Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation Copyright Š 2010 The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
General Information Nonprofit Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation Address 1010 Christmas Lane Cookeville, TN 38501 - 4648 Phone (931) 347-2664 Fax Website
http://www.sgtyork.org/ Contact Email sypfdirector@gmail.com Year of Incorporation 1993 Organization DBA Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation York General Store & Visitor Center Former Names Organization received a competitive grant from the community foundation in the past five years No Community Foundation Staff Conducted Site Visit when Developing Profile No
Statements and Search Criteria Mission Statement Founded in 1993, the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation (SYPF) is a nonprofit corporation funded by voluntary contributions and grants. It serves to continue historical research, preserve the Sgt. Alvin C. York home place, farm, Bible School and artifacts, develop and coordinate educational opportunities for youth and adults, increase sustainable heritage tourism to Sgt. York State Park and restore the 1920s-era York Institute building. Impact Statement Accomplishments: 1. Completed $1 mil. stabilization & remediation of the original 1920s York Institute, now ready for adaptive reuse as educational multipurpose facility 2. Implemented TN Trailblazer's Tour connecting Cordell Hull & Alvin C. York State Parks, providing interpretive audiovisual aides, signage and displays for each site 3. Began digitization/archiving of York’s papers & audio recordings 4. Cosponsored w/ Eagle Scout restoration & enhancements of York Nature Trail; produced guide brochure 5. Enhanced York General Store Visitor Center w/ new video orientation equipment & design, printed & distributed 5,000 brochures to promote free daily tours; upgraded WWI & York merchandise in visitor center. Goals: 1. Raise funds for restoration & adaptive reuse of York Institute 2. Increase York home/farm visitation & develop/host exhibits 3. Host youth & adult educational, historic, military & arts events for students, veterans & general public 4. Publish out-of-print WWI books & York archival materials 5. Develop virtual tours on Web of Sgt. York home for educators worldwide Background Statement With a motto of “Legacy in Action,” Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation (SYPF) is preserving & promoting the legacy of America’s greatest WWI hero, Alvin C. York. SYPF works with York State Park & York family to preserve the York home, farm & artifacts; develops & coordinates educational opportunities for youth & adults; works to increase sustainable York heritage tourism; operates York General Store Visitor Center, offering tourism materials, interpretive center, event & free tour headquarters & a WWI & York book & gift shop; and is restoring historic York Institute, built by York& acquired by SYPF in 2008. Preservation was achieved in 2009 with funds raised from grants & private donors. An additional $5-6 million is necessary for restoration and adaptive reuse as a multipurpose educational facility. Past SYPF accomplishments include achieving issuance of a York postal stamp, construction of the reproduction 1930s-era store/visitor center and publishing out-of-print historic books. With the Centennial of World War I upon us, the SYPF is perfectly positioned to remind new generations of the impact and importance of the War to End All Wars.
Primary Organization Category
Arts,Culture & Humanities / Historical Organizations Secondary Organization Category Arts,Culture & Humanities / Hisrotical Societies & Historic Preservation Tertiary Organization Category Arts,Culture & Humanities / Museums Geographic Areas Served TN Some initiatives serve Fentress County, TN, and Cumberland Plateau. Most serve national & international visitors and scholars. With Web presence our ability to reach educators, veterans, researchers and potential visitors is unlimited. Visitors to York's home & Pall Mall sites are from throughout the world annually. Web site hits are also worldwide. Needs Statement 1 Funds to restore historic York Institute as educational multi-use facility, $5-6 million 2 Enhance visitor/educational experiences at York Home, Farm & Mill by expanding visitor center, conducting festivals and programs & developing Web store to sell York-related books and souvenirs to help fund continued upgrades to visitor center and educational events, $200,000 3 Revamping Web presence to include virtual tours for educators around the world, $40,000 4 Building a stronger board, developing volunteers, adding a support staff member for Executive Director, $80,000 5 Continue digitization and preservation of York artifacts, images, recordings, $100,000 CEO Statement The SYPF board and management is blessed to represent the legacy of one of America’s greatest heroes, Sgt. Alvin C. York, a man who chose not to profit personally from his World War I military accomplishments that earned him a Congressional Medal of Honor. Rather, he spent his life raising money to erect York Institute in the 1920s and later, York