Minutes
WPFW Regular LSB Meeting
September 11, 2019
WPFW
1990 K St NW
Suite 14R
Washington,
DC
Sabooh Hakim – Chair
Ellen Williams Carter - Secretary
I. Call to order
Tony Leon vice chair
called the meeting to order at 6:44 pm. Quorum was established at 6:47pm.
II. Roll call
11 - Members that were
present at roll call: Ellen Williams Carter, Robert Simms, Eileen Rosin, Julie Hewitt, Nancy Sorden, Cliff Smith, Craig
Williams, Benito Diaz, Martha Peterson, Maskeelah-Myrtle Washington, Ron Pinchback, Nick Arena, and Tony Leon
2-Excused Absences: Louis Wolf, Sabooh Hakim
1-Unexcused: Wayne Tilly
There was no resignation
The IPD
Katea Stitt was absent.
Timekeeper: Robb Simms
Sergeant at Arms: Tony Leon
III. Agenda
The Agenda was
approved.
IV. Approval of the Minutes
The August 14, 2019 was not approved without corrections.
V. Management
Reports
The General Manager, Jerry Paris stated the following:
Summer Pledge Drive and Expenses Paid
We
achieved the goal for the summer pledge drive. We raised $130, 000. The next pledge drive will take place October 6
through the 26th. All operating costs were paid, the rent and the antenna tower costs.
Arbitron and
TAPSCAN
Arbitron reports were sent to WPFW-LSB members. The IED wants $2,000 a quarter from each station for TAPSCAN
(The most widely used Web-based sales proposal and analysis software system for radio. It is used by over 19,000 radio
sales professionals and facilitates half a million proposals to radio buyers per year.)
Programming
WPFW will
cover the Political Party Conventions. WPFW will do special broadcasting for the Climate Change demonstrations. WPFW
participated and aired the Upshur Park, “Don’t Smoke the Brothers Barbeque on September 6th
year.
Fundraising and Grants
The Blues Festival was a success they raised just under $3,000. The Sweet Honey and
the Rock concert raised $2,000. The 5K Run/Walk will take place on September 14. Tony Leon said that the grant task
force met.
Antenna
Progress is being made with completing the HD antenna. Moe is working at WPFW fulltime. Some
additional work must be done on the antenna before the weather changes; consequently, the antenna power may be reduced
by 10%. They are trying to reduce it only during the hours of 9am to 6pm.
Miscellaneous
The Info@WPFW.org data
was distributed.
VI. Finance
Nick Arena, treasure stated the following:
Station Cash Flow Update
The Bank
Balances were $50,000 as of August 31. The Station is in an immediate CASH FLOW CRISIS. There was not sufficient funds
to meet the full payroll expenses in September. The deficits for payroll are owed to Pacifica. The office rent has
been paid. Other vendor payments have been delayed as well. The Station staff is speaking with vendors to let them
know the situation. The August Pledge Drive reached its goal of $150,000. The General Manager and Staff are meeting
with major donors. A volunteer Grant team is forming. LSB members should consider Grant writer and potential major
donor referrals to the GM.
Budget Revenue and Expenses Update
Fiscal Year 2019 thru March has been provided by the
CFO. It is unclear as to how we compare to the Budget. A rough Cash basis comparison to budget thru August was
provided. Taking into account the payroll funds owned 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 deficit is probably over $90,000. 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 September.
VII.
Community Comment
Nightwolf
He thanked Moe and Jerry for their work on the antenna. He said he emailed Katea (IPD)
requesting an additional hour but it was ignored. He introduced a colleague, Manuel, who will address the democratic
candidates. He stated that the program will be broadcast on television.
Arthur McCloud
Thanked Moe and Jerry for
their work on the antenna. He requested information about the confessor’s new programming.
Ramone
He was
concerned that the IPD does not attend WPFW-LSB meetings. He said when he worked at WPFW he had to come to meetings.
Tony Norman
It is unacceptable that the Interim Program Director does not attend meetings. He stated that Jerry
(GM) can require that she come to meetings.
John Anthony
On July 25, he called Katea (IPD) about the Unity Walk
in August. He stated that he didn’t receive a response.
Amina Muhamad
Chair of the CAB is concerned that
there was no announcement that came from the CAB. She has never seen IPD attend a meeting. The CAB is required to get to
get funds from the CPB. In addition, she stated that they should have an input in the Interim Program Director’s
decisions. She also stated that pictures of all the programmers are needed for the Web Page. The CAB are looking for new
members. She said she has called the station and no one answers.
VIII. PNB Report
Nancy Sorden
Audit
She
stated that the 2018 audit is almost done.
Election
We are at 1/3 quorum of the election response for WPFW. The
election report is on the website at election.org
National Office Loan Payments
Interest payments are due in
December. The National Office is proposing that stations try a fundraiser to raise 1 million dollars.
Underwriting
The PNB instructed station PNB members to put a hold on reviewing revenue through underwriting because we need legal
protection and accountability of cash flow.
National Program committee
The Program committee sent an initiative to
the PNB members about special programming.
IX. Program Committee
No meeting and report.
X. MASC
Committee
They are reviewing applications.
XI. Outreach and Development
The 5K Run/Walk will take place on
September 14, 2019 at Wheaton Reginald Park. WPFW-LSB members who are volunteering need to be there by 6:30am. They need
to leave the park by 12:00pm. They received donations of food and $725. Expenses so far are $355 for rent, $250 medals,
Timer person for the race $250. The total expenses are $1200.
XII. New Business
No new business
XIII.
Adjourned the regular meeting at 9:17pm
Reconvened at 9:18pm
Executive session began at 9:19pm
Purpose of the executive session: personnel matters
Tony Leon, Vice Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:44
pm
Minutes submitted by: Ellen Williams Carter