VOLUNTEER CONNECTION

Calling All Hands!!!
Captain Matthew invites the Ship's Company one and all to join us in rigging Friends Good Will. Newly updated dates and times are as follows:

Wed., April 1 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Remove the winter cover
Sat., April 4 9:00 AM-5:00 pm Rigging: head rig
Sun., April 5 9:00 AM-5:00 pm Rigging: top mast
Sat., April 11 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Rigging Work Day
Sat., April 18 9:00 AM-5:00 pm Rigging: yards
Sun., April 19 9:00 AM-5:00 pm Rigging: boom, gaff, mainsail
Sat., April 25 9:00 AM-5:00 pm Rigging: fine tuning
Sun., April 26 9:00 AM-5:00 pm Rigging: fine tuning

It is important that everyone who would like to help rig the vessel please sign up for each work session by emailing mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org to assist in planning and coordinating activities.

If you are only able to attend for part of the rigging session, please come in the morning at 9:00 AM.

Ship's Company Crew
It is necessary that Ship's Company crew have the following items on file with the Museum before crewing aboard Friends Good Will:
Ship's Company Application with signed release
2009 Michigan Charter Boat Association Membership card
Current CPR card
Current First Aid card

It is also necessary to attend Sail Training Classes, which are offered throughout the spring and summer. If you have any questions, please email mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org for more information.

Upcoming Activities at the Museum:

Date: Event:
Wed., April 1, 8-5 FGW Cover Removed
Wed., April 1, 3:30-5 Volunteer Docent Orientation*
Sat., April 4, 9-5 FGW Rigging Work Day*
Sun., April 5, 9-5 FGW Rigging Work Day*

For the Good of the Cause, Mary Stephens Interim Education/Volunteer Coordinator Michigan Maritime Museum *Please email mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org to sign up.

Thank you!

Coast Guard Boathouse Clean-up Day

Help us clean off the winter grime and give the brass a shine!

Where: Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven
When: April 18th 2009
9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Rain or shine, lunch will be provided!

For more info:
Call: 269-637-8078 or 800-747-3810
E-mail: info@michiganmaritimemuseum.org

On The Web: http://www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org/

Captain's Blog (Sea Date 03-24-2009) ;)

Greetings from Friends Good Will :)

I am Matthew Elder: Master and Commander of Friends Good Will ( get it? Friends Good Will- involved in the war of 1812!!!). I am looking forward to the new season here at Michigan Maritime Museum, and aboard our vessel: Friends Good Will (FGW for short). A vital ingredient to our success this season and beyond, is YOU ! Our members and volunteers here at Michigan Maritime Museum (MMM for short). All this "short" stuff saves on typing, which is good :) I am looking forward to getting to know everyone, and working together. I will keep you informed of all that is going on, so that you will have an ample opportunity to be a part of all that you are interested in. The more, the merrier!!

Fair Winds and Smooth Seas,
Captain M. Elder

*Volunteer Docent Training at Maritime Museum *

Would you like to experience the life of an early 19th century Great Lakes sailor sailing aboard the replica tall ship Friends Good Will? Do you want to tell the dramatic story of this remarkable sailing vessel when the British ruled the Great Lakes and America was a young nation, vying for independence? Are you interested in learning fascinating stories of the natural and cultural history of Michigan’s Great Lakes?

If you would like to enhance the experience of Maritime Museum visitors, make new friends, learn new things, teach people and share knowledge, have fun, and make a difference…become a Museum docent.

What is a docent? The Michigan Maritime Museum defines a docent as a person with an inquisitive mind who is interested in helping others understand and appreciate the beauty of our natural, cultural, and historic maritime resources. Docents are people who give of themselves and their time to do something in relation to a cause in which they believe; people who are ready to help where help is needed; and people who are ready to serve where service is wanted. Docents are vital to the Michigan Maritime Museum, for without them, the Museum would be unable to provide all the services our community enjoys and deserves.

Men, women, and youth are invited to become docent tour guides for the various Museum exhibits. Training is provided which covers the history of the Museum, the historic tall ship Friends Good Will, the Great Lakes commercial fishing tug Evelyn S., United States Coast Guard rescue vessels, content and stories of exhibit galleries, and basic interpretative techniques for conducting group tours. New volunteers can select the program area(s) they would like to specialize in as a docent and receive personalized coaching. Upon successful completion of the Docent Training Course, volunteers will have the skills to tell captivating stories of the Great Lakes while helping to preserve our maritime heritage.

The Docent Training Course is offered each spring, with continuing
education provided year-round. Docents are asked to volunteer a minimum of eight hours per month; with the busiest months being May through early June and September through early October.

Being a docent may very well be one of the most satisfying and rewarding experiences in life. Docents are respected and appreciated, and the Michigan Maritime Museum is deeply grateful for their commitment, professionalism, and integrity.

The 2009 Spring Docent Training Orientation will be held at the Maritime Museum on April 1 from 3:30 -5:00. For more information or to register, please contact Mary Stephens, Interim Education/Volunteer Coordinator, at 269.637.8078 or
mstephens@michiganmaritimemuseum.org