January 2015

The January 6, 2015 Board Meeting was called to order at 8:00 pm at Frank’s Pizza in Flanders, NJ.

PRESENT:

Officers: Barrett Wilson, Elizabeth Lachowicz, Andrew Hines, Chris Riemer

Trustees: Bob McNally, Allan Kugel, JoAnne Cronin, Deborah Graham, Lindsey Meyer, Grover Kemble, Lois DeRitter, Barrett Wilson

Committee Persons: Ad Hoc Finance – Rachel Streich; Ad Hoc Tech – George Otto; Nominating – Elizabeth Lachowicz; Special Concerts – Scooter Ferguson; H.S.N.O.I. – Ken Brody; Minstrel Staffing - Barrett Wilson; Membership - Eddie Roffman; Community Services - Pat Brangs; Minstrel Booking - Mike Agranoff; Electronic Comm. - Lori Falco; Newsletter - George Otto; Internal Affairs – Christine DelVecchio

Guests: Evelyn Maurer, Pam Turner, Bob Safranek, Pam Robinson, Bill Henderson

ABSENT:

Trustee: Steve Humphreys (by resignation – to be replaced)

Committee Persons: Merchandising - Gloria Friedman, Swingin’ Tern – Leigh Walker; Publicity/Web – Paul Fisher; Sound Reinforcement – Mike DelVecchio; Getaway – Robin & Mark Schaffer

MOTIONS THIS MONTH

Heard and Passed:

1. Motion entertained, seconded, and unanimously approved to accept the December Minutes.

2. Upon discussion presented by Elizabeth Lachowicz, Michael Agranoff moved that Jay Wilensky should serve balance of Steve Humphrey’s term. Motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

3. Motion entertained, seconded, and unanimously approved to Adjourn at 9:58 PM.

ADMINISTRATION

Newly elected Chairman President Barrett Wilson thanked the outgoing members Bill Henderson, Rachel Streich, Jean Scully, Jim Gartner) for their service and welcomed incoming board members Deborah Graham, Andrew Hines, Chris Riemer and Ken Brody.

The December 2014 minutes were accepted (when Rachel arrived) as presented.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Outgoing Treasurer Bill Henderson reported that there is $2,597.28 in the money market account; $2,921.71 in the checking account when accounting for outstanding checks. The P/L stands at a loss of $15,726.15 for the year 2014.

Discussion: Chris mentioned that when our checking account drops below $2,000, a service charge is incurred. Mike A. noted there is over $20,000 in the Vanguard account that is available for FP general funds. It was decided to transfer $10,000 to the checking account; a motion not being necessary, and Andy Koenig must be notified. Worker’s Comp has become very expensive and the ad hoc finance committee will review the situation.

NEW BUSINESS

BOARD MEETING LOCATIONS:

The Chairman President has requested that people sign up to host future board meetings.

SIGNIFICANT MINSTREL DONATION:

Mike A. reported that he was approached at the Christine Lavin concert by a FP member (to remain anonymous) and offered a $10,000 matching grant to be used to improve the sound system and the acoustics in conjunction with the MUF improvements. This was discussed between Mike A., Barrett, and Mike DelVecchio (Sound Chair). They will decide how to utilize the funds. Some of the funds may be used for “built-ins” which would ultimately end up as MUF real estate should FP ever leave. The grant has since been changed to outright, not matching, and may well be on its way. Discussion about formalization produced consensus that no new ad hoc committee is necessary. This will be handled by sound, and they will provide future updates to the board.

COLLEGE OUTREACH PRESENTATION:

Pam Turner, a friend of Rachel Streich, has had many years of musical dealings on a collegiate & university level and in addition, with nonprofits as well. A concept was presented to reach out to music majors, and others…to collaborate for the mutual benefit of the FP and those we might draw in. Pam has contact with and many email addresses of music professors and more. Much discussion about objectives, methods, responsibilities, FP role, followed…and especially what committee this might fall under; Community Affairs/Services, Publicity? This was very well received in general, and it was decided that further discussion at the next Board Meeting would be appropriate. Barrett thanked Pam for her time, and presentation.

OLD BUSINESS

The Ad Hoc Finance Committee chose to hold any report until the Feb Board Mtg.

The Ad Hoc Technology Committee hopes to have a report prepared for the Feb Board Mtg.

The Nominating Committee: Elizabeth reports the following regarding the resignation of Steve Humphreys. The committee had chosen a person and tendered an offer of service. In the meantime, Jay Wilensky threw his hat into the ring. The committee reconsidered, and has decided that they would like Jay to fill the vacancy and is recommending this action to the board for approval. A MOTION was presented by Mike Agranoff. and seconded. There was unanimous approval with no abstentions.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

MERCHANDISING:

No representative present

SPECIAL CONCERTS:

Scooter had nothing new to report…and turned the floor to Pam, who had presented a show in December for the benefit of MUF. Attendance exceeded 150, and over $2,600 was raised. The show had a chorus, caroling, poetry, music, decorating and was enjoyed by all. Many who missed it were bummed. Plans are…to do it again, and discussions will ensue.

To Mike A.’s question, Scooter reports that there are 4 concerts scheduled; 5/1, 7/3, 8/28, 11/6. And…information will be released on these events when finalized. Note: 8/28-29 is Uke Fest.

HSNOI: (See report submitted)

Ken Brody had no additions to the report.

