June 2017

The June 6, 2017 meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m., in the home of Marie Trontell and Jay Wilensky. President Steve Humphreys presided, in an atmosphere of post-Getaway euphoria.

Present: Steve Humphreys, Jay Wilensky, Mike Agranoff, Kathi Caccavale, Lois DeRitter, Olga Alvarez, Ken Brody (officers and trustees); Pam Robinson, Pat Brangs, Christine DeLeon, George Otto, Lori Falco, Paul Fisher, Bob McNally, Mike Del Vecchio, Lindsey Meyer, Mark Schaffer (committee chairs) .

Absent: Allan Kugel, Sandie Reilly, Elizabeth Lachowicz, Evelyn McNally, Peter Glenn, Pam Robinson, Leigh Walker.

Guests: John Mahon, Loretta Brooks, Robin Schaffer.

MOTIONS THIS MONTH

• • The minutes of the May, 2017 Board meeting were accepted.

  • The Board, by acclamation, appointed John Mahon to serve as co-chair of the Sound Reinforcement Committee for the balance of 2017.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

President: Steve H. reported his discovery of “Catchafire,” an organization which matches non-profit organizations with people who seek to volunteer. Steve watched a presentation by CAF at Kean University, saw a good fit between the organization’s services and FP’s activities and goals, and joined CAF as an individual Project member. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is supporting CAF, and has underwritten the $2,000 annual fee for the Project at least through September.

Steve noted that potential volunteers presented by CAF include people with impressive skills. Board members noted possible uses for such volunteers in fundraising and publicity. Bob McNally suggested that Projectiles be designated to consider possible uses for CAF volunteers, and that a coordinator be appointed. The Board agreed that CAF presents a “nice find” by our President, and a significant opportunity for the Project to obtain expertise and effort.

Treasurer: WRITTEN REPORT

Treasurer Mike Agranoff rested on financial ace Chris Riemer’s report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Services: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Pat Brangs rested on her report.

Special Concerts/Uke Fest: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Pam Robinson was unable to attend, and rested on her reports.

Minstrel Booking: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Mike A. reported that the launching of Concert Window has generally gone well, and that Minstrel will be able to provide performers with a high-quality recording of their show; Mike will ask the performer to supply a SIM card for the recording. Mike clarified that Concert Window webcasts are not archived, and are available only as a live stream.

Mike noted that the July 7 show, presenting Broadside Electric with Fiona Tyndall as the opener, will present significant logistical challenges for the sound crew because of the number of musicians who will need to be accommodated. However, Mike views the show as a learning experience, and is confident that the challenges will be well-handled.

May, according to Mike, was an okay but somewhat disappointing month, with paid attendees for the two regular shows averaging 81. Minstrel remains in the black for the year, but its overall performance is hurt by occasional under-attended shows.

Mike is encouraged by “bi-folkal” attendees of the May 20 Swingin’ Tern dance who commented favorably on the previous night’s Minstrel show. New bookings are Robinson and [the Project’s own Jean, sec’y] Rohe, on August 18; Vance Gilbert on September 29; and a split bill of Pat Wictor and Reggie Harris on January 15. Also, Bob Malone, who has been booked for the Fall Getaway, has been rescheduled to the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

Getaway: WRITTEN REPORT

Co-chair Mark Schaffer, to enthusiastic applause all around, reported on the resounding success of the Spring Getaway. Getaway earned $2,225, received an average rating of 4.7/5 from participants, and attracted both a strong cadre of long-time attendees and a solid number of first-timers. Many performers noted the Project’s community spirit, which Mark described as “phenomenal.”

Particular highlights included the dedication of the volunteers; the excellent round-robin, including a number of the professionals, led by President Steve; Deborah Graham’s service as the new Boutique chief; Alicia Weimer’s coordination of the workshops; and the consistent quality of workshops taught by Project members.

Mark noted that the Committee receives “intelligent input” from the surveys returned by attendees. He noted Publicity Committee Chair Paul Fisher’s insightful suggestion that evening round-robins be held in the adjacent Terrell and Jaqua cabins, to ease and encourage movement between them.

Mark reports that more suggestions for performers than could possibly be handled have been received, and that he is reaching out to different venues in search of new performers.

President Steve noted that a number of attendees had told him that Spring Getaway was the best ever.

Publicity: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Paul Fisher rested on his report. In addition, he noted that Project events have been listed on the spingo.com calendar and Njskylands.com. Paul recommended, to general approval, that the Project’s membership in ArtsPride New Jersey be renewed; Pat Brangs and Mike A. agreed that the membership is a useful source of exposure.

Archives:

Chair Lindsey Meyer reported progress in devising the questionnaire that she will distribute to begin the FP archiving project. She has received advice and a sample questionnaire from the archivist for the Puerto Rican Community Archive, located in the Newark Public Library.

President Steve suggested that a heads-up be placed in the Newsletter, to alert members that they will be receiving the questionnaire.Lindsey is seeking a location for the processing of historical items that will be collected. Also, she is seeking contact information for former Project members who may have items to donate.

Horses Sing None Of It: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Sandie Reilly was unable to attend, and rested on her report.

Membership: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Joanne Cronin was unable to attend, and relied on her report.

Swingin’ Tern:

No developments were reported.

Future Planning Committee:

Merged into Future Planning Committee. See “New Business,” below.

Minstrel Staffing: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Peter Glenn was unable to attend, and rested on his report.

Event Hosting: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Christine DeLeon rested on her report.

Newsletter:

Chair George Otto reported no developments.

OLD BUSINESS

Legal Housekeeping:

President Steve reported that the task of ensuring that the Project is appropriately insured is nearing completion. The pro bono counsel working on the review is likely to recommend that the Project increase specific aspects of its insurance coverage.

The legal review, to ensure that the Project is in compliance with applicable rules and regulations, is still under way but progressing.

Future Planning Committee:

Chair Bob McNally reported that the Committee has been selected, and will hold its first meeting in July. Bob stresses that the purpose of the Committee is to brainstorm and formulate ideas about future directions for the Project, rather than implementing decisions. Bob noted that specific plans often do not pan out; Mike A. noted [somewhat puckishly, sec’y] that the launch of Concert Window went exactly as planned.

NEW BUSINESS

New Sound Reinforcement Co-chair: With Chair Mike Del Vecchio’s blessing, and in light of Mike’s recent health issues and the demands on his time and energy, the Board enthusiastically appointed John Mahon co-chair of the Committee for the remainder of 2017.

John’s responsibilities will include representing the Committee in meetings. In accepting the co-chair position, John stressed that his interest is in supporting the Project, Minstrel, and the performers.

ONWARD!

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.: to quote “Bull Durham,” “a new league record.” The next meeting will be held on July 11, 2017, at the home of Yolanda Fundora and Pamela Zave.

Submitted in the spirit of the Project,

Jay Wilensky, secretary.