FFCF Minutes

FFCF Board Meeting Minutes

FFCF Board Meeting - February 27, 2007

Meeting convened at 7:15PM by Board President Rychard Withers.

Attending are Rych Withers, Marc Scalzo, Deb Speer, Mark Hernandez, Ali Rezapour, Sue Kern, Dave Gendron, Vicki Fouts, Gerry Bill, and Executive Director Vic Bedoian.

Excused: Alex Vavoulis.

Agenda adopted on motion of DS/AR by unanimous consent, with addition of items F ( New Meeting Place ).

Approval of Minutes of 1/2007 was tabled by DS/GB by unanimous consent. Spelling and addition of author of the minutes was also approved by unanimous consent.

President’s Report was delivered by RW, discussing issues with the KU uplink; a report on the Homelessness Marathon; an update on the FCC inspection audit; a report on the office burglar alarm; e-mail list status following a ‘spam attack’; and a report on the sale of KFPT-AM.

Executive Director/Programming Director Report delivered by VB. Discussion of FFCF financial report; development of a media kit by Devoya Mayo, including development of promotional materials for programs; a report that Outdoor Billboard is offering discount space.

Engineer’s Report delivered by RW in absence of Rand Stover. Discussed technical problems with the Homelessness Marathon.

Committee Reports:

Budget Committee: Addition of MS to committee.

Community Outreach Committee: AR reports that it met 2/5 at the Phoenician Restaurant. Issues presented were for different people to be tabling events; passing out of literature to different communities; block parties for KFCF to be attending; fliers to be made for issues to educate the public.

Fundraising Committee: Report attached to agenda. Discussed Jeremy Scahill event proposal.

Governance Committee: MH failed to attach to agenda during agenda assembly.

Programming Committee: Report attached to agenda.

KFCF Representative Report to LSB: Report attached to the agenda.

Old Business:

Retreat Planning and Coordination: DS attempting to coordinate event. Board reaches consensus on April 1, 2007 for tentative date of retreat, pending schedules of members.

KFCF/FFCF Web site: VB has started to update the site with minutes and other information, and will be loading financial reports. No action.

FCC Compliance Audit Update: Discussed in Engineer’s Report. No answer on DTV signal affecting EAS alert transmissions; additional issue may develop due to new DST changes this year. Appears KFCF will meet deadlines for compliance. No action.

There was no additional Old Business.

New Business:

DS requests Item e (Rogue Festival) be moved to A on the agenda, and all other items move down one place. Agreed by unanimous consent.

Rogue Festival: DS and Devoya Mayo will cover representing FFCF/KFCF at both the Rogue Festival and Art Hop events. No action.

Prison Moratorium Project Co-Sponsorship: Intention is to co-sponsor and split door take. No action.

Jeremy Scahill Event: Discussed in Fundraising Committee report, bypassed by unanimous consent.

Internships with CSUF Media/Mass Communications: VF suggests using interns at Foundation offices and KFCF. VB presents cautions on using interns relating to work, scheduling and supervision. No action.

Signal Issues in North Fork : Signal problem is due to a reverse wired transformer. Resolved by engineering staff. No action.

New Meeting Place : Reported by VB that the Univeraity Unitarian Church property has been sold, and that it will be vacated in May, requiring that FFCF find a new meeting location. Options offered included the “ Big Red Church ”, the Foundation offices. No action.

Announcements:

There were no announcements.

Adjournment:

SK/VF move to adjourn. Adjourn by unanimous consent.

FFCF Board Meeting January 16, 2007

CALL TO ORDER: President Rych Withers calls the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

DETERMINATION OF QUORUM.

Present: Debbie Speer, Rych Withers, Rand Stover, Ali Rezapour, Gerry Bill, Dave Gendron, Mark Hernandez. Absent: Alex Vavoulis (excused), Sue Kern (excused).

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS:

Devoya Mayo introduced as FFCF Executive Assistant.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED (Speer) and SECONDED (Bill) to adopt agenda. PASSED

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED (Rezapour) and SECONDED (Bill) to table approval of minutes until next meeting. PASSED

ELECTION REPORT – Bedoian

Vote totals from November directors election: Fouts, 175; Speer 170; Scalzo 163. One write in for Rick Nagle. MOVED (Speer) and SECONDED (Bill) to accept election report and certify results. PASSED. New board members Fouts and Scalzo are seated and introduced.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

