January 2024 – NERFA

NERFA Board of Directors 2024 Election

Every year, NERFA (Northeast Regional Folk Alliance) members nominate and elect board members who represent folk music industry leadership and help shape the future of our organization. The upcoming annual election closes on February 8, with the candidates posted below, including photos, bios, and platform statements. A secure online election ballot has been distributed by email to all voting members of NERFA. There are three open seats in this election for three-year terms commencing in March 2024. Meet Your Candidate Here are the current candidates on the ballot. Candidates recommended by the NERFA Nomination Committee are marked with a (*). Joel Elliot* (INCUMBENT) Bio Joel Elliott is the Operations Manager of Folk Music Ontario (FMO), Canada’s largest provincial organization devoted to the folk, roots, and traditional music community, and organizers of the annual FMO Conference, which attracts upwards of 800 folkies from across Canada and the US each year. Previously, he spent a decade at The Conference Board of Canada, marketing and delivering upwards of 20 conferences and 100 webinars per year. Joel hails from Ottawa, Ontario where he is active in the local music scene. He is a former community radio (CKCU 93.1) and television (Rogers 22) host, and former board member of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition. He currently sits on the programming committee for the Capital Music Awards. Ballot Statement As the current secretary of the Board of Directors, my goals are to learn more about the folk community and the people within, build stronger connections between artists and industry across borders, and work to make the NERFA conference as effective and fruitful as possible for each and every participant. Lisa Kaston* Bio Lisa Kaston has been co-planning and presenting concerts, online showcases, special events and festivals for the past ten years, three of which she served as board president of Connecticut Folk. She also recently served two terms on New Haven’s literacy volunteer board. While on CT Folk’s board, Lisa’s passion and efforts were directed toward engaging a widening community through collaborative planning and grant-funded programming. The main stage of the 2023 CT Folk Festival was named in Lisa’s honor, in recognition of her work with CT Folk and the community. Her musical interests remain eclectic, having spent her earlier years exploring jazz, rock and folk music in NYC. Ballot Statement I’d like to use my skills and experience to help widen NERFA’s reach to new venues/presenters, to strengthen outreach to a diverse group of artists/other professionals, and for broader participation on NERFA’s board and committees. I also wish to support grant-seeking/sponsorship efforts to enhance outreach, scholarships and other identified goals. Cheryl Prashker Bio Cheryl Prashker studied classical percussion at McGill University in her hometown of Montreal, where she landed her first international tour. She honed her skills as an accompanist in New York City, earning tour spots with Eric Andersen, Pat Wictor, Tracy Grammer, Jonathan Edwards, Zoe Mulford and more. She is a founding member of Celtic Roots band RUNA. As an administrator, Cheryl spent 15 years working alongside NERFA founder Dianne Tankle, eventually joining the Board of Directors and serving seven years as President. Cheryl now makes her home in Ontario, where she is Artistic Director and General Manager of the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, College, and Kids Camp. Ballot Statement Since I first attended, NERFA opened up a whole new world for me and became my community. I am proud of the time I spent as an employee and on the Board. I hope to help move the organization forward while honoring its past so we can grow together, not apart. Pam Robinson Bio Pam Robinson has been involved in the folk music scene for nearly 30 years, with experience ranging from serving as NERFA volunteer coordinator and infrastructure planner to producing musical events for The Folk Project. Involving herself in all aspects of production, she has been the creative force behind numerous music festivals, concerts, and workshops (both musical and technical). Pam has also organized fundraisers, including applying for and receiving grants and producing silent auctions. She has served as a volunteer at Folk Project events, the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, and the Great Hudson River Revival (aka Clearwater). Ballot Statement To me, NERFA is all about community. My goal is to encourage people from within the community to get more involved with the organization and conference. I also want to work toward expanding our community to include more diversity, both in people and music. Carolann Solebello Bio Carolann Solebello is a performing songwriter born and bred in NYC. A founding member of both Red Molly and No Fuss and Feathers, Carolann first attended NERFA in 1999 and returned nearly every year until 2018. Between 2013 and 2018, she was NERFA’s first “guerrilla keeper,” connecting performers with private showcase hosts, guiding first-timers, and organizing the master showcase schedule. A proud member of AFM Local 1000 and the Jack Hardy Songwriters Exchange, Carolann has hosted open mics, run concert series, facilitated workshops, and won songwriting awards. She tours regularly and is currently working on her sixth solo album. Ballot Statement For more than twenty years, NERFA has given me kinship, support, and frankly, a career. I have been enriched by both deep-rooted traditions and fresh ideas, and empowered by the common values that bind us together across generations. Our roots give us strength to rise. Our history powers our future. Tracy Walton* Bio Tracy Walton is a versatile music professional, known as a singer-songwriter, bassist, producer, author, and studio owner. Starting his musical journey at age ten with a guitar, he later studied jazz at the Hartford Conservatory, majoring in upright bass performance. He also holds a BA in music history and a minor in literature. In the mid-nineties, Walton formed a successful jazz trio, performing 200 shows annually. His tenure at The National Guitar Workshop saw him authoring three educational books and collaborating with David Bromberg. Balancing teaching with performing, Walton has released 17 albums in various projects, including four solo albums, with “Small Town America” in 2021 being his latest. Presently, he produces music at his On

