City of Ships Goes to Washington – The Boston and Maine Connection column as seen in the Cryer.
Sure, it’s election time and there is a lot of noise around politicians and politics. But, this column is not about politics – it is – as always – about community building, technology, business and art.
“City of Ships goes to Washington” is the catch phrase Maine’s First Ship Executive Director, Kirstie Truluck, used to excitedly describe their invitation and acceptance to travel to Port Townsend in the State of Washington to be on a panel discussion and spend three days exploring and exchanging ideas with other small ship building organizations. Representing Maine’s boat building community, Maine’s First Ship and Maine Maritime Museum are each sending representatives to the 7th annual Teaching With Small Boats Alliance International Conference.
The conference theme this year is “Old Tools, New Tools: Re | Connecting Community in a Changing World.” I could not have chosen a better way to describe the work I do or the accomplishments of Maine’s First Ship, winner of Bath’s 2022 Project of the Year award.
The concept of “teaching with small boats” is a powerful one. Teaching -learning – sharing are powerful ways to connect with others.
The words we use matter!
Did you tense up when you saw the word Washington in the title? What is it about discord in government and intentional or unintentional misdirection, by choice of words used, that has gotten everyone on edge these days?
Now consider the word, “Magic” Did you just relax and smile? Most of us define Magic as something connected to feelings. It creates a positive emotion. Something magical can be unexpected serendipity or something spiritual. Thoughts that make you glow, feel good.
I point this out because at election time, we need more magic and fewer tricks in our daily lives. Times are hard and scary for many and we need community working together to resolve issues and raise us all up. As I reflect back on a full year of focused attention on Maine’s First Ship, I smile at all the positives that have happened. A timely launch with some 5,000 people in attendance. Positive attention on a group of more than 200 volunteers, working together over a long period of time, to create something that evokes a magical feeling. A reconstruction of a 400 year old wooden sailing vessel that continues to work toward US Coast Guard certification.
The conference is for those teaching with small ships. Teaching, learning and recognition of achievement is important. In this year where I have closely followed the work of the community that makes up Maine’s First Ship, I have been not just impressed but enthralled in the magic they continue to create.
The experience of the past year around Maine’s First Ship has lessons for all of us. Most noteworthy among them:
Have a clearly stated goal and purpose
Invite all to participate & meet people where they are
let the uniqueness of each individual’s skills drive the project forward
Unite the community around a positive outcome
Encourage play
Recognize the power of collaboration – many hands make light work
Encourage learning and teaching and mentoring
Acknowledge those who have come before us
November is also the transition to the Season of Giving. Give thanks for what you have and as this Season of Giving approaches, help others across their finish line. Reach outward and be your best self. Offer your best to the world.