President: WITHERS – by acclamation

Vice President: w-REZAPOUR (5-4), Speer

Secretary: w-HERNANDEZ (5-4), Kern

Treasurer: BILL – by acclamation

KPFA Local Station Board Representative -- MOVED (Rezapour) and SECONDED (Fouts) to postpone KPFA Location Station Board Representative election one month because of member absence. Speer requests ruling of the chair. Withers rules the motion out of order. w-HERNANDEZ (5-4), Bill.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Homelessness Marathon is February 20, 2007, from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. and based this year in Fresno. Live national broadcast from the Mexican American Baptist Church on E Street. Please note the broadcast conflicts with next regularly scheduled board meeting. Broadcasting issues: Satellite/transmitter system between Fresno and Berkley is in need of upgrading. Pacifica also uses amplifier to feed national program however there is a push within Pacifica toward Internet program distribution and away from satellite distribution. Hernandez and Withers will keep eye on these issues; in the meantime there is money left in the transmitter fund to purchase new equipment.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT

Bedoian distributed annual report for last fiscal year from CPA Sharmayne Sikora. Final statement needs to be looked over in detail. Please direct questions to Bedoian. FFCF office uses Quicken to keep up the day to day books. All federal and state taxes are done by the foundation accountant, who submits a year end financial statement. Devoya Mayo started her position as Executive Assistant January 2, 2007. She has already attended one community outreach event and will attend others, and is interested in assisting with fundraising events and promotions in addition to assigned general duties. Programming: KFCF began airing “Alternative Radio” with host David Barsamian Thursdays at 1 p.m., replacing “Herbal Highway.” Pacifica Radio Archives’ “Pacifica: From the Vault” will air on the first Friday of the month at 3 p.m. to replace a local program that is no longer being produced.

ENGINEERS REPORT

Stover reports he is in touch with Pacifica engineer Don Mussel and others for alternate transmitter re: satellite issues already reported on. KFCF passed "test" inspection/audit and is "immune" from FCC inspection for 3 years. Need to paint the transmitter tower at Meadow Lakes.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Budget: No report

2. Outreach – Rezapour: “Common Ground” is recording new programs and doing outreach to CSUF Civil Liberties Coalition to co-sponsor events. Meetings are the first Monday of the month at the Phonecian restaurant at 6:30 p.m.

3. Fundraising: No report

4. Governance: No report

5. Programming – Gendron: Will meet second Wednesday of the month. until further notice. Reviewed Interstellar Lounge, Nuestro Foro. Both received favorable reviews. Next evaluation: Saturday Evening Concerts and Stir It Up: WILPF Style. In general, programmers have been absent in some instances.

KPFA LOCAL STATION BOARD REPORT:

Hernandez reports that the KPFA LSB has elected Bonnie Simmons, chair; Conn Hallinan, vice chair; Tico Chacin, secretary; and Brian Edwards-Tiekert, treasurer. The LSB also elected Sarv Randhawa, Lavarn Williams, Mary Berg and Chandra Hauptman to be seated at the next Pacifica National Board meeting this weekend in Houston. The LSB rejected a bylaws amendment that would have allowed more telephonic meetings and reduced the number of in-person meetings from four to three. Four Pacifica stations are being subsidized in part by KPFA. In total, some $750,000 is owed and likely will never be repaid. Some is money taken by the PNB prior to the 2000 lawsuits. Only KPFA has reached its mandated 3-month operating budget reserve. KFCF is owed an additional $3,000 from prior fund drive. Sasha Lilley has been appointed KPFA interim Program Director by interim General Manager Lemlem Rijio. Both may replaced when permanent hires are made. GM and PD Hire Committees had met but many candidates have dropped out and a new candidate recruitment is underway. There are still flooding problems with KPFA sitting on top of Ohlone Creek that runs under basement. May require leaving the building, which may not be salvageable.

OLD BUSINESS:

I. Calif. Broadcasters Assn. Audit (Withers):

Engineering is working KFCF through compliance. There are about a half-dozen points including tower painting, remote control switch needs repair, etc.; otherwise in pretty good shape. Working to improve Emergency Alert System reporting. Handbook will be available at office. KFCF was billed $825 for the audit rather than the $1,000 estimated.

2. Other Old Business -- none

NEW BUSINESS:

3. Committee Appointments for 2007.

Budget: Bill, chair; Withers, Hernandez.

Outreach: Rezapour, chair; Fouts, Kern

Fundraising: Kern, chair; Fouts

Governance: Hernandez, chair; Bill, Speer

Programming: Gendron, chair; Withers, Speer, Stover

Promotions: Speer, chair; Hernandez, Withers, Scalzo

4. Board Retreat.

Speer recommends postponing retreat and searching for a outside nonprofit board trainer to work with the Board. Fouts agrees and offers to do a search and get price quotes. Best upcoming dates are the second and fourth Sundays of February or the first or second Sunday of March. Retreat postponed until further notice.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned by acclamation at 9:15

FFCF Board Meeting Minutes: 11/21/06 (Not yet corrected)

In attendance: Vic Bedoian, Rych Withers, Dave Gendron, Ali Rezapour, Diane LaRue, Gerry Bill, Sue Kern;

Excused absence: Alex Vavoulis, Debbie Speer, Mark Hernandez

Absent: Waldo Porter, Rand Stover

I. Adoption of Agenda: Will approve minutes of executive session in a brief executive session for that purpose. With that comment, agenda adopted as proposed.

