Minutes
WPFW Regular LSB Meeting
July 12, 2017
1990 K Street N.W. Washington, D.C.
Robert Simms, Chair
Ellen Williams Carter Secretary
I. Call to order
At 6:45 pm a quorum was established. Robert Simms called the
meeting to order at 6:45 pm.
II. Roll call
14 Members were present at roll call: Robert Simms, , Maskeelah-Myrtle
Washington, Ellen Williams Carter (non- voting), Louis Wolf, , Eileen Rosin, Nick Arena (non-voting), Jim Brown, Julie
Hewitt, Benito Diaz, Cliff Smith, Nancy Sorden, Meredith Cordisco, Christine Cotter, Vickie McGill, Martha Peterson,
Gloria Turner
2 Members Late: Eric Ramey, Donald Williams
4 Excused absence: Lona Alias, Sabooh Hakim, Tony
Leon, Ron Pinchback
2 Unexcused absence: Campbell Johnson, JW Nightwolf
1 Resigned: Sandra Butler-Truesdale
The
GM Jerry Paris was present.
The IPD Katea Stitt was present.
Timekeeper: Meredith Cordisco
III. Approval of
Agenda – agenda was amended and approved
Agenda Approved
IV. Approval of the minutes
The June 14, 2017 regular
meeting minutes were approved.
Minutes Approved
V. Management Reports
The General Manager, Jerry Paris stated
the following:
• The station has paid all bills for July.
• As a result of a glitch in the computer program,
donors have received multiple bills.
• In August we need to do a mini drive.
• During a task force meeting with
LSB members we discussed several events to provide revenue.
The Interim Program Director Report:
June/July
Programming Highlights:
• 40 Years of Swinging the Revolution: WPFW Spring Fundraising Drive; May 7-27.
Our goal was $350,000, and we raised $356,050, and secured 1000 new members!
• Thursday, June 8 - James Comey
Senate Hearings: Once again, WPFW was the Producer of a Pacifica National Broadcast of the James Comey Senate Hearings.
• Saturday, July 8, Sound Scene at the Hirschhorn sponsored by DC Listening Lounge
• Sound Scene 10th
Anniversary WPFW was not only the Media Sponsor for this event.
Upcoming Special Programming:
• August 8-27,
Documenta 14 Radio Program: Every Time A Ear di Soun
VI. PNB Reports
Benito Diaz stated the following:
There is
a suit against Pacifica for the nonpayment on the contract between Pacifica and the Empire State Building (ESB) for the
use of its tower to house the WBAI transmitter. This contract was signed in 2005 by the IED at that time. At the time,
the rent was reasonable, but contained a clause permitting regular rent increases. As a result, WBAI's tower rent is
now $50,000. per month. At some point WBAI stopped paying the rent. They now owe approximately $2.2 million in back
rent. The Former IED tried to negotiate an offer up to $500,000. The present IED has not followed through on the offer
or made a counter offer. Even this; however, wouldn't end the nightmare: WBAI/Pacifica is still responsible for future
rents until the end of the contract in 2020! A proposal was presented to secure a mortgage on the Berkeley
property.
PNB Governance Committee Election:
The following individuals were elected to serve on the PNB
Governance Committee at the meeting on July 12, 2017. The votes were counted by Fair Vote. The results were the
following:
PNB LSB Governance Committee election:
Louis Wolf 16
Donald Williams
15
Lona Alias 1
WPFW LSB PNB Governance committee Members are: Louis Wolf and Donald Williams
VII. Community Comment
Joe Brown
• The Collision: Sports and Politics Program was a repeat and
there was no announcement that it was a repeat.
• The station should do a Fundraisers one day each month for the
rent.
• He feels that the Public Affairs Programs needs improvements.
Miyuki Williams
• She feels that program
changes should be made to raise more money. She suggested more training for the programmers. She stated although there
is a hiring freeze and the Interim Program Director can’t be switched to Program Director, but program changes can be
made.
Tony Norman
• He feels we need to determine what we will do about the 40th Anniversary Gala.
VIII.
Finance Report by Treasurer - submitted a written report
Cash Flow Update:
• WPFW is ahead of our Budgeted Net
Income by $202,299 thru May 31.
• Our Total Revenues of $961,113 are 239, 017 ahead of the budgeted
$722,096.
• June 30 Bank Balance and Cash Flow Needs
There was a request for LSB members to volunteer to call
lapsed donors and send mail reminders.
Motion: Nick Arena
I propose that we do one day a month fundraiser where
LSB members make contributions for a matching fund. This would begin on August 9.
Vote: Unanimous
Motion: Louis
Wolf
I move that we set aside five (5) percent of station funds monthly to be placed in the Leonard account for the
payment of the $18,000 back rent.
Vote: 16 Favor 1 Against 0 Abstentions
IX. Outreach and Development
Committee
WPFW Spring Fling Fundraiser:
Individual ticket sales
$3,086.68
Tables
$900.00
Expenses: Security and Setup
- $1,100.00
Totals
$2,886.68
4th Annual Blues Festival Fundraiser:
The 4th Annual
Blues Festival will occur on August 12th in Indian Head Highway, Maryland. Each LSB member is asked to sell 5
tickets.
WPFW Holistic Health Initiative
WPFW Holistic Health Initiative will occur with the 2017 WPFW 5K Walk/Run
on September 23, 2017. It will be called “Walking for Total Wellness”.
Maskeelah stated that we need a disclaimer
statement for the Holistic Health Initiative.
X. MASC Committee
The committee issues discussed couldn’t be
addressed during the regular meeting.
XI. Programming Committee – submitted a written report
Cliff Smith stated
his motion again and it was discussed:
I move that the following prime time weekday hours as shown below be dedicated
entirely to public affairs programming and that this change in format be implemented as soon as possible but certainly
within six months.
Primetime weekday hours are:
7 a.m. to 10 a.m. (morning drive time)
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
(evening drive time)
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. (evening prime time).
A discussion occurred:
Nancy Sorden stated:
She is in favor of more public affairs programming. She said we keep talking about bringing in young people. She
feels that more public affairs programs will bring in more young people.
Benito Diaz stated:
He stated that the
purpose of Pacifica to provide an education.
Christine Cotter stated:
She read a text from several young people
that stated they listen to WPFW for the music.
XII. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn: There was no
objection.
Robb Simms adjourned the regular meeting at 9:10 pm
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm
Minutes submitted
by: Ellen Williams Carter