PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Nevil Shute Norway Foundation is to further public
awareness of the writings and philosophy of Nevil Shute Norway. To
fulfil this purpose, the Foundation:
- Organizes and conducts conventions and celebrations of the
author's work
- Maintains Australia, UK and US based lending libraries of Nevil
Shute’s books, audio tapes of the books, video tapes of films based
on the books, unpublished manuscripts, and other references to the
Nevil Shute’s works. All libraries are open to all members of the
public
- Supports the Nevil Shute Memorial Library in Alice Springs
- Assists in the development of educational programs involving
Nevil Shute's writing
- Maintains a Nevil Shute web site
- Publishes a monthly electronic newsletter
- Funds and manages an annual Nevil Shute Excellence in Aviation
Scholarship
- Conducts additional activities to serve the general purpose of
the Foundation.
LEGAL STATUS:
The Nevil Shute Norway Foundation is registered as a not-for-profit
corporation in New Mexico.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A photograph of seven eighth's of the Foundation Board taken at York on 31 July 2009 (Jim MacDougald was unable to attend the UK 2009 conference)
John Anderson, David Dawson-Taylor, Babette Hils, Heather Mayfield, Laura Schneider, Joost Meulenbroek and Dan Telfair.
Biographies of some Board members can be found by clicking on the name.
TAX STATUS
Because of the expense involved ($500 nonrefundable filing fee, plus
accountant and legal fees), and because of the small number and
amounts of donations received by the Foundation in the first two
years of its existence, application was not initially made to the
Internal Revenue Service to gain tax-exempt status. As donations have
increased and more funds for administration have become available, an
application for tax-exempt status (501 [c] [3]) has been initiated.
If approved, donations to the Foundation will be tax deductible. At
the present time, donations are not tax deductible.
HISTORY:
The history of the Nevil Shute Norway Foundation parallels the
history of developments leading to the creation of the web site. It
all started in late 1996 with an internet Nevil Shute book club.
Members would agree on a book to read, then discuss it via e-mail.
Around mid 1998, someone noted that January 17, 1999 would be Nevil's
100th birthday, and that we should have a birthday party. That seemed
like a good idea, so Dan and Zia Telfair decided to host what they
thought would be a small party in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Thereafter, things got a bit out of hand. What started as a birthday
party, became a centennial celebration attended by over 120
"Shutists" including Nevil's two daughters, his two grandchildren,
and one great granddaughter. Five countries plus Puerto Rico were
represented. Participants enjoyed the celebration so much, they
elected to declare a two-year intermission, and start all over in
Australia in 2001.
Not long after the Centennial Celebration, a lending library was
formed to provide public access to all of Nevil Shute's novels and
related materials. This was done because of the difficulty in
obtaining access to some of his out of print books, films based on
his books, unpublished manuscripts, etc. The library now has over 300
items available for loan, and over 100 patrons in nine countries.
Additionally, a branch library was opened in Australia following the
OZ2001 Celebration and another branch library is now open in
the UK.
In early 2000, because of administrative requirements involving the
Centennial, the library, and the Australia celebration (OZ2001), it
was decided that a legal entity was necessary to handle the property
and funding involved. To meet this requirement, the Foundation was
incorporated on 11 April 2000.
Since that time, in addition to managing OZ2001, UK2003, Cape Cod 2005 & OZ2007 and
maintaining the lending library, the Foundation has begun the
nevilshute.org web site and a monthly newsletter, and provided
complete sets of hardbound and softbound editions and recorded books
to the Nevil Shute Memorial Library in Alice Springs.
ACTIVITIES:
Alice Springs Library Support
|
Foundation representatives present matching funds checks for
the Nevil Shute Memorial to the Alice Springs Mayor and the
Library Manager.
Left to Right: Library Manager Glenys Aird,
Mayor Fran Kilgariff, Dan and Zia Telfair.
|
The Alice Springs Community Library was officially named the Nevil Shute Memorial Library when it was first opened some twenty years ago. In 2001 the Foundation donated approximately $3000 AUD towards the erection of a suitable memorial to Nevil Shute. Alice Springs Town Council contributed $20,000 to renovate the Library garden and to put benches and a memorial plaque and rename it the Nevil Shute Memorial Garden.
Unveiling of the Memorial Plaque 24th April 2007
Left to Right Laura Schneider, Dan Telfair, Mayor Fran Kilgariff, Denise Senior, Library Manager
|
The garden was formally opened, and the memorial plaque unveiled, during the Alice Springs Conference in April 2007.
The Foundation has donated a complete set of hardbound Nevil Shute books for display as well as a full set of paperbacks for loan.
Yorkshire Air Museum - Nevil Shute Exhibition
The Foundation is working in conjunction with the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington near York to create a permanent exhibition about the life and work of Nevil Shute. This is expected to be on public display in 2008 and to be formally opened during the UK Nevil Shute Conference in July 2009.
WEB HOSTING:
The Nevil Shute Norway web site is made possible through the
generosity of UltraFast
Communications (www.ultrafast.com.au) based in Brisbane,
Australia. In response to a Foundation call for assistance with
operating expenses, UltraFast executives agreed to donate free web
hosting for our site in order to remove the financial burden of
paid web hosting. Shutists interested in establishing contact with
UltraFast Communications may do so at the above URL or through the
UltraFast button on this page.
FUNDING AND DONATIONS:
The Nevil Shute Norway Foundation is operated on small profits from
gatherings and on the generosity of member Shutists. We do not
charge dues, sell merchandise, engage in fund raising activities,
nor set fees for gatherings in order to make a profit. No
Foundation Board Member receives a salary. There is no paid staff.
We do everything in our power to keep operating expenses to a
minimum. From time to time, however, we do fund projects such as
assistance to the Nevil Shute Memorial Library in Alice Springs,
scholarships, etc.
Although our operating expenses are not great, we do need
assistance in the form of donations from our members if we are to
maintain the web site, newsletter, libraries, etc. Even though we
do not engage in fund raising, we do accept donations.
Those wishing to contribute to the Foundation may do so by using
the PayPal button or by contacting the Foundation
Secretary/Treasurer at foundation@nevilshute.org
