FFCF ELECTION 2008 -
VOTER GUIDE
Here are the
candidate statements of the FFCF members who are running for election to the
Board of Directors.
LILIAN KOENIG
My name is Lilian Koenig and
I listen to KFCF radio and have for many years. I have attended a few
Board meetings in
My ability to speak my mind
and not be timid about it is what will enhance my position on the board.
Current issues abound in a community and need to be discussed in an open
session with input from all concerned citizens. Radio stations, such as
KFCF 88.1 are a treasure to be protected so that those with
alternative opinions can be heard and not censorsed. Serving on a
board with enthusiastic supporters is a privilidge and commitment I will not
take lightly. Please endorse my candidacy to serve you, the loyal
listeners. I have a B.A. in Liberal
Studies from Fresno State-2003. In the past I have attented other
colleges and in 1975 participated at the college radio station at
U.C.S.Barbara. I often call in to address K.F.C.F on various topics and know
college students enjoy their local campus station as an alternate form of
entertainment and news.
1.) Please describe briefly your perception of the
value of KFCF 88.1 FM and KPFA to
It is obvious that KFCF/KPFA is central to
this part of
2.) How could KFCF local programming better serve
its listeners?
KFCF might be better able to serve its
listeners by outreaching-going the extra step to connect when a topic of
conversation is influential in changing the lives of listeners.
The example given was the "Homeless" campaign which resulted in favor
of the homeless.
3.) What, in your opinion, is the proper role and
responsibility of a Board member?
The proper roll of a Board
member is twofold-to be there at all meetings and participate in favor of the
listeners of the station.
4.) How would you propose to increase the size and
diversity of the KFCF listening audience?
Increasing the size of listeners usually happens when outreach and
involvement of the station is both auditory and inclusive. Meet
and greet the Board and allow input by the community at all levels bring the
diverse interests of its membership to connect.
5. ) How do you envision the FFCF Board
working with
The Fresno Free College
Foundation has a role to play in working with KPFA/KFCF and Pacifica Radio
because it is the base of operation in the
DAVID GENDRON
My name is David Gendron and
I am running for the FFCF Board of Directors. For the past three years I have
been a Board member and have served on the Personal Committee and as chairman
of the programming committee. As a long time supporter and listener to KFCF I
am aware of the importance of KFCF to the community. The value of KFCF to
provide an alternative voice to corporate dominated radio is immeasurable.
Democracy cannot function without an informed public and KFCF provides an
informed viewpoint that cannot be found elsewhere on the airwaves. I would
appreciate your vote. I have been a long time listener and supporter of KFCF
since the 1980’s and have worked as a volunteer prior to becoming a board
member
1.) Please describe briefly your perception of the
value of KFCF 88.1 FM and KPFA to
KFCF provides a unique
analysis of ideas and world views that is lacking in commercial radio.
2.) How could
KFCF local programming better serve its listeners?
By recruiting and locating
people in the local communities that are familiar with the needs of the
community and giving them a forum with which to discuss and resolve their
problems.
3.) What, in your opinion, is the proper role and
responsibility of a Board member?
The proper role for members
is to follow the mission statement of the Fresno Free College Foundation and
insure fiduciary responsibility.
4.) How would you propose to increase the size and
diversity of the KFCF listening audience?
One of the most important, in
my opinion, of increasing audience is by making KFCF more visible in the
community by either advertising or sponsoring events that allows KFCF exposure
to different areas of the community.
5.) How do you envision the FFCF Board working with
We have an important
relationship with
RANDY STOVER
I am a licensed Broadcast
Engineer. I have offered a broadcast construction, maintenance and consultation
service to broadcasters in
I have donated my services as Chief
Engineer and Chief Operator of KFCF ever since it began broadcasting in 1975,
insuring operation in accordance with FCC regulations. I make the adjustments,
upgrades and repairs as necessary to insure proper operation within FCC
tolerances.
I sit on the Foundation board of
directors and report to the directors on technical and regulatory matters
affecting the foundation.
1.) Please
describe briefly your perception of the value of KFCF 88.1 FM and KPFA to
KFCF programming is invaluable to
2.) How could
KFCF local programming better serve its listeners?
By insuring a diversity of
voices that is relevant without removing important programming from KPFA just
for the sake of
hearing a local voice.
3.) What, in your opinion, is the proper role and
responsibility of a Board Member?
A board member is elected to
help carry on the business of the foundation. A board member should support
foundation activities and wherever possible participate in them. A board member
should be familiar with the foundation’s history, goals and philosophy. They
should also have membership material available to give out to potential new
members.
4.) How would
you propose to increase the size and diversity of the KFCF listening audience?
The broad diversity of KFCF programming
naturally attracts the most diverse audience, but only if they are aware of it.
The foundation should continue to produce as many events in the community as
possible. KFCF and the foundation need to be audible and visible. This is
difficult because conventional advertising is very expensive.
