FFCF Board Minutes - corrected

4/15/08

 

In attendance:   Rych Withers, Marc Scalzo, Dave Gendron, Vic Bedoian, Leni Reeves, Alex Vavoulis,

Gerry Bill, Jan Slagter, Mel Sanders, Mark Hernandez, Rand Stover, Ali Rezapour, Sue Kern, Lillian Koenig

 

1.         Agenda:         Delete IX(d) since Rych is including this in his President’s Report; Move Vic report to the beginning since he has to leave at 7:30 to run the Saroyan program; move closed session to right after introduction of Board candidates [IX(e)].  With those changes, Marc moved and Gerry seconded adopting agenda.  Motion carried.

 

2.         Excuse of Absence:  No board member is absent

 

3.         Minutes of 3/18/08:   #5, should be Ken Orchard, not Ken Aucher.  #6 should be budget “column” not budget “line.”  #9(c), $800-900 per month; 10(a), top of next page should read “and” support Electoral Event, not “but” support…  With those changes, Gerry moved and Vickie seconded approving minutes.  Motion carried.

 

4.         Public Comment:  None

 

5.         ED Report:  Grossed $61,000 on last marathon.  Last year at this time we brought in $35-40,000.  Have already received a check for $35,000+ from this last marathon.  Next pledge drive is scheduled for 5/6 through 5/22/08.  Fall marathon is 9/16-10/2/08 so we can plan banquet around it.  Cut off for voting membership is still 8/31/08.  Went to FCASH (Arts and Sciences organization) and Paula Custodio from Channel 18 gave presentation on direct mail.  Suggested organizations do “lapsed member” mailings.  Should be easy to do.  RE:  structural changes to Quicken entries discussed last meeting (including adding column for “budgeted”), Laura from accountant’s office suggested starting this beginning of new fiscal year so we don’t have to go back and change past records.  Update on Berry Nishkian’s Waverly:  Emailed photos to Towe Museum in Sacramento.  They want to help us display and sell it. Theycan handle the transportation and they’ll clean up, display and handle e-bay for 10% plus $250 fee to start the process.  He thought the Waverly might be worth $10-15,000 since it needs some restoration.  Rych asked whether Towe Museum is 501(c)(3) and Vic said he’d check that.  Also reported that both Fran Saunders and Bruce Kennedy think this is a reasonable way to proceed.  Board was concerned that this price might be too low.  Directed ED to get car appraised before signing agreement with Towe Museum.  Got our FCC compliance certificate which is good for 3 years (until 4/11).  We paid $500 plus about $140 in gas to get this completed.  Jemmy Bluestein has agreed to open for Amy on 4/29/08 in case there’s a delay in her plane.  Built shelving in office.  Stan Santos did this as a donation (long time supporter).  Programming report is in writing.

 

6.         Statement from Candidates:  All four board candidates were present and made the following statements

a.   Mark Hernandez:  Want to move foundation back to its origins (theater, art, etc.) vs. concentrating on KFCF which is only part of Foundation.  As example, 2 years ago asked at the banquet for other organizations to provide us with their mailing lists, but there was no follow-up.  Also we lost touch with Saroyan Society, Poet’s Association, Art Galleries, etc.  Thinks this was in part because board was distracted by problems with KPFA.  Now that Nicole Sawaya is in charge of Pacifica, think board can start focusing on other areas.

b.   Leni Reeves:  Have been “pinch hitter” in past, taking over Nick DeGraff’s position when needed.  Progressive community is small and needs to be nurtured.  Leni also volunteers on Bald Mountain EMS team and works with Foothill Conservancy.

c.   Mel Sanders:  Here to help.  Want to get our radio station out there in the community.  Want to do outreach in other areas.  Miss our internet streaming.

d.   Lillian Koenig:  Just moved to Fresno 4 months ago.  Belong to Fresno Democratic Club and went to Fresno City Council meeting recently be more involved in community. Likes the fact that we do outreach to different sectors of the community.  Is 51 years old with 2 bi-racial kids, formerly lived in Visalia.  Was with a Santa Barbara radio station, and graduated Fresno State 4 years ago.  Haven’t paid dues et and not sure if on membership roll.  New fact in community might be an asset.  Considers herself an open-minded liberal democrat.  Would be willing to volunteer too.

 

At this point Board went into closed session to decide on appointment.

 

Report out of closed session:  Mel will be appointed to replace open seat vacated by Debbie Speer.  Leni will cover position that will be vacant some time after June when Ali Rezapour relocates to the Bay Area.

 

Board went into 2nd closed session to discuss staff issues.

 

Report out of 2nd closed session:  Ad and job description for Executive Director position is approved.  Rych will get it placed as ad in Community Alliance, Undercurrents, on KPFA website and other trade publications and websites.  Deadline for applications will be 5 p.m. on 5/16/08.

 

7.         President’s Report:   See written report

 

8.         Chief Engineer’s Report:  None

 

9.         Regular Reports:  Only committee that met was Programming Committee, since there were special executive board meetings instead.  See written Programming Committee report.

 

10.       Old Business:

A.        Amy Goodman Event:  David Goodman not coming.  Vic will pick Amy up at airport and Jemmy will open show in case she’s late.  Barnes and Noble is set up to sell books and ticket sales are going well.  The following board members volunteered to help at event:  Vickie, Gerry, Jan, Ali, Sue.

B.        Tabling events:  Sue and Jan will be at ACT event in Visalia this Saturday (Fresno State Women’s Studies Dept. has a bus bringing students).  Dave G and Hansel Kern will table at Intermountain Nursery Event.  Sue will table NF Earth Day 4/27/08.

C.        Good Search implementation:  Need Vic to fill out form and have announcement about Good Search posted on our website with a link to the Good Search Engine if possible.  Also suggested we put an article about it in our banquet program and Vickie will develop a flyer to hand out at events.  Vickie suggested that in the future when board members submit proposals, they include steps for implementing.  This will be on next month’s agenda for discussion.  Vickie moved and Marc seconded directing Vic to implement Good Search decision from last month by completing paperwork and getting link on our website.  Motion carried.

D.        Banks:  Rych reports that as follow-up to last month’s recommendation by Finance Committee, we have gotten a bank account with union affiliated credit union and will be closing our Wells Fargo account when new account up and running.  May be able to offer credit union membership as an FFCF membership benefit.  Will be getting our merchant services account (i.e. credit card services) through a separate entity.  Rych agreed to check if we can get a credit card processing device that doesn’t require electricity or phone line, since we often use it for out door tabling.

 

11.       New Business:

A.        Non-profit conference:  This is on 5/2/08.  Vickie proposes we send any board members or staff who want to attend and that the Foundation pay for it.  Sue moved and Gerry seconded approving this proposal.  Motion carries.

 

Meeting adjourned.