April 2006

OPENING CEREMONIES

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m., at the home of George Otto.

Roll Call

Present were Lois DeRitter, Evelyn Maurer, Brad Pryor, Bobbie Rosengarten, Mark Schaffer and Jim West (Trustees), Mike Agranoff, Paul Axel-Lute, Andy Koenig, George Otto, Pat Rolston, Bob Safranek, Larry Flanigan, Alice Weimer, Barb Moo, Jean Scully, Elizabeth Lachowicz, Gwen Orel, Chris Riemer, Sandie Reilly, Mike DelVecchio and Julie Pasqual (Other Board Members) and Pam Robinson, Rick Thomas, Allan Kugel and Dawn Desmelyk (Guests). Absent was Ralph Litwin.

Secretary's Report

Jean Scully thanked Mark Schaffer for having done the March minutes in her absence. Minutes were accepted with some minor amendments.

Patsy Rolston reported $28,083.43 bank balance. Festival admissions are double what they were this time last year. Patsy has instituted on-line bill paying; Payments expire after 90 days; although physical checks will be honored longer, so deposit them right away.

BUSINESS ITEMS

Credit Union

The Board heard a presentation by Dawn Desmelyk of Affinity Federal Credit Union, concerning the benefits of FP offering AFCU membership as a bonus of joining the Folk Project. AFCU would not solicit our members and would just provide some printed materials to be handed out, as well as a hold harmless letter and a link on our website. Motion to begin working with them was passed.

Grant Writing Workshop

Pam Robinson will meet with the Arts Council of the Morris Area on 4/19 to learn about grants, and will attend a 4/10 grant-writing workshop at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Insurance

Chris Riemer feels the current policy is very confusing. He suggested we write a description of our activities (Rick Thomas has one he will supply) and solicit bids from 4 or 5 agents. We have never made an insurance claim.

Flyers

Pam Robinson suggested that Board members hand out flyers for Minstrel & Swingin' Tern shows at grocery stores, etc.

Interns

Chris Riemer received a solicitation from Seton Hall University about their supplying us with an intern to work on some technology-related project. Although we have some possibilities in the hopper, Rick Thomas pointed out that the ratio of supervision vs. actual work produced by an intern can be prohibitive

REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

Webmaster

George Otto has added a “Benefits of Membership” page to the website. He's also reorganized the Festival page and it will now automatically change the pricing as Early Bird discounts change.

Merchandising

Mike DelVecchio has found some very nice mugs but is having trouble getting them imprinted. Stay tuned.

Community Affairs

Elizabeth Lachowicz could use some help staffing the table at the New Jersey Folk Festival on April 28.

Sound Reinforcement

Bob Sefranek reports that the Swingin' Tern Piano has been repaired for $120.

Minstrel Booking

Mike Agranoff reports that average Minstrel attendance is 120 folks for the last 12 months; 102 if you count Open Stage. This is the first time in a decade that we've averaged over 100 for a whole year. MusicTown was a great event.

Minstrel Staffing

Sandie Reilly had a great response to booking a whole month's volunteers with one email and will continue. Where are our banners? They've disappeared....

Horses Sing None of It

Ralph Litwin reported some great tapings, including Music Town, and is now back up to three cameras again.

Swingin' Tern

Great month: March 4th, 93 in attendance; March 18th, friends and relatives of the caller Bob Isaacs showed up in celebration of his birthday, boosting attendance to 113. Net revenue for the month was $211. And we had a good start to April as well, with attendance over 100 and net revenue over $200.

Special Concerts

The house concert followed by a party at Chez Schaffer was a huge success, as was the workshop the next day. Gwen Orel reported that Irish star Tommy Sands is a possibility for June. We've lost Irish Christmas in America to another venue, but Cherish the Ladies is a possibility.

Festival

Early registration is highest in 8 or 9 years. Helene Zisook did a wonderful mock up of a festival flier.

Storytelling

Morris Magazine had a four- or five-page spread on the Storytelling Festival, and NJEA magazine had a nice story as well!

Archive Process

Copies of the skit videos are due soon. Bobbie Rosengarten thanks those who've sent key dates for the perpetual calendar.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Andy Koenig and Barb Moo saw a great production of Midsummer Night's Dream at McCarter Theatre, featuring Groovelily. Andy backed up Connor from Dugan's Hooligans at a concert at Grace Church in Madison. Elizabeth Lachowicz is thrilled that her sonThomas is coming home from Chicago for Easter. Gwen Orel has been invited to give a paper at a conference on the Irish in America, and another conference has accepted her abstract for a plenary session. George Otto was voted most valuable employee of the charity for whom he works. Lois DeRitter greatly enjoyed MCing for Musictown and wants to do it again. Mike Agranoff put the first ding in his Mini. Mike DelVecchio's dad celebrated his 73rd birthday, and has been inducted into the Bugler's Hall of Fame. Mark Schaffer's folks, who are 91 and 86, are back from Florida. Mark and Robin will be hosting a benefit for breast cancer on June 17th, feature Mike Agranoff, WSAG, Claire Reynolds & Joel Glassman.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:08. Next meeting will be May 2nd at the home of Mark and Robin Schaffer.

Treasurer's Report