II. Minutes of 10/17/06: Gerry moved, Ali seconded approval without change. Motion carried.

III. President’s Report: Rych reports that the profanity delay has been installed at the office. Still have some adjustments to make but it’s

functioning and all programmers will be trained on it. Had our FCC

FFCF Board Meeting Minutes

FFCF Board Meeting January 16, 2007

CALL TO ORDER: President Rych Withers calls the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

DETERMINATION OF QUORUM.

Present: Debbie Speer, Rych Withers, Rand Stover, Ali Rezapour, Gerry Bill, Dave Gendron, Mark Hernandez. Absent: Alex Vavoulis (excused), Sue Kern (excused).

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS:

Devoya Mayo introduced as FFCF Executive Assistant.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOVED (Speer) and SECONDED (Bill) to adopt agenda. PASSED

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOVED (Rezapour) and SECONDED (Bill) to table approval of minutes until next meeting. PASSED

ELECTION REPORT – Bedoian

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

President: WITHERS – by acclamation

Vice President: w-REZAPOUR (5-4), Speer

Secretary: w-HERNANDEZ (5-4), Kern

Treasurer: BILL – by acclamation

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT

ENGINEERS REPORT

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Budget: No report

3. Fundraising: No report

4. Governance: No report

KPFA LOCAL STATION BOARD REPORT:

OLD BUSINESS:

I. Calif. Broadcasters Assn. Audit (Withers):

2. Other Old Business -- none

NEW BUSINESS:

3. Committee Appointments for 2007.

Budget: Bill, chair; Withers, Hernandez.

Outreach: Rezapour, chair; Fouts, Kern

Fundraising: Kern, chair; Fouts

Governance: Hernandez, chair; Bill, Speer

Programming: Gendron, chair; Withers, Speer, Stover

Promotions: Speer, chair; Hernandez, Withers, Scalzo

4. Board Retreat.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned by acclamation at 9:15

FFCF Board Meeting Minutes: 11/21/06 (Not yet corrected)

In attendance: Vic Bedoian, Rych Withers, Dave Gendron, Ali Rezapour,

Diane LaRue, Gerry Bill, Sue Kern;

Excused absence: Alex Vavoulis, Debbie Speer, Mark Hernandez

Absent: Waldo Porter, Rand Stover

I. Adoption of Agenda: Will approve minutes of executive session in a brief

executive session for that purpose. With that comment, agenda adopted

as proposed.

II. Minutes of 10/17/06: Gerry moved, Ali seconded approval without

change. Motion carried.

III. President’s Report: Rych reports that the profanity delay has been

installed at the office. Still have some adjustments to make but it’s

functioning and all programmers will be trained on it. Had our FCC

inspection by Orchard Media Service. There were a number of issues and

we should get a written report in a week or two. The cost was $800 which

Tim Pozar has offered to pay. The public file was OK, but several things

posted in the office weren’t current. There was no remote for the

transmitter and there were some problems with the EAS log even though

Rych had updated it before the inspection. Also part of the EAS receiver

wasn’t working. We have 150 days to fix the problems they identify and

then they inspect again. Then FCC gets a letter and they can’t conduct a

random inspection for 3 years. Only “fix” that might be costly is if we have

to help pay for re-painting the tower. We’ll wait for the written report and

there are several others we may be able to share this cost with. Haven’t

yet gotten the bill from the auditor.

We have agreed to host the Homeless Marathon in Fresno this February,

but we’re looking for a site. Mike Rhodes said Jerry Duncan may

cooperate to hold it in front of City Hall, or we might hold it in the Baptist

Church near the freeway. Jeremy came to meet with us about it, and we’ll

need volunteers to help work on it.

IV. Executive Director’s Report: No financial report this month. Gerry and Vic

worked on a job description for the assistant position we agreed to hire.

The deadline for applications is 11/30/06. Have two applicants so far.

Regarding the FFCF Board election, 1900-2000 ballots were sent out,

each with a return envelope and special return label so we can track. We

don’t have the same percentage requirement that KPFA has (i.e. votes will

count no matter how many respond). For Programming, see the written

report from Programming Committee. We were notified by listeners of

interference with our signal. It was the same Spanish language station as

before. Our Washington attorney called theirs and it was back off in a

couple of days. They may apply for a license, but we have a flagging

service with the National Association of Community Broadcasters and they

let us know if someone within a 120 mile range of our signal applies. Also,

Larry Bensky asked if we’d like him to do his show from Fresno for

12/17/06.

