THE LIVING BOAT TRUST INC. BUSINESS PLAN APRIL 2004-04-06

Executive Summary

The Living Boat Trust is a not for profit incorporated association, formed in June 1998 in order to promote Tasmania’s maritime heritage through the restoration of historic vessels, documentation, building replicas, interpretation, and the practical use of such craft to provide educational and recreational opportunities for the local community and visitors to the region.

The Trust aims, to promote community and regional development, including the development of Tasmanian tourism through meeting the needs of schools, youth groups, Adult Education, those with special needs, visitors, and co-operating with other bodies in offering training in the maritime arts. In the first five years of its existence it has established a large Community Workshop, commenced restoration and replica building projects in the form of mentoring programs for young people. It has gained accreditation as a Yachting Australia Training Centre and formed partnerships with other institutions at local, national and international levels to further its objectives.

This plan aims to establish a firm financial and strategic foundation for the future sustainability of the Trust’s volunteer base and a continued contribution to regional development.

Background

The Trust was founded by two graduates of the National Outdoor Leadership School (USA), Chris Burke and Pip Gowen. Chris Burke was also a graduate of Shipwright’s Point School of Wooden Boatbuilding. They sought to create an organisation that would build on the School’s growing subsidiary activity of providing sail training, boat restoration and boatbuilding activities for youth. They made a vigorous start by incorporating the Trust in 1998, and succeeded, after some difficulties and delays, in leasing an unoccupied piece of Crown land on the Franklin foreshore.  They obtained the donation of a large workshop from Hydro Tasmania, and the support of Forestry Tasmania and Hazell Brothers to dismantle it and transport it from Tarraleah to the Franklin site. Meanwhile, they made successful grant applications to acquire materials and to commence the construction of a replica of an 1860 Tasmanian Whaleboat. They also organised the hire of a fleet of traditional wooden boats for the Tall Ships event of 1998 to raise funds.

In 2002 the Trust was fortunate to obtain a seeding grant of $8,000 from Community Foundation Tasmania, followed by a grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund for the construction of a new homeport/workshop. With the additional financial support of other sponsors, Management Committee members and six months of continuous volunteer labour the workshop was completed and a certificate of occupancy obtained in April 2003. A number of boats belonging to local schools were repaired and used by Trust members and teaching staff to stage a small boat expedition in February 2003 with local children from the Huon to Hobart for the Wooden Boat Festival. They were then stored in the workshop and used during 2003 by the Trust’s qualified sailing instructors to provide sail training for local students. The Whaleboat materials and workbenches now also find their home in these premises.

This activity was assisted by a donation of $2000 from Geeveston District High School, volunteer rescue services and purchase of equipment by Franklin Primary School.

In 2003, contact was made with Albacore/Dacmar events in France, and a letter of intent was signed that agreed to a combined effort to stage an International event in D’entrecasteaux waterways in February 2005, towards the furtherance of the Trust’s maritime goals and importantly as a means of raising substantial capital for the Trust so that it could both meet its running expenses and also continue to achieve its community objectives. Albacore Principals visited Tasmania in February 2004 and obtained some encouragement from the Premier, Commonwealth Government Ministers and others in response to their request for Government support.

The keel of the Whaleboat, donated by saw-millers Roger Linnel and Andrew Skinner was recently laid in the workshop, and a group of experienced mentors has been assembled to commence in earnest, the construction of the vessel in conjunction with local students. Grant applications have been made, and are still pending, to employ a full-time boat-builder for three months from 1 July 2004 (to guarantee completion on schedule), and to document the process on film.

Vision

The Trust’s Vision for the future is to become a vibrant, financially independent organisation that is well connected to its community and able to reliably execute its aims and objectives.

The Trust’s Vision for the near future is to complete the construction of the Whaleboat in time for the “Hands Across Generations” Festival, planned by the Huon valley Council to be held in Franklin on 20th October 2004. This will allow time to train a crew of local youth to participate in the Raid in February 2005. This could be followed by the construction of a second vessel in due course so that Tasmanians can join their mainland counterparts in regular whaleboat competitions along the lines of the “Atlantic Challenge” events of the northern hemisphere. Further Adult sail –training classes and winter workshop courses have been planned for the rest of 2004. These aims imply the growth of the organisation to the point at which it can employ a person to manage much of its day to day activity, leaving the Management Committee to concentrate on strategy and community liaison.

