NPBM update- still moving forward
 

Well let me start out by saying, the horse is slowly beginning to get caught up to the cart…

In the last 3 weeks it has been a whirl wind of promotion and, meeting with people to explain our vision, line up displays and yes ask for money.

Discussing the Museum has also been interesting on the forums, there will always be the nay sayers, but the support we have recieved behind the scenes is appreciated and well needed, Thanks!

To break it down: Desert Storm: Great trip, sold a number of raffle tickets/merchandise but as important, were able to make contacts with both vendors and private individuals to put items in the museum. We have commitments from many and one special person, Bob Brown of Media Direction Bob has been a performance Boat photographer on the west coast for 30+ years, following many aspects including, drag boats, hydro’s, off shore races and poker runs. His extensive collection truly is a time table of performance boating history! We look forward to working with Bob and the others to set up unique and intriguing displays in the museum.

Throughout the weekend, we heard numerous stories from the participants of the event as well as the spectators, Seems everyone we talked to had a great memory to share and reason why Performance Boating was part of their life. The performance boating “West Coast Style” is a rich history, where flat bottoms ruled and jet boats were king. Today, they are the innovators of the open bow cats. Seeing the progression has been amazing, and did I mention paint! More colors than the eye can handle…

The following weekend was Harbor hop at Lake of the Ozarks, we were set up at Back Water Jacks with the raffle boat and display, they were steady throughout the day, and we had an opportunity to talk to a number of people to explain our vision and sold raffle tickets. That evening, we were set up at the TOAD for the MWBP party, sold a few more raffle tickets.

Last week was a travel week; I was able to meet with Rick Mackie and Fred Kiekhaefer of Mercury Racing in FonduLac, WI. We were able to share numerous stories, tour the plant and most importantly receive their support in the Museum. They have committed to a full display of Mercury Racing memorabilia for the museum! Additionally they are putting together a list of contacts of individuals that have been involved in Performance Boating history and other types of museums to help us in achieving our goals.

As we move towards the holiday weekend, we will be home based at Lake of the Ozarks, The plan is to visit a number of places on the water promoting the museum (look for the fliers). The raffle boat will be placed in town (on Hwy 54 in Osage Beach) for all to see.

So here is where we currently are… We are on the edge of signing the lease for the building. We have commitments for enough items to have a respectable display that will both stir memories and promote performance boating in the light it really is, Adreniline!

Why the wait… It comes down to one very important part, cash flow. We are still waiting for the feds to send back our “formal” 503C form. This form is the letter showing us as a Non Taxable/ Non Profit and before we can apply for any other state and federal monies that are associated with museums, we physically need this to attach to the applications. Come on big government!

We have been recruiting members for the museum. To date, this has been a slow process, many people though supportive in the idea have not committed to membership yet. This will in time become the backbone of the museum operation. Though we currently only have paper and words to show what our vision is, the reality is becoming very close. The memberships that are currently being offered both Charter and Supporter are designed for the upstart of the museum. Becoming a “Charter” member of the museum not only helps in opening the museum, it includes the current list of benefits as stated on the web site, plus will automatically upgrade with additional benefits as they become available. Each membership is renewable yearly, but… as these are the ground laying memberships; they will not expire until the 1 year anniversary party of the museums opening.

Other ways to participate in the museum fund raising side is in purchasing merchandise or be an actual part of the museum “foundation” by purchasing an engraved brick to be placed on the property. As stated above, the Raffle Donzi tickets are selling, there will only be 1000 total tickets sold and it will be given away at Shoot Out’s awards ceremony in August. Everything can be found at: www.nationalperformanceboatmuseum.com

Other things on the near horizon, we are updating the website to include more interactive keys, pictures and a members only section. We have the original concept up and running. We have taken the feedback and will now start to fine tune our site.

Current membership cards and certificates are ready to go to the printer, but we would like to have a larger number to present so we can get a better price. The bricks that are ordered to be placed at the museum have been ordered with the engraver, but he too would like to make them in larger number runs (it requires a special set up for the brick size and texture) so hopefully we will have more orders and he can get those completed soon.

The museum, though my personal idea, is set up for future generations to come, where we can share the memories of the past and excite our future of performance boating! We are also working towards having a more "visable" name recognized board of consultants for the museum. I understand the credability issues of a person few have met personally taking on this venture, so hopefully this will answer yet another of the museums wish list.

If anyone has any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact us, we are building for the future!

Brian Newlun
Director

Glad this is coming together for you.