Agenda:
• Election
• Financial Statement
• Station manager coverage
• Volunteer proposal–move toward consensus approval
• Retreat proposal–move toward consensus approval
• Grievance and Mediation Committee presents Code of Conduct creation for November

Tags: Agendas, Agendas, Latest Station News, Latest Station News, Meetings, Meetings, vfr

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Matt Dineen hosts the program Passions and Survival every Monday from 9-10 am and has recently become a studio manager. He also writes about the collective dilemma of following our passions while surviving in a capitalist society for a variety of websites and print publications. In 2005 he served on the Board of Directors of Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative in Madison, WI before moving to Northampton later that year. He currently works at a local bookstore.

I have extensive experience in both independent radio and the non-profit world. Valley Free Radio is the third radio station I’ve been involved with; I produced shows on WPKN Bridgeport and WESU Middletown, both in Connecticut, prior to moving to the Valley. I’ve taken part in inner political struggles at stations before, and I have a track record of being diplomatic and working for the long-term interests of the station. I also have a lot of background in non-profit and public relations work for social justice. For three years I was the Public Relations Director of a Hartford, CT-based non-profit group called Efficacy, an urban social justice organization that combats institutional racism and classism in the criminal justice system in Connectricut. I managed everything that goes along with a professional public relations operation, such as sending out regular press releases, developing relationships with reporters, and utilizing independent media outlets such as community radio. More recently, I ran public relations for the local organization Mass Voters For Fair Elections, a statewide network that is working for public financing of political campaigns in Massachusetts. So I know how to work at the administrative level, I know how to work cooperatively in a group, and I get things done.
At VFR I have co-produced the show “Parapolitics” for the past year, waking up for the Monday morning 7 am commute to entertain and inform people in the Valley. I have a passion for community radio, as one of the last vestiges of free public expression in a media system controlled by a handful of powerful corporations, and I have a particular affection for VFR!

My name is Cheryl Atim Alexander. I was born in Cooley Dickinson Hospital (a hop, skip and jump from our VFR station) approximately 34 years ago. At the time, my mother and father were students at UMASS, Amherst, studying Education and Philosophy respectively. My parents left America and returned to England, my sister and I in tow, when I was about three years old; my father is Nigerian, from the Yoruba tribe, and my mother is English, Greek and Russian. Refusing to be coopted into/forced to conform to a white, mainstream conceptualization of “race” I consciously choose to identify as a African European woman.

Following my birth in America, I went on to live in Nigeria, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, London, Ireland, and Liverpool, for various periods of time during my life. I also was recently in Greece, where I received a small taste of its history and culture. I came back to Northampton, MA 8 years ago. After completing a self-designed degree at UMASS Amherst, entitled: “Race, Class and Gender”, I continued my studies at Smith College, eventually graduating with a master’s degree in social work. Today my 13 year-old daughter and I live in Amherst, in a rather unique, equity-based Cooperative housing community.

I currently work as a child and family therapist, and also, as the director of a program based in Springfield, MA, designed to provide support to families, many of whom are continuously ravaged by oppressive social forces. I enjoy what I do, and love to operate as an advocate, primarily because I am able to consciously attempt to facilitate the process by which a person may be able to recognize, and trust themselves enough to locate their own self-advocacy skills. I am fundamentally interested in challenging stereotypes, and changing oppressive systems, with particular regard to the areas of mental health, education, and criminal/juvenile justice. I am passionate about many creative pursuits, including singing, dancing, writing (poetry) horse-riding and pottery. I am also interested in extra sensory perception/parapsychology, intuitive healing, and the inspirations and insights that the close study, and practice of such “disciplines” can offer us.

