Newsletter for alumni of The
Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 24 March 2012 No.542
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Dear Friends,
This Newsletter is a continuation of our exploration
in the research of information on the past and future of The Abbey School and
of course Mount St. Benedict.
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From: mckoy43glen@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2012 15:21:25 +0000
Gentlemen,
We are still fishing, if we get a bite?
The rest could be history, if we can secure
permission for such a venture.
Yes George, it will be the envy to some on the
flatlands, but who cares no one knows, only the private investors.
This offering is too sweet, to refuse.
Why should they refuse it ?.
Well, they do have legal problems, with the
present tenants or crooks, and this may be the reason why the Abbot cannot
respond.
If we decide to pursue this venture, we will
have to help him, fix this problem.
The price tag on this project is really
good.
The legal representatives for this project, will
be able to remove any eyesore from this sanctuary, with no funds for security,
they are unable to offer any protection for visiting worshippers, who have been
robbed a few times recently and other crimes, for just these reasons a change
is urgently needed,
I do know the Abbot will agree with that, and
he's at a stage, where only money talks, and can instantly cure these problems.
I remain very interested, an old boy from the
old school,
Glen.
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From: sgianetti@mac.com
Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2012 19:07:47 -0400
Hi George
Valid points for sure.
Profit perception depends on one's method of
presentation.
If the attractive income to the monastery proves
very more useful to the operating costs and long-term care of the resident
monks and it can outweigh the downsides, then we have no problem to hurdle #1.
There is precedent for this with the Benedictine
Monastery in New Norcia, Western Australia that has a cottage industry
producing Bread, Wine, Port, chocolates as well as running a Hotel and
Roadhouse.
Hurdle #2. Hmmm. Include religious instruction
in the curriculum, allow them to conduct classes for confirmation. :)
Hurdle #3 Rehab centre. While it serves an
important purpose. It is not cast in stone. They could be given notice... a
whole year even. I think our lease and benefits to the monastery could outweigh
the money paid by the Rehab Centre to them. Our maintenance contract alone
could spruce up the entire complex. Roads, pathways, facilities etc.
Hurdle #4 - Good P.R. trumps everything. Just
needs to be managed.
I hear that the some of the International
Schools have waiting lists. Demand outstrips space supply. That works for us.
Even if there is a public outcry... these usually only remain in the headlines
for a week.
Storm in a teacup syndrome in Trinidad.
Cheers
Shaun Gianetti
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On Mar 5, 2012, at 4:26 PM, A Mickiewicz wrote:
Hi All;
I would offer that there are 4 hurdles that we
have to cross over before proceeding with anything else; the potential laws,
regulations, public and political perceptions:
Hurdle 1 – Will Benedictine Monastery laws and
regulations permit a for-profit business to be carried out on MSB property by
an independent non-affiliated entity?
Hurdle 2 – Will the laws and regulations of the
Dioceses’ T&T permit it from an overall Catholic Church perspective?
Hurdle 3 – From past circulars and newsletters,
I have the “perception” that the Abbey School is now “owned” by the non-profit
organization that runs the drug recovery center there. Would the laws of
T&T allow the current tenants to be forcefully removed from the Abbey
School?
Hurdle 4 – IF we can overcome positively the
first 3 hurdles; will there be a public and political outcry around the “rich”
throwing out the unfortunate poor (the recovering addicts) to get even richer
in what is supposed to be a Christian environment and “holy ground”? How
would MSB and the Dioceses react to this outcry?
These are my inputs at this point of the
journey,
George
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Sent: Monday, March 05, 2012 12:02 PM
Hello George,
I agree with you, it was a jovial letter, but
this is the tree from that seed you planted, and watered by Shaun, and then
groomed by Nigel.
You must stop and reflect and pray, for
something has guided us to this position, right here, right now.
I know none of us consciously planned this to
happen, right??.
Now it looks like a really good venture, if
properly planned.
May God give us wisdom, whatever our decisions,
just a few good men, can make a difference,
sincerely Glen McKoy.
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From: amickiew@att.net
Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2012 11:35:28 -0600
Hi All...I need to take a deep breath.
Never intended nor foresaw that my simple jovial
letter would turn into an effort to resurrect the Abbey School.
I need to stop, reflect and pray before
providing any response to the currently shared information and the thought
processes applied......
May God bless and lead us,
George.
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From: sgianetti@mac.com
Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2012 12:43:22 -0400
Glen
Considering that this is presently speculation.
I would hope he could consider this "Pro
Bono" in the interim.
An initial committee would be basically
providing their time and expertise for free.
No point incurring charges when there is no
money in the pot - so to speak.
Kind regards,
Shaun Gianetti
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On Mar 5, 2012, at 12:36 PM, Glen Mckoy wrote:
Thank you Shaun for answering Oscar's
question.
At this moment we have enough for the Abbot to
give an answer to some
kind of agreement.
kind of agreement.
Of course we need a good lawyer to draw up
whatever is required, I was wondering if Behrens Delima would be the man
??
He has been on all my emails before
Step.#1, I would like to hear your response on this suggestion, we
can request his services, he was recommend to me by Judge Lucky Celandaal.
We just need the right people in the right
places, and that will our circle for success, Best regards Glen.
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From: sgianetti@mac.com
Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2012 12:02:47 -0400
Hi Oscar
This can be simply handled by offering an
Ordinary Share percentage with non-voting rights. e.g. 5% that will entitle
them to dividends when the company becomes profitable. But their main income
should be from the Lease arrangement.
