General Membership Meeting Minutes 12.17.08
PRESENT: Linda Kennedy, Eddie Kennedy, Shawn Smith, Matt Dineen, David Beyer, Nina Ashanti, Andy Sewell, Bob Gutowski, Dana Prescott, Tony Shannon, Eric Nash, Diana Coryat
Meeting was called to order at 7:05pm. Matt Dineen facilitated the meeting.
Minutes of the November General Meeting were accepted with no changes.
Announcements: Matt Dineen is leaving the Board as he is moving the Philadelphia. His last show is scheduled for December 29th.
REPORTS:
Nominating Committee - There will be a vote at the January General Meeting to fill the two vacancies on the Board of Directors. Nominees are Diana Coryat and Andy Sewell.
Programming Committee - The December Programming Committee meeting was cancelled due to bad weather. Three people did show up for the meeting as they were not aware of the cancellation. Programming Committee meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at the studio at 7pm. Note that Committee Chairs are encouraged to contact either Bill Weye or Bill Baue to ensure a cancellation or change announcement gets on the website in a timely manner.
Fund Raising Committee - The next meeting is scheduled for January 11, 2pm at the Yellow Sofa. Shawn Smith is taking over the Chair of this committee in place of Matt Dineen. It was agreed that a member from the Fund Raising Committee and the Promotions Committee will attend the other committee’s meetings to promote awareness of the committee’s efforts.
Promotions Committee - The next meeting is scheduled for January 21st, 5pm at the Yellow Sofa. Committee has developed a survey that will go to all programmers to assist in informing them of other programmer’s shows. Expect to have a small bio for everyone; programmers will get opportunity to review and update bios. Trying to foster a good relationship with The Advocate. Looking into doing remote shows possibly with River Valley Market – record live show and air later with equipment we presently have.
Tech Committee - The committee hopes to review the ‘fixed’ list and develop a list of what equipment needs fixing and/or how we might get it fixed. Checking out how we can improve our software for automation.
Treasurer’s Report- Tony Shannon reported that he needs to get together with Bob Gardner to get all the financial information. He was encouraged to do so at the earliest possible moment. The need for a separate bookkeeper and treasurer will be taken up at the January Board meeting.
APPOINTMENT OF GRIEVANCE AND MEDIATION COMMITTEE: The following members have show interest in serving on this committee: Keely Malone, Bushi Harvey, Strong Oak, and Katherine Kendall. It was agreed that Board Members could serve on this committee as long as they only reported findings back to the Board and did not make decisions at the committee level.
C3 SITE TOUR: The Commonwealth Center for Change is opening up a center in the spring in the vacant factory building on the corner of Bliss Street and Nonotuck Street in Florence. David Simpson gave a tour of the facility and invited prospective tenants including VFR. David will be attending the January 7th Board meeting to give a presentation and answer questions. Another tour date will be scheduled at that meeting.
UNDERWRITING PROPOSAL: A proposal to underwrite local shows will be written by Matt Dineen to be voted on at the January General Meeting. We are presently doing a trial run of this with River Valley Market who has agreed to sponsor both Farm to Fork and the Enviro Show for a 6-month period.
Western Mass Indy Media: They will present a proposal to VFR via email. It would be a blog open to anyone hosted on our website. They will work with the Promotions Committee and attend their next meeting. They will present ideas on our discussion group and a vote will be taken at the January General Meeting.
By Laws: Matt agreed to email them to the Board Members for review at the next Board Meeting January 7th.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Mail coming into VFR that is important needs to come under one name so it is easily identified. This will be on the January Board Agenda.
Training Days – the last training day did not happen – the trainer did not show up. A second trainer needs to be identified who will communicate their availability etc. Need to develop a training check list beyond the card used now. Eddie Kennedy agreed to put a notice out that a train the trainer’s session will take place on January 3rd at 2pm and local hosts and station managers are encourage to attend.
Sign-off language for the station was discussed. Some confusion as to what actually has to be said at the end of the live broadcast day. Bob Gutowski will research this.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:45pm
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Kennedy, Clerk
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