Administrator’s Corner

This isn’t the article I thought I’d write a month ago, nor will it reflect our shared reality when it’s published a month from now. What isn’t changing is my ongoing, deep connection to my Eliot community. Late last week I worked with the Executive Committee to compose our response to COVID-19 and how that might affect our summer camps. I provided a few logistical details, and Rachelle Lee, our Board President took those deets and wrote a compassionate, informative letter that celebrates our connectedness, even in these trying times.

Samaya Oakley, board member and Program Committee chair has located a new speaker for July Eliot 2020. Meg Riley and Aisha Hauser, previous July speakers, felt their weighty Equity & Inclusion topic would be inappropriate for our community coming together on the tail of this global crisis. Within two days, she was able to confirm storyteller, Will Hornyak as our speaker. It is my honor to work with them and the rest of the hardworking Eliot Board.

What I had planned for this article, and will still write is a huge, grateful shout out to Michael Sturrock, who is spearheading the efforts to get Eliot’s database moved from a computer-based Access platform to a cloud-based Salesforce platform. He’s spent countless hours moving our 2020 records over to the new format (historical data will still live on the computer in Access); is patiently teaching me the ins-and-outs of Salesforce; and edited/added/embellished features as I encounter issues with the change of platform.

Your camp invoices will look a bit different than they have in the past, reports provided to deans, staff, and campers are in a different format, but with Michael’s expertise, we are creating a more flexible and robust database for moving Eliot into the future. This is the first step in a process to create a more dynamic, camper-accessible registration procedure. Stay tuned; it won’t happen overnight, but we are moving forward.

I’m delighted to introduce Eliot’s newest staff member. Gary Obermeyer has joined us as Executive Secretary, and he is great addition to our team.  Gary attends Quimper UU in Port Townsend, WA, where his wife, Rev. Kate Lore is the minister. Gary has yet to attend an Eliot camp, but became familiar with what we do through information gleaned from Kate’s experiences as our speaker at August Eliot 2016 and as chaplain at Creative Arts Eliot 2019.  We are truly fortunate to have him and his expertise aboard. 

Update on Seabeck’s New Pines building:  Construction was underway, but due to Washington state’s Stay Home – Stay Healthy order, no work is allowed right now.  Therefore, we need to plan on not having the New Pines building available for our use this summer, either for programming or for sleeping rooms. For July Eliot, and most likely for August Eliot and Creative Arts Eliot, we’ll need to be creative with where we stay, so we can accommodate everyone who’s been confirmed to camp. Seabeck is offering a this-year-only, once-in-a-lifetime option for folks to bring their tents or RVs to Seabeck and camp on the conference center grounds. If I get enough volunteers to stay in tents, we can still get have full camps. Also, our deans and youth advisors are working on space options for youth programming. Stay tuned!

More on Seabeck’s Role in the Local Community:  Chuck Kraining, Executive Director at Seabeck, has been working with the Kitsap Public Health Department on options to house Kitsap County residents who want to voluntarily self-quarantine, but have no place to do so. The conference center has made two buildings available for health department use; specifically, they’ll be housing women and families who are vulnerable, but not critically ill.  Seabeck will prepare meals and deliver them to porches. Kitsap Health will provide a security guard and medical staff 24/7. These folks will remain in the buildings except for short, supervised “mental health breaks” in designated areas. Between guests and at the end of the process, a professional team of cleaners will thoroughly disinfect and clean any areas affected. I am deeply honored that the place Elioteers hold so dear has stepped up to fill this need. We love Seabeck not only for the beautiful location and the way they tend to our own needs so well, but also for their clear devotion to do what’s right and to serve their larger community. 

Earlybird rates now in effect for Winter Eliot!  You'll find prices for Winter Eliot on our website (https://www.eliotinstitute.org/registration-fees).  Beginning October 1, these prices will go up by $20/camper, so sign up soon and save! Our speaker this year is Guy Nelson, who folks in the Puget Sound region may know from listening to KUOW. Google him and discover so many fascinating things; then head directly to our website to register for camp. It’ll be an amazing experience!

Registration for summer camps and Winter Eliot is online at www.eliotinstitute.org.  Click on the big blue button to register, and you're on your way!

See you at camp,
Bev Hesterberg
EliotRegistrar@gmail.com