Posted with Fio's permission!
"You want me to what?" Silver asked, a single brow arching in question. She wasn't sure she was hearing the new governor correctly. "Head up the Small Business Relief Fund." Fio answered matter-of-factly, handing Silver a folder containing a few papers. "As former Minister of Trade and Commerce, and small business owner, I feel this is in your realm of expertise." Silver glanced from the Governor to the folder she was just handed, flipping it open to browse the information inside regarding the Small Business Relief Fund. When the Ministers were disbanded and the Governor's Advisory Council formed, Silver figured she was going to be just one of a few gathered around a table monthly to discuss various issues in the city. She fully believed she wouldn't be tapped into unless she was looked to for an opinion at the GAC meetings. Well, she was wrong, or maybe she was right and the new Governor was asking for her opinion while delegating responsibilities. Silver quickly perused the information Fio handed her. "So, Fiora had this idea awhile back to help small businesses. Your decision was to make it grants to the small businesses?" "Yes." The Governor responded again. "Fiora Shantalaine had the idea last fall." "Do we accept donations as well" What about some sort of benefit to big businesses for donating?" "Once a year Fiora is doing the business gala. It raised a huge sum last fall. Caroline Granger committed a sum of money as a seed fund that was pretty hefty too. She offered 10% of GrangerGuild profits a year." Silver's brow shot up again in silence as she glanced at Fio before looking back at the folder. "That's a lot of money." "Yes, it is. Koyliak also mentioned in a note that we could also look to The Kitsune Foundation in order to manage the funds and hold the recipients accountable for properly spending their grants." Fio glanced down at the papers on her desk, reading off one of them. "The Foundation has helped manage the charities supported by the Benson Boulevard Initiative, which she has worked in association with on the last two Fashion Week charity events for fund raising." The Governor shifted through the papers again, paraphrasing off another. "The funds can be invested in an interest-bearing account so it could be self-sustaining even with just the one fundraiser, though we wouldn't turn down donations." Silver slid the folder closed, tucking it under her arm. ?"My idea would be to have a review panel of those who are invested in this initiative. I'd ask them to create an application process that the businesses needing funds can fill out quickly and painlessly, since it's their first priority to get back up and running. We need criteria established so that we're not just giving out funds to everyone. More of a review panel. I would review applications as they came in and pick the ones that seem the most in need. I would like to take these to a small review committee of maybe four or five people to decide how much and how best to help the business." Fiona smiled. "I think that is a sound idea." "Great. We already discussed Fiora, Koyliak, and Caroline. Is there any other person that is invested in this initiative I should contact?" "Rena." "Done. I'll send out missives this afternoon asking them if they'd like to be involved in a review panel". I'd say on an "as needed? basis, but just in case that turns into an every day occurrence, we'd meet once a month at most. I'd also like to invite one more person if that's okay, just because I also trust his business expertise."
Fio nodded as Silver smiled to the Governor and tucked the folder under her arm. "This is a great initiative for the people of the city."
"You want me to what?" Silver asked, a single brow arching in question. She wasn't sure she was hearing the new governor correctly. "Head up the Small Business Relief Fund." Fio answered matter-of-factly, handing Silver a folder containing a few papers. "As former Minister of Trade and Commerce, and small business owner, I feel this is in your realm of expertise." Silver glanced from the Governor to the folder she was just handed, flipping it open to browse the information inside regarding the Small Business Relief Fund. When the Ministers were disbanded and the Governor's Advisory Council formed, Silver figured she was going to be just one of a few gathered around a table monthly to discuss various issues in the city. She fully believed she wouldn't be tapped into unless she was looked to for an opinion at the GAC meetings. Well, she was wrong, or maybe she was right and the new Governor was asking for her opinion while delegating responsibilities. Silver quickly perused the information Fio handed her. "So, Fiora had this idea awhile back to help small businesses. Your decision was to make it grants to the small businesses?" "Yes." The Governor responded again. "Fiora Shantalaine had the idea last fall." "Do we accept donations as well" What about some sort of benefit to big businesses for donating?" "Once a year Fiora is doing the business gala. It raised a huge sum last fall. Caroline Granger committed a sum of money as a seed fund that was pretty hefty too. She offered 10% of GrangerGuild profits a year." Silver's brow shot up again in silence as she glanced at Fio before looking back at the folder. "That's a lot of money." "Yes, it is. Koyliak also mentioned in a note that we could also look to The Kitsune Foundation in order to manage the funds and hold the recipients accountable for properly spending their grants." Fio glanced down at the papers on her desk, reading off one of them. "The Foundation has helped manage the charities supported by the Benson Boulevard Initiative, which she has worked in association with on the last two Fashion Week charity events for fund raising." The Governor shifted through the papers again, paraphrasing off another. "The funds can be invested in an interest-bearing account so it could be self-sustaining even with just the one fundraiser, though we wouldn't turn down donations." Silver slid the folder closed, tucking it under her arm. ?"My idea would be to have a review panel of those who are invested in this initiative. I'd ask them to create an application process that the businesses needing funds can fill out quickly and painlessly, since it's their first priority to get back up and running. We need criteria established so that we're not just giving out funds to everyone. More of a review panel. I would review applications as they came in and pick the ones that seem the most in need. I would like to take these to a small review committee of maybe four or five people to decide how much and how best to help the business." Fiona smiled. "I think that is a sound idea." "Great. We already discussed Fiora, Koyliak, and Caroline. Is there any other person that is invested in this initiative I should contact?" "Rena." "Done. I'll send out missives this afternoon asking them if they'd like to be involved in a review panel". I'd say on an "as needed? basis, but just in case that turns into an every day occurrence, we'd meet once a month at most. I'd also like to invite one more person if that's okay, just because I also trust his business expertise."
Fio nodded as Silver smiled to the Governor and tucked the folder under her arm. "This is a great initiative for the people of the city."