WBCR-LP 97.7FM, Great Barrington Community Radio

Meeting Minutes 3.21.07

Board Meeting Minutes of the Berkshire Community Radio Alliance

Board Members in Attendance:
Asa Hardcastle, Ben Shalles, Paul Rapp, Phil Tierney, Don McGrory, Nick Ring

Board Members absent:
Chris Meyer, Jan Seward, Chris Pizzichemi

Public in Attendance:
John Breasted, Karen Skelton, Andy Potter, Gizelle Doyle, Judy Rosley (sp?)

Adoption of Agenda
Public Comment
Treasurers Report
Committees Reports
Review of Tasks
Studio Accessibility / Granary property
Capital Campaign
WTBR-FM
Donation to Prometheus
Fund Drive
Proposed Merger of Fundraising and Publicity Committees

Adoption of Agenda
Motion to adopt. seconded. approved unanimously.

Public Comment

TreasurerҒs Report
Waived due to absence of treasurer.

Committees Reports
Membership Committee - report of General Membership Meeting
Programming Committee - Applications for summer session due April 15th.
Tech Committee - report on cause and resolution of program duplications and non-airings

Review of Tasks

Studio Accessibility / Granary property
Paul Rapp gave summary of history of space pursuits and losses, rooted, in part, in lack of on-hand funding and how that lead to creation of capital campaign. Joan Ackerman has purchased the Granary building and has expressed interest in WBCR-LP taking space in the building.

JB: What does the board see necessary as having in place in order to move into a new, accessible studio space?

Board had previously voted that a minimum of $20k be in the bank and set aside for the relocation capital campaign. Also noted: a viable space. Discussion of increase in rental costs—board has expressed confidence in a doubling of the current rental rate.

Ackerman would like to have tenants and a commitment within a reasonable time, though she has approached us. Discussion of availability of spaces (upstairs and downstairs). Paul will be current board liaison with Ackerman. Discussion of approach.

G raised concern over saftey of walkway to current space and urged speedy progress on the move to a new safer, accessible location.

Capital Campaign
Capital Campaign Committee is writing
JB expressed concern about possible criteria for giving that larger donors may attach to donations.

WTBR-FM, Pittsfield
Several members have suggested connecting with WTBR-FM, the station airing from Taconic High School in Pittsfield at 89.7FM, which has a significant amount of time off-air. NR spoke with Larry Kartka today—discussion future discussions. Question of license ownership—high school or the city of Pittsfield?

Full-Power NCE window
At some point the FCC will probably open a window for Full-Power NCE applications. Discussion of what BCRA can do in this process.

Donation to Prometheus
Motion: donate $250 to Prometheus Radio Project for their past and continued support of LPFM and WBCR-LP in particular. approved unanimously.

Fund Drive
Total: $18,449 pledged during fund drive. 314 pledges received during the week (some multiple pledges). Total received to date: $13,017. Average donation (less challenge grants) $56.21.
Important to thank members and premium donators.

Proposed Merger of Fundraising and Publicity Committees
Motion: merge the Fundraising and Publicity Committee to be revisited at June Board Meeting. discussion of common and different goals. Passed 4-2.

Meeting adjourned 9:37pm.

→ Posted by Janice on 04/18/2007 at 03:34 PM. Filed under "minutes".