ANNUAL REPORT
Oct. 1, 2018 - Sept. 30, 2019
Welcome Everyone,
Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) has completed its second year. The time has passed by quickly, but much has been accomplished by working together with a great Board of Directors and wonderful supporters.
The long-term goal for a cultural center was identified by many when the seeds for this organization were first planted and BCHC is happy to report those seeds are growing. The newly formed Biddeford Cultural Coalition, of which BCHC is a part of, is another example of our collaborative effort to work with others for the good of all. In conjunction with our mission, the aim is to assure that the culture, heritage and history of the community continue to grow and prosper, that our roots are not forgotten, nor the people that got us here or those who are here now.
A cultural center is a necessity in our growing community. We welcome any and all who might help with this endeavor, either by donating their time and talent, support via attendance at events, or through an endowment to BCHC. A place to celebrate, to share heritage and history, to pool and share resources with others, to have exhibit space and a repository to safely store and secure precious items and artifacts, is becoming a reality with your continued help and support.
BCHC believes people are our most valuable asset. We recognize the dedication and hard work of our volunteers, without them, we would be nothing. With the help of our great Volunteer Coordinator, Amanda Strayer, BCHC is working towards strengthening their Volunteer Services, to recognize and award the value of those serving their community in a variety of ways.
We hope you will join us in this exciting journey and that you are proud as you look up with us to the future of Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center, joining us in celebrating where we come from, where we are now and where we will go together in the future, because together, we can do anything.
We’re off to a great start! Thank you all for your continued interest and support. Looking forward to 2020!
Sincerely,
Diane Cyr
Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center, President, 2018-2019
Our Mission
“ To celebrate, preserve, share and teach the culture, diversity, heritage and history of the City of Biddeford, its people and surrounding areas.”
Our Programs
Biddeford Hall of Fame
An annual program to honor those who have had a significant impact on the City of Biddeford.
This year, banners were hung on Main Street in Biddeford to honor and celebrate all members of the
Bridging the Gaps October 12, 2019
Bridging the Gaps is the first mission day event being held on October 12, 2019 at the Biddeford Middle School from 8- 5 pm. It is a full day conference featuring eight presentations along with preservation scanning courtesy of the Maine State Library and local vendors and organizations. By Bridging the Gaps, BCHC is working towards its mission, spreading the message of diversity, history, heritage and culture to all involved. We aim to share our mission for years to come. The event is open to the community, and others throughout New England and Canada, and there will be a range of presentations from beginner level to advanced.
Speakers and presentations include the following:
The Village of Couacoet and the Woodland Period on Saco Bay by Dr. Arthur Anderson
Why Write About Franco-Americans in Their Dialect and What Does It Mean to the Franco-Phone? by Dr. Norman Beaupre
Preservation Basics for Family History Collections by Renee DesRoberts, archivist
Finding the Pieces to Your Genealogy Puzzle by Rob Gumlaw, genealogist
Beginning Your Genealogy and Family History Journey by Rob Gumlaw, genealogist
Indian Wars and Their Effect on the Biddeford-Saco Community- The Causes, Battles and Long-Term Results by Paul McDonough, educator and historian
How Were French-Canadian Immigrants Received in the United States? by David Vermette, author
Introduction to Oral History Methodology by Molly Graham, oral historian and documentarian
Our Accomplishments
– Planning Bridging the Gaps Mission Day Conference
-Presentations as by Dr. Michael Guignard, Julien Icher and Dr. Elizabeth DeWolfe
-Ongoing interviews for the Voices of Biddeford Program –
18 Interviews were done this past year and 12 are now available online
– New You Tube Channel with oral histories and other info
-Developed and distributed Board Books
-Volunteer Handbooks
-Development and training provided and offered to volunteers – Valuing volunteers through education and involvement.
-Liability Insurance obtained.
-Eleven Newsletters were sent this year. Please be sure to let us know if you would like to be added to our newsletter email list
-Continue to work with other organizations to the benefit of all, such as La Kermesse, United Way, Biddeford School System and others
-Obtained 10 new dedicated volunteers
-Taking advantage of any and all efforts to increase volunteer participation through VolunteerME, word of mouth, organizations, UNE, schools.
-Recognizing the value of training and volunteers.
– Return on Volunteer Investment from 2018-2019 is figured at $9.67 return for each dollar invested.
-Grant from the Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation Grant obtained in November 2018 for $10,000
-Art and Culture Fundraiser held in November 2018
-Second fiscal year begins October 1st, 2019
-Fueling Up with BCHC Raffle in Dec 2018- 4 prizes that people could use (gas, oil, propane) worth $250/each prize December 2018 – Net income of $518.47
-Assumed care and maintenance of the Museum in the Streets. Putting QR codes on the plaques, redoing the maps, added to web site.
-Selected as 1 in 12 nonprofits to represent the State of Maine at the State House in Augusta for nonprofit day in Jan 2019. Bringing attention to all the good that nonprofits do for the state and communities, promoting them and their causes. (Maine as a state has one of the highest amounts of nonprofits in the country)
-1 of 6 nonprofits in York County selected to receive a scholarship worth over $6000 to be part of the Service Enterprise Initiative offered through the Points of Life Program, leading to possible certification as a Service Enterprise. This is an intensive, 4 month program which will help with volunteer recruitment, satisfaction, retention, outcomes, leading to more value and improved outcomes and efficiency, improved volunteer management practices and helping to leverage volunteers and their skills to deliver the social mission of BCHC. Spring 2019
-Changes in the Board of BCHC with increased representation by women. (9 board members and 3 are women. This is a working board. There are no membership fees)
-Center of Technology Students assisted by working on logo/branding for the organization
-Improving social media strategy.
