Several unknowns spot the horizon for the Anna Maria Island Privateers.
Privateers president MaryAnn “Maz” Zyla told The Islander May 16 that the nonprofit is aiming to add members, as well as find a home “location” for gatherings and a place to park the Skullywag, the group’s aging boat-float, although it might be on its last float.
The Privateers are a pirate-themed nonprofit created in 1971 that consists of volunteers who host events and raise money to provide scholarships for local youth and other “kids and family” causes.
Zyla became the nonprofit’s first woman president when she was elected in 2013-14 and she returned to the post last year after she ran for the position without opposition.
The Privateers are not as prominent as they were during Zyla’s first term as president.
“I met a lot of people in the community that live here … and they had no idea who we are or what we do,” Zyla said. “So that’s telling us we need to get our presence back out there to remind people how awesome we are!”
She said the nonprofit is still active, with volunteers leading “cruises” — also known as pub crawls — and contributing to events on and off the island.
However, the Privateers haven’t been able to host as many large-scale, signature events. Part of the struggle is the nonprofit’s dwindling membership.
Zyla estimated the Privateers has about “20ish” members — a far cry from the 60 members in past years — which makes coordinating and hosting events a challenge.
Additionally, the nonprofit’s low membership feeds into an oxymoronic cycle: the club needs more members for events but also needs more events to attract new members.
At a certain point, without enough events, the Privateers might struggle to fund its annual scholarships.
“We have to have enough members so we can put on adequate events that will help us generate the kind of money we need to do that,” Zyla said.
The nonprofit has taken steps to try to boost membership numbers, such as creating new membership levels available for people who cannot commit to attending meetings and events.
The Privateers also plan to host a couple of “beefy” social events to reacquaint themselves with the community and inspire potential new members to join.
“We certainly want the community to fall in love with us all over again,” Zyla said.
In the meantime, the Privateers are starting to look for a place to shelter the Skullywag, hold membership meetings and store equipment.
The nonprofit pays substantial costs every year to maintain the “beloved” Skullywag, partly because it is parked outside, leaving it exposed to the elements, according to Zyla.
However, Zyla said the ship will need to be replaced, likely at a price in excess of $50,000-$60,000. So AMIP wants to minimize maintenance costs for a future float by parking it inside or under cover.
“We’ve never had bricks and mortar, a place to call our own,” Zyla said. “We have to think more long term.”
The Privateers’ next business meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, at the Annie Silver Community Center, 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach.
The Privateers’ next community event will be the annual Snooks Adams Kids Day party 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 25, at city field in the 5800 block of Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
For member info, call president “Maz” at 941-650-8673.