WBCR-LP 97.7FM, Great Barrington Community Radio

Meeting Minutes from December 12th Meeting

Board Meeting Minutes 12-20-06

Board Attendees:
Asa Hardcastle, Ben Shalles, Don McGrory, Nick Ring, Chris Meyer, Jan Stefanacci Seward, Phil Tierney, Paul Rapp
Public Attendees:
Ann Condon
Jeanne Bassis

Jeanne Bassis (per the boards invitation) presented the Community Bulletin Board.  Jeanne and Will McDougal feel it is ғdone.  The link (only for testing) is http://www.berkshireradio.org/index.php/forum/
They took input from the Programming Committee and others.  Personals and community events were taken out.
Jeanne noted that Will is willing to manage the online board but would like a partner.  Josh Johns has volunteered to manage the physical bulletin board.
Concerns were raised about us having the right to remove a person or their post from the board, and that this warning would be prominently displayed.  This will be done.  Paul Rapp noted that the disclaimer is good and that from a legal perspective it should be fine. 

The physical board was discussed, it was decided to try to put it up outside the studio, not in the vestibule.  Jeanne, Will, Josh, etc. will review this and make a suggestion, which will be sent to Ben so that he can give it to the landlord for review.

Announcement of the Community Crossroads will go to rise up, announcement, and on-air lists.

The Programming Committee will decide how itԒs handled on-air.

Public Comments:
Ann Condon:
Grievance policy was sent to the board, needs to be approved.
Need the amended bylaws up on the web site.
Ben noted that we need the amended bylaws to be certified by the board, for the state.
Ann: Thanks for the beautiful thank you letter for the bylaws work.

Task: Nick Ring to work with Chad to get the amended bylaws to Christy Collins.

Committee Reports were given:
See Bens e-mail.
Bylaws committee Җ work shutting down.

Fundraising committee setting date and beginning fund drive work at next meeting.  Trying to get some new members, with some success.

Finance committee ֖
Budget and spending policies under review, discussion later.

Publicity committee Will says inactive.

Programming committee ֖ Ann Condon reports that a programmer was removed from being on the air.  Programmer came for a hearing.  He will be off the air for 6 months.  Nick Ring noted theyre also working on Feb 1st schedule, which is packed! Nick also noted the Day Captain program is starting, so thereҒs an individual liaison for each day to work as first responder.

Tech committee They֒re trying to get the CD player fixed.  The committee is worried about the automation computer.  Asa suggested we buy a new Mini (computer) to replace the automation computer before it dies, which would be a very big problem.  Issue discussed, Asa thinks it could be done for less than $1000.

Motion: Tech committee can spend up to $1000 for purchase of a new computer to replace PC3 in the studio.  Seconded, passed.

Membership committee Don McGrory had sent a mail about what it means to be a member, was it okay?  Yes, he֒ll move it along. 

This prompted a discussion of the general Membership meetings.  All agreed they need to be better. Don will chair the next meeting, with Nicks help.

Chris reported on Jack Musgrove conversation.  Cumberland Farms may be interested in renting to us, due to the Planning BoardҒs vote. 

Task: CM will contact Susan Smith about Cumberland Farms to tell her were interested in the property.

Ben and Nick reported on their training session in Boston.  Topic was Volunteer Management.  Nick will circulate some materials.

TreasurerҒs Report:
Budget: Nick asked about budgeting more for rent for the next year, in hopes of moving.  Also noted were supposed to have the membership approve the budget at the Annual Meeting.  A final budget proposal will be presented at the next board meeting for discussion, but it wonҒt be hugely different from the draft proposal presented in November.

Reports were passed around showing over $10,000 in our bank account.  Also was noted we had strong event income.

It was suggested we present the 2006 summary and 2007 budget at membership meetings.

It was decided that Asa and Nick would give up their bank cards, as they are no longer officers, and also would go into Greylock and remove themselves as signers for the accounts.  Jan needs to go in with Chris and get set up as a signer.

Task: Nick and Asa turn in their bank cards and get removed as signers on the account.
Task: Jan and Chris go to the bank to get Jan established as a signer.

Task: CM will present a 2006 financial summary at January membership meeting.
Task: CM will do a budget presentation at February membership meeting.

Jan raised the issue of where our funds will come from in 2007. Asa noted that membership meetings used to be a source for energy related to events and fundraising, and he thinks fundraising committee got too dense with requirements, i.e. events, grants, etc.

Task: JSS will speak to Rita from Gould Farms about becoming involved in WBCR.

Business cards: Discussion of station business cards for programmers and/or board members, to be used in fundraising, at conferences, etc.  We could offer programmers the chance to pay for cards themselves.  We will table this for now and revisit this later.

We noted it would be nice to have a sign on the Brooks Pharmacy buildings side.
Task: Paul Rapp will speak to the landlord for Brooks Pharmacy about a WBCR sign on BrooksҒ building.

Other business:
Grievance Policy:  Paul Rapp: we just need a fairly applied policy, whatever it is.  Nick moved that we accept this policy.  Seconded.  Discussion: Asa notes there is no Grievance Committee.  It is ad-hoc, headed by Phil T.  Passed. 

Berkshire South: Mari Sevey wants us to formalizeӔ the relationship.  I.e. once a month they make an in-kind donation for offering us the rental at no charge.  They would like something written that tells them what they receive in return.

Ann Condon volunteered to take this on and discuss it with Mari Sevey and then make a recommendation to the board. 

Meeting Adjourned.
Reported by Chris Meyer

→ Posted by Chris Meyer on 01/01/2007 at 04:10 PM. Filed under "minutes".