This Week on Midweek Politics with David Pakman / October 27th, 2010
–Bill Scher from Campaign for America’s Future and LiberalOasis.com and Kristen Soltis from The Winston Group join us live to discuss the 2010 election and everyone makes their predictions for the House and Senate.
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Greetings Earthlings. We’re coming up on Halloween or the pagan festival of Samhain when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thin, porous in fact! Of course, Halloween in the U.S. is all about scary so we return to frightening tales of nuclear madness. Deb Katz of Citizens Awareness Network might call in to chill you to the bone and Paki Wieland of the Shut It Down affinity group joins us in the studio to talk resistance. As always, we disturb you with reports from the crypt of the living corporados in our Enviro Show Echo Chamber and our E-Valley-uation segment. We’ll give you our Quote of the Week and we go plural with the Fool on the Hill, but first it’s time for….Revenge of the Critters! Fishermen get caught!
Valley Free Radio
Board of Directors
August 4, 2010
Present: Kathryn K, Suzanne Bowles, Preacha, Arjuna Griest, Jon
Fisher, Bob Gutowski, Tony Udell, Dana Prescott, Eliot, Tony Shannon,
Bob Gardner [note taker]
Agenda: Building Sign, fundraising, the next board of directors,
office purchases, painting the studio, reapplication, September pledge
drive, new show reviews, programmer retention/recruiting, station
manager/automation issues, Greenfield visit, Midpolitics changes
Building sign:
Florence Community Center is erecting a sign, with each office
listed.
Cost is $75.00. Approved.
Fundraising:
Suzanne Bowles, VFR’s new grant writer, and underwriting salesperson,
presented the outlines of a grant proposal to Community Foundation of
Western Mass. The annual deadline is tomorrow (August 5th). The
proposal involves three “integrated tactics:”
• “Part-time station management to improve the efficiency of station
operations……”
• “A thought revision of the broadcaster intake policy to improve
retention.”
• “The implementation of quarterly educational and technical workshops
for professional development of 35 volunteer VFR broadcasters. (Also
open to allied organizations and the public).
This funding application is approved.
Office Purchases
In order to secure our financial records and consolidate them at the
station, it is proposed that we purchase or find gratis a locking file
cabinet. Approved with a maximum price of
$100.00. Arjuna will first search on Craig’s List and Freecycle for
free or low cost ones.
Painting the Studio
We approved painting the floor of studios Dark Maroon……..long live
beauty! Date will be: August 22nd. Shows normally live on that date
will need to make other arrangements.
Re-application
Again, the deadline for current shows to submit their application for
continuation is September 7th—approximately one month from now.
Re-application decisions:
• Shows not reapplying by that date will not be considered, and are,
in-effect, self cancelled.
• Pay to Play shows are required to apply to continue. However, there
are no work requirements, or dues payments. P2P shows are responsible
for FCC compliance, general station rules, pledge drive participation
and P2P payments.
Pledge Drive:
Pledge drive remains set for last week of September and first week of
October. Topic of hiring a pledge drive coordinator is discussed.
The previously proposed compensation of $300.00 plus % of funds raised
over standard is considered. Based on some feeling this was too
generous and unnecessary, and the fact that we have interested folks
for a lesser amount, we will make a final decision at September board
meeting.
Next Board of Directors
The next election of the board will occur at the annual meeting in
October, with new terms beginning on November 1st. The current board
is polled as to continuation or leaving. Continuing: Tony Udell,
Katherine, Bobg, Arjuna. Leaving: Tony Shannon.
Absent: Steve Curylo, and Steve Cutting. We will be looking for at
least one new member, or as many as three. Please let us know if you
are willing to serve VFR in this capacity (counts as work hours, of
course).
New Show Reviews
Two new shows up with three months on-air: Minezez [Fridays at 700 PM]
and Friday Nite Dance Party [Fridays at 11:00 PM]. Luke [Friday Nite
Dance] is taking a leave due to work responsibilities, but may re-up
in the fall; Minezez [Eileen] is approved. New shows are required
to reapply.
Programmer Retention & Recruiting
Postponed till Steve Cutting [proposer] is present.
Station Manager/Automation Issues
The problem with station managing and automation is the small number
of station managers now working. In the early days of the station
there were many more managers, with many staffing the station live
while downloading shows. Now we have three to four
Station managers, and we are in summer mode. Andy has left the
station, and he handled coordinating the automation software. Tony
Shannon has agreed to take on many of these functions, and has begun
cleaning up some aspects of Station Playlist, but we are woefully
short of managers. We will need to host another manager training, but
last training effort did not result in adding any new volunteers.
Issue of problem with the Thursday underwriting slot with Democracy
Now was discussed, and how to address.
