The General Assembly Council (GAC) of the Presbyterian Church (USA) recently decided to continue to provide SJ(C?) with funds from the Christmas Joy Offering at least until March 2009. The following stipulations were added:
A) Sheldon Jackson College continue to meet and follow the standards and criteria set by the General Assembly Council for the Historically Presbyterian Racial Ethnic Institutions, including having a GAC representative serve in an ex-officio capacity on the school’s board of trustees.
B) Sheldon Jackson College report to each GAC meeting on the school’s status, plans and
progress, including a current financial report.
C) That at the September 2008 GAC meeting, Sheldon Jackson College provide as detailed a report a possible on it’s strategic plans for its transition.
In addition, the continuation of the disbursements will be reviewed in March 2009.
SJ(C?) submitted the following report to the GAC regarding the former college's status. Interestingly, the report states that SJ(C?) has received a $1.5 million dollar grant from the Department of Commerce. Does anyone know if this is still on the table?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
News Letter from Dan Goodness
Good morning, everyone!!
Much has happened here at the SJ Hatchery since the last newsletter went out, one month ago. Right after the week of Spring Break, the chums were ponded and transferred to a 20' X 40' netpen, since they had finally used up most of the yolk. At the last sampling, they were 0.65 grams per fish. The sunshine we have had for the past several days has begun to warm the water, and the fish are now eating furiously! As for the pinks, they also are eating "like pigs", and growing quickly now, almost as big as the chums. (Don't you just love the expression, "Eating like Pigs!!")
In addition, all the coho have hatched. It's an amazing sight to see 7,000 alevins wriggling in a Heath tray.
We have been feeding the Broodyear 2006 coho presmolts 3 times a week now, to get them to the 20 gram release size that we want. The chinook have smolted, and could be released anytime. But we will wait until May to release smolts.
In the past, during the late spring and summer, the Wetlab / Aquarium and the hatchery have been open to the public for tours, and outreach education. Large groups of local schoolchildren have come here for their final field trips each spring, and gazed into the touch tables, picking up and examining the starfish and other sea creatures on display. In addition, these kids have peered over the edge of the fiberglass Swede ponds, and watched the pink and chum salmon swim in circles, and eat the EWOS feed presented to them. In addition, during May, as the coho and chinook have reached their release size, visitors to Sitka, primarily from the cruise ships, have participated in the annual Releasing of the Smolts. I have begun to work on a tentative schedule for these events already.
Will things be normal this spring?? I hope so, and am doing what I can to make it so. I am attempting to get the collection permit from ADF&G current, so that we can collect marine animals again, for displaying this spring and summer in the Wetlab. I know how much it means, to so many people, to see the Sage Building "alive!" again. I want to help make things "normal" again, and I encourage anyone who wants to help me accomplish this to contact me. There's much to do now, to get things normal.
And then there was the meeting of April 1st and 2nd. The Final Report is attached. What an awesome event!! To be in that room, and sit among so many professionals, with such diversity of experience and background, and to listen to their expressions of support for the continuation of education and research; well, it was too good to be true, but it was true. I am so greatly encouraged, now that the meeting is over, to continue on with my quest to help "get things back to normal". Keeping this educational hatchery program going continues to be my ultimate goal.
Nothing is easy. It takes hard work to accomplish the near impossible. Having a Positive Mental Attitude makes the fight more endurable, if you will. It is now a matter of waiting, and planning, and hoping for the best to come about.
At this time, I want to thank the Sitka Sound Science Center for employing me for the past 4 months. Funding seems to have run out for continuing my contract. My last day with the SSSC is April 30th. At this time, I also want to thank the entities that provided monies to the SSSC to make my contract, and the continued operation of the hatchery, possible. NOAA Fisheries, the At-Sea Processors, and the Wells Fargo Friends of the Hatchery donation account funded the operation, making it possible for me to live, work, and stay in Sitka, employed in my chosen profession. All three of these funding sources were very key to "keeping the place going." At present, as you all now know, the SSSC is looking at other sources of funding. If $250,000 is awarded, wow, wouldn't that be something!!
