9/10/13 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT

Attendees: Pat Brangs, Margy Capecelatro, Lois DeRitter, Lori Falco, Bill Henderson, Elizabeth Lachowicz, Eddie Roffman, and Mark Schaffer.

We envision that the Folk Project and its venues should become a more welcoming environment. We especially would like to do better at retaining members. Here are some specific recommendations:

* Increase our efforts at greeting and personally welcoming people when they attend our venues. A personal welcome and friendly "Please come back" messages are suggested.

* Emcees, performers and key staff should be encouraged to actively seek opportunities to interact with audience members during breaks and after the show.

* Provide increased opportunity for people to speak and share, while we employ our best 'active listening' skills. People want to feel important and 'listened to' (This is Jean's suggestion although she wasn't at the meeting.)

* We should concentrate our efforts at being the 'Cool Ones' but please discontinue the 'Kool-Aid' reference because it has negative connotations.

* It would be good for us to find additional performance opportunities for member performers. Our Festival committee has been very successful at providing additional opportunities; other committees are encouraged to follow their lead. Perhaps EOMs could include an unpaid 15 - 20 minute 'featured member-performer set'. Perhaps the Minstrel could include unpaid featured member-performers showcases in some of the shows.

*When members or potential members ask for bookings, we need to be more positive, encouraging and kinder when saying "No". (Carl wasn't at the meeting, but this was his direct input).

Membership Dues:

Our membership dues have been unchanged for the past 8 years, while our insurance, printing, postage, and other overhead expenses have increased considerably. We therefore propose a new membership due structure effective January 2014:

* Annual Membership Dues should be set at $25 for one person or $30 per family; members electing the eNewsletter option will be entitled to a Five Dollar 'Go Green Incentive' discount.

* Supporting Membership will be offered with suggested donation amounts of: $25, $50, $100, $250, and $500 above the basic membership dues. These donations are fully tax-deductible to the donor. Supporting Memberships of $50 would get the HSNOI-Blues DVD as a premium. Memberships of $100, $250 and $500 will get additional DVDs and other 'spiffs'.

* The membership application form will include this message: If membership n the Folk Project is important to you, but you cannot afford our membership dues, please contact membership@folkproject.org for a possible dues accomodation.