August 2017

The August 1, 2017 meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m., in President Steve Humphreys’ Northern White House.

Present: Steve Humphreys, Jay Wilensky, Mike Agranoff, Lois DeRitter, Olga Alvarez, Ken Brody, Allan Kugel, Elizabeth Lachowicz, Evelyn McNally (officers and trustees); Bob McNally, Mark Schaffer, Peter Glenn, Lindsey Meyer, Pat Brangs, Christine DeLeon, George Otto, Paul Fisher, Joanne Cronin, John Mahon, (committee chairs) .

Absent: Kathi Caccavale, Sandie Reilly, Pam Robinson, Leigh Walker. Guests: Robin Schaffer, Tom Taylor, Mitch Radler.

Guest: Lori Falco

THIS MONTH’S MOTIONS

The Board moved to defer consideration of the minutes of the July, 2017 Board meeting until the September meeting.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

President: Steve requested volunteers to host Board meetings, and several Board members stepped up to the plate.

Treasurer: Emerald Eyeshade Chris Riemer deferred his report, pending resolution of some outstanding issues, but Treasurer Mike A. stated that the Project is having a very good year financially.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Services WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Pat Brangs noted that the Project has supplied musicians for the September 30 Mount Tabor house tour, noting that the musicians play gratis for love of the town. Secretary Jay praised Pat for her enthusiastic promotion of the Project, including at a recent outdoor concert by RRB, the big band including four Projectiles.

Getaway WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Mark Schaffer noted that Fall Getaway is already 2/3 full, including 8 new attendees, which he described as strong sales for summer.

Mark also noted that Getaway Day was half-full after only two selling days. Mark has kept the price of GD low, and expects the day to cost the Project less than $400. Mark’s goal is to attract new Getaway-goers by offering an introduction to the Getaway experience; he views GD as an alternative to advertising, that will introduce potential Getaway-goers to the interpersonal aspects of Getaway. Mark is trying particularly to bring to GD new people who would be interested in workshops, because stressing the concert aspect would make the event more costly. Mark noted, however, that an option would be to cover deficits by selling concert tickets, and he is keeping that option open.

Robin Schaffer added that plans are to have 20 Project members and 30 newbies attend GD, and that by the date of the meeting, 8 newbies had already signed up. Mark added that it has been “cool” to deal with GD performers Terre Roche and Cliff Eberhardt.

Bob McNally noted that the “Day” approach could be viable for promoting a number of Project venues.

Minstrel Booking Written Report

Chair Mike Agranoff reported a good month for Minstrel, concerning both finances and attendance. Mike noted that the Tom Chapin concert drew a “huge” crowd, and that people were turned away; however, 15 people, at no charge, saw the show at MUF on Concert Window and were seated for the second half. The show was quite profitable for both the performer and Minstrel, with Chapin earning $1700 and Minstrel earning $600. Mike applauded the staff who worked the overflow night.

Also, Butch Ross, the opening performer for Tom Chapin, received a standing ovation; and, pursuant to Mike’s experiment of polling audience members as to whether they would indicate an intention to return to see specific, exceptional opening performers as the feature, 55 people made checkmarks indicating that intention for Butch. Mike will repeat the experiment for Jacob Johnson, who will open for Julie Gold.

Additional favorable developments noted by Mike: The audience for Concert Window is building, and CW revenue for the Chapin show was $58. MUF has granted us use of a computer in Room 100, which enabled the showing of the Chapin show to the overflow crowd. And, MUF is considering both re-installing its sound panels, which would reduce echo, and allocating a small locked storage room for our use.

New bookings include Betsy Rose, to open for Rosie and the Riveters on October 13; Bill Staines (!!!), for Chorus Song Night on December 1; and Jim Kweskin on May 18, 2018.

Minstrel Staffing

Chair Peter Glenn advised that he had sent an e-mail blast to people on the volunteer list who had not recently volunteered, inviting them to resume; only four people responded that they wish to remain active. Mike A. stated that the response does not surprise him. President Steve stressed the importance of “new blood.” Peter advised that, for personal reasons, he will not continue as Volunteer Chair beyond this year.