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NERFA 2024

After an exhaustive search prioritizing affordability and accessibility, we found this location offers beauty, amenities, and one of the most reasonable hotel rates we’ve been able to offer since 2019! Situated in the heart of the city, this hotel offers scenic views of Casco Bay and Portland’s historic Old Port. Recently renovated, its spacious, well-appointed rooms are equipped with modern conveniences (yay, refrigerators and coffeepots!). Guests can enjoy an indoor pool, a fitness center, and dining options celebrating the cuisine of Maine. Extensive conference and event facilities offer NERFA everything we could need onsite, while its proximity to local attractions, shopping districts, and culinary hotspots offers our attendees even more options in Portland’s vibrant downtown. HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS: Hotel rates (lowest since 2019 pricing) A 24/7 free shuttle between the hotel, airport (only 12 minutes away) and train station Parking available on-site for $15/day and off site nearby Coffee pot and refrigerator in every room The option to share community meals is back, sharing ample space with our expo hall to create more opportunities for networking and camaraderie Accommodating staff who will remove beds from private showcase rooms upon request! (up to two weeks prior to the conference) Private showcase room reservations include chair rental and bed removal Stately ballroom space for our official showcases Lounge spaces for jamming and hanging out Bar space (which will host the open mic) Renovated fitness center and swimming pool The option for masterclasses on Wednesday Links to register for the NERFA conference will be live by January 16th. In the meantime, you can reserve a room right now! The link is live at nerfaconference.org or here!