Bible School. His reputation has never been tarnished nor his integrity questioned as has been the case of so many others who won instant fame. Throughout his life he continued to grow as a Christian, a patriot, an educator, a community leader and a father/husband. His story still inspires, nearly a century later, and the places associated with his life & legacy bring thousands of tourists, scholars, veterans, families and students from around the world to Pall Mall annually. York Institute has educated tens of thousands of students in the economically challenged Cumberland Plateau region since its founding. The SYPF carries on his educational & community development mission globally through new technological delivery systems and regionally with events at his home & farm. We look to the future when the restored original York Institute building will be a center for teaching and research, as well as a venue for showcasing culture, the arts and history. Because our community now is global, the SYPF seeks to improve methods & obtain funds to present the story of a true hero in a world where one is needed – not for his ability to shoot a gun, but for his strength of character to resist material wealth and invest his meager resources in the future of his people through education of their children. Board Chair Statement As the grandson of Sgt. Alvin C. York, it is my honor to serve as chairman of the board of the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation. I believe that he would be pleased at the accomplishments of the volunteer organization, and he would be working diligently beside us to further his educational legacy. He always said he wanted to be remembered for his educational endeavors, and he spent many years fighting to build York Institute and many more struggling to keep it open. He believed that everyone had the right to an education, and he felt it was his duty to bring educational opportunity to the people of Fentress County and the upper area of the Cumberland Plateau. We have accepted the tremendous challenge of saving, restoring and ultimately reusing the original York Institute building Grandpa built. Our ongoing activities that include patriotic, historic and cultural events, educational programs at our family's homesite that is now a state park as well as on the Internet, operation of a visitor/interpretive center, digitization and preservation of Sgt. York's papers and publishing or displaying materials of interest to scholars and the public are all ambitious undertakings, but necessary, we believe, and in keeping with our motto, "Legacy in Action." I invite you to join us in this important mission.
Programs Operation of York General Store & Visitor Center SYPF operates York General Store & Visitor Center for Sgt. York's home & surrounding area, including Alvin C. York State Historic Park. All attractions are free. The store/visitor center offers orientation video, brochures, maps, coordination of tours, headquarters for events, York & WWI souvenirs/books/gifts, food,
supplies, etc. Budget $100,000 Category Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other / Cultural Heritage Population Served General/Unspecified / Children and Youth (0 - 19 years) / US& International Program Short-Term Success Upgrade of York and WWI- related gifts & books, 10-12 tours each month scheduled through store, store shows profit for 2010 and a projected 15 percent increase in profit for 2011; production & distribution of 25,000 brochures (attached). Successful cooperative effort with Park & SYPF educational initiatives for upcoming military, educational, historical, cultural & arts events. Program Long-Term Success Success means increased visitation of tour groups, classes & individuals, expansion of interpretive center, development of exhibit space/gallery, venue for traditional artists/performers, profitability year round. A brochure designed specifically for the tour & visitor center store should be printed in quantities of 50,000100,000 annually as it is in high demand from area motels, resorts & Interstate visitor centers. (see brochure attached) Program Success Monitored By Visitor center was redesigned within the reproduction of Sgt. York's general store to include distinctive areas: interpretive center, deli, gift shop, "York" gift/souvenir room. Blog launched 2010. Brochure designed & distributed to target visitation areas. Guests sign in to log kept by management. Better accounting procedures in place, new manager, new management plan, use of social media, affiliation & coordination with events @ York State Park. Examples of Program success New manager/management plan for 2010 is delivering profit for first time since visitor center opened. More quality books, souvenirs, gifts & other items focusing on York, WWI, military, local history, regional culture, etc., has meant increase in sales. Targeted marketing to specific groups & niche marketing has increased visitation. Campaign identifying store as official free tour launch site has increased customer base. Grant funds used to upgrade audio visual equipment makes 10- minute orientation video more enjoyable for larger groups.
