Our organization is about to enter a very exciting phase, and we are trying to figure out our messaging, brand, and strategy for the next several months. I am the new executive director (I started this week) and I am trying to determine how best to refine our message and approach - have a strategy session with the Board? Conduct a more thorough marketing and communications plan? Should we be thinking long-term or near-term given the upcoming events?

For close to a decade, we've been restoring the Western Flyer vessel - the historic and famous boat that John Steinbeck and Edward F. Ricketts chartered to Baja in 1940. The boat is nearly complete, and in the fall it will be returning to Monterey. Along the way, we plan to stop at ports along the coast, ending with a big celebration in Monterey. After that, we are planning a maiden voyage in which the vessel will return to the Sea of Cortez. We've received significant attention already - people are very excited about this project.

The Board has different ideas of what our messaging should look like and we need to reach consensus and come up with a plan - as the new ED, I'm trying to figure out how best to do this, and could use the help of a marketing strategy expert.