V. No Chief Engineer’s Report.

VI. Committee Reports:

A. Budget Committee: See written budget proposal. Went through the

accountant’s report for last year to see what we actually spent.

Personnel costs increased because of pay raise and new position

to be hired. Sharmayne treated new transmitter as a depreciating

asset. Her report will by ready by next meeting. Gerry moved to

adopt proposed budget, and Sue seconded. Motion carried.

Rych noted that he’s sent a proposal for a billboard, something like

“88.1, “hippie granola spoken here…” Can discuss this at next

Outreach and next Board meeting. There will be no budget

committee meeting in December.

B. Outreach Committee: Mohinder Puna interview will be aired next

Friday. Still working on representatives from Japanese and Filipino

community. Sold about $150 of the new t-shirts at the Cindy

Sheehan event. Ali knows of 11 new subscribers who’ve been

listening due to outreach activities. Ali and Sue propose to front

money to purchase sweatshirts with a 2nd new design, and to get

reimbursed from sales. Will make sure they’re sweatshop free. Ali

met with Whitney Thompson from Campus Peace & Civil Liberties

group at the Cindy Sheehan event. Trying to coordinate a table at

Fresno State on a regular basis to get a presence there. Mary

Husein (an outreach committee volunteer) is putting together an email

list of professors at Fresno State like Gerry did for Fresno City,

and these can get e-mail notices of our events and special radio

shows so they can invite their students. We missed having a table

at the Community Alliance 10th Anniversary Party. Ali asks that if

Board members are aware of special events we should table, to call

him so they can be covered. Looking for volunteers at the 12/2/06

table at the WILPF crafts fair. Sue will be there all day and Dave,

Gerry and Vic offered to help.

C. Fundraising: The committee didn’t meet in November and won’t

meet again until February.

D. Governance: No meeting in October. Mark cancelled the last one,

but should be meeting next Tuesday (11/28/06).

E. Programming: See written report from 11/14/06. 20 Second

Soundbite was reviewed. There was a language problem with a

guest and some music. Programmers will be reminded they need

to edit anything they’re playing and listen ahead to the music. Vic

suggests use of the delay device should be a last resort and

shouldn’t be counted on, since a programmer may miss something.

There was also a call-in on the Earth First show that was

problematic. Will be training all programmers in use of the delay

device. The device is at the Wishon studio and there’s a separate

delay at Rand’s studio, but it’s a different kind and doesn’t work well

with the downtown one. It’s left on all the time and can’t be ramped

up or down, so when we switch back to the Wishon studio there’s a

period of silence. Rych suggests we consider buying a second unit

so they’re compatible. It was noted that broadcasting from Rand’s

studio saves us phone line time. Wasteland of the Free and It’s a

Queer Thing both still run from Rand’s studio. There was

consensus to buy a second delay unit. Vic notes there will be 2

days of special Pacifica Archive programming to raise funds for

archiving. He hasn’t yet announced the change in the Herbal

Highway show but will before making it. Hasn’t yet met with Scott,

the person who has offered to help with engineering. Next

committee meeting is 1/9/07.

F. No formal KPFA report but see election results on their website and

announcement about Sasha Lilly being their new Programming

Director. She’s in close contact with Vic on programming issues,

so that should help. Lem-Lem is still interim KPFA General

Manager.

VII. Old Business:

A. KFCF Election Update: Vic will do a cart about what do do if ballot

not received, and to remind about deadline.

B. KPFA Election Update: See their website for results.

C. FCC Audit: See president’s report above.

VIII. New Business:

A. Pro-rating health benefits for p/t employees: Gerry notes that the

premium we pay is based on age of employee. For younger person

the premium is less. Wanted to discuss whether it would be

considered age discrimination if we required part timers to pay half

their premium, and it’s more for an older employee. Sue opined

that it wouldn’t be discrimination if we had a standard policy of each

part timer paying half, since it would be the insurer, not us, that is

charging more. The range of pay we’ll be offering for the new

position is $10-$12/hour. An alternative is that we pay a flat

amount towards the premium and the employee pay anything

above that. It was noted that we went to a less expensive plan for

Rand and Vic but we pay their co-pays which are higher than

previously. Sue moved to adopt a policy that for employees

who work between 20-32 hours/week, we offer a flat

$200/month and they pay their own co-pays. Gerry seconded.

Motion carried.

