Plymouth's 400th Anniversary

Minutes of Public Meetings of the Plymouth 2020 Committee: 2009

Meeting of the Plymouth 400th Committee
Monday, March 23, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Plymouth Town Hall

Present: Peter Gomes, chair; Kathy Babini, Jim Baker, Peg Baker, Paul Bumpus, Betty DeBenedictis for Tom Calter, Rodney Randy Joseph, Gary Marks, John McDonagh, Monica Mullin for Terry Murray, Ken Tavares; Patrick O’Brien.
Absent: Tamson Burgess, Paul Cripps, Vinny deMacedo, Paula Peters.

The minutes for the meeting of February 23, 2009, were approved with the correction that 2020 is the 100th (not 400th) anniversary of female suffrage in America. The minutes of the committee will be posted on the committee’s Website at plymouthma400.com

Ken Tavares reported that the 4 new members suggested by the committee with 1 addition were approved by the Plymouth Board of Selectmen. The new committee members are Ben Brewster, Enzo Monti, Ed Santos and David Kirkpatrick with the addition of Butch Machado. Peter Gomes will be in touch with each of these new members. Peter has not yet made contact with the proposed honorary members of the committee, John Talcott Junior and Brian Alosi.

Peter proposed and the assembled committee agreed that the Executive Committee would continue as before (Peter Gomes, Ken Tavares, Patrick O’Brien, Jim Baker and Peg Baker) with the possible additions of Ben Brewster and Enzo Monti.

Peter raised the ongoing issues of staff and funding. Both are essential to the success of this endeavor. One preliminary step might be the writing and submission of a planning grant. Darcy Lee, formerly Campaign Director for the successful Campaign for Pilgrim Hall Museum, has volunteered her services pro bono to investigate and write some preliminary grant proposals, with the understanding that her services would continue with a salary when funding allows. The committee approved moving forward with this; Peter Gomes will speak to Darcy Lee.

ASSIGNMENTS & FORMATION OF SUBCOMMITTEES
501 C3: John McDonagh reported that an attorney from the Boston law firm of Goodwin & Proctor has agreed to work pro bono on the paperwork for establishing a 501 c3. John will continue to pursue this status for the committee.

Infrastructure Subcommittee: One focus of this committee will be the revitalization of Plymouth’s waterfront. Monica Mullin agreed to work with the DCR on Pilgrim Park.

Funding Subcommittee: Suggested members of this subcommittee are Ed Santos and Vinny deMacedo. Peter will contact Ed and Vinny regarding this task. If Vinny has a conflict with serving on such a group, John McDonagh has volunteered to serve. Ken Tavares will ask the acting Town Manager to include a small amount for the committee as a line item in the new town budget (reporting to Town Meeting probably does not have to occur until fall).

Monica Mullin reported that the committee could move forward on a license plate once the 501 c3 status is obtained. There would have to be a list of 1500 people willing to buy such a plate; a design would be needed but there are many state guidelines that also need to be followed. A $100,000 bond is required until the 1500 plates are sold; PIDC could perhaps fund such a bond. The fee to buy a special license plate is, at the moment, $40.

Historic Calendar Subcommittee: Peter asked Jim Baker to chair, to establish the master calendar of historic dates. Gary Marks will serve on this subcommittee with Jim.

Publicity/News Subcommittee: Peter thinks that Tamson Burgess’ idea of a news blitz is very good. Paul Bumpus showed an article in the March Mayflower Quarterly noting the formation of the 2020 committee; Paul will write an article as a “Call for Celebration” for the June issue, and items of interest coming from the committee will hopefully be presented in every MQ moving forward. Tamson and Paul will be asked to be members of this subcommittee.

John McDonagh suggested a photo documentation project to span from now until 2020. Peter will ask Tamson Burgess to spearhead this initiative and to invite Wes Ennis and Paul McAlduff to participate. A book could result. Jim Baker pointed out that we want not only online reporting but also printed materials as a final result.

Other subcommittees (stamps, coin, Mayflower II, etc.): will need to be formed. There might be stamp and coin enthusiasts who would welcome the opportunity to participate. Patrick O’Brien will speak to Delahunt’s office regarding the stamp; he will also talk to Delahunt’s office about an official mechanism for getting a flag from each state; Ken Tavares suggested that they could be displayed at Town Hall when not being used for official events.

