JANUARY 2014

FULL MINUTES

JANUARY 7, 2014

The January 2014 Board Meeting was called to order at 8:01 pm at Tom Picard and Shari Korenstein's home in Livingston, NJ.

Present: Mike Agranoff, Rachel Streich, Grover Kemble, Allan Kugel, Mark Schaffer, Joanne Cronin, Shari Korenstein, Bill Henderson, Elizabeth Lachowicz, Barrett Wilson, Gloria Friedman, George Otto, Lindsey Meyer, Dave Sherman, Steve Humphreys, Jim Gartner, Lois DeRitter, Lori Falco, Bob McNally, Mike DelVecchio. Absent: Leigh Walker, Jean Scully, Eddie Roffman, Scooter Ferguson, Paul Fisher, Sandie Reilly. Guest: Evelyn Maurer.

ADMINISTRATION:

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Preliminary financial reports show a loss of $1,241 for the FP as a whole as of 12/31/13. The Minstrel and Swingin’ Tern showed a profit, while other venues collectively lost about $1,000. As of 12/31/13, there was a total of $24,000 in the Wells Fargo Checking and Money Market accounts combined.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:

Annual Meeting minutes were accepted as amended, with 11 Aye, 0 Nay, 2 Abstentions. December 2013 monthly minutes were accepted as amended, with 11 Ayes, 0 Nays and 2 Abstentions.

OLD BUSINESS:

FP LIABILITY INSURANCE:

Traveler’s Insurance Co. doesn’t want to write us a new policy. Insurance carriers are reluctant to take us on because of potential exposure due to our wide range of activities. As of now, we are paying for insurance by event.

Elizabeth found us a new insurance agent who specializes in non-profit organizations. So far, we have contacted 10 different carriers, who have refused to provide quotes. We are a small organization and with all our different activities, our insurance needs are complicated. She did get one quote covering most of our activities for about $4,000 per year.

Elizabeth and Bill are working on the matter and they expect to have it resolved by our next meeting.

Evenings of Music pose a problem for insurance carriers, as alcohol is served at them. Should we remove EoM’s from our policy? The host’s homeowner’s insurance should cover it, should anyone be injured at an EoM (which has NEVER happened in the entire history of EoM’s). Or should we make EoM’s non-alcoholic events? Bob suggested that we make it official FP policy that all FP events are non-alcoholic, but then look the other way if individual EoM attendees bring and consume alcoholic beverages. Elizabeth argued that if we don’t enforce the “no alcohol” policy at EoM’s, how would we handle it if people want to bring booze to Festival? Lois pointed out that in the past, all FP events were strictly non-alcoholic, and people appreciated that. Mark noted that we have a reputation as a highly non-alcoholic group; people bring wine and beer, but very little is actually drunk.

Lori recommended we consult a lawyer. Mark noted that because we are a non-profit organization, individual Board members are not liable.

Alternatively, Bob suggested we research organizations that provide insurance coverage for churches. Mike A. suggested we check with MUF to find out who their insurance carrier is. Evelyn Maurer suggested we also contact other non-profit folk music groups, like Old Songs, as well as ethnic group organizations. She also thought it was “unrealistic” to ban alcohol completely at EoM’s. Dave noted that the FP does not provide alcohol, we simply allow adults to bring it. Mike A. said he would be comfortable with the idea of enforcing a strict no-alcohol policy. Mark pointed out that having the drinker pour their own drink, vs having the host pouring drinks, results in a different level of liability. Joanne commented that if we had to enforce a strict no-alcohol policy, she personally would not be happy.

NEW BUSINESS:

BOARD MEETING LOCATIONS, 2014:

A sign-up sheet was passed around the room for people to volunteer to host Board meetings from February through November 2014. The meeting locations are as follows:

February 4: Steve Humphreys, Randolph, NJ

March 4: Bob McNally, Mt Tabor, NJ

April 1: Allan Kugel, Highland Park, NJ

May 6: David Sherman, Highland Park, NJ

June 3: Gloria Friedman, Florham Park, NJ

July 1: Mark and Robin Schaffer, Rockaway, NJ

August 5: Mark and Robin Schaffer, Rockaway, NJ

September 2: Lindsey Meyer, Peapack, NJ

October 7: Allan Kugel, Highland Park, NJ

November 11: Mark and Robin Schaffer, Rockaway, NJ

December 2: Annual Meeting, TBD

PROPOSED DONATION TO PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES:

Lori reported that she’d received a letter from Pro Bono Legal Services asking for a donation. We gave them $250 in 2010. Lori moved that we donate $250 this year, Joanne seconded. We’ve used them before, and surely will again. The vote was 17 Ayes and 2 Abstentions, motion passed.

QUICK BOOKS SEMINAR FOR BOARD MEMBERS:

Barrett noted that the seminar will take place on 1/21/14, at MUF, at 7:30 PM.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

SWINGIN’ TERN: SEE COMMITTEE REPORT

Leigh absent, Elizabeth read his written report.

PUBLICITY: SEE COMMITTEE REPORT

Paul absent. See written report. No Web report from John Lamb this month as he had a family emergency. There will be a Web Committee planning meeting on 1/19/14

COMMUNITY SERVICES:

New Committee chair Shari asked, if you hear of anything good or bad happening to people in the FP community, please text her at (201) 306-8744.

