This portion of PacificaFoundation.org is your source for Pacifica National Board (PNB) meeting announcements, PNB minutes, documents and other items related to the Pacifica National Board. Thanks for visiting!
The Pacifica National Board will meet in New York July 24 - July 26, 2009 at the Beekman Tower hotel, near 50th and First Avenue. Details soon.
Previous in-person PNB meetings have typically included at least one
closed session for discussion of legal and personnel matters. Session
scheduling depends upon agenda approval for the entire meeting, which
typically occurs on Friday. The likely scheduling of a closed session
is Sunday morning, but appropriate consideration of the business
scheduled for public sessions could require a different scheduling of a
closed session, if any.
Greetings All, The Natonal Office Finance Office is in the midst of planning for the 2010 Budget and summarizing the spring drive results. The Business Managers will meet on Thursday and possibly on Friday to review the planning template, the current cash flow, requirements for training on Great Plains reportwriter, and a walk through the budget outline. The results for the WBAI spring fund drive total $707,535 through 3pm today, May 27, 2009. Attached is the letter to the WBAI staff sent over the weekend. Sincerely, LaVarn Williams iCFO Pacifica foundation. interim General Manager 99.5FM
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL [during the in-person call, LaVarn said this wasn't confidential and reported all of this during the call]
Greetings WBAI Staff, Thank you for the tremendous and successful fund drive that you have produced over the last three weeks. You have generated $540,468 in pledges through Thursday, May 21, 2009. Your successes are most rewarding to those at the station and across the network who have kept the faith in WBAI. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Our concern at this time turns to the physical condition of XXX XXXXX [Not sure if this person's name was mentioned on the webstreaml] who collapsed in the studio on Thursday morning. XXXXX, we wish you a speedy recovery and we thank you for your commitment over the years to WBAI 99.5FM.
Also, we apologize to all subscribers for the missing premiums from prior drives. We must promise that we will keep our commitment to the listeners and we will send all requested thank you gifts. The success of the upcoming July drive and the subscribers? continuing commitment to WBAI depends on a speedy and accurate premium distribution.
WBAI Staff, your unbridled creative energies are the source of this turnaround in listener response. I applaud you and urge you to continue to make the drive a resounding success. I would like to give special recognition to Kathy Davis and Tony Bates who are investing great time and energy and are showing innovation and leadership in the Spring Fund Drive.
I would also like to thank Jose Santiago, shop steward for AFTRA, for being present during the fund drive. WBAI and Pacifica will always be committed to having the union in the workplace.
I would like to announce the interim appointment of Shawn Rhodes as interim Operations Director effective Saturday, May 16, 2009. The Foundation appreciates the work of Peter Bochan, the former Operations Director, and wishes him well in his new endeavor and thanks him for his commitment to WBAI.
Bernard White, former Program Director, is no longer with the Foundation. The Foundation thanks him for his contribution over the years and wishes him well.
Thanks to all of you as fellow workers, as subscribers, and as the connections to the listeners and subscribers of the WBAI community. The $540,468 raised through Day 18 of the current drive is almost even with the total pledges of the Winter drive that raised $542,245 in 27 days. The daily average in the Spring drive is $30,025 or nearly $10,000 a day better than the daily average of $20,085 in the winter drive. If one projects a range from this favorable variance through the end of the drive on May 30, we may raise anywhere from $250,000 to $300,000 more than the Winter drive. Therefore, we should approach or surpass our goal of $800,000. You truly are ?the ones we have been waiting for?.
Sincerely and with great respect, LaVarn Williams Interim General Manager WBAI 99.5FM
Report to the Pacifica National Board from the interim Executive Director
The National Office
Tony Riddle is now the National Development Director. Here's an excerpt from an email he just sent me:
[deleted terms of a possible contract]
He is also working on some grant opportunities through the CPB and, thanks to effort by Shawn Casey O'Brien, he will be working on federal stimulus grants Shawn helped us locate through Congressman Henry Waxman's office.