During the time in which I have been involved with VFR, I served on the very first board of directors in the capacity of co-chair. It was also during this time that I believe I developed a broader understanding of oppression and privilege: I came to recognize that everyone is oppressed to varying degrees, and that while it was important to recognize that everyone had some type(s) of privileges, and power in relation to each other, it was crucial that we developed a personal, and collective awareness of our own privileges, the power differences between various forms of privilege, and the differences between the effects that the use/abuse of these privileges had on others. I believe I became aware of how difficult it was for some people to be able to understand, and subsequently accept that they had privilege over someone else, especially if they identified as someone from an oppressed group. I learned to include myself in this category, and now realize that my increasing sense, and understanding of the connectedness of all oppressions has helped to facilitate my interest in owning/looking more closely at any privileges I may have, and in becoming involved in a wide range of social justice/human rights causes, regardless of whether or not, they appear to impact me directly. I am essentially interested in bringing the aforementioned issues to the forefront of the (VFR) community, and believe that continued, gentle discussions, and collectively inspired action with this regard are in accordance with VFR’s mission statement, and guiding vision.

In short, I am interested in serving on the VFR board, again, because, despite the trials and tribulations experienced by myself, and many others at the station, I believe that VFR is a revolutionary entity. I have observed from afar the efforts of many to embark upon a journey of difficult, introspective, and, often, painful work, and have been, in a sense, humbled by what I have seen. Although I am currently a member of the Grievance and Mediation Committee (GMC) I would like to have an even more active role in the growth, and fruition of Valley Free Radio. I am delighted, and excited by the level of programming that exists at VFR. I am inspired by the mix of people involved, and by the flow of energy that beams through the airwaves. I am interested, and committed to continuing to strive to make VFR a safe place for everyone, and believe that my multiple perspectives, relevant training, and dedication to self-improvement/openness will assist with this regard.

Yours Truly,
Cheryl Atim Alexander

CHRISTOPHER M. TINSON is a fourth year PhD student in the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at UMass, Amherst. He has been a resident of the Amherst, MA area since moving from California and joining his department in 2003. Chris has diverse organizational experiences ranging from his participation in high school and collegiate athletics to all areas of student government at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He has served in numerous student government capacities, including chair of the Africana Studies Student Association, founding chair of the statewide California State University Multicultural Council, chairman of the Black Students Association, student member of the Faculty Senate, as well as serving as student body Vice President of Academic Affairs, as an undergraduate.

As a graduate student Chris has continued to build on his experiences and expand his knowledge base. Guided by the late historian, John Henrik Clarke’s maxim that a people without a history have no future, Chris has committed himself to the study of the historical experiences, ideas and movements of African descendants throughout the world. His dissertation, which is an inquiry into the history of Black Radicalism in the 1960s, is an extention of his commitment to social consciousness, responsibility and activism. His firm belief that Hip Hop music can be a force for social change stems from his love and respect for Hip Hop culture and his participation in raising awareness of political prisoners, police brutality, and the attacks on public education since the 1980s, while a student in the Los Angeles area. As a graduate student, Chris has organized a Pan-African Studies Graduate Collective, served as founding secretary of the Black Graduate Student Organization, participated in national and international academic conferences, and taught classes at UMass and Hampshire College.

Inspired by KRS-One’s idea of EDUTAINMENT, which suggests that Hip Hop culture can and should be both entertaining and educational, Chris co-founded TRGGR: A Journal of Grassroots Intellectual Thought, out of which TRGGRadio was formed. Chris is also an Assistant Residence Director at UMass, Amherst where he serves as both supervisor, mentor and educator to a Resident Assistant staff of 19 and an office staff of 6, who proivide a range of administrative and residence services to roughly 580 students. Since joining Valley Free Radio last spring, Chris has regularly attended programming meetings, has recently volunteered to serve on the scheduling subcommittee, and will soon begin Studio Manager training.

One of the critical advantages of working at Valley Free Radio is that it affords programmers and programs such as TRGGRadio the opportunity to engage in the transmission and exchange of ideas and perspectives that challenges us to think deeply and inspires us to act. By accepting the nomination to run for the VFR Board, Chris believes that his voice will continue efforts presently underway to assist VFR implement its vision and mission effectively and consistently through quality programming that our community of listeners will appreciate. Finally, Chris believes in the potential of Valley Free Radio to be a critical and essential service to a broad community of social change agents who are truly committed to social justice, equality and freedom.