B. December meetings: Propose to cancel the December board

meeting (including committee meetings, except that there will be no

Budget or Fundraising committee meeting in January). The regular

January meeting will be 1/16/07 and we will tentative schedule a

board retreat for Saturday, 2/3/07. Candidates for Board officer

positions and for our representative to KPFA can be discussed at

the January meeting, but will be decided at the Board retreat.

Board then adjourned to Closed Session.

Board meeting resumes: It is noted that this is Diane LaRue’s last meeting. She

reports that her mother is recovering well so she may be able to help and to run

again next time. She has agreed to continue helping with Fundraising

Committee. Vic and the Board thanks her for her service to the Foundation.

Meeting adjourned.

FFCF Board Meeting Minutes 10/17/06

In attendance: Vic Bedoian, Rych Withers, Ali Rezapour, Dave Gendron,

Debbie Speer, Mark Hernandez, Diane LaRue, Gerry Bill,

Sue Kern; Guests: Mike Beavers, Fran Fried

Excused absence: Alex Vavoulis

Absent: Waldo Porter, Rand Stover

Debbie suggests as regular practice adoption of agenda should precede review

of last meeting’s minutes. Board agrees by consensus.

I. Agenda: Rych asks to add Executive Session (Personnel Matter) under

Old Business and Debbie asks to strike VI (F), Pacifica Report. Vic asks

to add a second personnel item to the executive session. Rych asks to

strike Budget and Programming Committee reports except to announce

next committee meetings. Also add “Announcements” as item IX. With

those changes, agenda adopted.

II. Minutes: Corrections: No need to include reasons why each board

member was absent and should report that Rand was excused by

agreement of the Board. Debbie suggests that if what is discussed in

committee reports is in written report, minutes can just refer to written

report. Need to clarify that discussion of considering Vince Lavery for

Free Speech Award next year was just a suggestion, to be discussed next

year. Debbie requested correction to section on upcoming elections.

Under new business, don’t need to include content of discussion with third

parties, just any decisions that are made. And Debbie notes that minutes

of executive sessions should be taken but kept confidential in a separate

file in the office to be approved by board at next executive session. With

those changes, Debbie moved and Mark seconded approval of 9/19/06

minutes. Motion carried.

III. President’s Report: Rych reports that the Archive Studio is finished and

will be scheduling a date to train volunteers. Program for archiving seems

to be working. We’ve been offered the opportunity to host this year’s

Homeless Marathon in Fresno. Would be sometime in February, from 4

p.m. to 6 a.m. next morning. Rych is concerned about whether we have

the personnel to do it. The offer was because they appreciated Fresno’s

help with the KU feed and there was a recent action about homelessness

in Fresno. Rych will be contacting Jeremy to see what’s involved and they

may have staff to help, but there’s lots of preparation work with phone

lines, etc. Rych will also talk to Mike Rhodes about this, and would need

to see if he can take some time off from work to help with the project.

IV. Executive Director Report: Vic reports that he spent most of last month on

preparation for the Amy Goodman event and Banquet, and has been

playing catch-up with database entry in preparation for election. Will need

to send out ballots with an updated database. Should have report from

Sharmayne in time for next Budget Committee meeting (2nd Tues.).

V. Chief Engineer report deferred due to Rand’s absence.

VI. Committee Reports:

B. Outreach Committee: Ali reports that Mary Husein (a CSUF

instructor in Mass Communications) attended last committee

meeting along with Vida Samiian and Maribel Valencia. Met with 2

members of the Sikh community (a young person and an older

member who is an author and poet who writes articles in the

religion section of the Fresno Bee). They offered two different

perspectives on the same community. Also hope to have new Tshirts

(approved at last meeting) for the Cindy Sheehan event. Sue

suggested that for future t-shirt production, we make sure that the

shirts aren’t made in sweatshops. Ali noted that the artist who’s

doing the t-shirts can also make banners and Ali proposes we

produce 2 more banners for use on outreach events. He will check

the price and consult with Vic on this. The Intermountain Nursery

Harvest Festival was tabled this month, and the Irvine Foundation

received our application and will be sending a $500 check to be

used for outreach activities.

C. Fundraising-See written reports on Amy Goodman Event and

Banquet, prepared on new Event Form. It was suggested that a

“Suggestion” space be added to the form. And in light of the fact

that we netted $5,626.98 at the Amy Goodman event and with the

program ads, we netted $2,005.27 on the banquet, it was

suggested to start earlier trying to get a well known speaker and be

prepared to pay more for the speaker to attract someone who will

bring a good turnout.

D. Governance Committee did not meet regarding committee report

and grant application policies. Will meet at Irene’s the 4th Tuesday

and hope to have a report by next meeting.

