Ahoy, maties! Ever heard of our Plank Owner’s Certificate?
Although I serve as president of HSe4Metrics, I am not yet a HSe4Metrics plank owner.
Click the + to see more and the — to see less.
Gold forever! Here's the Plank Owner's Certificate
So, welcome, future plank owners!
Traditionally, a plank holder is someone who was present at the official champagne bottle-breaking commissioning ceremony of a Navy ship—a milestone that often occurs weeks or even months after the ship’s initial launch. In fact, only a small percentage of U.S. Navy members ever have the good fortune of becoming plank holders.
I’m not one of them.
Although I served aboard a Navy ship for several years shortly after high school, I missed its commissioning—by about 20 years. On the day the ship was launched, I was in a Navy hospital with my mother. It was the day I was born.
Over time, the term plank owner has taken on a broader, more metaphorical meaning. It’s now often used to describe someone who is part of the foundational stage of launching something new—something that may even be transformational.
A perfect example is the HSe4Metrics innovation for K–12 student performance.
Your role? You could donate $5, if there’s ever a fundraising campaign.
Or, starting today, you can help in any number of other ways (a list of ideas is included below).
Thank you,
Vernon A. Baker, Jr.
Be awarded a Plank Owner's Certificate
If a limited fundraising campaign is launched, we hope you’ll consider making a donation. But if donating isn’t the right fit for you, we warmly invite you to explore other meaningful ways to get involved. Take a look at the volunteer opportunities listed below—”Ideas for volunteers”—your time and talent could make a real difference.
Whether you donate, volunteer, or both, you’ll become a plank owner. Your certificate will arrive via email as a simple link. Some volunteers forwarded the link to a Big Box store for printing on certificate-grade paper. It cost just a few dollars—but the result was remarkable. One volunteer was so impressed that she had the store frame it. With its gold trim and classic design, the certificate truly stands out.
If you have any questions about volunteering, just click the “Contact Form” button below and fill it out. (As always, your contact information will remain confidential.)
Contact us! Three ways
- Phone: Call (540) 644-1776 and press #1 to connect with Vernon Baker.
- Email: vabaker@hseverywhere.com
- Contact Form: Click this form to send us your thoughts or inquiries.
Volunteer! Here are some Ideas
- Always great:
- Spread the word! This can be powerful!
Encourage anyone who cares about K-12 to visit www.HSe4Metrics.com.
- Likewise important:
- Help HSe4Metrics with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or other functions to boost the fundraising site’s visibility and organic traffic.
- Share posts, videos, or content wherever you can.
- Use email to connect with others.
- Help HSe4Metrics volunteers handle inquiries.
- Help keep records.
- Be a media rep.
- Be the blog manager.
- Talk to your favorite politician.
- Talk to school boards.
- Talk to teachers.
- Do outreach to PR or connect with influencers and organizations in the education space.