2019 Annual Report
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CAMPOBELLO ISLAND New Brunswick, Canada 2019 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Contents Mission Message from the Chairman Roosevelt Campobello Inter- national Park has a mission and Vice-chairman /1 to offer the people of both Message from the countries an understanding of what President Roosevelt’s Superintendent /1 “beloved island” meant to him and Eleanor Roosevelt Department Reports / 2 and to give people a sense Transitions / 4 of the feeling the Roosevelts gained from the ambiance of In Memoriam / 5 Campobello Island. Roosevelt Campobello Transitions, Commissioners International Park will main- tain the atmosphere of the and Management / 6 Roosevelt Cottage as it was during President and Mrs. On the cover Roosevelt’s lives, and will pre- serve and interpret the Park’s Improvements to the park’s natural areas that meant so natural areas in 2019 much to the Roosevelt Family. included expansion of the Roosevelt Campobello trail system. International Park will empha- size its unique international nature and will symbolize the legacy of friendship between the peoples of Canada and the United States of America. Campobello Island, Welshpool, New Brunswick, Canada 459 Route 774, Welshpool NB E5E 1A4 P.O. Box 129, Lubec, Maine 04652 (506) 752 2922 Toll-free 1 (877) 851 6663 [email protected] www.fdr.net Message from the Chairman Message from the Superintendent and Vice-chairman t has been a busy and delightful first year as your new Super- 019, Roosevelt Campobello International Park’s 55th Iintendent at Roosevelt Campobello International Park - the 2year of operation, was a busy one for both Park opera- team had many triumphs to celebrate after a successful 2019 tions and the Commission. In September, Commission season. Our talented staff worked hard to maintain and share Chairman, the Honourable Greg Thompson passed away. our important historic buildings and stunning natural area Greg was appointed a Commissioner in 2015 and brought with over 176,000 guests. Innovative and engaging programs enthusiasm for the mission of the Park as well as extensive for the public included a 1940s radio play-themed dinner experience and networks of contacts to his role as Com- theatre, new interpretive tours on our beautiful trails, and the missioner. It was very difficult to lose Greg as a Commis- ever popular Tea with Eleanor and F.U.N. Tour. The Park and sioner and friend – he will be greatly missed. community rejoiced in seeing the island’s seasonal main- We were very pleased with the spring appointment of land ferry access restored after one season of inactivity. Even Kathleen McNair as a new Canadian Alternate Commis- with more people accessing the Park, visitor flow remained sioner. Her extensive business experience and her enthusi- extremely well-managed by the Park team. Visitors frequently asm for the Park’s mission make her a valuable addition to commented on being able to enjoy our beautiful 2,800 acre the Commission. Park without feeling overcrowded – something that makes The retirement of Superintendent James Carr in April Roosevelt Campobello International Park a true gem of an of 2019 was unexpected. Jamie had only been Superinten- experience. dent for three years but made major improvements in Park Exciting trail work was accomplished in the Natural Area operations and procedures. The Commission thanks Jamie in 2019, and is to be continued in 2020. We enthusiastically for his contributions and wishes him well in his retire- await the completion of a stunning Park loop trail, making ment. our Natural Area an accessible, family-oriented and bicycle- In April, the Commission was very pleased to appoint friendly experience like no other. Michelle Landry as our new Superintendent. Michelle In 2019, the Park continued to focus on enhancing and brings extensive historic site management experience and promoting its community. It was great fun to sponsor the the Commission looks forward to working with her. annual International Bay of Fundy Marathon, to support the During 2019, a great deal of attention was directed FDR Cup Golf Tournament, to serve as one of the venues for toward the Natural Area Development Plan. This is the Campobello’s popular annual FogFest, to host local weddings largest and most expensive project ever undertaken by the and family gatherings, and share much needed equipment Park. We are very excited to provide visitor access to more and supplies for other important community events. of our beautiful Natural Area. This is a major feature of That focus on community was key in how we approached the Park and one much enjoyed by the Roosevelt family. our recent Strategic Planning effort. The entire team was In September, the Commission held a strategic plan- invited to share their ideas on the future of the Park, as were ning session to refine our goals and to clarify the Park’s community representatives via interviews, surveys, and direction. This plan was approved in February 2020 and during workshops. The result is an exciting five-year plan, will be the organization’s road map for the next five years. emphasizing the visitor experience, quality programming, Management is making many changes to Park activities refinement of our brand, thoughtful stewardship of our to better serve our changing visitor profile and we were historical and natural resources, and a focus on team-building pleased that Park attendance was up significantly again in for a thriving workplace. 