Historic, Artistic, Cultural Events & Initiatives Cultural, historic and patriotic festivals targeting k-college & adults three times per year will augment ongoing initiatives. These will include traveling museum displays, traditional arts festivals, lectures, art, performance and essay competitions, living history, WWI re-enactors, traditional music & drama. A virtual tour will be made free on the Web. Budget $130,000 Category Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other / History & Historical Programs Population Served US& International / Children and Youth (0 - 19 years) / Adults Program Short-Term Success By Dec. 31, 2011, York Store & Visitor Center, headquarters for SYPF’s educational initiatives, will be coordinating an average of three American history classes per week for formal tours. York Cultural Heritage Days (Fri.& Sat) will attract 2,000 families, school children and visitors. Sgt. York Patriotic Celebration on Nov. 11 will bring 750 Veterans, Scout, ROTC, JROTC & Guards to Sgt. York’s home for recognition. A living history event with re-enactors & traveling museum displays will bring 2,000 community visitors & students. By May 15, 2012, the virtual tour will be completed & posted on the Web for download by educators. Program Long-Term Success York’s home & farm will be an annual destination (always free) for history classes from public schools within a 75-100-mile radius. A virtual tour will be available for download by teachers everywhere. Lessons focus on York’s life, WWI & early 20th century rural culture. Sgt. York’s living children will host/narrate, making history
come alive. An historically accurate play about Sgt. York will be developed specifically for the site to be performed there & offered to other venues. Program Success Monitored By The attempts that have been made at having educational events & visitation programs have shown some success. By restructuring these events & targeting niche audiences, participation should increase. A consistent influx of requests indicates the virtual tour is needed by educators. Examples of Program success In the past events & educational programs have not been definitively established with prospective participants or centrally coordinated between management of SYPF & York State Park. Future activities will reflect core mission of each entity, will be targeted to specific visitors & participants & will be reevaluated after three consecutive years. Visitation to York physical site & downloads of virtual tour are measurable, so records will be kept. Also recorded will be inquiries, feedback, random surveys, participation in competitions, workshops, ticketed events & tours.
Digitization and preservation of York artifacts The SYPF is working with the heirs of Sgt. York to catalog, scan, photograph, digitize and otherwise preserve or archive the artifacts, papers, recordings & all other belongings of York. A computer & archival quality scanner has been loaned for digitization, & a small grant helped get the photos & some paper ephemera scanned. Funding is needed for digitization of recordings of York's voice, preservation of materials, security, climate controlled storage, labor for physical work, supplies & contract work.These materials are currently stored in a non-climate controlled storage facility and are not protected from theft, the elements, pests, etc. They are not available for review by scholars or the education of the public. Family has agreed to publication of speeches to benefit this project, but no funds are available to create publication. Budget $75,000 Category Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other / Historic Preservation & Conservation Population Served General/Unspecified / US& International / Adults Program Short-Term Success Short term is to fund remainder of digitization project of recordings, images, loose records, paper ephemera. Major goal for 2010-2011 is creation of book of York's speeches. Proceeds would benefit ongoing preservation project. Program Long-Term Success The collection would be properly preserved, copied if appropriate, stored or displayed for public view, copies of printed or recorded materials made available to scholars. Program Success Monitored By Success will be apparent when all materials are protected, organized, backed up, etc. Publication of book of speeches will be first major accomplishment. Examples of Program success Thus far we have scanned hundreds of images and documents, which are stored on disk. Funds have run out for continuation of project.
Restoration & adaptive reuse of historic York Institute The restored original York Institute building will be a center for teaching and research, as well as a venue for showcasing culture, the arts and history. Collaborative partnerships with colleges, technology centers and arts, history and cultural organizations will carry forth the legacy of Sgt. York. Budget $5,000,000 Category Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other / History & Historical Programs Population Served
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years) / Adults / US& International Program Short-Term Success Short term success will be raising of money to pay off debts associated with remediation and stabilization of historic building, development of a comprehensive long-range adaptive reuse plan and finalization and implementation of a fundraising plan. Program Long-Term Success WWI & York research materials available to scholars; delivery of higher/advanced educational opportunities to all age groups in economically disadvantaged region; exposure to arts, sciences, lectures, exhibits, history and culture to local/regional population; destination for Veterans, academics, historians. Program Success Monitored By If we are communicating our vision to donors and they are funding the adaptive reuse restoration project, this will be success. Monitoring tools will change when building is complete. Examples of Program success Since July 2008 when the building was acquired by deed from the State of Tennessee, we have successfully completed environmental remediation and structural stabilization using more than $1 million in donated monies or grant funding.