Ahmad Anderson, our interim HR Director, is working to centralize anti-discrimination and sexual harassment training so that all staff, both paid and unpaid, can complete it on-line. He has proposed that an additional on-line module be added to this training. That is staff evaluation procedures. He would like this to be completed not only by supervisors who will conduct routine staff evaluations but also by all paid staff so that they understand the evaluation process. I think this is an excellent idea and have instructed him to move forward with this. He has been fully on the job, is now in New York helping LaVarn with WBAI and has been working on other HR matters at a number of stations.
LaVarn Williams, our iCFO, is also the acting GM of WBAI, doing a terrific job of turning that station around while also still functioning as iCFO.
KPFT
KPFT's recent fund drive was a bit weak, but still improved over their winter drive. A new program council has been formed and promises to be highly functional and, hopefully, help the station move forward to improve programming.
KPFA
KPFA's fund drive which has just concluded will probably just about meet its expected goal when on-line pledges are added to its total. This is a relief as its winter drive was under budget. However, it looks as though KPFA will be able to end the fiscal year on budget.
KPFK
KPFK's fundrive starts next week. GOOD LUCK!! See the very positive, long L.A. Times article one of K's Spanish Language shows:
Much improved!! Fund drive 20% - 30% on average better performance in comparison to various drives. The difference in percentage varies based on the drives being compared.
Election
I hired Les Radke as the National Election Supervisor and he is whizzing ahead in hiring local election supervisors. LESes have already been hired for KPFK, KPFT, WPFW already and after a final look at candidates from NY and SF we will be hiring supervisors for those stations in the next 28 to 48 hours.
Roseanne Barr and Dr. Helen Caldicott have both agreed to record election carts.
That's all for now!
In Peace, Grace Aaron Chair of the Pacifica National Board Interim Executive Director of the Pacifica Foundation
phone: (310) 286 - 1011, cell: (510) 734-3496
1925 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704-1034 * www.pacifica.org * tel: (510) 849-2590 * fax: (510) 849-2617
The NFC met on 5/19/09. Motions passed at the meeting are pasted below (thanks to our secretary R. Paul Martin).
The iCFO provided us with a comprehensive cash flow forecast for the rest of the FY for the entire foundation, prepared by national office staff. (This document is attached.) We were very pleased with the quality and clarity of this document - each unit is a separate tab in an excel sheet; all tabs are linked to the NO and Consolidated tab, so it can easily be revised as new information becomes available.
The cash flow forecast shows $773,000 in unrestricted cash at the end of the FY for the entire foundation. This is a very low number given that the foundation as a whole spends about $1,200,000 a month.
For comparison, NFC member Susan Young assembled EOY unrestricted cash info from the last two years:
$2.1 million October 1, 2007 $1.4 million October 1, 2008 $500,000 - $770,000 October projected for October 1, 2009
NFC reviewed the cash flow forecast and found it overly optimistic by $150,000-$250,000. Another issue is that WPFW had not provided a cash flow to NO in time for inclusion, so the WPFW tab is not complete.
The iCFO said she would provide us with a revised version after review by the national finance office.
Our conclusion is that there is very real chance of serious cash shortfalls in the upcoming few months. This is a serious situation. As a consequence of our review of this document, we passed the first resolution (below):
These are the motions as I have them that were passed at the May 19, 2009, NFC meeting, not counting procedural motions, etc.