My name is Jessica Levy, and I am running for the Valley Free Radio Board of Directors.

I first became involved with VFR back in August 2005, when the station was brand new. I have been a member of the labor collective, and I am a co-host of the Bread & Roses program which airs each Friday night from 6-7pm. In addition to the labor collective, I have also been a member of Western Mass Jobs with Justice for the past three years. I am a workers’ rights advocate, and I am thrilled that VFR provides us with an outlet to discuss this very important topic.

In addition to the above, I am also a third-year law student who is looking forward to representing workers as a labor lawyer. It is very important to me that those who are oppressed have someone who is looking out for their best interests, and who will stand up and speak out on their behalf.

I believe VFR is the vehicle for which both activists and the community as a whole can come together and share their ideas regarding how we can spread the word and communicate with others regarding important issues such as: workers’ rights, anti-discrimination, community concerns, education, resources for low-income persons, etc.

If elected to the Board, I will do everything in my power to promote the Free Speech rights of our community, and to continue finding outlets and resources for all people in our society. VFR has given a voice to many in our community who were silenced before. I will work to empower those who are not being heard, and I will fight to strengthen the rights of ALL people in the Pioneer Valley.

In Solidarity,

Jessica Levy

My name is Jose Tolson. I have been involved in Community Radio since 1974. During that time I have helped train a wide range of student/community organizations on the technical, philosophical, and practical applications of radio programming.

At WMUA in Amherst from 1975 to 1977 I was a member of the “Sunday News Collective”, a group of people trying to bring a more progressive perspective to the news offerings of the time. The Sunday News Collective broadcast an hour long program of progressive news, analysis, public service announcements, and music.

I trained DJs and programmers at WMUA who later went on to do music and public affairs shows. Early members of Concepto Latino, The Women’s Media Project, and BMCP are some of the organizations I helped train. I also produced music programs at WFCR, WTCC, and WEBD (a small short lived station in New Africa House-UMass).

Since coming to WXOJ I have been hosting “COLORS, For a Friday Morning”. I am one of the Studio Managers, training and downloading automation, and I am a member of the African American Collective.

I believe that all people, especially People of Color, should have access to the media. As a Board member I will continue to work in that direction. I also believe that within our organization, everyone’s voice should have a place to be heard with every opinion considered. So that in the end our central goal remains making “WXOJ” a unified progressive voice in the Valley.

I’m currently a doctoral candidate in Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where I study Black literary and cultural movements in the Americas. I’m also an instructor in UMass’s Commonwealth College and at Capital Community College in Hartford, CT. I moved to the Pioneer Valley in 2002 from Baltimore, MD, but I’m originally from California (having had lived in both Northern and Southern CA). Although my initial reaction to the area could be characterized as “culture shock,” I have discovered a number of social spaces where I feel “at home,” one of those places being on-air at Valley Free Radio.

Since becoming a part of VFR in February 2006, I’ve endeavored to represent the station, the Hip-Hop collective, and myself in a positive and productive manner. This includes co-producing TRGGRadio with Chris Tinson, attending Programming Committee meetings, and recently becoming a member of the Grievance Committee. Therefore, I would be honored to be elected as a member of the Board in order to help VFR continue to grow and gain a more recognizable presence here in the Valley and across the country via the Internet. I also fully support VFR’s mission statement and will work to strengthen the connection the station has with the surrounding communities; specifically those that are underrepresented and oftentimes invisible here in the Valley. What is more, I believe that the station’s current structure of collectives and committees is essential, because it gives the programmers/members a voice in the direction of VFR, which is rarely the case at corporate-controlled radio stations. With this in mind, I would truly appreciate your support in the upcoming elections for VFR Board.

