Volunteer Connection

 

 

 

 

Volunteer Connection

 

August 15, 2009

Greetings, Friends!

 

Thank YOU!

A hearty thank you to all of the dozens of volunteers that assisted during last week’s tall ship event!!! Nearly 3,000 guests visited the Campus touring Niña, Pinta, Friends Good Will and the Museum galleries and exhibits. You made the event possible by doing  everything from giving dockside tours aboard Friends Good Will, to standing duty as “dock police” checking wristbands, answering the phone, working at the front desk in the Museum Store, selling admissions at the  cash table, keeping track of the number of guests, selling t-shirts and water, and answering a myriad of questions.  The Museum is extremely grateful to each and every one of you for taking time out of your schedule and contributing to the remarkable success of this event. Thank you!

 

New Library and Collections Acquisitions…

The Marialyce Canonie Great Lakes Research Library has received a new publication donated by a writer who used our collection for research.  The book documents the history of the Crisp Point Lifesaving Station and Lighthouse on eastern Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula and is titled Lifetime of Historical Service.  Only the tower and a fragment of its fog signal building remain of the Crisp Point Lighthouse.  This publication provides essential records and photographs documenting the story of Crisp Point and the brave men who served at this lonely station.  The author, Scott W. Bundschuh, credited the Museum Library for its research assistance.  We are happy to work with researchers to preserve Michigan’s rich maritime history.

 

Lay Great Lakes historian and ships in bottles builder, Joe Barr, has donated his extensive collection of maritime books, postcards of ships and lighthouses, 2 ships in bottles and thousands of photographs.  Many of the images document his detailed work and research in producing his projects.  Mr. Barr has visited most of the commercial ports on the Great Lakes to photograph ships from every angle in order to have each detail correct on his models.  No longer able to work on such detailed pieces, Joe offered the collection to the Maritime Museum.  He was thrilled to learn that its new home will be in a Lightkeeper’s dwelling.  We hope to have Mr. Barr present a program on building ships in a bottle as part of the Museum’s winter program schedule. ~ Submitted by Registrar Judy Schlaack

 

Port Washington Voyage…

Friends Good Will arrived safely in Port Washington, Wisconsin for the Maritime Heritage Festival on Thursday, August, 13 at noon local time. The crew are being kept busy doing four sails a day, in addition to dockside boardings.

 

The vessel is expected to return to South Haven this Tuesday and will resume her sailing schedule on Friday, August 21.

 

Membership cards will be coming back!

After more than a year hiatus, plans are being made to issue membership cards again.  Members have expressed their desire to have them as proof rather than just being logged into the MMM computer.  Initially, they were dropped as a cost cutting measure because we do not have a reciprocal relationship with other museums.  So, come September, once the busy season is over we will be looking into reactivating that policy and mailing them to you.  We appreciate your comments and will be acting on them.  If you have any suggestions regarding membership I would be happy to have them.  Right now our biggest issue is working with a database that is cumbersome and not user friendly.  Anyone with computer skills that would like to help us transfer data to a more efficient program would be enthusiastically welcomed!  Please let us know if you can help in September. . . or sooner once we know what we are doing! ~ Submitted by Arlene Dickerson, membership chair

 

Outboard Motor Swap Meet…

The Michigan Maritime Museum in partnership with the Wolverine Chapter of the Antique Outboard Motor Club is holding an Outboard Motor Swap Meet on Saturday, August 29.

 

Old motors and parts will be on display, including many motors made in Michigan, such as Clarke Troller, Lockwood, Caille, Chris Craft, Oliver, and Sweet. Visitors to the Swap Meet are encouraged to bring their old motors and/or parts for public viewing, sale, or swap.

 

The Outboard Motor Swap Meet is free to the public. The event will be held on the Maritime Museum grounds on Saturday, August 29 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

 

Outboard motor enthusiasts will want to be present to bid on the classic antique racing engine the 1951 Mercury Thunderbird KG9, the favorite outboard motor of singer and cowboy actor Roy Rogers.

