PFS Petition for Special Meeting of Members
Questions and Answers
Why are we petitioning for a special membership meeting?
We are petitioning for a special membership meeting for the purpose of:
- Providing the Board of Directors of PFS the opportunity to present current and audited financials along with any outstanding accounts payables to the members and to explain the performance of years 2018 and 2019.
- Providing the Board of Directors of PFS the opportunity to present a proposal or plan to the members.
- Revoke and replace the PFS Member Code of Conduct and reinstate affected members and volunteers upon member review.
- Appointing a membership task force to audit the financials and other relevant information related to the performance of PFS and report to membership its findings and recommended actions within 30 days
- If needed, consider the removal and replacement of the Board of Directors of PFS.
Why are we considering these actions?
For the last several years, various PFS members have attempted to ascertain the financial condition of PFS, only to be met with obstruction, delay and non-compliance on the part of the Board. Additionally, there has been the appearance of arbitrary removal of key volunteers for personal vendettas and petty reasons unrelated to performance. As such, we have no other choice but to take this drastic action if we wish to have our Folk Festival continue at the Old Pool Farm.
- The Board has refused to comply with multiple document inspection requests by various members (see here);
- The Board has refused to disclose financial information as required by PA Nonprofit Law 15 Pa.C.S. § 5554;
- The Board has refused to disclose to members the severity of our financial situation and suspected insolvency;
- The Board has passed policies without proper review by Members depriving Members the opportunity to ask questions, as required;
- The Board has misapplied policies to limit dissent and failed to promote conflict resolution
Why are we recommending revoking and replacing the Member Code of Conduct?
The Member Code of Conduct was drafted and passed without the opportunity for Members to review and ask questions. At the September 2019, Board Meeting, the board package presented to the members did not include the proposed Code of Conduct. Since the members did not know the contents of the Code, they could not ask questions, as is our right.
The Code of Conduct opens the possibility that the Code will be used to stifle and limit dissent.
The Code of Conduct does not have a mechanism for when management or the Board violates the Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct does not clearly delineate the Volunteer Code of Conduct, which would be a applied to each PFS event that may involve volunteers.
We recommend a revised Code of Conduct that is properly processed and commented on by Membership, addressing the issues above.
What is our mission?
Our mission is to have a financially sustainable camping music festival at the Old Pool farm with a renewed partnership with the Godshall family preferably coupled with the original mission of PFS which is to preserve, promote, develop and encourage folk music and related arts. In addition, we will permanently depart from the financially secretive nature of the organization (which has disenfranchised its members and constituents).
How many signatures are required to trigger a special meeting?
The Bylaws specify that 10% of voting members are required to trigger a special membership meeting. We estimate that there needs to be about 100 voting members to sign the petition. By signing the petition, you are representing that you are a PFS Voting Member in goods standing. If you are not a member, you may join PFS. You may sign using 2 methods:
- Click here to sign. (preferred method- you will receive an automatic email containing your signed petition)
- Download PDF form (download the pdf file, sign form and email completed form to pfsmember@gmail.com)
Do I need to attend the special meeting?
A quorum of 60 members is required to have a valid membership meeting and to take action. We recommend that this is in person, especially for actions of this importance.
Where can I find financial information and minutes from the board meetings?
There is limited information on the member area of the PFS web site. However, here is a link to filed IRS 990s and Minutes which was compiled by members.
I would like to sign petition but I am concerned about retaliation.
Every effort will be made to keep names as confidential as possible. When we receive enough petitions, and present them to PFS, we will insist on an independent 3rd party to verify memberships.