April 2021

The April 6, 2021 meeting was called to order at 8:15 pm, via Zoom, by President Elizabeth Lachowicz.

Present: Trustees: Todd Dennison, Lois DeRitter, Joe Guzzo, Pamela Zave; Officers: Elizabeth Lachowicz, Paul Fisher, Sandie Reilly, Peggy Karr, Jeff Canter; Committees: Mark Schaffer, Jay Wilensky, Gary Pratt, Mike Agranoff, George Otto, John Mahon, Leigh Walker, Bob McNally, Lindsey Meyer, Evelyn Maurer, Jean Scully, Evelyn McNally, Diane Polledri, Allan Kugel Absent: Nancy Beyer Guests Eitan Grunwald

MOTIONS MADE

• • Motion to accept March Minutes. Motion passed unanimously

  • Motion to create a new committee, the Streaming Committee chaired by Gary Pratt, from what is presently the Stayaway Subcommittee. Motion passed by a 19-1 vote.

• Motion to table discussions on the two remaining proposals until a special meeting on 4/13. Motion passed 10-6.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Treasurer's Report: (written report) Treasurer Peggy Karr had nothing to add to her written report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Shuttered Venues Operators' Grant (SVOG) Ad Hoc Committee: Chair Bob McNally reported that the application will be unveiled on 4/8, however the SBA has provided information as to what documentation needs to be submitted. With some 16,000 organizations completing the online application it may be some time before the applications are processed. Bob also described the arduous process his committee has endured to prepare for the submission, but with the possibility of up to a $94,000 grant, he felt that the effort was certainly worthwhile.

Membership:

Horses Sing None Of It:

Special Events:

Troubadour Staffing:

Event Hosting: (written report)

Publicity/Web:

Sound Reinforcement:

Archives: (written report). Chair Lindsey Meyer was contacted by a contractor who worked for a junk removal company who found our missing binder with a pictorial history of FP from 1988 to 1993. He felt that this binder was valuable and made the effort to contact FP and return the binder.

Open Stage: Chair Todd Dennison reported that they had a very successful first Virtual Open Stage with over 60 attendees 15 performers, a great opening act, a great closing sing-along by Scotty Rovner and both avirtual Main Stage and Terrace Room.

Troubadour Booking: (written report)

Community Services: (written report) Chair Evelyn Maurer reported that there is an ongoing estate sale of Carolyn Messina's of her musical treasures with the proceeds going to her niece. Website link to be provided.

Swingin’ Tern:

Newsletter: (written report)

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Proposed Motion: Stayaway Subcommittee becomes independent Streaming Committee (written report). There is an issue about how many committee chairs there would be with the addition of the Streaming Committee chair (see Bylaws Excerpt). The FP Bylaws limit this number to 13, which may be the number there are now (some members hold more than one chairmanship, which would increase the number of committees, but not the number of voting chairs). President Elizabeth Lachowicz decided to move forward with the motion in the mean time. Gary Pratt, who is now the Chairman of the Membership committee would assume the chairmanship of the new committee, so there would not be an increase in the number of voting board members (at least as long as Gary is chair). Gary clarified that the Streaming Committee would be established as a resource to support FP streaming with the expertise they have gained running the Stayaways in addition to running streaming concerts as assigned. There was a great deal of discussion as to how the committee will be structured, however, the original proposal appeared to be the best option. See MOTIONS MADE.

Proposed Motion: The FP allow indoor events of up to 25 people with proof of vaccination & safe behaviors in accordance with CDC and NJS guidelines. Precautions would also include a "hold-harmless waiver" signed by participants (written report). Mark Schaffer discussed having in home concerts limited to people who have had the required number of shots and incubation period after the shot(s). Mark tentatively scheduled performances for May. There was a great deal of discussion as to whether or not this would be too soon, and that there could be a liability issue in the case where there is unintended transmission. There was also an issue with the possibility of variants causing additional issues. There was also discussion about the use of a hold harmless waiver to protect FP from liability which Elizabeth said she would discuss the proposals/disclaimers with the FP pro bono liars lawyers . The issue was also raised that the pool of vaccinated people would be skewed to the elderly. In order to possibly meet a proposed schedule, the motion was tabled until a special meeting on 4/13. See MOTIONS MADE.

Proposed Motion: Request the expenditure of $400/yr for an annual subscription for a cloud-based Membership Platform (written report) . Proposal was tabled until the 4/13 meeting.

Discussion on the possibility of the July 4th Picnic. Tabled until the May meeting.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Next month’s meeting is Tuesday, May 4, at 8:15 p.m in cyberspace via Zoom.