~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At last night's meeting, the board approved the purchase of a new foretopmast staysail and upper topsail for Gazela.  The board also approved renewing the insurance policies with Great American, and proceding with the 2006 audit of the Guild accounts.

 

Chip Herr reported that he's received 5 resumes in the search for a Director of Institutional Advancement.  The ad is posted on Craigslist, LaSalle Non Profit Center, and the Cultural Alliance.  Eric Lorgus gave a brief update on the Baltimore trip which generated close to $2,000 and essentially broke even with expenses.  He'll have a report for next week's update. 

 

Ed Stemmler provided a status report for the Gazela Marine Committee.  This committee, consisting of Nick Horvath, Marcus Brandt, Jeff Huffenberger, John Brady, Scott Cointot, and Brian McNamara, are documenting the various needs and proposed projects to restore Gazela to ocean-going status at a variety of functional levels.  The topics range from re-topping the ship, to installing a new copper bottom, refastening the hull, converting the ship to either passenger carrying or sailing school capability, and other capital needs.  A general briefing has occured and two committee members have begun work on documenting projects.

 

Finally, Zach Stevenson and Donna Vito of the PR & Development committee presented their committee's work to date.  They talked about the process of creating a case statement which documents the Guild's mission and programs.  The purpose of the case statement identifies the compelling reasons for supporting our organization.  Once the statement is built, other processes lead to testing and developing campaign materials to generate funding.  Donna and Zach asked the Board for support in developing the vital strategic plan on which the case statement is based.

 

Nick Horvath, Ed Stemmler, Lynn Yonally, and two members yet to be designated from the PR & Development committee,  will take on this crucial planning work.