25 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COLLINGWOOD
2. How did CLMA come to be and why?
3. What is Collingwood today? 4. Who owns Collingwood? 5. How is CLMA funded? 6. What is the legal relationship of CLMA and NSI? 7. What is the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding between NSI & CLMA? 8. What would happen if CLMA were sold? 9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood? 10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? 12. Why build the ALC? 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? 14. How is the ALC being financed? 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood?
COLLINGWOOD LIBRARY AND MUSEUM ON AMERICANISM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COLLINGWOOD
1. What is the Foundation for Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism? The Foundation for Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism (CLMA) is a non-profit 501 c (3) incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia whose purpose is to "house a library and museum on Americanism…open to the public…promote the education of the public in our national heritage and foster research into the lives and deeds of those who have created to the establishment and well being of our nation…. The corporation shall have no members or membership." It is also classified as "A private operating foundation" and is defined as a private foundation that devotes most of its earnings and assets directly to the conduct of its tax exempt purposes, rather than to making grants to other organizations for these purposes. 2. How did CLMA come to be and why? A small group of Sojourners had a vision 40 years ago of purchasing this historic and lovely site on the banks of the Potomac River which had once been part of George Washington's River Farm. One purpose of the site would be to provide a location for the headquarters of National Sojourners. Another purpose would be to provide a site for promoting Americanism and Patriotism through literature and artifacts that represent the history of America. 3. What is Collingwood today? Collingwood is an historic building with part of it dating from the period of George Washington. The building sits on a hilltop overlooking the Potomac approximately three miles south of Mount Vernon on the Mount Vernon Parkway. The land which fronts on the Potomac consists of 8.75 acres located in a residential neighborhood of large homes. The library contains approximately 4500 books on American history, military and patriotic topics. The museum contains colonial, military, and Masonic artifacts including one room which houses pictures and stories of the early Colonial leaders. It is open to the public six days a week and rents space to both National Sojourners as well as a small library for the Mayflower Society of Washington D.C. The Collingwood building and grounds are also used for third party events to help fund the operational and program budgets. 4. Who owns Collingwood? No one owns Collingwood Foundation. The CLMA Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of Collingwood but no one owns a 501(c) 3. Because CLMA receives donations from the public, donors become stakeholders and these powerful stakeholder relationships are based on trust in the organization but there is no ownership implied or otherwise. CLMA is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The voting Board of Directors is made up of 13 individuals elected by the Board plus the National President, President-elect of National Sojourners, Inc., and the Commander of the Heroes of '76 during their terms of office. Thus there are sixteen voting Board members. Currently there are three NSI Trustees and 13 Past Presidents of NSI on the Board as voting or non-voting members. There is a collegial relationship that allows for NSI members to serve as board members. 5. How is CLMA funded? Collingwood is funded in a number of ways. Some of its income comes from donations from Sojourners and the public which are specified to an endowment fund; interest income and gains on this fund also finance operations. Originally, it was determined that Sojourners would donate enough money to hold $1 million in this endowment fund to assist in operations. This goal has not yet been reached and most contributions today are used to maintain the buildings and grounds. Because the current level of donations and the investment income is not sufficient to meet the existing operational expenses of CLMA, it is necessary to host third party events which assist in the day-to-day operations and provide income to support programs that further the mission of Americanism and Patriotism. 6. What is the legal relationship of CLMA and NSI? CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations, each with its own Board of Directors. Neither body has any legal or other control over or other relationship with the other. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is ratified regularly and signed by the Presidents of both bodies and spells out the limited relationship including the rental of space for the NSI Headquarters. Both NSI Legal Counsel and CLMA Legal Counsel have issued written opinions that reiterate that CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations with neither having any control over the other. 7. What is the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding between NSI & CLMA? The MOU sets forth the rental arrangement and use of space by NSI in the Collingwood building. It also states that any change to this MOU must have the independent agreement of each Board acting separately. It does state that if the CLMA Board decides to relinquish the property and NSI is in existence, the property will be turned over to NSI. In order for this to be in keeping with IRS rules, NSI would have to operate CLMA under its current structure, in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and its Bylaws. However, this provision must be approved by the IRS. Articles of Incorporation and the IRS, says assets must be given to a like 501(c)3 organization; note that NSI is not a 501(c)3. In addition, the county where Collingwood physically resides has stated that the property can never change ownership and continue to be utilized for its current purpose. 8. What would happen if CLMA were sold? Under the current IRS tax code, neither the property ownership of Collingwood nor the funds derived from its sale can be given directly to NSI. The funds can only go to another foundation 501 c (3) of like purpose. There is an agreement between the original board and NSI that if CLMA is dissolved, the assets would be transferred to NSI. However, that agreement was written before the current tax law was written. There is an additional agreement dated May 18, 1998 which states that if NSI is not in existence at the time Collingwood is sold, the assets would be transferred to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial Foundation which is a 501(c)3 organization. 9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood? No organization can take ownership of Collingwood real estate. Should the Foundation for CLMA cease to exist, its assets would have to transfer to another like 501 (c) 3. In addition, the Fairfax County zoning authority has issued a letter to CLMA advising the Board if the property is ever sold or changes legal title, it would lose its current zoning exemption that allows it to operate as a non-residential activity in a residentially zoned area. The zoning would revert to its basic residential zoning that would only allow four private homes to be built on the property. 10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? In 1999, the Board received an offer to buy Collingwood. The Board at that time discussed the possibility of a sale and voted overwhelming to refuse the offer. This is fully documented in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in December 1999 and the Board of Directors meeting on January 21, 2000. 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