Motion: (Susan Young) "The National Finance Committee has in hand information that lets us know that a potential cash shortfall is imminent and that the Cash Management working group should develop criteria for, and terms of, a loan application." (passed without objection)
Motion: (Jamie Ross) "The National Finance Committee believes cancelling the election may create liability. The National Finance Committee requests detailed spending plans to further understand the financial impact of the upcoming LSB election. The National Finance Committee urges the National Elections Supervisor to come back with plans that would be cost effective and below the expenses of the last election, including a scenario that minimizes all discretionary spending." (passed without objection)
Motion: (Brian Edwards-Tiekert) "That the existing budget timetable be communicated to all General Managers and Business Managers by by the CFO." (passed without objection)
Present: Sherry Gendelman, George Reiter, Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Shawn O'Brian, Sandra Rawline, Carolyn Birden, Leslie Radford, Kathy Davis, Joseph Wanzala, Susan Young, James Ross, Jim Brown, Acie Byrd, Luzette King
Absent: Grace Aaron, Andrea Turner, Ricco Ross
Excused Absence:
Arrived Late: Wendy Schroel, David Beaton, Efia Nwangaza
Also Present: iCFO LaVarn Williams
b. Agenda Approval.
Chair asked if there were any additions or changes proposed for the Agenda. Simmons moved to add (at New Business -- c.) a motion asking for the Board to rescind an earlier approved motion re: change of status of Board Members. Hearing no objections, motion Approved. Gendelman moved to add (at Committee Reports -- IV.a.) a motion to address overlapping committee meetings. Hearing no objection, motion Approved. Radford moved to add (at New Business -- d.) a motion re: Global Warming Resolution. Hearing no objection, motion Approved. Radford moved to add (at Elections Committee Report -- IV.d.) 15 minutes for a discussion of the Election Process. Birden moved a substitute motion of 5 minutes. Motion voted Approved, 8-7-2.
Yes: Shawn O'Brian, Carolyn Birden, Wendy Schroel, Kathy Davis, James Ross, David Beaton, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
Young moved to extend Agenda Approval for 5 minutes. Hearing no objection, motion Approved. Young asked that motion at IV.g.2 be removed because it had already been settled. Simmons asked what had been done with the motion. No one seemed clear of what had been done, so Young suggested that when the meeting reached that item, the item could be Table until its status was determined. Hearing no objection, Approved. Simmons moved to set time to end meeting at 10:30 pm. Hearing no objection, motion Approved. Young moved to Approve the Agenda. Motion voted Approved, 13-4.
Yes: Sherry Gendelman, George Reiter, Bonnie Simmons, Shawn O'Brian, Sandra Rawline, Carolyn Birden, Wendy Schroell, Kathy Davis, Susan Young, James Ross, David Beaton, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
No: Nia Bediako, Leslie Radford, Jim Brown, Acie Byrd
Abstained: 0 Present Not Voting: Joseph Wanzala
13-4
c. Minutes Approval. None.
II. Recognitions. * Don Cook (KPFTLSB) for recommending that Al Jazeera be added to the Pacifica news coverage. (by Reiter). * All WBAI Listeners who came to a Town Hall Meeting in support of the station and for their offers of service activities to aid the station. (by Bediako). * KPFA Staff Members who recently went to New York to help the WBAI Staff with some administrative problem -- it was a big help. (by Davis). * National Office Staff -- Lynn Magno and Efren Llarinas for all their help with the ICFO in preparing financial reports. (by Radford). * KPFA GM Lemlem Rijio for the 60th Anniversary celebrations and ICFO LaVarn Williams and all in the national office for working "countless hours" to get our financial reports straightened-up. (by Rawline). * National Staff and the Station Business Managers for their work as part of that office's effort to, for the first time in a long time, getting financial reports based on actual numbers not just estimates; and for getting the 2nd funding from CPB. (by Williams).
III. Motion Regarding Progressive Disciplinary Measures.
Motion to include any measures the Executive Director may need to insure compliance with CPB and FCC regulations, formally adopted Pacifica National Board resolutions, and the management decisions of the Executive Director that are not included in the Employee Handbook.
Discussion followed. Time expired. Radford moved to extend for 5 minutes. Motion voted Approved, 13-2-1.