 

Blue Green Gala…
West Michigan residents and visitors to the lakeshore area will have a unique opportunity to view sustainable design at its best when Cottage Home opens the doors Sunday, August 23rd to the new Monroe Beach House, 850 Monroe Boulevard, South Haven.

 

The ‘Blue Green Gala’ is being underwritten by Cottage Home as a way of demonstrating how sustainable lakefront living helps “Keep It Blue By Making It Green.” The event, which is open to the public, includes tours of two homes, sustainable design discussions, live music, with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres catered by the South Haven Yacht Club.

 

Doors will open at 4:00pm to 7:00pm Sunday. The Friends Good Will, the Maritime Museum’s replica sloop, will sail past the home around 4:30pm.

100% of the ticket proceeds will go to the Maritime Museum.  You may purchase tickets at the Museum or online at http://cottagehome.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=200773

 

Upcoming Activities at the Museum:
Date:                                                                      Event:

 

Friday, August 21, 3:00 PM                       Board of Directors Meeting (members encouraged to attend)

 

Sunday, August 23, 4-7 PM                      Blue Green Gala to Benefit the Museum

 

Saturday, August 29, 9-3                            Outboard Motor Swap Meet     

 

 

For the good of the cause,

 

Mary Stephens

Education/Volunteer Coordinator

Michigan Maritime Museum

260 Dyckman Avenue

South Haven, MI 49090

269.637.8078 

 

 

Volunteer Connection

Volunteer Connection

June 13, 2009

Greetings, Friends!

National Geographic Film Shoot…

On Saturday, May 30, a five-person film crew from Canada spent the day and a good portion of the night aboard Friends Good Will. Captain Elder and crew transported the our guests back to August 8, 1813, when within sight of a British Squadron and assigned to the United States Inland Navy on Lake Ontario, Scourge capsized and sank in a sudden squall.

The one-hour documentary, one of a series of “Dive Detectives” will air in the fall and focuses upon the wreck of Scourge, lying 290 feet below the surface, just off of St. Catherine, Ontario. Photographs of Scourge were used by the MMM when it designed Friends Good Will in 2003. There are many similarities, such as the transom windows, mainsheet box, cleat and traveler, mast shelf, spars, hatches and fife rail.

By all accounts, the film crew were very pleased with Friends Good Will and it is hoped, as the 200^th Anniversary of the War of 1812 approaches, the MMM will be asked to feature our favorite sloop, the pride of South Haven, in other programs.~ Jim Spurr

Come to the Museum's Classic Boat Show, June 20 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM…

The Museum's Traditional Small Craft Association (TSCA) is supporting the Classic Boat Show this year. We've got a full complement of boats and exhibitors, some interesting presentations for boat enthusiasts and activities for children. This year's poster is attached with the day's schedule. Come out, bring friends and family, and enjoy the day with us.

There will be over 30 boats on display from a 42' ketch to a 5' children's punt to a 24' Chris Craft Sedan. Outboards, canoes, kayaks, rowing boats and even a few ice boats will be on the MMM campus from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission to the campus is waived for the day. Of special interest to the community will be the children's activities scheduled from noon to 3 PM. ~ Sandy Bryson

We need a boatload of volunteers to assist with this Saturday’s Classic Boat Show. Please email mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org and sign up to help in the following areas:

