WBCR-LP 97.7FM, Great Barrington Community Radio

Board Meeting, Wednesday January, 16, 2008 Minutes

Minutes

WBCR-LP FM
Board of Directors Meeting—January 16, 2008 @ Zenn New Media

Meeting convened at 6:08 pm
In attendance: J. Eddy, D. McGrory, N. Ring, J. Seward, P. Tierney, F. Tolopko
Absent: P. Rapp, B. Shalles
Guests: None
Agenda adopted unanimously
Previous minutes adopted unanimously, but will be amended to include last names of participants

Public comments: None

Treasurer’s Report (J. Eddy)

Checking balance: $13,327.37
Berkshares balance: $1,679.00
Paypal: $178.00

Net income for December, 2007: $1,614.52
Net expenses for December, 2007: $7,631.35
Net for December, 2007: ($6,016.83)  (loss)
Net new studio expenditures through December, 2007: ~$9,000

Report accepted unanimously

Committee reports

Facilities: N. Ring: New studio: Plumber, electrician starting work the week of Jan. 21. Sheet rocking to follow, seeking volunteers for same.
Membership: N. Ring, via Programming committee, seeking to revitalize volunteer coordination.
Programming: No report.
Tech: Studio 2 PC is back from repairs. Looking to fix keyboard problem at desk computer. Currently planning telephone and networking system for new studio. Investigating (sporadic) problems with call in phone system.
Public Relations: No report. J. Seward to contact L. Gabriel.

Tasks update and other agenda items

Review of D. McGrory draft of the Riseup list description, aka as The Membership Discussion List. Submitted draft:

The Membership Discussion List is a list for current members of the BCRA to discuss issues pertaining to WBCR-LP policies. Short and to-the-point postings are appreciated, and repeated violations of personal attacks or uncivil speech will be considered grounds for removal from the list by the moderator. Postings that violate standards of good taste, make libelous accusations or ad-hominem arguments, or endorse commercial products will be rejected.

Hardcastle composed a list description/definition in the past. Discussion will continue at next Board meeting. N. Ring tasked with composing a new draft incorporating AH’s and DM’s texts within the limitations of WBCR-LP’s mission statement.

Board development consultant Chip Blake will not be able to attend a Board meeting until the March meeting.

Discussion of Board vacancy. N. Ring to research historical criteria of board membership for next meeting.

P. Tierney volunteered to check WBCR-LP’s voice mail messages on a daily basis. He will forward/direct messages to programmers, Programming Committee and the Board as appropriate. He will generate a monthly report for the Board and will continue a written log. Accepted without a motion.

Hate speech working group. Continued discussion of who will spearhead the group. J. Seward to follow up with Ananda. P. Tierney will generate an incident report. Convening of the working group postponed until after the move to the new studio.

Volunteer coordinator. Discussion of volunteerism problems. D. McGrory to contact T. Lewis (initial volunteer coordinator) for an update. J. Seward submitted a motion to create a working group to review and create guidelines: “Create a working group to develop guidelines and procedures for the implementation of volunteer coordination”. Seconded by F. Tolopko. Passed unanimously.

Fund raising and capital issues. New studio a drain on current finances. The Capital Campaign Committee has of yet not identified any viable sources. N. Ring mentioned possible sources of funds. J. Eddy volunteered to write 2 grant proposals to the Mass. Cultural Council and the Department of Commerce. The Capital Campaign Committee was asked to continue their efforts.

Full Power update. There have been 30 “objections” to our application filed by interested parties. According to our engineering consultant this is not an unusual occurrence and most objections turn out to be bogus. This is considered “part of the process” and will be handled as such.

N. Ring to forward Board members an electronic copy of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters legal handbook.

Motion to adjourn at 8:06 pm was unanimously accepted.

→ Posted by wtolopf on 03/16/2008 at 05:20 PM. Filed under "minutes".