SPRING 2004

WHAT'S INSIDE

> Program Evaluation

> On Display at City Hall

> Thales Supports OSO

> Stylin' Recyclin' Poised for Success

> O'Neill Building Progress

> Legislation Support for Outdoor Ed

> Thanks to our Contributors

> OSO Advisory Board

> Make a Contribution

> Rotary Award & Contribution

> Fundraising Event Dates

25,000 Students, and Counting!

OSO Board Members Jack O'Neill, Rob Bremner, Tim O'Neill and Executive Director Dan Haifley joined Scotts Valley Mayor Cliff Barrett; Capitola Mayor Stephanie Harlan; Santa Cruz Councilmember Tim Fitzmaurice and Santa Cruz District Attorney Bob Lee in welcoming Stephanie Richardson, of San Jose, as OSO's 25,000th student. The presentation took place at noon on March 25th, during a program for Sartorette School in San Jose.

Stephanie Richardson is a serious student who has worked hard on her academics and who had no idea that luck would make her the 25,000th kid to board the Team O'Neill catamaran for the program.

Santa Cruz Councilmember Tim Fitzmaurice, who like Santa Cruz DA Bob Lee and Scotts Valley Mayor Cliff Barrett is a member of OSO's Advisory Board, said to the class as they were assembled on the boat: "This whole class is special. There may be one 25,000th student, but you are all part of this special day."

The teacher, Robert Becker, brought two classes that day - the afternoon class had the 25,000th student - there were 30 students per class. For their community service project, they are developing school-wide gardens.

O'Neill Sea Odyssey and Mr. Becker, by looking over O'Neill Sea Odyssey's records and Mr. Becker's class roster, identified Stephanie as the 25,000th student to attend the program.

EVALUATION SHOWS PROGRAM CONTENT IS STRONG

By Jack O'Neill, Chair, O'Neill Sea Odyssey

Every year, OSO contracts for an evaluation of our program content based on feedback we receive from teachers, parents, and adult chaperones that participate in our program. This year, the evaluation found:

An average of 16% increase in visits to the OSO website by teachers, leaders and parents;

Placement of Spanish and English materials on OSO website;

12% increase in number of OSO program evaluators;

Significant diversity in participant groups; and,

Overall impression steady at 98% of highest possible score.

The evaluation found that there were two major areas which merit some attention. First, the boat safety presentation received lower marks than the other subjects, although the marks received were still high. The safety presentation is the most important feature, however, and we are working on emphasizing the top priority we give to this aspect of the program. I am very proud of the fact that we have an excellent safety record on the Team O'Neill catamaran. Second, the presentation of waste-reduction concepts and presentation of used-oil recycling concepts could be integrated more effectively into the Ecology station.

The report concluded by saying: "Given the tremendous growth of the OSO program over the past several years, it is a wonder that evaluations are so consistently positive."

I believe it is very important that our organization contract for an independent, critical look at how we are doing at delivering our message. It is especially important that OSO's supporters and donors be apprised of our ratings.

To receive a copy of our 2002-2003 evaluation, please contact Executive Director Dan Haifley at dhaifley@oneillseaodyssey.org.

OSO On Display at San Jose City Hall

At the invitation of San Jose Vice Mayor Pat Dando, O'Neill Sea Odyssey adorned the lobby of the San Jose Mayor and City Council office with photos and displays of San Jose youth participating in ocean education, watershed restoration, and community leadership activities.

OSO Education Coordinator Laura Barnes and Operations Coordinator Cheryl Thompson produced a quality display that graced San Jose, California's City Hall in February and March.

Thales Keeps Navigation Station On Course

Last fall Anita Jones of Thales Navigation, a local navigational equipment company, contacted OSO to express interest in our program. After visiting our program in October, Thales Navigation awarded OSO a $5,000 donation and two new GPS units, as well as a generous supply of navigational software. This generous donation will allow us to update the navigation learning station with new charts and a state of the art GPS for the on-board portion of the program. Introducing our students to new navigational technology is an important aspect of our navigation station, and allows us to help teachers to expose their students to materials required by National Science Education standards. Thanks to Anita Jones and Thales Navigation, for supporting our program!

