March 2017

The March 7th meeting of the Folk Project Board was called to order by President Steve Humphreys at 8:14 p.m. The meeting was held in the Rockaway home of Mark and Robin Schaffer, and graciously guest-hosted by Jean Scully and Dave Heistand.

Present: Steve Humphreys, Jay Wilensky, Mike Agranoff, Kathi Caccavale, Lois DeRitter, Olga Alvarez, Allan Kugel, Evelyn McNally (officers and trustees); Mark Schaffer, Sandie Reilly, Pam Robinson, Pat Brangs, Christine DeLeon, Joanne Cronin, George Otto (committee chairs).

Absent: Barrett Wilson, Elizabeth Lachowicz, Ken Brody, Peter Glenn, Leigh Walker, Lindsey Meyer, Paul Fisher, Mike Del Vecchio, Lori Falco, Bob McNally.

Guests: Jean Scully, Linda Sierenberg, Mitch Radler.

THIS MONTH’S MOTIONS

The Board, by acclamation, authorized the New Jersey Ukefest chair to offer a $10 discount on new Project memberships to Ukefest attendees, funded by the grant from Morris Arts or other Project sources.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

President

President Steve H., in furtherance of his focus on long-range planning, asked that Board members give thought to the future of the Project, and plans to brainstorm that issue at the next meeting.

Secretary

The minutes of the February, 2017 meeting were accepted as amended.

Treasurer

Treasurer/Minstrel Booking Chair Mike Agranoff reported that the Minstrel showed a profit in January-February of this year of $428. That figure includes licensing fees and the Minstrel’s share of the Project’s insurance. He explained the licensing and insurance items account for the difference between that figure and the $830 reported in the Profit and Loss statement.

OLD BUSINESS

Legal Housekeeping:

President Steve H. reported that via the Pro Bono Partnership, two attorneys will be assisting, without charge, in the Project’s efforts to maintain compliance with legal and insurance requirements. Isabella Wezdecki, of the Johnson & Johnson legal department, will review our governing documents, and Brian Levine of the Skadden Arps law firm will work with Lori Falco on insurance coverage issues and obtaining quotes for policies. In response to concerns raised by Mike A., Steve emphasized that the lawyers will concentrate on specific legal and compliance issues.

NEW BUSINESS

Secretary Jay Wilensky suggested that the Board consider moving the time of Board meetings to 7:30-9:30. Reasons for and against the change were noted by members, and the issue will be revisited at the next meeting.

Mike A. requested clarification of who is in charge of Member Concerts. Pam Robinson stated that they fall under the jurisdiction of Event Hosting. EH chair Christine DeLeon clarified that EH is responsible for accounting for the shows, but not for producing them, and that she believed that a liaison between EH and producers had previously been appointed. The issue will be clarified.

Mike also asked whether a Halloween member concert would be held this year, and if so, the date and producer. The question is pending.

Mitch Radler, who produced last year’s [very successful – sec'y] Summersongs member concert, stated that he was considering staging a Cabaret concert this year.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Services: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Pat Brangs noted that Darrell and Mary Courtley will play their lovely Gentle Jazz program for the Memory Café on March 16, and Mitch Radler will perform there in April. Pat is seeking a band to play early 20th–century music for the Fosterfields Country Fair in September. Pat thankfully noted that the need for the Committee to send cards slowed down in February.

Pat also noted that Web guru John Lamb has advised that the Member Performers’ Web page receives about 50 hits per month, and several Board members noted that they have obtained gigs via the page. Olga Alvarez observed that the page seems outdated, and Allan Kugel suggested that performers post full clips rather than links. Pat agreed that performers’ pages should be updated. Jay suggested that a notice requesting that performers update their listings be placed in the Newsletter, and Kathi Caccavale suggested that performers be notified through Constant Contact.

George Otto springboarded the discussion into a suggestion that the Board adopt an annual day for updating FP members’ posted information.

Intentions and Resources (ad hoc committee):

No developments were reported.

Minstrel Staffing: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Peter Glenn could not attend, but submitted a written report.

Archives:

Chair Lindsey Meyer could not attend, but advised that the Committee is continuing its work on an initial survey, along with notices by letter and e-mail, in order to identify and locate collectible items.

Horses Sing None Of It: WRITTEN REPORT

Ralph Litwin’s report noted that scheduled tapings include the Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio [very well-received at Minstrel in February –sec'y] and Kate and Paul on March 16, and Banjo Nickaru and Western Scooches on April 17.