VII. Old Business:

A. KFCF election update: 2 qualified members applied and 1 wasn’t a

member so sent that person a membership application. Deadline is

Friday. 3 open slots and currently 2 possible candidates. Ali

reports that he has someone he’ll be inviting to apply. Rych also

has someone that’s interested. Debbie notes that the KPFA

Election Forum is the next day and Tracy Rosenberg has agreed to

have FFCF candidates there too. Tracy is working on trying to get

KPFA candidates to come to the forum, but there’s an LSB meeting

in Santa Rosa the same so 4 incumbents have a conflict.

B. Cindy Sheehan update: Sue reports that volunteers are needed to

help with cleanup at the Unitarian Church reception and to help with

tabling at both events. Ali volunteered to table both events and

Gerry will help with clean-up at the reception.

VIII. New Business:

A. KPFA Election protocols: See written procedures provided by

Debbie. “Fair Campaign Provisions” are posted on the KPFA

website. These rules also apply to KFCF airways. There are two

candidates from the Fresno area running in the KPFA election.

Can’t use airtime to endorse candidates and all candidates must

have equal time on air. If a programmer is a candidate, have to sit

out their program during the election period. Rych suggests we

send staff members/programmers a link to the fair election rules to

remind them. It was noted that KFCF listeners make up 10% of the

KPFA audience. Debbie notes that general Fair Campaign Rules

are in the Pacifica bylaws, and that even mentioning a candidate’s

name on air is a violation unless they’re all mentioned equally.

There was discussion of rules concerning handing out campaign

materials at KFCF sponsored events such as the banquet, and the

rules (as interpreted by Tracy Rosenberg, KPFA Elections

Supervisor) prohibit handing materials out in the main room but it’s

OK to do outside of where the event is taking place (e.g. in the

lobby) as long as all candidates have equal access. Debbie noted

that if anyone had questions or concerns about whether a

candidate or slate was violating the rules, she can bring the issue to

Tracy for resolution. There was clarification that the KPFA election

is a “ranked choice” system where each voter ranks all candidates

in order of preference and if your first choice doesn’t have enough

votes to make it, your vote goes to your next choice. There are two

“slates” involved in the current KPFA election: Committee of

Concerned Listeners of which Mark Hernandez is a member, and

Alliance for Democratic KPFA. Then there are several independent

candidates including Vida Samiian. Ballots went out yesterday and

more information is available at election@kpfa.org. That’s who to

contact if you don’t get a ballot. It was noted that if subscribers

don’t get a KFCF ballot, they should contact the KFCF office by

phone or at office@kfcf.org. It was also noted that there is a Rally

for the Homeless at City Hall the same afternoon as the KPFA

elections forum.

B. Posting of Minutes on KFCF website: It was noted that we haven’t

been keeping current with posting minutes on our website, mainly

because minutes that have been corrected and adopted haven’t

been sent to Vic electronically. Sue will be sending “corrected”

minutes to Vic within a few days after each meeting, so that Vic can

work with Rych on getting them posted on the website. Gerry

asked about Committee minutes, and whether they should first be

approved by committee members before being forwarded to the

Secretary for posting. However it was noted that there’s a

difference between a committee report and minutes of committee

meetings, and reports are action items agreed or recommended by

the committees. These should be agreed to when each committee

meeting ends, and the committee chair can forward the report to

the secretary. Those reports then get sent to all board

members before each Board meeting, and once the report is

given, it can be posted along with the corrected minutes from

the Board meeting if there are no objections to the report

made during the meeting. Committee minutes are the actual

notes of the business done during committee meetings and those

are kept in files at the office but don’t get posted.

C. Other New Business: Mark and Rych report that Tim Pozar has

proposed that we ask California Broadcaster’s Association to do a

technical audit of our FCC compliance. (See flyer). They check log

compliance, whether we’re over or under power, etc., and once

we’re inspected, they send FCC a letter that prevents FCC from

conducting a random inspection of our station for a 2 year period.

(It can still inspect if there’s a specific complaint.) The cost is

$1500 to $2000, and Tim has offered to pay for it. Debbie moved

and Diane seconded accepting Tim’s offer and having the

audit conducted. Motion carried. It was noted that even though

Rand wasn’t present for the vote, his studio would have to be open

for inspection since it’s the main station listed on our license.

Meeting then adjourned to Executive Session.

Following executive session:

1. Mark moved to approve proposal that Vic and Gerry

develop job announcement and job description for 2

staff positions. Also moved to approve creation of a

Personnel Workgroup to oversee this process. Debbie

seconded and motion carried.

2. Also Debbie moved to approve FFCF membership for

Scott Dean in exchange for his agreement to provide

engineering services to the foundation. Gerry

seconded; motion carried.

