FFCF Board Minutes - Corrected

6/17/08

 

In attendance:   Rych Withers, Marc Scalzo, Dave Gendron, Vic Bedoian, Gerry Bill,

Vickie Fouts, Alex Vavoulis, Leni Reeves, Sue Kern

 

1.         Agenda:     Rych proposed adding acceptance of Ali Rezapour’s resignation and appointment of replacement after public comment.  Also requested that consent calendar be put after appointment of replacement so Leni can participate in any items pulled off that agenda.  With those changes, agenda adopted.

 

2.         Excuse of Absence:  Jan Slagter and Rand Stover execused.  Mel Sanders did not call in about non-attendance.  Rych will remind him of Board policy concerning attendance (i.e. that three unexcused absences may be grounds for removal).

 

3.         Minutes of 5/20/08:  Alex moved, Vickie seconded approving draft minutes.   

Motion carried.  Sue confirmed that she will be sending corrected minutes to Nick for posting on website.  Has not had time to do this.

 

4.            Ali submitted resignation as of 6/16/08.  Marc moved to accept resignation; Sue seconded.  Gerry moved to welcome Leni to Board; Marc seconded.  Both motions carried.

 

5.         Consent Agenda:  Gerry moved to approve all items; Marc seconded.  Motion carried.

 

6.         President’s Report:  Rych reported that there will be a cost for moving the back-up transmitter back into the building after the Landlord moved it out.  Vickie thought we should ask Landlord to pay for moving it back even if we have to deduct the cost from the rent.  Rych will follow up with the landlord (Gary Cocola) and Al Kinney (the person who actually moved it).  See Rych’s written report on streaming.  Proposes to set up a timer so programmers who are doing public affairs shows could start the timer going when their show starts, and that way we wouldn’t accidentally stream a KPFA music program.  Can only do this from the Wishon studio.  We can stop using Rand’s studio but need to leave the tower there.  Could put satellite receiver and dish up at Meadow Lake as a backup.  Rych will follow up on that with landlord as well.  Vickie was concerned about access to Rand’s studio.  Vic said that he thought a document had been drafted covering ownership of equipment there.  Dave thought Rand had signed joint tenancy agreement about the equipment, and will ask Bruce for a copy.

 

7.         Executive Director/Program Director’s Report:  Vic’s last report as ED.  See financial report for comparison of how we were doing this time last year vs. this year.  Quicken has been reconciled through April.  Still haven’t gotten money from last marathon.  Forwarded e-mail received from Tibet Antonia Shouse (our Mountain Waters Project).  She’s set up a school in Northern Nepal where there are a lot of Tibetan refugees.  School is doing well.  Rych suggests producing a reading of the article she sent and Alex suggests getting the Bee to report on it.  Marc suggested if they do that we make sure they acknowledge that it’s a project of FFCF.  Vickie asked that we include information on this project in the next annual report, but Rych noted we’d need to change names to protect those who are vulnerable in Tibet.  Mountain Waters project came out of the Ananda Fund, since the Victors made initial contact with Antonio Shouse. 

 

The office filing system is doing well.  New file cabinet set up and old documents have been shredded.  Waverly check ($17,500) has been deposited and there is a written document about how the money is to be used.  Alex suggests we send a press release acknowledging the gift.  Alex said he would write it.  Sue said she will acknowledge the gift in the next banquet program.  Vickie said she will write a letter from the Board to the Bishop thanking them for broadcasting Democracy Now on KNXT.  Marc and Dave said they would be helping with their upcoming marathon.

 

Programming:  Alex’s slot is open (4th Sat. from 9-11 pm) since Alex is retiring from it.  Common Ground is also in flux.  Ali has been talking to Francine Oputa about taking it over.  She’s head of Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute and has a lot of contacts who could help.  Vic noted that anyone interested needs to talk to the Program director.

