Minutes
WPFW Regular LSB Meeting
July 11, 2018
1990 K Street N.W. Washington, D.C.
Robert Simms, Chair
Ellen Williams Carter Secretary
I. Call to order
At 6:40 pm a quorum was established. Robert Simms chair
called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm.
II. Roll call
14 - Members were present at roll call: Maskeelah-Myrtle
Washington, Ellen Williams Carter, Louis Wolf, Benito Diaz, Donald Williams, Eric Ramey, Sabooh Hakim, Martha Peterson,
Meredith Cordisco, Vicki McGill, Gloria Turner, Tony Leon, Robert Simms, Ron Pinchback,
8 - Excused Absences: Cliff
Smith, Christine Cotter, Lona Alias, Nick Arena, Jim Brown, Julie Hewitt, Eileen Rosin, Nancy Sorden
2 - Unexcused:
Jay Winter Nightwolf, Campbell Johnson
There were no resignations/removals.
The GM Jerry Paris was
present. The IPD Katea Stitt was not present.
Timekeeper:
III. Approval of Agenda
The Agenda was
approved.
IV. Approval of the minutes
The June 13, 2018 WPFW LSB regular meeting minutes were reviewed and
approved.
V. Management Reports
The General Manager, Jerry Paris stated the following:
-The owner of the HD
transmitter charged $75,000 instead of $100,000.
-This month�s Central service and health insurance was paid.
-New mikes were placed in the guest studio.
- GM stated that the next Pledge Fund Drive is August 4th through the
August 17th. Tickets for the Blues Festival will be offered during the pledge drive.
-GM stated that he talked with
the National Office�s NETA's Business Center who are taking over the CFO duties. The GM said that they gave him good
advice.
-GM stated that WPFW needs to hire a Development Director and Business Manager.
-WBAI returned WPFW�s
backup transmitter.
-GM stated that remarks against the staff needs to stop. He said the small staff is working
hard.
-The contract with American University has been completed.
Question and Statements:
-Benito stated that
the PNB needs to okay the hiring of a development director.
-A request was made for the Finance committee to analyze
what happened with the pledge drive in June.
-Ron Pinchback asked if there would be a reduction of wattage while
putting in the new transmitter.
-The GM stated yes.
-Eric Ramsey thanked the General Manager and Moe Thomas the
chief engineer for their work.
-Lou Wolf asked if we may be able to lease the live @ 5 studio.
- GM stated that
someone has inquired about renting the space.
VI. Finance Report
The Treasurer, Nick Arena�s report stated the
following:
The bank Balance as of 6/30/18 was approximately $94,000 with payroll and bills current except for Central
Services and other long term payables. Two Central Services payments were made in June leaving WPFW three payments
behind as of June 30th. Cash flow will be very difficult until the Fall Pledge Drive. Off air fundraising is needed. An
August Mini Drive is being planned for early in the month.
Budget Revenue and Expense Updates:
-Capital
Campaign needs to begin with mailing to donors and make follow up calls and meetings. We need staff and volunteers
support.
-April Mailing to Major Donors/New Donors was prepared and lead by Tony Leon with assistance from
Eric Ramey and others. Follow up with corrections to contact information and scheduling with staff is needed.
-Peer Fundraising/Friends and Family donations we are trying to build a team for August or December.
- Grant
initiatives: Stroke minute and Public Welfare Foundation. Christine Cotter is assisting with grant writing, and other
assistance is needed.
-Need assistance with Live@5 Studio rental, equipment sales and other off air
fundraising efforts.
Due to audit and tax return work by the Pacifica National Office accounting staff, updated
financial statements are not yet available. A rough draft of Year to Date versus Budget was provided for the
LSB.
VII. Community Comment
Joe Brown an activist in the community stated that we need to work on a building funds
from varied sources. He is willing to volunteer with this type of endeavor. In addition, he suggested that that we have
a �One Day a Month on Air Drive� to keep the roof over our head. He is willing to work with the finance
committee.
Wister Chadwick Offered to volunteer at the station. She also wants the station to have a balance of music
Jazz and Public Affairs. She is concerned about the jazz programs that lost air time.
VIII. PNB Report
-Benito
Diaz stated that the PNB approved the 2016 Audit. The PNB recently approved a few motions, recommended by Pacifica's
lawyers, to demonstrate good faith on the part of Pacifica regarding the pensions. The IED reported last week that there
are now 26 applicants for the job. The PNB members made a motion during last week's regular meeting to adjust the
timeline of the National elections for board members to the 2nd & 3rd years of this 3-year cycle (instead of the regular
1st & 2nd years of this cycle).
-Eileen Rosin�s written report stated that the Audit Committee has sent its
recommendation to the PNB last week and the PNB approved the selection of Rogers & Company, based in Vienna, VA.
Pacifica hired NETA's Business Center to take over the CFO duties for the time being. NETA has started visiting the
stations, starting with WPFW!
-Tony Leon stated that the PNB STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE since its inception has
developed several proposals for a financial recovery plan.
They include the following:
1. By-law
changes
2. Centralization of finances including banking
3. Programming changes and audience research is
needed
4. Agree on what the mission is
5. Governance changes
6. Achieve a 10% growth
7. Reduce the
length/number of on air fund raising
8. Underwriting
9. Major donors
10. CPB Funds
11. National
programming
12. Improvements in financial management
13. Local and national advertising
14. Pitching a Pacifica
book to author
They�ve broken into 4 teams and the teams are the following:
1. Mission and Governance
reform
2. Programming
3. Financial Recovery
4. Systems reviews (accounting etc.)
The Goal Time frames are
divided into: Short term � next 18 months, Midterm � next 3 years and Long term � next 3+ years.
In addition he
reminded WPFW LSB members to donate $20 for station advertising.
IX. Programming Committee
They didn�t meet.
There was no report.
X. MASC Committee
There was no report. They are in the final stages of evaluations.
XI.
Outreach and Development
-The Blues Festival will take place on August 11, 2018 at Lamont�s Place. The admission
cost is $25. Blues musicians are performing for free. There will be a drawing for the U Street Jam tickets which occurs
in December. Tickets will be available online.
-5K Walk planning will honor Dick Gregory. His family will be
involved.
-The Town Hall Meeting occurred on June 30th and about 33 community members attended. A survey
questionnaire was provided to the community. The results of the survey will be provided.
XII. New
Business
Maskeelah-Myrtle Washington visited Cliff Smith at the Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital. She suggested that
we get him a notebook computer.
XIII. Adjourn Meeting at 8:32 pm
Motion to adjourn: There was no
objection.
Chair Robb Simms adjourned the regular meeting at 8:32pm
Minutes submitted by: Ellen Williams
Carter