On the Board

The last time this column appeared in the Broadside, the SJFAC Board had a very different composition. At our October AGM, several long-serving and much-valued members stepped down – taking, we hope, only a brief respite from their dedicated service to the Council. Many thanks to Ford Elms, Andrew Lang and Stan Pickett for their years of service on the Board. Many thanks, too, to Rik Barron and Tina Ricketts for their shorter, but no less valuable, tenure on the Board. All of these people gave greatly of their time and talents, and we were privileged to have them as members of the Board. Welcome, also, to the new faces on the Board: J Barry, Kelly Best, Frank Parsons and Randy Smith. Already their ideas, talents and experience are proving exceedingly helpful. The new executive is: Dave Penny (president), Frank Parsons (vice president), Jean Hewson (past president), Rob Brown (treasurer) and Marnie Parsons (secretary). Erin McArthur continues as our indefatigable and invaluable Office Manager/Festival Coordinator.

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Folk Arts Council, and the 30th anniversary of the Folk Festival. Consequently, the Board is very busy with plans for a special Come Home Week leading up to the Festival that will include a dinner at Murray’s Pond, sessions at the Masonic, a recitation night at the Crow’s Nest and more. We have some wonderful performers, from the province and from away, coming to the Festival this year – it will very memorable! Watch the website for details about the Come Home Week and the Festival.

This year’s Festival will also be part of the City’s special “Umbrella Festival” – a two-week long series of downtown events including the Regatta, the Buskers’ Festival and the George Street Festival, as well as the Folk Festival. By joining with the city and these other events, we will benefit from a far-reaching and well-funded marketing campaign that is sure to bring word of the Festival to many more prospective audience members.

The Board is working on preparing certificates of participation for all of those who revolted last summer, accordions in hand. We are still waiting for official notification from Guinness about setting the record; as soon as the word comes, you can be sure we will spread it.

Other plans are in the works: for our 3rd annual storytelling festival; for a collaboration with the Woody Point Heritage Theatre to transport Young Folk at the Hall to the West coast; and for more fundraising projects to help buoy up our Youth Education Initiative Fund.

This will be a busy and engaging year for all involved in the SJFAC. If you would like to be more involved with our activities, contact Erin in the office. We are always eager for volunteers. You could serve on a committee, help at the Festival, write for the Broadside or host at Folk Club.

Marnie Parsons serves as secretary on the SJFAC Board.

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	On The Board by Marnie Parsons The Broadside Vol 10. No. 1 March 2006

	The last time this column appeared in the Broadside, the SJFAC Board had a very different composition. At our October AGM, several long-serving and much-valued members stepped down – taking, we hope, only a brief respite from their dedicated service to the Council. Many thanks to Ford Elms, Andrew Lang and Stan Pickett for their years of service on the Board. Many thanks, too, to Rik Barron and Tina Ricketts for their shorter, but no less valuable, tenure on the Board. All of these people gave greatly of their time and talents, and we were privileged to have them as members of the Board. Welcome, also, to the new faces on the Board: J Barry, Kelly Best, Frank Parsons and Randy Smith. Already their ideas, talents and experience are proving exceedingly helpful. The new executive is: Dave Penny (president), Frank Parsons (vice president), Jean Hewson (past president), Rob Brown (treasurer) and Marnie Parsons (secretary). Erin McArthur continues as our indefatigable and invaluable Office Manager/Festival Coordinator. This year is the 40th anniversary of the Folk Arts Council, and the 30th anniversary of the Folk Festival. Consequently, the Board is very busy with plans for a special Come Home Week leading up to the Festival that will include a dinner at Murray’s Pond, sessions at the Masonic, a recitation night at the Crow’s Nest and more. We have some wonderful performers, from the province and from away, coming to the Festival this year – it will very memorable! Watch the website for details about the Come Home Week and the Festival. This year’s Festival will also be part of the City’s special “Umbrella Festival” – a two-week long series of downtown events including the Regatta, the Buskers’ Festival and the George Street Festival, as well as the Folk Festival. By joining with the city and these other events, we will benefit from a far-reaching and well-funded marketing campaign that is sure to bring word of the Festival to many more prospective audience members. The Board is working on preparing certificates of participation for all of those who revolted last summer, accordions in hand. We are still waiting for official notification from Guinness about setting the record; as soon as the word comes, you can be sure we will spread it. Other plans are in the works: for our 3rd annual storytelling festival; for a collaboration with the Woody Point Heritage Theatre to transport Young Folk at the Hall to the West coast; and for more fundraising projects to help buoy up our Youth Education Initiative Fund. This will be a busy and engaging year for all involved in the SJFAC. If you would like to be more involved with our activities, contact Erin in the office. We are always eager for volunteers. You could serve on a committee, help at the Festival, write for the Broadside or host at Folk Club. Marnie Parsons serves as secretary on the SJFAC Board. (back to table of contents)