IX: Announcements:

A. WILPF annual crafts fair is December 2nd. Outreach

Committee to arrange for tabling and those who can

volunteer should call or e-mail Sue or Ali.

B. Metro Ministries will be honoring T&D Will Farms at their

annual event. It was also noted that they will be running a

comp ad for us in exchange for the ad we gave them in our

Banquet Program. Vic should get this to Metro Ministries.

C. Committee Meetings: Budget committee will meet 2nd

Monday, 11/13/06, at 7 p.m. at the Studio. Outreach

Committee will meet 6:30 p.m. on 11/6/06 (first Monday) at

the Phoenician Garden restaurant on Herndon. Governance

Committee will meet 4th Tuesday at Irene’s, and Fundraising

the 1st Tuesday at 6:30 at the Studio.

Debbie moved to adjourn; Diane seconded. Motion carried.

FFCF Board Meeting Minutes 9/19/06

In attendance: Vic Bedoian, Rych Withers, Ali Rezapour, Dave Gendron, Debbie

Speer, Mark Hernandez, Diane LaRue, Gerry Bill, Alex Vavoulis, Rand

Stover, Sue Kern

Excused absence: Waldo Porter

I. Approval of minutes of 8/15/06: Debbie moved to formally excuse

absence of Alex and Waldo from August meeting. Also Rand’s absence

was excused by agreement of the board. With those changes, Debbie

moved and Ali seconded approval of minutes. Motion carried.

II. Agenda: Ali asked to add under New Business discussion of

inappropriate comments by board members. Alex asked to add a report

on his next 3 month schedule. With those changes the agenda was

unanimously approved.

III. President’s Report: Rych reports that the alarm has been installed in

the Tower office. There were 2 incidents in which Rych’s and Mark’s

codes were transposed, but they were able to call the alarm company

before the police were called. Also installed new CD recorder in tower

studio. Set up 2nd studio for dubbing archives in back. Will be transferring

tape to CD and duplicate CDs. Project should be finished this week. The

annual financial report not yet ready though state law requires it. Vic is

aware of it and will talk to Sharmayne about it.

IV. Executive Director Report: Vic has been mainly working on the upcoming

events and on database entry. Will discuss programming matters in the

Programming Committee Report.

V. Chief Engineer’s Report: Rand reports that things have been quiet except

for power outage one day when generator was used to keep us on air.

Still trying to finish setting up profanity delay. Rych is working on Tower

studio but waiting for information from Rand. Will be showing

programmers how to use it.

VI. Reports:

A. Budget Committee: Gerry reports there was no meeting last

month. Need to know when Sharmayne will have something for

them to look at. Vic says he won’t have his part done for about 2

weeks. Gerry will wait until after then to call next committee

meeting, probably 2nd Monday in November.

B. Outreach Committee: Ali reports a meeting was held 9/11/06

with Maribel Valencia, Vida Samiian, Ali R. and Sue K. Discussed

Common Ground which is going well except for one time when CD

they pre-recorded was accidentally locked in Vic’s office. Have

recorded interview with Hmong attorney who is running for City

Council but will wait to air it until after the election. Community

Technology Foundation grant application tabled until 2007, since

their funding cycle has closed. Will turn grant application over to

Fundraising Committee. Tried to accept $500 grant from Irvine

Foundation offered by an Irvine Foundation board member who is a

friend of Ali’s wife. Each of their board members get some

discretionary funds that can be used for mini-grants. She offered

$500 to be used for promoting Common Ground. Rych talked to

her but was not agreeable to accepting grant on those terms. This

issue was further discussed under New Business, criteria for grant

applications.

C. Fundraising Committee: Sue reported that only committee

discussion was of planning for Amy Goodman event and Banquet.

Vic reports that Democracy Now wants volunteers at door with

clipboard and to hand out flyers. Dennis Moynihan will be there.

Vic talked to Mark Halverson from Barnes and Noble who will have

books there to sell. Amy will need a table where she can do book

signing.

D. Governance Committee did not meet.

E. Programming Committee (See written report): Dave reported

that committee recommends replacing Herbal Highway with a

Pacifica Archive’s Program “From the Vault.” There were strong

comments pro and con for Herbal Highway in the last listener

survey, and some board members are concerned about possible

liability issues. KPFA doesn’t broadcast “From the Vault” programs

since they don’t generally put “off site” programs on the air, but they

(and David Barsamian’s “Alternative Media”) are high quality

shows. It was noted that one of the Thurs. afternoon Herbal

Highway slots is already replaced with our local Literary Mosaic

program. The Pacifica Archives releases a new “From the Vault”

program every week. Will notify listeners of the new “From the

Vault” programming. Would also like to find a place for

Barsamian’s program. Next Programming Committee review will

be of Underground Railroad.