Greenfield Trip
A trip was arranged by Johanna to our sister LPFM station [WMCB] in
Greenfield, attended by Glen Ayres, Tony Shannon, Ed Russell, Steve
Curylo, Steve Cutting, Bob Gardner. We had a great time touring their
studio, and hearing how they are organized. They are 1 ½ years old,
and share a license with a church group [who have the overnight
hours]. They are sponsored by the cable access TV group in Gnfld. We
have invited them to return the visit toVFR in the future.
Midweek Politics
Dave Pakman now has his own studio, and would like to become a
syndicated show on VFR in the future. They would like to run their
own underwriting on those broadcasts.
The board made no decisions here as to a general policy, but Midweek
Politics is asked to refrain from any underwriting until this is a
station policy about the ability of syndicated shows to carry their
own underwriting. Arjuna will communicate this to Dave.
Meeting adjourned. 8:30 PM. Next meeting the first Wednesday of
September, 7:00 PM at the VFR studios in Florence.
Valley Free Radio
Board Meeting Notes
July 7, 2010
Present: Arjuna Greist, Tony Shannon, Steve Cutting, Steve Curylo,
Preacha, Dana Prescott, Bob Gardner [notetaker]
Agenda: Hiring, Anniversary Celebration, Painting the studio, visiting
other stations, Reapplication process, Fall Pledge Drive, Three month
review of new show(s)
Hiring a Grant writer/Salesperson
A candidate will be offered the position, after checking references,
with the possibility of the other two top candidates playing a smaller
role. Terms are developed, to be added to a contract. The
compensation is primarily commission based. NEWS UPDATE: since this
board meeting, Suzanne Bowles was offered, and has accepted a position
as VFR fundraiser! She will begin work on July 19th. She will soon
be in touch with many of you.
Anniversary Celebration
Plans are developing for an anniversary celebration, to be organized
by Kathryn K;. Tony Shannon will look into the possibility of
holding a small event at Sam’s Pizza. Stay tuned.
Painting the Studio
Painting the studio: Kevin Smith of Poison Ivy of the Mind is
volunteering to lead the charge. Preacha is also volunteering. We
may need to suspend use of main studio for a short period to allow for
drying. Kevin is ready to do this! Kathryn will be brought in to
vouch for appropriate paints.
Visiting other Stations
Visiting other stations: Johanna has planned a July visit with the
Greenfield station, members and some board people will attend.
Scheduled for July 21st.
Reapplication
The 2010 reapplication was approved at a previous board meeting. The
deadline for applying for continuation is September 7, 2010. We
decided to drop the week down time between the old schedule and the
new. We will put reapplication literature in every mailbox. As in
the past, programs should apply on the website.
Fall Pledge drive
The next pledge drive will run from Sept 27- Oct 10th or when we
reach our goal.
The goal was established as $6,000.
3 Month Reviews
In our review of shows in their probationary period, we voted: X-Ray
Spec has not complied with work requirements and has not been
regularly doing the show— board votes to suspend this program. [slot
is held open for a month]. Chris Elliot’s two shows approved [7
degrees of Dylan, and Think Metal].
Submitted by Bob Gardner 7/22/2010
[posted on behalf of Joel Saxe and the Programming Committee]
Programming Committee Minutes June 9. 2010. 6pm at VFR studio lobby.
Present: Chris E., Johanna, Sidra, Joel (minutes), Bob G.(Board rep),
Jacqueline, Matt.
Studio managers
Towards the goal of filling current gaps, Chris reviewed current
studio manager schedule. Discussed FSRN’s daily 5-6pm download time
which is a problem because there’s not always a studio manager who can
be at the studio at that time. Varied alternative possibilities
include airing FSRN a day late; setting up an automatic podcast
download at 5.20pm which FSRN has recommended for stations facing this
challenge. Chris will follow up contacting Andy S. to see about
daily podcast possibilities.
Filling out broadcast schedule with featured repeats
Reviewed current schedule of local show repeat slots and other
issues. Woodsong radio will aired from 2-3 M/Tu/Wed. Speaking of
Faith will air on Saturday’s 2-3pm. Chris recommends programming
repeats of locally-produced shows in the “wee hours” late night and
early morning, including hosted-music shows — in contrast to current
system running automated music programming during those hours. We
need to contact (about 20 music show) producers to see who records
their shows. Matt will follow-up sending a note to music producers
to see who records their shows and are interested in having their
shows rebroadcast in a late night/early am slot.
Discussed the need to have a studio digital recorder to facilitate
each programmer’s ability to record their shows. Bob G. reported that
a digital recorder that downloads to a USB flash drive is on order –
but the order has been backed-up and if it doesn’t come soon, we have
to cancel that order and find another supplier.
The departure of Bush-I leaves a 4-hr gap of reggae programming; Matt
will work to find similar programming to fill this space contacting
Dan and Preecha who do reggae shows.
New show proposals
Approved Rock & Roll G-men (music show) submitted by 3 co-producers.