Intentions and Resources

Chair Bob McNally reported no developments.

Swingin’ Tern WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Leigh Walker was unable to attend.

Allan Kugel expressed concern that Tern needs to work too hard to maintain its funding, and expressed the willingness of the Board to support the venue. It was noted, however, that Tern is supported by a steady stream of large and small donations. Ken Brody noted that the donations should be acknowledged.President Steve noted generally that venue chairs have latitude for experiments, including the ability to risk money on new ventures.

Lori Falco noted that surplus money generated by a venue belongs to the Project, and is comingled with Project funds. However, Lindsey Meyer added that such funds are credited to the venue, and Mark Schaffer added that chairs have control of the individual venue’s budget.

Archives

Chair Lindsey Meyer reported that in September, she will survey Project members concerning historical items that they might have and be willing to donate.

Publicity WRITTEN REPORTS

Chair Paul Fisher rested on his and the Committee’s reports. Mike A. stated that he is “astonished” by the work that Publicity does.

Event Hosting WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Christine DeLeon added that the next Evening of Music will be held at the Blairstown home of Dave and Ann Marie Schwartz. See New Business, below.

Newsletter WRITTEN REPORT

Chair George Otto rested on his report. President Steve described that report, reading, in its entirety, “Nothing new to report," as “the best report ever written”.

Membership WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Joanne Cronin rested on her report.

Horses Sing None Of It WRITTEN REPORT

Representative Ken Brody added that the Comcast studio will be unavailable until September, so no new shows will be taped until then. He noted that the technician who runs the studio is on maternity leave, and there is no guarantee that she will return, adding that the studio is operated on a “shoestring”; in fact, musicians have on occasion traveled to perform, and have been unable to tape shows. Pat Brangs noted that Chair Sandie Reilly had said that with certain equipment, taping outside of the studio would be possible, and President Steve offered to pursue used equipment that he knows of. Steve also offered his home as a taping location in emergencies.

Horses will make a specific proposal for equipment; Mike A. suggested that a grant for purchase funds could be pursued, and Steve suggested that a volunteer to assist might be found through Catchafire, the on-line service that matches prospective volunteers with non-profit organizations.

Special Concerts/Uke Fest WRITTEN REPORTS

Chair Pam Robinson was unable to attend, and rested on her reports. Lois DeRitter noted that the Holiday show, to benefit MUF, has been rescheduled to December 15, and that that date should be reflected in publicity materials.

Sound Reinforcement

Co-chair John McMahon happily announced that a working instruction manual for the new MUF sound system has been completed by Bill Hall and Mike Agranoff, who had already compiled a manual for Concert Window. Both manuals will be posted to the Library section of the Project’s Web site.

John also suggested that a training class on the new sound system be held, to increase the pool of qualified volunteers. Mike A. noted that the current sound crew is able to conduct such a class.

OLD BUSINESS

Legal Housekeeping: President Steve reported that a draft report on the Project’s legal compliance will be provided by the Project’s pro bono legal counsel, Isabella Wezdecki, shortly, and hopes that a full report will be available for the next Board meeting.

Insurance Review: The review of the Project’s insurance by pro bono counsel is still in progress, but Steve expects that report for the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Christine Hands Off To Mitch: Event Hosting Chair and Open Stage Impresaria Christine DeLeon announced that her new employment and her increasing performing schedule are keeping her constantly busy. Accordingly, Christine will be relinquishing those posts, although she will schedule the remaining Evenings of Music for the year, and will help with the July 4 party. Additionally, she would be willing to serve as a Trustee.

President Steve, to applause and well-wishes all around, stated that Christine has done an “amazing” job, and has been a pleasure to work with. Mark Schaffer stated that he has been impressed with Christine’s creativity, and the way that she has “put her own stamp” on Open Stage. Christine announced, again to applause from all, that Mitch Radler will take on Open Stage immediately, although Ken Galipeau will run the August show and will continue to assist.

ONWARD!

The meeting was adjourned at 9:40. The next meeting will be held on September 5, 2017, at the home of Mark and Robin Schaffer.

Submitted in the spirit of the Project,

Jay Wilensky, Secretary