Plymouth's 400th Anniversary

Minutes of Public Meetings of the Plymouth 2020 Committee: 2009

MINUTES
Meeting of the Plymouth 400th Committee
Monday, July 20, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the offices of Plymouth Rock Studios, Cordage Park, North Plymouth

Committee members present: Peter Gomes, chair; Kathy Babini; Jim Baker; Peg Baker; Ben Brewster; Paul Bumpus; Paul Cripps; Ellie Donovan; Rodney Randy Joseph; David Kirkpatrick; John Mahoney; Monica Mullin, for Terry Murray; Ed Santos; Ken Tavares.
Absent: Tamson Burgess (exc.), Tom Calter, Vinny deMacedo, Butch Machado, Gary Marks (exc.), John McDonagh (exc.); Enzo Monti (exc.), Patrick O’Brien (exc.), Paula Peters.
Invited guests: Brian Alosi, Darcy Lee.
Members of the public: Rick Darsch, Noel Le, Michael Tubin.

Peter Gomes opened the meeting at 7:00 pm.
New attendees Brian Alosi, Rick Darsch, Ellie Donovan and Michael Tubin were welcomed.
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written.

REPORT OF PETER GOMES
Governor’s Commission: Peter has communicated with the chief justice regarding service on the Governor’s Commission. She declined the position but is willing to help informally. A cochair is needed.

Monica Mullin agreed to speak to the various commissioners who are, by the Executive Order, members of the Commission.

Cape Outreach: Provincetown is preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Monument in 2010. Local people and groups (Peter Gomes, Plimoth Plantation, the Pilgrim Society) have been invited to participate as members of the Honorary Committee. This gives regular ongoing positive interactions with the Cape. An invitation should be, at some later time, extended to them to join this group.

PRESENTATION BY FUND-RAISING CONSULTANT DARCY LEE
Darcy Lee reported that emails and letters of inquiry have been sent to 6 prospects: the National Endowment for the Humanities, American Express, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, Entergy, and the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund. A preliminary review of materials and reports from Jamestown, the New York 400th celebration, and the Status of Liberty Centennial in 1986 has been carried out. A prospect list has been developed and reviewed. This list was passed out to the committee; Darcy will be seeking committee input and additional names. The goal is for Darcy to conduct 30 interviews in September and October; the survey will determine organizational and financial needs.

Three meetings with granting agencies have been set up as a result of the inquiries made: with the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities. Provided that the meeting with the NEH results in a go-ahead, plans are underway to apply for the NEH planning grant by August 26 deadline.

A framework for the needs assessment survey/feasibility study is being developed. The timetable for this depends on the 3 grant prospects – a positive response to inquiries would move these grants to the forefront.

Darcy strongly suggests that the committee form a branding/marketing subcommittee to work on this aspect.
Brian Alosi reported that there was $5000 left over from the 375th celebration that needs to be located. He also has a box of materials and records that might be useful; he will give these to Darcy. This kind of continuity will be very valuable.

Paul Cripps noted that, for bricks & mortar infrastructure work, the Selectmen might want to go for a HUD grant through Congressman Delahunt’s office.

ONOING PROJECT – Formation of the Governor’s Commission – was reviewed earlier in the meeting.

ONGOING PROJECT – License plate.
David Kirkpatrick presented 4 options for design. All options used a Mayflower logo and the initials “A” & “H” (for America’s Hometown). The differences were in the bottom “motto.” One used “Plymouth 400.” Two used “1620 Plymouth 2020.” Three used “Plymouth 400” between the silhouette profiles of a Native American and a Pilgrim. Four used ““1620 Plymouth 2020” between the silhouette profiles of a Native American and a Pilgrim. There was considerable group discussion. The group is not certain about using “A” & “H” and will consider whether there are any other initials that would be more appropriate. The two favorite designs were #2 and #4. A vote was taken and #2 won (10 votes for #2, 5 votes for #4). It was noted by those voting that, although the inclusivity implied by the silhouette profiles of a Native American and a Pilgrim was appreciated, that the profiles were so small as to have little impact on the viewer and, at the same time, decreased the size of the script which was not desirable. The vote in favor of #2 was in favor of simplicity and readability. David will continue to work on the plate.

The license plate will need a $100,000 bond posted as well as 1500 people signed up as interested in purchasing the plate. The bond is under consideration by Rockland; progress needs to be made on this.

ONGOING PROJECT – Formation of the 501 c3
No report, this issue was tabled.