What If the $250K doesn't happen? Well, my understanding is that the SSSC is working on other sources of funding besides the $250K. Let's all hope something wonderful happens.
On May 1st, it is my intention to unlock the gates to the hatchery grounds, and allow the public (this includes groups of schoolchildren!) to walk through the grounds, and see the fish. The SJ Hatchery grounds are becoming more and more like a park every day. There are benches to sit on, and the view is spectacular!! I have vowed to finish the broodyear, releasing pinks, chums, coho and chinook smolts, and I will do this, whatever it takes. I may be a volunteer on May 1st, but thanks to your donations, the hatchery program will not fail. There will be donation boxes at the entrances to the hatchery, once again giving visitors a chance to give to this most worthy cause. All donations will continue to go into the Friends of the Hatchery account. At present, the balance stands at $15,000!! $8,600 was transferred to the SSSC to assist them with funding the hatchery. One very large donation, for the amount of $10,000, was mailed directly to the bank. My understanding is that the donor wishes to remain anonymous, but the very generous donation is made "in memory of Molly Ahlgren".
What can I say? I am going to try to fulfill this person's wishes, and help make the Wetlab come "alive" again!
My very sincere thanks to everyone who has donated their time, and/or their dollars, and/or loaned equipment, and/or offered support, in one way or another. This group, the Friends, are very important to us. The entire City of Sitka has given so much, and I hope you can help me spread the word how grateful Lila and I are for your involvement.
Daniel F. Goodness, Manager
Sheldon Jackson Hatchery
834 Lincoln Street
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Office Phone: 907-747-3824
Home Phone: 907-747-3824
Email: daniel.goodness@gmail.com
Much has happened here at the SJ Hatchery since the last newsletter went out, one month ago. Right after the week of Spring Break, the chums were ponded and transferred to a 20' X 40' netpen, since they had finally used up most of the yolk. At the last sampling, they were 0.65 grams per fish. The sunshine we have had for the past several days has begun to warm the water, and the fish are now eating furiously! As for the pinks, they also are eating "like pigs", and growing quickly now, almost as big as the chums. (Don't you just love the expression, "Eating like Pigs!!")
In addition, all the coho have hatched. It's an amazing sight to see 7,000 alevins wriggling in a Heath tray.
We have been feeding the Broodyear 2006 coho presmolts 3 times a week now, to get them to the 20 gram release size that we want. The chinook have smolted, and could be released anytime. But we will wait until May to release smolts.
In the past, during the late spring and summer, the Wetlab / Aquarium and the hatchery have been open to the public for tours, and outreach education. Large groups of local schoolchildren have come here for their final field trips each spring, and gazed into the touch tables, picking up and examining the starfish and other sea creatures on display. In addition, these kids have peered over the edge of the fiberglass Swede ponds, and watched the pink and chum salmon swim in circles, and eat the EWOS feed presented to them. In addition, during May, as the coho and chinook have reached their release size, visitors to Sitka, primarily from the cruise ships, have participated in the annual Releasing of the Smolts. I have begun to work on a tentative schedule for these events already.
Will things be normal this spring?? I hope so, and am doing what I can to make it so. I am attempting to get the collection permit from ADF&G current, so that we can collect marine animals again, for displaying this spring and summer in the Wetlab. I know how much it means, to so many people, to see the Sage Building "alive!" again. I want to help make things "normal" again, and I encourage anyone who wants to help me accomplish this to contact me. There's much to do now, to get things normal.
And then there was the meeting of April 1st and 2nd. The Final Report is attached. What an awesome event!! To be in that room, and sit among so many professionals, with such diversity of experience and background, and to listen to their expressions of support for the continuation of education and research; well, it was too good to be true, but it was true. I am so greatly encouraged, now that the meeting is over, to continue on with my quest to help "get things back to normal". Keeping this educational hatchery program going continues to be my ultimate goal.
