The meeting was called to order at 8:25 PM on December 2nd  by President Elizabeth Lachowicz.  This meeting was held via Zoom.

ROLL CALL

Present: Loretta Brooks, Jeff Canter, Todd Dennison, Sam Edelston, Paul Fisher, Doug Heacock, Jeff Jonas, Allan Kugel, Elizabeth Lachowicz, John Mahon, Bob McNally, George Otto, Sandie Reilly, Tina Ross, Mark Schaffer, Robin Schaffer, Jean Scully, Pamela Zave

Absent: Mike Agranoff, Christine DeLeon   

Guests:  John Lamb, Peggy Karr, Marshall Chaifetz, Steve Humphreys, Pat Brangs, Olga Alvarez, Ned Levine, Bill Cox, Dave Bongiovanni

MOTIONS MADE

• The minutes of the October 2025 monthly meeting were approved (with clarified wording on the Newsletter committee report) with two abstentions.  Motion by Jeff Canter, second by Mike Agranoff.

• A motion to adjourn was made at 9:51 PM and approved unanimously.

OVERVIEW 

President Elizabeth Lachowicz welcomed all who were present and explained how the dual meeting and the elections to the Board would occur.  First is the Annual meeting, where annual committee reports are given and where Folk Project members elect Trustees to the Board.  The second is the regular December meeting, where regular business and monthly committee reports are presented and where officers and committee chairs are elected to the Board. 

ANNUAL REPORTS

Treasurer Jeff Jonas reported that, even though this is the Annual Meeting, the books for 2025 do not close until 12/31 and the 2025 report will not be available until February.  The Folk Project is in a strong financial position at the end of 2025.  Peggy and Karen are still helping a lot with the associated transition work.  Our success has forced us out of the short form tax return we have been using and into the long form, which takes a lot more work to fill out.  Mike Agranoff is handing off the position of representative to the State of New Jersey for our tax-exempt status.  We are monitoring merchandise sales to ensure compliance with NJ sales tax regulations.

President Elizabeth Lachowicz commented that the hard work done by all of us has moved the post-CoViD Folk Project from survival to thriving in a space where many other small venues have disappeared.  The ideas, work and sense of community of all of our volunteers have brought us back and help us foresee a bright future for next year.  Old friends have come back and new ones are joining and she thanks all who made this year a success.

Sound Reinforcement Chair John Mahon told us that we successfully provided really good sound for 51 or more shows.  The biggest challenge was moving to the new technology in Chu Hall, which also turned out well.  Providing both audio and video support for the Getaway for both local sound and streaming was another success.

Open Stage Chair and Membership Chair Todd Dennison reported that Open Stage is rocking and rolling with more performers than we can handle.  Membership is moving to the cloud with a provider that will handle memberships, renewals, payments, reminders and a digital membership card all online.

Newsletter Chair George Otto reports that the Newsletter goes out on a regular basis to all members, so the work is obvious.  Sometimes there is a hiccup with the Post Office but it mostly goes smoothly.  A second goal of the Newsletter, besides printing Folk Project news, is to mention other folk activities in the area.  The Newsletter binds us to our members and to similar organizations.

Future Planning Committee Co-Chair Robin Schaffer stated that they submitted a long written report but wanted to emphasize that their mission is to test new ideas on how to improve the Folk Project.  They have decided on a strategic focus in converting new Troubadour attendees into active community members. Co-Chair Bob McNally added that a lot of little things add up to real movement.  For the third year in a row, the Folk Project had a showcase room at NERFA and each year we get more recognition among the performers.

Horses Sing None Of It Chair Sandie Reilly told us that it had been a long time since she had anything to report but last month HSNOI taped for the first time in years.  They collected 3 hours of interviews and 12 hours of performances at NERFA and partnered with the Big Orange Tarp group for recording space.  This will be edited down to two or more ½-hour segments for broadcast.  She pointed out that there is a written report with more detail.

Publicity Chair Sam Edelston told us that the committee has been very busy and it is all covered in his written report.    Sam wanted to recognize John Lamb for the continuous work done on the website and to Faith Heisler for her work on press releases.  He added that the Folk Project Memoir book will not be offered for sale for a while for tax reasons, but it will be back in the future.  The progress seen by the Publicity team and the whole Folk Project over the past year has been wonderful.

Swingin’ Tern Chair Doug Heacock reported that attendance has increased about 16% over last year, to an average of around 50 dancers.  While they still have a mix of lightly and heavily attended dances, they have been booking a higher caliber of artists and the additional attendees have turned around their numbers from a loss of about $1000 in 2024 to a profit of about $1600 in 2025.  They are getting a good reputation among performers, many of whom are now reaching out for slots at ST.  They have a large group of regular volunteers that make things happen.

