Message to Staff from Board Chairman Richard Vietor

Transcription

1 August 9, 2012 Dear Staff Members: Message to Staff from Board Chairman Richard Vietor Shortly, you will be voting on the question of union representation. Please take the time to reflect on this important decision. In the 83 years since our founding, Mystic Seaport has become the nation s leading maritime museum. This happened because we stayed faithful to our founder s intent to tell the story of our great country through maritime objects and artifacts. Staff, volunteers, and donors have created a unique partnership, thanks to a common passion for collecting, preservation, history, and education. We all work very hard to keep Mystic Seaport relevant in a fast-changing world. Recent years have been very challenging and the trustees are grateful for the exceptional job you have been doing during these difficult times. Adjusting to economic reality is painful and has resulted in some unpopular decisions. As a result of the recent employee meetings, you have now been clearly heard and understood. We believe that the best way to respond to these issues is an internal process without third party representation. The Trustees and I are optimistic about Mystic Seaport s future: the visitor experience is strong, the Charles W. Morgan restoration progresses daily, and we continue to present outstanding exhibits and programs as supported by our comprehensive collections. Let us keep that momentum and positive energy. Please consider the issues carefully. I encourage each of you to cast your secret ballot on August 17 th. Thank you, Richard R. Vietor All-Staff Meeting Wednesday, August 15

2 There will be an all-staff meeting with Steve White Wednesday, August 15, at 8 a.m. in the River Room at Latitude 41 Restaurant. Dan McFadden Union Election Friday, August 17 The election will be held in the Munson Room in the G.W. Blunt White Building on Friday, August 17. The polling times will be 7 to 10 a.m., and 2 to 6 p.m. Between now and August 17, we encourage everyone to seek answers to your questions and to become an educated and informed voter. Steve White Photo of the Week The Joseph Conrad and Mystic River at dusk Photo by Andy Price Duty Officers

3 Saturday, August 11 Sunday, August 12 Duty Officer: Sarah Cahill, radio Security: Gary Doerfler, x5310 Watch Captain: Liz Cole, radio Shipyard: Doug Butler, x5341 Duty Officer: Susan Funk, radio Security: Gary Doerfler, x5310 Watch Captain: Tom Brillat, radio Shipyard: Doug Butler, x5341 DO for Summer Music Sunday, August 12: Louisa Watrous This Week from the Operations Committee August 8, 2012 Both Necessity and Resolute will be used in weddings on Saturday. They will pick up and drop off the wedding parties at different locations on the Museum grounds. We had a discussion about the horses and how they fare in the heat. Visitors have concerns from time to time. They need to be reassured that Allegra Farm takes good care of the horses which are so important to their operation here. Marelda Hart Model Yacht Regatta Saturday and Sunday, August a.m. to 4 p.m. The Model Yacht Regatta returns to Mystic Seaport this weekend when the Museum hosts the East Coast 12 Meter Class Region 1 Championships. Last year the fleet swelled to 19 boats and as many are expected this year. The top five skippers in this event will earn an automatic seat at the 2012 National Championships in St Augustine, Florida, in November. The regatta will take place off the North Dock and promises to be an exciting event hosted by the Mystic River Radio Sailors (AMYA CLUB #39), and in association with the American Model Yachting Association. Shannon McKenzie Annual Mystic Seaport Staff Summer BBQ Thursday, August 16, at 5:30 p.m. Village Green Enjoy fun times with friends and family over fabulous food, delightful drinks, and the annual Golden Egg Beaters dessert contest (all desserts are welcome even if you prefer not to enter the dessert contest!).

4 Staff member plus one guest will be admitted for free. Children ages 10 and under also receive free admission to the picnic (please indicate children on the sign-up sheet). Admission for additional guests: $15 per person. Sign-up sheets are in each department or you can RSVP directly to Sharon Brouillard at ext or Please sign up prior to 5 p.m. Friday, August 10. Jenny Doak Intern Research Presentations Tuesday, August 14 5:30 pm, refreshments to follow Munson Room All Mystic Seaport staff are warmly invited to the end-of-summer project presentations by the 2012 summer interns. In this second in our series of talks by outsider researchers on all-things whales, whaleships, and whaling, interns Elizabeth Pente, Erin Niles, Lynda Blancato, Morgan Whampler, and Rebecca Merten will share the process and results of their work on Charles. W. Morgan-related school programs, audience studies, crew and collections research. Are you curious about what people in New London, New Bedford, and Boston want to see and do during the Morgan s visit? Do you want to know more about how the ship s crew changed over time? How can the museum share its whaling collections and stories with schools in Minnesota and beyond? Come hear the latest work done by the museum-studies interns during their 10-week program at Mystic Seaport this summer. All are welcome, but RSVPs would be appreciated so we have enough food: please contact Elysa Engelman at ext or elysa.engelman@mysticseaport.org Elysa Engelman Teacher Institute a Success! A huge thank you goes out to all those who helped with last week s teachers institute. In true it takes a village fashion, the best of Mystic Seaport was on display for the 16 teachers, including four from Minnesota, who were here for the four-day institute, From Whale Hunt to Whale Watch: The Changing Perceptions of Whales. From the securing of the funding by Elysa Engelman, Lisa Gilbert, and Claire Calabretta to the planning of content and logistics with Lisa, Elysa, and Barbara Jarnagin, to the background logistics of food, locations, housing, and materials by Michele Fritzen and Mary O Loughlin, to the scheduling gymnastics by Liz Cole, to the amazingly comprehensive and well laid-out bibliography