Program Comments CEO Comments Our greatest challenge is that of carrying forward the mission began by Sgt. Alvin C. York to further the educational opportunities of both children and adults. The Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation has adopted this as its own core mission and works toward this end through the maintenance of four programs we have deemed essential in furthering this legacy of higher learning. Through the operation of the York General Store and Visitor Center we work to properly introduce the life, times and goals of Sgt. Alvin C. York to those who visit the park and home. Through our Events and Initiatives programs we seek to educate by reaching out to the surrounding communities by sponsoring historic, artistic, cultural and educational festivals and activities at the Park. This plan also includes a traveling museum display that will tour the area and introduce Sgt. York to school children and adults who might not otherwise be able to visit the Park. Many of the private papers and letters of Sgt. York have been retained by his family since his death. Through their generosity, these papers are being made available for scanning and preserving their content for the creation of an archive that can someday be used to further educational efforts pertaining to his life and missions. Perhaps both our greatest challenge and our greatest opportunity lie in the restoration and adaptive reuse of the York Institute in Jamestown, TN. This is the building that Sgt. York built to enable his dream of bringing educational opportunities to the region to become a reality. It is the desire and mission of the SYPF to continue this goal by using this historic building to showcase culture, arts, and history. Thus continuing the legacy of educational opportunities for which this structure was built. It is in meeting this greatest challenge that private citizens and organizations can join the effort to insure the legacy continues that Sgt. Alvin C. York envisioned. With the help of contributors this mission be accomplished. Through donations, pledges, grants, bequests, memberships and volunteer support the legacy of Sgt. York can survive. He became America’s hero on the battlegrounds of France during WWI. He remained America’s hero by his dedicated effort to bring about educational opportunities for its people. The SYPF puts his legacy into action. Foundation Staff Comments
Management CEO/Executive Director Ms. Claudia Kay Johnson CEO Term Start June 2009 CEO Email sypfdirector@gmail.com CEO Experience Claudia Johnson, who holds a B.A. in English-Journalism from Union University, has spent her career in community development, public relations, marketing or news reporting and is an outspoken advocate of preservation of historical resources. She was one of 9 state coordinators for Tennessee Homecoming ’86;
was editor-in-chief of the Cumberland Business Journal; author of the books A Page from the Past and Giles Heirlooms; and won first place from Tennessee Press Assoc. for her work on the 150th anniversary of the Pulaski Citizen. Memberships include memberships or leadership positions in several Tennessee genealogical and historical societies and chambers of commerce, the Tennessee Preservation Trust, National Trust, TN Assoc. Museums, Alliance for the Cumberlands, Old Walton Road DAR, Upper Cumberland Tourism Assoc. Board. She is an experienced public speaker, grant writer, photographer, publications designer, event organizer and organization/project manager. More about her is available at claudiajohnson.blogspot.com or pastpage.blogspot.com. Number of Full Time Staff 2 Number of Part Time Staff 3 Number of Volunteers 25 Number of Contract Staff 0 Staff Retention Rate Organization has Fundraising Plan? No Organization has Strategic Plan? No Years Strategic Plan Considers Date Strategic Plan Adopted Management Succession Training Plan No Organization Policies And Procedures No Co-CEO Co-CEO Term Start Co-CEO Email Former CEOs and Terms Senior Staff David W. Robbins - York General Store & Visitor Center Manager Management Reports to Board? Yes CEO Formal Evaluation and Frequency Yes - Annually Senior Management Formal Evaluation and Frequency Yes - Semi-Annually Non Management Formal Evaluation and Frequency No Collaborations
