Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society survives: board withdraws motion to dissolve

Due to overwhelming opposition to a proposed vote that could have seen the fest come to an end, board reverses course, launches fundraising and volunteer drive

By Gail johnson

THE VANCOUVER FOLK Music Festival isn’t going anywhere without a fight. The VFMF Society may still be facing financial strife, but the fest is not facing imminent collapse, as could have been the case had a proposed vote resulted in its dissolution.

The VFMF Society’s board of directors has just announced that it has voted to withdraw the motion to dissolve the society, which was proposed due to the festival’s financial difficulties. The board has also launched a fundraising and volunteer drive to help save the festival.

After the festival virtual town hall on February 1—where nearly 300 participants shared their thoughts and suggestions—the board met and voted to rescind the motion to dissolve the society.

“The board has listened to the feedback from the community, VFMF board president Mark Zuberbuhler tells Stir. “We are also aware of the incredible support and passion that people have for the festival. We have received countless communications with ideas and willingness to help in any way possible. As a result we want to harness the energy and see what can be accomplished.”

As reported by Stir, the VFMF Society’s board has stated the organization needs anywhere from $400,000 to $600,000 per year going forward to sustain the fest. The board’s proposal for a vote among members to dissolve the society met with swift public response. The board then delayed its annual general meeting to try to find ways to save the fest and ended up holding the town hall on February 1.

“The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has long been, and is currently, in a financially dire condition,” Zuberbuhler said in a February 6 release. Our main goal as the board has always been to see a strong, sustainable festival. Because of the strong support that has come from the community and our partners we now see the possibility of building that festival.

“Our funders, our partners, other festivals, our members, and our audience have said unequivocally that they want to help with the work of saving the festival,” Zuberbuhler said. “The festival really needs that help now so this is very encouraging.”

While the 2023 festival has been cancelled, Zuberbuhler recommends people interested in helping the fest move forward go to website to find out how to donate, become a member, or volunteer for the event’s rebuild. There is also information available from the virtual town hall meeting along with event’s full recording. The board will continue to take ideas and suggestions on ways to save the folk fest a Thought Exchange tool on the website.

“We want the community to know that the board is dedicated to finding ways to save the Vancouver Folk Music Festival,” Zuberbuhler said. “Now is the time for that support to translate into action so we can build an enduring and sustainable Vancouver Folk Music Festival. We need people to step up now.”  

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