February 2021

The February 2, 2021 meeting was called to order at 8:12 pm, via Zoom, by President Elizabeth Lachowicz.

ROLL CALL

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

Absent: Lindsey Meyer, Jean Scully, Allan Kugel

Guests:

MOTIONS MADE

• • Motion made to accept the January minutes. Motion passed unanimously.

TREASURER'S REPORT (written report)

Treasurer Peggy Karr spoke to bookkeeper who specializes in non-profits, who will at least help us for the short term though she is not taking on any new clients. Bookkeeper cost is about $45/hr. She stated that since this past year has been such a loss, we may not even have to do a 1099EZ. There was further discussion as to what roles are filled by an accountant, bookkeeper and data entry volunteer. Mike Agranoff volunteered to do the 1099s assuming that the relevant venue chairs got him the information promptly after the events. Peggy talked about some formal recognition for Chris Riemer for all the help that he has provided. Various ideas were discussed, which led President Elizabeth Lachowicz and Community Services Chair Evelyn Maurer agreeing to discuss the subject offline.

OLD BUSINESS

Joe Guzzo discussed renting MUF to use as a recording facility. He described using the resulting recordings in two ways; use of the FPTV show, and for use by the performers who made the recordings for broadcast or NERFA submission. FP has all the necessary equipment, and Joe and Mike Agranoff would handle all the aspects of creating the recordings. He urged the board to approve the MUF rental fees which costs $126 for two hours or $186 for three hours. The performer is not expected to contribute to the cost. He expected there to be one or, at most, two performers per month. There would be no audience. Mike expected that there would be three FP staff; camera person, sound person and host. All staff would be masked and spaced appropriately. Performers are expected to be solos or duos. Elizabeth Lachowicz requested that Mike and Joe produce a formal proposal for discussion at a future board meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

President Elizabeth Lachowicz officially changed the start time of the Board Meeting to 8:15 to allow Gary Pratt to wrap up the Tuesday night Stayaway concert.

The email distribution list issue has been taken over by Mike Agranoff.

Anyone who is interested in taking over the role of Membership Chair please contact Elizabeth.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Shuttered Venues Operators' Grant (SVOG) Ad Hoc Committee

Chair Bob McNally stated that in the process of preparing the information needed to file an application, and how they would spend the $92,000 FP could be eligible for. He discovered that the grant required the operator to have facilities with permanently fixed seating which FP does not have. He wrote to our Congressional Representative (Mikie Sherrill) to see if she could assist us by proposing an expansion of the program to include organizations like FP. He is, however, continuing to prepare for the application. He also mentioned that there are other grants available that we might qualify for.

Special Events (written report)

Folk Project Online Events Chair Gary Pratt stated that he had received a $250 payment for a membership renewal where the payment above the membership fee as a donation to the Stayaway. Additionally, based on the performers that have provided information in January, Stayaway concert performer donations have been approximately $2000. He also stated that the Stayaway concerts will be archived and accessible to viewers from the FP Facebook page. The archived performances will include donation links. Mike Agranoff requested that the amount of the performer’s take be included in future reports.

Troubadour Staffing

Event Hosting (written report)

Committee Chair Jay Wilensky talked about how the Monday Night Song Circle has grown to an average attendance of over 20 continuing members, and Chicago and Mississippi have been added to the participant location map.

Publicity/Web (written report)

Stand on Report

Sound Reinforcement (written report)

Stand on Report

Archives

Open Stage (written report)

Stand on Report

Troubadour Booking (written report)

Stand on Report

Community Services (written report)

Stand on Report

Swingin’ Tern

Nothing to Report

Newsletter (written report)

George reiterated that he welcomes all entries to the newsletter.

Membership (written report)

Stand on Report

Horses Sing None Of It

Nothing to Report

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting was adjourned at 10:18 p.m. Next month’s meeting is Tuesday, March 2, at 8 p.m in cyberspace via Zoom.

Submitted by Jeff Canter