ONGOING PROJECT – Education. Kathy Babini will be working with Tamson Burgess to promote the work of the “2020 Kids.”
David Kirkpatrick floated the concept of the “2020 Kids” to several technical foundations with an educational interest (IBM, Apple, etc.) and there seemed to be a great deal of interest. David will continue to pursue.

ONGOING PROJECT – Stamp. Patrick O’Brien reported, through Peg Baker, on the process of requesting a commemorative stamp from the US Postal Service. There is a Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (12 current members) that review the approximately 40,000-50,000 annual inquiries. Potential stamp requests are due at least 3 years prior to when they would be issued. Patrick believes the earlier we request the better, in case they want to work on changes to our request. Patrick has the criteria for selection.
The Committee hopes and expects that Patrick will continue to work on the stamp. In addition, Peter Gomes will contact his friend, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, who is a member of the citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee.

ONGOING PROJECT – Outreach, speakers & authors. Tamson Burgess was not able to leave the newsroom to attend the meeting but she e-mailed committee members to remind them that she would like thoughts from each member either on a column they can write or some other 2020 submission to the OCM.

Peter Gomes would like something in the OCM regarding the Committee’s work. The suggestion was that it focus on the chosen “August 1” central date and why that date matters. Jim Baker will write this up, send it around to other committee members and then send it on to Tamson.

David Kirkpatrick suggested that Darcy Lee joining the 2020 efforts as Fund-Raising Consultant also merited a press release.

ONGOING PROJECT – International efforts
The process of inviting the queens proceeds through lengthy channels.

It was noted that there is no reason to limit our invitations to the monarchs of Great Britain and The Netherlands. Dignitaries from many other countries, representing immigrants to Plymouth over the centuries, should also be invited.

Paul Cripps asked if Town money, perhaps out of the “found” $190,000, be set aside for visiting dignitaries from England, The Netherlands, Japan. This would raise visibility and tourism. A substantial amount should also be set aside for long-deferred care and reconstruction of Burial Hill.

ONGOING PROJECT – Cape Cod contacts – was reviewed earlier in the meeting.

NEW ISSUE: Local group contacts. Peter Gomes raised the issue of contacting other local groups and suggested a preliminary invitational event or occasion for agencies and entities (historical, service, church) whom we wish to involve. David Kirkpatrick asked if the Plymouth Rock Studios groundbreaking event in October could be helpful. The group felt that this event could be useful for marketing the license plate but something else was needed for involving the local groups. In order to accomplish this, we need a list of organizations, we need to do personal outreach by speaking to meetings and gatherings, and then we need to bring the groups together. Committee members should consider the matter. Peter Gomes will assemble the Executive Committee and ask them to consider a solid proposal to lay before the entire group at the next meeting.

The committee should also consider a future report to the Selectmen or to Town Meeting.

NEW ISSUE: National Park status. National Park status could favorably impact infrastructure improvements. When the question of this status came before the people of Plymouth in the 1960s it was resoundingly defeated. The qualifications to become a National Park have changed since that time; Plymouth does not meet those qualifications. There is a lower ranking, however (perhaps a “National District”) for which we may qualify. Mark Sylvia had been involved in discussions with the National Park Service before his departure. John Mahoney will investigate the status of the paperwork and provide the necessary information to the committee.

ONGOING PROJECT – Swearing in ceremony
Representative Delahunt’s office reported that the recommendation from the Boston USCIS office is to submit an official request in writing approximately 1 year before the event. The letter should be addressed to the District Director including a brief history outlining the importance of the event and the specific date; the request can be made through the Congressman’s Office. At present, the Courts (U.S. District or Superior) select the dates for the ceremonies and the Judges who will preside over the naturalization ceremonies.

ONGOING PROJECT – Branding
As noted earlier, a subcommittee needs to be formed quickly. Darcy will talk to Paula Peters.

ONGOING PROJECT – Spring 2020 Kick-Off Event.
Ken Tavares reported on a meeting he had held with Enzo Monti to consider the matter (it was felt that with an official committee event in November of 2019 and another official committee event on August 1 of 2020, there needed to be an intermediate event to restart the year). Enzo and Ken had several thoughts: a formal party to open the season as was done in 1995; an exhibition focusing on centennial landmarks (1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020); a time capsule that could perhaps be located at the new high school; a rededication of the 1820 Court House. Dignitaries should be invited, particularly the various English Lord Mayors (Plymouth, Southampton, etc).

NEW ISSUE – Town Appropriation
Ben Brewster proposed that we ask for an appropriation from Town Meeting. If nothing else, this gets the word out in Plymouth. A preliminary motion was made that we ask the Selectmen to put a warrant article before Town Meeting for $10,000 at the earliest opportunity. The discussion then centered on the committee’s readiness; Ed Santos pointed out that we have to be totally prepared. The group felt it was advisable to delay the warrant article until spring and the Annual Town Meeting.

