News from SAMLC

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Dear Saskatchewan Aviation Museum Members and Friends of the Museum,

Although COVID-19 has caused challenges for the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Learning Centre (SAMLC), it also provided the Board of Directors an opportunity to self-reflect as an organization and plan for a post-COVID environment.

In December, the board of directors participated in a one-day strategic planning process, facilitated by JEI Jasper Enterprise. During the strategic planning day, we celebrated the museum’s many successes and identified three interconnected factors that drive the long-term success of the museum. They are:

Building volunteer capacity,
Ensuring financial stability, and
Securing meaningful community engagement.

Volunteer Capacity

The strategic plan final report stated, “The single biggest hurdle facing SAMLC is building a large enough volunteer base to avoid volunteer burnout … Ironically, it is a lack of volunteer capacity that is hindering the effort to build volunteer capacity”.

It is essential to increase our volunteer numbers, as well as, assign volunteers meaningful work that match both their interests and commitment level. The museum has undertaken the following actions:

Create the volunteer “Operational Binder” that outlines the tasks and responsibilities for key volunteer areas including tour guides, front desk, maintenance work and facilities.
Assemble materials to educate volunteers about the history and importance of the museum.
Update membership and volunteer databases to identify untapped volunteer potential.
Run monthly volunteer orientation and training.
Provide and facilitate an easy volunteer application form online at www.saskaviation.ca.

Financial Stability

Effective and persistent fundraising is an integral component for the SAMLC strategic plan. The pandemic has severely curtailed the museum’s revenue streams and fundraising efforts for 2020 and foreseeable future in 2021. With the cancellation of Aviation Weekend and drastically reduced revenue from school tours and other tours, fundraising has become more important than ever. The museum has undertaken the following revenue generating actions:

Continue to sell Tiger Moth rides,
Introduce Harvard rides,
Offer 50/50 draws four times a year on website, starting February 1,
Host raffle tickets for rides in the Tiger Moth or Harvard,
Encourage membership renewals and enhance new membership drive and corporate memberships,
Continue Friday BBQ’s in warm months,
Host six ground school workshops: Tiger Moth March 6, Chipmunk March 13, Basic float flying March 20, Harvard March 27, Tracker April 3, and Glider ground school, April 10,
Upgrade the website allowing for online donations. Check out the “Donate Now” button,
Continue to apply for various grants, and
Encourage private donations.

Meaningful Community Engagement

SAMLC needs to connect with the community in meaningful ways in order to drive visits, memberships, donations and sponsorships. The museum has undertaken the following actions:

Redesign SAMLC website allowing online payment for donations, memberships, and volunteer registration www.saskaviation.ca,
Develop a greater presence on Facebook, Instagram, and U-tube,
Hire a full-time administrator. A job description and job posting are being prepared. A call for applicants will go out near the end of January followed by interviews. The intent is to have a full-time staff starting March 1. This person will be responsible for the day-to-day activities at the museum.

The strategic plan has provided a framework that ensures volunteer capacity, financial stability, and meaningful community engagement. We wish to thank those who participated in the strategic planning day.

Now how can you help SAMLC? There are a number of ways you can make an impact on the museum:

If you haven’t already, renew your 2021 membership,
Encourage others to renew or become a SAMLC member,
Encourage corporate memberships,
Become a volunteer,
Participate in SAMLC raffles and 50/50’s as they come available,
Participate in BBQ’s,
Take a ride in the Harvard or Tiger Moth. Purchase a flight gift certificate for someone,
Make a donation to the museum,
Promote and advertise the museum. Promote the webpage. Word of mouth is still the best method of advertising.

2021 holds great promise for the museum. With new staff and a renewed sense of direction, SAMLC will succeed this year.

Stay healthy,
Dorrin Wallace, President
Jim Jelinski, Board Chair

Museum Winter Hours

The museum is now operating under winter hours until April 30. The doors will be open Wednesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prearranged group tours are available upon request on closed days. In adherence with COVID-19 health regulations and to protect everyone, we request that visitors to the museum wear a mask.

We look forward to seeing you.

Saskatchewan Aviation Museum

5 Hangar Road

Saskatoon, Sk S7L 5X4

Canada

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