Purchase agreement reached!

Because fundraising in Svendborg has been very flat for the last several months, the Association has made an offer to the shipyard to buy the ship for the funds now available to them, and to use part of the funds to haul and survey the ship as soon as possible. They feel that fundraising will be easier if they own the ship...

The balance in the purchase account is 411.000 kr., which includes 5,000 kr from the matching grant, which the NZ donation triggered.The shipyard will receive 300,000 kr of this when the agreement is signed on monday. The shipyard will then own a part in the ship worth 400,000 kr. The Association will have three years to pay the remaining 400,000 kr owed to the shipyard. The price of the ship has risen by 100,000kr because the shipyard sent a bill for berth dues and maintenance, since the process has taken a year now.

100,000 kr of the new price will be paid by the same fund, which gave 100,000 kr last year to the Association. This money is earmarked to pay the berth dues and maintenance bill, which the Association did not feel it could ask its members to pay. Thus the Association will be responsible only for the 600,000 kr their bylaws are based on. Since the original agreement was that I should be able to walk away without debt in return for turning over the ship for the price of the debt alone, the fund felt that it's support was needed to keep that part of the agreement. The Association's board has agreed to this.

On Monday, if all goes well 'Fri' will be owned by the Sailingship Association Anne Margrethe. They will call the Association's Annual General Meeting to order on March 28th, and will ask the members to recognise the agreement. There is some talk that there may be some members not willing to be part of having a debt to the shipyard. The agreement with membership payments was that the money would remain in the escrow account until the purchase sum was reached, when it would be turned over to the shipyard, in return for ownership.

I don't know how the Association will handle this debt problem formally. I have done all that I can to try to raise the agreed 600,000 kr. so that the Association can begin with a clean slate.

I have in the meantime appealed to Greenpeace to help. A donation of 150,000 kr. or memberships in that amount will release the remainder of the 50,000 kr. promised by an anonymous donor. I feel strongly that even if it may be a one off donation, a kind of recognition by Greenpeace about the role Fri played will help in preserving that part of her long history. It may also point the way for possible future roles as an environmental educational vessel. The Association's bylaws permit other groups and organisations recognised by the board to use the ship.

I would also like feedback from all interested in seeing that some parts of the historical "modern" interior of the ship, which were central to the projects Fri sailed in the years from 1971 to 1998, be preserved. For example, and most importantly, the galley and mess. There we can point to the glass jar rack and tell the story of the hiding of the passports at Moruroa, which made the whole incredible story of our hunger strike and the popular appeal in Tahiti possible.

NZ membership deposit tops the 400,000 kr. mark

The balance in the Association's escrow account today is 406,o77.58 kr. This is including the just received membership deposit from the group of dedicated former 'Fri' crew in NZ: 14,824 kr! Thanks for putting this drive over the 400,000 kr. mark. The donation will activate an additional 5,000 matching kr! So the balance by week's end should be 416,000 kr. including one new young member in Svendborg, Mikkel Larsen-Ledet, son of the Assoc.'s treasurer.

New member in Alaska!

The membership payment for Patricia Moodie, my carpenter and everything possible sister, who lives in North Pole, Alaska, was registered today. The Association's account is thus 372,420 kr. Welcome Pat!

Sept. 6 was another anniversary. The ship's Bilbrev, a kind of deed, from the shipbuilder to the original owner, Claus Grastrup, upon delivery of the ship, is dated Sept. 6, 1912-- 95 years ago. A little coffee and cake meeting was held on board, a sunny Sept evening. I tried to give the members a little background about the ship's special relationship to boundaries! I told about the Danish/German boundary in southern Jutland in 1912, which meant that the Danish speaking skipper lived in northernmost Germany, and the ship was therefor registered in Germany until 1922, when the Danes voted to be part of Denmark again after the 1st World War. Also I told about the boundary between sail and diesel, very much under change in 1912, but Claus Grastrup, the skipper/owner ordered a pure sailing vessel, and in 1925 he chose to go ashore instead of sailing with an auxilliary motor! Also a short mention of 1912 as a milestone year in which the Danish physicist Niels Bohr published equations marking some of the most important discoveries into atomic physics.

The steering committee is out working hard to find business members, for whom the Association will receive 1 dollar for every three dollars raised. The matching grant is for up to 10,000 dollars.
This is intended to help get the Association over the top with its fundraising so that the ownership can be transferred and foundations can be applied to for the renovation and preservation funds necessary to get the ship sailing again.

