Getaway

From: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>

Subject: Getaway Report to Board - November 2017

Date: October 27, 2017 at 6:01:03 PM EDT

To: Board FP <fullboard@folkproject.org>

Getaway Report to Board - November 2017

The Fall Getaway was a resounding success by all metrics.

We continue to exceed our financial and organizational goals and, according to surveys, member and especially newcomer expectations.

Building on our success, we are excited to report that the Committee is now working on plans to move Getaway to a new facility, The Warwick Conference Center in Warick, NY.

Warwick offers vastly improved accommodations and performance venues, better food, and beautiful grounds set amid open vistas and forests.

The committee loves Camp Bernie, but Warwick is clearly and significantly better for our program and our membership.

IMPROVEMENTS:

• 400 rural acres of meadows and forests, with mountainous vistas and hiking trails

• The vast majority of our guests will stay in two Conference Center buildings

o Comfortable and adult-appropriate semi-private rooms

o Beds with box springs, mattresses, linens, pillows and blankets

o Workshop rooms centrally located or a three-minute walk

• Improved food menu geared to adults

• A larger, more-comfortable separate concert hall - not a dining room

• For less-mobile guests, parking is plentiful and close

• Jamming spots galore: Lawns, porches, patios, gardens, gazebos, a picnic grotto

• Tent platforms in a forest setting with dedicated shower and toilet facilities.

• RV parking in delineated spots with separate accessible electricity hookups

• Outdoor pool and sports facilities

These improvements generate very few changes.

• Location: One hour north of Morristown, just across the New York/New Jersey border

o Closer than Fairview, somewhat farther than Bernie

• Tenting, bunkbeds and RVs will be 150 yards from activities

o It’s a 2-minute drive or 10-minute walk.

o Parking is plentiful and close

• The Conference Center and Concert Hall are ours alone, but the acreage, sleep-away camp, and sports facilities are shared.

o Our scheduled activities are in buildings and areas reserved for us alone.

o Two bunkbed lodges at the sleep-away camp are ours alone, but the rest of the sleep-away camp is shared.

• The price is slightly more and the impact on guests will be minimal

o Getaway is and will continue to be phenomenally inexpensive for the value delivered

o Prices have not risen in six years and 12 Getaways

o Bunkbed pricing will remain the same

o Scholarship distribution will remain the same

o Demand for private rooms can finally be met and will generate more income

o Due to the facility’s different pricing structure, a commuter discount will not be viable

Feel free to contact us for general questions and personal concerns.

The web site is: http://warwickconferencecenter.org

Mark, Robin, Elizabeth & Pat

On Nov 29, 2017, at 9:16 PM, bluesq5555 . <bluesq55@gmail.com> wrote:

Brother Mark:

I'm seeing an addendum to the November report, but not an original. I'd very much apprecite it if you'd send the original to Chris, with a copy to me.

Thanks moocho.

J

BTW, from NERFA: Enthusiastic recommendations for Getaway for Martin Kerr (potential star) and Bettman and Halpin.

*********

From: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>

Date: Fri, Nov 10, 2017 at 4:16 PM

Subject: Addendum to November Report to Board by Acoustic Getaway

To: Board FP <fullboard@folkproject.org>

Addendum to November Report to Board by The Acoustic Getaway

As reported earlier today,

we have terminated our interest in moving Getaway to The Warwick Conference Center.

Earlier today we sent them notification

and asked Chris to send a deposit to Camp Bernie.

Mark & Robin

Begin forwarded message:

From: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>

Subject: Cancelling Interest in Your Facility

Date: November 10, 2017 at 12:56:42 PM EST

To: "Sandra Spear. Guest Svcs Coordinator" <wccreservations@optimum.net>

Sandra,

We learned today that The Warwick Conference Center is affiliated with the RCA, which is taking a determined stand against gay marriage. Out of consideration for our members who are gay and for our gay members whose lives have been blessed with the sacrament of marriage, we will not pursue a contract with your facility.

Sincerely,

Mark & Robin Schaffer

for the Folk Project and The Acoustic Getaway Committee