Minutes
WPFW Regular LSB Meeting
April 12, 2017
1990 K Street N.W. Washington, D.C.
Robert Simms, Chair
Ellen Williams Carter Secretary
I. Call to order
At 6:40 pm a quorum was established. Robert Simms called the
meeting to order at 6:40 pm.
II. Roll call
20 Members were present at roll call: Robert Simms, Eric Ramey,
Maskeelah-Myrtle Washington, Ellen Williams Carter (non- voting), Louis Wolf, Donald Williams, Eileen Rosin, Nick Arena
(non-voting), Martha Peterson, Sabooh Hakim, Jim Brown, Tony Leon, Julie Hewitt, Lona Alias, Benito Diaz, Gloria Turner,
Ron Pinchback, Sandra Butler-Truesdale, Christine Cotter, Cliff Smith, Meredith Cordisco, Vickie McGill
2 Members
Late: Campbell Johnson, JW Nightwolf,
1 Excused absence: Nancy Sorden,
The GM Jerry Paris was present.
The
IPD Katea Stitt was present.
Parliamentarian: John Tatum
Timekeeper: Meredith Cordisco
III. Approval of
Agenda
Agenda Approved
IV. Approval of the minutes
The March 8, 2017 regular meeting minutes were
approved.
Minutes Approved
V. Management Reports
The General Manager, Jerry Paris stated the
following:
• The status of the Leonard Restricted fund is the following:
Jerry Paris spoke with Dr. Leonard
and he lifted the restrictions on the fund; consequently, it was determined that the funds were used
properly.
• There will be a new telephone service that is less expensive as of April 20. The cost is reduced if we
share content on the fiber with CNN and CBS.
• The Public Affairs programs are Podcast. The Public Affairs
programs are streaming all over the world.
• The GM purchased a camera for $600. Which will stream live audio and
video.
• The Pledge drive will take place from May 7 through May 27.
• The transmitter is in good shape.
• A new employee has been hired. Her name is Annette Carson. She will do the accounting.
The Interim Program
Director – submitted a written report
The Interim Program Director, Katea Stitt stated the following:
These
activities were broadcast:
• March 8 International Women’s
• March 10 Native American tribes
• NEA
Awards
The Voices that Change the World jump drive will be available during the Spring Drive from May 7 through May
27. Chris Garlock will provide postage again.
The last drives jump drive premiums have gone to donors. 85% of the
premiums were sent to donors.
Upcoming special Programming:
• Earth Day April 22
• The Cannabis Festival
• April 29th Pacifica will air on WPFW the Peoples Climate March a national broadcast for 4 of the 5 stations.
Produced by WPFW with contributions from WBAI, KPFK, KPFT, and the Affiliates Program.
• Funk Parade on the May 6th
• Saturday, July 8, Sound Scene at the Hirschhorn sponsored by DC Listening Lounge
• August 8-27, Documenta
14 Radio Program: Every Time A Ear di Soun
Questions:
Eric Ramey
Are negotiations still going on with the
Prince George’s County Council?
GM
Yes!
Cliff Smith statement:
We should cover Emancipation
Day.
IPD
They would not reach out to us.
Moe Thomas statement:
Our ratings have improved.
VI. PNB
Reports
Benito stated that the IED put together a recovery plan.
VII. Community Comment
Jim Brown (community
member)
There was a motion to support the GM. What Happen to that Vote?
Norman Hill
Thanks for putting in the
data service RDS.
Donna Grimes
The Program committee would like access to the Info@ wpfw.org information.
Starr Bowie
Why is there no public affairs programming on weekends? She thought the women’s shows were
great.
VIII. Finance Report by Treasurer - submitted a written report
The treasurer, Nick Arena stated the
following:
• The GM hired a new part-time Business Manager.
• The restriction on a previous donation has been
eliminated.
• A reduction of operating expenses to be implemented by April 15.
• A restructuring and
elimination of telecommunication expenses are forthcoming.
• There will be a focus on major donors and other gifts
prior to May 3 Pledge Drive.
2016-17 Budget update
Updated YTD financial statements are not available.