A warrant article would require personal appearances not only before various town committees but also before the individual precinct caucuses. Ellie Donovan asked if we had a vision or mission statement. We need something consistent that we can all speak to and agree upon – what do we want, what is this important. Darcy Lee pointed out that a polished mission statement should have community input of the sort that will arise from the planned needs assessment but that we could certainly do a preliminary mission statement. Peter Gomes agreed to convene a small group to formulate such a preliminary mission statement (or “charge document”) and promised that the committee will have such a charge document by September. Ben’s original motion was revised to read that we seek a warrant article at the Annual Town Meeting for $10,000 to support the work of the Plymouth 400th Committee. It was so VOTED. John Mahoney will take charge of the paperwork needed for such a warrant article.

Darcy Lee pointed out that we may need the 501 c3 mechanism in place by the end of August. Otherwise, we may have to find a “host” nonprofit agency for pending grant applications. Peter will talk to John McDonagh and see what the status of the 501 c3 is.

PUBLIC COMMENT - None

NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the committee will be 7:00 pm on Monday, August 17th, in the offices of Plymouth Rock Studios at 36 Cordage Park Circle (Building 3), Suite 305.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.

PETER GOMES
PREVIOUS TASK: Peter will compose a letter with Phil Budden, British Consul General.
PREVIOUS TASK: Peter Gomes will identify a co-chair for the State Commission.
TASK: Peter will speak to John McDonagh and ascertain the status of the 501 c3.
NEW TASK: Peter Gomes will contact his friend, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, who is a member of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee about a 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims stamp.
NEW TASK: Peter Gomes will assemble the Executive Committee and ask them to consider a solid proposal regarding events/methods of involving local groups to lay before the entire group at the next meeting.
NEW TASK: Peter will a small group to formulate a preliminary mission statement (or “charge document”) and promised that the committee will have such a charge document by September.

KATHY BABINI
TASK: Kathy will consult with David Kirkpatrick on a video component to the Class of 2020 project.
ONGOING TASK: Kathy will work with Tamson Burgess to promote the work of the “2020 Kids.”

JIM BAKER:
TASK: Jim will write an article aimed at the OCM regarding the Committee’s work, focusing on the chosen “August 1” central date and why that date matters; he will circulate it throughout the committee.

TAMSON BURGESS
ONGOING TASK: Tamson will start assembling lists of groups that would be receptive to having “2020 speakers,” she will get the list to Peg Baker.
ONGOING TASK: Tamson will work with Kathy Babini to promote the work of the “2020 Kids.”

RODNEY JOSEPH
ONGOING TASK: Peter asked Rodney to give some thought as to how the commemoration of the Treaty with Massasoit could play a more prominent role in the Thanksgiving events

DAVID KIRKPATRICK
ONGOING TASK: David will continue with the design of the license plate.
ONGOING TASK: David will consult with Kathy Babini on a video component to the Class of 2020 project.
TASK: David will continue to pursue foundation interest in the “2020 Kids.”
TASK: David will consider how the Studios groundbreaking event in October could be used to “market” the license plate.

JOHN MAHONEY
TASK: John will take charge of the paperwork needed for a warrant article at the Annual Town Meeting for $10,000 to support the work of the Plymouth 400th Committee.
TASK: John will investigate the status of the National Park paperwork and provide the necessary information to the committee

GARY MARKS
ONGOING TASK: Gary will contact the Congregational Church association and other religious leaders about gathering in Plymouth in November of 2019 for the opening event in the 2020 celebration.

JOHN MCDONAGH
ONGOING TASK: John will carry through the idea of possibly participating in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, held on the Mall in 2019, as part of the kick-off of the celebrations.
ONGOING TASK: John will continue the work on establishing the 501c3.
ONGOING TASK: Ken Tavares & John will follow through with Rockland Trust and see if they would be willing to provide the bond for the license plates
TASK: John will seek funding for Officers & Directors Insurance for the 501c3.

MONICA MULLIN
TASK: Monica will speak to the various commissioners who are, by the Executive Order, members of the Commission.

PATRICK O’BRIEN
ONGOING TASK: Patrick O’Brien will proceed with the stamp.

PAULA PETERS
ONGOING TASK: Paula will consult with Darcy Lee about branding.

KEN TAVARES
ONGOING TASK: Ken & John McDonagh will follow through with Rockland Trust and see if they would be willing to provide the bond for the license plates