The FP's Back Office - The Newname Committee

The Newname Committee

Post date: Mar 17, 2019 3:44:14 PM

From: Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2019 2:23 PM
To: Folk Project <fullboard@folkproject.org>; John Lamb <johnlamb@aol.com>; Lisa Hallman <hallmanlicorice@msn.com>; Kathleen Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>
Subject: Newname Committee Daily Nudge - Day 2

Hi Fellow Boardies,

Responses to newname@folkproject.org have been slow in arriving so far. We hope that this is because you all are thinking up wonderful names.

To get your juices flowing, here is something that might work: use a dictionary. One example would be to go to the page where "minstrel" is listed and look for words that sound similar and expand from there. Ten minutes there produced the following thoughts (feel free to steal them, the Committee will not be contributing suggestions).

mirthful miscellany miscible mistral

the something mob all in moderation moderato modulate or modulation

mohair -- as adjective mole-in-the-ground molecular something molten something

moment momentary monkey wrench morning glory

morning star mosquito something motley

Or steal from song titles or song lyrics:

Bound for Glory
Moments of Magic
Four Winds, Four Strong Winds
Links on the Chain
Small Circle of Friends
Power and the Glory
That's What I Want to Hear
Singin' On This Song
A Little of This and That
Lift Every Voice, Lift Every Voice and Sing
The Drinking Gourd
Get Up and Go

This is our chance to take a few days and come up with something unique. If nothing inspires us, "Folk Project Friday Concerts" will stand and we will move on to making the changes accordingly.

Gary and Paul

From: 'Bob McNally' via Fullboard - Current and some former board members <fullboard@folkproject.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2019 4:31 PM
To: Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Cc: Folk Project <fullboard@folkproject.org>; John Lamb <johnlamb@aol.com>; Lisa Hallman <hallmanlicorice@msn.com>; Kathleen Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>
Subject: Re: Newname Committee Daily Nudge - Day 2

More stimulation for the name imagineers, here are some name design considerations, a good new name should address as many as possible (and others might think of more considerations).

Avoid socially tainted names, and names that create exclusion.
Use our existing brand recognition.
Maintain what continuity we can with the series formerly known as Mxxxxxxx.
Avoid confusion with names other events of ours.
Be as concise a name as possible.
Get a strong majority to agree.
Poetic would be nice.
Memorable or distinctive is good too.
Evoking our unique brand of music, fun, community and happiness would be sweet!

Bob

From: Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2019 8:14 PM
To: Bob McNally <bobmcnally@me.com>; newname@folkproject.org
Cc: Folk Project <fullboard@folkproject.org>; John Lamb <johnlamb@aol.com>; Lisa Hallman <hallmanlicorice@msn.com>; Kathleen Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>
Subject: Re: Newname Committee Daily Nudge - Day 2

Hi Bob,

Thanks for helping us focus on coming up with better names.

Paul

From: Elly Faden <elly.faden@folkproject.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2019 5:05 PM
To: Bob McNally <bobmcnally@me.com>
Cc: Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>; Folk Project <fullboard@folkproject.org>; John Lamb <johnlamb@aol.com>; Lisa Hallman <hallmanlicorice@msn.com>; Kathleen Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>
Subject: Re: Newname Committee Daily Nudge - Day 2

Is there a way to be able to see the other names submitted? We might be able to get ideas from one another, too.

🌳 Elly

From: Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2019 12:55 PM
To: Folk Project <fullboard@folkproject.org>; Kathleen Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>; Lisa Hallman <hallmanlicorice@msn.com>; John Lamb <johnlamb@aol.com>
Subject: Newname Committee Daily Nudge - Day 3

Hi Fellow Boardies!

It seems the pump has been primed and we are starting to get a steady flow of great ideas.

Keep it up!

Thanks.

Gary and Paul

From: Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 8:57 AM
To: Folk Project <fullboard@folkproject.org>; Lisa Hallman <hallmanlicorice@msn.com>; Kathleen Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>; newname@folkproject.org
Subject: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

Hi All,

We have received a minimum of 150 suggestions in the last week and we thank all of you for your many thoughtful and creative contributions. It is time to move on to the next step and narrow down the field.

We will no longer receive additional suggestions after 9 AM tomorrow (Friday, 3/22).

So if you have a real nugget and have been procrastinating this will be last call for you to email it to newname@folkproject.org.

Gary and Paul

From: Elly Faden <elly.faden@folkproject.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 10:37 AM
To: Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Cc: Folk Project <fullboard@folkproject.org>; Lisa Hallman <hallmanlicorice@msn.com>; Kathleen Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>; newname@folkproject.org
Subject: Re: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

Well, here I go again. We have a board of about 20+ (or so it seems) and 2 will get to vote on the new name? How about listing the names and taking a tally? You can then accept the results or still choose the one you want.

By the way, listing the names and collecting input should be a simple, simple process.

Please don’t yell at me and this is all I will say.

