Embedded Files
The meeting was called to order at 8:17 pm on February 1, by President Elizabeth Lachowicz. This meeting was held via Zoom.
ROLL CALL
Present: Trustees: Todd Dennison*, Bob McNally, Allan Kugel, Tina Ross, Pamela Zave; Officers: Elizabeth Lachowicz**, Paul Fisher**, Peggy Karr, Jeff Canter**; Committees: Mark Schaffer, Gary Pratt, Evelyn Maurer, Mike Agranoff, George Otto, John Mahon, Jean Scully, Sandie Reilly, Sam Edelston
Absent:, Leigh Walker, Lindsey Meyer, Joe Guzzo
Guests: Sacha Forgoston
*Also Committee Chair
**Also Trustee
MOTIONS MADE
Motion made to accept the January minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion made that the Board accept the Re-opening Committee’s measures and recommendations for reopening events at MUUF and in member’s homes, with the amendment that the requirement for microphone covers only apply to the Open Stage. Motion passed unanimously.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Presidential Remarks President Elizabeth Lachowicz thanked the Reopening Committee for all their hard work in creating recommendations for protective measures for reopening venues. She recommended the Board approve the package.
Treasurer's Report (written report below)
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion on FP Pandemic Response by Reopening Committee (written report below) The committee started out by specifying that the proposal covers only concerts. Events like Contra Dances and Getaways will be considered separately. Member Bob McNally reported that the committee created layered protection measures to reduce the risk to the smallest level possible. He read the list of requirements:
Compliance with MUUF, CDC, State, Federal recommendations and requirements.
Hospitals across Northern NJ not be in a state of breakdown (Metric: at least 10% of hospital ICU beds available; we should close when ICU beds are 90% full).
All attendees, Staff and Performers must fully vaccinated, and boosters are highly recommended.
Attendees, Staff and Performers will be put on notice that they must have no symptoms, no positive test within 5 days, and no known exposure to an infected or symptomatic person within 5 days.
Attendees, Staff and Performers: Wearing N-95 (or KN-95 /KF-94) masks, nose and mouth covered, required while in the building. Exception: Performers and Emcee while on-stage.
Total of Staff, Performers and Attendees not to exceed 50% of nominal capacity. Audiences should be spread out in the concert hall to maximize distancing.
There will be no formal breaks.
Food and drink will not be consumed in the building. Consumption outside is allowed.
A printed Assumption of Risk and required guest behaviors will be displayed at each event.
The emcee will announce the Assumption of Risk and required guest behaviors at each event.
Hand sanitizer will be placed at the front desk and on the refreshment tables. While food cannot be consumed indoors, outdoor consumption is allowed.
Sanitary mic covers will be used and will be changed between performers.
Ventilation should be augmented (opening doors, additional fans, filter units etc.) whenever possible. Details will be determined by venue chair of each venue.
Additional recommendation: The Committee urges the FP to provide N-95/KN95 masks for attendees who need one at a nominal cost, with distribution to be arranged by the venue chairs.
Member Mark Schaffer noted that this is the present list, and may change later. Sound Reinforcement Chair John Mahon objected to the requirement for sanitary mic covers as the CDC does not consider surface transmission a real threat. He also added that microphones are assigned to performers and not shared. He also reported that some performers do not like the covers. Mark suggested that John meet with the ad hoc committee to modify this requirement as necessary. Mark suggested that this requirement apply only to the Open Stage. Mike Agranoff requested that the "no break" requirement be revisited before April. Jean Scully felt that that requirement would cause disruption. Gary Pratt also raised concerns about providing food, which the committee also agreed to consider. With regards to the mask recommendation, President Elizabeth Lachowicz issued an executive order for the FP to provide masks for use by the venues.
NEW BUSINESS
COMMITTEE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS (Public Facing)
Troubadour (Booking) (written report below) Chair Mike Agranoff reported that he has been monitoring the hospitalization levels, and that metric looks favorable for Troubadour reopening in April. He has performers lined up for a possible reopening, Including Magpie, Windborne, Susan Werner, Beppe Gambetta, John Forster and John Gorka. He also plans on putting out a poll in May to see if prospective performers would be willing to take part in the traditional Birthday show where they would be visiting each other’s houses to rehearse.
Troubadour (Staffing) Chair Jean Scully reported that there is nothing going on with Troubadour staffing.