Schools/Education Subcommittee: Kathy Babini will chair; she has received indications of interest from several retired teachers. She noted that the current first grade class will be the graduating class in 2020. Some suggestions for this particular class are a time capsule and a series of learning opportunities designated for each year, tied to the social studies curriculum (1st grade – why is Plymouth special; 2nd grade – creating a family tree; 3rd grade – interesting people who live or have lived in Plymouth; 4th grade – landmarks in Plymouth; 5th grade – Thanksgiving, etc. Each child would then have an entire portfolio by 2020. There also need to be district-wide initiatives and 2010, as”10 years out,” would be a good starting place.

Peter Gomes said he would be willing to visit the schools to speak, as appropriate.

The Pilgrim Society intends to continue its Forefathers Teen Essay Contest with a 2020 theme.

Kathy noted that, perhaps in 2014, the National Council on Social Studies will be meeting in Boston. This would be a great opportunity to connect with educators from around the country. Kathy will confirm the date for the meeting.

Parade & Festivities Subcommittee: Peter asked Ken Tavares to consider chairing this subcommittee. In the beginning, 2020 should be tied in with the 4th of July parade and the Thanksgiving parade. It should – in 2020 or 2021 – have its own parade as well.

John McDonagh will carry through the idea of possibly participating in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, held on the mall in 2020, as part of the kick-off of the celebrations.

“Departure Day” services were held many years ago, when daughter churches would gather. 2020 needs an ecumenical celebration of some sort. Gary Marks wants all religions included, while still emphasizing the contributions of the New England churches, from the original covenant to abolitionism, etc. Peter would like a two-fold exercise: an intellectual approach, through lectures or a symposium, and an inclusive religious/spiritual ceremony. Peter suggested that Gary identify church groups that might be interested in gathering in Plymouth. Gary suggested that the celebration incorporate conciliation or healing ceremony; Rodney Joseph and other committee members know of examples where this has been done well.

National groups, particularly those with chapters in Plymouth, should be invited to schedule meetings and events in Plymouth in 2020/2021. Approaches to these groups needs to begin immediately. The inventory of hotel rooms might be an issue; Paul Cripps will be asked to survey the situation and provide a report to the committee. The committee must consider questions such as: How do we develop an interest? What do we want to happen? Who do we want to come? How can they be encouraged? In addition, artists and musicians and other creative spirits need to be involved. Ken Tavares suggested that an annual lecture by a nationally known speaker, perhaps held in November at Memorial Hall. Peter Gomes asked the committee to remember that we need to balance the needs of Plymoutheans with the needs of the rest of the world in forming this celebration and that we want all constituencies to participate. One way of doing this might be to having meetings with the Plymouth representatives of groups with larger constituencies – veterans groups, service groups, League of Women Voters, etc.

Rodney Joseph noted that we need an overriding theme to catch people’s interest. One strong theme would be “democracy,” beginning with Plymouth as the hometown of democracy and taking it through to the issues of freedom and democracy that resonate with Americans of today. This concept is an important one for the Publicity/News Subcommittee as well; Rodney will work with Tamson Burgess on this.

Peter Gomes noted that there are tensions inherent in a bicultural event such as 2020 that we must face. Rodney saw a great example in the 1920 raising of the statue of Massasoit on Coles Hill. Rodney also said that it was important to invite people to have a say. Peter Gomes agreed, noting that this committee was not going to attempt to ignore the tensions but rather to make an honest effort to deal with them in a transparent manner. The committee as a whole agreed that it was very important to address this issue.

Another overriding theme that should be brought into play for the 2020 celebration is that of “immigration.” Plymouth is a microcosm of American history in incorporating not only the earliest immigration of English Pilgrims but succeeding waves of immigrants from all over the world. Peter noted that the Samuel Eliot Morison quote that the Pilgrims have “in some measure become the spiritual ancestors of all Americans” applies here.

Another question: Who do we invite to these celebrations? The reigning sovereigns of England and The Netherlands, and the sitting President, yes, but who else? This sort of outreach could be greatly helped by the appointment of the state 2020 Commission. Monica Mullin will be speaking to the governor’s staff and will do her best to move things along; she noted that the delay is not unique to this committee. Monica will also convey the message that not all the committee members need to be appointed at once, that a beginning must be made.

