The discussion on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:30 will focus on:
How:
How FSGW will present, sponsor and co-sponsor events. More specifically how will FSGW develop the resources necessary to operate the society.
The discussion will be online via zoom. Please register to receive the zoom link or email to president@fsgw.org
Before pandemic, FSGW presented, sponsored and co-sponsored more than 250 events a year.
Currently, FSGW co-sponsors multiple weekly dances, monthly sings, storytellings, concerts and several annual events. In 2023 there may be 150 or more events.
FSGW faces several constraints on resources to accomplish its tasks. Specifically:
Volunteers/Staff - FSGW is woefully short on volunteers to organize, manage, run and follow up on events. And to prepare for large events - whether it's the getaway, the Washington Folk Festival, the monthly sings and the weekly dances. Events can happen only if people are willing to contribute their time and their expertise and to staff events.
There are non-event tasks too. The marketing, outreach and publicity of FSGW events used to be done by volunteers.
To alleviate some of the shortage, FSGW has hired part time staff. The staff responds to member requests, generates the weekly e-blast, updates and maintains entries on the website and runs our social media.
Finances - FSGW is a not-for-profit but it still needs to run as a business. Events are supposed to run at a small surplus. Membership fees are to fund the administration costs of the organization. Donations assist in subsidizing the organization and its events.
Membership is considerably less than was pre-pandemic. Some events pay their way, others do not. FSGW currently has healthy reserves but struggles with ongoing operational costs.
Venues - Some of the venues that FSGW used in past years and either not available or have become very expensive to rent. And many of the venues that are used are not near public transportation.
Leadership - It has become increasingly difficult to recruit individuals to chair committees and events. And to serve on the board of FSGW.