Matt will contact to inform of next steps.
Jackie (Arts & Culture) will contact producer ((Sean Keith Vernon) of
“Talk It Up,” a talk show featuring local artists by a producer who
had done a show like this in another city.
VFR general promotion
Matt’s initiative in creating a simple flyer to promote VFR in the
community flagged attention to the lack of general promotion of VFR in
our local communities, e.g., lack of flyers, leaflets available in
N’ton/Flo and surrounding towns. It was suggested we continue tabling
at the Sat. am farmer’s market in N’ton. Such promotional efforts are
a great way for producers to early their monthly hours.
Protocol for producer-show departures
Noted the departure form that Tony Udell created and the inclusion of
providing notice of termination as one of the agreement requirements
of the VFR Programmer/DJ/Host Agreement form.
Misc.
Noncompliance programmer issues of X-Ray Specs, DJ Dapper Dan,
specifically not showing up for his show air time. Matt will follow-
up.
[posted for Joel Saxe, Programming Committee]
Programming Committee Minutes May 12. 2010. At VFR studio lobby.
Present: Chris E., Johanna, Sidra, Joel (minutes), Bob Gardner
sitting in as Board rep.
Johanna made a sign-up sheet for the studio because there hasn’t been
one.
Bob Gardner reported on the challenging financial situation VFR is
facing, running down details of scarce financial resources and costs.
He emphasized how important it is for all VFR members, including each
producer to become more involved in fundraising – and that the
programming committee through it’s liaisons, needs to communicate this
urgency to respective programmers.
Two new show proposals were discussed:
1. Under the News & Politics category, a show called “the Front” which
has some presence on Blogtalkradio requested regular airtime on VFR.
The show deals with “the globalist agenda to subvert our countries
constitutional rights.” From the show proposal, it wasn’t clear
exactly what the actual content of the show would be. Joel is
following up contacting Deron Stone Ward, the person who submitted the
proposal.
2. Under the Arts & Culture category, a show called “Talk It Up” was
discussed. This talk-show format of local artists by a someone who’s
produced a similar show elsewhere was approved. Follow-up contact
needs to be made.
We reviewed Matt’s volunteer requirements check list to which Johanna
had made revisions.
Don will follow through on warning Glen Brooks about cutting out all
forms of self-promotional on-air announcements.
Edwards Church now has a podcast site that allows the show to be
downloaded to be loaded in a slot on Sunday’s at 1pm.
This change means that the syndicated show Speaking of Faith now needs
another slot. We discussed Saturday, 2-3pm.
The urgent need to recruit new station managers, especially for
Wednesday and Friday was discussed. It would be purposeful to find a
reliable crew of back-up station managers who could step in when a
regular station manager is not able to be there for her slot. One way
to encourage new recruits for this task might be to heold a special
training for new automaters.
This Week on Midweek Politics with David Pakman / October 20th, 2010
–Gordon Klingenschmitt, former Navy Chaplain, joins us to discuss his opposition to abortion at military hospitals, why he likes being associated with the American Family Association, and also adds that he is against gay marriage for reasons indicated by God.
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Warren Odess-Gillett interviews Adalia Ellis. Adalia grew up as a Baha’i in rural SC in the 70′s. She is now an educator who spent six years in Korea in service to promote the oneness of humanity.
Read more on A Baha’i Perspective 10.16.2010…
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This Week on Midweek Politics with David Pakman / October 13th, 2010
Total Running Time: 60:00
–Art Robinson, Oregon Congressional candidate, is interviewed live, and he addresses why his interview with Rachel Maddow angered him, whether he thinks AIDS is a government conspiracy, and more, and indicates he is not concerned about the anonymous funders of campaign ads in his favor.
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Greetings Earthlings. Time for another Enviro Show first! Rather than drive all the way to some overheated auditorium to sit in uncomfortable folding chairs and go all wall-eyed listening to bureaucrats drone on-and-on with all that jargon and all those acronyms about the Biomess, why not have a hearing right here on the radio! A draft proposed regulation to establish criteria that woody biomass facilities must meet under the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard has been proposed by the state and public hearings have been called for the Berks and Central Mass., but not here in the Valley, sooooo…. WE’LL HOLD OUR OWN HEARING! Ray Weber of Friends of Robinson State Park: Chris Matera of Mass. Forest Watch; Meg Sheehan of the Stop Spewing Carbon campaign and Glen Ayers of The Enviro Show (who?) will testify. Given that it will take up most of the show we’ll have to set aside our usual segments, but we’ll post them here on the blog so Enviro Show listeners don’t have to suffer withdrawal symptoms. Of course, there’s one segment we simply cannot do without……Revenge of the Critters! Attacked in the Forest with A Million Eyes!
Read more on The Enviro Show On-air Biomass Regulations Hearing, Tues., 6:30pm…
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