History and
Profile
The Texas Folk Music
Foundation, a non-profit public benefit corporation, 501(c)(3), was
created in 1999 to support music education, songwriter development and
the presentation of original and traditional music. TFMF was an
outgrowth of the Kerrville Music Foundation, created in 1975 by Rod
Kennedy, founder of the Kerrville Folk Festival. The Kerrville Music
Foundation offered a means to infuse public benefit educational
services into the operation of the festival and began by sponsoring a
songwriting and performance competition for emerging songwriters.
The New Folk songwriting competitions are still a major event and
attraction of the Kerrville Folk Festival. Mr. Kennedy is currently
retained as a consultant and advisor to the Festival and has offered
similar services to the Foundation.
The original TFMF
Board consisted of three Directors, but was expanded in February 2005.
The Texas Folk Music Foundation Board of Directors is now made up of
nine members. Each Board member chairs a specific committee covering a
critical aspect of the Foundation. The Board has a clear set of bylaws
governing the operations of the Foundation and meets at least annually
and usually more often.
An Advisory
Committee was created in 2004 to assist the Board in expanding and
improving the work of the Foundation. The Advisory Committee is made
up of individuals who have had a long-term interest and love for folk
music. The Committee advises the Board on many Foundation issues and
played a major role in the development of this Strategic Plan.
The bylaws were recently modified to
provide for non-voting memberships in the Foundation. This will
provide for people with an interest in folk music to feel like they
are a part of the Foundation. This sets up the mechanism for the
"Friends of the Foundation" fund raising effort.
Board and
Staff
TFMF has developed policies which allow
for open access to anyone interested in participating. All Board of
Directors and Committee meetings are open to the public.
In 2004, open invitations were issued to festival friends to join the
Advisory Committee. At one point there were 37 members including folks
on the QVR and KFF Boards of Directors. Individuals from this committee
were nominated for appointment to the expanded Board of Directors in
2005. The “Friends of the TFMF” campaign was created in spring, 2005 as
a way for folks to contribute to the foundation and its operation.
Several other Committees were also created around this time.
Nominations to the nine-member Board of Directors and as Committees
members are accepted from Friends of TFMF and Foundation Committees.
Members of the Board may only serve two three-year terms according to
our bylaws. Everyone can join, everyone can participate. If you are
interested, please let us know.
TFMF
Board of Directors and Officers
Thomas Chapmond, Chairman
Michael D’Eath, Vice-Chairman
Steve Carruthers, Treasurer
Theresa Tod, Secretary
Julie Davis
Jon Charles
Chuck Lesniak
Therese Spina
TFMF Committees Get
the Job Done
The TFMF Board uses a
committee structure to carry out its work. Each committee is charged
with some aspect of the organization's functions, and each is chaired by
a board member. The following are the current committees, and their
assigned chairs.
Program
Committee (Chair, Chuck Lesniak)
- The
Program Committee oversees existing programs and develops new programs
and initiatives to support the Foundation's mission. The Program
Committee screens and vets proposed projects, determines how they will
be executed, and considers the program's cost and benefit. Each year the
Program Committee evaluates the existing and proposed programs,
prioritizes the programs, and makes recommendations to the Board so the
Board can determine how to allocate organizational resources. This
Committee works closely with the Resource Development Committee so that
funding or other needed support can be provided to worthy programs.
Marketing/Public Relations Committee (Chair, Therese Spina)
-
This committee
designs and develops all materials that support the approved activities
of the TFMF. The committee will insure that a consistent clear message
is presented and will create a consistent look and feel for all
materials. They will work with the Program and Resource Development
Committees to determine how to position activities in the media and to
the various constituent groups.
Personnel Committee
(Chair, Theresa Tod)
- This
committee sets goals for staff and key volunteers, provides leadership
on organizational structure, recommends policy and procedures to the
board to the Board, determines procedures to manage and evaluate staff
and personnel, and provides advice on interactions between staff and
board. The Personnel Committee publicizes openings in volunteer or staff
positions.
Resource Development Committee
(Chair, Jon Charles)
- This
committee sets goals for fundraising, establishes procedures and
approaches for fundraising, conducts fundraising activities, ensures
that proposed programs include fundraising and revenue generating
components, and makes recommendations to the Board in each area above.
This committee also serves as a "clearinghouse" for those who come
forward with fundraising ideas; once a proposal is approved by the
Board, the committee will work to execute the funding activity or will
create a mechanism to do so. The committee will write and submit
proposals to foundations and other funding entities.
Finance Committee
(Chair, Steve Carruthers)
- The
Finance Committee recommends a budget, tracks the financial condition of
the TFMF, provides budget oversight, develops and monitors the
appropriate handling of money.
Nominating Committee (Chair, Theresa Tod) -
This committee
recommends a slate of candidates to fill vacancies on the TFMF Board,
according to nominating criteria procedures and based on needs of the
Board; and may recommend chairs for the Standing Committees, who must be
members of the Board.
Strategic Planning Committee
(Chair, Chuck Lesniak) -
This
committee is responsible for overseeing the development and updating of
the Strategic Plan, which is the long-term vision for development and
management of the Foundation.