Peace,
Anthony Ratcliff

Tags: Latest Station News, Latest Station News

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Agenda

Minutes

• In no particular order, nominations for board candidates (apologies for any misspellings):
  • Matt Dineen
  • Sarah Jaffe (declined)
  • Annalise Fonza (declined)
  • Ed Russell
  • Francesca Rheanon (declined)
  • Erica Marquez
  • Anthony Ratcliffe
  • Chris Tinson
  • Seth Jackson
  • Raul Matta
  • Jose Tolson (declined)
  • Lisa Dipiano
  • Cheryl Alexander (accepted)
  • Jessica Levy
  • Emily Miller (declined)
  • Tim Scott
  • Chris Fisichilla
  • Mike Griffin
  • Eric Nash (declined)
  • Alan Vogel
  • Alisa Klein (declined)
  • Judith Moman (declined)
  • Bill Weye (declined)
  • Adam Hurter
  • Will Hall
  • Mike Dumont
• The nominations committee will contact all nominees to see if they accept or decline. The bylaws stipulate that a list of candidates in alphabetical order be announced 21 days before the annual meeting, so nominations committee will announce the list on Sept 28.
• Compromise solution on volunteer task force approved by consensus. Move forward with task force work while continuing to discuss policy in moving toward approval of some structure that addresses volunteer crisis. For time being, task force will:
  • collect tasks
  • collect contact information (as complete as possible)
  • create database
  • create survey

  Continuing concerns/questions to be addressed:

  • work requirements for programs, or programmers? Task force needs to work with programming committee. Contact for Patty, task force coordinator: mcgill @ gw.housing.umass.edu
• Web committee–Alisa volunteered to be managing editor after January. Still need interim managing editor and more members.
• Retreat proposal presented (and posted on website). Send questions/comments to Emily Miller: emilyemiller @ earthlink.net
• Presented idea of developing Code of Conduct in November
• Presented idea of solving transportation problem in-house–will discuss at next general meeting

Attending: Bob Gardner, Judith Moman, Sara Jaffee, Sam Kandil, Emily Miller, Jon Keesecker, Chris Woodman, Sarafina R, Bob Gutowski, Patty Mcgill, Cathy Santosus, Dana Prescott, Jane Braaten, Bill Baue, Bill Weye, Alex Peterson, annalise, Eric Nash, Jamila Gore, Will Hall, Cheryl Alexander, Revan Schendler, Alisa Klein, Libby Reinish, Adam Hurter, Francesca Rheanon, Richard Moodie, Matt Dineen, Chris Fisichella

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Agenda

Executive Session 6 – 7

Public Meeting 7 – 9

• Follow-up on VWB incident
• Facilitation of Code of Conduct
• Check in on accessibility and transportation
• Fundraising Help
• Emergency phone number exchange
• African American Affairs Collective Challenges (8.2.06)
• Cheryl & Noemi’s strike letter (9.20.05)
• Letter from the group of 11 women (10.5.05)
• Are documents submitted to the board public?
• Bill Weye status and status of web committee
• Responsibilities of Board members–Board rep to committees may be a recipe for burnout…should each committee to appoint a member to represent them to the Board?
• Transitioning to new Board / Recommendations to new board
• Limiting Posting on Announcement Listserve
• Listserves/email archives & communications in general
• Support for nomination committee & facilitation of election
• Ed Charla Music Library
• Planning ahead for annual meeting: major reports to membership on:
  • Finances & fundraising
  • Programming
  • Operations
  • Volunteer Coordination?

Minutes

Comments for Board: Request from site-tech to discuss CDs and passwords at GM.

