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Minutes of Public Meetings of the Plymouth 2020 Committee: 2009

MINUTES – Meeting of the Plymouth 400th Committee
Monday, November 30, 2009, at 7:00 pm in the offices of Plymouth Rock Studios, Cordage Park, North Plymouth

Committee members present: Peter Gomes, Chair; Kathy Babini, Jim Baker, Peg Baker, Ben Brewster, Tamson Burgess, Paul Cripps, David Kirkpatrick, John Mahoney, Gary Marks, Enzo Monti, Monica Mullin for Therese Murray, Patrick O’Brien, Paula Peters, Ed Santos, Ken Tavares.
Absent: Paul Bumpus (exc.), Tom Calter, Vinny deMacedo, Ellie Donovan, Rodney Randy Joseph, Butch Machado, John McDonagh.
Also present: Darcy Lee, fund-raising consultant for 2020 Starts Now Inc., Noel Le, Bobby Nolet, Sylvester Ryan, Marian Galvin, Paulette Landry and Anne Lynch.

Peter Gomes opened the meeting at 7:00 pm.
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written.
REPORT OF PETER GOMES
Peter Gomes reminded the Committee that they, and he, serve at the pleasure of the Board of Selectmen.  John Mahoney reported that the proposed new member of the Committee, Ellie Donovan, Executive Director of Plimoth Plantation, will be considered as part of the administrative matters at tomorrow night’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen.

Town Meeting vote: Peter Gomes was ailing and was not able to represent the Committee.  Ken Tavares spoke very ably in his stead.  With only one vote opposing, the Town voted overwhelming that the Plymouth 400th Committee receive $45,000.  Enzo appeared in support of the Warrant Article before the Board of Selectmen.  Peter thanked both Ken and Enzo for their services.  There followed a discussion of the next appropriate step in seeking funding for the Committee from the Town.  It was agreed that the Town should be supporting the committee on a regular basis and Darcy Lee advised a regular 3-prong approach of asking for support from the town, state and federal governments on an annual basis.  Given that the Committee has just received a hefty sum and that this is not a good fiscal year, but that funds may perhaps be available from the Visitor Services Board in the fall of 2010, the consensus was that the Committee consider asking for support annually in the fall of each year with further consideration as to whether those funds should come Town Meeting or the VSB.  Darcy Lee pointed out that we will have a better sense of what we need after the feasibility study is done.

November 7, 2009, event:  Peter Gomes was pleased by the wide range of people who attended and the generally favorable response.  Peter thanked those who helped make the event happen: Gen Jaeger, Jim Baker, Darcy Lee and Peg Baker.  Peter will send a thank-you letter to Gen Jaeger.  People at the event signed in and many gave specific areas of interest in which they would volunteer.  Those names and areas of interest were, almost immediately after the event, put into a spread sheet and a copy was sent to each committee member.
Not everyone, however, was pleased.  Peter Gomes received the following letter which will be written into the minutes.

From the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, 483 Great Neck Road, South PO Box 1048, Mashpee, MA 02649

“November 9, 2009

Rev. Peter Gomes
Chairman, Plymouth 400th Committee
Town of Plymouth
11 Lincoln Street
Plymouth, MA 02360

Dear Rev. Gomes,

As Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe I was honored to receive an invitation to the Plymouth 400th Committee gathering last weekend to initiate planning of events to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower in 2020.

While initially we may appear to be at cross purposes, this is not the first time that Native people have been asked to participate in such a significant anniversary of colonization.

In 2007, my fellow tribal leader Kenneth Adams, chief of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe of Virginia, embraced the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown as an opportunity to reconcile the past and reinforce the tribe’s political, cultural and historic significance into the future.  With regard to Plymouth’s 400th anniversary, I believe the Wampanoag not only have a cultural contribution to make, but also have a responsibility to assure our story is told honestly and respectfully in this process.

With that in mind, I attended the event along with my Tribal Council Treasurer, Mark Harding, John Peter, Executive Director of Indian Affairs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and your committee member, Paula Peters, also a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe who is very passionate about our history and surviving culture.

Each of us left greatly disappointed after hearing your remarks, which were more impactful for what was left out, than what was said and left me wondering about the sincerity of the invitation to participate.

We are not ‘all Pilgrims.’

Yet it was more than half an hour into your presentation before you uttered the word ‘indigenous’ and at no time did you use the word Wampanoag or acknowledge the present of leaders of a federally recognized tribe in the room.