5 completed by Rich King and intern Becca Merten, to the inspiring welcoming words by Susan Funk, the fabulous (as usual) Morgan tour by Matthew Stackpole, to the incredible Williams-Mystic whaling panel (Glenn Gordinier, Rich King, Lisa Gilbert, Katy Robinson-Hall), the incomparable Don Sineti s Whales in Song, to a wonderful Planetarium show by Jeff Dunn followed by an excellent program at the Aquarium, to a productive whale watch (that one MN teacher called a spiritual experience ), to a wonderful hands-on experience in the print shop led by Mike Meyer and another excellent tour of the Morgan by Ryan O Connell and Hank Savin, to an eye-opening CRC tour by Krystal Rose, and capped off by a great presentation by Mike Graham, 10 th grade history teachers at the Morgan school (no relation!) in Clinton, CT, it was an all-around top-notch institute. A special thank-you to Lisa and Elysa for shouldering more of the logistical burden during the week of the institute than was originally planned. Sarah Cahill Visitor Feedback A recent visit to Mystic Seaport prompted visitor Sally M. Morris to send an of praise to the Museum. Here s an excerpt: I did spend several days at the Seaport last week and wanted to say how truly wonderful everything looks. I have been coming there since the 1950s, mostly with my grandfather, P.R. Mallory, and I am a Munson Institute grad as well as having worked in the Volunteer office with Jane Keener in the late '70s. I've seen many changes over the decades but I have never seen the Museum look as good as it does now. All the best, Sally Dan McFadden BJ s Promotion for Museum Staff and Volunteers Mystic Seaport employees, family and friends: Join or renew today and save! Already a member? It doesn t matter when you last renewed, 15 months will be added to your current expiration date. 1. Get $10 off our $50* Annual Membership Fee, Get $20 off our $100 Annual Rewards Membership Fee 2. FREE Additional 3 Months of Membership 3. FREE Second Membership Card for a household member This special offer is not valid online or at any BJ s Club location. Please contact Human Resources at ext for an application. Mark Dulin

6 Mystic Seaport Discount for OffCenterHarbor.com The website OffCenterHarbor.com just finished a new video featuring our Boathouse and rental fleet. Narrated by former Shipyard supervisor Maynard Bray, the video explains the qualities of many of our vessels and why you should come down and get out on the water! Members receive the Mystic Seaport discount on site membership, which will get you full access to all the videos and blogs (a $29 value before the discount). Dan McFadden Staff News - Making his debut as a First Thursday speaker, Jeffrey Dunn scored an unprecedented success with the scholarly group in attendance. His astute comments regarding the future plans for the Treworgy Planetarium impressed everyone. His enthusiasm was overwhelming, and his words were a smashing success. Next lecture will be on Thursday, September, 6. All staff members and volunteers are welcome Coffee and donuts at 8:30 a.m., the presentation to follow at 9 a.m. - Hallie Payne came forth to praise her staff and volunteers, calling them superb. She said that she was pleased as punch, and she even spoke kindly of her son, Jordon, saying that he has grown in stature because of the new relationships he has formed at Mystic Seaport, and in the various waterfront activities. Among the recipients of her praises were Eric Fast, Henry Levinson and Alida Roorda. - Libby Brannick, Visitor Services Coordinator at the VRC, reports upon Leah Beth. Libby says, She continues to do a great job on her own at all three stations, ( info desk, navigation station and Ask Me). Leah Beth is the outstanding new staff member who brings warm welcome to visitors and staff alike. - Observing multitudes of little children playing on the boats in the playscape is a joy. The talent of our Museum teachers is never-ending, and the rapport they share with the little ones is impressive. Rhoda Hopkins Root Volunteer of the Week Former Junior Volunteer, then staff, and now adult Volunteer of the Week, Duncan Grimm from Noank, came to Mystic Seaport in June of He immediately found his place in the Boathouse, and by

7 September he had become junior volunteer of the week. His proficiency in the boating and sailing venues stood him well, and by the 2011 season he was appointed to be on staff as a Boathouse supervisor. Duncan s astute approach and business-like demeanor became very apparent during his tenure. He is a winning sailor, and member of the Ram Island Yacht Club. This season, given the restraints of his school year, he returned to the Boathouse as a volunteer, working hard to be of assistance to manager Kurt Carlson, and new staff member drew Elmore. Mystic Seaport, and especially the Boathouse crew, express appreciation and many thanks to Duncan for his loyalty and dedication to the Museum. Rhoda Hopkins Root Employment Opportunities Director of Interpretation Sabino Deckhand Classifieds Room Available: First-floor bedroom with hardwood floor, two windows, double bed, dresser, desk, large closet. Quiet street. Deck and garden. Gas hearth in LR. Ping-pong table in basement. Fifteenminute walk from Mystic drawbridge. Hiking trails across the street. Shared kitchen, LR, den, laundry, bath. Non-smoking. Wireless internet (no cable TV). $525/mo includes utilities. Have had a number of wonderful tenants in the past three years. Call Katrina Bercaw Housing Needed: Furnished apartment needed in the Mystic area for staff person at Treworgy Planetarium. I learned that my current apartment is for accessory use only, and not to be used as a permanent dwelling. I must move out of my current apartment by 30 Nov Please contact Bruce Levine at , or at bruce.levine@mysticseaport.org Moving, Must Sell: 8 Walker Bay dinghy, varnished wooden oars: $400, 2 sleeping bags: $ 30, Dry bar: $ 50. Please call Please send your classified ad to staffbulletin@mysticseaport.org and it will run for two weeks unless otherwise notified. Thank you. Staff Bulletin submissions and updates/additions: Please send all submissions and updates to staffbulletin@mysticseaport.org. Deadline for submissions is end of day Wednesday. Thank you.