1. What is the Foundation for Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism?
2. How did CLMA come to be and why? A small group of Sojourners had a vision 40 years ago of purchasing this historic and lovely site on the banks of the Potomac River which had once been part of George Washington's River Farm. One purpose of the site would be to provide a location for the headquarters of National Sojourners. Another purpose would be to provide a site for promoting Americanism and Patriotism through literature and artifacts that represent the history of America. 3. What is Collingwood today? Collingwood is an historic building with part of it dating from the period of George Washington. The building sits on a hilltop overlooking the Potomac approximately three miles south of Mount Vernon on the Mount Vernon Parkway. The land which fronts on the Potomac consists of 8.75 acres located in a residential neighborhood of large homes. The library contains approximately 4500 books on American history, military and patriotic topics. The museum contains colonial, military, and Masonic artifacts including one room which houses pictures and stories of the early Colonial leaders. It is open to the public six days a week and rents space to both National Sojourners as well as a small library for the Mayflower Society of Washington D.C. The Collingwood building and grounds are also used for third party events to help fund the operational and program budgets. 4. Who owns Collingwood? No one owns Collingwood Foundation. The CLMA Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of Collingwood but no one owns a 501(c) 3. Because CLMA receives donations from the public, donors become stakeholders and these powerful stakeholder relationships are based on trust in the organization but there is no ownership implied or otherwise. CLMA is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The voting Board of Directors is made up of 13 individuals elected by the Board plus the National President, President-elect of National Sojourners, Inc., and the Commander of the Heroes of '76 during their terms of office. Thus there are sixteen voting Board members. Currently there are three NSI Trustees and 13 Past Presidents of NSI on the Board as voting or non-voting members. There is a collegial relationship that allows for NSI members to serve as board members. 5. How is CLMA funded? Collingwood is funded in a number of ways. Some of its income comes from donations from Sojourners and the public which are specified to an endowment fund; interest income and gains on this fund also finance operations. Originally, it was determined that Sojourners would donate enough money to hold $1 million in this endowment fund to assist in operations. This goal has not yet been reached and most contributions today are used to maintain the buildings and grounds. Because the current level of donations and the investment income is not sufficient to meet the existing operational expenses of CLMA, it is necessary to host third party events which assist in the day-to-day operations and provide income to support programs that further the mission of Americanism and Patriotism. 6. What is the legal relationship of CLMA and NSI? CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations, each with its own Board of Directors. Neither body has any legal or other control over or other relationship with the other. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is ratified regularly and signed by the Presidents of both bodies and spells out the limited relationship including the rental of space for the NSI Headquarters. Both NSI Legal Counsel and CLMA Legal Counsel have issued written opinions that reiterate that CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations with neither having any control over the other. 7. What is the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding between NSI & CLMA? The MOU sets forth the rental arrangement and use of space by NSI in the Collingwood building. It also states that any change to this MOU must have the independent agreement of each Board acting separately. It does state that if the CLMA Board decides to relinquish the property and NSI is in existence, the property will be turned over to NSI. In order for this to be in keeping with IRS rules, NSI would have to operate CLMA under its current structure, in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and its Bylaws. However, this provision must be approved by the IRS. Articles of Incorporation and the IRS, says assets must be given to a like 501(c)3 organization; note that NSI is not a 501(c)3. In addition, the county where Collingwood physically resides has stated that the property can never change ownership and continue to be utilized for its current purpose. 8. What would happen if CLMA were sold? Under the current IRS tax code, neither the property ownership of Collingwood nor the funds derived from its sale can be given directly to NSI. The funds can only go to another foundation 501 c (3) of like purpose. There is an agreement between the original board and NSI that if CLMA is dissolved, the assets would be transferred to NSI. However, that agreement was written before the current tax law was written. There is an additional agreement dated May 18, 1998 which states that if NSI is not in existence at the time Collingwood is sold, the assets would be transferred to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial Foundation which is a 501(c)3 organization. 9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood? No organization can take ownership of Collingwood real estate. Should the Foundation for CLMA cease to exist, its assets would have to transfer to another like 501 (c) 3. In addition, the Fairfax County zoning authority has issued a letter to CLMA advising the Board if the property is ever sold or changes legal title, it would lose its current zoning exemption that allows it to operate as a non-residential activity in a residentially zoned area. The zoning would revert to its basic residential zoning that would only allow four private homes to be built on the property. 10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? In 1999, the Board received an offer to buy Collingwood. The Board at that time discussed the possibility of a sale and voted overwhelming to refuse the offer. This is fully documented in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in December 1999 and the Board of Directors meeting on January 21, 2000. 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
