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Sailing Science Center News
December 2024
Vol. 8, No. 4
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Welcome to the December issue of the Sailing Science Center News! The theme this month is Gratitude. While inspired by the Thanksgiving holiday, practicing gratitude is something successful people do on a daily basis. Asking what we are grateful for sets our outlook and focus for the day. It is the most powerful lens we can use to view of the world.
At the Sailing Science Center we are grateful for the opportunity to make a positive difference in people's lives, while doing the things we love. For a short story about being grateful for small things, see this month's leadership blog: Preoccupation at Sea!
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Do you like what the Sailing Science Center is doing? We depend on support from people like you to keep it going. If you haven't donated yet, please consider doing so. If you have donated, Thank You, we appreciate your support and hope you will continue partnering with us to make the vision of a larger, permanent museum a reality. | | | | |
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If you don't regularly appreciate the small wins
you'll never appreciate the big wins.
— Tim Ferriss
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THE SSC 2024 PLAY IT FORWARD GALA! | |
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The big news from November was the SSC's annual gala. Were you there? We hope you made it. If so, please enjoy this remembrance. If not, we hope you are inspired to attend next year.
We will use this space to provide a short recap. Pictures from the event appear in the next section.
By any metric, the SSC 2024 Gala was a success. But if we're going to say that, we better define what success is. While fundraising is an obvious and important part of our galas, having a good time, sharing our latest exhibits, acknowledging SSC volunteers, and communicating our vision, are also part of the evening. We feel we succeeded on all points, but let's see what other people said. These are some comments from our post-event survey:
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- I had some great interactions with people over the Land Yacht and Anchoring exhibits.
- The silent auction seemed to be very popular and the appeal of the items was good.
- The venue and staging was wonderful! Credit to Simcha Sisters for a beautiful gala!
- The auction and prizes were well-presented and the payment went smoothly.
- The keynote on Pegasus Voyages was very moving and powerful.
- The weather was great!
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I liked the friendly people! | |
- Great energy!
- Dining table décor - beautifully done!
- Folks were happy! Volunteers were excellent. Keynote went well.
- [I think the] organization of events - silent auction items and exhibits [went well]. Loved that there were a range of starting bid items at the silent auction to give everyone an entry point to contribute.
- I loved the games/raffle on the Bernoulli ball.
- Loved the themed cocktails and excellent wine. Very classy to be greeted by the servers with appetizers.
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But what about metrics? Here are a few to take home:
- There were exactly 100 registered guests, a perfect bullseye for our 100-guest target.
- There were 5 late cancellations (half the industry norm) and 5 walk-in registrations, keeping the count perfectly in balance.
- Paid (non-comped) registrations were up by 118%, and were the highest on record.
- Auction proceeds were up by 59% year-over-year and exceeded the previous record for per-person proceeds by 64%.
- The dust is still settling on the Fund-a-Need portion of the night, but the paid and pledged amounts currently stand at an increase of 13% year-over-year.
Like we said, a success by any metric, but there were areas for improvement. Registration ran slow, we had difficulties with the wireless microphone for the second year in a row, and a few guests left with their auction certificates still at the fulfillment desk. The certificates have all been addressed, and next year we'll have the registration ironed out and a ban on wireless mics! See you then!
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We were grateful for the smallest of mercies.
— Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor
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As shared above, the SSC 2024 Gala was November's big event. Two dozen of the SSC's 34 active volunteers showed up to help, making it our biggest gathering of volunteers for the season. The pictures below tell the story of the night. | |
The evening started with drinks, passed hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction. | |
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Community support made this our biggest auction of SSC-curated items yet. We had to add an extra table to hold everything. All but three of the lots sold, sending winners home with big smiles and great deals.
Pictured above, L to R:
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Smiles, laughs, and good conversation were a big part of the event. | |
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The event showcased the SSC's collection of exhibits.
Pictured above, L to R:
- Fred King demonstrates the forces on a model boat's rudder using the Flow Loop.
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Lars Anderson demonstrates the Bernoulli Challenge. Competitors were entered in a drawing for a Valentine's Cruise with Luxe Cruises and Events.
- Chris Childers checks out the new exhibit on sailboat rigging, called "It's Rigged!"
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Pegasus Voyages' Board Chair, Meg Arnold, gave the keynote. Her presentation made it clear that Pegasus and the SSC are on the same page when it comes to the importance of play! | |
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Recognition and awards were given to distinguished team members.
Above, L to R:
- Jim Hancock recognizes SSC Operations Manager, Tami Jo Benson, for the huge role she played in making the event happen
- Ros de Vries is recognized for her role as the event's auctioneer for a second year
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The live auction had lively bidding.
SSC board member, Victoria Marcus, holds an SSC Custom Cuvée - 3L (Jeroboam) of "SF BAY AVA" Proprietary Red Blend from Studio Traverso, while Ros de Vries keeps the bidding going.
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Have you thought about volunteering?
The SSC is always on the lookout for good crew!
Click below to sign up.
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The key to ending suffering is to replace expectations with appreciation.
— Tony Robbins
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The SSC is grateful to the people and organizations that helped to make the 2024 event such a big success! The organizations below all contributed toward the gala and toward making the SSC vision a reality: | |
If you weren't able to join us but still want to be part of the effort, it's not too late to jump in. There are a variety of ways to help, whether donating cash, bitcoin, or used vehicles. Click below to learn more and be part of the effort. | | | | |
DECEMBER 12th - VINCE CASALAINA AT EYC
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We are grateful to award-winning producer, Vince Casalaina, as the first donor to the SSC 2024 Auction.
Vince is working on a feature-length documentary titled, Wind in their Sails: Death and Resurrection. The documentary celebrates the classic San Francisco Bay yachts that have survived, and the people who have dedicated their lives to maintaining them. The dark side to this story tells how, without constant care, these boats fall quickly into disrepair and die.
Vince will be speaking about the film and taking questions at Encinal Yacht Club on December 12th. Join us as we learn more about this interesting project!
Date: Thursday, December 12th
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Encinal Yacht Club, 1251 Pacific Marina, Alameda, CA 94501
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The sun sets over the sea, viewed from a Puerto Vallarta beach. Sunrises and sunsets mark the beginnings and ends of days. If today wasn't so good, there's always tomorrow. A good night's sleep can change everything and bring gratitude for a new day and a new beginning. | |
Photo by Martha Blanchfield / Renegade Sailing | | | | |
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The SSC has a quiet public calendar for December and January. We will be holding a special sailing and planning event for volunteers in early next year. Look into volunteering if you want to learn more.
Check our online calendar for the latest information on all SSC events.
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These are things YOU can do to make a difference and Move the Needle
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Three weeks of doublehanding from Hawaii to California brought its share of learning. The passage included both good and bad, but a single thing preoccupied my mind. We left in the sloppy wake of Hurricane Daniel, and on day one had our fresh laundry drenched with saltwater that came through an open hatch. Read more...
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That's all for this month.
Cheers!
Jim Hancock
President and Founder
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The San Francisco Sailing Science Center is a Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation recognized under IRS Section 501(c)(3), Tax ID 82-3631165. Your donation to the Sailing Science Center is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. | |
The Sailing Science Center News is published monthly. It is sent to team members, partners, volunteers, sponsors and supporters of the San Francisco Sailing Science Center. You are receiving this because you are considered to be in one of these groups. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please click the Unsubscribe link below. We do not sell, share or otherwise give out our mailing list beyond our organization. | | | | |
