Minutes
WPFW Regular LSB Meeting
March 13, 2019
Shepherd Park (Juanita E. Thornton) Neighborhood
Library
7420 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20012
Chair Robert Simms
Ellen Williams Carter Secretary
I.
Call to order
Robert Simms chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Quorum was established at 6:50pm.
II.
Roll call
17 - Members were present at roll call: Maskeelah-Myrtle Washington, Ellen Williams Carter, Donald
Williams, Robert Simms, Eileen Rosin, Julie Hewitt, Martha Peterson, Gloria Turner, Louis Wolf, Nancy Sorden, Ron
Pinchback, Cliff Smith, Tony Leon, Vicki McGill, Campbell Johnson, Benito Diaz, Jim Brown
4 - Excused Absences: Lona
Alias, Nick Arena, Sabooh Hikim, Meredith Cordisco
3 - Unexcused: Jay Winter Nightwolf, Eric Ramey,
There was one
resignations/removal.
1 - Resigned: Christine Cotter in October
The GM Jerry Paris was present.
The IPD
Katea Stitt was absent.
Timekeeper: Julie Hewitt
Sergeant at Arms: Maskeelah-Myrtle Washington
III. Approval
of Agenda
The Agenda was approved as amended.
IV. Approval of the Minutes
The February 13, 2018 WPFW LSB
regular meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.
V. Management Reports
The fund drive was extended to reach
$300,000 goal. At the time it was extended $285,000 was raised. The concert at the Eaton Hotel raised $800. A
fundraiser is planned at Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club with Cassandra Wilson on Friday, March 29, 2019.
On
March 8, 2019 special programming is planned for “International Women’s Day”. The Pacifica National
Board (PNB) approved the WPFW budget. When phase 2 of the transmitter project takes place at the end of the month, we
will go back to the regular transmitter. We joined “Greater Public Consultant” for nonprofit Radio stations
and a research consultant. The cost for membership was $500. We will receive Arbitron ratings.
VI. Finance Report

The Treasurer, Nick Arena’s report stated the following:
The winter Pledge Drive has achieved
approximately 77% of goal ($270,000/$350,000). Additional off air fundraising is needed immediately. The General
Manager is meeting with major donors and several off-air events are planned.
As of February 28, the Station is behind
budget by approximately $178,000. This includes 4 to 5 Central Services payments that have not been paid as well as
$30,000 in National Election costs that are in the budget. The Station has not been asked to make payments for the
National Election to date. In addition, approximately $40,000 in transmitter expenses have been paid from funds raised
in FY2018. Additional Off-air fundraising activities/events are needed in April-May.
VII. Community Comment

Cerena Roberts from WBAI-
She was on the program with Benito and she thinks that Benita should not get reprimanded
for the WPFW-LSB program that he hosted.
Joe Brown reminded everyone about the Blume memorial. He is concerned
about the firing of Gloria Minott.
William Heerwagen from WBAI-
He is against Benito being removed from the LSB
for the WPFW-LSB program that he hosted.
Tony Norman
He thinks that the LSB show should be maintained; however,
political issues within WPFW and Pacifica should not go on the air. Standards for disciplining programmers need to be
established.
Tom O’Rourke-
The LSB needs to talk with Jerry and Katea about standards for disciplining
programmers. In addition, we need a nightly news shows.
John Tatum-
The bylaw amendment regarding telephone
communication for meetings violates the original bylaws.
VIII. PNB Report
Nancy Sorden stated:
Disclaimer
Carts/PSAs has not been addressed on the last PNB meeting agenda.
Tony Leon stated and presented a written
report:
The individuals FOR LSB telephonic meeting participation argue that:
a. It would allow more participation
from diverse communities that pick-up the signal but are as far as 100 miles away.
b. Members who are hospitalized or
away at work would benefit.
c. There’s little to no cost for purchasing special equipment to allow
this.
The individuals AGAINST say-
a. Society has become increasingly divided by technology. Events that used to
involve the natural human characteristics of personal contact and relationship building have transformed us into
impersonal, unfocused and faceless objects.
b. Members who, not wanting to attend meetings in person for a variety of
reasons, will abuse this policy. We may see LSB meetings where only 50% or less attend in person. It doesn't seem fair
to those who sacrifice and prove their commitment to the LSB by attending in person.
c. In committee meetings where
less than 10 people have been present, cell phone participation was used and it was burdensome having to pass the phone
closer to each person speaking, then having to lean in to hear the cell phone attendee. Imagine this with 20+
participants and the community in the room.
d. Presently there are delegates who reject having to show evidence of
sickness and request that their absence be excused. It would seem that a reasonable person requesting special treatment
from the LSB, instead of resigning their position after 3 absences, wouldn't disapprove of a request to provide evidence
of hardship.
e. Other issues arising from telephone conferences include not knowing whether the member is engaged
with the meeting, nor being able to confirm whether non authorized persons are present during executive
sessions.
f. With the ability now to listen, donate and become a member of any of the 5 stations, from anywhere in
the world, in person attendance is a method to check against shenanigans, deception, trolling and the likes that goes on
in the faceless world of cyber space.
g. A bylaw amendment has been proposed (Art. 4, Sec.2, A) that would allow any
listener member in good standing to be nominated for the position of Listener Delegate by themselves or by another
member in good standing. This eliminates the 15-signature requirement. The same is proposed for any Staff member thus
eliminating the 5-signature requirement.
When you connect the arguments FOR listed above with more bylaw amendment
proposals such as Art. 4, Sec.3, which would reduce Listener Delegates to 9 and Staff Delegates to 3 for a total of 12
Delegates per station, it creates the possibility for factions located in any region to conspire to become members,
nominate one of themselves, vote him/her in and never having to show their faces to staff or members because they
aren’t required to attend any meetings in person.
When and if the time comes to vote on these issues I
recommend that we consider how these proposals will jeopardize board representation by and for the local
community.
2. Bylaw amendment proposals – Bylaw proposals can be found on Pacifica.org. See Art. 17 in the
current bylaws on approving amendments and new adoptions.
3. Elections update – The NES has reported, "The
election has closed. Results will be certified and released no later than March 20, as early as March 15. Bookmark
elections.pacifica.org for all future updates." It appears that the new delegates will be seated at the April LSB
meeting. PNB officer nominations should occur 7 days after election certification by the current LSB.
4. Presentation
by Greater Public – The PNB heard a presentation by Greater Public, an organization that provides support in the
following areas:
One-on-one support: Greater Public’s professional advisors can answer questions,
Provide
advice, and share their expertise in a variety of fundraising areas including
But not limited to:
On-air
fundraising
Online giving
Direct mail and telemarketing
Corporate support and online sponsorship
Marketing
and on-air promotion
Major giving and planned giving
Audience research
Continuous
education
Templates
Current trend tracking
Benchmarks
Annual conference
Improving pitching
And
more…
IX. Program Committee
Donna Grimes stated:
I need to substitute the LSB Approved Programming Roles
Resolution for the one entitled Programming Resolution. The Programming Committee asks that these documents be shared
with LSB members. The LSB show is a subcommittee of 3 members. We still have not received the Info.@wpfw.
X. MASC
Committee
They began the process of interviewing a few candidates. They will do management evaluations.
XI.
Outreach and Development
The Town Hall Meeting will take place at the Petworth Library on March 13 with ED Maxie
Jackson.
XII. New Business
The motion regarding Benito Diaz was postponed until the April 10 LSB
meeting.
XIII. Adjourned Regular Meeting at 8:45pm
Robert Simms, Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:45pm
Minutes
submitted by: Ellen Williams Carter