Yes: Sherry Gendelman, George Reiter, Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Sandra Rawline, Carolyn Birden, Leslie Radford, Wendy Schroell, Kathy Davis, Susan Young, James Ross, Jim Brown, Luzette King
No: Shawn O'Brian, David Beaton
Abstained: Efia Nwangaza Present Not Voting: Joseph Wanzala
13-2-1
Radford moved to table postpone until there is a permanent Executive Director. J. Ross called Point of order re: can't move to table to a future time. Chair sustained. Time expired. Radford moved to extend by 5 minutes. Motion Failed by a vote of 2-12-3.
Yes: Carolyn Birden, Kathy Davis,
No: George Reiter, Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Shawn O'Brian, Leslie Radford, Wendy Schroell, Susan Young, James Ross, Jim Brown, David Beaton, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
Yes: Shawn O'Brian, Sandra Rawline, Carolyn Birden, Wendy Schroell, Kathy Davis, James Ross, David Beaton, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
No: Sherry Gendelman, Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Leslie Radford, Susan Young, Jim Brown, Acie Byrd
Abstained: George Reiter
Present Not Voting: Joseph Wanzala
9-7-1
IV. Committees and Working Groups Reports. [Reports and Action Item Motions.]
a. Committee Scheduling.
Gendelman moved that the PNB shall adopt a policy of not scheduling committee meetings at the same time and date of other scheduled committee meetings. Motion Failed by a vote of 7-9-1.
Yes: Sherry Gendelman, Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Leslie Radford, Susan Young, Jim Brown, Acie Byrd
No: George Reiter, Shawn O'Brian, Sandra Rawline, Carolyn Birden, Wendy Schroell, James Ross, David Beaton, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
Abstain: Kathy Davis Present Not Voting: Joseph Wanzala
7-9-1
b. Governance.
1. Motion that any PNB member shall be able to have a listener's written comment appended to the record of the PNB meeting. (at Gov.; 6-3-2)
Simmons moved to amend to add between "shall" and "be"; "by a majority vote of members present." O'Brien moved to amend the amendment to make it any member plus one additional supporting member. Schroell moved to extent 2 minutes. Hearing no objection, motion Approved.
Reiter called Point of Order re: only two amendments at a time. Chair sustained.
Davis moved_ to postpone until policy developed. Motion Failed by a vote of 3-9-5.
Yes: Shawn O'Brian, Kathy Davis, James Ross,
No: George Reiter, Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Sandra Rawline, Leslie Radford, Susan Young, David Beaton, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
Pacifica National Board -- Teleconference (Open Session)
8:30 pm Eastern Time, 7:30 pm Central Time, 5:30 pm Pacific Time
Originating in Various Locations
April 10, 2009
(This Meeting is a Continuation of the Open PNB meeting of April 5, 2009)
MINUTES
I. Call to Order/ Opening Business.
PNB Chair Grace Aaron called meeting to order at 8:35 pm (ET). Carolyn Birden agreed to serve as time keeper.
a. Roll Call/ Quorum.
Recording Secretary Richard Uzzell called the roll and a quorum was established. Chair asked that Andrea Turner be excused, Hearing no objection, excused absence Approved.
Present: Grace Aaron, George Reiter, Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Shawn O'Brian, Sandra Rawline, Carolyn Birden, Leslie Radford, Wendy Schroell, Joseph Wanzala, Ricco Ross, Susan Young, Jim Brown, David Beaton, Acie Byrd, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
Also Present: LaVarn Williams, Interim CFO
Absent: Sherry Gendelman
Excused Absence: Andrea Turner
Arrived Late: Kathy Davis, James Ross
b. Agenda Approval.
Chair stated that since this was a Continuation Meeting that Agenda Approval already complete. Governance motion that was on the original Agenda but was left off of this Agenda was added back.
c. Minutes Approval.
Chair stated that since this was a Continuation Meeting that the Minutes would not come-up for approval until the meeting was completed.