F. KPFA Report: Debbie reports that Tracy Rosenberg, their

elections supervisor, has reserved the Sarah McCardle Room of

the downtown library for an election forum to be held Saturday,

10/21/06, from 3-6 pm. Candidates will come to Fresno to meet the

listeners. Nomination period closes 9/25/06 and ballots will be sent

out a week or two before this event. Debbie suggested that we

could combine this with an event for candidates for our board. Next

LSB meeting is also on 10/21/06 in Santa Rosa. There are 9 slots

up for election this year. May need volunteers to help at the

10/21/06 event. Pacifica National Board is meeting in Berkeley

from 9/29-10/1/06. Debbie will not be attending.

VII. Old Business:

A. Amy Goodman Event: Update given in Fundraising report. Still

need volunteers to help with food, info tables, clean-up, etc.

B. Banquet: Need to decide on Free Speech Award. Alex

proposed that next year we consider giving award to Vince Lavery

and pay his plane fare to accept it. Lloyd Carter is already raising

money for that. It was agreed to revisit that proposal next year.

Sue proposes that we give this year’s award to Valley Voices for

Animals, the group of four that were arrested last year for refusing

to limit their protest of the circus to a designated “free speech” area.

Sue moved and Gerry seconded; motion carried with one

opposed. Gerry will get their names and Sue will send Board

members an e-mail with what she will be including in the Banquet

program about this award.

C. Election Update: Our nomination period is from 9/20/06 through

10/20/06 and there are three seats (Debbie’s, Diane’s and Waldo’s)

up for election. Debbie has a packet of election materials to give

Vic. Vic will start running the cart for the nomination information

tomorrow.

VIII. New Business:

A. Discussion of Process and Criteria for Grant Applications:

General rule is that those proposing applying for a grant submit to

the board all written criteria and requirements and outline of

proposal, as well as what reporting requirements and who would

handle the reporting. Rych noted that it is problematic to accept

funding for particular programs since FCC requires that if specific

programs are funded, there be an on-air announcement that the

funding for the show was provided by “X.” Mark proposed to refer

the issue to the Governance Committee to come up with a

proposed policy on grant applications. Vic noted that we need to

consider the impact on staff and should perform a “due diligence”

investigation on where the grant money comes from and what type

of reporting or audit requirements are attached. Gerry proposed

(and Alex seconded) accepting this $500 grant if it is changed

to be for general outreach for KFCF, and not tied to any

specific program. Motion carried with one opposed.

B. Inappropriate Comments from Board members: Some of this

was subsumed in discussion of Grant Application policy. It was

noted that while board members may have disagreements with or

criticisms of other board members, such comments should be

directed in a principled way to the board member directly and/or in

the Board meetings, and not be made to third parties.

C. Alex’s schedule: Alex reports that he will be out of the country

for 3 months starting 10/12/06 through 1/11/07. He has prerecorded

his shows for this period and will still be available by email.

An attorney will be working on maintaining the Greek Culture

Foundation website in his absence.

IX: Executive Session (Concerning Personnel and possible litigation issues).

Following Executive Session: Sue moved to adjourn regular meeting;

Rand seconded. Motion carried.

[These minutes were corrected and approved at meeting of 10/17/06.]

FFCF Board Meeting Minutes

7/18/06

In attendance: Vic Bedoian, Rych Withers, Dave Gendron, Mark

Hernandez, Diane LaRue, Gerry Bill, Alex Vavoulis, Sue Kern

Excused absence: Debbie Speer, Waldo Porter

Absent: Rand Stover, Ali Rezapour

I. Approval of minutes of 6/20/06: Corrections: VI(E): KPFA report should

describe local board as LSB, not LAB, and Willie Ratcliffe, not Willy

Radcliff. With those changes, Alex moved and Mark seconded

approval of minutes. Motion carried.

II. Agenda: Board agreed to table Item VII (A) (Governance Committee

proposals) and VII (D) (Sick Leave discussion). With those changes the

agenda was unanimously approved.

III. President’s Report: Rych reports that there is still some concern about the

status of Foundation equipment located at Randy’s home. There’s a

Memorandum of Understanding identifying what is Foundation property

but Randy has not yet prepared additional legal documents necessary to

insure that the Foundation has access to its property in the event of

Randy’s death or disability, though Bruce Kennedy is willing to assist in

drawing up the necessary documents. There was some discussion of

moving the equipment now to the Wishon studio, but it was noted that the

station satellite dish and other equipment necessary to receiving KPFA’s

signal is currently located at Rand’s home since the Tower District will not