Sights & Frights begins tomorrow!

Transcription

1 October 18, 2012 Sights & Frights begins tomorrow! Mystic Seaport s Halloween event, Sights & Frights, features haunted fun for all ages! Performance nights are October and 26-27, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Visitors will be able to walk the decorated grounds of the Museum s village and encounter spooky locations and activities. Storytellers will tell tales of maritime misfortune, the schooner L.A. Dunton will be converted into a haunted ship, roving characters will entertain or frighten, and tradespeople in the shops will be manufacturing items of a creepy nature. Special family-friendly activities include mask-making, face-painting, temporary tattoos, free horse-andcarriage rides, and live music of a slightly sinister nature from the chantey staff. Children are encouraged to dress in costume and are invited to participate in a nightly parade at 7:30 p.m. New this year is a pumpkin patch filled with elaborately carved jack-o-lanterns and a free planetarium show, Whoo s Up in the Night Sky? Tickets are $13 ($12 for members) and are available for online purchase. Children ages three and under are admitted for free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event. Sights & Frights is sponsored in part by Citizens Bank.

2 Photo of the Week Nellie and a touch of fall Photo by Dennis Murphy Duty Officers Saturday, October 20 Sunday, October 21 Duty Officer: Caroleen Frey, radio Security: Gary Doerfler, x5310 Watch Captain: Liz Cole, radio Shipyard: Titch Kenney, x5341 Duty Officer: Jenny Doak, radio Security: Gary Doerfler, x5310 Watch Captain: Sarah Cahill, radio Shipyard: Titch Kenney, x5341 This Week from the Operations Committee October 17, 2012 The sink hole in front of the Navigational Instruments Shop has been repaired. The Mystic Pass (joint ticket with Mystic Aquarium) will end its sales season on October 31. Tickets that have already been purchased can be redeemed through March Roofing projects on the Main Heads, Security, Variety Store, Stone s Store, and Noyes Boathouse will begin in November.

3 Sights and Frights programming begins this weekend!!! Friday and Saturday night 6-9:30 p.m. Questions should be directed to Jenny Doak at ext or Jenny Doak Update on Staff Initiatives Work has continued apace on the initiatives outlined at the August 30 All-Staff meeting. Convene employee/management task force (4 month timeline) on improving communications Museum wide. Result: foundation for a communication strategy across all departments. Update: the Communications Task Force meets weekly and posts a weekly update on their progress in Staff Bulletin. Convene employee/management task force (2 month timeline) to thoroughly investigate alternative operating models 6-week winter period when the grounds are closed to visitors. Result: A full report along with relevant decisions will be completed before the end of October. Update: the Winter Operating Model Task Force has met five times, and this evening will present the report of their work to staff in the Interpretation, Visitor Services, and Education Departments. Working with departments across the Museum, the committee has created a winter work plan that identifies funded projects that pair institutional needs with individual skills. The task force will continue to meet to assess the plan and identify training and professional development priorities for these departments. Benchmarking: independent study of compensation and benefits across the institution. Result: After analysis of findings, findings will be shared and recommendations made for implementation with key milestones. Update: The Museum has selected a professional human resource consulting firm to conduct the compensation and benefits study that will review the institution s current compensation and benefits plan, conduct a needs/opportunities assessment, gather external benchmark data, and develop recommendations and an implementation strategy. The work will begin this month. Increase scope and capabilities of the HR Department. Result: Hire an additional HR person to focus on professional development, training and evaluation, and clarity of reporting lines and responsibilities.

4 Update: With feedback from colleagues in outdoor history museums and HR professionals, the job description has been refined to meet our institutional needs and best practices. The position will be posted this month. Continue next phase in search for a new Dir. of Interpretation. Result: focused leadership on departmental goals and objectives. Update: As reported in Staff Bulletin last week, staff member Tom Brillat has accepted the position of Director of Interpretation, effective October 29, Tom s office will be in Brustalon, though you will often find him out and about on the grounds. Congratulations, Tom! Jonathan Shay, now Director of Exhibitions, has moved his office to the Exhibitions Department area in the East end of the mill. Susan Funk Conduct regular department meetings Museum wide with open agenda and management participation. Result: more effective participatory communication and informed leadership. Update: This is an ongoing process-- Steve, Marcy and Susan have been attending meetings. Please contact your department director if you have suggestions for topics of interest. The Board of Trustees created a new committee. It was resolved that: Whereas, the Board of Trustees acknowledges the value and dedication of the Museum s workforce, it is resolved to establish a human resources committee of the Board to work actively with management and staff. September 22, 2012 This committee is currently being populated. The next board meeting will be in January, Communications Task Force Update The Communications Task Force met Wednesday, October 17. The team reviewed the final draft staff communications survey created by the Survey Sub Team. Notice will go out soon on how the survey will be delivered to all the staff. The brainstorming of internal communications methods and how to communicate with management more affectively was completed and will be organized for distribution. The interviews with other departments about what they use for communication tools is still ongoing. Mary Anne Stets and Alexandra Alpert International Maritime Heritage Conference On Friday, October 19, I will be the keynote speaker at the International Maritime Heritage Conference in Cardiff, Wales. As the only speaker from the United States, I will be joined by presenters from 11