Affiliations Tennessee Association of Museums - 2010 External Assessments Accreditations Awards Preservation Award for York Institute restoration project - Tennessee Historical Commission - 2009 Government Licenses Food Service Operation Whistle Blower Policy Plan No Document Destruction Policy Plan No CEO Comments SYPF management seizes every opportunity for training or consulting services. Membership in and affiliation with numerous professional, historic, educational and community organizations offer employees and board members ample opportunity for exposure to potential donors, volunteers, advisers or new board members. Addition of support staff for the Executive Director and/or implementation of an internship program that enables colleges students to receive credit for formal work with the SYPF is much needed. Foundation Staff Comments
Governance Board Chair Mr. Gerald York Board Chair Company Affiliation Phoenix Consulting Group Board Chair Term Nov 2009 to Nov 2010 Board Chair Email yorkconsults@aol.com Board Members Dr. Michael Birdwell - Tennessee Technological University, Professor - Voting Mrs. Andrea Burckhard - New York Life Insurance - Voting Mrs. Lorene Cargile - Retired teacher, Sgt. York's niece - Voting Mr. Noble Cody - Tennessee Board of Regents Former Member, Businessman (ret.) - Voting Mr. Ward Correll - CEO, Cumberland Lake Shell, owner - Voting Mrs. Darlene Monday Davis - teacher - Voting Mr. Lou Lattanzi - Pit Row Quality Quick Lube, owner - Voting Mrs. Betsy Ross York Lowrey - Retired, daughter of Sgt. York - Voting Mr. John B. Mullinix - Fentress County Executive, - Voting Mrs. Faye Stephens - Fentress County Register of Deeds - Voting Mrs. Edie Tinch - community volunteer - Voting Mr. Alan Whithead - Sales Director Global Strategic Connections, LLC - Voting Mr. Randy Williams - Upper Cumberland Cultural Resources Director - Voting Mr. Jeff Wright - teacher, police officer - Voting Rev. George Edward York - retired, Sgt. York's son - Voting Mr. Andrew Jackson York - Sgt. York State Historic Park, Sgt. York's son - Voting Ms. Angela York - Union Bank - Voting Mr. Gerald York - grandson of Sgt. York - Voting Board Demographics Ethnicity: African American/Black: 0 Asian American/Pacific Islander: 0
Caucasian: 18 Hispanic/Latino: 0 Native American/American Indian: 0 Other: 0 Other (if specified): 0 Gender: Female: 7 Male: 11 Unspecified: 0 Board Term Lengths 3 Board Term Limits Board Meeting Attendance Written Board Selection Criteria No Written Conflict Of Interest Policy No Percentage of Monetary Contributions 40 Board Co-Chair Board Co-Chair Company Affiliation Board Co-Chair Term to Number of Full Board Meetings Annually 3 Constituent Board Members Percentage of In-Kind Contributions 50 Risk Management Provisions Standing Committees Finance Executive Additional Board/s Members and Affiliations Dr. W. Calvin Dickinson - Tennessee Tech History Professor, retired; Tennessee Historical Commission member - NonVoting Mr. Robert Harriman - TN State Parks - NonVoting Mrs. Janet Hopson - Graphic Design/Photography, owner - NonVoting Mr. John Robbins - Field Representative for U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis - NonVoting Mrs. Robin Peeler Wooten - Cordell Hull & Alvin York State Parks, manager - NonVoting CEO/Executive Director Comments The SYPF faces challenges similar to other nonprofits like operational & program funding, membership and volunteer recruitment, staff growth & organizational development. Organized in 1993, the SYPF hired its first full time executive director in 2009, solidifying the volunteer organization’s commitment to furthering the work of Sgt. York and finding effective ways to impact future generations of people worldwide with the simple story of one man who had the courage to do what was necessary for his country and continue to do what was best for his community. In 2009 the SYPF revised and restated its bylaws to reflect its expanded and evolving mission. Over the next three years we will focus on development of policies & procedures for boards and employees and will formulate and adopt formal fundraising and strategic plans. It is the board’s desire to attract strong members who can provide support and guidance in carrying out the mission of the SYPF and
accomplishing its goals.
