Pirates to invade Jax Beach on Nov. 5 for annual Pirate Party Fundraiser

Our 6th Annual Pirate Party Fundraiser benefiting Safe Harbor Maritime Academy / Boys Home on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016. Tickets are on sale now.The Pirate Party Fundraiser is the largest annual fundraising event organized by the Propeller Club of Jacksonville. In 2015, we raised $15,474 for Safe Harbor, topping the previous year's record.“Our goal this year is to increase donations by 25 percent,” said Tammy Emerson, 2016-2017 club president. “We’re looking to grow our sponsorships, grow our attendance, and bring in more funds for this worthy cause. We need everyone's help to make this year the best yet!"

"We are changing lives here on the riverfront."

Funds raised in 2016 will pay for improving the facility's front area, including signage, plumbing, landscaping and beautification of the school grounds. Funds raised in 2015 were used to upgrade the dock and electrical infrastructure.“We are changing lives here on the riverfront,” said Robbie Smith, Director, CEO and Founder of Safe Harbor Maritime Academy. “We’re extraordinarily grateful for the support and generosity of the Propeller Club membership.”The event will be held this year at the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Northeaster Lodge 17, located at 1 Sawgrass Rd., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. This location doesn't appear on most online maps - directions are listed on the event page.On Saturday, Nov. 5, doors will open at 7 p.m. The event will offer:

• Open bar
• Entertainment by local DJ Vito
• Costume contest
• Auctions for treasure
• A pirate king’s feast
• Proceeds go to Safe Harbor Maritime Academy

Event sponsorships are available at a variety of levels. Sponsors receive recognition in event communication, on the Propeller Club website, and at the event and in the program. To learn more about sponsorships, contact info@propclubjax.com.Attendee ticket prices were increased this year to reflect the open bar that is included with the price of admission. A single ticket costs $75 before Oct. 5. When buying two or more tickets, cost per ticket is $70. After Oct. 5, a single ticket costs $85. At that time, when buying two or more tickets, cost per ticket is $80.About Safe Harbor Maritime AcademySafe Harbor, founded in 1984 in Jacksonville, Florida is a Christian residential education program using the waterfront as a residential and educational facility for teenage boys. Safe Harbor offers a unique program for at-risk boys to live aboard vessels and learn seamanship and maritime skills while studying for their high school diploma. Safe Harbor does not receive any public funding. Learn more about Safe Harbor.Safe Harbor, a 2009 television film, is based on the true story of the Safe Harbor Maritime Academy. View the trailer.

Propeller Club of Jacksonville Hosts Change of Command Ceremony

The Propeller Club of the United States – Port of Jacksonville held its Change of Command ceremony on June 16, honoring outgoing President Virginia Bailey of Zim Lines and welcoming incoming President Tammy Emerson of W&O Supply.The annual event and formal pinning ceremony marks a transition of responsibility from one individual to another. It represents a longstanding tradition conducted before club members, guests and dignitaries to formally demonstrate the continuity of the club’s mission and the camaraderie and fellowship between club members.In her farewell remarks, Bailey spoke of the club's community outreach over the past year, including raising over $25,000 toward efforts such as the club's endowment and scholarship fund to UNF, and donations to Safe Harbor Boys Home, Pine Castle and the families of those lost in the El Faro tragedy.Emerson assumed the presidency of the Jacksonville club following 7 years of involvement with the Propeller Clubs of Jacksonville and Tampa. Emerson is a distinguished Navy veteran, having served for over 23 years and earning such recognition as the Military Sealift Command Sailor of the Year and the Space Coast Sailor of the Year and various other military awards. In 1988, she joined W&O Supply, the world's largest suppliers of marine piping, valves, and fittings in the US, as the Assistant to the VP of Operations. Emerson held many different titles at W&O including Purchasing Manager, Training Manager, Inside Sales Manager, and Assistant Branch Manager. She left W&O in 2001 and went to work for Geometric Marine as the Inside Sales Manager from 2002 to October 2008. She worked both her civilian and military jobs simultaneously from 1988-2005. She returned to W&O in October 2008 as a Senior Outside Salesperson, which is her current position. From her office in Jacksonville, Emerson's territory includes customers in Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Savannah and even Freeport, Bahamas. Emerson was W&O's Employee of the Year in 2013 and was awarded the W&O Supply Captain’s Circle Award in 2014. She is married to Reed Emerson, a retired SMSGT with 28 years combined service active duty and National Guard. They have a 23 year old son and an 20 year old daughter.Emerson says that she is passionate about ensuring membership retention and growth for the club this year, stating, "I want to add value to this membership. I want to add more members. I want to get our members more involved and engaged. If so, our club can make even more of a difference. I joined this organization because I wanted to make a difference." She added, "I am convinced that if we work together we can build on an incredible foundation and legacy, and that we can be even better. At the end of the year I hope that we will have transformed new possibilities and opportunities into stories of success."The club’s next event – the annual Membership Social - will be held in September at Fionn MacCool’s, with date, time, and more info planned for release soon.

