Much has happened in these past few weeks; All of it in the Right Direction

 Yes! the Transition to Shipyard Project is still moving along. Sometimes it slows as obstacles, legal/procedural technicalities appear; some anticipated, some not. The number of moving parts required to be orchestrated seems to expand weekly. 

The remarkable thing is, at all levels, at this point starting the New Year, the effort is being driven by Volunteers-people at all levels who are stepping up. Some Volunteers, like Hank Hofford, late of the Board of Directors (first organized in 2015, but largely defunct since 2020), has leveraged his connections, and his past 18 years of lessons learned in association with the vessel,  to set strategic direction, and immediate/longer-term priorities.  His direction has focused the rest of us into the important and urgent tasks; 

- Creating a new legal organizational structure; a corporation to take ownership and house the 501(c)3 LLC to operate the vessel.  Hank Hofford took this on himself, leveraging past experience, organized a three-member Board of Directors to initially oversee... everything. Done.

- Creating a financial apparatus for collecting, managing, disbursing funds against a budget. Again, Hank reached into his background to partner with select financial institutions, creating the necessary accounts for deposits, management, and disbursement.  It's done.

- Developing a Business Plan sufficiently detailed to  convince potential donors and sponsors to invest the funds to sustain the schooner thru shipyard and beyond. Sam Gervais, Carin Bloom, and Adam Reed have combined talents to compile models, research best practices, evaluate alternative approaches, to produce a robust model.  The writing committee is preparing to present the draft for a detailed review with several other subject matter experts in the industry this week on Jan 7th.  Almost Done

- Managing the delicate process of Transferring legal ownership of Spirit of South Carolina into it's new organization, under a new Board of Directors and Staff.  This is the final hurdle that will release a significant donation, launching the shipyard project estimated to cost over $400k. It seems to be the most difficult.  The vessel is currently in arrears for a little over two months of rent, occupying shipyard space. That situation would be still more costly in dollars and time lost.  Still in Progress.

So, what is ahead of us, near-term?

FUNDRAISING:  The urgent and important task, is the raising of at least $30-thousand dollars to cover the back rent, and assuage the Shipyard to reopen the vessel to begin work. We're looking for sponsors, innovative, creative ways of raising awareness, and fundraising to support the schooner.  If you'd be interested in helping out, organizing, or just giving.  Please contact  Bryan Oliver, 314-409-0433

SHIPYARD LABOR: Identifying, and bringing aboard the Shipyard project management roles, as well as skilled tradesmen-Shipwrights, Electricians,  Diesel Mechanics, Riggers. Bryan, other old salt volunteers are out making calls and recruiting. If you have candidates in mind. contact Bryan

VOLUNTEERS:  Rebuilding a Volunteer Program once decayed thru inactivity over the past several months,  will not be depended on for the majority of manpower aboard for a wide number of projects both on decks and below.  If you candidates in mind, have them contact Bryan, See contact info in right column.