January 2021

The January 5, 2021 meeting was called to order at 8:26 pm, via Zoom, by President Elizabeth Lachowicz.

ROLL CALL

Present: Trustees: Todd Dennison, Lois DeRitter, Allan Kugel, 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, Lindsey Meyer,

Absent: Leigh Walker, Jean Scully,

Guests: John Lamb, Bob McNally

MOTIONS MADE

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

  • Motion made to establish the Save Our Stages Grant Committee as an official Ad Hoc committee. Motion passed with one abstention.

TREASURER'S REPORT (written report)

Treasurer Peggy Karr added that the Vanguard account has increased in value and we also got a grant from Morris Arts. She brought up the issue of who would accept the snail mail from the Post Office, which Paul volunteered to handle.

OLD BUSINESS

Email distribution lists Gary Pratt asked for volunteers to help him figure out how to handle the board mailing lists. President Elizabeth Lachowicz stated that she would discuss the issues with Gary, and that anyone who would like to provide input to get in touch with Gary.

NEW BUSINESS

“Save Our Stages” Grant Committee (written report)

Committee chair Bob McNally spoke about the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant section of the Federal Covid Relief Bill that provides funds for live performance venues which have been shuttered by the Pandemic. The bill created tiers based on the percentage of revenue lost which determined the order of application for relief. He stated that FP met all the requirements for a public organization which provides live entertainment. There are issues with what constitutes revenue which have not yet been determined by the SBA which he felt that we need a professional accountant to determine. Elizabeth noted that we already have an approval for hiring a professional accountant, and this task could be added to their responsibilities.

[Secretary's note: Future minutes will include this committee in the COMMITTEE REPORTS section under the heading "Ad Hoc SOS Grant"]

Video-recording performers using FP facilities Video-recording performers using FP facilities: Mike Agranoff was approached by former Board Member Pam Robinson with information of an upcoming program she is working on for NERFA. Details of the program are still in the formative stage, but the main gist is that NERFA will be soliciting one-song videos of from artists to be webcast, with the intent that they be viewed by presenters as well as the general public. Song submissions will be judged on video quality as well as artistic merits. The Folk Project has two setups with the facilities to produce higher quality videos than most artists can make at home, at MUF and at HSNOI. Pam thought we might offer these services to members and other area performers to produce a live performance set of 30 to 60 minutes, from which they could extract one song with high quality video that would enhance their chances at being selected for NERFA365.

According to Sandie, the HSNOI equipment and situation would not be useable for such a purpose due to the lack of accessibility of the equipment during the pandemic, and the steep learning curve to operate the equipment. However, MUF has facilities that could be used with existing staff for such a purpose. Mike has inquired to MUF about permission and costs.

Mike considered several ways this could be done: 1. A stand-alone program 2. Reexamining the Troubadour Online concept. 3. Folding such videos into the Stayaway schedule. 4. Or folding such videos into into the FP Television schedule. The last seemed the best option, so he proposed that to Joe Guzzo. Joe liked the idea. Mike and Joe will iron out the details and come up with a more concrete proposal next month. As such, the NERFA365 submission would be reduced to an ancillary benefit to the artists, with the primary benefit being a high quality FP Television episode.

Covid Policy - Stage One Elizabeth spoke about the need to be able to open the venues safely, and that the basis for any venue opening would depend on a board decision. She suggested setting bench marks with an eye toward maximizing Covid safety. She felt that if adequate bench marks were established and met, committee chairs could decide to open a venue. Mike suggested that we take a month to consider the implications of this proposal. This was followed by a much discussion as to how a venue could open, how compliance to Covid protocols would be met, and on whose authority. The issue was tabled to allow for further consideration.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Troubadour Staffing

Event Hosting (written report)

Stand on Report

Jay added that they have now produced 40 Virtual Song Circles.

Publicity/Web (written report)

Stand on Report

Sound Reinforcement

Nothing to report.

Archives

Nothing to report.

Open Stage (written report)

Stand on Report

Troubadour Booking (written report)

Stand on Report

Community Services (written report)

Community Services Chair Evelyn Maurer reported that Carolyn Messina passed away December 17th, and there was a memorial for her on January 4th.

Swingin’ Tern

Newsletter (written report)

Stand on Report.

George encouraged people to submit their events to the Newsletter, noting the Virtual Song Circle's success in attracting participants.

Membership

Horses Sing None Of It

Nothing to report

Special Events (written report)

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting was adjourned at 9:54 p.m. Next month’s meeting is Tuesday, February 2, at 8 p.m in cyberspace via Zoom.

Submitted by Jeff Canter