1. Event set-up (5 volunteers needed)

7:30-10:00 AM

2. Information and Membership Table (2 volunteers needed per shift)

10:00-12:00

12:00-2:00

2:00-4:00

3. Boat Show Registration Table (2 volunteers needed)

7:30-10:00 AM

4. Event break-down (4 volunteers needed)

4:00-5:00

5. Selling Soda and bottled water (Ship’s Keeper Apprentices-2 children ages 8-13 needed per shift)

10:00-12:00

12:00-2:00

2:00-4:00

6. Docents for Interpreting Evelyn S. (1 per shift)

10:00-12:00

12:00-2:00

2:00-4:00

7. Docents for Interpreting the Coast Guard Exhibit (1 per shift)

10:00-12:00

12:00-2:00

2:00-4:00

Friends Good Will out of Port until June 27…

Our favorite tall ship, Friends Good Will, slipped her dock lines early this morning and is plying her way up Lake Michigan on her way to Detroit. She is planning to arrive in Detroit this Thursday where she will be the featured guest at the Detroit River Days Festival June 19-21. The vessel will be docked near the corner of Rivard and Atwater Streets http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Detroit&state=MI&address=Rivard+St+%26+Atwater+St&zipcode=48207&country=US&latitude=42.33104&longitude=-83.03272&geocode=INTERSECTION. For more information on the festival, please visit www.RiverDays.com.

If anyone is available to make the drive to Detroit, the crew does need help with the dockside tours and selling merchandise this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For more information, please email mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org.

Merrytime Festival & Fish Boil July 18…

If all you want to do is have a great time…the Merrytime Festival & Fish Boil is where you’ll want to be on July 18. The festival is being held on the campus of the Michigan Maritime Museum starting at 5 PM and lasting until 8 PM. Included in this year’s festival is a Deluxe Fish Boil that is served with warm rolls and a complimentary glass of wine, beer, or beverage of your choice all followed with a scoop of Sherman’s Ice Cream for dessert.

Adults will be able to purchase Merrytime Spritzers throughout the evening. Admission also includes a chance to win passage for 6 on the tall ship Friends Good Will . You’ll enjoy live music throughout the evening featuring mariner Tom Kastle and his songs of the sea. Kids will want to participate by netting fish from our pond where every fish wins a prize. Adults will want to take their chances in the Merrytime Cork Pull where every participant wins a bottle of wine, with one lucky cork puller winning a bottle valued at $100. There will also be a silent auction featuring a chance to bid on original nautical prints, a handmade quilt and an array of other exciting items.

Tickets are $25 a head and are available at the Museum, Bayberry Cottage, and Wolverine Hardware. All proceeds from the event benefit the Maritime Museum educational programs.

This exciting fundraising event will be made possible with the generous support of our wonderful volunteers. The Maritime Museum is seeking volunteers to assist with following tasks:

Set up 12:00 – 4:00 4 -5 people

Event jobs 5:00-8:00 (Number of people depending on how many shifts )

Ticket sales at front door – duties include selling tickets for the event, giving each ticket holder a raffle ticket to win passage for 6 on FGW and giving a wrist band to each ticket holder for dinner service (which will be in the parking lot) 3-4 adults per shift

Fish Boil- Food will be served in the parking lot under a large white tent.

Mark Holbein asked for adults to help serve. 4-6 (depending on how many Sea Scouts volunteer)

Clean tables between guests. 2 young adults

Ice Cream scooper for dessert 2 young adults

Bartenders – set up on the grounds, not in parking lot 2-4 adults

Cork Pull – Wine raffle. These people will sell corks with #s on them. The number will correspond to a bottle of wine….everyone wins! 2 adults

Fishing Pond – sell a chance to net a fish to win a prize….everyone wins! This game is great for kids. 2 young adults

FGW Harbor Tour – Sell tickets to ride on the FGW (to the lighthouse and back) 5 trips throughout the night. 1-2 adults

Raffle or Silent Auction table – 2 -3 adults to encourage participation

Please email mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org to volunteer your support and benefit our educational programming! ~ Barbara Busch

Ship’s Keeper Apprentice Training Session on July 1 at 9:00 AM…

Youth ages 8-13 years old are invited to become Ship’s Keeper Apprentices. Apprentices assist the paid and volunteer crew aboard Friends Good Will each morning by swabbing the decks and preparing the vessel for sailing. They also assist in giving dockside tours aboard the vessel when she is in port. To sign up for the upcoming training or for more information, email mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org. Working as an Apprentice is an excellent opportunity for children to prepare for volunteering as crew when they reach 14 years old.