Nothing is easy. It takes hard work to accomplish the near impossible. Having a Positive Mental Attitude makes the fight more endurable, if you will. It is now a matter of waiting, and planning, and hoping for the best to come about.
At this time, I want to thank the Sitka Sound Science Center for employing me for the past 4 months. Funding seems to have run out for continuing my contract. My last day with the SSSC is April 30th. At this time, I also want to thank the entities that provided monies to the SSSC to make my contract, and the continued operation of the hatchery, possible. NOAA Fisheries, the At-Sea Processors, and the Wells Fargo Friends of the Hatchery donation account funded the operation, making it possible for me to live, work, and stay in Sitka, employed in my chosen profession. All three of these funding sources were very key to "keeping the place going." At present, as you all now know, the SSSC is looking at other sources of funding. If $250,000 is awarded, wow, wouldn't that be something!!
What If the $250K doesn't happen? Well, my understanding is that the SSSC is working on other sources of funding besides the $250K. Let's all hope something wonderful happens.
On May 1st, it is my intention to unlock the gates to the hatchery grounds, and allow the public (this includes groups of schoolchildren!) to walk through the grounds, and see the fish. The SJ Hatchery grounds are becoming more and more like a park every day. There are benches to sit on, and the view is spectacular!! I have vowed to finish the broodyear, releasing pinks, chums, coho and chinook smolts, and I will do this, whatever it takes. I may be a volunteer on May 1st, but thanks to your donations, the hatchery program will not fail. There will be donation boxes at the entrances to the hatchery, once again giving visitors a chance to give to this most worthy cause. All donations will continue to go into the Friends of the Hatchery account. At present, the balance stands at $15,000!! $8,600 was transferred to the SSSC to assist them with funding the hatchery. One very large donation, for the amount of $10,000, was mailed directly to the bank. My understanding is that the donor wishes to remain anonymous, but the very generous donation is made "in memory of Molly Ahlgren".
What can I say? I am going to try to fulfill this person's wishes, and help make the Wetlab come "alive" again!
My very sincere thanks to everyone who has donated their time, and/or their dollars, and/or loaned equipment, and/or offered support, in one way or another. This group, the Friends, are very important to us. The entire City of Sitka has given so much, and I hope you can help me spread the word how grateful Lila and I are for your involvement.
Daniel F. Goodness, Manager
Sheldon Jackson Hatchery
834 Lincoln Street
Sitka, Alaska 99835
Office Phone: 907-747-3824
Home Phone: 907-747-3824
Email: daniel.goodness@gmail.com
SJ Hatchery Collaboration Metting
Sheldon Jackson Hatchery Collaboration Meeting
April 1-2, 2008 Final Report
Purpose: The University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan campus organized and sponsored a collaborative meeting in Sitka on April 1 – 2, 2008 to explore potential future operation and functions of the Sheldon Jackson Hatchery facility.
The desired outcome of the day and a half meeting was to offer a thorough assessment of legitimate capacities, resources and interest(s) of participating organizations in SJ Hatchery operation, use & management.
Attendees: Representatives from a wide variety of agencies and organizations were present at the meeting. Please see Appendix A for attendance roster details.
Assessment of Capacities:
The group reviewed past capacity and was given a tour of the hatchery. The possibilities for the facility were discussed at length, both in small break out groups and as a whole. The general consensus was that the facility would be most effective as:
Education/Training facility
Production facility
Research facility
Within each of the three major categories, a wider variety of options were expressed for potential income, use, and staffing of the facility in best case scenarios. Appendix B outlines the full list of potential uses.
Assessment of Resources:
Financial
The issue of financial resources was a critical discussion during the entire meeting. Currently, the Sitka Sound Science Center (SSSC) organization has a short-term contract from Chilkat Services to run the hatchery. Chilkat Services represents Alaska Growth Capital (AGC is the primary debtor owned money by SJ College) and is coordinating the management of SJ assets and real property. SSSC, in turn, has contracted with Dan Goodness, former SJ hatchery manager, to maintain the current hatchery stock and manage the hatchery. All other uses, including the touch tanks/aquarium have ceased to operate.
