WPFW Regular LSB Meeting
February 12, 2020
Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library
4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.
20016
Tony Leon – Vice Chair
Ellen Williams Carter - Secretary
I. Call to order
Tony Leon, vice chair
called the meeting to order at 6:37 pm. Quorum was established at 6:47pm.
II. Roll call
19 - Members that were
present at roll call: Craig Hall, Craig Williams, Donna Grimes, Dennis Williams, Eileen Rosin, Ellen Williams Carter,
Julie Hewitt, Louis Wolf, Marsha Coleman Adebayo, Martha Peterson, Maskeelah Washington, Thomas Blanton, Tony Leon,
Vanessa Dixon-Briggs, Wayne Bruce, Arthur McCloud, Lucille Perez, Tim Willard, and Kathleen Malloy
6 - Excused Absences: Chuk Nixon, Sabooh Hikim, Nancy Sorden, Ron Pinchback, Thomas O’Rourke, Nick
Arena
1- Unexcused: Jay Winter Nightwolf
The IPD Katea Stitt was absent. A report was not
submitted.
Timekeeper: Julie Hewitt
Sergeant at Arms: Maskeelah Washington
III. Agenda
The Agenda was
approved.
IV. Approval of the Minutes
The December 11, 2019 and the January 8, 2020 minutes were approved.
V.
Management Reports
The General Manager, Jerry Paris stated the following:
Pledge Drive
During the December
pledge drive $150,000 was raised in 6 days. On the 3rd day of Winter Pledge Drive $44,000 dollars was
raised.
Programming
There was a live broadcast of the poor people’s
campaign.
Antenna/Transmitter
The Transmitter is working okay; however, we are still on low power from 9am to 6pm.
At this time there is work going on at the American University tower. We should have full power by February
10th.
Bylaw Amendments
We need to vote on the Bylaw Amendments.
GM Response to Questions:
HD radio
HD is
a new medium that is still growing. We will have four (4) HD channel streams. HD streams are another source of revenue.
Several radio outlets are interested in joining our HD stream: UDC, Bowie University, Howard University and We Act
radio.
Equipment
GM acquired chairs, etc. for $200 from Kingsbury School that closed.
Programming Collaboration
with WBAI
WBAI asked if we could collaborate with them and they air The Collision: Sports and Politics and Code Pink
Radio. Additionally, the GM suggested that WBAI to do remotes. Super Tuesday east to west broadcast is in the planning
stages.
Fundraising
The Howard Theater fundraiser needs to be locked down on a date. The U Street Jam is scheduled
for April 25.
VI. Finance
A written report was submitted
Station Cash Flow Update:
The Bank Balances were
$83,000 as of January 31, 2020. The Winter Pledge Drive is critical for cash flow for the next 4 months. Off-air
fundraisers are planned thru the end of February.
Budget Revenue and Expense Updates:
It should be noted that
past due Central Services payments (4-7) and other past due payments including approximately $20,000 in National
Election costs that is not included in the FY2020 budget; however, the loan interest payments of $3,150 per month are
included in the Budget starting in December 2019. The Station has not been asked to make payments for the National
Election to date. Budgeted Expenses of $50,000 for the HD transmitter costs were not made in January due to lack of
funds.
VII. PNB Report
Issues
As a result of the pending Proposed Bylaw Amendments the new PNB members
can’t be seated.
Mediation was tried regarding the WBAI situation. The Interim ED was fired.
VIII.
Community Comment
David Lee
He had questions about the Proposed Bylaw Amendments. He was referred to Pacifica.org
for more information.
Joe Brown
Submitted a list of probable funders. A PSA is needed about the proposed bylaw
amendments. John
Anthony
Directed to GM Unity walk did not set a date what is a good time to start a dialogue. GM
said he will meet with him.
Cliff Smith
He discussed the Black history of Greensboro. He asked could we get
Bohemian Cavern. The GM said we maybe be able to work with Davey on it. He also showed us his protest signs.
IX.
MASC Committee
The next meeting is 3rd Wednesday of the month. They don’t have anyone that they can send to
Jerry for review.
X. Outreach and Development
Topics discussed:
-A Calendar of community/fundraising events
-Town Hall Meeting
-Distributing cards
U Street Jam
It will take place April 25, 2020 at Prince Hall.
Torries restaurant will provide food and an open bar. No more than 275 people allowed.
Blues Festival
2nd Saturday
in August
5K Run
Sometime in September
XI. Programming Committee
The program committee met by phone. They
had an election of officers. They discussed the PSA for the proposed bylaw amendments. They discussed live @5 and news
on the weekend.
Questions: Can public affairs be aired on the weekends? Can a Round-up take place at the end of the
week? They will talk with Askia regarding these news program questions.
The Program committee will present a survey
to Robb.
XII. New Business
Julie stated the small group (5) met regarding seeking an outside fundraising
consultant. They put together a plan on how to raise funds to do this. They are looking for more volunteers. If you are
interested contact Julie.
XIII. Adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:26 pm
Tony Leon, Vice Chair adjourned the
meeting at 8:26 pm
Minutes submitted by: Ellen Williams Carter