II. Motion Regarding Gradient Disciplinary Measures.
In order to ensure compliance with CPB and FCC regulations, formally adopted Pacifica National Board resolutions, and the management decisions of the Executive Director, the ED is hereby authorized to apply the following gradient disciplinary measures: a) A negative mention in the manager's personnel file, b) Suspension of duties with pay, c) Suspension of duties without pay, d) Reduction in pay, e) The assignment of another staff person to carry out the unmet responsibilities of management staff.
Such disciplinary measures such as reductions in salary, temporary suspension of duties, etc., may be rescinded if and when full compliance takes place. Other disciplinary measures, as long as they are in conformity with the Pacifica Bylaws, may also be used to ensure compliance. However, the initial statement of noncompliance placed in the personnel file of the staff member in question shall remain in their file.
Simmons and Schroell were tasked to check the Employees Handbook to see how the proposed measures fit with the Handbook.
O'Brien moved to Table the motion until existing Pacifica guidelines may be examined. Hearing no objection, Motion Approved.
III. Committees and Working Groups Reports. [Reports and Action Item Motions.]
a. Governance.
Committee Chair George Reiter reported that the committee had brought several motions; and they follow.
1. Motion that the PNB accept as its confidentiality policy, compliance with the existing ethics documents. People are to sign a document saying that they've read the existing ethics policy and agree to comply with this policy. (at Gov.; unanimous)
Discussion followed. The motion was voted Approved, 8-7-3.
Yes: George Reiter, Shawn O'Brian, Sandra Rawline, Carolyn Birden, Joseph Wanzala, David Beaton, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
No: Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Leslie Radford, Wendy Schroell, Susan Young, Jim Brown, Acie Byrd
Present Not Voting: Grace Aaron
Abstained: Kathy Davis, Ricco Ross, James Ross
8-7-3
2. Motion that the PNB adopt applicable California law to be our whistle blower policy: the Whistle Blower Act of California and Senate Bill 777 of 2003, as well as title 7 of the federal Civil Rights Act as recently interpreted unanimously by the Supreme Court, and the previously enunciated policy from the Audit Committee about whistle blowers and forward this to the Pacifica General Counsel for consideration. (at Gov.; unanimous)
Discussion followed. The motion was voted Approved, 12-5-1.
Yes: George Reiter, Shawn O'Brian, Sandra Rawline, Carolyn Birden, Wendy Schroell, Kathy Davis, Joseph Wanzala, Susan Young, James Ross, David Beaton, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
Time expired. Reiter moved to add 10 minutes. Hearing no objections, motion Approved.
3. Motion that the governance committee shall solicit suggestions for changes in the bylaws and vet these for presentation to the PNB for action. (at Gov.; unanimous) Discussion followed. Hearing no objection, motion Approved.
4. Whereas, the Pacifica bylaws only set forth one specific change of status as a legitimate basis for removal; namely, the appointment to an elected political office [Section 9, (B) Removal of Delegates]; and
Whereas, a change of status from listener representative to staff representative does not constitute a change of status recognized by the bylaws as a 'disqualifying act'; and
Whereas, the Pacifica bylaws do not recognize or delineate any difference in the roles nor place any conflict of interest restrictions on staff representatives; and
Whereas, to arbitrarily deem any other non-specified change of status as constituting a 'disqualifying act' could lead to the arbitrary removal of board members;
Be it therefore resolved, that, it is Pacifica board policy that a change of status of a board member, once elected, will not be deemed a 'disqualifying act' unless decided otherwise by the Pacifica National Board, or until such time as there is an amendment made to the relevant ection of the Pacifica bylaws." (at Gov. 9-1-1 )
Discussion followed. Young moved to Table the motion. Motion Failed by a vote of 8-9-1.
