This is sample letter sent to invitation list for July 26 Workshop. This version reflects a correction in the first paragraph.

1. June 14, 2012
Brian Goff
Student Government President
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Ave., MSC 4300
Tampa, FL 33620
Re: July 26 Workshop with Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform
Dear Brian:
I’m writing to invite you to a ground-breaking opportunity to collaborate during the upcoming July 26
workshop hosted by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform. As Student
Government President, you are being asked to identify two delegates from the student body to join
more than 250 invited participants in a day-long workshop designed to build consensus
recommendations for consideration by the Task Force prior to developing its final report to Governor
Scott.
A wide net is being cast among key stakeholder groups to bring the best and the brightest minds
together within the Collaborative Labs at St. Petersburg College on July 26. The Collaborative Labs
specializes in the design, facilitation and documentation of participant-driven, interactive and dynamic
meetings. The engaging process emphasizes broad stakeholder participation in identifying and
leveraging existing strengths and best practices; creating a shared vision; reaching consensus on key
priorities and strategies; and building a plan of action.
Collaborative technology such as whiteboards, visioning and brainstorming software and individual
polling devices accelerate participants’ best thinking. Real-time documentation of collaborative
engagements ensures that all input is captured in a meaningful and comprehensive way.
The July 26 workshop will be an opportunity to deliberate on how we meet the Governor’s long-term
goal of making Florida’s state university system the envy of the nation.
Delegates should be prepared to collaborate with Task Force members on how we can best address the
issues specifically identified by the Executive Order that created the Blue Ribbon Task Force on State
Higher Education Reform. Background, such as the text of the Executive Order, can be found on the web
site dedicated to the effort: www.FLHigherEd.org.
As you can see by examining the working list of participant groups below, divergent perspectives are
being sought across the spectrum of stakeholders:
Board of Governors Florida Senate and House Members
Higher Education Coordinating Council Florida Council of 100
University Administrators Florida Chamber of Commerce
University Trustees Associated Industries of Florida
University Faculty James Madison Institute
University Students Florida TaxWatch
Parents Florida Research Consortium

2. Page 2 of 2: July 26 Workshop with Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform
The dynamic, full-day workshop will begin at 8:45 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m., so I strongly
encourage you to arrive in St. Petersburg the night before. Three hotels located near Collaborative Labs
are recommended, the first two having agreed to provide a discounted rate for delegates (ask for the
Blue Ribbon Task Force rate):
 St. Petersburg Clearwater Marriott, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd., (866) 508-0265
 Courtyard by Marriott St. Petersburg Clearwater, 3131 Executive Drive, (800) 321-2211
 Residence Inn St. Petersburg Clearwater, 5050 Ulmerton Road, (727) 573-4444
Collaborative Labs is located at the St. Petersburg College EpiCenter, 13805 58th Street North,
Clearwater, FL 33760. As this is an all-volunteer experience, there are no funds available for travel
reimbursement.
Due to the unique collaborative nature of the July workshop, it is imperative we have an accurate
headcount. As a result, online registration should be completed prior to July 11. After communicating
with your selected delegates, please direct register them using the online form, which can be found by
pointing a web browser to http://www.spcollege.edu/survey/10593.
ACTION ITEM: Please deliberate and communicate this opportunity to your selected delegates at your
earliest possible convenience. Sample text has been provided on the following page to assist you with
inviting your delegates.
A package of preparation materials will be distributed to the list of participants on or before July 23.
I look forward to seeing you and your delegates on July 26.
Yours for the future of Florida’s State University System,
Dale A. Brill, Ph.D.
Chair
Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform
c/o Florida Chamber Foundation
136 S. Bronough St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301

3. Page 2 of 2: July 26 Workshop with Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform
BEGIN SAMPLE TEXT
Dear ___________________:
I’m pleased to share with you that we’ve been invited by the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on
State Higher Education Reform to participate in its July 26 Workshop at the Collaborative Labs at St.
Petersburg College. Delegates from a wide range of stakeholders will convene to engage with more than
200 other delegates with the objective of identifying consensus strategies for consideration by the Task
Force as it works to develop final recommendations for the Governor and Legislature. I’m writing to ask
you to serve as one of our delegates.
As you can see by examining the working list of participant groups below, divergent perspectives are
being sought across the spectrum of stakeholders:
Board of Governors Florida Senate and House Members
Higher Education Coordinating Council Florida Council of 100
University Administrators Florida Chamber of Commerce
University Trustees Associated Industries of Florida
University Faculty James Madison Institute
University Students Florida TaxWatch
Parents Florida Research Consortium
The Collaborative Labs specializes in the design, facilitation and documentation of participant-driven,
interactive and dynamic meetings. The engaging process emphasizes broad stakeholder participation in
identifying and leveraging existing strengths and best practices; creating a shared vision; reaching
consensus on key priorities and strategies and building a plan of action. The dynamic, full-day workshop
will begin at 8:45 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. Three hotels located near Collaborative Labs are
recommended for who chose to arrive the night before, the first two having agreed to provide a
discounted rate for delegates (ask for the Blue Ribbon Task Force rate):
 St. Petersburg Clearwater Marriott, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd., (866) 508-0265
 Courtyard by Marriott St. Petersburg Clearwater, 3131 Executive Drive, (800) 321-2211
 Residence Inn St. Petersburg Clearwater, 5050 Ulmerton Road, (727) 573-4444
Collaborative Labs is located at the St. Petersburg College EpiCenter, 13805 58th Street North,
Clearwater, FL 33760. As this is an all-volunteer experience, there are no funds available for travel
reimbursement.
The Blue Ribbon Task Force has asked us to respond as quickly as possible to ensure the facilitators have
an accurate headcount. If you are able to attend as one of our delegates, please respond directly to me
at your earliest possible convenience (before July 11). I will make sure you are registered using the
online form provided by the Task Force.
A package with pre-reading materials will be delivered to you on or before July 23. Should you have any
questions about the workshop, feel free to contact me or Dr. Dale A. Brill, chair of the Blue Ribbon Task
Force on State Higher Education Reform at brill.dale@gmail.com. Details about the Task Force and its
charge can be found at its dedicated web site: www.FLHigherEd.org.
END SAMPLE TEXT