2019. What an honour it has been to take on this challenging If it has been some time since you have visited the role and to get to know this exceptional community. What Park, please come and see us in 2020. New programs and I find most compelling about this beautiful place is the way outdoor experiences are not to be missed. For our visitors in which the local community transcends its international Campobello Island, Welshpool, who return year after year, we look forward to seeing you borders. It feels particularly meaningful and relevant that the New Brunswick, Canada again in 2020! Park and its surrounding community focuses on a legacy of 459 Route 774, Welshpool NB E5E 1A4 P.O. Box 129, Lubec, Maine 04652 On behalf of the Commission, we thank our Super- friendship and connection. That legacy is the impetus and the (506) 752 2922 Toll-free 1 (877) 851 6663 intendent, our Management staff and all the dedicated inspiration behind the daily work we all do here at the Park. [email protected] www.fdr.net employees and volunteers of the Park for a wonderful year I am excited to work with this talented team to continue and for your continued efforts. to share the Roosevelt legacy, the Park’s fascinating story, and this beautiful island with our guests in 2020 and beyond. G. Fred Nicholson, Commissioner, Canada Christopher DuPont Roosevelt, Vice-Chairman, United States Michelle Landry, Superintendent 1 Department Reports MARKETING & VISITOR SERVICES n 2019, the Marketing and Visitor Services FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Idepartment worked hard to continue the posi- 019 was a year of positive transition and tive changes begun in 2018. In the Conference 2momentum-building for the Administration Program, management implemented the use Department. A first task for new Superintendent of Group Visit Contracts to formalize a group’s Michelle Landry was to fill the vacant posi- commitment to booking overnight accom- tion of Manager of Finance & Administration. modation. The Prince Café, now in its second This complex role is responsible for managing season, extended its hours of service and saw all finance and accounting roles at the Park, as a 30% increase in total revenue while reducing well as office management. After interviewing its overall operating loss. The Adams Lodge a number of internal and external applicants, building (formerly the Fireside Restaurant) saw Finance Assistant Jennifer Lank was appointed a busy season of overnight group meals and to this position. Michelle and the Commission programs, special events, and was the venue for unanimously agreed there was no better fit than the popular program “The Roosevelt Park Ra- Jennifer – her excellent service to the organiza- dio Hour.” Moving to a new ticketing platform, tion for 9 years, her thorough knowledge of the Simpletix, allowed for a much more seamless complex international accounting systems and user experience of booking tickets to a variety procedures carried out by the Park, and her of Park programs, including “Tea with Elea- team-oriented approach made her the perfect fit. nor.” As the calendar of programs and events Receptionist and office assistant, Vania An- expands in the future, the user experience will thony, provides invaluable year-round support be much improved. to the administration team. Jennifer and Vania A more comprehensive Visitor Survey went right to work perfecting and streamlining was completed in 2019, delving into ques- administration and finance procedures and have tions surrounding visitor experience as well as made great progress. marketing and demographic information. 99% As part of the Strategic Planning process of visitors surveyed characterized their visit and non-profit/charitable organization best as “Excellent” or “Good,” and 98% of visitors practices, Michelle, Jennifer, and the entire indicated they would visit again, or recommend Management Team will be working with the a visit to a friend or family member. In response Commission to continue to grow the Park’s to an open-ended question “What surprised financial sustainability into the future. With new you about your visit?”, the top responses fell programming and experiences being imple- into broad categories of “the facilities (cleanli- mented, the Park’s visitation and mission impact ness, free admission, and amenities available)” will continue to grow and a diversification of (38%), “the variety and quality of program- funding will be vital to its health and growth.