The Bulletin from Johnny Cake Hill, Summer 2013 - New Bedford ...

I like to joke that when Chair Janet Whitlacalled me on a winter’s evening in 2008 to askif I could step into an interim CEO capacitywith the transition following former presidentAnne Brengle’s departure, my main qualificationswere that I was a trustee and unemployed,having recently sold my business. The transitionwas made easier by the guidance fromboth Janet and Cal Siegal, and the outstandingsupport I received from the board and staff.By that fall we had hired our new president,James Russell. Mission accomplished.Or so I thought! In May 2009, Janet handedthe Chair’s baton to me. This was just the beginning.Our first challenge was to transitionour Board of Trustees from an operationalboard to a strategically oriented board, as somany trustees had stepped in to take on additionaladministrative responsibilities duringthe interregnum. This they did without hesitation,and we could now concentrate on themajor issues facing us: $2.1 million in longand short term debt, the annual threat oflosing our federal Department of Education(DoE) grant, and deferred building maintenance,plus making good on unfulfilledpromises such as the Bourne Building renovation and a decade oldprotocol with the Government of Portugal.I can report today, four years later, that we have made great stridesin all these areas. Most significantly we are debt free and financiallysound. I have signed a lot of checks at the Museum over the years,but the one on this May 2nd gave me the most pleasure. As of thatdate, we became a debt free organization and a decade of debt obligationshave been paid in full, saving the Museum over $700,000.Our DoE grant is also gone, along with its $900,000 annual allocation.It was a painful experience to “right the ship,” but the processmade us stronger. We learned how to make the organization focusJohn N. Garfield, Jr.ReflectionskThe stars have been in alignment these past four years. Our Museum has grown in stature andhas prospered. Its wealth and depth of collections, scholarship, exhibitions, education and outreachhas grown. As I hand over the chairmanship to Judge Armand Fernandes, I wish to convey my sincerethanks to and congratulate our entire museum community for four remarkable years.“ We have made great stridesthese past few years, and Iam proudto have taken part.Without the wisdom and leadershipof Board andseniormanagement, I am certainthis report would be quitedifferent.”on its core responsibilities. The staff in turnachieved a surplus in our budget for each ofthese four years, all while navigating throughone of our nation’s worst recessions. The changeis transformative — in 2009 we were receivingover 35% of our funding via governmentsources. Today, our budget is about the same,yet we have reduced that to less than 1%. Suchis the “new normal” for us and likely othernon-profit organizations.We have restored the magnificent BourneBuilding and model of the Lagoda, upgradingthe climate control system and adding severalsignificant exhibits in our most revered space.We also have dedicated the Azorean WhalemanGallery and the Cape Verdean MaritimeExhibition, underscoring the importance ofthese Old Dartmouth communities to ourmission. The newly conceived Wattles FamilyGallery graces the original 1903 Museumgallery and a new park commemorates CaptainPaul Cuffe.Structural changes aside, we are still a Museumthat needs to attract visitors and scholars. Weneed to be part of our community, not standapart from it. We aspire to be the cultural cornerstone of our area, butwe need to earn that title from every visitor who graces our doorway.Visitor services have seen a steady 100,000 people through the doorsfor each of the past four years.Perhaps appropriately, our education department has been the mostinnovative. Highlights include new and more interactive schoolprograms tailored to the curriculum requirements of the individualschool, class or student, our ground breaking Apprentice Programfor low income New Bedford High School students; and beginningthis summer, a one year rotating fellowship for advance degreegraduates in museum studies from Brown University.1 2 34 5 6This education program would wither were it not for the thousandsof hours our volunteers and docents contribute each year. Come insome morning to see how 200 3rd graders learn how a whaleshipnavigates its way around the world to fully appreciate the passion anddevotion of this Corps. They are the best!Our endowment is at an all-time high, though still well below whereit needs to be. We received re-accreditation from the American Allianceof Museums, a four star rating for sound museum managementfrom Charity Navigator, and unprecedented support from privatefunders who have been inspired to contribute.As I pass the baton to Armand, we pass along plans for the futuretoo. Our capital campaign has raised over $6 million towards a$10 million goal. The most tangible part of the campaign will be theconstruction of a “smart” Research Library and Education Center onthe Johnny Cake Hill campus, without incurring any new long termdebt or additional operating costs!We have made great strides these past few years, and I am proud tohave taken part. Without the wisdom and leadership of the Board andsenior management, I am certain this report would be quite different.We will have challenges ahead of us, but hidden in these challengesare great opportunities. It is therefore with supreme confidence thatwe ask Armand to take on the chairmanship. So, thank you to thecommunities of Old Dartmouth for supporting us so enthusiastically.Thank you to our staff for advancing our mission so effectively.Thank you to our volunteers for giving of their time so generously,and thank you to our Board of Trustees for making my time as Chairso interesting and so much fun…really!1. Presenting an award at the 2012 Moby Dick Marathon 2. John and Seth Garfield at theMuseum’s Bermuda Shorts and Knobbly Knees Fundraiser 3. John with Museum supportersJack Braitmayer and Gurdon B. Wattles 4. John and Museum Trustee Cile Hicks 5. John andMuseum President James Russell 6. John and his wife Tally at their home in Dartmouth.To honor John’s dedication and service to the Museum, theBoard of Trustees commissioned a custom ship model of the1767 merchant ship Dartmouth. This vessel was constructed forJoseph Rotch, who would become the foremost whaling merchantin the area, as the foundation of the whaling industry inthis town. The Dartmouth was employed in the transportingof whale oil to London, the principal market for oil at the end ofthe 18th century.The 1/4” = 1’ scale model will be built by professional marinemodel artist Richard Glanville under the oversight of MichaelWall, Director at the American Marine Model Gallery ofGloucester, MA.2bulletin | summer 2013For up-to-date calendar listings visit www.whalingmuseum.org3