Special Events

From: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>

Sent: Monday, August 31, 2020 8:33 PM

To: Board FP <fullboard@folkproject.org>

Subject: Special Events Committee Report to Board - September 2020

Dear Board Friends,

The Stayaway had another great, busy and successful month.

The Team is enjoying their work and each other.

Here is the report.

Enjoy,

Mark

Special Events Committee Report to Board

September 2020

Stayaway streaming concerts Tuesdays & Fridays in August:

• Crys Matthews

• Christine Lavin

• Del Rey

• Rachael Kilgour

• Trout Fishing in America

• Don Henry

• Connie Kaldor

• Martin Swinger.

Attendance is dependent on the act and ranges from a low of 35 to a high of 357

Programming:

Monday’s Sing-Along, Thursday’s Songwriters Circle, and Sundays Folk Project Television Show continue with good attendance and a fulfilling mission. FPTV deserves a bigger audience. It’s presenting a wonderful selection of Horses shows, original interviews, and some member videos, too.

Staffing:

“Chairman Me” has turned over many executive functions to Gary Pratt. After I book the artists, Gary becomes artist liaison and will host all concerts going forward. Much appreciation to Deborah Graham, who was hosted Friday concerts for several months. Deborah will be a backup host when needed.

Tech:

Gary and Kathi Caccavale continue to work on procedures to initiate a single Folk Project platform for all streaming broadcasts. There are multiple advantages to a consistent platform.

The initial attempts were too labor intensive for our volunteers and the performers. Next attempts will be streamlined. If the new procedures remain labor intensive, the Stayaway will go back to using whatever platform the performer uses in their normal streaming. Stay tuned.

Hackers found the Stayaway and attempted to steal donations at Christine Lavin’s concert. The Team had been warned months earlier and was prepared to a small degree. Gary, Kathi, John Lamb and I mounted a largely successful defense. New procedures should make hacking less likely and less successful. We can never be entirely safe.

Donations:

• As noted before, an anonymous donor contributed The Stayaway has distributed most of a $1,000 anonymous donation to performers. $46 is given to each performer after each concert.

• An additional anonymous donor has donated an additional $500 to the Stayaway. This, too, will be distributed in the same fashion, $46 to each performer.

• The chair and team would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to these donors for supporting the program and the artists so generously.

Gratitude:

The Stayaway Team is Gary Pratt, Kathi Caccavale, Todd Dennison, Jean Scully, Bob McNally, John Lamb, Jay Wilensky, David Kleiner, Joe Guzzo, Robin Schaffer and “Chairman Me," Mark Schaffer. The Team got regular thanks and compliments from fans, performers, agents and the board. We do every month and are grateful for all the support.

This month’s favorite message among many was a partial note from John Hone: “Thanks again for creating the stay away! I am a better guitarist, performer and song writer for it. Gratitude and thanks.” John is a regular attendee of Stayaway’s workshops and concerts.

From: Pam Robinson <pamsafranek@gmail.com>

Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2020 9:27 PM

To: FP Full Board <FullBoard@folkproject.org>

Subject: Tribute to the NJUF from the MorristownGreen.com

Dear FP Board,

The following link is to an article in the MorristownGreen.com about the New Jersey Uke Fest, which has been held on this weekend for the prior 4 years. It is a great tribute to the fest over the past few years and the authors yearning to once again go to the fest in the future.

https://morristowngreen.com/2020/08/29/ukuleles-in-the-time-of-covid-no-festival-this-year-but-heres-a-smile/

Pam Robinson

Former NJUF Director

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