Basic Organization Information
South Manitou Memorial Society
- Also Known As:
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Manitou Island Memorial Society
- Physical Address:
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Empire, MI
49630 0177
- EIN:
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38-2869885
- Web URL:
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www.manitouislands.org
- NTEE Category:
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W Public, Society Benefit
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W99 Public, Society Benefit - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C.
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None
-
None
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None
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None
- Year Founded:
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1989
- Ruling Year:
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2004
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Mission Statement
Originally founded in 1970, incorporated in 1989 as the South Manitou Memorial Society and re-chartered in 2003 as the Manitou Islands Memorial Society, the group now functions as a "Friends" organization supporting the Islands Unit of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (NPS). MIMS provides research, educational and interpretive services. MIMS also supports the restoration and maintenance of physical island assets and historic landscapes. Such mission projects are supported by funding and volunteerism.
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Impact Statement
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Revenue and Expenses
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Chief Executive
Rhonda Kruch
Term:
Since
Aug
2007
Chief Executive Profile:
Ms Kruch teaches middle school mathematics in West Branch, Michigan. She also serves as a board member for local school-related organizations.
Officers for Fiscal Year
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Highest Paid Employees & Their Compensation
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Program:
VIP (Volunteers in Parks) Services
- Budget:
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$3,600
- Category:
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Public, Society Benefit
- Population Served:
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Adults
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Children and Youth (infants - 19 years.)
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Aging/Elderly/Senior Citizens
Program Description:
MIMS provides printed material and interpretive personnel to enhance the richness of visitor experiences on North and South Mantiou Islands. The group also maintains www.manitouislands.org which provides a wealth of historic, cultural, scientific and geniological information. MIMS sponsors a regular annual meeting and island excursion each years, and several special volunteer projects on the islands during the program year.
Program Long-Term Success:
A variety of educational material have been collected and created which enhance the richness of island visitors' experiences, and which will permently serve historians and other researchers.
Program Short-Term Success:
The organization provides volunteer interpreters, tour guides and speakers. It also provides volunteer labor for various maintenance and historic restoration projects.
Program Success Monitored by:
All MIMS operations occur within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and are monitored and evaluated for effectivness and outcome by National Park Service administrators and other NPS personnel.
Program Success Examples:
Successes of these initiatives shows in the improved condition of historic structures on North and South Manitou Islands, and improved general buildings and grounds maintenance on the islands. Volunteers working in partnership with the Lakeshore enables paid NPS personel to focus their attentions on visitor services and safety. Increasingly complementary Internet commentary posted by island visitors on personal websites, blogs and forums attests to the accomplishment of this initiative's primary goal, which is to enhance visitor knowledge and enjoyment of the islands.
Program:
Re-Light the Light
- Budget:
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$93,000
- Category:
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Public, Society Benefit
- Population Served:
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Adults
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Children and Youth (infants - 19 years.)
Program Description:
The South Manitou Island Light Station was deactivated by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1958. After having been dark for fifty-years, the Memorial Society, in partnership with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and other partners, has undertaken to reactivate this historic aid to maritime navigation in Michigan's fabled Manitou Passage.
Program Long-Term Success:
The reactivated South Manitou Island Light now serves as a registered seasonal navigation aid in a historically treacherous area of northeastern Lake Michigan. In addition, this historic Light Station can now serve as a signature attraction in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, enhancing the richness of visitors' experiences for years to come.
Program Short-Term Success:
The "Re-Light the Light" initiative included, in addition to replacing its beacon system, refurbishing the associated buildings and grounds, and creating a working replica of the light station's 3rd order Fresnel lens. As a result, island visitors immediately enjoy the advantage of seeing this historic point of interest much as it was during most of its 150-year history. Bringing the light station back to life has created a new attraction which is expected to immediately increase Lakeshore visitation.
Program Success Monitored by:
The South Manitou Island Light Station is a part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. As such, all activities involving this project are approved, closely supervised and ultimately evaluated by the National Park Serivce. The light station also now operates as a Coast Guard approved and registered seasonal aid to navigation, and is therefore subject to ongoing inspections, evaluations and approvials by the U.S. Coast Guard's 9th District, of Cleveland, OH.
Program Success Examples:
The restored South Manitou Island Light Station was officially reactivated and put into service on May 15, 2009, as authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard. The National Park Service launched this newly restored attraction in a special dedication ceremony on May 30, 2009.
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