In recovery,

🌳 Elly

From: Lori Falco <lwfalco@optonline.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 12:23 PM
To: Elly Faden <elly.faden@folkproject.org>; Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Cc: Folk Project <fullboard@folkproject.org>; Lisa Hallman <hallmanlicorice@msn.com>; Kathleen Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>; newname@folkproject.org
Subject: Re: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

I agree with Elly. This is too important a decision to be decided by just two people

Lori

From: DAVID Heistand <dheistand@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 5:11 PM
To: Lori Falco <lwfalco@optonline.net>; Elly Faden <elly.faden@folkproject.org>; Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Cc: Folk Project <fullboard@folkproject.org>; Lisa Hallman <hallmanlicorice@msn.com>; Kathleen Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>; newname@folkproject.org
Subject: Re: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

What is this giant assumption that "two people" will decide the name to replace Minstrel? Elly, you seem to have misunderstood the whole process, and Lori, you seem to be attempting to expand on the misunderstanding and to cause ill will to undermine the valid process that Paul has put into place.

How about taking a few moments to review the whole picture and the facts before jumping in with accusations. Or better yet, ask somebody personally. Phone call?

Dave H.

From: Mark Schaffer <markschaffer100@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 1:53 PM
To: Lori Falco <lwfalco@optonline.net>
Cc: Elly Faden <elly.faden@folkproject.org>; Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>; fullboard@folkproject.org; Lisa Hallman <hallmanlicorice@msn.com>; Kathi Caccavale <kathi@sumcom.org>; newname@folkproject.org
Subject: Re: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

Dear Board,

Paul as president is chairing an ad hoc committee that is providing sensible order and process to a matter that was mismanaged by Mike, the committee chair, as evidenced by the board’s first vote at the meeting - and then rushed by Mike and the board on a second vote. Our president stepped up and with board e-support is providing an open procedure to address the mess. I hope the board speaks up and defends him.

The board spent two years discussing the difference between reasonable oversight and what is the intrusive undermining of champions who are accomplishing their mission. We left behind an era of divisiveness with a lot of introspection and a few ground rules.

This undermining of what has been an open and fair process by our president and new name champion is quite reminiscent of what we worked hard to leave behind.

I support Paul.

Please do the same

Mark

From: 'Jean Scully' via Fullboard - Current and some former board members <fullboard@folkproject.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 3:20 PM
To: markschaffer100@gmail.com; lwfalco@optonline.net
Cc: fullboard@folkproject.org; hallmanlicorice@msn.com; kathi@sumcom.org; newname@folkproject.org
Subject: Re: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

I support Paul on this. The ad hoc committee has solicited input; they've gotten 150 name suggestions. I believe that as intelligent, well-educated people who've had a long history with FP, they'll pick a good name. And if it's Folk Project Friday Concerts, I'm okay with that too.

The spasms of backbiting and infighting that we've gone through over the last few years has stemmed, in my opinion, from people forgetting that we are all friends here, we're all intelligent people and we're ALL CAPABLE OF DOING OUR JOBS, THANKS. This was a task that was assigned to the ad hoc committee headed up by Paul, and I'd seriously like to recommend that we all back the hell up and let him do his job. I don't want a repeat of the last two years, with people lecturing a lawyer with decades of experience about what the law is, or nitpicking programs that are being run successfully because they think that somewhere, somehow, there must be some hidden problem. There was utter chaos going on over this name change; Paul, AS THE PRESIDENT, has imposed order and a process and is following that very sensible process. What's the point of having officers and champions if they're constantly being undermined?

Jean

From: The Minstrel <mike.agranoff@folkproject.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 5:24 PM
To: fullboard@folkproject.org
Subject: FW: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

And I, for one, am more than glad for his management.

Mike Agranoff
Program Chair
The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series
Morristown, NJ. USA
www.Minstrel.FolkProject.org

From: George Otto <g_otto@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 8:16 PM
To: FPboard <fullboard@folkproject.org>
Cc: George Otto <GeorgeOtto@mac.com>
Subject: Re: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

I am confused...

Often, when a board is asked to decide on an issue that is more complex than can be handled at a given meeting, an Ad Hoc committee is formed to investigate the issue, determine facts, evaluate possibilities, and finally make a report to the board, possibly containing recommendations that become motions for the board to vote upon.

Ad Hoc committees do not have the authority to make decisions for the board.

So in this current case, the board awaits the report of the Ad Hoc committee. The board can question the report if it feels it is inadequate or incomplete or somehow improper, and request the committee to go back and continue meeting to create a better report, but in the end, the committee makes its final report and dissolves, and the board acts.

What confuses me is that everyone recognizes that the final decision about the new name of the Minstrel rests with Mike as chair of that committee. The board will not make the decision. The only question for the board is whether or not the Ad Hoc committee provides him enough in the way of research and recommendations for him to make his decision. Don't we have to wait for the committee report before making that decision? And really, shouldn't we hear from Mike after the report is made to learn his opinion before making a decision about the adequacy of the report?