5 other countries around the world, including South Africa, Croatia, Netherlands, Ireland, and Spain. Entitled, Resurgence: Riding the Wave of Success, the conference will examine how maritime heritage can be an economic driver in the 21st century. I ve been asked to address Mystic Seaport s evolution over its 82-year history as a significant driver of the overall Mystic brand. All expenses are covered by the conference organizers. Steve White Town Hall Meetings November 7 Marcy Withington and Steve White are offering two Town Hall Finance Meetings on Wednesday, November 7, in the Munson Room, at 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 4-5 p.m. The meeting will include a review of audited financials for FY 2012 and provide an opportunity for discussion and Q&A. Staff are welcome to submit questions in advance and these should be directed to Marcy at marcy.withington@mysticseaport.org Maureen Hennessey The Adventure Series Kicks Off with Sarah Everhart Skeels Pushing the Boundaries to Engage Life Tonight at 7:30 p.m. The River Room, Latitude 41⁰ This year s Adventure Series starts with Sarah Everhart Skeels from Tiverton, Rhode Island, who not only triumphs over adversity from a personal injury, but is also an elite athlete with a passion for sharing her love of sailing with other people with disabilities. Sarah sustained a spinal cord injury when she was riding her bicycle, was hit by a car, and has been paralyzed from the chest down and living life from a wheelchair for 22 years. Life doesn't end after disability; it just continues in a different way. Sarah has hand-cycled across the U.S., swum across the span of Newport Bridge, bare-boated in Guadeloupe and gone scuba diving in Bonaire. She is also a volunteer adaptive skiing instructor and an avid sailor. Sarah will discuss her adaptation to her disability, living life on her terms and how she came to these determinations, as well as how involvement with sports like skiing and sailing are empowering and pushing boundaries determines character. Staff and volunteers are welcome to the program at no charge. Please check in at the reception desk at Latitude 41. One complimentary ticket per staff or volunteer. We hope to see you there! The Membership Department

6 A Spectacular PILOTS Weekend On Saturday, October 13, 104 PILOTS from 9 states representing 49 cities and towns braved the morning chill and came to Mystic Seaport to work alongside Museum staff on a wide variety of projects. From the CRC to the Shipyard and Latitude 41⁰ to the Rope Walk, PILOTS were enthusiastic and hard at work. One of the most important aspects of the PILOTS program is the opportunity to become acquainted with the many talented staff members who look after Mystic Seaport. The PILOTS are grateful for the chance to work alongside this wonderful team and truly appreciate all of the work that is required to prepare for the weekend and to tidy up afterwards. On behalf of the PILOTS corps., Thank you Mystic Seaport for another spectacular weekend! (And very special thanks to Scott Noseworthy and the Shipyard staff for the quick installation of the heater for dinner. ) EveAnne Stouch Photo by Andy Price Advancement News Please join me in welcoming Claire Cram to the Advancement team. Claire comes to us from Saint Bernard s school where she worked in the Business Office as a Bookkeeper since Prior to that she was a Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant in a contracting business and an Administrative Assistant to the Principal of a high school in her native Maine. Claire attended the University of Maine-Portland in the Associate Program in Business Administration. She will train up for gift entry work where her familiarity with finance and bookkeeping will be a big plus.

7 Claire s office is located on the first floor of the Administration building (Clark Greenman House) and she can be reached at ext Chris Freeman Extreme Sailing October 31 Don t miss this special presentation by Ken Read, Skipper of Mar Mostro, on Wednesday, October 31, at 7 p.m. in the River Room at Latitude 41⁰. Ken will share his firsthand experience of racing around the world during two Volvo Ocean Races and describe the adversity and thrills of ocean racing in the world s fastest monhulls. His presentation will feature exclusive videos and photography. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and a portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit sail training programs on schooner Brilliant. For more information and tickets, visit Maureen Hennessey First Thursday Lecture Series November 1 The lecture series is privileged to present Mary K. Bercaw Edwards, renown Melville scholar and popular speaker, who will conduct the First Thursday Lecture on November 1. Mary K. is well-known on the college campus and lecture circuit for her extensive knowledge about Melville and the whaling industry, and she will present: Of Sailors and Cannibals: Herman Melville and Jack London in the South Pacific. Mary K. will discuss the ties between Melville s ship, the Acushnet, and the Charles W. Morgan, and she will answer any questions about Melville, London and Moby-Dick. This is another not-to-miss presentation by the Museum s outstanding squad leader and educational guru. There will be coffee and donuts at 8:30 a.m., with the lecture to follow at 9 a.m.. Location is the third

