January 2008
MOTIONS THIS MONTH
To create an ad-hoc investment committee, the purpose of which is to study the investment funds of the Folk Project and recommend how they should be invested, to be chaired by Andy Koenig and to make a report to the February Board meeting. Passed.
That the Storytelling Committee be authorized to use a planning budget of $2100 in preparing for its 2008 Storytelling Festival. Passed.
OPENING CEREMONIES
The meeting was held at Bob and Pam’s house on January 8, 2008, and alled to order at 8:03 PM
Roll Call
Present were Lois De Ritter, Scooter Ferguson, Jim Gartner, Jim King, Ed Roffman, Bobbie Rosengarten, Mark Schaffer, Jim West, Ruth Wolfish (Trustees), Mike Agranoff, Connie Crawford, Lori Falco, Andy Koenig, Elizabeth Lachowicz, Evelyn Maurer, George Otto, Brad Pryor, Tom Pylant, Sandie Reilly, Chris Riemer, Pam Robinson, Pat Rolston, Bob Safranek, Rick Thomas, Rivka Willick and Ken Galipeau (Other Board Members) and Allan Kugel, Hartmann, Barbara Moo, Dave Sherman and Judy Bubar (Guests).
Jean Scully was absent.
President’s Opening Remarks
A copy of Mark’s remarks is on file with the Secretary. He mostly emphasized two ideas: The Work of the Folk Project gets done in its committees, and Nothing happens in the Folk Project without a champion to make it happen. He called on all of us to support our committees and our champions as they tackle the hard work of rebuilding Festival in 2008.
Secretary’s Report
Corrections to and Acceptance of the Minutes: The minutes for December were accepted with the following corrections: The President's Remarks in the minutes state that Barbara reported we had given 100 concerts in 2007. Although she did indeed say that, she should have said there were 50.
Treasurer’s Report
Chris reported that nothing has changed significantly since last month. There are 10 committees that need to go over their records on QuickBooks and sign off or ask for revisions. Remember that if you need help with QuickBooks, or with understanding the reports therein, let Chris know. Also remember to delete your memorized reports sometime between now and January 21.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Meeting Calendar
Future meeting locations were decided on.
Future of the Festival
Lori presented a report on the future of the Festival. She has been up to Fairview Lake to review our options with the camp and she has also been looking at alternative sites with several other Folk Project members. She said there is no definite plan for the next festival beyond Spring '08 at this time. A Copy of Lori’s report is on file with the Secretary.
There was much discussion, the gist of which was that Lori should continue to explore all options. Some suggestions were made and will be explored. A few expressed deep concern over the financial weakening of the Folk Project as a whole that has resulted from trying to keep Festival unchanged in a changing time. President Schaffer offered to be a clearinghouse for ideas. If you want to be a Folk Project Champion, call Mark or Lori and offer to help.
The Agranoff Endowment
President Schaffer reported that the endowment fund is now five years old. The terms of the gift were that after that time, the money became part of the general fund. That raises the issue of how to best invest it. Andy Koenig offered to chair an ad-hoc investments committee, and prepare a brief report for the February Board meeting. A motion to that effect was passed.
REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES
Minstrel
Mike reported that attendance is down comparing the whole years 2006 vs 2007, and comparing the months of December alone 2006 vs 2007. Nevertheless, we put on some excellent shows, and the attendance for Jean Ritchie stretched the capacity of the hall.
Minstrel Staffing
Sandie has two new volunteers. She asks that if you are not getting her emails, please give her a call.
Swingin’ Tern
Connie said that we had 104 people at the Anniversary Dance on January 6, and 121 at the New Year's Eve Dance. Both were profitable affairs for us. Bob Isaacs has taken over the bookings and is bringing lots of new energy and excitement to the position. She also gave many thanks to Melanie Axel-Lute for handling the bookings for many years.