New effort

The balance in the association's account as of the 28th August 2007 was 367,420 kr.

At the last executive committee meeting, 16th August, the following minutes were recorded:
Present were: Thomas Bretton-Meyer, Niels Gade, Arne Larsen-Ledet, Helene Moodie, Martin Stockholm

Agenda for the meeting:
Following agenda for the meetings is established until further notice:

1. Authorisation of last meeting's minutes.
2. Follow up of action points.
3. Budget check and economy, hereunder membership status and status of applications to foundations
4. Contact to press.
5. Coming membership activities
6. Establish next meeting date.
7. Diverse
   

Re point. 1:

Minutes of the exec. committee meeting #4 were reviewed and accepted.

Re point. 2:

Action points from meeting #1 were followed up:

Arne will make giro payment cards for the association which canbe mailed and attached to the folder and other material.

It was decided to wait with transfer of 10,000 kr for administrative purposes as we have received a number of dues payments.

Thomas has contacted Bent C Tryk (printer) re printing of a folder and other items. Thomas and Niels continue work on the folder.

Re point. 3.:

No new members since last meeting

Helene told that David has a contact (anonymous), who will give the association $ 1 for every $3 that the association receives from businesses. The anonymous donor will give up to $10.000 .

Arne will work further on the homepage.

No further foundations or funds have been applied to since last meeting.

Re point. 4.:

Thomas and Helene contact the press in connection with the ship's birthday (launched Aug 17th, 1912-- 95 yrs!) to again set focus on our project after the summer holiday period.

Re point. 5.:

Thomas will work on activities in connection with the birthday.

Re point. 6.:

Next meeting is Thursday Sept. 13th, 2000hrs on Fri.

Re point. 7.:

The ship's future was discussed. Helene suggested several uses for the ship( cargo, environmental ambassador, participation in organized sail events-- Nordic Sail, Limfjorden Around, or Fyn 'Round.

Thomas emphasized that the primary job is to preserve the ship so that it can sail.

It was a good discussion about the ship's future. A project in which Svendborg's friendship/sister cities could be involved was also discussed.

It was decided that the association's members will be decisive when it comes time to choose how to use the ship.

Helene told that David has raised 5,000 kr, which are earmarked. 2,000 will be used to "save" the mizzen mast, which is lying outdoors at the yard, and 200 liters of linseed oil will be bought in Sweden, which can be sold in small portions. Martin will buy small bottles. Thomas/Martin will make a label.

Martin will contact the firms Ramirent, Jelle Bo and others to get a price for a container to rent and a price for renting tarpaulins. We will try to get these costs covered by sponsors.

That's how it happened,

Martin Stockholm

We were about 10 souls who had a quiet birthday party on board. Thomas had arranged for sandwiches and drinks. I tried to make the point that the membership campaign, and thus the eventual purchase of the ship should be a high priority, as the ship, more than Ring Andersen's impatience is setting the agenda. The dear old lady badly needs to start on this revitalisation, beginning with a haulout to address some of the old bottom plank issues, which have been on the wish list for some years! There was no decision on setting a deadline fo fundraising, but it was agreed that all efforts should be focussed on the economy, and not on member activities, until the ship is purchased. There was general agreement that the aim should be to have the last of the fundraising home by the end of the fall. All were very encouraged by the offer of a matching grant of 1 for 3.

.

New Balance in the Association Account: 357,000 kr.

The 100,000 kr. legate from Ragnhild Bruun's Fund has officially been tallied in the Association's escrow account towards the purchase of the ship. The current balance is 357,000 kr. Thanks to Ragnhild Bruun's Fund!

The minutes of the second Steering committee meeting from 29 May are posted here, and include interesting events planned for the summer.

Other interesting news includes the forthcoming visit of the former owner of 'Fri', Norman de Vall of San Francisco, from whom I and my brothers bought 'Fri' in 1971. Norman plans to come in September, and will be bringing picture and other documentation of his epic cargo passage from N. Europe to San Francisco in 1969. Ideas for other events in connection with his visit are already bubbling here, what about there?

Minutes/ Decisions of Sailship Association Anne Margrethe Steering Committee Meeting No. 2, 29 May, 2007 Meeting held at the Maritime Center

Present at the meeting:

Thomas Bretton-Meyer

Niels Gade

Arne Larsen-Ledet

Martin Stockholm

Absent (excused)

Kaj Hansen

Bjarne Møldrup.