Yes: Sandra Rawline, Wendy Schroell, Susan Young, James Ross, Jim Brown, David Beaton, Acie Byrd, Luzette King
No: George Reiter, Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Shawn O'Brian, Carolyn Birden, Leslie Radford, Joseph Wanzala, Ricco Ross, Efia Nwangaza
Present Not Voting: Grace Aaron
Abstained: Kathy Davis
8-9-1
Motion re: change of status of a Board Member voted Approved, 9-8-1.
Yes: George Reiter, Shawn O'Brian, Sandra Rawline, Carolyn Birden, Joseph Wanzala, Ricco Ross, James Ross, David Beaton, Efia Nwangaza,
No: Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Leslie Radford, Wendy Schroell, Susan Young, Jim Brown, Acie Byrd, Luzette King
Present Not Voting: Grace Aaron
Abstained: Kathy Davis
b. Audit.
Committee Chair Nia Bediako reported that she was working to finalize information from WBAI GM; and that when that was complete (after in-person meeting), she would call a meeting of the committee.
c. Committee on Racism, Sexism and Other Forms of Discrimination.
Convener Ricco Ross reported that the committee is scheduled to convene, April 22, 2009.
d. Elections.
Committee member Wendy Schroell reported that committee had brought a motion for consideration.
1. Motion that the PNB rescind the motion passed at the March 8, 2009 PNB meeting regarding the "independence" of the National Election Supervisor.
Discussion followed. Time expired. Reiter moved to extend for 5 minutes. Hearing no objection, motion Approved. O'Brien moved to Table the motion. Motion voted Approved, 12-4-2.
Yes: George Reiter, Nia Bediako, Shawn O'Brian, Sandra Rawline, Joseph Wanzala, Ricco Ross, James Ross, Jim Brown, David Beaton, Acie Byrd, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
No: Bonnie Simmons, Leslie Radford, Wendy Schroell, Susan Young
Present Not Voting: Grace Aaron
Abstained: Carolyn Birden, Kathy Davis
12-4-2
Schroell moved to extend for 5 minutes. Hearing no objection, motion Approved.
Schroell then reported that the committee had processed several applications for NES and had recommended an individual and asked that the IED work with the committee if she had another person in mind. Aaron agreed to work with the committee. Schroell also reported that the committee would continue to work to update and revise the Elections Manual and to prepare for the up-coming election.
e. Programming.
Acting Committee Chair Kathy Davis reported that the committee had brought the following motion. 1. Motion that the PNB ask the Executive Director (IED) to encourage the General Managers to focus on programming improvement as per resolution of Nov. 14, 2008 and ask them what they might need to accomplish such goals as stated in the resolution.
Bonnie moved to amend by adding "that the PNB ask the Executive Director (IED). Motion voted Approved, by a vote of 10-4-3.
Yes: George Reiter, Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Leslie Radford, Wendy Schroell, Kathy Davis, Susan Young, Jim Brown, David Beaton, Acie Byrd
No: Shawn O'Brian, James Ross, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
Abstained: Carolyn Birden, Joseph Wanzala, Ricco Ross Present Not Voting: Grace Aaron
10-4-3
Bediako called Point of order re: "time is out," no new amendment should be brought forward. Chair sustained.
King moved to Table the amended main motion. Motion Failed by a vote of 4-12-1.
Yes: Shawn O'Brian, Ricco Ross, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King No: George Reiter, Nia Bediako, Bonnie Simmons, Carolyn Birden, Leslie Radford, Wendy Schroel, Kathy Davis, Susan Young, James Ross, Jim Brown, David Beaton, Acie Byrd
Abstained: Joseph Wanzala
Present Not Voting: Grace Aaron
4-12-1
Main motion re: asking ED to encourage GMs to focus on Programming voted Approved, 11-5-1.