In
addition, the treasurer submitted a motion for the LSB:
“The WPFW LSB vehemently opposes any actions by the
Pacifica National Office, Pacifica Foundation and the Pacifica National Board to alter or change the programming of WPFW
to a ‘relay’ station for any other programming not approved by WPFW. In addition, we insist that the Pacifica
National Board direct the IED and financial staff of the Pacifica National Office to provide a detailed explanation of
its criteria for what constitutes ‘financial recovery and stabilization’ and ‘significant financial improvements
in finances’ for WPFW in its plan dated March 30, 2017 to the WPFW LSB in writing by April 18, 2017.”
Excerpt
from the Pacifica Recovery Plan dated March 30, 2017 – Re: WPFW:
h. All efforts will be made so that the Station
cuts its shortfall of approximately
$300,000 a year, becomes current in payment of Central Services and be restored
to
financial health this year. The current station management has been encouraged to
seek help from outsiders,
including an experienced former general manager, who
have intimate knowledge of the Washington market and can provide
knowledge to
make an effective change in the composition of the programs. The LSB can also play
an important role
in providing an insight into this change in direction.
i. If turnaround efforts do not show significant improvements
in the next 6 months, then
Pacifica’s executive management is prepared to implement additional plans which
are
fully described in the “Contingency Plans” section.
Contingency Plans
IF and ONLY IF, we do not see
significant improvements in the finances of WBAI (New
York) and WPFW (Washington, DC) in the next 4-6 months,
Pacifica's executive team is
committed and determined to take additional measures to restore Pacifica network
finances to
financial health. As other stations are doing relatively well or stable and/or only
incremental
improvements are necessary, no contingency plans are being considered for those.
The contingency
plans may include the following:
1. WPFW – Washington, DC:
a. Much of the programming of this station could be
temporarily replaced with
programs produced at other Pacifica stations, at least for a few months. Only a
skeleton
staff would be needed to maintain the operations while plans are made to
restore the station to sustainable
operations.
b. A new management team / advisor may be brought in to turn around the finances
with or without the
help of existing management, as needed.
c. If other measures are unsuccessful, bids / proposals might be invited from
interested
third parties for licensing agreements where the operations may be turned over to
them for a fee,
provided that they agree to serve the needs of WPFW listeners. This
will save Pacifica the amount of losses that are
being incurred by the station at this
time or for any future losses. Because the station does not have any
significant
external debts, there will be less hurdles in making future arrangements.
It was requested that
the motion be placed on WPFW’s website and sent to Bill Crosier, Interim Executive Director, Pacifica
Foundation.
IX. Outreach and Development Committee
The WPFW LSB will sponsor the following fundraisers:
1. On Saturday June 10, 2017 from 8pm -1am at 10th and U Street the WPFW LSB will sponsor the Spring Fling with WPFW
Programmers as DJs.
2. The LSB collected money from LSB members to purchase flyers that advertise the station and
40th Anniversary.
3. On September 16, 2017, the LSB will sponsor a walk/run fundraiser.
X. MASC Committee
The
committee met with the General Manager. The next meeting was scheduled for April 26, 2017.
XI. Programming Committee
– submitted a written report
The Program committee stated the following:
• The Programming Committee met on
March 23, 2017. They did not have a quorum, but they discussed items on the agenda.
• Representatives of the
committee met with the General Manager. He agreed to attend PC meetings on a bi-monthly basis.
• Programming
recommendations that have been approved by the LSB program committee cannot be enacted until the GM actively responds.
Two issues that the committee would like addressed are:
• Negotiate roles and responsibilities of the LSB, PC
and GM concerning programming at the Station.
• Provide access to the info@wpfw.org mailbox so that the PC can
assist with responding to program related comments from the public in a timely and professional manner.
XII
.Executive Session
Recessed the Regular meeting at 9:00 pm
Reconvened for the executive session at 9:10 pm
Closed meeting concerned personnel matters.
Convened the regular meeting at 9:40 pm
XIII. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn: There was no objection.
Robb Simms adjourned the regular meeting at 9:45 pm
Meeting
adjourned at 9:45 pm
Minutes submitted by: Ellen Williams Carter