Troubadour and Special Events Chair Mark Schaffer told us that concert attendance is up 50% in 2025 and that the venue is highly desired by performers.  Also, he has been able to double performer pay and has been trying out shows with two main artists instead of an opener and a main act.  The additional income will be re-invested into future shows.  He is also looking into creating a “song therapy” program for veterans with PTSD, which is being developed with the Rotary.

Troubadour Staffing Chair Jean Scully reported that the big growth in attendance requires a lot more work for the volunteers and the number of volunteers has not caught up to the load yet.  She also proposed buying additional equipment (tables, coffee pots, etc.) to be used only for Folk Project events to avoid issues when MUUF equipment is in use elsewhere.  Jean has also identified a critical need for more sound crew volunteers and proposed a workshop to train new members. 

ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

Elizabeth explained that all Folk Project members present and good standing can vote for the Trustee candidates.  Every year, three of the nine Trustee terms expire and the proposed candidates voted on.  In addition, any Trustees who step down before the end of their 3-year term need to be replaced.  Allan Kugel, whose term is expiring and who is not continuing as a trustee, was commended for his decades of service.  Mike Agranoff and Christine DeLeon are stepping down and will not complete their current terms (through 2027).  Nominees for Trustee through 2028 are Jeff Canter, Paul Fisher and Steve Humphreys.  Nominees to complete the terms (through 2027) of Mike and Christine are Andrew Dunn and Marshal Chaifetz.

A call for nominations from the floor brought no new names and Elizabeth asked for anyone opposed to the five candidates.  There were none opposed, so the list was elected.  This concluded the Annual Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING

A motion to adjourn was made and passed at 21:44.

 REGULAR DECEMBER MEETING

The regular December meeting was called to order at 21:45.

MOTIONS MADE

A motion to accept the minutes of the November meeting was entered and approved unanimously with 2 abstentions.

Election of new officers was completed.

Election of Committee Chair Directors was completed.

DECEMBER MONTHLY REPORTS

Sound Reinforcement Chair John Mahon stood on his written report.

Open Stage and Membership Chair Todd Dennison stood on his written report

Newsletter Chair George Otto stood on his report but described an issue this month with the electronic delivery.

Future Planning Committee Co-Chair Robin Schaffer stood on her report.

Horses Sing None Of It Chair Sandie Reilly stood on her report.

Publicity Chair Sam Edelston stood on his report but added some comments on the Click Clique.

Swingin’ Tern Chair Doug Heacock stood on his report

Troubadour and Special Events Chair Mark Schaffer stood on his report but added that Ken Galipeau will be taking over the Getaway subcommittee.

Troubadour Volunteer Chair Jean Scully reported that she wants to make the Volunteer experience better for those who cannot see the concert by getting audio and possibly video piped into the lobby.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Only the 9 incoming Trustees can vote for officers.  The Nominations Committee slate of Elizabeth (President), Mark (Vice-President), Jeff Jonas (Treasurer) and Jeff Canter (Secretary) was modified because Jeff Canter had to withdraw due to a family emergency.  Elizabeth nominated current Secretary Paul Fisher in Jeff’s place and Paul accepted.  Elizabeth asked for any nominations from the floor, of which there were none.  All 9 incoming Trustees voted yay, approving the final slate.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Both the incoming Trustees and the incoming Officers are allowed to vote on the rest of the Directors and Committee Chairs.  The Nominations Committee slate showed all of the current Directors and Committee Chairs continuing from last year.  Elizabeth asked for any votes in opposition and any abstentions.  There were none and the following slate was elected.

Future Planning -- Robin Schaffer & Bob McNally

Horses Sing None of It -- Sandie Reilly

Newsletter -- George Otto

Open Stage -- Todd Dennison

Publicity -- Sam Edelston

Sound Reinforcement -- John Mahon

Special Events -- Mark Schaffer

Swingin' Tern -- Doug Heacock

Troubadour -- Mark Schaffer

Troubadour Staffing -- Jean Scully

END OF MEETING

Elizabeth thanked all for their hard work in the past and looks forward to 2026.

A motion to adjourn was approved at 10:12 PM.

The next meeting will be on Zoom on January 6th, 2026.

Paul Fisher, Secretary

FUTURE PLANNING

HORSES SING NONE OF IT

MEMBERSHIP

NEWSLETTER

OPEN STAGE

PUBLICITY

SOUND REINFORCEMENT

SWINGIN' TERN

TROUBADOUR AND SPECIAL EVENTS

TROUBADOUR VOLUNTEERS