May 16, 2013

FINEST HOUR 140, AUTUMN 2008

BY LAURENCE S. GELLER, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ABSTRACT
WHERE WE’RE GOING, HOW WE’LL GET THERE

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BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 2008— Let me first again thank Joe Hern and the New England Churchillians for all their hard work in putting together this terrific and energizing conference. These are difficult economic times and an attendance of over 200 is testimonial to not only the long and enduring interest in Churchill, but an awareness of the importance and relevance of this unique and vital man’s life.

In the fragile and volatile world in which we live, who amongst us does not realize how critical it is to learn from Churchillian actions and thoughts. How many of us Churchillians don’t scratch our heads in bemusement as we see situation after situation evolve with obvious parallels to challenges Churchill faced, yet how very often are the lessons from Churchill’s life ignored?

That is why the Churchill Centre, the Churchill Museum, and the Cabinet War Rooms exist, and why our mission is to promote and sustain, for the benefit of current and future generations, the legacy and heritage of Sir Winston Churchill in order to foster the values of freedom, leadership, statesmanship and courage. This translates into action in the form of a our principal programs.

Education sits at the very core of the values and purpose of the Churchill Centre. Our programs, seminars, symposia and conferences are the very essence of what we do. Yet so much more is to be done if we are to have a constant and sustaining program reaching all levels of our society throughout North America and the UK. We deserve the best and will not rest until we achieve our goals, with Suzanne Sigman our continuing inspiration.

Our recent merger with the American Friends of the Churchill Museum has allowed the Churchill Centre to blend seamlessly a world-renowned museum into our overall education plans and have one combined fundraising organization, under the leader of both entities, Phil Reed. Bricks and mortar may be in our future in America, but meanwhile we hope to have a piece of the museum on a travelling exhibition, to enlighten peoples over here.

The Internet is essential to all we do, and will be inevitably the preeminent communication method thanks to Dave Turrell and his devoted committee, including John Olsen, Ian Langworth and Todd Ronnei.

Publishing, of papers, research, new information, old information constantly reviewed, ever in tribute to the official biographer, Sir Martin Gilbert, is in the capable hands of our editors, Richard Langworth and Dave Turrell. Our endowment rests at about $1.3 million; we have had to borrow some of its earnings, but we are dedicated to replacing them and adding to them, and much of my own work has been to secure the financing that will at last enable us to rest confident that our future is assured.

Chapters, branches and affiliates are the backbone and lifeblood of our organization. Phil Reed and I see our roles as providing services and resources to each and every one. They must thrive, grow and prosper for us to have an avenue of communicating our messages with the furthest reach possible. We pledge to support them and over the past year have increased our efforts with visits from Celia Sandys and Michael Dobbs, and we will shortly announce a visit to chapters by another member of the Churchill family. If you have any questions about local or national activities, don’t hesitate. Telephone our toll free number, (888) WSC-1874, and the very capable Mary Dwyer will direct you to the right person if she can’t answer herself.

Merging the two organizations, which has kept us so busy for the past two years, has not been easy. Inevitably changes in direction, personalities and programs, cause unforeseen controversy, problems and complications. All of this takes human and financial resources…people and money…fundraising and work.

To that end we have developed our board of trustees to include a panoply of successful, high-profile, well connected and capable people who believe in the education Winston Churchill offers, and who bring work, wisdom, wealth, and Rolodexes to our cause. This is an essential ingredient in any not-for-profit enterprise, and is crucial to our success in four areas: organization, programs, governance, and fundraising. We intend to add to the board continually as we identify capable people who share a commitment to our mission.

In any organization such as ours, the committee structure is of paramount importance. As such, we have put together a series of committees populated and chaired by capable and willing Churchillians—see Chartwell Bulletin 17, page 5. We intend to add to the committees and build upon this essential component of our success.

We have had fundraising successes and continue to add to them with additional, substantial, multi-year commitments, in an addition to our regular fund raising efforts for which we are grateful. Please support the upcoming annual Heritage Fund appeal, which we will be writing to you about this autumn.

We are continually working on new and interesting fund-raising concepts and are willing to try bold and innovative ideas: David Boler’s concept in reproducing the Churchill painting, “The Tower at Katoubia Mosque,” Sir Winston’s only wartime oil painting, which was displayed at Boston, will bring us much needed tax-deductible gifts. The travel programs we are initiating build on the many successful Churchill Tours of the past.

The New York Chapter’s pioneering of the Winston S. Churchill Polo Cup on September 14th was a healthy success which will be repeated in future years.

Last year’s dinner honoring Secretary Jim Baker and Congressman Lee Hamilton was another major success, and a counterpart dinner will occur early in 2009.

All these efforts help, and, though they take work, all energize us to achieve Churchillian greatness. I know you will benefit from the education, ideas, energy and collegial friendship of this great institution named for the greatest figure of the past century, a ready guide to the new century ahead. Above all I hope you will remain committed Churchillians. I know I will. 

 

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