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Petition Response

NERFA Response to the Online Petition With the approaching NERFA Board of Directors elections, we want to provide the Community with information to aid in your decision making. It is only now that we can respond in detail to the online petition that has been circulating regarding current NERFA leadership. Upon receiving the petition, the Board conducted interviews and fact-checked the allegations described there. We hope this response helps to clarify the situation as of this date. Overview: From A Community to A Sustainable Non-Profit NERFA began as an organization created and administered by a dedicated founder and run by a group of people who donated their services out of love. While they were sometimes compensated, they tirelessly gave their time and expertise. Generally, Board members were recruited from respected and trusted associates and Board Meetings were generally held once or twice a year. The focus was on the tasks at hand: creating a successful yearly conference, occasionally expanding to try new programs (like Young Folk), and keeping NERFA viable. NERFA was sometimes informal in its organizational approach, and there were few official structures, policies, and procedures. The NERFA Board that inherited this beautiful endeavor in 2018 was filled with loving, long-time contributors including Michael Kornfeld, Ethan Baird, Justin Nordell, Barbara Shiller, and Jess Wrubel. During these last five years, NERFA has worked to blend the warmth of our tradition with structure, transitioning to a sustainable non-profit administered by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors, with a paid staff. We are often asked about this process. Namely, it required: The recruitment of board members with specific skills needed by the organization The development of formal policies/procedures demanded of nonprofits. It is hard work, often emotionally draining, and (as with most non-profits) board turnover can be high. Here are just some of the changes that have occurred as we as we’ve evolved:: Transitioned to monthly meetings of the Board of Directors Created a committee structure for governance, financial management, fundraising, program development as well as accessibility and diversity-focused initiatives Examined the staffing needs of the organization and hired an Executive Director and a team of part-time employees to provide year-round online programming, in addition to our conference Developed standard policies and procedures essential for a non-profit organization. These include policies on conflict of interest, whistleblower protection, and record retention. Developed a fiscal management handbook, creating an onboarding packet for new board members, and formulating a detailed description of board roles and responsibilities Widened our demographics, consciously reaching out to create stronger connections across our region. For example we have created a partnership with Folk Music Ontario creating opportunities for cross organizational growth Increased our scholarship program to promote diversity Developed relationships with sponsors, gaining access to support and equipment needed by NERFA Successfully raised over $20,000 with our first major fundraiser since the pandemic Weathered the pandemic, providing a virtual conference and NERFA 365, year-round educational peer groups and professional development opportunities to bridge the time until we could be together again Moved the Conference to a new location, creating an opportunity for showcasing in a famed venue, and put on two conferences. LET’S ADDRESS YOUR BIGGEST CONCERNS ONE BY ONE: IS NERFA DELINQUENT IN MEETING TAX DEADLINES? NO. The Board has filed our annual Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-EZ) on time and shared with FAI in a timely fashion since 2020. WHAT ARE OUR ACCOUNTING PRACTICES? NERFA’s financial records comply with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures). Specifically, all expenses are accounted for with receipts, donations are recorded and acknowledged and income for the conference is credited only when the conference occurs (and is treated as a liability prior to the conference). HOW DOES NERFA ENSURE THAT BOARD MEMBERS OR STAFF MEMBERS DO NOT BENEFIT IN ANY INAPPROPRIATE WAY FINANCIALLY? Facing the cancellation of the Conference in 2020 (the Conference is our primary source of income) and concerned about whether an in-person conference would be possible in 2021, the Board sought solutions so that NERFA could survive the pandemic. The Board unanimously enlisted Ethan Baird to transition from a board member into the sole role of Executive Director over six months. A board of directors is responsible for hiring and establishing compensation for the executive director that is reasonable and not excessive, but also enough to attract and retain the best possible talent to lead the organization. For most of 2021, Ethan did nearly all the work implementing NERFA 365 over long hours of creating and editing video content, creating a necessary standardized data retention infrastructure for NERFA, and a publicity campaign for new programming. For his work, Ethan was paid $1,250 per month (an amount similar to what NERFA paid our clerical worker in FY 2017-18). In 2021, with the pandemic continuing, the Board contemplated producing a virtual conference, but found that the costs of hiring an outside company to create the infrastructure required were wildly prohibitive. At that time especially, these skills were at a premium. A single-day virtual conference, complete with presentations and virtual breakout rooms on average priced out close to $25,000. The Board asked Ethan to propose a plan for NERFA to create a four-day virtual conference “in-house”, including the costs of purchasing software and hiring additional staff. Ethan proposed that his company, Tribal Mischief, which was already working with the FAR-West region on their conference, could produce an event at a fraction of the cost that an outside company would charge. In addition, Ethan offered to provide NERFA with some protection against loss by accepting a percentage of the income from the Conference rather than NERFA paying Tribal Mischief in full in advance. This meant if NERFA did not meet expectations for registration, Tribal Mischief would assume a sizable portion of the financial burden. DID TRIBAL MISCHIEF RECEIVE A “WINDFALL” FROM NERFA? NO. The total payment to Tribal Mischief for creating and producing the entire 2021 online conference was $17,866. The last $4,666 was only paid out after the successful