Stylin' Recyclin' Poised For Success

By Dan Haifley, Executive Director

With your help, Stylin' Recyclin' - the recycled clothing, sportswear and notions store next to the tracks on 41st Avenue - could have a great year!

Stylin' Recyclin' was opened in May, 2000 as "O'Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO) Collectables" in Capitola's Begonia Plaza as a quality, recycled clothing and notions store. OSO Chair Jack O'Neill had the idea to open the store after he met with Robert Stephens and Julie Packard to brainstorm ways to boost O'Neill Sea Odyssey.

OSO's Board of Directors established dual goals for the store: (1) to promote the environment by recycling quality goods for resale, and (2) to promote the OSO program by donating to it any profits derived from the store. The store was later given the name "Stylin' Recyclin'" and moved across the street to its current location in 2001. Every year, the store has increased its sales.

Thanks to continued support from O'Neill Surf Shop, and thanks to the commitment and loyalty of the store's customers, Stylin' Recyclin' is projected to have a good year. In order to be successful, however, the store will also need the help of O'Neill Sea Odyssey's many supporters.

Store manager Toni Pelton, Assistant Manager Lisa Jenkins, and the stores' many volunteers, donors and customers have done an incredible job of building the store's basic business as well as making it a great ambassador for OSO in the community.

Visit Stylin' Recyclin', next to the railroad tracks on 41st Avenue in Capitola, during their new Spring hours: 10 AM to 6 PM daily.

WAYS TO SUPPORT STYLIN' RECYCLIN'

Shop at the store for your favorites: clothing, books, jewelry, wetsuits, and sportswear.

Tell your friends!

Donate quality items for resale, and help the planet and your community.

Volunteer by calling Toni Pelton at (831) 477-2893

Progress is being made!

Pictured below is the O'Neill Building, still under reconstruction.

April 2004

Legislation Provides Support for California Outdoor Education

In December 2003, 24 sixth-graders from Alianza School in Watsonville took time out from their O'Neill Sea Odyssey class to join Assemblymember and OSO Advisory Board member Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and Sierra Club in an announcement of a groundbreaking study aimed at promoting outdoor education in California.

"We're here to celebrate a victory for the children of California," said Martin LeBlanc, of the Sierra Club Youth In Wilderness Program. The victory he referred to was the passage of Assembly Bill 1330, which puts in motion a statewide study on outdoor education programs for low income youth.

"We know intuitively that outdoor education programs can bring out the best in our students," Simitian said. "They can boost self-esteem at the same time they boost commitment to conservation." Assemblymember Simitian was the author of AB 1330.

Former Gov. Gray Davis signed the bill in October, 2003. Assembly Bill 1330 enables outdoor education programs to be systematically developed, privately funded and evaluated for their impact on student behavior and learning. The evaluation - which will track improvements in student behavior, attendance and scientific knowledge - will be completed by February 2005.

Executive Director Dan Haifley provided testimony at a Senate hearing that was instrumental to the bill's passage, Simitian said.

"They're making learning fun," said Ariel Benson, an Alianza School sixth-grade teacher whose students participated in the announcement.

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTORS

AT&T Pebble Beach Charities / City of Capitola / Victor & Ruth Pasca

Kristin & Scott Kennedy / Zarina & Leah Kosinovsky / Julie Packard & Robert Stephens Michael Weber / Morgan Taylor / Ruth Vreeland / Karen Grimmer-O'Sullivan

Karleen Appraisal Services / Steve Bareilles / Greater Bay Bancorp Foundation

Coast Commercial Bank / D.E. & Diane P. Cooley / Craig Jones

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union / James & Kimberlin Beckett / Cannery Row Company

Shannon & Tom Brady / Mark & Jolene Nicklanovich / Kit Anderton / Live Oak School District

Starbucks Matching Gifts Program / City of Watsonville / Union Bank of California

Community Foundation for Rob & Nancy Bremner / Robert & Sheryl Ainsworth

Dan & Rebecca Haifley / City of San Jose / The Upjohn California Fund

United Way Silicon Valley / Joe & Marcella Hall / Ms. Edelgard Heine / Elizabeth Folger

Granite Construction, Inc. / Thales Navigation / JHG & Sheila Stuart

Rotary Club of Santa Cruz / Redtree Properties / Scott Kennedy

Martin & Barbara Chemers / Adam Webster Fund: United Way Silicon Valley

ROTARY AWARD AND CONTRIBUTION

In December, Jack O'Neill was honored by the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz with their prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship. The Fellowship is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in public service.

