December 2024

Steve W writes:

Having read those Seabeck rhymes

all about its septic tanks,

for 60 years (so many times!)

I felt so blessed with “heartfelt thanks”.

We need cash, he said (not crassly)

to dig, replace and make anew

lest slip and slide become too gassy

and we’re overcome with poo.

Darla B wrote:

I love Seabeck,

to be frank

so sad about

your septic tank.

(Hearing so,

My heart, it sank.)

I have one too,

it never stank,

(But I've heard

it can be rank)

Please find my check,

and though not blank,

you can take it

to the bank!

And finally...Sharon B

Thank you, thank you for all

that you do

Here's some money to help

with the poo

When the tanks aren't flowing

The people aren't "going"

The work must be done so we

can come back and have fun

Gifts to Seabeck Conference Center are still tax deductible

This annual retreat for Friends of Seabeck is always a hit with the people who take a holiday break and spend it with us. There are holiday crafts, movies, and, of course, lots of food and snacks to make your holiday brighter.

Registration is now open. We will use Pines as our home base throughout the weekend. The event starts with dinner on Friday, December 13th, and closes after brunch on Sunday. We are still finalizing the details of the activities, but you can expect a couple of receptions, info on Seabeck, a few craft opportunities, a special presentation from the Seabeck food service staff, and of course, our traditional Christmas Movie night. The two-night retreat costs $300 per person.

Just call or email the office for more information or to sign up. Contact us at 360-830-5010 or seabeck@seabeck.org.

Pick your projects, gather your supplies, make a plan, then come out to Seabeck on December 12th-15th and finish everything for the holidays. You will have nothing to do but craft, craft, and craft all day. We'll feed you and clean up after you. It will be nothing but crafts.

Registration is now open for the event. You can do a two or three-night stay. Two nights are $250 and three is $375. The price includes a private bathroom, all meals, and a table in the craft room.

You can call or email the office for more information or to sign up. Contact us at 360-830-5010 or seabeck@seabeck.org.

The greater Seabeck area can be strange at times. The Facebook page for the town is usually a place to find a lost dog or complain about the driving of an idiot (someone going slower than you) or a maniac (someone going faster than you). Every once in a while something catches the attention of the community and holds it. There was a runaway bison that alluded capture for months, a derelict boat slowly sinking into the bay, a missing stuffed unicorn, and several stray peacock sightings. These are even featured on a t-shirt. Now we have the snowman of Seabeck.

Two years ago the happy snowman showed up in a yard on Seabeck Highway. Last year he didn't get put away immediately after Christmas. Internet peeps wondered when it would go away. When Easter arrived the snowman suddenly donned bunny ears and a basket. Now he is decorated for each holiday. Look for him on Seabeck Hwy across the road from the water.

As many of of loyal readers know, we are facing a challenge with our infrastructure. We mailed this letter to our mailing list in late October. I wasn't sure if our newsletter and mailing list perfectly line up, so I am sharing it again here. Thanks, Chuck

Seabeck Infrastructure Needs Your Help!

If you have visited Seabeck Conference Center in the past half century, you might recognize the inspiration for the front of this card. For more than 50 years we have carefully managed the waste water system on the property. Unfortunately, “Those of us with septic tanks,” sometimes have to replace them.

From bridge piers to septic systems to accessible entrances, infrastructure is the backbone of our campus. We do our best to maintain and improve these things every year, but occasionally, a critical repair or replacement is necessary and the costs push us outside of our budget. That is why I am writing specifically to ask for your help.

The Washington State Department of Health has ordered us to replace our aging steel septic tanks. The Department has said if we fail to comply we will be forcibly closed to guests until the tanks are replaced. These steel tanks were installed prior to 1975, and have since been prohibited for use by the State because they are prone to corrode and collapse. We have managed just fine with these now-outdated tanks for almost 50 years, but it is understandable why the State is anxious for us to immediately replace them. We have selected the lowest bidder to do this work, Fast Track Construction, and have scheduled the commencement of the first phase of work early next month. The total estimated cost for this project will be around $800,000.

We are asking for help in replacing the septic tanks, repairing the bridge, increasing the accessibility to the back of the Meeting House, and installing pickleball courts. These are all projects that will enable Seabeck to better serve our guests. Giving your hard-earned money to buy septic tanks doesn’t sound that great, but if the next time you visit Seabeck, we are still open and have flushing toilets, you will be glad you helped us.

The old wooden bridge that has long been both the visual and auditory symbol of your arrival on campus needs to be repaired. It has old piers which need to be reinforced. We will use Snap Jacket technology that will strengthen the support and encapsulate any undesirable chemicals on the piers in concrete. Our goal is to strengthen the bridge with minimal disruption to the environment.

The area behind the Meeting House was supposed to be addressed during the Pines project. When COVID squeezed our budget, that part of the project was delayed. It has been a constant concern for many guests and groups ever since. We need to make sure people with limited mobility have a safe loading zone and entrance into the Meeting House.

The pickleball courts are a way to add some fun to a pretty mundane group of crucial projects. Almost every summer group has asked us to turn two of our tennis courts into pickleball facilities. This will have the lowest priority, but it would be great to add these to our campus.

