Coalition to Save the SS United States Conference Call Overviews
March 5, 2009 - Since its launch, the Coalition to Save the SS United States has held two working conference calls. Below are the minutes of both.
24 February 2009: Eighteen participants joined in the February 24th CSSSUS conference call. After introductions participants agreed to develop a charter document, create a member contact list, and develop a timeline for action. Possible options for the Ship were discussed as well as possible legal implications. It was decided an Executive Board would be established and organized by structural area of committees. Participants discussed operating on four “fronts”: Legislative, Media, Business Development, and Direct Action. Participants discussed options for naming the Coalition: “Coalition to Save the SS United States”, “Long Live the SS United States”, and “Coalition to Rescue the SS United States”. Committee members will conference and develop preliminary plans to be reported at the March 3rd conference call. Prepare to take action!
03 March 2009: Twenty-seven participants joined in the March 3 CSSSUS conference call. After introductions of new coalition members, discussion covered choice of the official name “Coalition to Save the SS United States,” security issues surrounding publication of roster and minutes on a website to be determined. A Coalition timeline is in development along with finalization of the Coalition Charter. Committee structure and leadership was agreed upon; there will be four standing committees, Media and Communications, Legal and Governmental Affairs, Business Development, and Direct Action, with one member from each committee and member chosen at large to represent the Executive Board. The current blog website for the Coalition is: www.savethebigship.org. Details of committee actions will be discussed at next Board meeting.
Coalition is not an emerging 501(c)3 organization but, rather, exists to coordinate the efforts of existing organizations and individuals to achieve greatest results.
Next Board conference call will be 8 PM EST, Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
Reader Comments
Recliaming this ship for cruise or other paying uses is a perfect “shovel ready” project—–stimulus $$ could hire hundreds of workers to start exterior work within a couple weeks, while interior designers could work on one interior section at a time, and interior work could start within a month—-unless bureaucracy intrudes.
(I have designed and built retail store interiors as turnkey operations in fewer than six weeks)
And it might wind up with a profit to the taxpayers (like me)
My Friends,
You should most definately create a 501(c)3 corporation. This makes any and all donations tax exempt. Including the ship if NCL/Star Cruises so desires. If we wait for the government to bail us out, it would be tantamount to us being Al Bundy waiting for the pizza that will never show up. If we play our cards correctly, we might even be able to have the Navy tow her to New York. Or, if we can get the unions supporting this venture, perhaps they will assist us with thier guys and thier tugs. Anything we can do to get us as a legit tax exempt corporation lends creedence to us getting donations.
I want to help. Here is a copy of an email I sent to Ted this morning after he commented on the initial cost of the ship if someone were to buy it:
“So we know the initial cost, at least a range between 3 to 20 million.
How much does it cost per year to dock and maintain?
And lastly, how much has the conservancy raised?
Also, has there been any personal lobbying done with regards to Governor Rendell, members of Congress, etc. other than your website notice
urging that people send emails?
Is there a formal plan (I apologize if I overlooked it, I will go back and look over your website.) to hire a lobbyist and/or fundraiser? In my humble opinion, I think that is the first step.
Thanks for the quick response by the way.”
I saw the posts on this blog and I am glad committees are being organized. I still believe that a nationally known figure to spearhead this effort is needed to draw attention to our cause. Someone who can get media attention. In this day and age, when a guy can raise almost a billion dollars to be president, it should be looked upon as achievable to raise the first few million to buy and store this ship while other funds are being obtained. I bet we could do this in a couple months with the right person in charge. Who has contacted Bill Gates? Paul Allen? Celebrities? Tiger Woods? Don’t laugh, all we have to do is ask for donations! I tried contacting Clive Cussler without success. How about a list of names of wealthy people who donate money? What corporations are out there that we could approach? Could the statue of liberty restoration back in the 80’s serve as our model, when Lee Iaccoca was in charge of that project???
I sent emails to my local and state representatives in the Milwaukee Wisconsin area today, Senator Russ Feingold and Representative Paul Ryan. I am composing an editorial for our local newspaper, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel which I’ll send for their community edit page next Monday 3/16. I’ll post responses from Sen. Feingold and Rep. Ryan when I hear. Thanks to the Conservancy for its SOS campaign.