From Executive Session:
• Board will issue a statement on personal attacks within the next week to the membership.
• Alex will respond to legal letter regarding legal matters.
• Statement will be drafted and issued about the Valley War Bulletin incident and Boards actions. Requests for any information regarding incident to be submitted to the Board.
• Accessibility report from Eric was delivered via email
• Transportation: put on GM agenda. Suggestion to explore in house options, determine where problems are, and create comprehensive solution.
• GM agenda item: Are we ready to commit to another on-air fund drive in October? Suggestion to devolve fund raising to Collectives themselves? Discussion should be had.
• Documents submitted to the Board are public. The Board recognizes that in some situations documents may need to be submitted confidentially.
• GM agenda item: We need volunteers for the web committee. Board will work on identifying Managing Editor.
• Board will write suggestions for new Board at the October Board meeting.
• Bob will talk to Bill Childs about announcements being VFR only and enforcing the language in our documents regarding listserve content.
• Physical Ed Chalra music library to remain in storage at Bob Gutowski’s until alternate and secure storage is found.
• GM agenda item: Re-announce what should NOT be happening at the station (ie: drinking).
• GM agenda item: Proposal for VFR’s First Annual Organizational Retreat.
• VFR is applying for grant to facilitate better relationships between white and non-white programmers.
• GM agenda item: Present Code of Conduct construction to occur in November
• Listserves created for official VFR business must be moderated. Alex will clarify to programmer list. Individual members are free to create their own lists but must clarify that they are not official VFR lists.
• Alex will draft language for communication with Cathy regarding recent set-up of Google-Programmers group.

Attending: Alex Peterson, Candace Clement, Bill Baue, Jane Braaten, Jose Tolson, Jay Deacon, Bill Weye, Dana Prescott, Bob Gutowski, Libby Reinish, Eric Nash, Tim Scott, Emily Miller, Cheryl Alexander

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Agenda

• Distribution of Volunteer Coordination Task Force proposal
• Committee Reports
• Nominations Committee election
• Check-in on accessibility

Minutes

• Nominations Committee: Richard Moody, Matt Dineen, Bill Baue. The membership also nominates Johanna Halbeisen, Seth Jackson, Jeremy Pisani, and Katherine K. to serve on the committee. They will be contacted in the above order to fill the 5 slots (though if at least two of these memberst accept, Bill Baue and Matt Dineen may resign).
• Volunteer Task Force proposal distributed and discussed. Further discussion and vote to occur at September GM.
• Accessibility: Board will contact Stavros about the city’s responsibility to improve accessibility.
• Transportation: Looking for external solutions seems to have hit a dead end. Membership will begin exploring in-house solutions.

Attending: Candace Clement, Matt Dineen, Bob Gutowski, Cathy Santosus, Ed Russell, Chris Fisichella, Susan Lee, Dana Prescott, Jessica Levy, Patty McGill, Richard Moodie, Bob Gardner, Bill Baue, Keely Malone, Anthony Shannon.

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Executive Session 6 – 7

Public Meeting 7 – 9

• Follow-up on VWB incident
• Facilitation of Code of Conduct
• Check in on accessibility and transportation
• Fundraising Help
• Emergency phone number exchange
• African American Affairs Collective Challenges (8.2.06)
• Cheryl & Noemi’s strike letter (9.20.05)
• Letter from the group of 11 women (10.5.05)
• Are documents submitted to the board public?
• Bill Weye status and status of web committee
• Responsibilities of Board members–Board rep to committees may be a recipe for burnout…should each committee to appoint a member to represent them to the Board?
• Transitioning to new Board / Recommendations to new board
• Limiting Posting on Announcement Listserve
• Listserves/email archives & communications in general
• Support for nomination committee & facilitation of election
• Ed Charla Music Library
• Planning ahead for annual meeting: major reports to membership on:
  • Finances & fundraising
  • Programming
  • Operations
  • Volunteer Coordination?

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Unanimously approved by the VFR Board of Directors
August 22, 2006

Tags: Board of Directors, board_of_directors, free_radio, Latest Station News, Latest Station News, northampton_police, vfr

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• Distribution of Volunteer Coordination Task Force proposal
• Committee Reports
• Nominations Committee election
• Check-in on accessibility

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Goal: Develop an effective volunteer coordination process. Build a community of people who enjoy working together, learning from and teaching one another. Create a culture of people who care about and support one another and the radio station.