I know that I have asked for help in the past during COVID. I will continue to work hard to prevent this from becoming an annual tradition where a crisis arises, and we ask for help. We continue to operate with a small positive cash flow and accumulate a small reserve each year. We had just started rebuilding our reserves after COVID when the State of Washington told us we had lost our state property tax exemption. This June we had 30 days’ notice to pay over $250,000 in back property taxes, emptying our reserves again. We will continue to build small reserves each year from our operations. Please note this state ruling concerning Seabeck’s exemption from property tax liability has no effect at all on the Center’s status as a charitable organization for federal income tax purposes; Seabeck remains a 501(c)(3) charitable organization under IRS rules and all donations to Seabeck continue to be tax deductible.

Please help us provide the Seabeck campus with improved access to buildings, a stronger bridge, new recreational opportunities, and a new septic tank system that will serve us and protect the environment. Please chip in whatever you can today to help us ensure Seabeck continues to be the place that you and your loved ones cherish and will continue to be here for future generations to love and enjoy.

It is well known that those septic signs in the restrooms aren't my favorite thing about Seabeck. While that is true, I do like the part about “heartfelt thanks.” You have mine for reading and responding to this letter.

Thanks,

Chuck

Seabeck Infrastructure Project Fact Sheet

Septic System Upgrade estimated cost $800,000

We will replace the current steel tanks with three fiberglass tanks totaling 50,000 gallons A new computerized pumping station and new pipe from the tanks to the drain field will be installed. The new pump system and larger tanks will allow us to control the pumping to even outflows during variable usage. This will allow us to optimize the drain fields and prevent the State from limiting our guest capacity. We will also address the septic ports near the Meeting House that produce pungent odors at times.

Bridge Pier Repair estimated cost $125,000

Some of the piers are degrading and need strengthen. We will accomplish this using Snap Jacket technology. Snap Jackets are plastic sleeves that are installed around the existing piers and then filled with grout, As the grout hardens it dries the older wood and creates a pier ten times stronger than before. It also encapsulates any chemicals that may have been applied to the wood when installed. We will repair the 15 most compromised piers this winter and evaluate the results before finishing the remaining 30.

Meeting House Accessibility $50,000

The accessibility to the Meeting House would be improved for all by installing a flat loading zone near the back door, improving the road, and leveling the paths around the building. This can be done while still allowing vehicles to unload near the door.

Pickleball Court Conversion $25,000

We would seal and paint the unpainted tennis courts and reline them for pickleball. We would also purchase removable net sets for easy conversion to other uses for the courts such as games or dances.

How to support Seabeck Infrastructure

Want to help us lay the foundation for the next decade of Seabeck Conference Center? There are many ways, not all of them involving huge disbursements of cash. Here are some creative ideas you might not have thought about:

Cash Donation Today-Tax-deductible gifts via check, credit card, in person, or online. Please consider upping your regular gift by another 10 percent.

Employer Matching-Check to see if your workplace offers it. We will help with the paperwork if needed.

Multi-Year Pledges-A great way to make a larger gift over time

Automatic Monthly Payments-Gifts can be deducted periodically from your bank account, making larger donations easier by spreading them over time.

Low-Cost Appreciated Stock-Avoid paying the capital gains by giving full-market value to Seabeck Conference Center.

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)-A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity. QCDs can be counted toward satisfying your required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the year, as long as certain rules are met. You must be 70 1/2 or older to be eligible to make a QCD.

All gifts are welcome. Seabeck Conference Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and your contribution may be tax-deductible. If you have any questions, please contact our Executive Director, Chuck Kraining at (360) 830-5010 or email him at chuck@seabeck.org.

Seabeck Conference Center + 13395 Lagoon Dr NW + Seabeck, WA 98380 360-830-5010

seabeck@seabeck.org + www.seabeck.org

A new month, but more rainbows and the first snow of the season!

Do you want to help us lay the foundation for the next decade of Seabeck Conference Center? There are many ways, not all of them involving huge disbursements of cash. Here are some creative ideas you might not have thought about:

Cash Donation Today

Tax-deductible gifts via check, credit card, in person, or online (you can use the QR code right now). Please consider upping your regular gift by another 10 percent.

Employer Matching-Check to see if your workplace offers it. We will help with the paperwork if needed.

Automatic Monthly Payments

Gifts can be deducted periodically from your bank account, making larger donations easier by spreading them over time.

Low-Cost Appreciated Stock

Avoid paying the capital gains by giving full-market value to Seabeck Conference Center.

In-Kind Donation

We are always in need of furniture, lighting, rugs, and much more - the market value is tax-deductible.

Multi-Year Pledges

A great way to ensure support will be there when we need it year after year.

Designated Gifts

Donate to a targeted project or capital campaign.

Commemorative Gifts

Donate a bench or rocking chair in honor of someone or something important to you.

A Bequest in Your Will

Your gift can be a specific sum or a percentage of an estate after other bequests. Just add an addendum to your existing will.

Life Insurance and Savings Accounts

Same as retirement plans, except those payments made to Seabeck Conference Center are exempt only from estate taxes.

IRA's and Retirement Plans

Your estate receives a charitable deduction for the full gift amount on estate and income taxes, while we receive full donation value. Non-charitable heirs receive only a part of the value (since inherited assets are subject to estate and income taxes).

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity. QCDs can be counted toward satisfying your required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the year, as long as certain rules are met. You must be 70-1/2 or older to be eligible to make a QCD.

All gifts are welcome. Seabeck Conference Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and your contribution may be tax-deductible. If you have any questions, please contact our Executive Director, Chuck Kraining at

(360) 830-5010 or email him at chuck@seabeck.org.