Minutes
WPFW Regular LSB Meeting
May 9, 2018
Howard University
Department of Architecture
2366 Sixth
Street, NW
Washington, DC 20059
Louis Wolf, Pro tem Chair
Ellen Williams Carter Secretary
I. Call to
order
At 6:45 pm a quorum was established. Louis Wolf called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm.
II. Roll call
14
- Members were present at roll call: Maskeelah-Myrtle Washington, Ellen Williams Carter, Louis Wolf, Nick Arena, Benito
Diaz, Cliff Smith, Donald Williams, Eric Ramey, Sabooh Hakim, Martha Peterson, Julie Hewitt, Nancy Sorden, Louis Wolf,
and Tony Leon
5 - Excused absences: Ron Pinchback, Jay Winter Nightwolf, Campbell Johnson, Vicki McGill, Meredith
Cordisco
4 - Unexcused: Lona Alias, Christine Cotter, Gloria Turner, Jim Brown
There were no
resignations/removals.
The GM Jerry Paris was present. The IPD Katea Stitt was not present.
Timekeeper: Julie
Hewitt
III. Approval of Agenda
The Agenda was amended and approved.
IV. Approval of the minutes
The April
11, 2018 WPFW LSB regular meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.
V. Management Reports
The General Manager,
Jerry Paris stated the following:
The General Manager said that a listener called the station and said the signal is
fading in and out. He and the engineer have gone to the transmitter to check on the system. The Pledge Drive will begin
on May 12th and end on June 2. The Women�s Day of programming resulted in a women�s group pledging $100,000
for the new transmitter. The cost for the used transmitter is $75K. It has HD capabilities that will produce more
streams for broadcasting that can be leased. Listeners must have a HD receiver to utilize HD. We have a WPFW App
which after 5,000 hits generates funds to the station. During a recent leadership call, underwriting was discussed. They
stressed that underwriting must occur without compromising the stations and the mission of Pacifica. The program changes
are an attempt to smooth out some of the schedule. In addition, the criteria used for program changes was related to
past pledge drive performance. The Ralph Nader show broadcasts now. The general manager and WPFW LSB treasurer
negotiated a new rental lease for 4 years which over time will save $50,000. The new lease would start in January 2019
and cost $14k per month with annual increases of 3%. Nancy Sorden said that the LSB needs to review the lease. The
station is 4 months behind on Central services.
Questions and statements from the LSB:
Makeelah Washington asked
if there were any specific restrictions regarding the donation of $100,000 for the transmitter. The GM said there were
no restrictions.
Cliff Smith would like to see more youth included in the programming. He suggested that we have a
one day pledge drive to raise funds for Central Services.
Eric Ramsey thanked Brad Grant for the use of the room at
Howard University.
Tony Leon asked about the criteria used to make the program changes. He also asked questions
about HD transmitters.
VI. Finance Report
The Treasurer, Nick Arena stated the following:
The bank balance as
of 4/30/18 was approximately $42,000 with payroll and bills current except for Central Services and other long term
payables. Central Service payments have not been made for January, thru April. May health insurance payment will be
delayed until the Pledge Drive. Cash flow will be very difficult until the Pledge Drive.
The following is the
Budget Revenue and Expense Updates:
-Capital Campaign Meetings with experts and IED took place in March.
Actions steps have been drafted and need review by Jerry, Christine and Nancy.
-April Mailing to Major
Donors/New Donors - prepared and lead by Tony Leon with assistance from Eric Ramey and others. Next steps are calls and
follow up to letters.
-Peer Fundraising/Friends and Family donations being organized by Vinnie for Pledge Drive
(May)
-Stroke Minute work began May 7. Need assistance with Grant Writing.
-Need assistance with
Live@5 Studio rental, equipment sales and grant writing.
Due to audit and tax return work by the Pacifica National
Office accounting staff, updated financial statements are not yet available. A rough draft of Year to Date versus Budget
was provided for the LSB.
VII. Community Comment
Regarding the Scooter McGruder�s show �Baby Boomer
Boogie�:
Dr. Christine Aster stated that she was devastated by the removal from the WPFW air the program
�Baby Boomer Boogie�. She indicated that she sent an email to the interim program director. In addition, Judy
Walk, David Merriweather, Albert McSenoir, and Billy Boom Boom expressed their concern about the removal of the the
program �Baby Boomer Boogie� from the WPFW airwaves. After 5 members of the community commented and 4 letters
were read regarding the removal of Baby Boomer Boogie (Scooter Magruder�s show) The GM stated that he would bring
Scooter McGruder back to the WPFW airwaves.
William Taft would like a CD that he submitted played on the air. He
contacted the interim program director but he hasn�t received a response.
Joe Brown stated that he is concerned
about the removal of the Margaret Prescott show from the program schedule on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
evenings.
VIII. PNB Report
Benito Diaz stated:
By May 31st WBAI should be out of the Empire State building
tower. KPFA lost the suit regarding the election of a LSB member.
Nancy Sorden stated:
The LSB elections may not
occur this year. The PNB is concentrating on paying back the loan and finishing the 2016 audit.
Pacifica
audit:
Eileen said the 2016 audit should be done by the end of the loan negotiation.
IX. Programming
Committee
A meeting was scheduled with the general manager, however; due to an emergency tower maintenance issue, he
rescheduled a meeting with the Programming Committee for Thursday May 17. Some of the items for discussion are the
roles and responsibilities of the LSB, Programming Committee and station Management regarding programming as described
in the Pacifica by-laws. The Committee continues to produce a monthly LSB Show which airs on the last Friday of the
month. Committee members receive and share input from the community regarding WPFW programs.
X. MASC
Committee
There was no report during the regular meeting. The report was during the executive session. The executive
session involved a matter that is within the purview of the following Pacifica bylaws Article Six, Meetings of the Board
of Directors, Section 7. The executive meeting involved matters regarding WPFW personnel.
XI. Outreach and
Development
Martha discussed a date and place for the next Town Hall meeting. She stated that the LSB committee would
plan and schedule the Town Hall meeting in June at Plymouth Congregational Church.
XII. New Business
Cliff Smith
made the following motion:
I move that WPFW LSB members should be given 10 minutes to discuss new business and all
electronic devices should be silenced.
The motion was approved. It was unanimous.
XIII. Adjourn Regular Meeting at
8:20 pm
XIV. Executive Session 8:22 pm reconvened
The executive session relates to proprietary
information.
Executive Session adjourned at 8:43 pm
XV. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn: There was no
objection.
Louis Wolf adjourned the regular meeting at 8:43 pm
Minutes submitted by: Ellen Williams
Carter