This document does not address membership qualifications (eligibility to vote in elections, etc.) This proposal pertains only to the work requirement for people who program a show. This task force is charged with creating a workable system for involving all programmers in the on-going tasks of running the station. Requirements for membership (for programmers or other volunteers) should be discussed separately from the work requirement.

This proposal does not include a recommendation regarding the number of hours a programmer is required to work per month. The task force believes this should be discussed and decided by all volunteers attending the general meeting.

To ensure efficiency, minimize confusion and create clear channels of communication the Volunteer Coordination Task Force will be responsible for communicating with volunteers. This includes an initial explanation of the work commitment expectations, requests for volunteer assistance, assigning volunteers to teams and any other communications pertaining to the volunteer work commitment.

How this process functions:

• Volunteers are organized into teams according to skill sets.* These teams perform tasks identified by the following committees, based on the committee’s current goals:
  1. Marketing & Outreach
  2. Training
  3. Music Library
  4. Fundraising
  5. Equipment and technology
  6. Administration
  *For (hopefully) many people there will be the added benefit of skill development.
• Each team will have a Team Leader who is a member of the committee with whom the team will work. Team leaders delegate and monitor the completion of tasks necessary to accomplish a goal. Examples of goals may include organizing a fundraiser, creating and distributing a program guide, or planning a VFR volunteer appreciation party.
• Each team leader reports the number of hours each member of the team has worked to a designated member of the Volunteer Coordination Task Force on a monthly basis.
• The nature of our work requires flexibility. If a volunteer works on a fundraiser for 40 hours within a few weeks these hours go into a “bank account.” This gives the volunteer a chance to take a break and pick up the details of the life they neglected during those weeks. These hours can be used for future months until the bank account is depleted.
• A balance will be found between the need for volunteers by a committee (which will vary over time depending on the number and nature of its goals) and the skills volunteers can offer these committees.
• Volunteers may work on different teams at different times based on a desire to be part of a particular project or to learn particular skills.
• This is a process. To begin, there will be a small number of volunteers brought in to perform the most pressing and necessary tasks. Other volunteers will brought in to the process as it is developed. This will help reduce the frustration people feel when asked to do something without being told what that something is. Volunteers will be encouraged to trust the process and not to feel uncomfortable about the fact that they have yet to be included in the distribution of tasks. They will not be penalized while the task force and the committees organize and prepare for them.

The next steps for the Volunteer Coordination Task Force:
1. Collect from all committees and collectives the tasks that fall under their purview. The most immediate and important tasks should be identified so that volunteers can be organized to begin work on these first. We recommend great flexibility while we determine which tasks will fulfill a work requirement. Anything reasonable should be included with the caveat that as priorities change tasks will be added and removed from the list.
2. Obtain from the Programming Committee a complete list of home and email addresses as well as phone numbers, show titles and show times of all current programmers.
3. Create a database of programmer contact information. This database will also be used by the task force for tracking hours worked as well as an inventory of each programmer’s skills.
4. We request from the board the funds necessary to purchase Microsoft Access and Word.
5. We will determine whether there is a current volunteer who can serve as a software consultant. If not, we will investigate the cost of this service and request the funds from the board. This person will consult with a member of any committee that determines a need for a database as well as a member of the task force to ensure maximum functioning of the databases.
6. Once programmer contact information is obtained the task force will contact all volunteers (via email unless an alternative is necessary) to explain the process as it is envisioned at this time and to disseminate a skills survey. The skills survey will be designed to gather information on a programmer’s current skills as well as those they would like to develop. A deadline for submitting the completed skills survey to the task force will be included.

