The St. Mary's River Marine Society (established 1977, formally established by constitution and bylaws in 1978) is an organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the Great Lakes. Membership in the Society is open to anyone interesting in shipping. Objectives of the Society include publishing a journal (the "Anchor Line") containing historical and current information on the Great Lakes; assisting and promoting, managing, and maintaining the Museum Ship "Norgoma"; assisting and developing a Marine Museum; and furthering the knowledge of the Great Lakes and other waters of the world through various means advisable to the organization.
The Society has four (4) officers elected from its Board of Directors, namely a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and a Secretary. The Board of Directors comprises nine (9) elected members including officers. The officers are elected from the Board, and the Board is elected by general election of the whole Society, two directors being elected each year for a three (3) year term.
The initial steering committee for the Society in 1977 comprised Frank Prouse (interim Chairman), Bill Penfold, Randy Johnson (interim Secretary), Larry Peterson, John Meadows, Ron Harrison, Irwin (Buck) Longhurst (interim Treasurer), Ted Vince, Capt. Archie Hodge, Paul Belanger, and Capt. Graham Grattan. The first Board of Directors elected under the Society's constitution comprised: Paul Belanger, Jim Franz, Ron Harrison, Randy Johnson, Buck Longhurst, John Meadows, Skipper Manzzutti, Frank Prouse, and Gar Sims. The first officers were Frank Prouse, President; John Meadows, Vice-President; Randy Johnson, Secretary; and Buck Longhurst, Treasurer.
