The current physical '''Facilities''' of The Augustan Society, Inc., are the Metcalfs' home and four storage units a mile away, all located in southern Orange County, Florida. This arrangement is far from ideal, and incurs delays and expenses we would prefer to avoid. Our vision is to obtain a unified [[Headquarters]] facility outside the Metcalfs' home, but it may be prudent to accept a smaller facility with some of the storage units maintained.
The Society has had a public Headquarters for about half of its existence, the other half being worked out of the private home of the [[Founder]] or [[ConsulsHeadquarters Staff]]. The advantages of a public Headquarters are many, including:
* Security from the termination of the Metcalfs
* Improved ability to obtain grants
* Avoidance of the need to relocate (as often)
* Avoidance of the need to change our mailing address (as often) with consequent loss of contact)contacts
'''Proposal: The Society must set a goal of obtaining (and retaining) a public [[Headquarters]]. To ensure that such a facility may be retained, we the Society must create an [[Investment Fund]] sufficient that its revenue will cover the costs of rent, utilities, and taxes (if any).'''
Note that [[Headquarters Staff]] have had conversations with potential patrons who might be convinced to offer space appropriate to our need at lower than market prices. The actual price and space available are yet These talks did not come to be determinedfruition for reasons unrelated to the Society, but it the topic may be possible to obtain as much as 5000 sq.ftcome up again.
'''Proposal: Should a patron offer space not unreasonably far from the present [[in a reasonable location (with respect to Headquarters]] Staff or their replacements) under suitable conditions of security and compatible use for a below-market price for at least a five-year term, the Society should move quickly to accept, even if long-term goals suggest a different (but currently unaffordable) location.'''
* Avoidance of the need to relocate (except as the Society may feel the need).
'''Proposal: The Society must should set a goal of obtaining (and retaining) a public [[Headquarters]] that is owned by the Society. To ensure that such a facility may be retained, we must create an [[Investment Fund]] sufficient that its revenue, after the initial capital cost of acquisition and modification to our purposes, will cover the ongoing costs of utilities, repairs, maintenance, and taxes (if any).'''
The location of such a permanent [[Headquarters ]] should not be constrained to the vicinity of the present Consuls[[Headquarters Staff]]. One would expect the use of the facility to long outlast their service, and the Orlando area may not prove to be the best location in the long term. At some point, it will be appropriate to determine what considerations should be given to a permanent location, and a search for a nation, city, neighborhood, and parcel then be based on those considerations.
Items to receive consideration should include:
The goals above for rental and owned Headquarters are not in conflict. The former is likely to be easier to obtain, and a portion of the investments dedicated to generating rent under the former may be diverted to purchase the facility under the latter. This is particularly true as $285,000 of the Investment Fund is the Balling bequest, which is restricted to capital purchases (by original intent, if not contract).
All that said, a facility, or funds to purchase one, may appear as a gift or grant. In that case, it may be possible to leapfrog the first goal for the lastsecond. While this will of course be tempting, the Society should seriously consider if the location offered is in the long-term best interests of the Society. Worst case, we might accept the gift or grant in a sub-optimal location, then sell it and move at a later date (perhaps after the death of the patron or expiration of the grant).
Consideration should also be given to the purchase of a location for the purpose of storage, replacing the rented storage units. This appears to be on the edge of possibility at this time.
'''Proposal: The Society should remain open to the opportunity to purchase a location for the primary purpose of storage, even if unsuitable for a [[Headquarters]], in order to reduce the burden cost of rented storage.'''
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