The SSSC is a new 501(c)3 with a board of seven directors. Keith Cox, former SJ Science faculty chair, is acting SSSC Executive Director and is working for NOAA as a researcher. SSSC does not have a business plan developed for the continued operation of the hatchery. Currently, the board is limited in resources. There is some hope for funding from the State, but short-term stop-gap funding is scheduled to run out April 30, 2008.
One primary issue limiting the SSSC ability to seek funding sources is the continued uncertainty of Sheldon Jackson College debt, attachment of this debt to the hatchery and surrounding grounds and the commitment by the Board of Trustees to retain the hatchery and surrounding property.
Through the meeting process, Chilkat Services assured the group there is no intention of selling the hatchery or surrounding property. In addition, both the President of Sheldon Jackson
David Dobler and Board of Trustee Gary Paxton reasserted the college’s intention to keep the hatchery and facilitate uses of it that best suit the community.
With that noted, financial resources are critical to the continuation of the hatchery. Long-term areas of potential revenue included:
· Increase the number of Deep Creek Chum salmon on the permit as a way to increase revenue (10 million chum?) – can increase SJ revenue to about $150K/year, increase commercial harvest, increase NSRAA cost recovery – about 6 years to see return
· Make full use of the building to generate revenue – touch tanks, classes, services, gift shop, use of building as part of overall business plan
· Assess viability of a shellfish nursery – is the industry willing to pay?
· Fish Tag Lottery as fund raiser
· Consider membership fees in SSSC
· Power generation as a possible income source
· Assess costs associated with different species of salmon, raise the number of fish needed to maintain broodstock
· How to get return from sport fishermen – they contribute $30 million year to local economy but no contribution to the SJ Hatchery or NSRAA
· Contact State Revolving Loan Fund Program – request extension on outstanding debt (about $180K) and/or ask for additional loan.
· Consider an Economic Development Loan from City or asking for some of the head tax or fish box tax income
· Pursue state and federal requests
· Follow up on EDA $$ and pursue match for it (Alaska Growth Capital loan for match as a way to increase their assets?)
Management
Management of the hatchery was discussed at length. In addition to the hatchery, the Sage Building itself presents management challenges including, but not limited to, maintenance and repair, heating, public access and classroom rental or other usage.
The SSSC was seen as the de facto organization to continue management of the facility. The board needs some assistance, but in general, it was perceived by the group that the SSSC’s mission best matched that of the hatchery’s purpose. The permit for the hatchery remains with Sheldon Jackson College, but management can be delegated to anyone Sheldon Jackson deems appropriate.
The bigger issue is establishment of a long-term lease with Chilkat Services for the hatchery, Sage Building and surrounding property. Currently there is a 90-day lease with Chilkat Services. Key issues to resolve for management success included:
Long term lease with Chilkat for building/grounds/hatchery use
Long term commitment for Chum production with NSRAA
Strengthened SSSC organizational structure
Business plan for financial success
Seasoned management team to manage facility/grounds/hatchery
Interest(s):
The overall interest of participating organizations was strengthened over the course of the day and a half of meetings. The group generally agreed that major players including Sheldon Jackson, Chilkat Services, NSRAA, SSSC, and the community of Sitka were committed to keeping the hatchery operational and the Sage Building a functioning educational/training facility for fisheries/mariculture/aquaculture interests.
The group agreed that through concerted effort, the SSSC could forge partnerships with other organizations to provide a variety of services/functions/components to keep the hatchery functioning.
Some of these organizations included:
· Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG)
· National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
· City & Borough of Sitka
· University of Alaska
· Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association
· Education Consortium of Sitka
· Other non-profit organizations in Sitka
· High Schools in Sitka/Region
· Alaska Native Tribal Organizations
· Commercial/Sport Fishing Organizations
A full list of organizations and suggested partnership components are listed in Appendix C.
