WBCR-LP 97.7FM, Great Barrington Community Radio

Minutes Monday March 14, 2005

Agenda
-Introduction
-Minutes
-Treasurers Report
-Engineering Update
-Programming
  -Volunteer Requirements for Programmers
  -Syndicated Programming
  -Programming Roll-out
-Email list policy
-Space Committee
-Future Board Member
-Other Business

Attendance
Abby Childs
Asa Hardcastle
Rob Jenen
Scott Marks
Chris Pizzichemi
Nick Ring
Ben Shalles
Note: mis-communication regarding start
time of meeting caused Esther Dozier to miss
tonight’s meeting.

Minutes
Board Meeting minutes of February 21, 2005 approved.

Treasury Report
No report by Ben Shalles due to continuing technical problems with transmitter.  Ben will e-mail current status of treasury.
Informal break-down:
We are still broke!
The organization has about $1,200.00
Recent phone calls have generated around $300.00
Equipment returns will pay for this months bills.

Asa suggests we establish a Finance Committee
Ann Condon
Ben Shalles
Asa Hardcastle
Chris Meyer

Suggested call out to Membership for Financial Planners to volunteer.
What is the Finance Committee?
Ben to set-up interface of financial program with Asa, ultimately the program will make for a seamless transition of future treasurers.

Engineering Update

Radio is on!
Brief Chronology of repairs:
Thursday March 10, 2005
John Ramsey came & met with Ben Shalles in the Fairview Hospital Roof penthouse to review system.  Conclusion was ґmany police radio interference problems.
John & Ben then met with Nick Ring and returned to the transmitter to tighten up loose equipment, grounded phone lines, and added filters to phone lines (3 or 4) resulting in no police radio interference. However, SWR still problematic. Emergency Room transmitter also troubled was probably causing the police radio interference.

Friday March 11, 2005
John Ramsey contacted Ben Shalles in the morning reporting an idea that perhaps the capacitor is burned out and needs to be replaced.
Ben & Nick Ring run tests:
Police radio=ok
94.1fm=ok
90.3=ok
On Air at 75% power all weekend!

Monday March 14, 2005
Penny Hardcastle & Nick Ring notified by Fairview Hospital Charles Harner regarding interference with police radio.
Ben Shalles & Asa Hardcastle reported to hospital and found SWR problems and moisture problems at connections. Ben cleaned connectors. (big connector had ice.) Re-installed and water-proofed until secure (no swivel). SWR continued to fluctuate҅ wildly. Ben put the capacitor back in and the fluctuations stopped. Capacitor is rated for 150W which is too small.  250W to be supplied by New Scottland Communications. Ben to re-cut cable 4 and start over with John Ramsey and re-seal. Ben to give Rob Jenen dimensions for test pole.

Programming
-Volunteer Requirements for Programmers
-Syndicated Programming
-Programming Roll-out
Scenarios presented by Scott Marks as discussed by programming committee.

-Volunteer Requirements for Programmers
Motion:
First term volunteer requirements for programmers waived.
Volunteer hours can be banked in the 2 months prior to the June-July-August term.
X hours required per term to be assessed, and programmers to contribute to the process of deciding such requirements.
Decision:
YES

-Syndicated Programming
Motion:
Proposed Membership Initiative for syndicated programs that receive at least X% membership approval with sunset provision (to be determined). Syndicated shows will require volunteer hours by point person. Syndicated is 2nd class to local programming. Limit syndicated programs to X% (below 50%).
Decision:
YES

-Programming Roll-out
Motion:
Roll-out as available pending technical issues. No date set for grand opening of air waves.
Decision:
YES

End of Meeting
Remaining topics to be continued on Board e-mail discussion list.
-Email list policy
-Space Committee
-Future Board Member
-Other Business

Meeting notes recorded by
Chris Pizzichemi
wbcr-lp Board
Interim Secretary

→ Posted by wbcr-web on 03/15/2005 at 12:37 AM. Filed under "minutes".