NEWSLETTER: SEE COMMITTEE REPORT

“We got a newsletter out”, said George. It took him longer than he expected; specifically, it took longer than expected to figure out the work flow.

Pat Brangs cut back newsletter printing to 330 copies, from 350.

George requested that Zed Music write an article describing who they are and what they do, their history and so on, and provide notice of upcoming events by the 15^th of the month.

MEMBERSHIP: SEE COMMITTEE REPORT

Eddie absent. Elizabeth read from his report: We took in $9,228 in membership dues in 2013. Eddie is working on revising the dues structure for 2014, and will have it for us in February.

SPECIAL CONCERTS:

Scooter absent. Lori noted that there is a workshop coming up soon with L’il Rev; it's in the newsletter.

HSNOI: SEE COMMITTEE REPORT

Sandie absent. See written report.

MERCHANDISING:

Gloria said she was looking for a new supplier for shirts and so on, as George at Embroid-Me in Morristown is “not very responsive”. She is working on getting more of the black “mandala” T-shirts (with various musical instruments arranged in a circular design). Do we have a copy of the instrument mandala design? Several people pointed out that George at Embroid-Me was the designer and creator of that design – “Well, I guess we’ll continue to do business with him”, said Gloria. Eddie suggested magnetic bumper stickers, but Lois advised against it as the magnets tend to permanently stick to the car and ruin the finish; Gloria will do regular bumper stickers. Please send her your ideas for new FP merchandise.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS: SEE COMMITTEE REPORT

The February Evening of Music will be co-hosted by Marie Trontell and Jay Wilensky at Marie’s home in Whitehouse Station. New Committee chair Dave had an idea to start EoM’s early with a concert or discussion/lecture/class prior to the jamming. He made a motion for a grant/authorization to spend up to $1,000 over the next 12 months to cover costs of these lectures/concerts, etc, starting in March. Motion was seconded, discussion ensued. Mike A. suggested we not decide this tonight; we should further discuss this idea and table a vote on Dave’s suggestion till next month. Allan noted that we have done workshops before EoM’s; Mark remembered Andy Goessling once did a class on “how to back up other musicians” prior to an EoM; it went very well. He is in favor of Dave’s suggestion. George suggested committing to a shorter trial period than one year, and would like to see a written proposal from Dave. Mike A. moved to table Dave’s motion till next month. Motion was seconded; 11 Ayes, 6 Nays, 1 Abstention. Motion passed, we will revisit Dave’s proposal next month. Elizabeth asked Dave to write up his proposal and distribute to the full Board.

SOUND REINFORCEMENT: SEE COMMITTEE REPORT

Mike D. reported that he has selected a wireless sound system to pipe sound out into the lobby and kitchen at MUF so that Door, Head Staff and Kitchen volunteers can listen to the concert while they work, but he has not yet purchased the equipment.

Mike A. requested assurances from Mike D. that we could return the wireless system he intends to purchase if it does not work in our location.

A motion was made, seconded, and passed (18 Ayes, 1 Nay) to purchase the system Mike recommends.

E-COMMUNICATIONS: SEE COMMITTEE REPORT

Lori reported that December was a busy month due to bad weather, She sent out an email blast letting people know that the December EoM was postponed due to snow, then used Constant Contact to run a poll to decide on a new date for the EoM. A “Happy Holidays” email went out from the Festival Committee as well. In the past 3 months, Lori said, we sent 30,585 emails via Constant Comment. She sent an email reminding Board members that email is not really as private as we might think. Steve noted that a more secure form of Internet communication would be a website. Elizabeth asked him to speak with Lori, Allan, and John Lamb about Internet security.

ZED MUSIC:

Shari reported “things are going really well”. Carl Croce was supposed to be the featured performer in December, but cancelled because he was not comfortable driving due to the weather. Shari and Tom ran the jam anyway, and Carl ended up showing up. His performance has been rescheduled for 1/18/14. Liz Pagan and Dave Kleiner will be featured at Zed in February. Mike A. asked Shari to provide attendance figures.

MINSTREL BOOKING: SEE COMMITTEE REPORT

The Shockenaw Mountain Boys show on 12/27/13 sold out, said Mike A., with 182 paid attendees. NJ’s PBS TV station videotaped the concert for future broadcast, date TBA. The other 2 concerts in December, Chorus Song Night and Open Stage, drew small crowds, so the Minstrel ended up losing $138 for the month. The average paid attendance for the month was 81.8 overall; with Open Stage, it was 70.8.

MINSTREL STAFFING:

Jean absent, no report.

FESTIVAL:

Mark said they have Spring Festival’s performers almost fully booked. They are 3 months ahead of schedule in putting together the workshop schedule, and will send out their first big Festival announcement on 2/1/14. Headliners will be: James Keelaghan, David Massengill, Frank Vignola, and Victoria Vox. They are working to hire professional musicians to run workshops in addition to FP workshop presenters, and there will be a contra dance on Saturday night. Spring Festival will be Memorial Day weekend.

Mark is also in charge of organizing the Valentines Day show. He reported that half the available time slots for the show are already reserved. There was an announcement about it in the December 2013 newsletter for sign-ups starting 1/1/14.

Next Meeting will be on February 4, 2014, at Steve and Christine Humphreys’ in Randolph, NJ.

Meeting adjourned at 10:27 pm.