Helene Moodie.

Agenda:

Thomas promised to send agenda via email so I don’t have to use time transcribing.

Re. Point 1

Follow up of items on last agenda

Arne will send an updated membership list to Thomas

Thomas will bring the list up to date further with contact info (tel. no., Email , addresses)

Membership dues to be 800 kr. yearly, due in ½ yearly payments

Niels told that he has gotten an association to be a member of Anne Margrethe Assoc.

Thomas is in contact with Bent C Printers re. a folder. He and Niels will be responsible for making the folder.

Re. Point 2

The internet homepage is functioning and Arne will continue developing it. (www.annemargrethe.dk ed: only in Danish, but English version coming soon)

Re. Point 3

It was decided that Thomas will continue working with the membership list, hereunder the email list.

It was decided that the steering committee receives copies of the minutes and that a special newsletter (ed: referring to the minutes) will be sent to members and people on the newsletter list.

Re. Point 4

Working with Svendborg Sparekasse, Arne will follow up and get a dues payment mail system established.

Re. Point 5

Our exhibition in Svendborg Sparekasse has been moved to the Svendborg Library.

It was decided to hold a member meeting at the Maritime Center possibly with Jes Kroman from the Ship Preservation Fund (Skibsbevaringsfonden). Thomas will follow up on the idea.

Re. Point 6

Thomas will contact Lars Giver of Production Highschool’s Media dept. and propose making a film about Anne Margrethe and the restoration work.

Martin will contact Denmark Radio (ed.: also includes TV) which will be sending from Honor Quay and the Maritime Center in the summer holiday, about making an item about ‘Anne Margrethe’. ‘Anne Margrethe’ will be moved to Honor Quay and an “Open Ship” will be held. July 12^th is the tentative date.

It was decided to hold a cleanup day on the ship for members. Thomas and David will contact Peter Ring Andersen concerning possibilities and practicalities (i.e. waste disposal and towing)

Sunday, 24^th June was chosen for Cleanup Day.

Re. Point 7

Thomas informed that Ragnhild Bruun’s Fond contributed a 100,000 kr. legate to the Association. Various ideas for using the funds were discussed and it was decided to use the money towards the purchase of the ship. The idea is to buy the ship as soon as possible, and afterwards, a corresponding sum of money raised from the continued membership drive can be used for other purposes.

Re. Point 8 & 9

It was decided not to start a “friends association” yet, but to wait until the ship is purchased and restoration has begun.

Arne told about the Association’s first “aspirant” (ed: a person who is willing to do voluntary work in exchange for membership) Ditte Røjkjær, who wants to work actively on the restoration.

So it happened at the meeting.

Martin Stockholm

Secretary

Translated by David Moodie

Minutes of the First Steering Committee Meeting

Minutes of the Steering Committee Meeting of the Sailing Ship Anne Margrethe Association

15^th May 2007

Participating: Thomas Bretton Meyer, Niels Gade, Kaj Hansen, Arne Larsen Ledet, Bjarne Møldrup

Not in attendence: Martin Stockholm, Helene Moodie

AGENDA:

1.Founding General Meeting and the new steering committee

All expressed satisfaction with the successful way the meeting developed.

- A few errors crept into the first newsletter sent the 10^th of May. Arne will correct them.

- The Association has finally gotten an SE number (financial registration with the tax authorities) It is registered on the association’s bank account. Arne is working on establishing a netbank for the association.

- We’ve received an email about Helene’s future participation in the steering committee’s work. Thomas will contact Helene and follow up on the mail.

2. Reporter and meeting protocol

As the secretary was absent these minutes were written by Bjarne Møldrup. Until a meeting protocol can be established on a closed page on the Association’s website, Thomas will make a ringbinder as meeting protocol. These meeting minutes will be sent to steering committee members, and Arne will send them on to members.

3. Homepage. How we best use it.

The website is important for our communication with members. Arne is sweating and busting butt to make it as user-friendly and informative as possible. We’re working on the following:

- “Translation” (transcription so it is readable) of the original building contract of the ship. Any volunteers? David has promised to make an English translation.

- Arne is checking on the possibility for banner ads

- A members only part of the site should be established with log-on function.

