Embedded Files
OPENING CEREMONIES
The meeting was called to order at 8:07 PM on August 4th by President Mark, at the home of Mark & Robin Schaffer
Roll Call
Present were Lois De Ritter, Jim Gartner, Jim King, Allan Kugel and Brad Pryor (Trustees), Mark Schaffer, Evelyn Maurer, Ed Roffman, Rick Thomas, Mike Agranoff, Lori Falco, Andy Koenig, Elizabeth Lachowicz, Sandie Reilly, Pam Robinson, Pat Rolston, Bobbie Rosengarten, Bob Safranek, Jean Scully, Rivka Willick and Ruth Wolfish
Absent were Connie Crawford, Carl Croce, Scooter Ferguson, George Otto and Jim West.
Secretary’s Report
The minutes of July were not accepted due to a lack of quorum. Howver, they were corrected to show that the Commons is expected to sell out early, not the Lodge, and the Festival date that the MUUF is being asked to move their tag sale to is May 15th, not May 5th. (We eventually got a quorum, but did not revisit the issue of accepting the July Minutes.)
Treasurer’s Report
Eddie says we’re still doing well. He has changed the reports a little so that Merchandising and Membership income are separated out in columns of their own. Merchandise does not reflect the value of inventory, only income from sales and expenses for purchasing items to be sold.
Key Dates
Mike will remind Eisteddfod of our Newsletter deadlines so that they can get their notices to us in time to be published before they happen.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Worker’s Comp Insurance
There was lots of discussion centering on whether we need to have such insurance for our performers and whether they are “employees” or “independent contractors” under the law. (The Workers Comp law has different definitions from the IRS, so referring to the IRS regulations doesn’t help.)
Mark has asked the Pro Bono lawyers for help, but they don’t have a specialist in that type of question, so they were unable to give him an authoritative answer. Mark will ask them for a referral to somebody who can. To be continued next month. Some points brought up in the discussion:
(Mike) Considering our experience of having no lawsuits over 34 years of operation, and that no venue Mike has asked about Workers Comp insurance carries it, Mike thinks it’s an unnecessary expense. He feels that, if the Board should decide to buy this insurance, that we should ask the insurance company: (1) Would Worker's Comp cover claims lodged by our performers who are contractors, and not employees in the conventional sense? and (2) Would our current liability insurance already cover such claims by those performers?
(Mark) Our attorney says we don’t need it, but anybody can sue – especially in New Jersey.
(Eddie) The Insurance Company says that either the contractor must have his/her own coverage, or be covered by our insurance.
(Jim King) Carries fire insurance on his house, even though it hasn’t burned down in all the years he’s lived in it. It’s not so expensive that it should be a big issue.
(Rivka) Do we ask our performers if they have insurance? (Mike, replying for Minstrel) No. (Rivka) She is always asked that question when she is negotiating a gig for over $500.
(Evelyn) Are our volunteers covered? Are they “employees” under some legal definition?
(Lois) We shouldn’t turn anybody away just because they are not insured.
(Rivka) The venues she works for often have an option to pay a fee for Workers Comp insurance just for that particular gig.
(Andy) Submitted a written report. See the attachments. The main thrust of it is that it’s not just the Folk Project and its assets that are at risk. The law allows going after the assets of the club’s officers as well.
(Ruth) We need a formal legal opinion.
(Jim King) When we ask for a legal opinion, we should also get a statement from the state on the matter.
REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITEES
Sound
Bob reports that he has a solution for the sound problems at last Festival (problems with the vocals due to reverberations off the back wall.) He’s checking what we need to buy, and expects to have everything under control by Festival time.
Finance
Andy reports that July was an excellent month for the markets. As of July 31, our Vanguard balance was $64,949.14, nearly back to where we were at the beginning of October 2008 [$65.317.61]. Our lowest balance so far was on March 9, when we had $49,078.87; we have gained back $15,870.27 [32%] since then. As ever, he finds it much more difficult to predict the future than to predict the past.
Festival
Lori says that registration has just opened and we already have 32 paid registrants. Commons is almost sold-out, and there are only a few rooms left in the Lodge. She expects this to be a “sell out” Festival. Special thanks go to the festival committee for all of their hard work, to George Otto for his diligent work in updating the webpage and the online registration form, and to Liz Pagan for featuring the festival in the August newsletter.
Minstrel
Mike reports that we finally got a “killer month!” Bucky Pizzarelli sold out at 183 paid, and took the all time record for the highest paid act ever at the Minstrel. The electronic tally sheet is now operational, and we're working the bugs out of it and settling on procedures. It's very helpful, but there's still a learning curve in knowing how to use it.
MUUF has kindly agreed to change their tag sale from May 29th to May 15th so it fits into our schedule for Festival, allowing us to not lose a Minstrel Friday.
Staffing
Sandie says, “We still need volunteers!” Brad complains that not all slots are getting filled, and it’s hard to be Head Staff if nobody volunteers for Door Person. At the Birthday show, he didn’t get to see a single act.
HSNOI
Ralph reports that Fargo Access Channel 12 and Comcast Cablevision of Northwest NJ have both reported that the DVDs are working great. And we've received no problem reports from SICTV (Staten Island), Princeton TV-30, Adelphia Cable (LaVerne, CA) or Service Electric TV-3 (Allentown, PA), all of whom are airing shows burned on the new duplicator.
Swingin’ Tern
Connie reports that the new dance hall at First Church in East Hanover is working out well. Paid attendance for the first three dances has been significantly higher than the same period last year and with the adjustment in rent, we are coming out ahead financially. Many thanks to the Folk Project Community for the large turnout at the first dance on June 6! We are attracting new dancers who show enthusiasm.
Mark has been talking to the Township and the Church. He reports that the Church is taking over the negotiations – it’s really their issue, anyway. Ruth mentioned problems with parking. Mark responded that there is parking, but it’s a ways away.
Special Concerts
Pam reports that they are selling tickets for the John McCutcheon show in November. It will not be reserved seating. Andy is exploring a possible show with Michael Manring.
Newsletter
Carl says that he wants to thank everyone for getting their submissions in to Liz on time this month. He appreciates the hard work, co-operation and teamwork that you have all put forward for the good of our Folk Project.
We mailed out 293 newsletters this month, fifteen less than last month. Hopefully this is due to an increase in E-Newsletter participation and not due to a decrease in overall membership.
Storytelling
Rivka reports that the Storytelling Festival will be October 18th, at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. Flyers are now available. They will be closing the Festival this year with a Mexican dance troupe as well as everybody’s favorite lightning round. They have a new logo. If you want to volunteer to help out, call 862-268-4989.
Web & Publicity
Mark reports that George has officially retired as Publicity Czar and Webmaster. There was a round of applause and Thanks! to George for 15 years of dedicated service.
Mark will take over as Publicity Chair, and Joe and Helene will be providing the technical expertise needed to run the FP Web Page. Pam asked if George would still be coordinating with the restaurant for the Annual Membership meeting in December.
Internal Affairs
Jean reports that the August EoM will be at Margaret Crowl’s house.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
Good of the Order is reported in the newsletter. Talk to Eddie if you’ve had or know about someone who’s had a significant event in their lives recently.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:17 PM.
The next meeting will be on September 1, at Rick & Cathy’s house in Warren Township.
– Rick
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