Examples of tasks that committees will identify and forward to the Volunteer Coordination Task Force:

• Process program proposals
• Taking and transcribing meeting notes
• Facilitating a programming or other committee or collective meeting
• Cleaning (it will be a great day when Eric stops emptying the trash)
• Knock holes in walls (bathroom renovation)
• Check our calendar of meetings for conflicts due to religious/cultural/spiritual holidays.
• Plan the (bi?) annual Staff Appreciation Party
• Canvass local businesses for gifts/food for a fund drive
• Child care
• Create art for the cover of a program guide
• Copy the program guide
• Distribute the program guide
• Data entry
• and on and on . . .

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It has been almost one year since Valley Free Radio has been on the air, and in light of our collective experience and expertise, we make the following challenges and/or recommendations to the Board:

* Enforcement of the Mission Statement and the Program Policies (as they currently read)
o Address violations of the MS, PP and/or other station rules, i.e., drinking on premises, leaving the station in a total mess, etc. (Immediately)
o Clarify station priorities and organize lines of communication with programmers, i.e., send to Programming Committee, update contact info and lists. (As soon as possible)
o Create a plan/model that will foster relationships between white and non-white programmers (by November??)
* Eliminate and/or mitigate competitive and hierarchical structures where possible
o Collective structure and organization
o Station Manager/officer issues
o Email/communication issues
* Board review of programs and schedule
o Survey programs produced by non-whites and whites
+ Develop recommendations, based on this review, to the Subcommittee on Scheduling or whatever body is responsible for revising and/or reviewing the schedule
+ Send recommendations to scheduling committee

Tags: African-American-Affairs, african_american_affairs, Collectives, Collectives, communication_issues, free_radio, Meetings, Meetings, programmers

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Agenda

• Comments from attendents
• African American Affairs Collective Proposal
• “What constitutes a committee” and specifically “Do collectives count?”
• Check-ins on accessibility and transportation
• Transition to new Board

Minutes

• Draft of Volunteer Coordination Task Force proposed by Patty. Communication will occur between Patty and Board members via email over the next few weeks. Will be presented at GM for initial discussion and on website.
• The Board received Challenges and Recommendations from the African American Affairs Collective is committed to addressing them as soon as possible
• Board will revist “Statement from 11 Women” and Noemi & Cheryl’s statement at next Board meeting.
• Collective meeting attendance, when working towards the Mission and Vision of the station count as meetings towards voting rights if the following requirement is met: Minutes are submitted with attendance records.
• Board approves up to $1000 for Seth and Candace to travel to the Barnraising
• Bill will announce need for committee heads & liaisons to submit attendance records to Board Clerk (vfrboard@gmail.com). Suggestion is made to require Nominations Committee to track attendance.
• Accessibility report was not available (Eric absent). Bill will contact Eric for a report.
• Transportation: need to discuss with membership. Should we move? Step up efforts to improve transportation? Create alternative ideas to expanded PVTA?
• GM will be facilitated by Jane and Bill

Attending: Bill Baue, Emily Miller, Jane Braaten, Ed Russell, Noemi Valentine, Strong Oak, Mary Wheelan, Candace Clement, Bob Gardner, Revan Schendler, Bob Green, Patty McGill, Bob Gutowski, Steven Harris, Annalise Fonza

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• Comments from attendents
• African American Affairs Collective Proposal
• “What constitutes a committee” and specifically “Do collectives count?”
• Check-ins on accessibility and transportation
• Transition to new Board

Tags: Agendas, Agendas, Latest Station News, Latest Station News, Meetings, Meetings

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• Discussion of workshops for members and community
• Volunteer Crisis
• “Safe Harbor” and “Free Speech”
• Nominations Committee preparations
• Membership Qualification options presented
• Committee Reports
• Barnraising call for attendants
• Update on Sandra Boston