-Joined the Chamber of Commerce.
-Looked at possible space for the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center at the former St. Andre’s Church- April 5th, 2019.
-Recognizing Preservation Week April 2019.
-Worked with students from BMS for Youth Day of Caring in conjunction with United Way of York County at Mission Hill – May 2019
-Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center hosted a tent venue during the La Kermesee weekend in which other nonprofits participated to showcase their value and what they are doing for the community and the city. June 2019
-Second annual Biddeford Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and reception held to celebrate those who had a significant impact on the City in one way or another. Five new members were inducted
-Banners of all Biddeford Hall of Fame Honorees hung on Main Street in Biddeford.
-Unveiling of the second annual Biddeford Hall of Fame Inductees at City Hall.
-Invited to attend the Franco-American Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the State House in Augusta in June 2019.
-Decided on a logo for branding purposes September 2019. Purchased some promotional items such as pens, shirts and paper pads.
-First Annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. Honored 3 Volunteers of the Year September 2019
-Attended UNE Service Fair September 2019
-Recruited a Student Ambassador from high school
Our Future Plans
• Second Annual Report
• Volunteer Appreciation Picnic
• Second Annual Raffle
• First Annual appeal and campaign
• First mission day event, “Bridging the Gaps” scheduled for October 12th, 2019 at BMS to promote tourism, research and community involvement and recognition.
• Obtain Service Enterprise Status
• Work on Strategic Plan
• Develop and update current policies
• Volunteer job descriptions and programs
• Build Volunteer Program
• Seek Grants
• Form a Steering Committee to assess housing/space needs
• Partner with other likeminded organizations providing services to the community
• Explore possibility of a podcast or public access show
• Purchase preservation scanner, consider scanning lab for community
• Film Festival
• George Thacher & 2020 Celebration
• Presentations/Events
• Student Ambassador
• Increase diversity within the Board of Directors
• Offer diverse selection of events/presentations
• Ethnic Meal Event
• Obtain promotional items for the public to share and use
Volunteer Services
Volunteers are integral to the success and continuance of Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center and we greatly appreciate all our supporting volunteers who continue to donate their time and talents, those invested in our mission, without any expectations in return.
This past year, BCHC was fortunate to receive a scholarship to attend Service Enterprise Training offered through the United Way and the Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation and provided by the Points of Life. This intensive training has helped the organization form a plan to build on its Volunteer Service Program. There are also plans to pursue certification to become a Service Enterprise Organization.
Currently we are working on the SEI application and job descriptions for our interns and volunteer positions. We have attended the UNE Service Fair, worked on Volunteer Handbooks, tracking volunteer hours, held our first Volunteer Appreciation picnic where 3 special volunteers were honored; Nicole Morin-Scribner who is managing our Voices of Biddeford Oral History Program, Amanda Strayer, our Volunteer Coordinator, and Denis Letellier, who has given his time and talent helping us with signage and media events .
BCHC continues to invest in its volunteers by offering valuable training opportunities to those wishing to attend specific workshops, such as Oral History workshop, Preservation Scanning, etc.
If you want to volunteer, we will find a job for you, big or small, no matter the size!
Our Funders and Fundraising
Fundraising remains an ongoing concern and although most prefer to concentrate on building infrastructure, programs, etc., it’s a necessity for the survival of any organization. Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center does not charge membership fees as a source of income, however, all donations are gladly accepted and much appreciated.
There are plans to do the first annual appeal for BCHC and great hope for community support in this endeavor. BCHC also welcomes sustained giving or endowments.
Last year’s Fueling Up Raffle, held in December of 2018, netted a total of $518.47 after prizes were distributed. The second annual raffle will be kicked off during Bridging the Gaps event in Oct. 2019. This Cool Cash Raffle will have a limited number of tickets sold. The winners will be picked at the December 12th meeting of the cultural center. Prizes include a $500 first prize, $250 second prize and $100 third prize. Be sure to buy yours while they are available.
BCHC is listed as a charity on Smile.amazon.com, so for those who are a frequent online shoppers or just shopping for the holidays, please keep this in mind. You have to set up a smile.amazon.com account to be sure the donations are accepted through Amazon, but the site is Amazon’s and item prices are the same. There is no extra cost for items being purchased, the only difference is that a designated charity of your choice, hopefully the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center, will get a small donation as a result of the online purchases.
BCHC is also a participant in Clynk for those who continue to recycle and wish to donate easily to the organization.
Our Budget
Please be sure to see the Treasurer’s annual report for more info regarding the budget.
BCHC is hoping to allocate at least 60% of funding towards programs in the following year and to expand upon the volunteer services, along with planning for housing needs and operational expenses.
Board of Directors 2018 - 2019
Diane Cyr – President
Denis Litalien – Vice President
Robert Cyr – Secretary
Paul Gagne – Treasurer
Judith Cadorette
Alan Casavant
Raoul Goulet
Debbie Litalien
Dana Peck