Yes: George Reiter, Bonnie Simmons, Leslie Radford, Wendy Schroell, Kathy Davis, Joseph Wanzala, Ricco Ross, Susan Young, James Ross, David Beaton, Acie Byrd
No: Nia Bediako, Carolyn Birden, Jim Brown, Efia Nwangaza, Luzette King
Abstained: Shawn O'Brian
Present Not Voting: Grace Aaron
11-5-1
f. Affiliates. None. g. Finance. Committee Chair Jamie Ross reported that they attempted to review revised station budgets. Compliance with request for revised budget poor; only KPFT submitted a revised budget. Five months into the FY, network is $554,000 behind the budgeted amount. Still need Actuals v. Budgeted through February broken out by unit. WBAI currently with a Profit and Lose deficit of $341,000, some shortfall items can be adjusted to bring the shortfall figure down to a deficit of $295,000. WBAI is four months behind in paying their studio rent and two moths behind in paying their tower rent.
There were four Points of Order that the Chair ruled on jointly. 1. Simmons called Point of Order re: could motions coming from working group come to the PNB?
2. Aaron called Point of Order re: do the first two items need action? J. Ross said the first motion did not require Board approval.
3. Birden called Point of Order re: subgroup may bring motion to the Board.
4. Schroell called Point of order re: Finance motion appropriate to be called at this time.
Chair ruled that the first two items were for business within the Finance Comm. and did not need Board consideration. The motion from the Finance Working Group could be brought forward and considered.
Reiter moved to extend for 10 minutes. Hearing no objection, motion Approved.
Motion from the FNC Working Group presented by Young.
Whereas, WBAI is in arrears for payment for the tower and office rent; and Whereas, the current WBAI cash balance is not sufficient to bring these payments current; and Whereas, the amount and timing of receipts from WBAI fund drives is uncertain and will be needed for payroll; Whereas, late payment for WBAI tower and office rent may constitute an immediate threat to the financial position of the Foundation; Be it Resolved that, the Pacifica Nation Board hereby authorizes the interim Chief Financial Officer to transfer cash from other system accounts to bring these payments current when the need is urgent.
Discussion followed. Reiter moved to substitute with:
The iCFO will have the authority to transfer funds to cover shortfalls at any unit, and will notify the PNB promptly when doing so.
Nwangaza moved_ to amend by adding:
That ICFO and IED make said transfers to cover WBAI's current shortfalls and to do so only so as to and in a manner which avoids future repetition.
Time expired for consideration of item.
Brown asked that he be given time to report concerning the finances of WPFW. J. Ross asked Brown to please send copies of his report to all if time ran out. Chair announced that time for the meeting had expired. Brown asked that the report on WPFW be at the start of the next meeting.
IV. Adjourned.
Young moved to adjourn. Hearing no objections, Open Session adjourned at 10:20 pm (ET).
Minutes Scribed and Prepared by: Richard Uzzell, PNB Recording Secretary Minutes Approved by the Pacifica National Board:
For PNB and PNB committee meeting announcements, click on "PNB Calendar" in the navigation menu above, or click here. Most meetings are webstreamed live with a clickable link to the audio provided in the calendared announcement. Archived meeting audio is stored at kpftx.org here.
Report from the iED to the Pacifica National Board March 20, 2009
General Comments
I have been putting most of my attention lately on the implementation of Pacifica National Board resolutions so that the network can move in the direction the Board would like it to as smoothly and rapidly as possible. This includes the implementation of National Programming Policy as well as full, documented compliance with CPB regulations, etc. As our listenership is the way that our Pacifica Mission and the aims of this Foundation are transmitted to our members and the broad general public, efforts have been made to stress that programming changes be instituted rapidly so that we have more people listening.
The following two sections of the Pacifica Bylaws have been very much on my mind recently:
Article One, Identity and Purpose
Section 3. Principles:
"The Foundation is committed to peace and social justice, and seeks to involve in its governance and operations individuals committed to these principles." and
Section 4. Committment to Diversity
"The Foundation is committed to diversity and inclusion of people of all nations, races, ethnicities, creeds, colors, classes, genders, sexual orientations, ages and people with disabilities in its programming, staff, management, committees and governance."