8 floor of the Stillman Building. All staff and volunteers are most welcome, but please reserve your space by calling the Volunteer Office at ext Rhoda Hopkins Root Flu Shot Clinic Wednesdays, November 7 and 14 A free flu shot clinic will be held for Mystic Seaport staff and volunteers. Staff from the Occupational Health Center of L&M Hospital will administer the shots. When: Wednesday, November 7, from 8-10 a.m. or Wednesday, November 14, from 8 10 a.m. Location: Lewis House (HR Office) Please complete the Flu Shot Request form below and return it to Human Resources before November 1. Please sign me up for a free flu shot on the following date: Wednesday, November 7 Wednesday, November 14 NAME Department Human Resources Around the Museum Congratulations to Tom Brillat, who has been named the new Director of Interpretation. Based upon his successful oversight of the Junior Volunteer Program last summer, and his efficient efforts as summer supervisor of Interpretation, he will be a great addition to this staff position. When you come upon the enormous talking pumpkin during Sights & Frights, try to imagine who the voice of the pumpkin is. His talent knows no bounds, and his love of children is an inspiration. Chris Freeman and the very talented and efficient EveAnne Stouch did it again. The 2012 fall session of PILOTS exceeded all expectations, and despite bitter cold weather on Saturday, was a total success. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all well-served and piping hot, bringing joy to the hard-working, frozen-fingered PILOTS. As always, the Rock of Ages played their way into hearts of everyone.

9 Bruce Foulke will be performing once again at the Shipyard Tavern at Latitude 41⁰ on Friday, October 19. If you get a chance, stop in and say hi. Rhoda Hopkins Root DYK? - You are at risk of an immediate assignment when you cross the threshold of the Volunteer Office. - Despite rumors to the contrary, the annual Community Carol Sing will be held on Sunday, December It is never too early to submit a nomination for the William C. Noyes Volunteer of the Year Award. - The Membership Office is undergoing a restoration by Facilities. Rhoda Hopkins Root Volunteer of the Week Stanley J. Wolczyk Jr. travels all the way from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Since 2007 he has come with his wife each summer to work with staff in the Shipyard doing whatever maintenance and/or project prescribed for his talents. Stanley is passionate about his relationship with the Museum, and devotes his annual time generously to whatever tasks assigned to him. It is the likes of Stanley that keeps the spirit of volunteerism alive and well. We offer praises and plaudits and much appreciation to this outstanding volunteer, and top his wife who shares his time with us. Rhoda Hopkins Root Obituary Mystic Seaport mourns the loss of W. Bruce Lockwood, a good friend of the Museum, who passed away on Thursday, October 11. He was 90 years old. He was an avid sailor, served as commodore of the Shennecossett Yacht Club, was on the board of the Ram Island Yacht Club and Off Soundings. Friends are invited to join the family at a celebration of Bruce s life at noon, Sunday, October 21, at the Shennecossett Yacht Club. Donations in his honor may be made to the Mystic Seaport Youth Training Program to purchase and name a Dyer Dhow in his memory. Send donations to Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, Connecticut,

10 Rhoda Hopkins Root Vice President for Advancement Major Gifts Officer Employment Opportunities Classifieds FOR SALE: For Sale: 60 loveseat woven, nubby fabric with Caribbean colors- beige, turquois AND coral - EXCELLENT condition. $150. If interested, please contact Marelda Hart at ext HELP WANTED: Seeking an outgoing, organized and reliable person to work as a breakfast room attendant. Hiring for two days per week, 6am -1pm. Must be able to work at least Saturday or Sunday. Individual must be comfortable greeting and interacting with guests. Knowledge of the area a plus! Housekeeping duties, light lifting and stairs are required. No phone calls please. Apply in person, The Whaler's Inn, 20 East Main Street, Mystic, CT FOR SALE: Sharp Carousel 1.5 microwave $45; Stainless steel Nutone hood with fan & lights (like new) $45; Pine easel and paint box combo $25. and Shark floor sweeper(used twice) $ FOR SALE: Yamaha Console Digital Piano Model YDP-223 in MINT condition. Comes with bench, proper cables, pedal board, and extra Yamaha headphones. Piano plays exactly like an upright acoustic piano with weighted keys, and has a number of simple and easy to use sound and recording functions built into it. Perfect for any level pianist, beginner or professional. Asking $700 but price is certainly negotiable for serious inquiries. Will deliver/setup/demo if needed! Please contact Dayne Rugh Please send your classified ad to staffbulletin@mysticseaport.org and it will run for two weeks unless otherwise notified. Thank you. 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.