Front Desk/Museum Host Training Coming up…

Do you enjoy meeting new people, providing information about the Museum, answering the telephone, and ringing up purchases? If so, join us for one of our upcoming Front Desk/Museum Host Training Sessions offered on the following dates:

• Wednesday, June 17, from 9:00-11:00 AM
• Wednesday, June 24, from 6:00-8:00 PM

We will learn the user-friendly new point-of-sale system as well as discuss background information on Museum exhibits and programming. Please email mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org to sign up.

Ship’s Company in Demand!

The day sailing season will soon reach its peak, in the weeks of July and August. The trained, qualified crew of Friends Good Will is both needed and appreciated, so to fulfill the mission of the MMM. Please set aside time, once each week or more, to enjoy the sailing, the fellowship, the curious passengers and the natural beauty only found from the deck of a tall ship amid the waves and sunsets off South Haven.

Soon we will be knee deep in snow, so we may as well gather those moments and memories of summer together, with a well found ship, fully rigged and sailing fast off the pierhead!

E-mail Mary Stephens with what times you are available, or if you would prefer, take your chances and show up dockside. [Please note you are not guaranteed a crew position without emailing in advance. ~M.S.] The chances are we can use your talents and will be delighted to see you! ~ Jim Spurr

Upcoming Activities at the Museum:
Date: Event:

Wednesday, June 17, 9-11 AM Front Desk/Museum Host Training

Saturday, June 20, 10 AM-4 PM 28^th Annual Classic Boat Show

Wednesday, June 24, 6-8 PM Front Desk/Museum Host Training

Wednesday, July 1, 9:00-10:30 AM Ship’s Keeper Apprentice Training

For the good of the cause,

Mary Stephens

Education/Volunteer Coordinator

Michigan Maritime Museum

260 Dyckman Avenue

South Haven, MI 49090

269.637.8078

Michigan Maritime Musesum Annual Meeting Agenda

Michigan Maritime Museum Board Meeting
Friday, May 15, 2009 3:00 p.m.
Padnos Boat Shed
South Haven, Mi 49090

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the Agenda
3. Approval of the last Annual Meeting minutes of September 30, 2008
4. Report and Acceptance of the Nominating Committee
5. Election of new Directors
6. Acceptance of By-Law Revision
7. Committee Reports reviewing past 7 months
8. Members Comments
9. Adjourn

Nominee for Board of Directors
Jim Schneider

100 ton Great Lakes master. Able-bodied Seaman - Any Deck rating.
15 years experience in commercial shipping.
Volunteered at maritime museums since age 15.
Volunteered with the Northwest Michigan Maritime Museum and the "City of Milwaukee" museum ship. Work on and operate traditional boats.
Tall Ship Captain.
Knowledge of Wooden Boat Maintenance.

Notice of Michigan Maritime Museum Members Anual Meeting

The Michigan Maritime Museum Board of Trustees will be holding their annual membership meeting on May 15, 2009. The meeting will be held at the Padnos Boat Shed on the campus of the Michigan Maritime Museum at 2:00 in the afternoon. The purpose of this meeting is to conduct business in accordance with the By Laws of the Michigan Maritime Museum.
A preview of the agenda is available upon request by email to info@michiganmaritimemuseum.org

The Nominee for Board of Directors

Jim Schneider: Captain Jim Schneider has been leading the Michigan Maritime Museum's Sailing Program and serving as Captain of Friends Good Will since early 2005. He is the former Captain of the tall ship Manitou in Traverse City, and served in the U.S. Army Reserves, deployed to Iraq in 2006 and 2007.

