March 2008

MOTIONS THIS MONTH

That the Agranoff fund be continued, using the same distribution formula through the finish of the year 2008, and that the funds that would have been distributed to the Spring and Fall Festivals of 2008 be applied to the Spring Festival of 2008.

OPENING CEREMONIES

The meeting was called to order at 8:08 PM on March 4th at the home of Ruth Wolfish by President Mark Schaffer.

Roll Call

Present were Lois De Ritter, Scooter Ferguson, Jim Gartner, Jim King, Bobbie Rosengarten, Mark Schaffer, Jim West and Ruth Wolfish (Trustees), Mike Agranoff, Connie Crawford, Lori Falco, Andy Koenig, Evelyn Maurer, George Otto, Brad Pryor, Tom Pylant, Pam Robinson, Bob Safranek, Rick Thomas, Rivka Willick and Ken Galipeau (Other Board Members) and Allan Kugel and Judy Bubar (Guests).

President’s Remarks

Mark began the meeting by reminding all of us that a champion alone is not enough to make an idea happen. The best idea and the finest champion need volunteers to get the work done – people to make the phone calls, compose and print and distribute the publicity, organize the activities, find parking, take the money, pay the bills, and on and on. The Folk Project is a community activity. What makes it fun is being part of that community. Do your part!

Treasurer’s Report

Chris has officially “closed the books” on 2007.

BUSINESS ITEMS

Future Festivals

We have confirmed Star Lake in Bloomingdale, NJ as our new festival site. Kudos to Elizabeth for suggesting this site. The place is in a lovely natural setting with two lakes and lots of hiking trails. There are three different levels of accommodations available from rustic to hotel-like. There are spaces for our dance, concerts and workshops. The admission price for staying at the rustic accommodations will be comparable to our current festival prices.

People who like Fairview Lake will like this place, too. And so will the people who are not that crazy about Fairview Lake. See Lori if you want to help.

Local Fall 2008 Event

Special Concerts is withdrawing its proposal to spearhead an event to fill the gap in the FP schedule left by the cancellation of the Fall 2008 Festival. Folk they have spoken to indicated that the event does not do enough to get them "away from it all." That is not to say that it’s not a good idea -- getting non-active FP members involved and increased FP exposure with nonmembers. Ideas and volunteers are solicited.

Grants

Pam is planning to retire as the person in charge of grants, grant writing and grant compliance. We need somebody to take charge of these activities. If you’re interested, talk to Pam.

REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

Publicity

The Workshops web page has PDF’s for all the flyers; feel free to download, print, and distribute. If you want to help, see George or Nancy Kelner.

Internal Affairs

The March Evening of Music will be preceded by a vocal technique workshop with Juliana Sforza.

Storytelling

They have a new logo, thanks to David Derr. They are investigating professional PR agencies who would like to work pro-bono with a non-profit such as us.

Swingin’ Tern

April 5 is the date for the “Rock ‘n’ Reel” dance, with FP bands Blisters and Rockadillies. They will celebrate their 25th Anniversary dance on January 3, 2009. The rough handling event mentioned in last month’s minutes has been handled within committee. There was no formal letter, but the individual has been verbally requested not to return.

Publicity

PDF’s for all the workshop flyers are available on the website. If you want to download and print some for distribution, please do!

Newsletter

If you have comments on the Newsletter – suggestions for improvement, etc. – please bring them to Tom.

Minstrel

Last month was badly affected by weather. Siobhan Quinn and Michael Bowers were snowed out but have been re-booked for October 3.

Special Concerts

The Spring Workshops have had some ticket sales. Tickets are still available for the Siobhan Quinn Vocal Workshop on April 26, the Toby Walker Guitar Workshop on May 18 and the Cheryl Prashker Percussion Workshop on June 14th.

Festival

Spring Festival is on track for our last Festival at Fairview. Registration is now open.

REPORTS OF AD HOC COMMITTEES

Finance Committee

Andy distributed a detailed written report. Copies of the report are available from Andy or the Secretary. All sources they consulted suggested that we should have a written investment policy. Andy will be submitting a formal proposal for this policy in April. Talk to Andy if you want to be involved. Andy asked for a straw poll on whether he should spend up to $100 to have the report reviewed by a professional in the field. There was general agreement that this is a good idea.

There will be a pre-meeting meeting at 7:00 at Ed and Robin’s house to discuss the recommendation in detail.

In light of the fact that the five-year restriction has now expired on how the proceeds of the Agranoff Endowment were to be spent, and in light of the fact that there will be no Fall ’08 Festival, a motion was proposed and passed to allow these proceeds to be spent by the Festival Committee.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Robin Schaffer is in Ireland. Ken’s CD release concert was great! Thanks to all who helped make it happen! Judy got a 3rd place and an Honorable Mention at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Andy played at Ken’s CD party and with Dave & Dave & Liz at a bar in Bloomfield and enjoyed both gigs! Rivka’s daughter broke her nose but she’s OK and healing well.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 PM.

Next month’s meeting will be at Ed and Robin Roffman’s house in Randolph.

– Rick