George Otto

GeorgeOtto@mac.com

From: The Minstrel <mike.agranoff@folkproject.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 8:45 PM
To: fullboard@folkproject.org
Subject: FW: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

I am not the chair of the Committee. Paul is.

Mike Agranoff
Program Chair
The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series
Morristown, NJ. USA
www.Minstrel.FolkProject.org

From: George Otto <g_otto@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2019 8:51 PM
To: Mike.Agranoff@FolkProject.org; FPboard <fullboard@folkproject.org>
Cc: George Otto <GeorgeOtto@mac.com>
Subject: Re: FW: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

I thought you were the chair of the Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series, and hence the final arbiter of that committee's new name. Paul is the chair of the Ad Hoc committee to research and recommend new names.

George Otto

GeorgeOtto@mac.com

---------------------------------

From: Elly Faden <elly.faden@folkproject.org>
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2019 12:57 PM
To: George Otto <g_otto@comcast.net>
Cc: Minstrel <Mike.Agranoff@folkproject.org>; FPboard <fullboard@folkproject.org>; George Otto <GeorgeOtto@mac.com>
Subject: Re: FW: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

Hi, all,

I am sorry to have injected my own issues into this important conversation that certainly has a history well before I joined the Board. I did not mean to hurt anyone's feelings and will try not to interfere with Folk Project business again.

From: Lori Falco <lwfalco@optonline.net>
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2019 1:19 PM
To: Elly Faden <elly.faden@folkproject.org>; George Otto <g_otto@comcast.net>
Cc: Minstrel <Mike.Agranoff@folkproject.org>; FPboard <fullboard@folkproject.org>; George Otto <GeorgeOtto@mac.com>
Subject: Re: FW: NewName Committee Final Nudge -- Day #7

Hi, folks.

I did not mean my comment as an attack on Paul. I offered it in honest objection to the process for choosing a new name. I have since learned that I was mistaken about that process and I apologize for my misunderstanding. I have no problem with the actual process and so I withdraw my objection.

The comments on this email have raised some issues that I would like to address. In the interests of clarity I will discuss them in a separate email.

Lori

From: Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2019 10:00 PM
To: <execboard@folkproject.org> <execboard@folkproject.org>
Subject: New Name Committee Straw Poll Starts Tonight (Thursday) and ends Sunday

Hi Boardies,

It's time for the New Name Committee to unveil the product of our work and take a straw poll on the six finalists that we have selected to see where we all stand on the results. Your responses will help us determine how this is actually handled at the Board meeting.

It was not an easy process as there were many creative and thoughtful suggestions. But there were over 150 of them and we had to prune quickly in order to narrow it down to the point where we could Google variants to see where we would find conflicts in the outside world. The committee then met with Mike to further narrow down the choices. All six finalists have been deemed acceptable by Mike.

We are using SurveyMonkey for the poll All voting members of the Board are encouraged to participate in the poll, which is at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9RTDZWC

The rules are:

One entry per person.
You must submit your email address so we know who has and who has not responded.
Individual responses will not be shared with the Board, only final tallies.
Polling will close Sunday evening at 9pm, so that we can process and share the results with you at the Board meeting.
Please save all discussion until the board meeting instead of using email.

Thanks!

Paul and Gary

From: Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2019 10:25 AM
To: <execboard@folkproject.org> <execboard@folkproject.org>; lisa.hallman@folkproject.org
Subject: New Name Committee Straw Poll Status (ends tomorrow)

Hi All,

As of last night, we had 10 responses to the Straw Poll. There are 27 of us on the Board and for this to be useful we need an accurate reflection of the Board's sentiments. Please take a few minutes and respond to the poll today if you can. Here is the link again.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9RTDZWC

The rules are:

1. One entry per person.
2. You must submit your email address so we know who has and who has not responded.
3. Individual responses will not be shared with the Board, only final tallies.

Polling will close Sunday evening at 9 pm, so that we can process and share the results with you at the Board meeting.

Please save all discussion until the board meeting instead of using email.

Thanks!

Gary and Paul

From: Paul Fisher <paul.folk.fisher@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2019 9:37 AM
To: <execboard@folkproject.org> <execboard@folkproject.org>; lisa.hallman@folkproject.org
Subject: New Name Committee Straw Poll Final Reminder and Status (ends 9 PM today)

Hi again,

As of early yesterday evening, we had had a total of 15 responses and a bunch of comments.

Out of 27 voting members of the Board, that is a significant percentage but still shy of what we need to be confident that we know what the mood of the Board is and prepare for a discussion on Tuesday.

If you have not already done so, please take the poll before 9 PM this evening. It only takes a few minutes.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9RTDZWC

The rules are:

1. 1. One entry per person.
  2. You must submit your email address so we know who has and who has not responded.
  3. Individual responses will not be shared with the Board, only final tallies.

Polling will close this evening (Sunday) at 9pm, so that we can process and share the results with you at the Board meeting.

Please save all discussion until the board meeting instead of using email.

If you have any questions, please email newname@folkproject.org or call Paul at 484-894-8083.

Thanks!

Paul and Gary

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