Komonczi approached the board about hosting a mini-golf/laser tag fundraiser to finance an internship program. She said by raising funds, they could offer internship opportunities and present students with hotel and tourism-related projects.
Board member Terry Malloy indicated previous CCRTA boards debated hosting fundraising efforts while under the tutelage of former Executive Director Sandy Fink-Barrett.
“It was shot down then. We promote other people’s events. We don’t host our own. I still feel the same way,” Malloy said.
Board member Greg Sheehan said they could work around that by approaching local hoteliers about co-sponsoring such an event so that it wouldn’t solely be a CCRTA event.
Malloy said he didn’t believe they should give themselves authority to fundraise and emphasized their mission has always been to “support.”
Board member Joan Robinson-McMillen indicated that she didn’t have an opinion one way or another at the present time. However, she asked, “What is our mission? Are we stepping on the toes of the very people (who) we support?”
Board member Hildred Rowles suggested that Komonczi investigate other alternatives for financing an internship program at the CCRTA.
Malloy pointed out that if they participated in fundraising, it may raise questions among those who apply for grant funding and don’t receive it.
At that point, board member Wilson Fisher added there have been cutbacks and more cutbacks in funding are anticipated. But he didn’t believe the CCRTA had experienced financial difficulties to the extent that it needed fundraising as a revenue source.
“Hotel tax has (actually) been increasing. We can’t lump ourselves in that group yet. It could really create a sore spot for the people looking at us, especially with hotel tax going up the way it has,” Robinson-McMillen said.
Komonczi thanked board members for their input and said she gave it consideration after reviewing the CCRTA budget. She indicated that 91 percent of its revenue comes from hotel tax and also pointed out tourism has undergone a “major hit” at the state level.
Rowles said the CCRTA must review its finances when considering where an internship program might fit in.