Swingin' Tern (written report below)
Streaming Concerts (written report below) Chair Gary Pratt reported that the March shows will mark two years of streaming events. Mark Schaffer added that in those two years they produced 500 events, generating over $150,000 for the performers. Gary asked the board for any ideas on a special show to honor the two year anniversary.
Open Stage (written report below)
Special Events (written report below) Chair Mark Schaffer is planning a home version of the Getaway, with the usual Covid related caveats. He noted that there are no Board established guidelines for this event, and he was proceeding at risk, as booking for a May event needs to begin now. He also noted that there he would maintain the ability to cancel if need be.
Horses Sing None of It
COMMITTEE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS (Operational)
Publicity (written report below) Member Mark Schaffer reported that with the submission of two more, 200 Music Alerts will have been sent out since their inception. Gary Pratt noted that, while Twitter is not reporting any activity, he noted that there he has noticed updates on the Twitter page. He inquired about adding the streaming shows notices to the Twitter feed. Twitter Administrator Jean Scully noted that Kathi Caccavale has asked to connect the Constant Comment platform to the Twitter feed, and Jean said she would provide Kathi with the credentials to access the Twitter feed.
Community Services (written report below)
Membership (written report below) Chair Todd Dennison thanked Gary Pratt for all his help acquainting him with the operation of the committee.
Newsletter (written report below)
Archives
Sound Reinforcement (written report below)
ADJOURNMENT
This meeting was adjourned at 10:02 PM. Next month’s meeting is March 1, at 8:15 PM via Zoom.
Submitted by Jeff Canter
WRITTEN COMMITTEE REPORTS
Archives
Archives
Community Services
Community Services
Hello, Everyone,
Happy Ground Hog Eve!
Nothing new for Community Service this month.
Evelyn Maurer
FP Community Service
Horses Sing None of It
Horses Sing None of It
Membership
Membership
Hello Everyone,
I'm sorry for the delay in sending this report. I have spent many hours working with Gary Pratt (thank you) to get up to speed on managing the membership database and associated tasks.
Now that I have a better understanding of how it all works I can see some ways that the process can be streamlined or improved. Details to follow next month.
As of 1/31/22, we have 223 memberships consisting of 352 people.
Todd Dennison
Membership Chair
Newsletter
Newsletter
Newsletter Committee Report 2022-02
Things are proceeding as usual with the invaluable help of Kathi Caccavale, Pat Brangs, Liz Pagan, Bill Henderson, and Gary Pratt.
Thanks,
George Otto
Folk Project Newsletter Editor
newsletter@folkproject.org
Open Stage
Open Stage
Hello Everyone,
January the FP Open Stage was virtual.
We had 14 performers and it was a successful event.
We look forward to hopefully being in person in February and building on the momentum that we had previously been experiencing.
Covid hospitalizations are falling dramatically, half what they were less than a month ago, so I remain hopeful with all the positive signs.
Todd Dennison
Publicity
Publicity
Publicity Report for the February 1, 2022 Board Meeting
Sam Edelston, January 31, 2022
Publicity Committee Members
Alicia Weimer, Deborah Graham, George Otto, Howard Goldman, Jean Scully, Jim Gartner, Joanne Cronin, Joe Guzzo, Kathi Caccavale, Liz Pagan, Loretta Brooks, Mark Schaffer, Michael Mitsch, Mike Rauchwerk, Olga Alvarez, Pat Brangs, Paul Fisher, Rebecca Rydell, Susan Lembo
Web Team Members
John Lamb, Allan Kugel, Charles Lamb, Lori Falco, Rick Thomas (emeritus Member)
Reports
Chairperson’s Report – Sam Edelston
We’re putting out a steady stream of Facebook posts for th Tuesday and Friday streaming concerts and Tina’s “Inside the Song.” FPTV will have a fresh show with Nashville singer/songwriter Dana Cooper at the end of February, which will merit some publicity, as well.
We’re looking forward to the return of in-person concerts that actually bring in revenue for The Folk Project.
E-communications – Mark Schaffer
Mark reports that the Music Alert’s numbers have been typical for our emails and some 30-day stats, as of 1/25: See Below.
Facebook – Kathi Caccavale
((I’m awaiting Kathi’s report.))
Twitter, Instagram – Jean Scully
Nothing new to report.
YouTube – Joe Guzzo
Joe says:
YouTube Channel Report for the month ending January 31, 2022
· We have 271 subscribers as of the end of January. That’s a gain of 3 subscribers in the last month.