Pacifica National Board Meeting January 30, 2009 Minutes
The following members were present: Grace Aaron, David Beaton, Nia Bediako, Carolyn Birden, Jim Brown, Acie Byrd, Kathryn Davis, Campbell Johnson, Sherry Gendelman, Luzette King, Efia Nwangaza, Sean Casey O’Brien, George Reiter, Jamie Ross, Rico Ross, Wendy Schroell, Bonnie Simmons, Andrea Turner, Joe Wanzala, Susan Young
[Also present:] Dan Siegel, Donna Niemann
The following members were absent: Sandra Rawline, Leslie Radford
The trainer for orientation had not arrived by 12:40.
Pacifica National Board Meeting January 23, 2009 Minutes
The chair called the meeting to order at 8:34PM EST
The roll was called. The following members were present: Grace Aaron, Nia Bediako, Evelyn Bethune, Carolyn Birden, Acie Byrd, Kathryn Davis, Zaccai Free, Sherry Gendelman, Ambrose Lane, Efia Nwangaza, Mike Martin, George Reiter, Sarv Randhawa, Rob Robinson, Jamie Ross, Wendy Schroell, Bonnie Simmons, Joe Wanzala, Yosh Yamanaka
[Also present:] Lonnie Hicks, Dan Siegel, Donna Niemann
The following members were absent: Margaret Prescod, Lori Taguma
From the desk of the Pacifica Acting Interim Executive Director:
Statement to our Listeners about Governance & Management Changes
Hi, I'm Grace Aaron. I was elected Chair of the Pacifica Foundation's National Board of Directors on Feb. 1, 2009. As Pacifica currently does not have an Executive Director, the Bylaws state that I must fill that position until an interim or permanent Executive Director is hired. The other PNB officers are Vice Chair, Joe Wanzala, PNB Director from KPFA in Berkeley, and our pro tem Secretary, Efia Nwangaza, one of our 2 PNB Affiliate Directors.
I have deep roots as a Peace Activist. As Chair of Peace Action of Southern California I coordinated 13 of its chapters from the mid '80's to mid '90s as well as acting as Co Chair of the Peace Action Network, a broad based coalition of 27 peace and justice organizations. I have produced over 200 cable access TV shows on peace, environmental and social justice issues. Many are now webcast. I am currently an active Board Member and Treasurer of the local branch of Women's International League for Peace & Freedom. I have spent much of the last 5 years serving on the Pacifica and KPFK Boards.
As Lonnie Hicks is no longer the Pacifica CFO, the Board voted to appoint an Interim Chief Financial Officer (iCFO). We are excited to have LaVarn Williams as our interim CFO and I hope you will give her a warm welcome as she joins our new team. LaVarn comes highly qualified. Besides a substantial career in corporate financial management, she was the Treasurer of the Pacifica National Board during 2006 and 2007.
My personal efforts will be directed to help the Board, staff, volunteers and listeners to effectively put the Pacifica Mission into action. Our aim will be to work cooperatively to strengthen the Pacifica Foundation, to broaden our reach and to create progressive change in our communities, our nation and the world.
In peace, Grace Aaron, Pacifica Foundation Board Chair and acting interim Executive Director
As we prepare to celebrate 60 years of public and independent broadcasting, Pacifica is hailed in US and world history as an innovation, a special place in the world of media. The survival of Pacifica is the result of the tremendous dedication of community of supporters who have historically valued the Pacifica mission and its unique, critical programming.
The evolving media and economic landscapes today call for attention and forward planning as we adjust to these technological changes and economic fluctuations, while maximizing our impact. This three-year strategic plan has been developed to address the most pressing issues of concern to Pacifica, to our sustainability and to our relevance, from today through 2011.
Below is a current lsiting of the Pacifica Board of Directors, aka Pacifica National Board (PNB). If you are looking for more information on the PNB, click here.