SWINGIN’ TERN: (See report submitted)

No representative present

PUBLICITY: (See report submitted)

No representative present…HOWEVER Allan asked that if there are ANY items for web wish-list tasks, please get them in to John sooner than later.

MINSTREL STAFFING:

Outgoing representative not present

E-COMMUNICATONS: (See report submitted)

Lori reports we have 3,682 contacts in our Constant Contact database, up from 3,600 in November. In December we sent a special email for the MUF benefit and a welcome letter from Barrett welcoming the new board members. Michael has added video links in the Minstrelgram and they are very effective, achieving a 10% click-rate…and so I encourage people to use them. Liz Pagan has joined our effort and will be assisting with Special Concerts. Also note that McNally Instruments has signed up to use Constant Contact. By doing so, FP & McNally each received a $30 credit. SO…if anyone knows of another referral, we can get another $30 credit if we bring someone else on board, and so will the new client.

MEMBERSHIP:

Eddie suggested the possibility that, if we reach out to colleges, he would propose that they get a 50% discount; and that he would recommend it to the board. Pam mentioned later in the meeting that we got 2 new memberships at the NERFA Meeting.

NEWSLETTER:

Chairman George Otto reports that upon “wrapping up my first year…things are running much smoother. The proofreaders have been essential and valuable.” Our new President is starting a series of articles; The Prez Says SEZ, and alternating…Meet The Board, in which he would present an up close and personal article about one of the Board members. Jim King has written an article about the History of the FP, and perhaps he might summarize his work in a couple of articles for us. Jim suggested that perhaps we check with a couple of our long term committee chairs. It was mentioned that this may already be posted on Facebook, and someone will forward it to George. Starting time for Homemade Music Party (Evening of Music) will be displayed correctly going forward.

COMMUNITY SERVICES: (See report submitted)

Pat Brangs reports sending 2 emails recently about our performer list and to our member musicians for updating. Jim Gartner is playing a small concert for Memory Café in Morris Plains on January 19^th. Grover inquired if there is any information re: Greystone paying for FP musicians to entertain. Pat will contact Shari, and coordinate with Mike A. and Grover. FYI…Memory Café is held at the Presbyterian Church on Littleton Road in Morris Plains for listeners, where generally one person of a “couple” is afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Usually around 20 guests total. We should post this to ‘member gigs’ in the newsletter.

MINSTREL BOOKING: (See report submitted)

Mike Agranoff, “Before my booking report, I am reminded that we subsidized FP members at NERFA approaching $2,000…and that should be noted in any discussions of our 2014 operating loss”

Report: Average attendance was 90.7 for regular shows, and 72 including the Open Stage. Average for year 2014 was 87.6 for regular shows and 77 including the Open Stages and the other ‘non’ regular shows. For December we ended up $40 in the black, and $693 in the black for year 2014. The Fill-A-Seat is being discontinued…it just wasn’t productive enough up against the effort of administering it. No cost, no gain, no loss. ‘We had a very unpleasant surprise when we discovered some FP properties missing.’ Due to poor communication on the part of MUF, the FP backdrop and creel were thrown away. MUF has stepped up and will be providing a new backdrop with design input from Deborah Graham and Kathy Cacicavale. They have already bought us a new and bigger creel.

New bookings include No Fuss & Feathers Road Show 9/18, Frank Vignola on and Vinnie Rangiolo for 10/2, Pat Donohue 10/16 and Tom Chapin, date still open. Come out to see Julie Gold 1/16, Vance Gilbert 1/23 and Bill Staines on 1/30.

In response to a question, Mike relates that Minstrel rate rent will be lower at Sanctuary, than at the MUF, for the 150 seat room. They are still working out contractual terms with the Church. It was also noted that the Open Stages have been underperforming and personnel is exploring ways to bolster same.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS:

Christine feels that the start time of the Homemade Music Party (Evening of Music) should be 8 PM. Lois thinks it might be that, earlier is better because we are an aging population. Christine is setting the time at 8 PM. MUCH discussion then ensued regarding the name of this event…and Christine will deliberate, process the data and report back on whether to keep the name, revert the name…or find a new name. Send her emails with opinions.

Christine & Steve Humphreys are hosting the event in February. Steve is a photo buff and will be providing free portrait shots at the event. January party is at Margaret Crowl’s from 7 PM to MIDNIGHT.

MINSTREL STAFFING: (Addendum)

Deborah Graham has been working up job descriptions for volunteers. There was a consensus that this is sorely needed and will be a benefit. Chris mentioned that some are in Wiki, but an update would be great.

ACOUSTIC GETAWAY: (See report submitted)

No representative present

SOUND REINFORCEMENT: (See report submitted)

No representative present,

OTHER BUSINESS

Barrett asked for volunteers to do the GOTO (Good Of The Order). Joanne Cronin accepted.

Bob McNally asked when we should start utilizing “Award Winning Organization”? Barrett is the liaison for all of this. The timing will be sometime in March, and he will provide more information accordingly.

Lois asked about the designs for the new backdrop and wants to know if the old ‘light bulb’ concept is being included because newbies are handling this, and might not know about this. Michael thanked Lois and will make certain it is incorporated.

Next Meeting, 8 PM on February 3rd, 2015, at Pam Robinson & Bob Safranek’s home in New Providence.

A motion to adjourn was seconded, and unanimously approved.

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 9:58 pm.

ADDENDUM: JoAnne Cronin collected some GOTO data and gave her email address for any other additions; joannelcronin@optonline.net