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Upcoming NERFA Elections: Key Dates, Ballot Information, and a Crucial Vote

The North East Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) is gearing up for its upcoming elections, a significant event for all eligible Folk Alliance International (FAI) voting members associated with NERFA. This election, set to take place from Monday, January 8, through Thursday, February 8, marks a pivotal moment for the organization. Election Timing and Process: The election period opens on Monday, January 8, when ballots will be emailed to all eligible voting members. This window provides ample time for members to consider their choices carefully and cast their votes by February 8. What’s on the Ballot? This year’s ballot features six candidates running for three open spots on the NERFA Board. This election is crucial as the new board members will play a significant role in shaping the future direction and policies of NERFA. A Significant Vote: Following an online petition to remove the NERFA Board President (Justin Nordell) and Executive Director (Ethan Baird), the NERFA bylaws were invoked. The degree to which the Bylaws can be invoked to take these actions is limited as follows: The Executive Director is Staff, serving at the pleasure of the Board, and therefore can only be removed by the Board and not by a vote of the membership at large. Any board member may be removed from their position as an officer of the board (e.g., the President can be so removed) in one of two ways: with or without cause by vote of a majority of the members entitled to vote in the election of board members or for cause by vote of a majority of the board members then in office. The current board recently voted unanimously to retain Justin Nordell on the NERFA Board. He will continue in his current role as president until after the election of new officers. Members at large will have the opportunity to vote on whether to retain Justin Nordell on the NERFA board. Your Vote Matters: This election, especially the vote on the president’s position, is a critical moment for NERFA. It reflects the collective voice and decision-making power of its members. As a voting member, your participation in this election is vital. It’s an opportunity to influence the direction of NERFA and ensure that its leadership aligns with the members’ vision and values. Looking Forward: As NERFA continues to grow and evolve, the outcomes of these elections will play a crucial role in guiding the alliance. The elected board members and the decision on the president’s role will impact NERFA’s strategies, initiatives, and overall contribution to the folk music community. Stay Informed and Participate: Keep an eye on your email for the ballot on Monday, January 8. At our community meeting on Tuesday January 9 all candidates will be given five minutes to share their intents to contribute to the organization. Review the candidates, consider the question about the board president carefully, and make your voice heard. Your vote is not just a right but a responsibility to shape the future of the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance. The NERFA elections are more than a routine procedure; they are a reflection of our collective voice and vision. Participate, vote, and help steer the course of our beloved folk community.

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Join NERFA at the 2024 Folk Alliance Conference: A Call to Artists!

Are you an artist planning to attend this year’s Folk Alliance Conference in Kansas City? The NERFA is excited to announce a opportunity for artists from our region to shine! This event is scheduled to take place from February 21-25, 2024, at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Why You Should Participate: The Folk Alliance International Conference is not just any event – it’s a platform where artists can perform in front of an audience comprising buyers, industry experts, and peers. This is your chance to achieve your professional goals for 2024 and beyond! Here’s What’s Happening: Friday Night: NERFA will be showcasing acts from our region. Saturday Night: It’s all about first-timers! If this is your first time at the FAI, here’s your chance to make an unforgettable debut. Special Collaboration: This year, we’re thrilled to partner with acts from FAR WEST for a coast-to-coast collaboration, taking place on either Wednesday or Thursday night. How to Apply: If you are already registered to attend the conference, we invite you to fill out our application form. Your submission will be juried, and if selected, you will be given a slot to showcase your talent. Remember, NERFA uses LIVE video for jurying, so make sure to put your best foot (or video) forward! Don’t Miss This Opportunity! To apply for a showcase opportunity at the 2024 Folk Alliance International Conference, please visit our application form: Apply Here. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got! Submissions will be reviewed, and we’ll be in touch in mid-to-late January with more information. Thank you for your interest, and we hope to see you at the conference! Join us in making the 2024 Folk Alliance International Conference an unforgettable experience. Apply now and let your talent be seen and heard! Apply Here!

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