June 2021

The June 1, 2021 meeting was called to order at 8:15 pm, via Zoom, by President Elizabeth Lachowicz.

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

MOTIONS MADE

• • Motion made to accept May Minutes. Motion passed unanimously

  • Motion made to allow Mike Agranoff to open the Troubadour in accordance to the listed caveats [see New Business]. Motion passed unanimously.

  • Motion made to allow the FP venues to bypass the previous 25 person limit in favor of using NJ guidelines [see Old Business]. Motion passed unanimously.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Meeting Participation and Rules of Engagement: President Elizabeth Lachowicz discussed how Board Members should behave and that they should treat each other with courtesy and respect. One of the changes she instituted was to have requests to speak be queued by Vice President Paul Fisher so that she could concentrate on her responses. Lindsey Meyer listed the rules of engagement that were previously adopted by the Board.

Treasurer's Report: (written report) Peggy's report was quoted by President Elizabeth Lachowicz as follows in regards to the $5000 anonymous donation: "I suggest [the donation be clarified as] a one-time 'other income' distribution of $3800 to Troubadour and $1200 to OpenStage to help offset any income short fall or to be used as each Committee feels appropriate".

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Shuttered Venues Operators' Grant (SVOG) Ad Hoc Committee: Chair Bob McNally reported that the FP has been unable to file an application to the SVOG due to not having any paid employees. They have reached out to the Small Business Development Center to see if the SBDC found an issue with the Small Business Administration's interpretation of Congress' intent, but they do not feel that it that there is a real possibility that it will change the outcome.

Membership: (written report) There was an increase in the number of memberships for the first time since the Pandemic. He also reported that Mike Agranoff converted the membership list from FileMaker to Excel for use in the Join It cloud platform, and that he and Eitan have identified a number of action items with the data and the platform that they are addressing.

Streaming:

Horses Sing None Of It:

Special Events: (written report) Chair Mark Schaffer remarked that a Troubadour at Home concert, after 15 minutes feels natural. He also announced that they have reduced admission to $10, changed the start time to 7:30 PM and the creel has been brought back to subsidize the performer's compensation. Mike mentioned that the camera used in HSNOI is much better then the one used at TaH, and wondered if it was possible to borrow that. Gary Pratt said he would look into that.

Troubadour Staffing:

Publicity/Web: Trustee and FP You Tube Administrator Joe Guzzo reported that he is starting to schedule new performer interviews for the FP YouTube show which attracts a lot of attention to the show and provides income to the performers. He encourages performers, or anyone who knows performers, to contact him regarding scheduling an interview.

Sound Reinforcement:

Archives:

Open Stage:

Troubadour Booking: (written report)

Community Services: Chair Evelyn Maurer wanted to remind everyone that the Carolyn Messina musical equipment estate sale is still continuing. She is still having computer problems, so she requests that anyone wanting to contact her do so by phone or text.

Swingin’ Tern: (written report) Chair Leigh Walker will also check COVID vaccination cards at the door.

Newsletter: (written report) Chair George Otto is working to keep the Newsletter event schedule accurate, and requested that people submitting event announcements keep him up to date, and be sure to add any Covid requirements.

OLD BUSINESS

Current CDC Guidelines – Motion to adjust accordingly Special Events Chair Mark Schaffer reported that the original motion as approved by the Board limited the audience to 25. The limit of vaccinated people present at all Folk Project venues and events be as defined as the number allowed under New Jersey COVID guidelines at the time of each event. Vice President Paul Fisher stated that the NJ limit of 250 people will exceed any Folk Project venue.

Bylaws and Board Size Trustee Pamela Zave reported that she completed her report and that the Board is presently in compliance with the Bylaws. Secretary Jeff Canter reported that the Bylaws have been updated and there is now an official Board Directors page on the Wiki.

July 4th Picnic: Elizabeth Lachowicz reported that the annual Folk Project July 4th picnic is a go(!!) and that Jay Wilensky has requested that attendees RSVP to him.

NEW BUSINESS

Reopen Troubadour: Troubadour Booking Chair Mike Agranoff quoted his proposal as follows:

"I propose that the Troubadour resume its weekly schedule of concerts, Open Stages, and other such events starting Friday, September 3 under the following conditions.

• All attendees, staff, and performers must have received their final vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to the date of the show.

• There will be no limits on attendance other than the capacity of the room, or any social distancing requirements.

• Wearing of masks will be optional.

We may decide to reverse or alter this decision if COVID conditions warrant it, and all performers booked will be cautioned of this possibility."

Archives Chair Lindsey Meyer asked how vaccination status would be verified, and Mike said he expected to check vaccination documents personally. There was considerable discussion about checking Covid cards, and the consensus of the Board was that it was reassuring to the public and performers if this was done. After Mark Schaffer's presentation [see Old Business], Mike agreed that Mark's proposal will supersede his attendance requirements.

Website Update: Webmaster John Lamb reported that we have reached the point where the new website effort, which had been suspended while waiting for things to open up again, needed to be restarted. The old website, which he had originally planned to be supported until September 1, will no longer be supported to concentrate on the launch of the new website. In order to try to bring the new site on line earlier, he requested that anybody with content for the new website contact him immediately. Anyone wishing to comment on the format should wait until June 15 to do so, by which time the site design should be more stable than it is at present. The website is presently new.folkproject.org.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Next month’s meeting is Tuesday, July 6, at 8:15 p.m. in cyberspace via Zoom.