The Bermuda Sloop Foundation Fall 2020 We have just been through a storm youth that life can change and open and are recovering well. We have our eyes to the reality of engineering learned something new too. There a better life. An inner meaning of is real need to support the youth of life is the knowledge of yourself. The Bermuda now to learn some important negatives can be turned into positives. life lessons in different ways. Experiential learning has a deeper I am thrilled we have the tenacity to impact and longer retention. survive and retain such community support to continue our mission, Going back to school is going to be a to assist in the growth of our youth little different. The BSF sincerely hopes to become productive citizens we its different classroom at sea will have certainly need lots of them, more now important impact of understanding than ever before. how to adjust and adapt to new things. We have recently enjoyed some well- David Goodwin, organized events, where Bermuda’s We and our staff have suffered icon Spirit of Bermuda has been Chairman financially too, worrying if we can get present thanks to all our supporters, through these tumultuous times, but donors, schools, teachers, parents, The effects of this pandemic on the have dwelled on the long-term goals staff, crew and alumni of young lives of everybody has certainly taken and kept focus on the positives. successful past students, evidencing us out of our comfort zone. we are still on course for serving our Challenges, like being out on the community well, with great positive What charities quickly recognized open ocean brings on many thought results. is the increased urgent need to help processes. One gets to develop and support people. Government and confidence in one’s self, trust in our Thank you Bermuda. more fortunate folks have stepped in people, tenacity to persevere and plot with their financial help to support the a new course to rejoice the experience Sincerely, hardest-hit sectors of the community. of a successful journey. David Goodwin What the BSF has always had At no other time has youth had to as a mission is to give the youth think more seriously about sustaining of Bermuda a real life-changing themselves and to be less dependent experience of being taken out of their on what was expected to being comfort zone, where they can learn normal as the circumstances have new skills to survive anything, even changed, just as an ocean voyage what they may have thought of as teaches us, having to constantly adjust unsurmountable. Survival skills today the sails to maximize performance means learning fast from experiences and adapt and figure out what is the one never wants to repeat or to New Normal. remember those awesome moments you want to treasure and repeat Meeting Mother Nature face-on, again. on every voyage, where things are constantly changing does prepare our Spirit of Bermuda • bermudasloop.org • 441-737-5667 The Bermuda Sloop Foundation MEMBERS Keith Battersbee - Sea Cadets Robin Hamill, Alan Burland - Founder CEO Rees Fletcher - OB Jay Kempe - Founder Malcolm Kirkland - Founder Dear Friends, What an unprecedented time we have all witnessed over the BOARD OF DIRECTORS last several months! David Goodwin - Chair & Compliance Officer While the ship was dormant until July your management and Alan Burland - Past Chairman staff has not been. We have been working on innovative ways Jay Kempe - Founder, Legal Rep/Chair to remain relevant to our community. We have used social Malcolm Kirkland - Founder media to publish educational material and have sought col- Jennifer Goodwin - Education Rep/Chair laboration with other like-minded not for profits. We have also Jim Butterfield - Fundraising Rep organized summer day camps for students which are proving Diana Martin - Fundraising Committee very successful. Andrew Burnett-Herkes - Marine Ops Rep Deanna Durham - HR Rep/Chair There have been significant headwinds in raising funds. The John Cooper - Governance Rep/Chair COVID-19 pandemic has attracted funding from some of our George Cubbon - Finance Committee Chair more reliable donors. We continue to work extremely hard to Rees Fletcher - Insurance Advice raise ever shrinking dollars and your support is as important Martha Kirkland - Education now as it ever has been. Unfortunately, the Government of Pat Phillip-Fairn - Board Member Bermuda slashed our funding by 66%. Not to be deterred, we believe our experiential education for young Bermudians Non-Director: is transformational and builds lasting character. Malcolm Mitchell - Secretary (Max: 20) We hosted our Awards Ceremony on Sunday July 5th which saw recognition expressed for thirty worthy junior sailors. Board Meets Every Other Month In addition, we hosted the first ever Spirit of Bermuda Rally and the Bermuda Triangle Race in St. Georges the weekend STAFF LISTING - 2020 of July 10th. It was