Minutes
WPFW Regular LSB Meeting
August 14, 2019
Shepherd Park
7420 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.
20012
Sabooh Hakim – Chair
Ellen Williams Carter - Secretary
I. Call to order
Sabooh Hakim chair
called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm. Quorum was established at 6:45pm.
II. Roll call
11 - Members were present
at roll call: Ellen Williams Carter, Robert Simms, Eileen Rosin, Julie Hewitt, Louis Wolf, Nancy Sorden, Cliff Smith,
Sabooh Hakim, Tony Leon, Craig Williams, Benito Diaz, Martha Peterson,
3 -Excused Absences: Maskeelah-Myrtle
Washington, Nick Arena, Ron Pinchback
1- Unexcused: Wayne Tilly
There was one resignation Jim Brown.
There
were two removals for members that termed out: Lona Alias and Gloria Turner.
The IPD Katea Stitt was absent.
Timekeeper: Robb Simms
Sergeant at Arms: Sabooh
III. Agenda
The Agenda was approved.
IV. Approval of
the Minutes
The July 10, 2019 was approved.
The Chair reported the status of current vacancies (8 listeners, 2
staff).
V. Management Reports
The General Manager, Jerry Paris stated the following:
He won’t extend
the pledge drive. As of today, $120,000 was raised. Bill Wax, a Saturday programmer raised the most money. The GM had a
good meeting with the ED. The ED also met with the staff. He stated that our weakness presently is our finances. The Ed
stated that he wants us to function as a network. The GM stated that WPFW established a Grant Task Force consisting of
Jane Gatewood and Jerry Paris. Vicki McGill is the new Social Media/Web Publishing contractor. Special programming aired
for Ron Clark and Tony Morrison. Roach Brown aired a program regarding Stop Gun Violence. A concerned was raised
regarding the on air programing and the IPD’s sharing of information about programming such as additions and
changes. NETA suggested a new time and attention program to track employee hours. Vacation and sick leave will be
locked down. A new water cooler was purchased. A contract person was hired. No Arbitron was shared. Robb will present
the Arbitron information during the next meeting. He stated that Info@wpfw.org had some information. A motion was
presented regarding Info@wpfw.org.
Motion
Info@wpfw.org will be sent to wpfw.lsb@gmail.com for
retrieval.
Vote: Unanimous
VI. Finance
Nick Arena, treasure stated the following:
The station’s
Bank Balances were $25,000 as of June 30. The Station is in an immediate CASH FLOW CRISIS. There were not sufficient
funds to meet the full payroll expenses in July. The deficit was paid by Pacifica. The Office Rent and Health
insurance was not paid. Other vendor payments have been delayed as well. The Station staff is speaking with vendors to
let them know the situation. With the August Pledge Drive's totals thru August 12, the Station expects to collect over
$109,000 so far on a goal of $175,000. The GM and Staff are meeting with major donors. $25,000 was received in July.
All members of the LSB should consider any August donations they were considering or soliciting be made ASAP. Grant
writers are needed. LSB members should consider Grant writer and potential major donors’ referrals to the
GM.
A FY19 thru February has been provided by the CFO. It is unclear as to how we compare to the Budget. A rough
Cash basis comparison to budget is provided. Taking into account the payroll funds owed to Pacifica, past due Central
Services payments (6-7) and past due health insurance payments ($9,000) that have not been paid as well as $30,000 in
National Election costs that are in the budget, the budget is likely deficit is over $120,000. The Station has not been
asked to make payments for the National Election to date. Additional Off-air fundraising activities/events are
desperately needed in Sept.
VII. Community Comment
Tony Norman
He was concerned with the notice that Katea,
IPD sent to programmers about calling the President names. He stated that programmers have 1st amendment rights.
Donna Grimes
She said that she sent a message to Info@wpfw.org and it bounced back with a response from Sataria.
She asked why Richard Wolf never pitches for WPFW during his show.
Robert Daughtry
He agrees with Tony Norman
regarding 1st amendment rights.
Ramon Ramaldi
He was also concerned with the notice that Katea, IPD sent to
programmers about calling the President names. He stated that programmers have 1st amendment rights.
Ambrose Lane Jr.
He stated that his father has called Regan a racist. He feels that the email that was sent to programmers takes us
away from our mission. He stated that he has a health based program that he would like to share on air but the IPD has
not responded to his emails.
Arthur McCloud
He said everyone has talked about the president. He said there are
shows that say something about the president every day.
Thomas O’Rourke
He wants Gary Null to return to
WPFW.
Nightwolf
He talked about the FCC 7 dirty words. He said that he felt personally threatened by the
IPD’s email regarding calling the President names. The GM said what Nightwolf said about the President was
unprofessional. In addition, Nightwolf said that he wants an additional hour for his show which represents Native
American issues.
Jessie Roadwork
Wants to know the status of the station.
VIII. PNB Report
Eileen Rosin
The 2018 draft audit is completed. It needs approval from the PNB.
Nancy Sorden
She stated that the PNB
Programming committee met. At this time, they are reviewing the Pacifica stations programming.
IX. Program
Committee
Donna Grimes
The PC met by conference call on August 13, 2019. They focused on the Programming
Resolution approved by the LSB in May 2019. They discussed getting receipt of Info@wpfw.org. In addition, they discussed
meeting with the GM about restoring the LSB show.
X. MASC Committee
They are reviewing applications.
XI.
Outreach and Development
The Blues Festival Report was not given. The 5KWalk/Run will take place on September 14,
2019 at Wheaton Reginald Park. Flyers will be available.
XII. New Business
Sabooh Hakim, Chair adjourned the
meeting at 8:40pm
Minutes submitted by: Ellen Williams Carter