3. What is Collingwood today? Collingwood is an historic building with part of it dating from the period of George Washington. The building sits on a hilltop overlooking the Potomac approximately three miles south of Mount Vernon on the Mount Vernon Parkway. The land which fronts on the Potomac consists of 8.75 acres located in a residential neighborhood of large homes. The library contains approximately 4500 books on American history, military and patriotic topics. The museum contains colonial, military, and Masonic artifacts including one room which houses pictures and stories of the early Colonial leaders. It is open to the public six days a week and rents space to both National Sojourners as well as a small library for the Mayflower Society of Washington D.C. The Collingwood building and grounds are also used for third party events to help fund the operational and program budgets. 4. Who owns Collingwood? No one owns Collingwood Foundation. The CLMA Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of Collingwood but no one owns a 501(c) 3. Because CLMA receives donations from the public, donors become stakeholders and these powerful stakeholder relationships are based on trust in the organization but there is no ownership implied or otherwise. CLMA is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The voting Board of Directors is made up of 13 individuals elected by the Board plus the National President, President-elect of National Sojourners, Inc., and the Commander of the Heroes of '76 during their terms of office. Thus there are sixteen voting Board members. Currently there are three NSI Trustees and 13 Past Presidents of NSI on the Board as voting or non-voting members. There is a collegial relationship that allows for NSI members to serve as board members. 5. How is CLMA funded? Collingwood is funded in a number of ways. Some of its income comes from donations from Sojourners and the public which are specified to an endowment fund; interest income and gains on this fund also finance operations. Originally, it was determined that Sojourners would donate enough money to hold $1 million in this endowment fund to assist in operations. This goal has not yet been reached and most contributions today are used to maintain the buildings and grounds. Because the current level of donations and the investment income is not sufficient to meet the existing operational expenses of CLMA, it is necessary to host third party events which assist in the day-to-day operations and provide income to support programs that further the mission of Americanism and Patriotism. 6. What is the legal relationship of CLMA and NSI? CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations, each with its own Board of Directors. Neither body has any legal or other control over or other relationship with the other. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is ratified regularly and signed by the Presidents of both bodies and spells out the limited relationship including the rental of space for the NSI Headquarters. Both NSI Legal Counsel and CLMA Legal Counsel have issued written opinions that reiterate that CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations with neither having any control over the other. 7. What is the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding between NSI & CLMA? The MOU sets forth the rental arrangement and use of space by NSI in the Collingwood building. It also states that any change to this MOU must have the independent agreement of each Board acting separately. It does state that if the CLMA Board decides to relinquish the property and NSI is in existence, the property will be turned over to NSI. In order for this to be in keeping with IRS rules, NSI would have to operate CLMA under its current structure, in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and its Bylaws. However, this provision must be approved by the IRS. Articles of Incorporation and the IRS, says assets must be given to a like 501(c)3 organization; note that NSI is not a 501(c)3. In addition, the county where Collingwood physically resides has stated that the property can never change ownership and continue to be utilized for its current purpose. 8. What would happen if CLMA were sold? Under the current IRS tax code, neither the property ownership of Collingwood nor the funds derived from its sale can be given directly to NSI. The funds can only go to another foundation 501 c (3) of like purpose. There is an agreement between the original board and NSI that if CLMA is dissolved, the assets would be transferred to NSI. However, that agreement was written before the current tax law was written. There is an additional agreement dated May 18, 1998 which states that if NSI is not in existence at the time Collingwood is sold, the assets would be transferred to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial Foundation which is a 501(c)3 organization. 9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood? No organization can take ownership of Collingwood real estate. Should the Foundation for CLMA cease to exist, its assets would have to transfer to another like 501 (c) 3. In addition, the Fairfax County zoning authority has issued a letter to CLMA advising the Board if the property is ever sold or changes legal title, it would lose its current zoning exemption that allows it to operate as a non-residential activity in a residentially zoned area. The zoning would revert to its basic residential zoning that would only allow four private homes to be built on the property. 10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? In 1999, the Board received an offer to buy Collingwood. The Board at that time discussed the possibility of a sale and voted overwhelming to refuse the offer. This is fully documented in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in December 1999 and the Board of Directors meeting on January 21, 2000. 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