Products and Services

The Trust provides educational and recreational experiences for the local community, especially young people and older citizens who wish to use the organisation as an avenue for making a contribution in a convivial, safe, but stimulating context, to social capital and regional development. It provides a community workshop in an attractive waterside location, a fleet of traditional sailing boats in good condition, and restoration and construction projects that will add to these assets while providing educational experiences in the process, It makes a significant contribution to the Franklin waterfront as a visitor destination, and complements the established activities of the Wooden Boat Centre.

Market Analysis

The Trust’s immediate clients are local schools, children at risk in local towns, through Huon Valley Council Youth services, and older residents who seek continued opportunities to contribute to the community in line with their own expertise and experience. Recent arrivals from the mainland are an important component of the last group. Visitors include boating and maritime enthusiasts from other parts of the state, including Hobart, and constitute a market for the adult seamanship and maritime arts courses that bring in the income that enables the Trust to provide free services to local children. There is a wider market for research products such as documentary films, magazine articles and books, plans of historic craft and instructional videos that will be tested as a result of the Swiftsure whaleboat reconstruction project.

Swot Analysis

Strengths

1. •Good waterfront deep-water site on main road in a busy small town on a tourist route.
   

2. •Good standing in the local community.
   

3. •Large community workshop, increasingly well equipped with donated or loaned standing power and hand tools.
   

4. •Established working relationships with local schools, Council and Wooden Boat Centre.
   

5. •Committed membership drawn from local and Hobart areas
   

6. •Active local volunteer network
   

7. •Materials in hand for major project,(Swiftsure replica)
   

8. •Yachting Australia Training Establishment accreditation.
   

9. •Assets include donated historic boats for restoration, in-house use, or sale.
   

Weaknesses

1. •Fragmented and irregular sources of income in a context of regular
   

2. •essential financial commitments.
   

3. •Entirely volunteer staff with otherwise busy lives
   

4. •Credibility gap through interruption of past projects
   

5. •Some unfulfilled Council planning requirements
   

6. •Small local active membership base and distance from Hobart membership
   

Opportunities

1. •Youth programs with local high Schools and Huon Valley Council
   

2. •Raid partnership with Albacore/Dacmar Events
   

3. •Follow up Raids on a regular independent basis from 2007 onwards
   

4. •Inclusion in Australian Mainland Whaleboat association network.
   

5. •Visitor donations, Adult Ed Courses
   

6. •Commercial Adult sail-training courses
   

7. •Winter restoration and Maritime Arts courses
   

8. •Tasmanian Bi-Centennial fund
   

9. •Arts Tasmania Growing partnerships fund
   

10. •Hands Across Generations participation Oct 2004
    

11. •Local Press and T.V. coverage---increasing membership
    

12. •Newsletter
    

Threats

1. •Volunteer burnout,
   

2. •Shortage of qualified sailing instructors
   

3. •Unsuccessful grant applications
   

Overcoming Threats and weaknesses

1. •Maintain energy levels until financial stability is achieved
   

2. •Diversify and increase sources of income
   

3. •Cultivate good relations with sister organisations, i.e. avoid competition and cultivate complementarity.
   

4. •Publicise activity, increase active membership.
   

5. •Gain financial support to relieve volunteer membership.
   

6. •Train more sailing instructors
   

Marketing Plan

The Trust has an active relationship with local schools, boat builders, youth groups, residents, and the Huon Valley Council, and its reputation and activities are becoming increasingly well known and supported through these organisations.  We plan to maintain and develop these relationships constructively in to the future.

The Trust also enjoys visual presence and visitation by virtue of its attractive waterfront location, next to the Wooden Boat School in Franklin.  Whenever volunteers are available, and something is happening, the Trust markets itself to a stream of supportive enquirers.

Otherwise the marketing of the Trust occurs through the activities that it conducts.  Sailing and small craft maintenance/wood technology courses are marketed through Adult Education, Schools, volunteers and other word of mouth. Significant events, such as the launching of vessels and international events will attract media attention and publicise the Trust’s mission and activities.

Marketing of the international Raid, planned for February 2004, will be undertaken largely by Albacore/Dacmar events, through their in-house media unit.  This unit can gain the attention of 15 million overseas readers and an equal number of T.V. viewers and will focus global attention on the Huon Region, bring a long term increase in visitor numbers, increase export opportunities for Tasmanian maritime products and raise the profile of the Living boat Trust Inc.  Local marketing efforts, by way of public relations, newspaper and magazine editorial, public appearances, signage, etc, are planned to ensure the Living Boat Trusts relationship to the RAID, the goals of the Trust and its myriad of other activities are well known and understood by the Tasmanian public.