Captain's Blog (Sea Date 4-7-2009)

Greetings Volunteers,

First I would like to thank all of you who attended the FGW work sessions this past weekend, we accomplished a lot!! The head rig is installed, the topmast is up, and the crowjack yard is up. (She's starting to look like a proper ship again!!) There is still a lot of work that needs to be done though. Zach and Megan shall be working on tensioning the rigging and seizing lines the rest of the week, anyone interested in assisting contact Mary to arrange times. Just a reminder there will be topman training this Thursday April 9th at 6pm in the Padnos. Also there is a work session again this Saturday April 11th where we shall continue rigging the ship, those of you able to attend either date please contact Mary so we can get an idea of the numbers. Thank you all once again and hope to see you soon!!

Fair Winds and Smooth Seas,
Captain M. Elder

Michigan Maritime Museum
Board of Trustees Meeting
March 20, 2009

Present: Barbara Busch, Bob Copping, Arlene Dickerson, Charlotte Giesler, Bob Hoppes, Gary Horton, Pete Mathews, Jim Spurr
Teleconference: Cleo Miller, Mike Winkel
Absent: David Bergman, Janice Varney, Jim Woodruff
Guests: Judy Schlaack, David Ludwig, Mary Stephens, Jim Schneider, Matt Elder, Rich Venner, Allen Dickerson, David Bugge, Dick Brunvand, Diane Schlanser

Vice President Pete Mathews called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. Gary Horton made a motion, supported by Barb Busch, to accept the February minutes. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Bob Hoppes reviewed three financial reports: (1) Statement of Revenue and Expenses, (2) a Department Summary [new report], and (3) the Balance Sheet [new report]. Although expected revenues were down, our expenses were reduced. We had two bequeaths and one major donation. Employee related expenses were down. Because of the restructure last fall Hoppes stated that a comparison of revenue and expenses will be more effective when we compare FY09 to FY10.

Motion by Dickerson, supported by Spurr, to accept the reports. Motion passed.

Captain Search Committee: Jim Spurr introduced the new ship’s captain, Matt Elder, to the board and gave some background history of his experience. Matt starts his duties on Monday, March 23rd.

Staff Reports:
David Ludwig: Store construction is on schedule. Michigan Works! has notified him that a source of labor, paid by the state, will be available June 6th. He will have a list of projects for them to do.
Mary Stephens: Zach Scholz has been hired for a temporary position as the interim administrative assistant. He will work until April 5th .
Judy Schlaack: Judy has been doing research in the mornings and working on labels for the small craft exhibit in the Akers gallery. All computers and software are up and running at the library. Leslie Bleil will do volunteer work at the library.

Standing Committee Reports:
Finance and Planning: Winkel reported that the committee is starting to think about a contingency plan.

Nominations: The nominations committee has recommended Jim Schneider to fill the unexpired vacancy through 2010. Motion by Bob Copping, supported by Jim Spurr, to have Schneider join the board. Motion passed. A slate of candidates for the board will be published in the Ship’s Lamp.

Library Collections & Facilities: Pete Mathews reported on the following:
1. Judy Schlaack’s hours. Request that Judy’s hours be increased to two days for the short term. Motion by Horton, supported by Hoppes, to increase her time. Motion passed.
2. Request to deaccession an empty Switlik Life raft canister that had been given to the museum. Depending on success, will look for a buyer, someplace to donate it, or throw it away. Motion by Spurr, supported by Horton, to deaccession it. Motion passed.
3. Fence project will require a permit from the city. Has quotes for 12-18 foot poles 8-10 inches in diameter which vary from $2200-$2800. Can buy 1 ½ inch nylon line for $1./ft. Has not found donors for materials yet but is still trying.