Recommendations & Next Steps:
At the conclusion of the meeting, the group agreed that with a determined effort on the part of the SSSC board of directors, the future of the Sheldon Jackson Hatchery has promise. To that end, the group offered a list of specific tasks, both short and long term, for SSSC to be successful in its endeavor to keep the hatchery producing. Recommendations were made by participants with 20 plus years of fisheries management, state agency management, educational and research experience with the goal for SSSC to be successful.
Immediate Short Term Steps:
1. Clarify Roles: Can Chilkat Services make a long term (10 years +) lease to SSSC? Is there any problem with SJ giving SSSC long term management authority to operate the hatchery/facility? (Gary Paxton, Keith Cox, Russ Thorpe will clarify and investigate that and have that information available to Board of Trustees meeting on May 1).
2. Board of SSSC meets on April 7th. At that time, SSSC should vote to add and diversify its board membership through recruitment of new members immediately. (Keith, Kitty)
The following individuals volunteered to join the board: Steve Reifenstuhl, NSRAA; Gary Paxton, Sitka Economic Dev Assoc; Bill Smoker, UAF Fisheries, UAF; Karen Schmitt, UAS Dean of School of Management and School of Career Education.
John Stein, City of Sitka was volunteered. Other names suggested included: Seafood Processors – Rick; Sitka Tribe – Director; Educational Consortium of Sitka – Karen; a tourism/charter representative. Commercial fishing rep – Eric Jordan? Cruise Ship rep? Recommended Ex-Officio members include: NOAA – Doug Mecum and Doug DeMaster should be recruited; Chilkat Services, Russ Thorpe; ADF&G; USFS; National Park Service.
3. Create a short needs statement & facility development proposal describing the management approach planned by the SSSC to make the hatchery a sustaining facility/resource for the City/Borough. (Keith, Dave and others)
4. A press release/media kit will be developed by UAS Ketchikan for SSSC use outlining the meeting and plans to move forward. SSSC will send out the information to the media before the May 1 Sheldon Jackson Board of Trustees meeting. (Cathy LeCompte, UAS Ketchikan Campus Director will have this developed, Keith will send it out).
5. The SSSC should ask the City of Sitka for financial assistance – particularly for these next few months. Provide the Council members with the short proposal mentioned above. (Russ will check on timeline to approach City; Gary and Keith will work on how/when to approach them).
Recommended Long Term Steps:
Develop a 10-year business plan for the hatchery, Sage Building and surrounding grounds. Contact UA Marine Advisory Program Business Specialist Glenn Haight for help with Business Plan development or ask Rasmuson for Tier 1 grant to develop Business Plan.
Make sure any outstanding debt is understood by all parties, how each is affected and how debt will be dealt with long term.
SSSC should pursue Board of Director training, possibly from the Foracker Group.
SSSC should hire a strong executive director/business manager/coordinator with proven experience and skills in creating partnerships and raising funds.
The SSSC should remain autonomous from Sheldon Jackson College/Foundation so they are able to apply for funding and build a program without concern by funders that SJ’s issues will be part of the SSSC.
April 1-2, 2008 Final Report
Purpose: The University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan campus organized and sponsored a collaborative meeting in Sitka on April 1 – 2, 2008 to explore potential future operation and functions of the Sheldon Jackson Hatchery facility.
The desired outcome of the day and a half meeting was to offer a thorough assessment of legitimate capacities, resources and interest(s) of participating organizations in SJ Hatchery operation, use & management.
Attendees: Representatives from a wide variety of agencies and organizations were present at the meeting. Please see Appendix A for attendance roster details.
Assessment of Capacities:
The group reviewed past capacity and was given a tour of the hatchery. The possibilities for the facility were discussed at length, both in small break out groups and as a whole. The general consensus was that the facility would be most effective as:
Education/Training facility
Production facility
Research facility
Within each of the three major categories, a wider variety of options were expressed for potential income, use, and staffing of the facility in best case scenarios. Appendix B outlines the full list of potential uses.
