Fresno Free College Foundation

M I N U T E S

Fresno Free College Foundation Board of Directors

April 8, 2003

Unitarian Universalist Church, Fresno, CA

Call To Order - Meeting called to order by President Rych Withers at 7:15 p.m.

  Determination of Quorum: Present: Gerry Bill, Mark Hernandez, Sue Kern, Diane LaRue, Stan Poss, Leni Reeves, Mike Rhodes, Deborah Speer, Rand Stover, Alex Vavoulis, Rych Withers.

Introduction of Guests: Barry

  Approval of Minutes.  Under "Ananda Fund Report:" Correct spelling of Suriya Dos to Das; Remove phrase "whenever there's a contribution (2/3 times/year)."   Under "Executive Directors Report" correct spelling of Nancy March to Marsh. MOTION to approve minutes of March 11, 2003 as amended (Kern) /  SECOND (Rhodes). PASSED. Speer thanks Kern for taking minutes.

  Additions / Changes to Agenda: None.

President's Report - Rych Withers

The busboard contract has expired, though there are still some busses carrying the KFCF ad.  Billboard ads expire soon, but may also remain in place longer. Estimated the advertising made 6.2 million impressions over four week based on traffic, reaching 36 percent of population based on gross rating points.  ISDN line at the Wishon studio failed April 4 (Friday). SBC was unable to correct the problem until the next day.  Withers installed an amplified volume control box to correct sound problems.  National Federation of Community Broadcasters meeting in SF was very eventful with war breaking out during the opening reception. Vic Bedoian and Withers attended several panels and workshops. NFCB continues to negotiate for non-CPB-funded stations to receive blanket NFCB rate for web streaming royalties imposed because of Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and are optimistic an agreement will be reached. Learned at an FCC workshop that the Wishon office must be staffed a full 40 hours a week, during normal business hours. Will seek volunteers to staff office when Bedoian must be out.  Need to keep EAS logs maintained on a weekly basis.  Remote equipment for Board of Supervisors broadcasts was corrected for over modulation. Need to write fund-raising letter. Installed Quicken program at home, looked over budget and don't see much room for budget cuts.

Executive Director's / Programming Report - Vic Bedoian

Check received from KPFA for $26,000 in pledges from last marathon.  Next marathon begins May 8.  NFCB Conference: attended workshop that included program evaluations with program directors. Generally, at other stations they are performed annually at most. Pacifica Archives panel included presentation on "Freedom Archives" that are available for use by programmers.  Need to transfer archives from tape to CD or other digital medium.  FFCF may wish to consider seeking grant to fund an archivist position to get KFCF materials in order from Fresno Regional Foundation.  Programmers manual has been updated and edited for delivery to printer.  Cost will be approximately $400 for printing, binding, etc.  Marc Scalzo is doing interesting programming directed at the West Fresno Community.  Vavoulis expressed concern that Green Party programmers should be cautious about on-air organizing issues.  A Board of Supervisor staff person has asked why KFCF was not beginning meeting broadcasts at 9 a.m.. Agreed that flexibility was appropriate due to Democracy Now time conflict.

Chief Engineer's Report - Rand Stover

Stover donated to FFCF and replaced stereo and other equipment to alleviate modulation problems. Some additional adjustments of new equipment will likely be needed. Kern thanked Stover for equipment donation.

OLD BUSINESS

1.  Committee Reports :

   a. Fund-raising