Happy birthday! And, as someone who has sat on Nonprofit boards for arts organizations for more than 15 years, I know what you are dealing with. Nonprofits only work if everyone is working together towards the same goal. It sounds like this organization does not have a clear mission, or, if it does, the current board does not fully buy-in to that vision. It is super easy to turn the heat down on the org, and just leave the pilot light running. Spend the next 3 months, 6 months, year, on making a plan EVERYONE is excited about, and committed to, and then putting the structure in place to make that plan happen. Many nonprofits run before they walk, and then try to continue running when they have no shoes or pants on, and their achilles tendon is sore. (Sorry.) Taking the time off to stretch, put on the right gear, and get the body functioning right, will help you win races in the future. (To use a particularly apropos metaphor...)
Thanks goobster! Yes, we had the realization that there isn't union among board members as to what, exactly, our mission is. We have a focus as a regional event but have not been clear enough of our communication to the community-at-large that that is what we are, not solely a locally focused event. Problem 1. I'm excited to have these conversations, but very concerned that we won't be able to recover in time to have an event next year. Maybe I can PM some more specific information, if you have interest in talking a bit more on this topic. Awesome metaphor, I might have to steal that for future use...