While it is not our intention to throw a wet blanket on America’s Hometown celebration, the Wampanoag will not stand by and be marginalized.

It is my understanding that Ms. Peters has raised this issue before and despite her frustration is purposeful in her commitment to her role on your committee and determined to be a contributing member.

It is my hope that in bringing this to your attention, that work will take place to raise the level of sensitivity to the Wampanoag contribution to this chapter in history as you move forward with your planning.

This was something that was not lost on those planning the Jamestown anniversary who recognized and respected the Mattaponi tribe, developing a process that was both sincerely inclusive, and ultimate beneficial to the commemoration.

Sincerely,
Cedric Cromwell
Qaqeemasq (Running Bear)

cc:       Mark Harding, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council Treasurer
            John Peters, Executive Director, Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs
            Paula Peters, member, Plymouth 400th Committee
            Plymouth 400th Committee, Executive Committee
            Board of Selectmen, Town of Plymouth”

Peter Gomes asked the committee “How do we proceed from here?”  Peter’s intention in his remarks was to paint as broad a picture as possible.  Had he known there were Wampanoag dignitaries present, they would have been not only acknowledged but asked to speak.  The committee does not want to repeat the errors of the past when the Wampanoag were marginalized.  What is the best way to recognize that the event that is a celebration for some is not a joyful event for others?

Paula Peters noted that she is passionate about her heritage and sees herself as an ambassador for her tribe.  The purpose of her service on the Committee is to ensure that the tribe’s heritage and history is represented accurately and that the tribe is treated respectfully.  The Committee has always treated Paula respectfully but she is not sure that individual committee members fully understand her position.  She has had a conversation with Ken Adams who participated in the Jamestown commemoration and who had encountered similar issues.  She feels, and the Committee agreed, that this is a teachable moment.  It is important that it be recognized that these are federally recognized tribes and that the Wampanoag are not gone, they are here today.

Enzo Monti suggested that, although the 400th commemoration has always intended to deal with Plymouth’s history after 1620, it is equally important to deal with Plymouth (Patuxet) history before 1620 and that the history that is part of the commemoration should start well before 1620.  Ben Brewster agreed that many other groups beyond the Pilgrims should be included, both those “after” and those here “before.”

Paula said it was a fact, and important to remember, that there were two peoples here in 1620.  The arrival of the Pilgrims had an impact on the Wampanoag and some of that impact was negative.  We can move forward in a positive way but only if we recognize that impact.

Tamson Burgess pointed out that we have 10 years of possible events leading up to 2020 and during those 10 years we can build up an understanding of Plymouth/Patuxet pre-1620.  This would be a wonderful teaching opportunity.

Peter Gomes sees the indigenous story as key.  How is it going to be told and who needs to be incorporated into the planning?  Paula sees the question as not just how to tell the story but how to prepare people to listen.  The Jamestown commemoration had a subcommittee that focused on Native issues.  It was suggested that we invite Ken Adams to speak to this Committee.  Peter thinks it would be important to meet with Jamestown representatives.  This is a teachable moment and it could be a good one.  We have the will to do the right thing, we do need guidance.  Certainly, representatives of indigenous people, particularly those who represent sovereign nations, should be represented with other heads of state on august 1, 2020.  Peter does intend to respond to Mr. Cromwell in a constructive manner with the point being, as we proceed, how do we make things better.  He asked Paula to be rigorous in ensuring that he is aware of Native representatives.  Peter also sees an invitation to Mr. Adams as a priority; this is not an occasional issue but an ongoing important issue that we must all work at.

Darcy Lee asked Paula to send her the names of significant members of the Native community for her to interview for the feasibility study.

Paula noted that another positive factor, beyond education, is that multicultural events are a big draw for the public.  She appreciates the Committee’s attentiveness in listening to her concerns.

PRESENTATION BY FUND-RAISING CONSULTANT DARCY LEE
Grants: Two grant applications have been submitted by 2020 Starts Now Inc.  It is unlikely that we will receive an Entergy grant due to the incomplete 501c3 status.  The Massachusetts Cultural Council Adams Arts Grant will notify applicants at the end of January.  Because Darcy is unable to do fund-raising without the 501c3, she has had to adjust her contract.  Instead of pro bono grant writing, she is working (on a billable basis, as detailed in her contract) to carry out the feasibility study (originally scheduled to begin in January 2010).  She has conducted 15 interviews to date and is halfway through the interview process; more interviews are scheduled.