Assessment of Resources:
Financial
The issue of financial resources was a critical discussion during the entire meeting. Currently, the Sitka Sound Science Center (SSSC) organization has a short-term contract from Chilkat Services to run the hatchery. Chilkat Services represents Alaska Growth Capital (AGC is the primary debtor owned money by SJ College) and is coordinating the management of SJ assets and real property. SSSC, in turn, has contracted with Dan Goodness, former SJ hatchery manager, to maintain the current hatchery stock and manage the hatchery. All other uses, including the touch tanks/aquarium have ceased to operate.
The SSSC is a new 501(c)3 with a board of seven directors. Keith Cox, former SJ Science faculty chair, is acting SSSC Executive Director and is working for NOAA as a researcher. SSSC does not have a business plan developed for the continued operation of the hatchery. Currently, the board is limited in resources. There is some hope for funding from the State, but short-term stop-gap funding is scheduled to run out April 30, 2008.
One primary issue limiting the SSSC ability to seek funding sources is the continued uncertainty of Sheldon Jackson College debt, attachment of this debt to the hatchery and surrounding grounds and the commitment by the Board of Trustees to retain the hatchery and surrounding property.
Through the meeting process, Chilkat Services assured the group there is no intention of selling the hatchery or surrounding property. In addition, both the President of Sheldon Jackson
David Dobler and Board of Trustee Gary Paxton reasserted the college’s intention to keep the hatchery and facilitate uses of it that best suit the community.
With that noted, financial resources are critical to the continuation of the hatchery. Long-term areas of potential revenue included:
· Increase the number of Deep Creek Chum salmon on the permit as a way to increase revenue (10 million chum?) – can increase SJ revenue to about $150K/year, increase commercial harvest, increase NSRAA cost recovery – about 6 years to see return
· Make full use of the building to generate revenue – touch tanks, classes, services, gift shop, use of building as part of overall business plan
· Assess viability of a shellfish nursery – is the industry willing to pay?
· Fish Tag Lottery as fund raiser
· Consider membership fees in SSSC
· Power generation as a possible income source
· Assess costs associated with different species of salmon, raise the number of fish needed to maintain broodstock
· How to get return from sport fishermen – they contribute $30 million year to local economy but no contribution to the SJ Hatchery or NSRAA
· Contact State Revolving Loan Fund Program – request extension on outstanding debt (about $180K) and/or ask for additional loan.
· Consider an Economic Development Loan from City or asking for some of the head tax or fish box tax income
· Pursue state and federal requests
· Follow up on EDA $$ and pursue match for it (Alaska Growth Capital loan for match as a way to increase their assets?)
Management
Management of the hatchery was discussed at length. In addition to the hatchery, the Sage Building itself presents management challenges including, but not limited to, maintenance and repair, heating, public access and classroom rental or other usage.
The SSSC was seen as the de facto organization to continue management of the facility. The board needs some assistance, but in general, it was perceived by the group that the SSSC’s mission best matched that of the hatchery’s purpose. The permit for the hatchery remains with Sheldon Jackson College, but management can be delegated to anyone Sheldon Jackson deems appropriate.
The bigger issue is establishment of a long-term lease with Chilkat Services for the hatchery, Sage Building and surrounding property. Currently there is a 90-day lease with Chilkat Services. Key issues to resolve for management success included:
Long term lease with Chilkat for building/grounds/hatchery use
Long term commitment for Chum production with NSRAA
Strengthened SSSC organizational structure
Business plan for financial success
Seasoned management team to manage facility/grounds/hatchery
Interest(s):
The overall interest of participating organizations was strengthened over the course of the day and a half of meetings. The group generally agreed that major players including Sheldon Jackson, Chilkat Services, NSRAA, SSSC, and the community of Sitka were committed to keeping the hatchery operational and the Sage Building a functioning educational/training facility for fisheries/mariculture/aquaculture interests.
