2020 Annual Meeting
From the Chair
Annual Meeting
May 31, 2021
Dear Attendees,
We hope this letter finds you well. The public health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in March, 2020 and extending into 2021 has been an extraordinary, once-in-a-generation set of circumstances. No one individual and no institution stands unchanged, and this organization is no exception to those circumstances. Due to the public lockdowns in place by May of 2020, an in-person annual meeting of the foundation could not, and did not, occur. And because as late as April of 2021, limitations on public gatherings were still in place, there was no feasible way to plan an in-person 2021 annual meeting. So in the spirit of continued public health and safety for all, it was decided that a written address for 2021 would be sufficient to satisfy the annual meeting requirements and serve as a proxy for an in-person gathering. This letter will broadly cover the highlights from 2019 (which would have been reviewed during the 2020 annual meeting) and from 2020 to bring our annual meeting status current.
Management
First, I would like to thank our three outgoing At-Large board members: Joby Bell, Janice Price, and John Kibler. They have each served two consecutive two-year terms and have been tremendous supporters to the mission of this foundation by the giving of their time, efforts, and treasures. While we will miss them on the board, we know that they will continue to be cheerleaders for the foundation as they have since the beginning, and we look forward to their continued presence as volunteers in a variety of capacities as they are able. Well done Joby, Janice, and John – thank you!
During the September 2020 board meeting via conference call, we welcomed John Apple to the board. John has been very active for many years in the Charlotte area, having founded the Metrolina Theatre Organ Society in 1989 and co-founding the Carolina Theatre Preservation Society in 1997. He is also on the executive board of the Charlotte Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and serves as organist of St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church, Matthews. We look forward to his participation with the management of this organization.
In October 2020, we gave farewell to a member of the foundation’s Board of Advisors, Murray Somerville. While Murray’s term was brief, his insights into what’s possible were invaluable, and we thank him for his willingness and his contributions to the financial success of the foundation. We look forward to calling on Murray again in future on an extra-advisory basis.
2019 and 2020 Events
Anniversary concerts
The foundation was successful in going forward with its original plans of holding the 53rd anniversary concert performed by Dr. Patrick Pope on Sunday, September 20, 2020. To promote public health safety, the performance was broadcast virtually on Facebook with only a minimum of church staff, broadcast technicians, and Dr. Pope’s immediate family in attendance. Two underwriters supported the artistic fees associated with this concert, to whom the foundation is grateful.
The 52nd anniversary concert was performed by Clara Gerdes on September 8, 2019. A light reception was held afterward.
Silent Film event
This was the second silent film event the foundation has sponsored, and it was held on Friday, October 18, 2019. The film, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, was accompanied by Scott Foppiano. A popcorn vendor supplied freshly-popped popcorn that “movie-goers” could enjoy as the film was presented.
Organization
The ripple effects of the pandemic, felt by all non-profit organizations, have necessitated some re-examination of how this organization in particular would best continue to operate. Given the relatively current small size and local scope of the foundation, the following organizational decisions were made at the June 2020 board meeting via conference call:
- a motion to drop the word “Endowment” from the name of the foundation was approved to better facilitate the solicitation of grants. Once the filing of the formal paperwork with the regulatory authorities has been completed, the name of this foundation will be the “Kathryn Stephenson Pipe Organ Foundation, Inc.” without any change to status as a 501(c)3 organization.
- It was also decided that a smaller board (fewer than seven seats) would be adequate to maintain the management of the foundation. The current four officers will confer in the coming weeks, decide the best path forward, and incorporate any potential changes to the bylaws alongside the filing of paperwork with the name change.
- Finally, it was later approved in the year to dissolve the three-member Board of Advisors and instead pursue individual advisory opinions on an as-needed basis.
Financial Status
As of May 31, 2021, the foundation’s running balance is $6,339.82. On May 22, 2020, the foundation’s running balance was $4,540.32.
The foundation continues to offer online giving methods through our website and as a registered charity organization via Amazon Smile.
Necessary as they are, audits are not inexpensive and it can be challenging to find a cost-effective auditor for small organizations such as ours. And our pursuit of a suitable auditor continues. My thanks to Chris Wysocki, Treasurer, and Maryjo Prestridge, Financial Secretary, to their ongoing efforts and attention to detail in keeping our financial activity records accurate and up to date.
Message from the Financial Secretary (click on link)
Looking Ahead
Between the shifting realities of public health safety considerations and the re-organizational work we are undertaking, it is possible that we may observe a pause during the remainder of the 2021 calendar year before resuming activities in 2022 with the recognition that 2022 would be the 55th anniversary year of the M.P. Moller Opus 10260, and an anniversary concert would be highly appropriate. The board officers will take these multiple factors into consideration and keep you updated with final decisions via the website and Facebook page.
We thank you for your past and ongoing support of this unique instrument, and we look forward to re-emerging in 2022 with an invigorated sense of mission and artistic opportunity.
Well wishes,
Don Kaufhold
Chair
Kathryn Stephenson Pipe Organ Foundation, Inc.