 

8.         Engineer’s Report:  Rand absent.

 

9.         Old Business:

A.     Re: How to use proceeds from Waverly:  Fran gave us a document specifying it should be used to keep our signal strong, i.e. equipment acquisition, repair, etc.  Rych will come up with a proposal of things we need to do to insure backup in place.  Back up satellite dish would cost around $2,000.  Could also use a second receiver, and audio board at studio but that could cost $25,000.  Will need something that can accommodate digital.  Could also use another phone line/system.  Sue noted that we need to repay Fran for any legal fees she incurred in arranging for Waverly sale and donation.  Gerry proposed paying this out of general fund rather than from donation, so all of the proceeds from the gift can be used as Berry wished.  Sue seconded.  Motion carried.

B.     Going Away Party for Vic and Ali:  Will hold it early afternoon on 6/29/08 since Vic will still be here and Ali will be in Fresno to accept Way of Peace Award from Fresno Center for Non-Violence.  Sue will look into venue and e-mail board.

C.    Website:  Marcel Nunis has submitted proposal. Rych noted he needs to check on whether Word Press works on PC’s vs. Macs.  There were questions about the difference between the “economy” and “deluxe” package.  Rych will check on this too and make recommendation to board.

 

At this point board retired to closed session to decide on new Executive Director.  Gerry takes over as acting Chair and Rych leaves the room.

 

Report back from closed session:  Marc moved, Alex seconded to offer position to Rych with a proposed start date of 7/1/08 (or as early as possible so Vic can help with transition.  Will have 6 month performance review by personnel committee to be appointed by board.  If he accepts position he will need to retire from Board.  Motion carried with Vickie abstaining.  Rych accepted offer but will have to let us know when he can start after he gives notice to current employer.  Marc moves to appoint Gerry as Board President to take effect when Rych starts as ED.  Alex seconded.  Motion carried. Marc moved to appoint Dave as VP, but Dave declined and moved to appoint Marc.  Vickie seconded.  Motion carried.

 

It was noted that Gerry will be gone for the July meeting (with Pastors for Peace caravan to Cuba).  Alex will be gone for 5 months to Greece starting 6/27.  Leni moved and Marc seconded keeping open Board seat left vacant with Rych’s resignation open until December election.  Gerry moved and Leni seconded forming personnel committee consisting of Gerry, Dave and Sue.  Motion carried.  Marc moved to make Vickie (as Treasurer) 2nd signator on bank account and to remove Vic from bank account.  Leni seconded. Motion carried.

 

10.       New Business:

A.        Banquet:  Sue noted that it’s time to start planning speaker and Free Speech awardee for Fall banquet.  Rych noted that he was put in touch with Greg Palast at the Amy Goodman event and he may be willing to come to speak.  Rych will contact Greg Palast and Vickie and other board members should submit a list of proposed speakers for next meeting  Also need to start thinking about Free Speech award.  It was suggested that we consider KNXT.  Board members should come prepared with suggestions for next meeting.

B.        Free Speech Radio News:   Pacifica has notified them that it’s cutting their funding by $13,000/month.  It was suggested that notice be sent out to our list serve telling them how they can donate to FSRN, and that we make a cart to play on air.  Rych will write a letter to Pacifica on behalf of our

Board, and our rep should bring this up at the next LSB meeting.

C.        LSB Rep:  Rych offered to take this on as ex officio member of our board.  Marc moved, Leni seconded appointing Rych as LSB Rep, at least until next officer elections in January.  Motion carried.

 

Announcements:  Governance Committee needs to start meeting to put together a binder of written policies.  Vickie will review Board minutes since 2000 to pull already decided policies for review.  Governance committee will start meeting regularly the last Tues. of the month at 6:30 in the office, starting 7/29/08.   Budget committee will meet 2nd Monday of month starting in August when Gerry returns.  Programming committee meets 2nd Wed.  First Personnel committee meeting will be in early August when Gerry returns.  Fundraising/Outreach will meet at Phonecian 1st Monday of Month starting 7/7/08.  It was proposed that Jan and Leni constitute Election committee this year to start planning next board election.  Mel was added to this committee, and Rych agreed to help with preparation of election materials.  Gerry moved and Sue seconded adjourning.  Motion carried.