Minutes
WPFW Regular LSB Meeting
July 12, 2017
1990 K Street N.W. Washington, D.C.
Robert Simms, Chair
Ellen Williams Carter Secretary
I. Call to order
At 6:45 pm a quorum was established. Robert Simms called the
meeting to order at 6:45 pm.
II. Roll call
14 Members were present at roll call: Robert Simms, , Maskeelah-Myrtle
Washington, Ellen Williams Carter (non- voting), Louis Wolf, , Eileen Rosin, Nick Arena (non-voting), Jim Brown, Julie
Hewitt, Benito Diaz, Cliff Smith, Nancy Sorden, Meredith Cordisco, Christine Cotter, Vickie McGill, Martha Peterson,
Gloria Turner
2 Members Late: Eric Ramey, Donald Williams
4 Excused absence: Lona Alias, Sabooh Hakim, Tony
Leon, Ron Pinchback
2 Unexcused absence: Campbell Johnson, JW Nightwolf
1 Resigned: Sandra Butler-Truesdale
The
GM Jerry Paris was present.
The IPD Katea Stitt was present.
Timekeeper: Meredith Cordisco
III. Approval of
Agenda – agenda was amended and approved
Agenda Approved
IV. Approval of the minutes
The June 14, 2017
regular meeting minutes were approved.
Minutes Approved
V. Management Reports
The General Manager, Jerry Paris
stated the following:
• The station has paid all bills for July.
• As a result of a glitch in the computer
program, donors have received multiple bills.
• In August we need to do a mini drive.
• During a task force
meeting with LSB members we discussed several events to provide revenue.
The Interim Program Director
Report:
June/July Programming Highlights:
• 40 Years of Swinging the Revolution: WPFW Spring Fundraising Drive;
May 7-27.
Our goal was $350,000, and we raised $356,050, and secured 1000 new members!
• Thursday,
June 8 - James Comey Senate Hearings: Once again, WPFW was the Producer of a Pacifica National Broadcast of the James
Comey Senate Hearings.
• Saturday, July 8, Sound Scene at the Hirschhorn sponsored by DC Listening
Lounge
• Sound Scene 10th Anniversary WPFW was not only the Media Sponsor for this event.
Upcoming Special
Programming:
• August 8-27, Documenta 14 Radio Program: Every Time A Ear di Soun
VI. PNB Reports
Benito Diaz
stated the following:
There is a suit against Pacifica for the nonpayment on the contract between Pacifica and the
Empire State Building (ESB) for the use of its tower to house the WBAI transmitter. This contract was signed in 2005 by
the IED at that time. At the time, the rent was reasonable, but contained a clause permitting regular rent increases.
As a result, WBAI's tower rent is now $50,000. per month. At some point WBAI stopped paying the rent. They now owe
approximately $2.2 million in back rent. The Former IED tried to negotiate an offer up to $500,000. The present IED has
not followed through on the offer or made a counter offer. Even this; however, wouldn't end the nightmare:
WBAI/Pacifica is still responsible for future rents until the end of the contract in 2020! A proposal was presented to
secure a mortgage on the Berkeley property.
PNB Governance Committee Election:
The following individuals were
elected to serve on the PNB Governance Committee at the meeting on July 12, 2017. The votes were counted by Fair Vote.
The results were the following:
PNB LSB Governance Committee election:
Louis Wolf 16
Donald
Williams 15
Lona Alias 1
WPFW LSB PNB Governance committee Members are: Louis Wolf and
Donald Williams
VII. Community Comment
Joe Brown
• The Collision: Sports and Politics Program
was a repeat and there was no announcement that it was a repeat.
• The station should do a Fundraisers one day each
month for the rent.
• He feels that the Public Affairs Programs needs improvements.
Miyuki Williams
• She
feels that program changes should be made to raise more money. She suggested more training for the programmers. She
stated although there is a hiring freeze and the Interim Program Director can’t be switched to Program Director, but
program changes can be made.
Tony Norman
• He feels we need to determine what we will do about the 40th
Anniversary Gala.
VIII. Finance Report by Treasurer - submitted a written report
Cash Flow Update:
• WPFW is
ahead of our Budgeted Net Income by $202,299 thru May 31.
• Our Total Revenues of $961,113 are 239, 017 ahead of
the budgeted $722,096.
• June 30 Bank Balance and Cash Flow Needs
There was a request for LSB members to
volunteer to call lapsed donors and send mail reminders.
Motion: Nick Arena
I propose that we do one day a month
fundraiser where LSB members make contributions for a matching fund. This would begin on August 9.
Vote:
Unanimous
Motion: Louis Wolf
I move that we set aside five (5) percent of station funds monthly to be placed in
the Leonard account for the payment of the $18,000 back rent.
Vote: 16 Favor 1 Against 0 Abstentions
IX.
Outreach and Development Committee
WPFW Spring Fling Fundraiser:
Individual ticket sales
$3,086.68
Tables
$900.00
Expenses: Security and Setup
- $1,100.00
Totals
$2,886.68
4th Annual Blues Festival
Fundraiser:
The 4th Annual Blues Festival will occur on August 12th in Indian Head Highway, Maryland. Each LSB member
is asked to sell 5 tickets.
WPFW Holistic Health Initiative
WPFW Holistic Health Initiative will occur with the
2017 WPFW 5K Walk/Run on September 23, 2017. It will be called “Walking for Total Wellness”.
Maskeelah stated
that we need a disclaimer statement for the Holistic Health Initiative.
X. MASC Committee
The committee issues
discussed couldn’t be addressed during the regular meeting.
XI. Programming Committee – submitted a written
report
Cliff Smith stated his motion again and it was discussed:
I move that the following prime time weekday
hours as shown below be dedicated entirely to public affairs programming and that this change in format be implemented
as soon as possible but certainly within six months.
Primetime weekday hours are:
7 a.m. to 10 a.m. (morning
drive time)
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (evening drive time)
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. (evening prime time).
A discussion
occurred:
Nancy Sorden stated:
She is in favor of more public affairs programming. She said we keep talking
about bringing in young people. She feels that more public affairs programs will bring in more young people.
Benito
Diaz stated:
He stated that the purpose of Pacifica to provide an education.
Christine Cotter stated:
She read
a text from several young people that stated they listen to WPFW for the music.
XII. Adjournment
Motion to
adjourn: There was no objection.
Robb Simms adjourned the regular meeting at 9:10 pm
Meeting adjourned at 9:10
pm
Minutes submitted by: Ellen Williams Carter