· This month, the channel got 230 views.
· Watch time was 7.9 hours.
· I aired an interview featuring Victoria Vox on January 30. I expect our views will increase dramatically this week.
· An important milestone for our program will take place at the end of February. We will feature an interview with Dana Cooper, a well-known performer with many accolades to his name.
· Older programs are getting significant views which are pushing our numbers upward.
Web – John Lamb
John says:
January was only a moderately busy month for the website.
· We assisted Troubadour, Streaming Tuesdays, Open Stage, Inside the Song, and Folk Project TV in either adding or removing items on their various calendars and the home page.
· We assisted the new Reopening committee by creating and maintaining a mailing list for them.
· We assisted Jeff Canter with the installation of the local copy of Microsoft Office that was ordered for his computer.
As always, many thanks to Allan, Charles, Liz and Lori. Please send questions, comments and suggestions to webmaster@folkproject.org.
Merch – Paul Fisher (acting)
Nothing going on.
Facebook – Kathi Caccavale
Facebook :
The screenshot below shows stats from the FP(NJ) page, showing likes (67 new, up 702% over December) and follows (81 new, up 103% over December). December #s may have been depressed by the holidays, by fewer events and by at least two of those targeted at the FP and MUUF audiences. January increases may also be attributable to the Omicron surge, with the concomitant cancellation of in-person events driving more people back to online events.
Folk Project group: 1,488 (including several new members and visitors this month); In December and January, 71 people joined the group and 302 posted and commented.
NJ Uke Fest: 235 members; 8 people joined in December and January
Swingin’ Tern: 575 members; no new members in December or January
FPWebNumbers202202.xlsx
Sound Reinforcement
Sound Reinforcement
Sound Reinforcement Committee – February 2022 Report
No activity to report. There is no change in the status of the MUUF renovations. This continues to pause our training activities.
John Mahon
Special Events
Special Events
Booking starts this week for a commuter’s version of the Spring Acoustic Getaway, May 20-22, and NJ Uke Fest, August 26-28. Artist contracts will reflect that both events can be cancelled pending COVID threats and FP board approvals.
A marketing push for April's Tom Paxton/DonJuans concert is awaiting board decisions on COVID guidelines at the February board meeting.
Event Hosting continues its fabulous online success.
Enjoy Jay’s report below.
Thinking is welcomed: We are brainstorming a theme for a house concert series that compliments our Troubadour, Special Concerts at The Troubadour, and Streaming Tuesdays concerts series without conflicting with their artist selection. Concepts and examples are welcomed. getaway@folkproject.org.
EVENT HOSTING SUBCOMMITTEE
Submitted Joyfully by Subchair Jay Wilensky
February 2022
The Monday on-line song circle continues to gather no moss. The January 24 circle - number 89! - had over 30 participants, from Cape Cod to Washington State, and even a bloke from the UK (at 2:30 a.m. his time). And, we broke new ground with a guest appearance by ace sign-language interpreter Jody Prysock, who blew us away with her artistry as she 'terped with co-feature Lara Herskovitz.
We have exceptional guest artists booked through April 4, including Cliff Eberhardt, Pat Wictor, and Darden Smith.
The circle will be in John Hone's capable hands on two dates in February. Big thanks to John for keeping the momentum going.
The Valentine's Day Extravaganza is approaching. Because I'll be away, producer Chris Bukata has full authority over the show.
Folk on!
Submitted in the spirit of the Project,
Jay Wilensky, Event Hosting sub-chair.
Streaming Concerts
Streaming Concerts
Folk Project board members,
Since the members of the Streaming Committee have been involved with the pivot from in-person back to streaming only shows and/or the Reopening Committee, the beta test of StreamYard has been postponed. We will regroup as a committee once in-person shows resume.
Looking ahead, we will be celebrating the 2-year anniversary of Streaming Tuesdays and Troubadour Online (formerly Acoustic Stayaway) in March.
Gary
Streaming Committee chair
Swingin' Tern
Swingin' Tern
Swingin' Tern report for January:
Doug Heacock and Sacha Forgoston are leading the search for a new venue.
There are some promising possibilities, but nothing has been settled yet.
Sacha will represent Swingin' Tern at tonight's meeting.
Leigh Walker
Swingin' Tern
Treasurer
Treasurer
Hello All,
Attached is the Profit & Loss for January. It is only complete through the 21st so any transactions after that date have not been recorded in Quickbooks yet.
