MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
MEETING MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

The meeting was called to order by President, Beth Sobiloff at 6:30 pm.

The following individuals were in attendance:
Admiral Richard Gurnon, Christine Kiely, Elaine Boidi, Christine Mucciarone, Carole & Bob Courcy, Jane Rabesa, Kevin Owens, Diane & Jim Marshall, Christine Gilbert, Stephanie Lowell, Marie Burchfield, Mary Jenkinson, Julie Caniff, Mark & Jane Robinson, David & Lynne Lersch, Lane Steek, Judy Kelly, John & Kathy Clarkeson, Don Austin, Beth Sobiloff, Ann Kenny, Joanne Fleming, Karen Nahigian, Laura Brady, Carol Doherty

Admiral Rick Gurnon opened the meeting with comments on the successful beginning to the fall semester. He also spoke about the dorm accommodations.  Since the enrollment has increased every year for the last 10 years the dorm facilities have been stretched to 102% occupancy. In addition this year’s freshman class is 3% larger than last year’s which adds to the need for modifying some rooms as triples. There are no freshmen in these rooms, only upperclassmen have been assigned to these accommodations while the student population is at this peak. However the accommodations will eventually return to doubles as the normal attrition occurs during the semester.

The final phase of construction on the Clean Harbors Athletic Stadium will take place as soon as the last football game is completed. It will consist of new seating, a press booth, new locker rooms, as well as improved lighting.

The new library complex will also begin soon providing 40,000 square feet in the four story building.
It will have state of the art geo-thermal wells and a $1 million full visual ship simulator as well as a
$890,000 tug and towboat simulator to provide our students the best training possible.

The Training Ship Kennedy is now in the process of receiving a $10 million renovation so that 90 new berths can be added giving the ship a capacity of 600 cadets and staff. At present the project is on time and coming in under budget.

Admiral Gurnon also discussed Sea Term details explaining the 4 year alternating schedule.  This would have been the year for a European/ Mediterranean cruise however due to the high cost of fuel and the impending threat of the H1N1 flu the ship will be cruising the Caribbean.  The ship will be visiting 3 ports including Miami, Curacao, and Tortola with Sea Term commencing Jan. 4 and ending Feb.24, 2010. All cadets and staff on the cruise will be required to receive both the regular and H1N1 flu shots in order to participate in Sea Term this year.

The cadets not included in the Training Ship cruise will be taking courses or shipping out with various commercial companies during the winter term. Some will be leaving the week of Dec. 1st and returning after the start of the next semester. There was also some discussion about details of the internships that are available to the cadets.

Beth Sobiloff informed the parents that a gift check of $8,000 was given by the Parents’ Association for need based scholarships and was gratefully received since it could be life-changing for those who benefit from these funds.
Also the secretary’s report from the previous meeting received a motion to be approved. The motion was seconded and then the minutes approved.

Ann Kenny gave the treasurer’s report sharing the financial status of the MMAPA. The treasurer reported that Follett contributed $5,850 for the Sea Bag Fundraiser and that on May 14, 2009 MMAPA also received $78.75 reimbursement for duplicate payment for raffle tickets.
As of July 1, 2009 there was a balance of $13,324.63 in the account. Orientation Drop-Off Day sales brought in another $3,069.  However there were no sales on Orientation Graduation Day due to the poor weather.  The balance at that time was $16,393.63.

The expenses included $30.58 for printing flyers for the first meeting & $300 for Orientation & Recognition Day bank leaving the end balance (Aug. 1) at $16,063.05. The upcoming expenses will be $3,276.00 to replenish our MMAPA t-shirt supply, $1,415.94 for the purchase of Cruise passage for the Sea Term raffle, and $8,000.00 for MMA Scholarship distribution.  A motion was made to approve the treasurer’s report, and then it was seconded and approved.

The Fund Raising Activity was then discussed.  A great big “thank you” went out to parents, friends & cadets who assisting Ann Kenny and Karen Nahigian in our Sea Bag Fundraiser which brought in $5,850. Karen Nahigian reported that the administration was very grateful for the 104 volunteers that gave a total of 650 hours of their time to make this a great success. The funds raised would be used for need - based scholarships to be determined by the Scholarship Committee.

October to January (when TS. Kennedy ships out) Sea Term cruise raffle tickets will be sold as was done last year. Celebrity Cruise Lines will host the cruise raffle winners shipping out of Miami
May 3 - 10, 2010.  Sea Term t-shirts, steins ($25), and certificates ($15) will also be sold.  A question was raised about possibly selling long sleeve t-shirts and tank tops as well this year.

Another suggestion for a future fund raising project included a puzzle of the TS. Kennedy or MMA Campus.  The cost was discussed and a suggestion was made that we ask the vendor for a sample puzzle. The suggestion was also given for selling stadium pads, water bottles or ponchos.  The discussion also included the selling of calendars again this year.

Karen Nahigian gave the Admissions Liaison Report discussing the upcoming Open Houses and reminding parents that volunteers are needed for these as well as for any college fairs for 2009 – 2010. The schedule of open houses are on the calendar and include 9/26, 10/24, 11/14, & 12/6 with volunteers asked to be at Pande Hall (mess deck) from 8:30am to approximately 12:30pm.

Old Business was also discussed with a request for volunteers to be a part of the By Law Committee to review or assist with the present draft.  Completing the Parent Handbook was also a topic of discussion in which volunteers are needed to provide helpful info and answers to frequently asked questions that new parents may have.

New Business included a discussion of the Sea Term Dinner being held at the Holiday Inn (Falmouth) the night before the ship returns to Buzzards Bay.  Two parents, Judy Kelly and Julie Canniff came forward to volunteer to co-ordinate the responses & collection of payment for this event.
Beth Sobiloff brought up the need for the MMAPA to set up a 501 C3 and Elaine Boidi, a parent who is also a para-legal, volunteered to assist in this area. 

The September 16, 2009 meeting adjourned at 8:07 pm.