The meeting was called to order at 8:17 PM on June 3rd, by Vice-President Mark Schaffer.  This meeting was held via Zoom.

ROLL CALL

Present: Mike Agranoff, Jeff Canter, Christine DeLeon, Sam Edelston, Paul Fisher, Doug Heacock, Jeff Jonas, Allan Kugel, John Mahon, Bob McNally, George Otto, Sandie Reilly, Tina Ross, Mark Schaffer, Robin Schaffer and Pamela Zave

Absent: : Loretta Brooks, Todd Dennison, Elizabeth Lachowicz, Jean Scully

Guests: None

MOTIONS MADE

• The minutes of the July 2025 monthly meeting were approved with one abstention.

• A motion to adjourn was made at 9:14 PM and approved unanimously.

ADMINISTRATIVE OVERVIEW 

• Secretary

  • A motion was entered to accept the minutes of the July 2025 meeting.    

    • It was approved with one abstention.

• Treasurer

  • Jeff reported that all reimbursements are done.

  • Peggy and Jeff are continuing to improve the reimbursement process.

  • They need to make the reimbursement forms electronically available in the Back Office.

  • Otherwise, he stood on his written report.

NEW  BUSINESS

• None

OLD BUSINESS

• None

COMMITTEE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS 

Publicity/Web

·         Sam stood on his written report.

Future Planning

·         Robin stood on her written report.

Swingin’ Tern

·         Doug stood on his report but added that they had their first cash-positive month of the year.

o   The push for more varied performers and more nationally known performers appears to be working out.

·         The dance sponsored by Mike had 90 dancers for the first time and they had three full lines dancing.

·         He added that recent dancers had about 10 New Yorkers because the New  York dance is closed for the summer.

o   He hopes some will continue in the Fall.

o   Attendance overall has been up.

o   New York may have switched their weekends and will not compete with Swingin’ Tern.

o   Being close to the train may have helped and people may continue coming.

·         Mark asked if Doug had noticed any change in the demographics of the dancers.

o   Doug said they are still getting a low number of young people (40’s or under) but do get some “20-somethings”.

o   Greg Moore is planning to contact FDU and Drew when classes resume.

o   New people still come via Meet-Up and some of them keep coming back.

Sound Reinforcement

·         John wasn’t sure he had anything to scream about.

·         His written report will be coming later, so here is a verbal summary.

·         There were no problems to report this month.

·         Mark complemented the Sound crew on the Kingston Trio concert despite a challenging setup and it being a new hall.

o   Larry did the house sound and John handled the streaming mix.

·         He also included video and lighting in the complement.

o   Alex West from MUUF handled the lights and Paul ran the video.

·         Mike watched the video of his performance and said for once he thought there could have been more guitar in the mix.

·         Bob said that streaming audio will always sound different from the live audio in the room because there is no direct acoustic sound happening.

o   He thinks a discussion is in order about having a couple of room sound mics to add to the streaming mix.

o   John responded that there are two installed in the ceiling of the Sanctuary but none in Chu Hall.

o   He also said that it is difficult to hear because he is actually sitting in the room and hearing the live sound as well, even with headphones on.

·         Mark added that a professional told him the streaming audio was “very dry” and could use a touch of reverb.

o   John pointed out that this is actually very hard because the reverb in the mixer is added on each channel separately and would need constant monitoring.

o   It would not be a simple thing to do and would require another “half” volunteer to implement.

o   It might also affect the mix in the room as well as the online sound.

Newsletter

·         George sat on his report but added that he sometimes wonders if people are expecting more detail in his report.

o   Michael said, “Less is more”.

Special Events and Troubadour

·         Mark submitted a written report but decided to explain it further.

·         Evenings of Music have been great.

·         The July 4th Picnic shows a lot of new people are turning out.

·         This year, it is Troubadour rather than Getaway bringing in new people.

·         Mark spoke again about his budgeting process.

·         Mike commented that we should consider including more member-performers for Troubadour.

·         Mike also started a discussion about the declining number of members signing up to play at the Birthday Show, especially some of the better players.

o   Discussion referred to some issues:

§  Travel time to rehearse is too unpredictable.

§  Too little time between the picnic and the show to rehearse.

§  Mark brought up the conflict with Falcon Ridge, which at least 3 members mentioned to him.

§  Pamela suggested changing the format to be more like some of the successful show.

·         Discussion veered off to other member events.

o   A lot of suggestions were given to Mike and Mark.

Horses Sing None of It

Sandie reported that there was nothing to report.

LAST MINUTE DISCUSSIONS

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting  proper was adjourned at  09:14  PM. Next month’s meeting is September 2nd, at 8:15 PM, via Zoom. 

Submitted by Paul Fisher

FUTURE PLANNING

OPEN STAGE

PUBLICITY

SOUND REINFORCEMENT

STREAMING CONCERTS

Swingin Tern

Treasurer