In a letter released to Maritime Society members President Gloria Craig outlined the difficulty of the situation:”We are challenged by the increasing gap between income and costs. The future of our Maritime Center requires we adapt and this adaptation will require the restructuring of our organization. Our staff has done their best to help us through difficult times but the restructuring will mean changes to the conditions of employment and a termination of the present positions which is regrettably necessary.”Craig goes on to reassure members that while the Center will be “closed” it will on the other hand remain “Open for Business in what has been the traditional way for many years, through the dedication of volunteers.”
Update: From President Gloria Craig
A General Meeting will be held February 26th, 2013 at 7 o’clock in the Maritime Center
Over this past month your Directors have been focused on the issues that will lead to our reopening in early March. We have done an internal audit of our organizational structure; we have examined the state of our finances; and we have designed a staffing model that will allow us to move forward. In the next few weeks we will be addressing a budget for the year. All of this will be shared with you at the General Meeting.
In addition to the organizational work, we have repaired the roof of the end pod, which failed in the last rainstorm pouring water into the main display area. We have started organizing our library room in the upper end pod where members will be able to enjoy the view while reviewing the vast collection of books, magazines, and historic documents. We have also repaired some equipment in the shop and re-established the safety features so that we’re ready to get working.
Volunteers are the mainstay of the Cowichan Bay Maritime Center. Many serve our organization behind the scenes and we thank them. Susan and Amy Weinberg collaborate and produce the Soundings. We look forward to the next edition in March. Chris Banner has generously kept our website in the past but has passed that mission to Glenn Terrell who has kindly accepted this responsibility as we go forward. We thank them both. Lou Kelly put his skill to work sewing sails and covers for the Halcyon. If you have a skill or interest that will serve the Center, we would like to hear from you.
Bob Weinberg is heading the Library Committee. He has completed much of the ‘grunt’ work and is looking for volunteers to help organize our vast collection. Bob is looking to furnish the room with lounge chairs and a carpet. If you have suitable furniture, time and interest to help, he would like to hear from you. Send an email to info@classicboats.org with library in the subject line.
We welcomed a number of new members over the past few months: Dennis, Janelle, Dave, Rodney, George, Bruce, Paul, Tom. We also renewed several memberships. Thank you.
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The Maritime Center has been under financial strain for some time, with the Center’s recent $450.000 expansion being seen as the primary cause.
