It's The End of The World as We Know It
Ok, so I have had a bit of time to digest some info and gather my thoughts...and I still think that the Chanco Board has some back stabbing folks on it who don't even send their kids to Chanco, and are miss managing Chanco to the point it will have to close. They have known for years that camp is in the RED, and yet hired a new Executive director to help solve the money issues and enrollment problems. Did they think One year was going to do it? Maybe they didn't think that through too well
Another thing is this issue with the Diocese not wanting to fund Chanco and always considering Chanco a burden and wanting Chanco to be solvent. Chanco was fine until they decided to mess up everything and build a Conference center on the same property as camp. A Conference center that was supposed to eliminate the need for EYC and other So.Va. Church activities to spend cash outside and rent places like Blackstone. But they built the stupid place too small and mixed its space, resources, personnel and funds up with camp's. Maybe they didn't think that through too well
And another thing...if the Diocese claims that they own the property and Chanco is just using it or 'renting', then why does Chanco have to always spend its money fixing and repairing and upkeeping the property and buildings...if Chanco didn't have those expenses it would be in the BLACK financially. I've been a renter and now own a house...I know renting was always nice because when the roof leaked or the water heater broke the land lord had to fix it...where is the Diocese in this picture.
So, the Diocese is having money trouble. Aren't we all. Church enrollment is down, pledges are down and the general mood of the nation is not favorable toward the Episcopal Church. So why would they even consider closing the one place we have that actually makes and nurtures young Episcopallians. They do subsidise Chanco abit...but why not consider Chanco an investment, or a mission and fund it whole heartedly. How many people on this site and in this Diocese give to an Episcopal Church or spend bucks to send their kids to Chanco that would not be if they hadn't known Chanco in the first place.
It's been said that to be angry at the Board and blame them and act out by not sending my money or my kids to camp will mean certain death to Chanco. My question is are we past hope. Has the Board already decided to nix Chanco. Seems like getting rid of the Executive Director position (I'm guessing $60,000) and offering a Director's position (?$30,000)...saves $30,000....this is not a make or break number. They have their sites on what they want,...just a Conference center. But what about all the money raised for Chanco,? they gonna give it back? How do they as Land Lords(slum lords) intend to pay us back for all the money materials and time we placed in Chanco? It has to be either illegal immoral or both to accept donnations to a cause knowing you're just gonna end it in a year and use the funds for whatever you want.
In the End I am just a guy who used to work at camp, and now I send my kids there. My views on church politics and monies are mostly guesses. (I Vote Democrat and been bankrupt) But I know what's good for Chanco. I told all you people not to trust Gene, that he was evil, and you told me to give him a chance that I was just missing Dave. And I asked Boomer if he would take care of Chanco for me. He was doing just that when they axed him. And Talley, I know you say they did away with the position....but for $30,000 you lost alot more than a title. You lost a Champion for your cause in Boomer and you lost my trust, and my kids.
- Danny Slamin's blog
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There's a light at the end of the tunnel!
Wow, I have to admit that you are the most pessimistic person I have encountered for a while! Hopefully, your attitude is based on your lack of knowledge as to the facts. So, let’s look at some of the facts:
Prior to 2007, neither the camp nor the conference center, standing alone, was in the “red”. The sum of the two exceeded the indirect expenses. The two together can keep Chanco in the black. The kitchen was in the red only because it was mismanaged. Outsourcing the kitchen has resulted in the kitchen being in the black.
The Diocese currently funds Chanco with a $100,000 grant plus funds any deficits. That is far more than any other diocesan program receives! College programs only receive $30,000. Youth receives only $10,000. All Formation programs receive less than $40,000. Missions programs receive 30% of what Chanco receives. In fact, only the outreach grants come close to the Chanco subsidy and those grants are roughly half what Chanco receives. I would say that Chanco ranks very, very high on the Diocese priority list.
Until 2007, the Conference Center was more profitable than was the camp. I do not know why you think otherwise. Importantly, if the Conference Center is profitable, those profits can help fund camp projects (provide funds to buy boats, etc.).
Legally, the Diocese owns the property and the buildings. I learned this shortly after I became the Treasurer. My predecessor had saddled Chanco with a large debt, over $400,000 on a line-of-credit, relating to the construction of the Conference Center. I removed that debt from Chanco’s balance sheet, reversed all interest payments (and charged them to the Diocese), and had Chanco debt-free, except an amount Chanco owed the Diocese for operating losses. No one is encouraging me to collect on those advances.
I considered having the Diocese pay the maintenance on the buildings and the insurance premiums. But using your example of leasing an apartment, with the landlord paying for maintenance and insurance on the building, you had to pay rent. I felt that an arm’s length rent would be greater than the maintenance and the insurance premiums. Let’s be honest on both sides of the equation!
The diocesan Executive Board supports Chanco. Diocesan groups use the conference facilities regularly. The Executive Board uses it for retreats. But the Diocese has exhausted its cash – primarily from supporting Chanco’s annual deficits. Just like you and me and everyone else, Chanco needs to learn to live within its means. It’s called being responsible.
A great many conference centers/ camps have closed. The reason is their diocese could no longer afford them. Revenues from Chanco’s Conference Center are positive. The only issue seems to be whether a church camp is a thing of the past. Enrollment continues to decline. Your response is to say that you will not be sending your kids to camp. Your response doesn’t help. Show your support for Camp Chanco by sending your kids to camp and by encouraging others to do the same. If camp enrollment jumps this year, Camp Chanco will survive, no question in my mind on that issue. No one would dare suggest closing a winner! It is only the losers that get closed.
Respectfully,
troubles aren't new
I read this from a distance - in time, actual space and psychologically as well. I've been away from the Chanco community since 1993. Until this web site was started no one had ever tried to invovle me as an alumni member. I've never been formally asked for money until I got the capital campaign information. I won't comment on all of the personnel issues other than to say I have fond memories of Boomer and Helen, and treasure my memories of summers spent working with them and would welcome the opportunity to work with them again.
We need to look forward but we must remember the past. Many mistakes were made 20 years ago when the property was acquired, the conference center was built and camp was moved. What Chanco can't afford to do is repeat them. I'm not saying they are being repeated in any way but as I hear views from multiple people with far more information than I have it seems similar themes are running through things now as in the past. Lack of money, distrust of actions, statements about preparing for the future, camp is in trouble, etc.
I've heard it all before and Camp has always survived. Not naming any names but I worked under three different camp directors and some of the summers were tougher than others. I hope things are moving in the right direction, I hope we all can help build a good foundation for the future and that the capital campaign is successful.
My thoughs are with the staff, the campers, the board at they prepare for this summer, and with Helen and Boomer and their children as they prepare for their future.
Staff 84,85,86,87,89,1993