3. What is Collingwood today?
4. Who owns Collingwood? No one owns Collingwood Foundation. The CLMA Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of Collingwood but no one owns a 501(c) 3. Because CLMA receives donations from the public, donors become stakeholders and these powerful stakeholder relationships are based on trust in the organization but there is no ownership implied or otherwise. CLMA is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The voting Board of Directors is made up of 13 individuals elected by the Board plus the National President, President-elect of National Sojourners, Inc., and the Commander of the Heroes of '76 during their terms of office. Thus there are sixteen voting Board members. Currently there are three NSI Trustees and 13 Past Presidents of NSI on the Board as voting or non-voting members. There is a collegial relationship that allows for NSI members to serve as board members. 5. How is CLMA funded? Collingwood is funded in a number of ways. Some of its income comes from donations from Sojourners and the public which are specified to an endowment fund; interest income and gains on this fund also finance operations. Originally, it was determined that Sojourners would donate enough money to hold $1 million in this endowment fund to assist in operations. This goal has not yet been reached and most contributions today are used to maintain the buildings and grounds. Because the current level of donations and the investment income is not sufficient to meet the existing operational expenses of CLMA, it is necessary to host third party events which assist in the day-to-day operations and provide income to support programs that further the mission of Americanism and Patriotism. 6. What is the legal relationship of CLMA and NSI? CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations, each with its own Board of Directors. Neither body has any legal or other control over or other relationship with the other. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is ratified regularly and signed by the Presidents of both bodies and spells out the limited relationship including the rental of space for the NSI Headquarters. Both NSI Legal Counsel and CLMA Legal Counsel have issued written opinions that reiterate that CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations with neither having any control over the other. 7. What is the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding between NSI & CLMA? The MOU sets forth the rental arrangement and use of space by NSI in the Collingwood building. It also states that any change to this MOU must have the independent agreement of each Board acting separately. It does state that if the CLMA Board decides to relinquish the property and NSI is in existence, the property will be turned over to NSI. In order for this to be in keeping with IRS rules, NSI would have to operate CLMA under its current structure, in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and its Bylaws. However, this provision must be approved by the IRS. Articles of Incorporation and the IRS, says assets must be given to a like 501(c)3 organization; note that NSI is not a 501(c)3. In addition, the county where Collingwood physically resides has stated that the property can never change ownership and continue to be utilized for its current purpose. 8. What would happen if CLMA were sold? Under the current IRS tax code, neither the property ownership of Collingwood nor the funds derived from its sale can be given directly to NSI. The funds can only go to another foundation 501 c (3) of like purpose. There is an agreement between the original board and NSI that if CLMA is dissolved, the assets would be transferred to NSI. However, that agreement was written before the current tax law was written. There is an additional agreement dated May 18, 1998 which states that if NSI is not in existence at the time Collingwood is sold, the assets would be transferred to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial Foundation which is a 501(c)3 organization. 9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood? No organization can take ownership of Collingwood real estate. Should the Foundation for CLMA cease to exist, its assets would have to transfer to another like 501 (c) 3. In addition, the Fairfax County zoning authority has issued a letter to CLMA advising the Board if the property is ever sold or changes legal title, it would lose its current zoning exemption that allows it to operate as a non-residential activity in a residentially zoned area. The zoning would revert to its basic residential zoning that would only allow four private homes to be built on the property. 10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? In 1999, the Board received an offer to buy Collingwood. The Board at that time discussed the possibility of a sale and voted overwhelming to refuse the offer. This is fully documented in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in December 1999 and the Board of Directors meeting on January 21, 2000. 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