- A membership list and debate forum will be here. (on that member’s page)

- Following email addresses will be set up:

info@annemargrethe.dk as public contact to the association¨

nyheder@annemargrethe.dk sent to all members- news

bestyrelsen@annemargrethe.dk sent to all steering comm. members

4. Membership list and mail list. 4.A Collection of Dues

Arne will update the mail list, which will be set in the members’ only page of the website. All members who have provided an address will be sent minutes and other information. Collection of dues. Arne will send a Giro card to members. Dues will be collected in two ½ yearly installments of 400 kr. each.

5. How do we get new members?

Each steering committee member has the goal of recruiting 5 new members

Thomas and Niels will try to get companies as members. These can well pay more than 5,000 kr.

Kaj will try to make a link from Thurø Sail Club and encourage TSK members to become members.

Thomas will work on making a folder about membership and a sticker with “We support Anne Margrethe”.

We will offer new members the possibility of paying their deposit in five installments.

Arne and Niels will investigate advertising things to sell from the website.

6. Planning and good ideas for the future.

As it will be a while before we can gather around the ship, it’s important that we establish sociability for members in other ways.

-Niels and Thomas will come with suggestions for courses to offer.

-Over the summer there will be at least two arrangements, for example

A lecture.

An outing to the ‘Loa’ ship project in Ålborg.

-A sail outing possibly to Ærø to visit Bonavista

7. Contact to Peter Ring-Andersen

Thomas will contact him to get the future cleared up. The goal is to get a written declaration of intent with purchase conditions.

8.Exhibition in Svendborg Sparekasse (savings bank)

Niels will check the possibility for getting the exhibition set up in the Town Library. Thomas will photograph the exhibition for the website.

9 PR, Radio, TV and other.

We must check out the possibilities for getting one of the TV stations to follow the renovation of the ship. Niels will contack Thomas Dal.

Thomas will be responsible for ongoing coverage in the press.

10. Invitation to apply for a legate from Birgitte Bruun’s family Fund

Birgitte Bruun has invited us to apply to her family fund for a legate. The application must be in hand by the 24^th of May. Bjarne and Thomas will meet her on the 17^th.

11. Other ideas.

There were no other new ideas.

12. Other and Diverse

The next meeting will be the 29^th of May at the Maritime Center.

Breakthrough!

Orietta Sloth, one of our Peace Odyssey crew from NZ all the way through to HK, 1974 - 1976 and a dear old friend, put the membership account over 250,000 kr. with her membership. Welcome Orietta! The balance stands at 256,000 kr. this weekend.

Gilbert Nicolas, the Frenchman who sailed the whole passage from NZ to arrest at Moruroa formed a Friends of Fri group in Bretagne, many years ago, and has been a faithful supporter and believer in the Fri story all these years. Les Amis du Fri have contributed 40,000 kr. to the membership appeal. They have just sent an additional 8,000 kr. to be used for the ship itself. I thought that it might be a good idea to try to do a basic video documentary of the ship as it is now, before any changes the association might want to make.

I would like to "video and tell" from one end of the ship to the other. The 8,000 kr. could cover professional help and materials to get the story "in the can". Editing and making it into something useful can come later. There are so many precious things from so many chapters in our part of her long story, and stories we've been told by the first owner's daughter and other crew from times past, stories connected to bits of the ship... stories which shouldn't be lost.
The Association applied to the Ragnhild Bruun Fund for money and just got notified that the Association has received a grant of 100,000 kr. with no conditions attached. Thomas Bretton Meyer, the chairman, feels that the money should be put into the membership account towards the purchase of the ship, and can be used for other purposes when the membership drive is complete. This is a big break!

Henk Haazen, one of the gallant gang from the PLENTY International and Nicaragua Peace Fleet projects in 1982-84 has just got his email list up and running again, after a salt water encounter at sea on board his beautiful 'Tiama' Charter Yacht (tiama@clear.net.nz --'Tiama' and Henk sail to some of the most remote and screaming 50's islands in the world, as well as Antarctica, Aussi and NZ)....and has circulated an appeal to Fri friends in NZ. They have started an account towards the purchase of memberships there. They have a balance of 2500 NZD.

I am waiting for the minutes of the first executive committee meeting from Thomas, and will translate and send them out from here.

Apologies for the long pause, my own computer has been destructively creative, and my mail list also is down... help!