Our Bookkeeper is getting all the 1099's out today.
I have paid our Officers & Directors insurance and Liability insurance in full. Mostly to avoid having to write and send checks monthly. The total cost was $1747.00
I have downgraded and renewed our Quickbooks license to Pro from Advanced for a cost of $778.63 with a savings of close to $1000
Karen and I have been working on getting us up to date with our CRI Charitable standing with the state. It is a form we should have been submitting yearly to the state. We only submitted our form once in 2015. We have been able to have the earlier forms waived and are still in the process of filling out all the others and getting them submitted. The financial damage/fines are not as bad as I thought it may be thanks to Karen.
Both Karen and I have another time set aside to finalize the final classes from reducing the number from 160 down to 30 thus enabling us to down grade Quickbooks to the Pro Version. There are some things that still need to be re-named and some items in our chart of accounts that need to be moved. So yes, some things still don't make sense but we are working on it.
Lastly, anyone who has any outstanding reimbursements for 2021 please get them to me ASAP so we can close the year and start to prepare for filing our 990 to the IRS. I would like to encourage everyone to either call me with purchases so I can run them through our Credit Card and not have to reimburse you, especially recurring charges. Or get the information to me ASAP with a receipt so I can get the money back to you and we can get the information into Quickbooks so we have a more accurate picture as to what is going on with The Folk Project financially. It would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted
Peggy Karr / Treasurer
ProfitandLossbyClass.pdfTroubadour Booking
Troubadour Booking
Nothing to report, other than the trend of COVID hospitalizations in Morris County looks favorable for an April reopening of the Troubadour. Nothing certain, but favorable.
Mike Agranoff
Reopening Committee
Reopening Committee
The Reopening Committee was charged by the board with coming up with parameters for how FP Events could resume safely. Many hours were spent in research and in three lengthy meetings. The measures we recommend in this report have each been carefully considered by the committee. Taken as a whole, this report is what we recommend.
Background:
• Omicron spreads easily, but lethal illness is statistically rare in our vaccinated population.
• Our recommended requirements add extra layers of safety beyond federal, state and MUFF guidelines.
• For important social and psychological reasons, a fraction of our community already accepts the risk of attending non-Folk Project events. Attendees, Performers, and Staff who participate will acknowledge Assumption of risk by participating.
• The Folk Project benefits its members and its community by offering a comparatively safer concert alternative.
Therefore, the Re-Opening Committee unanimously recommends the board adopt this package of protective measures in order to run concerts at MUUF and in homes under the current COVID and Omicron conditions. If and when conditions change, the committee’s recommendations will need to be updated.
Additional recommendations for Swingin’ Tern and Getaway events are still under development.
1. Compliance with MUUF, CDC, State, Federal recommendations and requirements.
2. Hospitals across Northern NJ not be in a state of breakdown (Metric: at least 10% of hospital ICU beds available; we should close when ICU beds are 90% full).
3. All attendees, Staff and Performers must fully vaccinated, and boosters are highly recommended.
4. Attendees, Staff and Performers will be put on notice that they must have no symptoms, no positive test within 5 days, and no known exposure to an infected or symptomatic person within 5 days.
5. Attendees, Staff and Performers: Wearing N-95 (or KN-95 /KF-94) masks, nose and mouth covered, required while in the building. Exception: Performers and Emcee while on-stage.
6. Moved to Item 15
7. Total of Staff, Performers and Attendees not to exceed 50% of nominal capacity. Audiences should be spread out in the concert hall to maximize distancing.
8. There will be no breaks.
9. Food and drink will not be consumed in the building.
10. A printed Assumption of Risk and required guest behaviors will be displayed at each event.
11. The emcee will announce the Assumption of Risk and required guest behaviors at each event.
12. Hand sanitizer will be placed at the front desk and on the refreshment tables.
13 Sanitary mic covers will be used and will be changed between performers.
14. Ventilation should be augmented (opening doors, additional fans, filter units etc.) whenever possible. Details will be determined by venue chair of each venue.
15. Additional recommendation: The Committee urges the FP to provide N-95/KN95 masks for attendees who need one at a nominal cost, with distribution to be arranged by the venue chairs.
MOTION:
Move that the Board accept the Re-opening Committee’s measures and recommendations for reopening events at MUUF and in member’s homes.
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