Letter from President - June 2016

As our 2015-2016 club year comes to a close this month, I wanted to extend my appreciation and gratitude for yet another exciting and successful year. In previous letters, I have been able to reflect on our events and thank specific individuals who continue to elevate the club and our missions. In January, we sponsored and held our first LNG 904 symposium. We were fortunate to host the who’s who of the maritime community along with key economic and regulatory agencies to discuss the benefits of this natural product. It was well received and attended. Jacksonville has become the center for LNG and its use for water-borne activities and commerce. A special thanks goes out to our event sponsors - Aqua Gulf Transport, Eagle LNG Partners, JAX LNG / Pivotal LNG, North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), St. Johns Bar Pilots Association and W&O Supply. To our event organizers and committee members, Scott Fernandez, Art Thomas, Mike Sheklin, Jeff Price, Lindsey Brock, Steve Hartsaw and Capt. John Redman – thank you for bringing together the professionals that brought LNG to Jacksonville.Annually, we celebrate the Jacksonville Port Authority’s highlights and achievements for previous year. We thank our friends at JAXPORT and Brian Taylor, for putting together an exciting overview. It is an event many look forward to each year, and each year we are well informed and excited about our waterborne activities.For several years, each March, we’ve co-hosted with the Mayport Council of the Navy League our US Coast Guard and Customs & Border Protection Appreciation evening. It is our turn to honor those who serve our community with the highest regard to our safety and security. We thank all our United States service men and women in Jacksonville and around the globe for your service to our great country.In the spring, we held our annual Spring Golf Outing and raised a donation to the families of the El Faro.  We also sent a delegate to the Southeast Regional Area Conference (SERAC) in Charleston, SC.  At the regional level, officers and delegates promote each club’s efforts and highlight each club’s achievements. Last month, despite the heavy weather, we celebrated Maritime Day, honoring those who have given their lives at sea. We thank the families who supported these maritime heroes and will never forget those lost. Collectively, the Board of Governors nominated and voted Michael Sheklin as our Member of the Year for all that he does with our Student Port at University of North Florida and for his work on our LNG 904 event.  Congratulations Mike! We thank you for all that you do each year with our students and for your leadership.All our events, fund raising and support we are able to offer our community is thanks to you, our members and our Corporate Members. We are a generous club, with the desire to connect with our industry while supporting Jacksonville’s waterborne activities.In closing, I want to thank each of you for your endorsement of our club and supporting the betterment of our efforts. I wish our 2016-2017 Officers all the best and look forward to the events including our 6th Annual Pirate Party. Yes, planning has begun and we want and need you! For more information on how you can volunteer and/or sponsor, please send us a message to propclubjax@gmail.com.  Your email will be directed to the appropriate committee chair for follow up.We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, June 16th for Change of Command Ceremony to support our incoming officers, board members and your 2016-2017 President, Tammy Emerson of W&O Supply.GOD Bless you and the United State of America.Sincerely,Virginia M. BaileyPresidentThe Propeller Club of the United States – Port of Jacksonville

Upcoming November events

Save the date to attend these professional and networking events in November!Doing business in the Dominican RepublicNov. 6, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.BBVA Compass Bank Training Center, JAX Chamber (3 Independent Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202)

• Cost: $10 (Light refreshments will be provided)
• RSVP by Nov. 4 to lbernaski@eflorida.com
• JAXPORT's Alberto Cabrera is one of the speakers at the event

[divider]2013 Jacksonville Women’s Leadership SymposiumNov. 13, 2013 at 7:30 a.m.EverBank Center (301 W Bay St, Jacksonville, FL 32202)

• Propeller Club Board Members Liz Carlson (Crowley), Tammy Emerson (W&O Supply), Liz Miller (WWL) and Victoria Robas (JAXPORT) will be speaking at the event
• Free event for both men and women
• Supported by the Mayport Council of the Navy League

[divider]2013 CEO Spotlight Dinner presented by the Propeller Club of the United States - Port of JacksonvilleNov. 14, 2013 at 6 p.m.University Club (1301 Riverplace Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207)

• Keynote speaker: Chris Dombalis, Chief Executive Officer of Jacksonville-based Trailer Bridge, Inc.
• Cost: $55 per person
• RSVP to Liz Carlson at propclubjax@gmail.com

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