4. Who owns Collingwood?
5. How is CLMA funded? Collingwood is funded in a number of ways. Some of its income comes from donations from Sojourners and the public which are specified to an endowment fund; interest income and gains on this fund also finance operations. Originally, it was determined that Sojourners would donate enough money to hold $1 million in this endowment fund to assist in operations. This goal has not yet been reached and most contributions today are used to maintain the buildings and grounds. Because the current level of donations and the investment income is not sufficient to meet the existing operational expenses of CLMA, it is necessary to host third party events which assist in the day-to-day operations and provide income to support programs that further the mission of Americanism and Patriotism. 6. What is the legal relationship of CLMA and NSI? CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations, each with its own Board of Directors. Neither body has any legal or other control over or other relationship with the other. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is ratified regularly and signed by the Presidents of both bodies and spells out the limited relationship including the rental of space for the NSI Headquarters. Both NSI Legal Counsel and CLMA Legal Counsel have issued written opinions that reiterate that CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations with neither having any control over the other. 7. What is the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding between NSI & CLMA? The MOU sets forth the rental arrangement and use of space by NSI in the Collingwood building. It also states that any change to this MOU must have the independent agreement of each Board acting separately. It does state that if the CLMA Board decides to relinquish the property and NSI is in existence, the property will be turned over to NSI. In order for this to be in keeping with IRS rules, NSI would have to operate CLMA under its current structure, in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and its Bylaws. However, this provision must be approved by the IRS. Articles of Incorporation and the IRS, says assets must be given to a like 501(c)3 organization; note that NSI is not a 501(c)3. In addition, the county where Collingwood physically resides has stated that the property can never change ownership and continue to be utilized for its current purpose. 8. What would happen if CLMA were sold? Under the current IRS tax code, neither the property ownership of Collingwood nor the funds derived from its sale can be given directly to NSI. The funds can only go to another foundation 501 c (3) of like purpose. There is an agreement between the original board and NSI that if CLMA is dissolved, the assets would be transferred to NSI. However, that agreement was written before the current tax law was written. There is an additional agreement dated May 18, 1998 which states that if NSI is not in existence at the time Collingwood is sold, the assets would be transferred to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial Foundation which is a 501(c)3 organization. 9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood? No organization can take ownership of Collingwood real estate. Should the Foundation for CLMA cease to exist, its assets would have to transfer to another like 501 (c) 3. In addition, the Fairfax County zoning authority has issued a letter to CLMA advising the Board if the property is ever sold or changes legal title, it would lose its current zoning exemption that allows it to operate as a non-residential activity in a residentially zoned area. The zoning would revert to its basic residential zoning that would only allow four private homes to be built on the property. 10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? In 1999, the Board received an offer to buy Collingwood. The Board at that time discussed the possibility of a sale and voted overwhelming to refuse the offer. This is fully documented in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in December 1999 and the Board of Directors meeting on January 21, 2000. 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
5. How is CLMA funded?
6. What is the legal relationship of CLMA and NSI? CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations, each with its own Board of Directors. Neither body has any legal or other control over or other relationship with the other. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is ratified regularly and signed by the Presidents of both bodies and spells out the limited relationship including the rental of space for the NSI Headquarters. Both NSI Legal Counsel and CLMA Legal Counsel have issued written opinions that reiterate that CLMA and NSI are two separate and distinct organizations with neither having any control over the other. 7. What is the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding between NSI & CLMA? The MOU sets forth the rental arrangement and use of space by NSI in the Collingwood building. It also states that any change to this MOU must have the independent agreement of each Board acting separately. It does state that if the CLMA Board decides to relinquish the property and NSI is in existence, the property will be turned over to NSI. In order for this to be in keeping with IRS rules, NSI would have to operate CLMA under its current structure, in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and its Bylaws. However, this provision must be approved by the IRS. Articles of Incorporation and the IRS, says assets must be given to a like 501(c)3 organization; note that NSI is not a 501(c)3. In addition, the county where Collingwood physically resides has stated that the property can never change ownership and continue to be utilized for its current purpose. 8. What would happen if CLMA were sold? Under the current IRS tax code, neither the property ownership of Collingwood nor the funds derived from its sale can be given directly to NSI. The funds can only go to another foundation 501 c (3) of like purpose. There is an agreement between the original board and NSI that if CLMA is dissolved, the assets would be transferred to NSI. However, that agreement was written before the current tax law was written. There is an additional agreement dated May 18, 1998 which states that if NSI is not in existence at the time Collingwood is sold, the assets would be transferred to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial Foundation which is a 501(c)3 organization. 9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood? No organization can take ownership of Collingwood real estate. Should the Foundation for CLMA cease to exist, its assets would have to transfer to another like 501 (c) 3. In addition, the Fairfax County zoning authority has issued a letter to CLMA advising the Board if the property is ever sold or changes legal title, it would lose its current zoning exemption that allows it to operate as a non-residential activity in a residentially zoned area. The zoning would revert to its basic residential zoning that would only allow four private homes to be built on the property. 10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? In 1999, the Board received an offer to buy Collingwood. The Board at that time discussed the possibility of a sale and voted overwhelming to refuse the offer. This is fully documented in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in December 1999 and the Board of Directors meeting on January 21, 2000. 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
