Forum Proceedings Compiled

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Mary Anne McQuillan

Executive Summary

Nearly 200 people from Ernestina’s diverse constituencies convened on Saturday, October 30, 2010 to discuss the future of the Schooner Ernestina. The overall sentiment was that Ernestina needs to be restored and sailing. Numerous people from as far as Newfoundland and Philadelphia – sailors, Cape Verdean-Americans, civic and business leaders, educators, maritime museum representatives, students – reiterated the idea that “something special happens” when you are aboard Ernestina; she is a “one-of-a-kind” historic ship that we cannot allow to deteriorate.

The answers were varied as to how to restore and subsequently use her, including (in approximate order of emphasis by Forum participants):

  1. Education (K-12, post-secondary, sail training and extracurricular)
  2. Special events, charters and other unique tourist experiences
  3. Tourism – museum
  4. Open, public restoration project in New Bedford
  5. Ambassador/goodwill ship

You can follow this link to the complete Compiled Proceedings

Next Steps

Many ideas regarding fundraising, marketing and strategic business planning were discussed at the Forum. To flesh out these ideas and develop an action plan, a working committee will be formed.  Any and all interested in working on the next steps of suggestions raised in the Forum should attend the first meeting of the committee:

Thursday, January 6, 2011 5:30 – 7:30

LOCATION – TBA (New Bedford)

RSVP by December 30th to sema@ernestina.org

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