Maine Conference Properties

By exegete

  • PL: Criterium Mooney Engineers facilities survey and Capital improvement/ Maintenance Plan (all 3 Conference properties)

  • Criterium Mooney Engineers chimney Evaluation (following Cabin 5 fire)

  • Pilgrim Lodge report from consultants, Richard K. Chamberlain & Assoc., commissioned by the OMC

  • Period: to

    Maine Conference Properties History

  • – Bryan Breault meets with David Gaewski and Mark Schussler on future anniversary and proposes PL exclusive capital campaign

  • Bryan gives comprehensive report to the CC including short term goals and systemic long term issue

  • commissions PL visioning team

  • Vision Team makes full presentation to CC retreat including recommendations (Existing, Enhancing, Expanding) and timelines. CC commissions feasibility/use study; commissions 'working group'

  • Working Group begins meeting; works diligently and often, researches other camps master plans etc.

  • M Schussler and I Steeves work on RFP for use study, Bruce Lockwood Portland Research Group chosen

  • Report from Portland Research Group distributed to working group

  • Working Group reviews proposed list of capital campaign projects

  • Community Life Commission discussed the Financial Envisioning and Development Committee recommendation about setting up meetings and look at the assets of the conference

  • Denise Goodman, moderator sends email to Working Group expressing gratitude and suggesting group stop meeting in deference to new facilities' evaluation proposal, no report from working group is requested or offered

  • Communty Life Commission meeting began the planning process for arranging discussions with the conference members regarding the physical assets of the Maine Conference and report back to Coordinating Council

  • received recommendations for facilitators from David Gaewski

  • commission established some questions, possible sites and facilitators; established a focus group for each conference asset to gather information

  • Amidon Appraisal Company presented a proposal for real estate appraisals of Rockcraft, Pilgrim Lodge and Pennell Center

  • meeting in Waterville for the facilitators

  • meeting in Yarmouth for additional facilitators

  • first of 15 town meetings around the state (last held 8 Dec, 2007)

  • Appraisal completed and shared with task force committee and coordinating council

  • Town meeting notes put on website

  • Summary of town meetings put on website

  • special meeting of Coordinating Council reviews the Maine Conference Mission statement, and formulates a vision statement

  • Coordinating Council reviews six concepts for proceeding with Conference properties, suggests three for discussion at Annual Meeting, and selects one as the CC's preference

  • Annual Meeting delegates discuss the three Conference properties concepts

  • “Conversations” notes and summary are reported to the Annual Meeting

  • Annual Meeting Conversation summary posted to the website

  • Pennell Center Task Force reports findings to Coordinating Council outlining possibilities for additions, renovations or maintenance

  • members of Coordinating Council visit each Conference facility

  • Coordinating Council hears a report on the repairs/maintenance necessary at Rockcraft. Authorizes a subcommittee to generate a design and cost estimate for replacement of Pilgrim Lodge boardwalk. Authorizes an appeal to fund a Feasibility Study to be co

  • Scott Simon Architects conduct interviews with staff and stakeholders, and visits properties (thrugh Dec)

  • Scott Simons Architects present Facility Feasibility Study to Coordinating Council. Recommendations included eventual sale of Rockcraft and Pennell Center, initiation of planned maintenance program for Rockcraft and Pilgrim Lodge, and development of a ma

  • Special Conference Meeting voted to terminate rental activities at Rockcraft Lodge no later than Dec. 31, 2009, and offer Rockcraft Retreat Center and property for sale. The meeting authorized the Coordinating Council to take actions necessary to complet

  • Executive Committee authorized the formation of the Next Generation Working Group to continue working on the future of the Maine Conference properties

  • Coordinating Council establishes the Pilgrim Lodge Task Force to work with Bryan Breault about marketing, fundraising, oversight and immediate repairs and maintenance at Pilgrim Lodge

  • Next Generation Committee conducts interviews with Association Moderators, Executive Committee members and advisors of State Youth Council to determine their needs from and expectations of the Conference (through Feb 2010)

  • Gardiner Church votes to give its property and liquid assets to the Maine Conference. Scott Simons Architects hired to assess the Gardiner church building as a possible location for the Conference office and retreat center.

  • Coordinating Council votes to sell the Gardiner church organ to help defray the cost of the feasibility study. Scott Simons recommend a hazardous waste assessment, and neighborhood meetings be conducted at the Gardiner site

  • Coordinating Council votes to proceed with the study of the Pilgrim Lodge boardwalk to include replacement of the current boardwalk and handicapped availability to the chapel and waterfront, pending the availability of funds from the proceeds of the sale

  • Groundswell of support for the Pilgrim Lodge boardwalk project arose. Donations to the PL Boardwalk were collected on the meeting floor. Kent Ulery, president of BTS, offered the use of BTS development staff to continue raising money for the project.

  • Pledges and donations for the PL Boardwalk Project solicited and received (through August 2010)

  • After discussion with potential donors, the OMC, PL campers, and others, it was decided to use the donated funds to hire consultants to do a long-term master plan for maintenance and further development of Pilgrim Lodge, rather than spend the money that

  • Conference receives a gift of property from the Norman Powell Living Trust in Carmel, and lists it with a realtor

  • Next Generation Task Force recommends either renovating the Gardiner church facility (using proceeds from the sale of Rockcraft and the Pennell Center) or retaining and upgrading the Pennell Center. Both recommendations included providing significant upg

  • Conference receives notice of a gift from the estate of Nellie Stahlman of Strong, ME of approximately $330,000

  • A portion of the northern section of Rockcraft property is sold

  • Carmel property is sold for approximately $49,000

  • Coordinating Council votes to place the Gardiner Church property up for sale. The Council voted to ask senior staff in consultation with the Executive Committee, to develop a proposal to move the Conference office to the Augusta area

  • Coordinating Council reads and discusses David Gaewski's "sizzle" paper

  • The Coordinating Council votes to disband the New Generation Committee with thanks for their work. Council reaffirms the appointment of the property committee to manage the sale of the Gardiner church property. City of Gardiner indicates it will seek pr

  • Cordinating Council hears report about spaces available for conference in the Augusta area

  • Moderator Herb Oliver sends letters to moderators of associations, clergy, local leaders, and conference leaders apprising them of conference activities regarding church properties

  • LandVest will represent the Rockcraft property. A realtor is being sought for the Gardiner property. David reports that he met with Cumberland Assoc. clergy regarding the move of the Conference office to the Augusta area. Council votes to rescind its mo

  • Coordinating Council hears a report that commercial rental properties are available in the Augusta-Waterville area at reasonable rates