6. What is the legal relationship of CLMA and NSI?
7. What is the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding between NSI & CLMA? The MOU sets forth the rental arrangement and use of space by NSI in the Collingwood building. It also states that any change to this MOU must have the independent agreement of each Board acting separately. It does state that if the CLMA Board decides to relinquish the property and NSI is in existence, the property will be turned over to NSI. In order for this to be in keeping with IRS rules, NSI would have to operate CLMA under its current structure, in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and its Bylaws. However, this provision must be approved by the IRS. Articles of Incorporation and the IRS, says assets must be given to a like 501(c)3 organization; note that NSI is not a 501(c)3. In addition, the county where Collingwood physically resides has stated that the property can never change ownership and continue to be utilized for its current purpose. 8. What would happen if CLMA were sold? Under the current IRS tax code, neither the property ownership of Collingwood nor the funds derived from its sale can be given directly to NSI. The funds can only go to another foundation 501 c (3) of like purpose. There is an agreement between the original board and NSI that if CLMA is dissolved, the assets would be transferred to NSI. However, that agreement was written before the current tax law was written. There is an additional agreement dated May 18, 1998 which states that if NSI is not in existence at the time Collingwood is sold, the assets would be transferred to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial Foundation which is a 501(c)3 organization. 9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood? No organization can take ownership of Collingwood real estate. Should the Foundation for CLMA cease to exist, its assets would have to transfer to another like 501 (c) 3. In addition, the Fairfax County zoning authority has issued a letter to CLMA advising the Board if the property is ever sold or changes legal title, it would lose its current zoning exemption that allows it to operate as a non-residential activity in a residentially zoned area. The zoning would revert to its basic residential zoning that would only allow four private homes to be built on the property. 10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? In 1999, the Board received an offer to buy Collingwood. The Board at that time discussed the possibility of a sale and voted overwhelming to refuse the offer. This is fully documented in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in December 1999 and the Board of Directors meeting on January 21, 2000. 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
7. What is the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding between NSI & CLMA?
8. What would happen if CLMA were sold? Under the current IRS tax code, neither the property ownership of Collingwood nor the funds derived from its sale can be given directly to NSI. The funds can only go to another foundation 501 c (3) of like purpose. There is an agreement between the original board and NSI that if CLMA is dissolved, the assets would be transferred to NSI. However, that agreement was written before the current tax law was written. There is an additional agreement dated May 18, 1998 which states that if NSI is not in existence at the time Collingwood is sold, the assets would be transferred to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial Foundation which is a 501(c)3 organization. 9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood? No organization can take ownership of Collingwood real estate. Should the Foundation for CLMA cease to exist, its assets would have to transfer to another like 501 (c) 3. In addition, the Fairfax County zoning authority has issued a letter to CLMA advising the Board if the property is ever sold or changes legal title, it would lose its current zoning exemption that allows it to operate as a non-residential activity in a residentially zoned area. The zoning would revert to its basic residential zoning that would only allow four private homes to be built on the property. 10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? In 1999, the Board received an offer to buy Collingwood. The Board at that time discussed the possibility of a sale and voted overwhelming to refuse the offer. This is fully documented in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in December 1999 and the Board of Directors meeting on January 21, 2000. 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
8. What would happen if CLMA were sold?
9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood? No organization can take ownership of Collingwood real estate. Should the Foundation for CLMA cease to exist, its assets would have to transfer to another like 501 (c) 3. In addition, the Fairfax County zoning authority has issued a letter to CLMA advising the Board if the property is ever sold or changes legal title, it would lose its current zoning exemption that allows it to operate as a non-residential activity in a residentially zoned area. The zoning would revert to its basic residential zoning that would only allow four private homes to be built on the property. 10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? In 1999, the Board received an offer to buy Collingwood. The Board at that time discussed the possibility of a sale and voted overwhelming to refuse the offer. This is fully documented in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in December 1999 and the Board of Directors meeting on January 21, 2000. 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
9. Can NSI simply take over ownership of Collingwood?
10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood? In 1999, the Board received an offer to buy Collingwood. The Board at that time discussed the possibility of a sale and voted overwhelming to refuse the offer. This is fully documented in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in December 1999 and the Board of Directors meeting on January 21, 2000. 11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
10. Was there ever an offer made to purchase Collingwood?
11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood? The Board evaluated the level of donations and income and the long-term financial security of CLMA. It was determined that the current level of donations and the interest from the current endowment alone could not keep CLMA operating without incurring debt. A review of the donation history of Collingwood revealed that more than one -third of the members of National Sojourners members had never contributed to Collingwood. Most of the National Sojourner donations were less than $100. Many of the larger donations have come from outside of the Sojourner membership including $117,500 from the Peabody Foundation. Donations alone cannot make Collingwood a long-term viable entity. 12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
11. Why has the CLMA Board put additional emphasis on third party events, soliciting business meetings and activities, and emphasized the business use of Collingwood?