very successful with four foreign boats arriving in Bermuda and a Festival of Sail for the Comet class on July 12th. OFFICE Donations: Robin Hamill, CEO Lauren Yelle-Simmons, Education & Programme Manager The BSF 2019/2020 donations from individuals has been Heather Lamb, Business Development Manager strong, as is usually the case and we are ever grateful. The Darlene Davis, CFO Bermuda Government and Bank of Bermuda Foundation are Jocene Harmon, Human Resources our largest donors along with many other companies and foundations and keep our programme robust. However, the SPIRIT OF BERMUDA BSF is not immune to the challenges that all businesses and charities have been faced with and especially now. It is my Philipp Grozinger, Captain personal goal, with help from the board, to reach far and David Goulbourne, Chief Engineer wide to raise the funds needed to maintain our local voyage Gabe St. Denise, First Officer record and expand even further with overseas expeditions. Jamila Hanley, Programme Officer Your gifts are invaluable, no matter the size. The impact that Lara Hetzel, Watch Leader a morning of volunteering makes, or a gift of money, when Tarreko Wilson, Watch Leader multiplied by like-minded individuals, can and does make a Tyler Phillips, Watch Leader big difference. bermudasloop.org • [email protected] • 441-737-5667 Events: Pirates of Bermuda 2020 raised over $100,000 this year and we are ever grateful to all those that donated to the fun cause and also our dedicated hostages. Due to COVID 19, we had to pivot to a virtual challenge this year, but a celebratory day A Message from will take place under full sail as soon as possible. Our inau- Lauren Yelle-Simmons, gural Spirit Golf Tournament with a hole in one prize of a car Education & from Auto Solutions, slated for May 30th, 2020, was can- Programmes celled and will take place next year. The 2019-20 school year has been one with many crests Membership: & troughs — voyages commenced late in the school year and finished early due to the pandemic shutdown in March Membership is extremely important and solidifies a unique of 2020. and valuable programme that reaches many of Bermuda’s youth and especially benefits those who do not acquire Nevertheless, eleven successful public school voyages took information optimally in a classroom setting. Our on-board place. In total, 190 students (70% of the public M3 population) classroom also introduces and provides pathways to technical, and 14 teachers from all four public middle schools engaged mechanical and maritime-related careers for young Bermu- in a 5-day residential experience. All took on living and dians. Despite the decline in membership this year, we are learning aboard Bermuda’s iconic tall ship, Spirit of Bermuda, optimistic that this level of very important support will begin the 112-foot replica of an historical Bermudian vessel, which to grow again. To renew or join, please visit www.bermu- is now in its fourteenth year of operation. dasloop.org or fill out the below form and mail to our office. This core educational middle school programme for adoles- Volunteers: cents, provides a unique authentic learning experience. The Theory of Change (see graphic, adapted with permission A very warm thank you to dedicated volunteers that make from ASTO) illustrates the power of the sail training platform up our very important committees, assist in a host of ways as Benefits of the Spirit Program. A coastal 5-day 4–night in the office, walk off planks, sell raffles and tags, and step Learning Expedition with 18 students (age 11-13), 1-2 teach- up when we are in need. We can’t do this alone and you ers, usually all from the same school, constitute their school are appreciated! voyage. All that step aboard Spirit become trainee crew – and are immersed in a new culture, disconnected from life & Condolences: pastimes ashore (no electronics, for example). Adapting to the new community and connecting in a healthy isolated environ- We express condolences to the families of members who have ment is paramount. For many, just being outside in nature can recently passed on and thank them for choosing to donate to be a natural conduit for learning, however, many have never the BSF in memory of their loved ones. seen Bermuda from the perspective of a ship. Students often confront themselves and others with true emotion and heart As we move forward through these challenging times, you and connect their learning with these emotions which proves can expect to receive updates from us about school voyages, powerful. Moving out of their comfort zone and through fears charters, Tag day on October 30th and an exciting Mega brings new found confidence. This novel environment provides Raffle is in the works – stay tuned! opportunity for success, responsibility, leadership and real I would like to thank our board, staff, students and donors teamwork.