Horses Sing None of It
Channeling Ralph, Sandie reported that the first batch of Mini-DV tapes was sent to MNN. Their pre-printed labels are slightly bigger than the mini-DV tape, so they’re hoping they will stay in place. Also, they were informed that from now on Princeton Community TV30 will only accept DVDs or mini-DV tapes, so those mini-DV tapes came in extra handy. They had run off enough extra re-run episodes for MNN that they were able to send a batch to Princeton, too. Staten Island Community TV informed us that we're now being aired every other Saturday night. Coming up soon: Folk Project members Julie Pasqual, Ilusha Tsinadze, and Eclectic Consort, along with a stellar bunch of out-of-towners. Check the web site for details.
Special Concerts
Pam Robinson reported that the Tommy Sands concert rain-check refunds are now officially closed. She had some ideas about how the Special Concerts and Festival committees, along with other committees, could organize some joint activities.
Festival
Ken says, “Please come to Spring Festival!” Mike reported that in the future they will not refund cash to people who want to back out of their reservations after the registration deadline. There will be three options: (1) Credit for a future Festival; (2) Transfer your registration to another attendee; (3) Convert your registration fee to a tax-deductible donation to the Folk Project.
Storytelling
Rivka reported that the committee would like to spend the profits from last year’s storytelling festival at Grounds for Sculpture on development of the 2008 storytelling festival. A motion to that effect was passed
Membership
Pat reported that new rosters are available.
Publicity
George reported that Nancy Kelner has joined the committee. She will handle mailing. Alice Weimer will continue to handle photos, and Deb Edelman will handle the database chores. George will send out a reminder to all venues about PayPal policy options; all venues must have a refund policy, though they are free to choose the particular policy. The results of the Festival photo contest are available on the website.
Newsletter
Tom is considering an electronic version of the Newsletter. He reminds everyone to please send him content. He considers it unethical to make up his own.
Merchandise
Brad says “Hi! We’re good.”
Internal Affairs
Channeling Jean, Mark reported that the January Evening of Music will be at Judy Hagan’s house.
Sound Reinforcement
Bob reported that the Sound Workshop at Ogden Memorial had 10 people. He especially thanked Allison for leading the workshop.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
Brad’s knees are one year old. Allan has been to New Orleans, Germany, Missouri, and Chicago. Barb hosted a 60th anniversary party for her in-laws. Her Mom-in-law said, “Nuttin coulda been betta!” Sandie joined the Bergen Bike Club. Shannon is selling Girl Scout cookies thru the end of the month. Email her if you want any. A portion of Sandie's blog is being published in "Masterlink" the Bicycle Touring Club of New Jersey's newsletter. Rivka hung out with Broadway stars in their Broadway dressing room. She reports it was “really ugly!” Bobbie: Is a grandmother! Tom got a string bass lesson from Ron Carter. Elizabeth was offered a job, and took it! Hartmann was downsized recently. He’s hoping for some of Elizabeth’s good luck soon. Mike missed the Jean Ritchie concert because he got a gig opening for the 25th Anniversary show of Pete Fornatale’s Mixed Bag. He performed The Ballad of the Sandman, which got a standing ovation. Andy played some jazz standards on his wind synthesizer at Barb’s aforementioned party with his laptop providing a simulated backup band, and had 80-year-old couples up and dancing. Ken got a new Prius. He will keep his old license plate. Chelsea got the old car. His CD Ken sings Les, will be ready for his February show. Les Barker had a heart attack. He’s OK. Dave did a New Years Eve gig, just Dave and a drummer, at his brother’s house, outside in Ft Pierce Florida. It was 77 degrees. Judy and Jim were at a New York City New Years Eve party. Also, they were invited to play at the Café Improv at Princeton Shopping Center on January 26th at 9:00. Be there! Connie was in New Hampshire over the weekend for a robotics conference, where Rudy Giuliani arrived on a Segway scooter. He talked too much. Mark and Robin are still married. Mark went to Maine to visit ex-Project fiddler Joel Glassman and his mate Linda. Robin was in Puerto Rico while he was at this meeting. Pam saw the exhibit of Renoir landscapes in Philly in honor of her mother who died a year ago.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:41. Whew!
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Thomas
The secretary who thinks short meetings are a good thing!