There are two outstanding issues – a local treasurer who can be an active participant and the 501c3 status.  Ken Tavares has agreed to pursue the 501c3 paperwork for 2020 Starts Now Inc.  Ed Santos agreed to serve as treasurer of the 501c3 (2020 Starts Now Inc.)

NEW PROJECT – Review of the 1995 plans for the Plymouth waterfront
This was postponed to the next meeting.

ONGOING PROJECT – Branding
Paula Peter, Branding Subcommittee Chair, reported that the Subcommittee (Paula Peters, David Kirkpatrick, Paul Cripps and Darcy Lee) has done a lot of hard work.  An RFP was written and amended, and sent out.  Responses were received from 28 firms with cost estimates ranging between $5000 and $50,000.  Paula approached those with the larger estimates and asked them, given the historical nature of the event, to reconsider and deeply discount their estimates, and they did so.  Five finalists were identified and then the field narrowed to three with cost estimates ranging between $10,000 and $25,000.  The Subcommittee would like to invite each of these firms to come to Plymouth for an interview and would also like the Committee to commit to spending up to $25,000 on the branding initiative.

The question was asked “What is branding?”  Paula replied that the purpose of branding is to develop an identity that will survive for over ten years, that is appealing and speaks to a broad audience.  This will involve a logo, a tagline and standards guide for font, color, space, etc.

Two different approaches were discussed – a subcommittee decision or a decision of the committee as a whole.  Paula pointed out that it is important to move ahead soon and that the decision being made was NOT on a brand for the event but on the choice of the design firm that will work with the Committee to create a brand.  Patrick O’Brien reminded the Committee that he must be notified of any subcommittee meetings, which must be open to the public, so that the meetings can be posted; also that all expenses are handled by 2020 Starts Now Inc. and not by the Plymouth 400th Committee.

It was moved and VOTED unanimously that it be the charge of the Branding Subcommittee to schedule and interview each of the three firms and to present a single recommended firm to the Committee at a whole.  It was noted that the Subcommittee meetings will be open to other member of the Plymouth 400th Committee and to the public.

ONGOING PROJECT – License Plate
David Kirkpatrick reported that the license plate was approved by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.  The November event garnered 150 names and the article in the OCM another 150 so we have reached 20% of the goal of 1500 names.  Jim Baker reported that the Massachusetts Mayflower Society is going to present the license plate to their membership.  Tamson Burgess will work with David to increase visibility.

OTHER ONGOING PROJECTS
Tamson Burgess is still looking for articles.

Jim Baker will meet with Fran Burnham about setting up a Speaker’s Bureau.

Kathy Babini reported that a template of a large sailing ship with questions has been created for use by the Plymouth second grades (32 teachers and 672 students) that coordinate with the second grade curriculum focus on families and local landmarks.  Peter Gomes suggested that a copy of LeBaron Russell Briggs’ poem be made available; Jim Baker will put it on the Committee’s Website.

Patrick O’Brien reported that the stamp awaits the branding initiative.

Gary Marks reported that an event that highlights the significance of religion and is inclusive as well will be difficult but possible.  An opening event could be centered on the theme of tolerance.  Gary has spoken with the Director of the Congregational Library and will also be writing to the UCC; he will rely on Peter to approach the Bishop of London.

Peggy Baker reported that the Massachusetts Mayflower Society will consider officially “sponsoring” a swearing-in ceremony in 2020 for 102 new citizens, if this has the blessing of the Plymouth 400th Committee.  It was agreed that this is a good thing.

Peggy Baker has received, through Patrick O’Brien, a proposal from a commercial company to produce commemorative ornaments.  Paula Peters said that the RFP for branding also resulted in several other proposals for souvenirs, etc.  Peggy Baker gave the proposal to Paula for future consideration.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Sylvester Ryan had three suggestions.  We should be approaching national companies and large philanthropists.  Peter Gomes should have an aide.  The Committee needs a calendar of events.  Peter suggested that Sylvester consult with Darcy Lee regarding fund-raising and, thanking Sylvester for his comments, mentioned that he has asked Ben Brewster and Ken Tavares to serve as co-vice chairs to assist Peter in his efforts.

NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting was set for January 25, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the offices of Plymouth Rock Studios, Cordage Park, North Plymouth.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Peggy Baker, Clerk