Chair Sandie Reilly reported on her highly successful, Board-subsidized attendance at Folk Alliance International. Sandie was exposed to a “boggling’’ array of types of music; secured the Banjo Nickaru booking; made contacts with performers from beyond the Project’s usual reach, including from Alaska and overseas; and garnered interest from other networks in airing HSNOI programs. Sandie believes that her work with FAI has doubled the Project’s nationwide exposure. Sandie noted that she was able to cover most of her attendance expenses, including through a first-timer scholarship and by hosting showcases at the conference, and thanked the Board for its support.

Steve H. mentioned that he knew of used video equipment that might be available for HSNOI (see January minutes), and will follow up.

Event Hosting: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Christine De Leon rested on her written report.

Swingin’ Tern:

No developments were reported.

Newsletter:

Chair George Otto reported that all is well.

Special Concerts:

WRITTEN REPORT - Special Concerts

WRITTEN REPORT - UkeFest

Special Concerts: Chair Pam Robinson noted that she and Bob Safranek met “amazing artists and great people” during their Board-subsidized attendance at Folk Alliance International. Pam noted that Special Concerts performer Kaia Kater, scheduled for March 24, is being endorsed by Janis Ian. Other scheduled events are the Project’s own Loving Hearts Club Boogie Band on September 15; Eric Schwartz (R-rated) on September 23; and the Holiday concert to benefit the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship on December 22.

New Jersey Ukefest: The Fest will be held on August 25-27.

As noted, the Board authorized extending a $10 discount on new Project memberships for non-member Ukefest attendees, to encourage Ukefesters to join. Pam noted that Barb Moo, who obtained the Morris Arts grant, believes that the terms of the grant permit its use to support the discount. Allan Kugel noted that while supporting the discount is an appropriate use of the grant, specifying that the discount could be funded with other Project funds would preserve the Board’s flexibility; accordingly a provision that the discount may be funded with the grant or other Project resources was added to the authorization.

Pam, to general approval, suggested offering passes to Minstrel and Swingin’ Tern events as door prizes at Ukefest, and Mike A. offered five pairs to Minstrel. Pam estimates that the Project could add 50 new members via Ukefest. Pam plans an online sale in early April of a limited number of full Fest tickets at the 2016 Early Bird price of $80. The Fest committee is looking for additional volunteers.

Pam reported that she was invited to join the Facebook Ukelele Club, composed of 35 leaders of the uke community along the Eastern Seaboard. Also, she created the Facebook group UKE-Connection of the Northeast, US & Canada, a discussion group on which performers can post links; the group added 100 members within a week.

Sound Reinforcement:

No developments were reported.

Minstrel Booking: WRITTEN REPORT

As noted in his Treasurer's report, Chair Mike A. reported a $428 profit for the first two months of 2017.

Mike reported on the rapid progress of his project of Webcasting select Minstrel concerts via Concert Watch. He noted that while CW does not require the artist’s permission to Webcast, he will obtain consent on an opt-out basis. He anticipates advertising that most artists will not opt out, and is considering how best to publicize the Webcasts through Facebook and Twitter. He is seeking a volunteer to serve as administrator of the program, with duties including loading the shows for Webcast and contacting performers, and working in conjunction with the Project’s Publicity Committee. Mike suggested that Webcasting member shows could generate many viewers who are friends and relatives of the performers. Jay W. mentioned concerns previously raised by Lindsey Meyer that doing so might inhibit members from participating.

Publicity: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Paul Fisher could not attend, but submitted a written report.

Membership:

Chair Joanne Cronin reported that she and past-Chair Eddie Roffman are working together to resolve technical difficulties in maintaining member lists, and that she is learning as she goes. Newsletter chair George Otto and Kathi Caccavale suggested ways in which Joanne and George could assist each other in the mailing of the newsletter, to the approval of all.

Getaway: WRITTEN REPORT

Chair Mark Schaffer’s report states that after three weeks, only 30 attendee slots for Spring Getaway are left. Mark announced with joy that Deborah Graham has joined Team Getaway, as Boutique Manager.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:41, nineteen minutes ahead of schedule. The Guinness Book of World Records will be contacted. The next meeting will be held on April 4, 2017, at 8:00 p.m., at Steve Humphreys’ Presidential palace in Randolph.

Submitted in the spirit of the Project,

Jay Wilensky, Secretary