St MinneSomePlace In Paradise
History Lesson
HISTORY LESSON
It's the reason for livin'
But that's what I'm givin'
I don't need a history lesson
To tell me why
--I Love the Now
FOUNDER - JERRY SHEA
After a long Parrot Head weekend in Nawlins, as a guest of Tim Shea and the Northern Attitudes Parrot Head Club (Grand Forks, ND), attending the third annual Meeting of the Parrot Head Minds, St. MinneSomePlace was founded by Jerry Shea on November 8, 1994, as the local chapter of the national Jimmy Buffett appreciation organization, namely, Parrot Heads in Paradise (PHIP). The first club was created by Scott Nickerson in 1989 in Atlanta, GA. It originated from Scott's idea to organize a forum for loyal Parrot Heads to share their experiences. He imagined an organization that reflected the attitude that Jimmy shares with the world through his music and books, and by his example of community spirit like the now familiar Save the Manatee Foundation and Friends of Florida. He believed that other Parrot Heads would share his enthusiasm for this association.
Over the years, it is clear that he was correct. Much work was necessary before he could become official and established. The foremost concern was the affiliation with Jimmy Buffett and Margaritaville, and other legal contingencies. After establishing specific fundamental principles, he received acceptance from Margaritaville authorizing him to proceed with his plans. The principles were, first and foremost, to have fun coupled with community service activities, primarily volunteer services or financial contributions to worthy causes, all while sustaining a positive image for the clubs and Jimmy Buffett.
One of Scott's first projects was a fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy at which participants played underwater Monopoly. Not only did they raise over $70,000 but they also set a record that made the Guinness Book! In turn, Jimmy Buffett's own newsletter, the Coconut Telegraph, reported the highlights of this newly founded Atlanta Parrot Head club and the message was received throughout the Parrot Head nation.
To help the readers establish their own club, Scott developed the official guidelines. With the assistance of this simple document, almost 200 individual clubs, comprised of over 25,000 Parrot Heads, from as far away as Australia have been founded upon his original concept. To provide further guidance and structure, Parrot Heads in Paradise(PHIP) was established. The PHIP national convention occurs annually and is traditionally known as the "Meeting of the Parrot Head Minds" (MOTM). While the dates are subject to change from year to year, it usually occurs around the first weekend of November.
As part of PHIP, St. MinneSomePlace pays an annual fee to the national organization which is used to cover administrative costs. Any excess funds are donated to charitable organizations such as the Save the Manatee Foundation on a national level and select organizations on a local level. There is a disclaimer, which is: While Parrot Heads in Paradise is recognized and supported by Jimmy Buffett and his business interests in Key West and numerous other locales, PHIP is not associated with HK Management, MCA Records, or Margaritaville Records. Mr. Buffett's name, his song titles, lyrics, and the names of his businesses are registered trademarks and cannot be used for the pursuit of profit. The PHIP clubs can use the term "Parrot Head" but not any of the registered names.
To summarize Scott's original intentions, the following statement of purpose for the PHIP clubs has been created: "THE LOCAL PARROT HEAD CLUB and Parrot Heads in Paradise are nonprofit organizations whose purposes are to have fun and to assist in community and environmental concerns and provide a variety of social activities for people of similar interests." It is upon this premise that all activities of St MinneSomePlace are based.
Now, what's up with the name: St. MinneSomePlace In Paradise Parrot Head Club, Inc.? First of all, the name was selected in response to the often heard negative comment about the city of Minneapolis being "MinneNOPlace". As such, it's correct pronunciation of "Minne..." in St MinneSomePlace is the same as "MinnE" in "Minneapolis", not "Menna" as in "Minnesota". Also, in his music Jimmy Buffett frequently refers to wanting to go to St. Somewhere. Given our affiliation with Parrot Heads in Paradise, the nature of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and the greater Minnesota area, these factors were taken into consideration which resulted in the name: St. MinneSomePlace in Paradise Parrot Head Club. In its culture, St MinneSomePlace represents a virtual paradise to its residents no matter what season. Custom designed club t-shirts, sweatshirts and other merchandise are available to provide special recognition to the club.
Throughout the years of its existence, St MinneSomePlace gets involved in helping community interests. Since
November 1994, St MinneSomePlace has been duly incorporated in the State of
Minnesota as a not-for-profit social organization. Any proceeds are
donated to a community agency of choice. The activities of the club have included participating in various charitable efforts including annual MS Walks, MDA telethons, Alzheimer’s walks, helping the MN Arboretum clean up its ponds, accumulating packaged food for MN food shelves, and monetary contributions to numerous local charities including raising $5000 for the MN Zoo. Our support resulted in the "St MinneSomePlace Zoo" acquiring the strange bird, Coconut, a sulphur crested cockatoo from Australia, who is now performing in the zoo's World of Birds show. Further details are available at Charitable Organizations.
Additional activities and phlockings (Parrot Head social events) are organized in celebration of all things Buffett, including our biggest annual event held each spring: namely, This Hotel Room phlocking. Business meetings are held each month to discuss and plan these events. Social phlockings are typically scheduled each month and are typically based upon a parrot head theme. The dates of these events may be coordinated with other events that are taking place on the quaint island of St. MinneSomePlace and elsewhere. A newsletter, The GULP, is published regularly to provide further details and to recap the club’s activities. It is intended to be “More than a mouthful of Parrot Head tales".
Membership, or "residency", is $25 per person or $35 per couple. Membership/Residency is open to anyone but mostly to those who share the interests and ideals of the life and times of Jimmy Buffett. Members can choose to be an administrative member (involved with the management of the club), an active member (involved with the business functions on a volunteer-as-available basis), or as a social member (involved with the social occasions only). As such, no political titles (i.e., "President", etc.) are used for management personnel given the "laid back and Key Wested" nature of our existence and more significantly on the spirit and strength of volunteerism. Our designation as "Bwanas" is preferred and is more practical in our day-to-day responsibilities. As for the residents in general, the only obligation is to have fun given their spirit of voluntary cooperation within their great hearts to share their Parrot Head attitude. The general administration of St MinneSomePlace relies on the generous personal resources of the membership at large, whatever that may be, for the sustained management of St MinneSomePlace and its activities.
St MinneSomePlace is committed to having fun and helping community interests in doing so. The diverse background of each of its residents help it become stronger in its pursuits. Through the voluntary efforts of these Parrot Heads, the objectives of St MinneSomPlace can be met with pride and enjoyment.
Anyone interested in becoming a resident on our quaint island is encouraged to contact:
St. MinneSomePlace in Paradise Parrot Head Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 390405
Edina, MN 55439-9998
Phone: 612-310-1629
E-mail: HeadBwana@st-minnesomeplace.com
Hope to see you down island soon come and until then,
laissez les bon temps roulet !!!