Financials Fiscal Year 2010 Projected Revenue $1,172,162 Projected Expenses $932,450 Prior Three Years Total Revenue and Expense Totals Chart Fiscal Year 2008 2007
2006
Total Revenue
$70,070
$42,695
$40,696
Total Expenses
$77,299
$34,744
$42,575
2007
2006
Prior Three Years Total Revenue Sources Chart Fiscal Year 2008 Foundation and Corporation Contributions
$0
$0
$0
Government Contributions
$0
$0
$0
Federal
$0
$0
$0
State
$0
$0
$0
Local
$0
$0
$0
Individual Contributions $37,918
$7,101
$8,876
Indirect Public Support $0
$0
$0
Earned Revenue
$27,438
$34,916
$31,545
Interest and Dividend Income
$72
$48
$50
Membership Dues
$4,642
$630
$225
Special Events
$0
$0
$0
Revenue In-Kind
$3,710
$0
$0
Other
$0
$0
$0
Prior Three Years Expense Allocations Chart Expense By Type Fiscal Year
2008
2007
2006
Program Expense
$74,622
$31,840
$35,236
Administration Expense
$2,677
$2,904
$7,339
Fundraising Expense
$0
$0
$0
Payments to Affiliates
$0
$0
$0
Total Revenue/Total Expenses
0.91
1.23
0.96
Program Expense/Total Expenses
97%
92%
83%
Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue
0%
0%
0%
Prior Three Years Assets and Liabilities Chart Assets and Liabilities Fiscal Year
2008
2007
2006
Total Assets
$32,205
$39,097
$31,494
Current Assets
$32,205
$36,910
$28,388
Long-Term Liabilities
$0
$0
$0
Current Liabilities
$1,297
$962
$1,308
Total Net Assets
$30,907
$38,135
$30,184
2008
2007
2006
24.83
38.37
21.7
2008
2007
2006
0%
0%
2008
2007
2006
-
-
-
Second Highest Funding Source and Dollar Amount
-
-
-
Third Highest Funding Source and Dollar Amount
-
-
-
Short Term Solvency Fiscal Year Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities
Long Term Solvency Fiscal Year
Long-term 0% Liabilities/Total Assets
Prior Three Years Top Three Funding Sources Top Three Funding Sources Fiscal Year Top Funding Source and Dollar Amount
Endowment Value Spending Policy
N/A Are you currently in Capital Campaign? Yes Capital Campaign Purpose Raising money for restoration and adaptive reuse of historic York Agricultural Institute in Jamestown, Tenn., an educational facility listed in the National Register as Nationally Significant, built in the 1920s and used until 1979. Campaign Goal $6,500,000 Capital Campaign Dates Mar 2008 - Dec 2015 Capital Campaign Raised-to-Date Date July 2010 Capital Campaign Raised-to-Date Amount $1,300,000 Capital Campaign Anticipated in Next 5 Years? Yes State Charitable Solicitations Permit Yes Expires June 2011 CEO Compensation Tax Credits No CEO Comments Unlike years past when the SYPF devoted its efforts solely to maintain the York General Store and Visitors Center and support and promote local events, the saving and returning of the original York Agricultural Institute for adaptive reuse has become the greatest challenge undertaken by the SYPF. Such a monumental task is of national importance and international significance given the educational opportunities such a facility can provide. Under the contractual agreement with the State of Tennessee, the original York Agricultural Institute building is now owned by the SYPF and is therefore listed as a current asset on our financial statement. In compliance with those terms, the building must be used for educational purposes that limit any and all liquidity of this asset. It has been our mission from the outset to save and retain this historical building for the purposes intended by Sgt. York. Please note that the value of this building and its improvements inflate the value of the SYPF assets because the building is only mothballed awaiting restoration and in no way is a liquid asset or a profit center for the SYPF at this time. Fundraising has been a tremendous challenge in this economic climate, and there has been little money available to focus on fundraising, membership, marketing and public relations. Most of the SYPF’s funds have been used for carrying out projects, like preservation of York Institute, or programs, like a regional student art competition, a senior citizen essay contest, a Veteran's Day recognition event, scanning of archival materials and operation of the official York/Pall Mall visitor center. The Board called for a voluntary, independent audit for 2008 and 2009 prior to the Executive Director assuming all fiduciary responsibilities and account management in 2010. Auditor recommendations have been implemented. The York Store and Visitor Center, which had consistently lost money each year of its operation, is maintaining a monthly profit during 2010 following a thorough review of all store operations by the Executive Director in 2009 and the addition of a professional manager in 2010. Foundation Staff Comments Financial figures taken from the 990. 990 was complete by Dennis E. Jeffers, CPA, PC. Comment provided by Amy McDaniel 07/2010.