Operational Plan

The Trust holds sail training classes after school every Monday from 3.pm until 5pm for beginners, and on Tuesdays from 4pm to 6pm for secondary school students who have already obtained the Basic skills 1 certificate.

Each Monday evening, after 1 July until 20 October, from 5pm til 10pm skilled volunteer mentors and an equal number of teenage clients from Huonville and Geeveston will meet to progress the construction of the Swiftsure whaleboat. For the rest of the week the aim is to have a fulltime boat-builder working with the help of whatever volunteer support is available.

A winter- time “ Wood Technology for wooden Boats” adult education class has been scheduled for June, followed by a small boat engine installation class for a donated Cray boat in August. Adult Education sailing and open boat cruising classes will be held in November and the following March.  This will become the regular annual delivery pattern, with new projects replacing the Swiftsure exercise. Some restoration projects will be the means of increasing the sail training fleet. Others will be sold to provide income.

The organisation and delivery of “off water” and some “on water” logistics for the proposed RAID in February 2005 will consume volunteer resources for up to 6 months otherwise.

Management

A Committee, elected by the members at an Annual General Meeting, manages the Trust. It now consists of the following: Convenor, Dr John Young, Hon Secretary, Southerly Dolling, Treasurer, Michelle Durbin, Committee members, Gerald Wright, Ron Wilds, Michael Foley and Andy Gamlin. The committee meets at least four times a year, but in practice much more frequently. A smaller sub-Committee has been meeting since December 2003 to organise the Raid with French based Albacore/Dacmar events, and to report back to the full Committee and the Membership at special general meetings.

Future Goals and Targets

The projects for the next two years have been outlined above. Beyond that there has been some discussion about building a 70 foot cargo carrying ketch or schooner of traditional Tasmanian design to act as a marketing tool for Tasmanian craft furniture and other wood products sold across the wharf at venues such as Darling Harbour Melbourne’s South Bank, Port Adelaide and Brisbane river.

Our most significant financial goal over the next 2 years is to achieve financial independence and to employ a co-ordinator.

Financial Plan

The Living Boat Trust is in a formative stage of development having spent the past 2 years growing a small membership base and a home port/workshop as a focal point for its activities.  During this time The Trust has secured, and successfully acquitted approximately $30,000 in Grants and substantial in-kind sponsorship and volunteer support towards the acquisition, cartage, construction and site preparation for its home premises.  We have conducted numerous small sailing courses, a small RAID with local Schools, and enjoyed the receipt of some $3,000 in cash donations to support the on going and mounting administrative expenses associated with the new premises and the insurance of our activities.

Over the next 18 months The Trust plans to expand its membership and secure its financial position so as to fund the construction of a replica whaleboat, conduct a significant international boat-racing event to be known as a RAID, and restore and sell a small Cray boat.  It is hoped these activities will mark the beginning of many such projects, providing opportunities for intergenerational mentor programs. The cash surpluses from them will supply necessary funds for administration and seeding of future projects and events.

The following are available:

1. Profit and Loss Statement for 2003-2004 year to date

2. Balance Sheet for 2003-2004 year to date

3. Profit and Loss Budget Overview for the full year 2003-2004

4. Summary Cash Flow Forecast 2004-2005

5. Detailed Cash Flow Forecast 2004-2005

The Cash Flow Forecast for 2004-2005 reflects our plan to fund approximately 60% of ongoing administrative costs through membership income, donations and the conduct of small craft maintenance and sailing courses on a voluntary basis.  The Forecast further illustrates our funding approach towards the conduct of significant maritime projects.  Each event is to be separately funded through Grants, voluntary and sponsorship resources, and a strategic relationship with Albacore in France, to conduct the RAID. 

The Whaleboat project will break even on costs, however it is proposed to raise in the order of $40,000 by providing the “on” and “off” water logistics for the RAID.  The RAID will demand an enormous amount of energy and time from our volunteers/members for which they are keen to see a substantial surplus go to the Living Boat Trust to further its goals and objectives and ensure its longevity.  Last, but not least, the restoration of a small Cray boat, donated to the Trust will see it sell for a profit of approximately $5,000.  The process should release much-needed funds and provide a focus for small boat maintenance courses until it is fully restored in May/June 2005.