The group agreed that through concerted effort, the SSSC could forge partnerships with other organizations to provide a variety of services/functions/components to keep the hatchery functioning.
Some of these organizations included:
· Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG)
· National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
· City & Borough of Sitka
· University of Alaska
· Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association
· Education Consortium of Sitka
· Other non-profit organizations in Sitka
· High Schools in Sitka/Region
· Alaska Native Tribal Organizations
· Commercial/Sport Fishing Organizations
A full list of organizations and suggested partnership components are listed in Appendix C.
Recommendations & Next Steps:
At the conclusion of the meeting, the group agreed that with a determined effort on the part of the SSSC board of directors, the future of the Sheldon Jackson Hatchery has promise. To that end, the group offered a list of specific tasks, both short and long term, for SSSC to be successful in its endeavor to keep the hatchery producing. Recommendations were made by participants with 20 plus years of fisheries management, state agency management, educational and research experience with the goal for SSSC to be successful.
Immediate Short Term Steps:
1. Clarify Roles: Can Chilkat Services make a long term (10 years +) lease to SSSC? Is there any problem with SJ giving SSSC long term management authority to operate the hatchery/facility? (Gary Paxton, Keith Cox, Russ Thorpe will clarify and investigate that and have that information available to Board of Trustees meeting on May 1).
2. Board of SSSC meets on April 7th. At that time, SSSC should vote to add and diversify its board membership through recruitment of new members immediately. (Keith, Kitty)
The following individuals volunteered to join the board: Steve Reifenstuhl, NSRAA; Gary Paxton, Sitka Economic Dev Assoc; Bill Smoker, UAF Fisheries, UAF; Karen Schmitt, UAS Dean of School of Management and School of Career Education.
John Stein, City of Sitka was volunteered. Other names suggested included: Seafood Processors – Rick; Sitka Tribe – Director; Educational Consortium of Sitka – Karen; a tourism/charter representative. Commercial fishing rep – Eric Jordan? Cruise Ship rep? Recommended Ex-Officio members include: NOAA – Doug Mecum and Doug DeMaster should be recruited; Chilkat Services, Russ Thorpe; ADF&G; USFS; National Park Service.
3. Create a short needs statement & facility development proposal describing the management approach planned by the SSSC to make the hatchery a sustaining facility/resource for the City/Borough. (Keith, Dave and others)
4. A press release/media kit will be developed by UAS Ketchikan for SSSC use outlining the meeting and plans to move forward. SSSC will send out the information to the media before the May 1 Sheldon Jackson Board of Trustees meeting. (Cathy LeCompte, UAS Ketchikan Campus Director will have this developed, Keith will send it out).
5. The SSSC should ask the City of Sitka for financial assistance – particularly for these next few months. Provide the Council members with the short proposal mentioned above. (Russ will check on timeline to approach City; Gary and Keith will work on how/when to approach them).
Recommended Long Term Steps:
Develop a 10-year business plan for the hatchery, Sage Building and surrounding grounds. Contact UA Marine Advisory Program Business Specialist Glenn Haight for help with Business Plan development or ask Rasmuson for Tier 1 grant to develop Business Plan.
Make sure any outstanding debt is understood by all parties, how each is affected and how debt will be dealt with long term.
SSSC should pursue Board of Director training, possibly from the Foracker Group.
SSSC should hire a strong executive director/business manager/coordinator with proven experience and skills in creating partnerships and raising funds.
The SSSC should remain autonomous from Sheldon Jackson College/Foundation so they are able to apply for funding and build a program without concern by funders that SJ’s issues will be part of the SSSC.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sitka Sound Science Center to receive $250,000.00
The state legislature has approved a bill to provide the Sitka Sound Science Center with $250k to continue hatchery operations and grow the organization. The Sitka Sentinel reported on the story, and I'm in the process of posting it here.
Governor Palin could veto the bill, so let's let her know we support the funding.
Governor Palin could veto the bill, so let's let her know we support the funding.
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