Rotary President Gary Reece made the presentation to Jack, who then played O'Neill Sea Odyssey's video, Set Sail, for the over 100 club members in attendance. O'Neill thanked the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz, which also provided a $1,000 contribution in support of O'Neill Sea Odyssey.

YES, I want to contribute to the O'Neill Sea Odyssey Program!

o $25

o $75

o $100

o $500

o $1,000

o Other

Name _____________________

Address ___________________

City State Zip ______________

Phone ____________________

Email _____________________

Please mail to:

O'Neill Sea Odyssey

PO Box 6300

Santa Cruz, CA 95063

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

SAVE THESE DATES!

The Adam Webster Memorial Fund,

which provides the O'Neill Sea Odyssey

program to special needs youth,

has tentatively scheduled a fundraiser

at the Santa Cruz Yacht Club

Saturday, June 5

Watch your mailbox for details!

The O'Neill Sea Odyssey Fundraiser

honoring Assembly Member &

OSO Advisory Board Member

JOHN LAIRD

is tentatively set for

Thursday, July 8

Silent Auction / Catering by El Palomar

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jack O'Neill, Chair

US Rep. Sam Farr

Jack McLaughlin

Bridget O'Neill

Carl Keehn

Nick Petredis

Mike McCabe

Tim O'Neill

Donna Blitzer

Rob Bremner

Shannon Brady

STAFF

Dan Haifley-Executive Director

Laura Barnes-Education Coordinator

Cheryl Thompson-Operations Coord.

Tim O'Neill & Mike Egan-Skippers

Toni Pelton & Lisa Jenkins-

Stylin' Recylin' Store

INSTRUCTORS

Bruce Heyer

Nikki Brooks

Laura Barnes

Steve Spiliotopoulos

Keith Dahlin

Kat Keenan

Chelsea Phillips

Kat Burrows

OSO advisory board

Jeff Almquist

Superior Court Judge, County of Santa Cruz

Blanca Alvarado

Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

Albert Aramburu

Marin County Board of Supervisors (ret.)

Director, California Conservation Corps (ret.)

Bruce Arthur

Capitola City Council

Cliff Barrett

Scotts Valley City Council

Steve Belcher

Chief of Police (retired), City of Santa Cruz

Jess Brown

Executive Director, Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau

Harry Edwards, Ph.D.

Director (retired), City of Oakland Parks and Recreation

Tim Fitzmaurice

Mayor, City of Santa Cruz

Lynda J. Goff, Ph.D.

Vice Provost & Dean of Undergraduate Education

Professor of Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz

Sister Julie Hyer, O.P.

President, Dominican Hospital

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

President, Waterkeeper Alliance

Scott Kennedy

Santa Cruz City Councilmember

John Laird

California State Assemblymember, 27th District

Bob Lee

Santa Cruz County District Attorney

Rafael Lopez

Former Member, Watsonville City Council

Terry Medina

Chief of Police, Watsonville Police Department

Harvey J. Nickelson

President/CEO, Coast Commercial Bank

Ellen Pirie

Santa Cruz County Supervisor

Emily Reilly

Santa Cruz City Council

Mike Rotkin

Santa Cruz City Council

Simon Salinas

California State Assemblymember, 28th District

Joe Simitian

California State Assembly, 21st District

Bill Simpkins

Community Volunteer, Boat Owner

Robert Stephens

President, California Audubon

Owner, Elkhorn Native Plant Nursery

Kathryn D. Sullivan, PhD

President/CEO, COSI Columbus

NASA Astronaut

Mark Tracy

Sheriff-Coroner, Santa Cruz County

Mardi Wormhoudt

Santa Cruz County Supervisor