An Innovative Partnership for the Future of Spirit: Furman University
When Spirit of South Carolina began rebuilding its organization earlier this year, we asked a simple question: what kind of organization should we be to do the most good for our community?
After looking across the broader tall ship world, we found our answer in experiential education and development. The more we explored that focus, the more it resembled a prism. Each facet catches the light from a different angle and offers a new way to give back. Professional development was the among first facets we chose to explore, and it led us to our first educational partnership.
Last month, a group from Furman University’s Center for Innovative Leadership came aboard for a day on the harbor. The Center is Furman’s hub for serving the educational needs of professionals and organizations, and Dr. Clemson Turregano led the project from its first planning conversations through the day on the water. Their staff came to see Spirit firsthand: how we operate, what we teach, and how a leadership curriculum might fit a working vessel. Among the Furman staff were Dr. Turregano–Senior Fellowship Leader, Garrett Stern–Executive Director, Jessica Moss–Business Development & Collaboration Strategist, Caroline Owner–Program Manager, John Peterson–Director of Partnerships.
The morning began with a briefing on the vessel, what to expect, and how to stay safe aboard. Then the team went to work. They handled dock lines, hoisted sails, and learned that a ship moves only when the people on it move together. During the work, a block came loose from its fitting, and the day became a lesson in what a moment of inattention can cost.
Dr. Turregano noticed strong similarities between the Center’s course offerings and the materials Spirit uses to train new and existing crew and volunteers. Volunteers who complete Spirit's orientation move onto a foundational leadership pathway; the Center’s work focuses on developing strategic leaders, creative problem-solvers, and agile innovators. Seen side by side, the two programs spoke the same language.
Three takeaway ideas came out of the day. The first is that participants do not need to master every part of sailing. What they need is awareness of the process: knowing what to watch for, noticing when something drifts off course, and understanding how a single step affects the next. The second is that communication keeps a ship safe. A chain of command exists so information reaches the people who need it, when they need it. The third is that every decision shapes the outcome, and good leaders plan for the result before they act.
Spirit is building performance indicators inspired by Bridge Resource Management, the teamwork discipline used on larger commercial vessels. The indicators are designed to show where a process is working and where it needs attention.
The quieter moments may have been the most valuable. When an evolution ends, crew spend time coiling lines and returning them to their places. The hands are busy, the pace slows, and people begin to reflect on what just happened. We have come to see that as a built-in place for reflection, and we intend to make it a deliberate part of the program.
The day ended dockside at Colonial Cocktails, a gathering hosted by Carin Bloom, Spirit’s Bosun’s Mate and Education and Programming Director. Over samples of 18th century cocktails, the team talked through what they had seen and what it meant for their own work. It was the debrief we hoped for: unhurried, candid, and useful for both organizations.
“Our crew and volunteers practice these lessons every time they step aboard. We’re glad to share that experience with Furman’s leaders and to learn from theirs.” - Adam Reed, Executive Director, Spirit of South Carolina
Professional development is the first facet of our prism, but it will not be the last. Workforce development and cultural education through history are also part of the work we continue to build. We hope Furman’s team will return for more hands-on experience as the framework is refined, and we will share the next sailing when it is scheduled.
Comments