5.) How do you
envision the FFCF Board working with
The FFCF Board has a very
special relationship with KPFA and
HASAN JOHNSON
As an activist/scholar at
In truth, I have little
formal experience in the radio industry. As a media analyst, cultural critic,
and scholar of media, however, I have made it a point to extensively research
the interrelationships between cultural production in Africana communities and
the ever-changing, ever-expanding world of new media. Much of my research has
focused on how new forms of media are being used more independently by people
of African descent, and the various ways this can be improved upon. I have two
degrees and a graduate certificate in Africana Studies; and a doctorate in
Cultural Studies. My primary interest is to help facilitate the expanded
inclusion of issues pertaining to people of color, gender, LGBT, and elders
into the fore regarding what constitutes relevant radio broadcast material.
Thank you
1.) Please describe briefly your perception of the
value of KFCF 88.1 FM and KPFA to
KPFA/KFCF is incredibly
important. Serving as the closest thing to a public trust in regard to news
media—as well as a community-focused (local and national) entity—KPFA/KFCF
provides a unique array of functions in the community ranging from challenging
corporate media conglomerates on what constitutes news, to giving voice to what
local community members feel is relevant to their daily lives. In this respect,
such a resource needs to be supported.
2.) How could KFCF local programming better serve its
listeners?
I am interested in
programming that encompasses the lived experiences of people from a wide
variety of backgrounds, as is reflected in the very demographics of the
communities it services. More specifically, I would be interested in
programming that not only showcases local Hip-Hop, but focuses on the
intellectual and artistic productions of the youth and people of color. In this
respect, I would like to help facilitate a more interactive engagement between
multiple generations of activists and artists, helping to maintain a spirited
dialogue regarding contemporary and historical issues.
3.) What, in your opinion, is the proper role and
responsibility of a Board member?
I believe that a board
members’ responsibility should be to ensure that the public is afforded quality
programming that both entertains and enlightens regarding non-traditional and
non-mainstream dialogues. Also, to find new, critical ways of increasing the
radio audience that not only listens to KPFA/KFCF, but participates in its
activities, events, fund-raisers, and call-in shows. It is my desire to engage
current board members on the history of the board’s attempts at such endeavors,
while also attempting to find new ways of engaging KPFA/KFCF’s listeners and
increasing its audience base.
4.) How would you increase diversity of listening
audience?:
Although my research
primarily focuses on Africana groups, It is my
contention that others have developed similar attitudes about the possibilities
of listener-sponsored radio. Contrary to popular assumptions, many in Africana
communities (communities that negotiate a unique idea of blackness that extends
beyond national and geographic boundaries) have rearticulated blackness using
independent media technology. Many in the Africana community remain distrustful
of dominant corporatized media vehicles and the practices that have led to the
consolidated ownership of television, radio, and the print media industry by a
handful of white-owned, elitist private companies. Thus, groups have voiced
their protest by creating their own media, signifying on established forms of
technology in ways that are better suited to their own interests.
With such a focus in mind, I
intend to support programming that shows the public the possibilities of newer
types of programming that take the familiar and intersects t with practices
that are less mainstream (such as discussions regarding Hip-Hop, religion, and
contemporary politics.
5.) How should the board work with
The board should continue to
find new ways to integrate national, state, and local-level resources, while
illustrating that local issues (whether political or
otherwise) are often linked to state and national issues. Further, it is my
contention that the Board should serve as an integrating vehicle between the
Pacifica family abroad and the KPFA/KFCF here, appreciating the need for an
expanded presence, while defending the need for a more local presence on the
air.
MARK HERNANDEZ
My name is Mark Hernandez,
and I seek election as Director of the Fresno Free College Foundation in order
to preserve and maintain the connection between KFCF and KPFA, as well as to
re-establish the Foundation as a leader in community action.
While other organizations
have been in existence, it is the Foundation that has consistently provided a
forum for not just one point of view, but for all, and without taking a stand
or choosing a side.
While we may have different
points of view, the
Foundation provides the podium where these points can be made in a civil
manner, and without one side monopolizing the discussion. I have been a member of the Fresno Free
College Foundation Board between 2001 and 2007, as well as a member of the KPFA
Local Advisory Board/Local Station Board since 1999. I also have over ten years overall experience
in radio and program production, news and broadcasting, as well as internet
broadcast and web experience
Without tolerance for
dissent, there is no debate, no discussion, there is no movement forward.
It is my hope to be elected
and ward against growing efforts to force the Foundation to be just another
organization of the same faces and voices.
1.) Please
describe briefly your perception of the value of KFCF 88.1 FM and KPFA to
The value of KFCF and KPFA is
immeasurable, as these provide the only non-commercialized news and information
outlets to the
2. ) How could KFCF local programming better
serve its listeners?
By drawing from community interest
directly and tapping into the members of the Foundation directly for input; by
determining if anyone is able or interested in producing such programs, and
encouraging them to do so.
3. ) What, in your opinion, is the proper
role and responsibility of a Board member?
To serve the
members and protect the resources of the Foundation from being lost or misused
against the principles of the Foundation.
4.) How would you propose to increase the size and
diversity of the KFCF listening audience?
By not relying on
the KFCF/KPFA connection as the major or sole source of community outreach, and
going into other areas that the Foundation is chartered to be involved with.
5. ) How do you envision the FFCF Board
working with
Cooperatively and openly, and
preventing duplication of resources and results whenever possible. By encouraging volunteer
efforts and supporting such efforts as possible with Foundation resources for a
positive benefit, whether it is new members or a larger cash flow for
supporting Foundation activities.
Ballots must be postmarked no later than November 30,
2008.