The organizers of our chapter, Audrey Coleman and Brenda Gladden met with Margie Lee of the Chicago Chapter on January 3, 2003, to consider a chapter of The Society, Incorporated for the Sarasota-Manatee counties. An organizational meeting with eighteen interested ladies was held at J Ryan’s Restaurant on April 16, 2003. At the next meeting on May 14, 2003, the group decided upon the name Florida Suncoast Friends for The Cultural Arts. Subsequent meetings included members from the Lakeland Chapter who served as our sponsor. Valuable information concerning the proper organizational procedure needed to establish an Interest Group was provided by Dr. Erslyn Foster of the Montgomery County Chapter.

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Members included: Carol Buchanan, Marilyn Davenport, Jerline Dixon, Vildred Fitzgerald, Arlene Greene, Carol Johnson, Barbara Mask, Margaret Miller, Jacqueline Ray, Sadie Robinson, Edwina Stanley, and Lois Watson.
 

On October 26, 2003, the Florida Suncoast Friends for The Cultural Arts presented a showcase of eighteen talented students from the Manatee/Sarasota area. The Florida Suncoast Chapter held its chartering Weekend and Gala, April 16-18, 2004. Following the chartering weekend, the chapter celebrated Memorial Day with an outing at the home of Geneth and Gent Herman Bell.

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The following officers were elected:
President - Audrey Coleman
Vice-President - Brenda Gladden
Recording Secretary - Clara Mims

Treasurer - Janice Fitzgerald

Parliamentarian - Florence Jackson
Corresponding Secretary - Geneth Bell

Financial Secretary - Judith Wilcox