Friends Good Will: Spurr reported that the committee is looking for ways to diversify the revenue from FGW. Jim Schneider reported:
· MMM has a contract for the three day event at Port Washington August 17-19.
· A three day event at the Detroit Riverfest in June will bring in contract earnings pluss additional earnings from public sails. FGW will be out of port for two weeks for the trip. The plan is to set up a store on the dock to sell goods. The ship will be gone during Harborfest but the Wooden Boat Show will be held that weekend to fill the MMM campus.
· Exploring the possibility for a Canadian film company to use FGW for two days the beginning of May.

Membership: Arlene Dickerson will check the Keel Club list to verify the number of members. Membership renewal notices are being sent and she is trying to develop a way to recruit MMM members from boat slip rental boaters.

Retail Sales Committee: Rich Venner reported that the store will have a mid-May opening. He submitted his orders to Chris Sams and Jim Woodruff for revue. Approximately $15K will be needed to submit the order to 12-15 vendors. Will have $10K for products that are in demand. The committee will meet with Gwen DeBruyn and Sherry Getman for their participation.

Education Program Committee: Mary Stephens is working on recruiting volunteers for her docent program.



Ad Hoc Committee Reports:
Human Resources Committee: Miller reported that her choice for the administrative position rescinded their application to continue work at Whirlpool. She will have a recommendation in place by April 5th . Zach Scholz is filling the position on a temporary basis until then.

Communications and Marketing: Gary Horton reported that the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau are willing to share the cost of a billboard advertising South Haven. An image of FGW will be used with the location on I-94 near Stevensville. It will be lit until midnight.

Press releases are being timed so that they are not released in a cluster. This keeps the museum and its activities in the public awareness on a consistent basis.

Important Dates to Remember !

May 12th The Visitor’s Bureau will be hosting the area innkeepers and press. They will meet at 2 p.m. on the MMM campus for either a sail on the FGW or a kayak trip on the river. At 4 p.m. they will meet back at MMM for wine and cheese. This is an excellent opportunity for the museum to make contact with the innkeepers and provide them with brochures. Trustees attendance is encouraged.

May 21st MMM will be hosting the Chamber of Commerce After Business Hours. Dickerson and Busch will provide the appetizers. Suggested prizes for a drawing were: 1st – two tickets on FGW, 2nd – a one year membership, and 3rd a gift certificate to the museum store.

Articles for the Ship’s Lamp need to be emailed to Horton by April 15th.

In May of 2010, the S.H. Art Center will display museum artwork. Reproductions will be for sale there and the center will keep 30% of the profits.

Al Dickerson will contact Al Rupert about doing the museum display in Clementine’s window.

It was suggested that we use clubhouse bulletin boards at the boat docks for posters advertising our events.

The MMM should participate in the Fourth of July parade using either Little Belt or the Mackinaw. It’s free advertising for the museum.

Grants Committee:

Different possibilities were discussed about combining the Grants and Development Committee into one under the leadership of Varney and Copping for requests, grants, and donations. They would provide leadership. Development should be more structured and involve the whole board working together.

Dick Brunvand will get ideas from the business community on sponsorship of activities, the gallery opening, and a business sailing.

Old Business:

Summer Fund Raiser: Barb Busch discussed having a fish boil similar to last fall but with fund raising activities such as a raffle, silent auction, cork pull, etc. It would be held on Saturday, July 18th on the museum campus. The event is still in a pre-planning stage.

Classic Boat Show will be held on June 20th as part of the Harborfest festival. It will be headed by David Ludwig and Sandy Bryson.

New Business:

Annual Meeting: The annual meeting will be held on May 15th which is the scheduled date for the board meeting.

Requests must be made for donations of FGW complimentary tickets.

Visitors Comments: David Bugge stressed the importance of hiring an administrative assistant so that Mary Stephens could concentrate on the volunteer and educational programs. No other comments.

Motion by Horton, supported by Busch, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m.


Next meeting: Friday, April 17th, 2 p.m. on museum campus

(edited for public release Z.S.)

FOR SALE

We are currently selling a Switlik brand prototype container designed to hold life rafts (container only). Best offer, contact info@michiganmaritimemuseum.org