12. Why build the ALC? There is a limit on the intensity of the sound that can be heard at the Collingwood boundary line and all music has to cease at 10 pm. Many possible third party events have been lost due to these restrictions. Fairfax County is rigid in its enforcement of this regulation. Events were also lost due to the limited inside space available in the current building. An evaluation of future prospects revealed that the only answer was a larger meeting/event building where sound was not an issue and more space was available. After a survey of similar sites in Northern Virginia and the need for meeting/social venues, it became obvious that the ALC would fill a need and generate the necessary amount of income for CLMA to be placed on a sound financial footing. Our third party income in the past has been almost exclusively from weddings, receptions and local group events. The property has been rented only 20 to 30 times per year. There was no organized sales and marketing program; most event bookings came from word of mouth. The existing building and grounds did not offer sufficient space or options for the event income needed. The ALC will be the only center of its kind with a greater capacity than most other sites in the area. 13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
12. Why build the ALC?
13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan? Maintaining an historic building and its grounds is an expensive undertaking. The then Board reviewed the financial status and decided that the donations received was not sufficient to proceed with construction within the time allowed by County permits. The necessary construction approval from Fairfax County took longer than three years. The County made it clear that if construction was not started within the time frame of the current permits, no future construction permit would be issued. Therefore, the only sound business decision was to commence construction in 2007. 14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
13. Why was the ALC construction started in the Fall of 2007 without the construction fund fully available through donations as had been the original plan?
14. How is the ALC being financed? The Board negotiated with a number of local banks. Virginia Commerce Bank made the best offer to assist with a line of credit not to exceed $2.5 million which would allow CLMA to proceed with construction. When construction is complete, the line of credit will be converted into a 30 year mortgage by the bank at the prevailing commercial rate. The CLMA Board of Directors believes that the ALC can be constructed and furnished for less than this amount. 15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
14. How is the ALC being financed?
15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed? The bank had a formal appraisal of the building and property performed in 2007 which gave the total value as $7.7 million. This appraisal was used to guarantee the loan. 16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
15. How is the line of credit and loan guaranteed?
16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use? Absolutely not. NSI is not a party to the loan or construction. NSI has no liability of any kind connected to CLMA or the ALC construction. 17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
16. Is NSI liable for any loan or interest repayment or any liability arising out of construction of the ALC or its future use?
17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid? Under the current agreement, interest payments begin as funds are drawn against the line of credit. Only after the establishment of the mortgage will principal be paid. Future principal and interest payments will be an expense under the annual operating budget. The funds will come from three sources - donations, third party income and investment interest and gains. This is why an increased volume of third party events is critical to future financial stability. 18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
17. How will the line of credit and loan be repaid?
18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events? Collingwood has some unique attractions for business events during the week. It is centrally located for businesses in the greater Washington area including Northern Virginia, the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC. It is located just off the Washington Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) where it crosses the Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Maryland and Virginia and just outside the business district of Alexandria. Ft. Belvoir, a major Army installation with a number of major Defense organizations, is only eight miles south. Mt. Vernon is three miles south. The Pentagon and many major government contractors are within a 25-mile radius. There is a large demand for business meeting sites. We have a secluded location with plenty of free on-site parking. Many of the currently available meeting venues are in busy business locations where access is difficult and parking costs $20 to $25 per day, if available. There are plenty of major hotels and motels in the Alexandria area for out of town attendees. A telephone survey of a number of major defense organizations and businesses revealed a strong interest in our site, especially after the ALC is completed. 19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
18. Why do you think that Collingwood can attract more third party events?
19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events? The historic Collingwood building offers a large second floor meeting and event room which can seat 80 and hold 125. As a training room it can hold 40. There are breakout rooms for smaller meetings available. There is a 40 x 60 foot concrete patio on one side over which a tent can be erected for outside events. There are also about four open acres where activities can take place. When completed, the ALC will have a capacity for a variety of events with up to 250 people. Amplified music will no longer be a concern. 20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