It was noted that the committees, as discussed at this meeting, need to be further defined. Then volunteers can be recruited from among those who expressed an interest. It was suggested that the subcommittee chairs devise a mission and scope for their particular committee, defining their task, and then bring this to the next committee meeting for discussion to ensure that there are no overlaps or gaps.

GOALS FOR NEXT MEETING ON APRIL 20
By that meeting, each committee member should come up with a list of agencies or groups that should be invited to be involved.
By that meeting, we should have movement from the governor.
By that meeting, bylaws for the 501 c3 should be drafted.
Ken Tavares has set a personal goal of finding temporary office space for the committee.

INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS
A meeting was held at the British Consulate on Wednesday, March 18. Phil Budden, British Consul General, having successfully initiated significant international contacts is now turning the ongoing effort over to this committee. The minutes of this committee’s meetings will, in the future, be sent to the Consul General and to two of his contacts (Paul Carroll and Elaine Budd) so that they remain informed of the committee’s decisions, activities and progress. Dr. Budden did a heroic job in starting these international conversations and this committee is enormously grateful to him for his efforts on our behalf. The committee requested that Peter Gomes write Dr. Budden and extend the committee’s appreciation for his efforts.

ACTION ITEMS – PETER GOMES:
Peter will contact new committee members Ben Brewster, Enzo Monti, Ed Santos, David Kirkpatrick and Butch Machado regarding their service on the committee.
Peter will contact suggested honorary members of the committee, John Talcott Junior and Brian Alosi.
Peter Gomes will contact Darcy Lee regarding her offer of pro bono services in grant-writing.
Peter will contact Ed Santos and Vinny DeMacedo regarding service on a Funding Subcommittee.
Peter will contact Tamson Burgess and ask her to serve on the Publicity/News Subcommittee. He will also ask her to spearhead a photo documentation project to span from now until 2020 and to invite Wes Ennis and Paul McAlduff to participate.
Peter will write a letter of thanks to Phil Budden, British Consul General.

ACTION ITEM – JOHN McDONAGH:
John will continue to pursue 501 c3 status for the committee.
John will carry through the idea of possibly participating in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, held on the Mall in 2020, as part of the kick-off of the celebrations.

ACTION ITEM – KEN TAVARES
Ken Tavares will ask the acting Town Manager to include a small amount for the committee as a line item in the new town budget.

ACTION ITEM – PATRICK O’BRIEN
Patrick O’Brien will speak to Delahunt’s office regarding the stamp and about an official mechanism for getting a flag from each state.

ACTION ITEM – PAUL CRIPPS
Paul Cripps will be asked to provide a report on the inventory of hotel rooms now and those expected by 2020 so that the committee can begin to approach national groups, particularly those with chapters in Plymouth, about scheduling meetings and events in Plymouth in 2020/2021.

ACTION ITEM – MONICA MULLIN
Monica Mullin will speak to the governor’s staff and encourage the appointment of the state 2020 Commission; she will also convey the message that not all the committee members need to be appointed at once, that a beginning must be made.

ACTION ITEM – GARY MARKS
Gary Marks will identify church groups that might be interested in gathering in Plymouth.

ACTION ITEM – KATHY BABINI
Kathy will confirm the year of the National Council of Social Studies meeting in Boston. 2014?

ACTION ITEM – MONICA MULLIN, ED SANTOS & VINNY DEMACEDO, JIM BAKER, GARY MARKS, TAMSON BURGESS, PAUL BUMPUS, RODNEY JOSEPH, KATHY BABINI, KEN TAVARES
Each of these committee members, as chair or co-chair of a specific subcommittee (Monica Mullin – Infrastructure; Ed Santos & Vinny DeMacedo – Funding; Jim Baker & Gary Marks – Historic Calendar; Tamson Burgess, Paul Bumpus & Rodney Joseph - Publicity/News; Kathy Babini – Schools/Education; Ken Tavares - Parade & Festivities) think and/or discuss how their particular subcommittee can be better define; devise a mission, scope and task for the subcommittee and bring this to the next committee meeting for discussion to ensure that there are no overlaps or gaps.

ACTION ITEM – ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Each committee member should consider what groups or agencies based in Plymouth but with larger constituencies should be invited to be involved.

NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the committee will be 7:00 pm on Monday, April 20, in the Patuxet Room at Plimoth Plantation

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Peggy Baker, Clerk