. Wood (who will be my interim replacement) in a month will be leading the largest weekly entertainment and arts event in our culturally progressive state. Think about that. That is a major responsibility and a huge opportunity. They will not only inherit some great systems in place, but also excellent volunteers and flexible and dedicated committees. This person will have to be able to deal with thousands of people, from our homeless neighbors to our Mayor, and practically every local and state agency imaginable. Grumpy farmers, eclectic artists, and savvy street food vendors call for a level head a great deal of communications experience.

Crowds and sales onsite are higher than ever. We are getting interesting feedback and partnering with non-profits and sponsors with good results. We have been flexible enough to have innovative extra programs (RiverWalk2Ram, MOD Carnival, Citrus Cel Film Fest, expanded bike valet, etc). In fact we are up 50% on Bike Valet in 2010.

I feel we are up 50% or more in traffic after 2pm this year. Stretching sales numbers and record sell outs in food artists and farms show the economic force is strengthening. I think RAM is well positioned with its commitment to more stringent selection of art/vendor. While this has created more room at the market it has also opened up creative partnerships and initiatives. There is a huge list of themed events, surprises, and even night time programming coming your way.

Dr. Wood and VIP Productions have consistently put together a virtually guaranteed line up of very talented acts, each weekend, well produced. People from all over the country tell me each week how much they loved RAM and some unique things about our vendors or entertainment.

I have been around a lot of art and quality of life events and RAM is
certainly the best I have ever been associated with. The amount of
time and the quality of work RAMROD put forth creating RAM and the
volunteers that help run it week in and week out is astonishing.

It is also reflective of diversity and the quality of people we have
here in Jacksonville. Our city's affinity to art and local culture was
not hard to gauge before RAM, but it was hard to prove.

RAP has been an outstanding organization for RAM. I believe the
systems in place work. I also think a fresh mind and new ideas will
benefit RAM in the way many of my projects have after I moved on.

I feel like the search for a new director will create a buzz among the
right kind of people and get some really great candidates. I will help
in any way I can and as much as asked and I will remain on the steering committee formerly known as RAMROD.

In this capacity I support both Brandy (operations manager) and Shannon (non-profit and volunteer coordinator) getting broader responsibilities in the new set up.

Someone can knock this opportunity out of the park and under the bridge all the way up to Riverside Park. Then probably beyond.

I'm leaving for entirely personal reasons. I'm going to work for Wingard Creative agency in 5 points as an account director and partner. It is a really great opportunity. One I couldn't refuse. Don't be one bit sad for RAM or for me because we both will flourish, I'm sure of it.

I will certainly be under the bridge most every Saturday. Only not before day break. I do look forward to being a vendor one day. Until then, I'll see ya' buying strawberries!

Love you all,

Tony

PS- We always need new volunteers! Shannon's email is volunteer.ram@gmail.com.  Let her know when you want to join the best volunteer group in the nation! Our vols get invites to exclusive special events, not to mention the awesome feeling one gets helping us Seek Shelter From the Ordinary - Under the Bridge and Over the Top!

[grimss]

Tony has been a terrific asset to RAM. Fortunately, he's going to keep bringing his ideas to the market, albeit in a volunteer capacity, as a member of RAM's Steering Committee. There are also a lot of dedicated volunteers who can keep the RAM humming while the search is on for a new director. It will be hard to replace Tony's diverse skill set, but RAP is already receiving queries. Information about the job can be found at http://www.riversideavondale.org/index.php?id=108.