Regards,
Shaun Gianetti
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Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2012 15:49:49 +0000
Glen
A suggestion on my behalf: before we offer a fee
to lease or rent maybe we can look at the possibility of profit sharing.
A percentage of the profit to be agreed upon
after a feasibility study or also an escalation profit according to the
results.
This way we try them involved, but the decisions
regarding the venture / investment and day to day should be ours.
Opinion anyone?
Saludos
Oscar
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Sent: Monday, March 05, 2012 9:40 AM
Subject: RE: Step #1
My Dear Shaun,
As we try to keep it positive, only the above
names will read this email.
What was written is done, from here on, we must
start a plan.
I really would like to hear if George & Jon
can put some light on this idea, as we do require our best, in guidance as we
proceed.
Who can we trust to meet with the abbot to
establish a Lease, this is not the association anymore, this is business, and
the business is education.
It’s all good, Do we want to fly Ladislao
there??, would Jon be willing to make an appointment and presentation ??.
Shaun you could also be called upon to attend
any meeting with the Abbot, be prepared. So amongst us few, this is Step#1.
What do we do ??
Best regards Gentlemen,
Yours Faithfully Glen McKoy.
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From: sgianetti@mac.com
Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2012 10:44:21 -0400
Hi Everyone
Glad to see positive feedback.
Yes, the first thing to do would be to approach
the Abbot before feasibility studies are done. Who knows him best, could be the
most persuasive?
I think with the aging Priests and aging
infrastructure that their cash flow cannot be sustained without overseas
subsidies, this proposal would be very attractive to them, perhaps even with a
five year escalation clause for the lease.
With fees like this of the International School
of P.o.S., we could even afford to pay them $2 million per year.
It could take a full five year school cycle to
get attendance up to full capacity.
Random thoughts:
• I like the Australian Education system, so
perhaps we could align to their accreditation. Yeah, even surfing is on their
outdoor ed class curriculum LOL.
Eco Classes, etc.
They grade children towards....1) University 2)
Technical College and 3) Transition to work (for those kids who can't make it
into higher learning, give them coping skills so that they can function in a
job, with internships etc).
• CO-ed classes
• Teach Bi-lingual classes. Most European Kids
learn at least 3-5 languages. Latin America is our back-yard, so we need to arm
our kids with all the resources to succeed.
• Uniforms a must. It levels the playing field
with regards to family income and unnecessary displays of wealth.
• iPads for all students to replace textbooks.
Apple has just pushed their focus into Education so that ALL publishers can
convert their school text books into iPad ready documents. Unlike back in the
day... the iPad will replace the need for a library in the real sense.
• If we embraced the American Ed system, the
school books are already iPad ready.
• Run on technology
• Start enrollment at age 10, thus eliminating
SEA/Common Entrance nightmares
• After three - five years, elementary school
could be introduced
VENTURE CAPITAL PROJECT:
For this project to get up and running, we would
probably have to raise an initial $10,000,000 TTD. I think our Alumni could do
that easily.
This would mean registering a company and
developing a business plan and prospectus for investment and a Private Initial
Share Offer - preference shares to Alumni and regular shares by invitation only
or by parents of students.
I am not a lawyer, but I know we have within the
Alumni. Many legal issues may come up.
REFURBISHMENT Works - Needs a tendering
procedure - transparency. Alumni may tender but on a competitive basis.
MAINTENANCE Contract - Outsourced by tender
No feeding frenzy. You want to make money on
this, you have to buy units in
the Venture Capital Project. Rewards will come.
We can't do this for emotional nostalgic
reasons. Alumni get the first shot at investing. They get to benefit first.
my 2 cents...
Shaun Gianetti
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On Mar 5, 2012, at 1:35 AM, Glen Mckoy wrote:
Dear Nigel,
Thank you for your positive input of what Shaun
presented as a realistic idea - this Abbey Institute of Technology, according
to the demand for higher leaning.
All courses internationally accredited, maybe
thru an exchange with other international institutions for their class rooms in
the sun, this will put us on the map, even if it’s only summer classes, the
institute is always open.
Language classes in English, will draw students
from unstable countries in the region, whose parents are looking for a refuge
not far away, this will always draw the highest tuition in U.S.$, so many
options, such as the petroleum industries and related trades.
Should this idea get any kind of approval, I
would think the entire project could be done by Knights, who have the required
qualifications and background for this mission; consultation, legal and
financial matters etc.
If not, then we look outside for the
best.
We are The Knights of White Stones, and
therein lies our greatest power - what will be, will be.
We are "reunited and it feels so
good".
As it was written in the book, The King of
Hearts, on continues Chapter Twelve, the Quest has begun.
It is time for the Knights of White Stones, to
arise from the ashes, like a many feathered Phoenix, on our flight back to the
heights from whence we came...Long Live the Realm, Long Live the Club, Long
Live the Mount,
Yours faithfully, Glen G. McKoy. Duncan's Cove /
Nova Scotia / Canada.
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Ladislao Kertesz at kertesz11@yahoo.com,
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Photos:
Mount Inside MARCH 1966
page 13
08UN1635FCU, Fr.
Cuthbert 2008
08UN1667FBEGRP, Fr.
Benedict 2008
61UN0001CLASS1966, Class
with a lot unknowns.