19. What does Collingwood offer for third party events?
20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income? The Board has undertaken three major initiatives. First, a new Collingwood web site www.collingwoodlibrary.com has been created that has a more professional look for third party events along with a more personal appeal for current and future donors. It contains sections to attract social events and business activities; create donor interest and allow for online credit card donations; and to allow better communications with the Board members, NSI line officers, Collingwood chapter representatives and NSI members. Second, the Board has hired its third staff member. For a number of years we have had a full-time Facilities and Events Manager and a part-time (28 hours per week) Office Manager. The new staff member is the Sales and Marketing Manager who will spend 90 to 95 percent of the time outside Collingwood, making sales contacts and personal calls seeking prospective organizational and social events. Third, the Board has established a volunteer position for a Technical Support Volunteer. This individual has moved Collingwood into a more robust use of technology by installing a server on site, creating a network of its computers, thus enabling full access to all shared information and instant communication. This includes regular off site backup, email communications between all Board members and staff and more information available on line to the NSI membership. 21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
20. What is the Board doing to place CLMA on more of a business footing and generate more third party event income?
21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI? The Board has entered into an agreement with the National Secretary of NSI for CLMA to pay for and provide the copy for four pages in every other issue of National Sojourner Magazine. Thus, there will be more information about Collingwood distributed directly to each member at least three times per year. The President of NSI has designated the 1st Vice President of each Sojourner chapter to be the Chapter Collingwood Representative. There will be a separate section on the Collingwood web site for information on Collingwood activities and donation opportunities. In addition, the CLMA Board member designated as the contact person for chapter representatives will be in direct communication with the chapter representatives. 22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
21. What is the Board doing to better communicate with the membership of NSI?
22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected? NSI Headquarters is situated in a separate suite of rooms in the beautiful and historic building. Few national organizations are so fortunate as to have a headquarters in such a historic and pastoral site, yet so centrally located. Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." The Headquarters has a large amount of space for its employees, equipment and supplies. It has a large office for the National Secretary, a large room for the two secretaries, a large printer and supply room, a board room and a kitchen with eating area. It is in a totally separate area off of the shared Collingwood entrance hall. NSI has all of this for less than the rental of a one bedroom apartment or a one room office in Alexandria. There will be no change for the NSI Headquarters and staff unless negotiated between the Boards of both organizations. 23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
22. With all this focus on events and business income, how will the National Headquarters be affected?
23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism? The creation of a stable operating budget will enhance the role of CLMA in this arena. The Board has always seen CLMA as having four roles in the promotion of Americanism and patriotism. First, Sojourners can make tax deductible donations to Collingwood which go to the direct support of youth programs sponsored by Sojourners and the Military Order of the World Wars including the annual Freedoms Foundation event at Valley Forge. Every cent of these donations is used to support the youth activities in keeping with CLMA and NSI mission to support Americanism. Second, CLMA is actively seeking ways that the Collingwood site can be used for Americanism and patriotic events. We give a discount to active and retired military groups, other non profits and Masonic organizations to use our building and site for events. CLMA is attempting to develop programs on site which will attract youth and adults to patriotic events and activities promoting Americanism. Third, CLMA wants to develop programs that can be exported to Sojourner Chapters as a package and used by them for such events. In coordination with the NSI Americanism Committee, a two and a half to three hour general patriotic program has been developed which uses the Heroes of '76 music CD and is available to all Sojourners through NSI. We hope to develop more such programs targeted to specific groups in the future. Fourth, the CLMA Board is looking into ways to fund research by teachers and graduate students, using the CLMA Library and other resources, to develop historical teaching guides and written material on Americanism topics for distribution to schools and libraries. 24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
23. How does business emphasis affect the role of the library and museum promoting Americanism and patriotism?
24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist? Collingwood is truly the "Crown Jewel of National Sojourners." It is the physical representation of everything that National Sojourners Inc. exists to support. The site has been recognized as a national historical site by the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Fairfax County supervisors have recognized CLMA as one of the important historic and educational features in the County and support its continued existence. Sojourners and Masons have contributed many family books and artifacts to help bring to life in the museum the important role that Masons have played in our political and military history. The Sojourners who funded the original purchase and promoted Collingwood as the home of National Sojourners had a wonderful vision that they have passed on to the current Board of Directors. Every Sojourner has a stake in the continued existence of CLMA. 25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
24. Why should Sojourners care about Collingwood and make donations to help it continue to exist?
25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood? Every individual Sojourner and Chapter can make a commitment to give a fixed amount each year to Collingwood. A donation of $100 per year from each Sojourner and $500 per year from each chapter would allow Collingwood to clear its debt in only a few years and to focus on increasing Americanism and patriotic programs in support of National Sojourners. The CLMA Board has an obligation to leave Collingwood in a financially sustainable position to those who come after and the Board is working hard to accomplish this. Presently the Board must focus on operations and financial survival. To be able to rise above the day-to-day and focus more time on program development and funding activities would make Collingwood a more influential and prominent organization and bring great credit to National Sojourners.
25. What can individual Sojourners and Chapters do to increase support for Collingwood?
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