Future project plans include the construction of a second whaleboat, the conduct of a Southern Ocean Whaleboat Challenge in association with the Albany and Warrnambool Whale Boat Associations, and the ongoing 2 yearly conduct of small boat RAIDs through the Huon and D’entrecasteaux Channels.  It is further hoped that we may establish a regular sailing fleet and expand the current small craft sailing and maintenance courses that we successfully commenced this year.

If successful with the next 12 month plan, the Trust will be financially secure, will have a historically significant Whaleboat asset for youth leadership development projects and whaleboat challenge events, will have established the RAID event in Tasmania for the future, and will enjoy a significant and vibrant membership base for ongoing sailing and maritime endeavour.

The Trust plans, over the next 2 years to grow its membership base and sailing activities so as to enable it to fully fund administrative expenses from membership funds and to start applying surpluses to a full time co-ordinator and to future projects, thus reducing its reliance on grants, sponsorships and donations.  We foresee a continued reliance on Grants and sponsorships for the co-ordinator and special projects over the next 5 years, but are confident that significant seed funding should be available from prior event surpluses beyond that timeframe.

PEST analysis

Political: The Trust enjoys a good relationship with its many private sponsors and with a number of grant bodies within Tasmania.  The Tasmanian Government is looking for ways to support sound, value added enterprise, especially in economically precarious regions, and to see its timber resource used responsibly through the employment of Tasmanians.  The activities of the Trust are entirely complementary with this climate. The main political concern for the Trust, as for other businesses involved in wooden boatbuilding, is that the special timbers that are the basis of Tasmania’s maritime tradition are threatened by the contending forces of industrial forestry and the conservation movement. It is important that the present search for a political solution, that facilitates an ecologically sustainable supply of Tasmania’s unique, very slow growing special timbers into the future is successful.

Economic: The economic context in which the Trust operates is one in which there is a global revival of interest in wooden boats. A reader survey by Wooden Boat Magazine (USA) revealed that its readership of over 100,000 people were affluent, with an average personal income of 97,000 U.S. dollars a year. The Australian revival is less well documented, but marked, as shown by the success of several increasingly popular Wooden Boat festivals. The threat of terrorism in big cities, and desire for a “sea change” on the part of many mainlanders is driving numbers of them to come and live in Tasmania and contribute to the life of our communities in ways that they enjoy in any case. At the same time, the social inequality that has accompanied the economic growth of the past two decades, has often exacerbated the problems of both urban and rural youth, and left many older people unemployed, despite their skills. The Living Boat Trust provides one way for the problems and remedies inherent in this state of affairs to match each other.

Social: Research by Robert Putnam (e.g. Making democracy Work: Civic tradition in Modern Italy, Princeton, 1993) and others has shown the importance of “Social Capital” in creating the conditions for an effective democratic society. Volunteer organisations like progress associations, dramatic societies, churches, and sporting clubs are vital contributors to the creation of social capital. Unlike corporations, or large trade unions that unite those with a community of interest across regional and local boundaries, volunteer organisations depend on collaboration between people who can meet each other in the street on a daily basis, and so they are communities of place that can transcend the sometimes divisive influence of communities of interest. The Trust strengthens a community of place which has suffered fragmentation in recent times, and provides depth to its self confidence by linking generations of the present community with one another and its half remembered past.

Technology. While the Trust has a mission to celebrate the technology that astonished past generations because of its modernity, it has no Luddite prejudice. It recognises, however that there is educational value in using tools and methods that make it necessary to understand all the details of transformation from raw material to finished product and the skills needed to achieve it. This value is not threatened by technological change, nor by an appreciation of the advantages that modern materials and methods can bring to the maritime arts.

Conclusion

The Living Boat Trust Inc has overcome considerable initial difficulties and has now

established itself as a valuable contributor to community and regional development. It has also found the means to maintain a program of maritime, educational and heritage activity into the future. But while it can break even financially while continuing with its programs, it is dependent on a relatively small number of active members, and thus on continued success, for sufficient energy and enthusiasm to be maintained. The vital need in the near future is for some one-off external funding to enable the organisation to avoid living from hand to mouth, and to be able, if needs be, to survive any of the kinds of crisis which are now to be expected in the life of a voluntary organisation.

See the developing plan here