USNI: Taking Back Our Institution – A Note From Norman Polmar

More from Norman Polmar on the USNI:

THE NAVAL INSTITUTE IN CRISIS

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As you know, the Board of Directors–for now–has withdrawn the proposed change to the mission statement that would have made the Naval Institute an advocacy organization.

Unfortunately, the battle is not over. The majority of the Board still seeks to establish an “advocacy institute” under the umbrella of the Naval Institute.

In addition, members of the Board are discussing the possibility of selling off the Naval Institute Press (it doesn’t make enough profit). I am also concerned about the future of the Proceedings and Naval History magazines because neither appears in the Board’s proposed new USNI structure. What does appear is a specific New York PR firm that will head the Naval Institute’s “advocacy group.”

This is not the Naval Institute that we have worked for and that we love and respect.

Thus, if at all possible, I urge you to attend the annual meeting scheduled for Friday/29 April, from 10 to 12 noon at the Georgetown University Conference Center.

Conference center: 3800 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20057;
tel… 202 687-3200. Parking is available.

And, encourage your friends and associates who believe in the Naval Institute and the open forum to attend this meeting. Whether you can attend the annual meeting or not, communicate to the Board of Directors in writing or by e-mail telling them what you think about the proposed changes to our Naval Institute.

A final point: While the majority of the Board seeks to radically change the Naval Institute, there is a minority, led by Dr. Jack London, that has steadfastly opposed such changes; other minority members are Mark Johnson, Ed Miller, and B.J. Penn. Seek them out at the meeting or contact them before to express your appreciation for their efforts.

Best wishes/Norman

Norman Polmar

Not much to add except to encourage you to register to either attend in person or via webinar (if possible though, please show up in person). 

Hope to see all of you there on the 29th. 

w/r, SJS