Minutes

• Formation of “volunteer task force” to deal with “volunteer crisis”. Members will be: Patty McGill, Richard Moody, Ed Russell. (Patty will post announcement to Topica)
• VFR will continue to use current system of attendance (what is in current by-laws)-specifically enforcing committee heads to take and submit meeting attendance to the Board. Also, VFR will move ahead to redefine membership qualifications.
• Membership refers the issue of “what constitutes a committee” and specifically “do collectives count?” to the Board
• Candace will post call for interested parties to “run” for nominating committee. People will ask around for interested parties as well.
• Membership has decided to reverse previous decision to adopt a “safe harbor” policy in light of recent FCC fines being raised. (Candace will add language to the website).
• Accept current Obscenity Policy as permanent
• The membership supports the creation of workshops for membership and community. Programming will oversee starting this project
• Membership supports working with Sandra Boston on conflict resolution
• Membership votes to extend deadline on accessibility and transportation. Check-ins will occur at every Board and General Membership meeting

Attending: Libby Reinish, Bob Gardner, Eric Nash, Patty McGill, Johanna Halbeisen, Noemi Valentine, Bill Baue, Seth Jackson, Ed Charla, Alex Peterson, Ed Russell, Cathy Santosus, Dana Prescott, Emily Miller, Tessa Simonds, Richard Moody

Tags: Meetings, Meetings, Minutes, Minutes

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• Discussion of workshops for members and community
• Volunteer Crisis
• “Safe Harbor” and “Free Speech”
• Nominations Committee preperations
• Membership Qualification options presented
• Committee Reports
• Barnraising call for attendents
• Update on Sandra Boston

Tags: Agendas, Agendas, Latest Station News, Latest Station News, Meetings, Meetings

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Agenda

• Moving forward on mandate by membership to plan an anti-racism workshop for wider VFR membership
• Discussion of workshops for members and community
• Start planning for board election
• Expenditure Approval Process
• GRC attendance
• Bylaws Committee Startup & Appointing Chair(s)
• Mandate for Tech & Operations to Secure Station Computers
• Plan July GM
• Chairpeople for GM
• Chief Operator
• Site-Tech expenditures

Minutes

• Candace will follow-up on thank you letter to Richard Moodie.
• The VFR Board will pay $300 to Richard Moodie for the second editing station/accounting computer
• Approval of expenditure process with additional language: “All expenditures are subject to review by the Board.”
• Approval of $300 to Site-Tech to balance circuits between two studios.
• Alex will continue to pursue response/approval from MEF lawyer regarding legal letter. Alex, Ed, and Bill will coordinate legal presence.
• VFR will send Emily Miller to the GRC (paying for transportation up to $400) and will post call in the station for one more person (deadline of 7/12 for request).
• Board will set aside time in August GM for big report back from GRC.
• Board recommends Libby Reinish to chair Bylaws Committee. Bob Gardner will serve as Board rep.
• Begin planning anti-racism workshop for wider membership in the fall. Board reps to work with ADC and draw in members to plan. Jane, Alex, Ed, Bill, and Rebecca will assist. Attendance at the workshop would fulfill the work requirement for programmers.
• Ed will talk to Dan for report on continued negotiation/work at station.
• Site-Tech and Operations need to secure the computers.
• GMC has been meeting with Sarah Littlecrowe Russell. Bringing in three new people. Expect to be functioning on August 1st. Sarah made the recommendation for the creation of a “working agreement.” Will begin discussion at GM.
• Publicity Committee will be set up in next week or two.

Minutes approved, 7/5/06.

In attendance: Ed Charla, Bill Baue, Dana Prescott, Ed Russell, Patty McGill, Rebecca Wiggins, Jane Braaten, Bob Gardner, Alex Peterson, Candace Clement

Tags: Meetings, Meetings, Minutes, Minutes

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• Moving forward on mandate by membership to plan an anti-racism workshop for wider VFR membership
• Discussion of workshops for members and community
• Start planning for board election
• Expenditure Approval Process
• GRC attendance
• Bylaws Committee Startup & Appointing Chair(s)
• Mandate for Tech & Operations to Secure Station Computers
• Plan July GM
• Chairpeople for GM
• Chief Operator
• Site-Tech expenditures

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• The McCain amendment to expand LPFM radio passed! You can read the amendment here.
• The Snowe-Dorgan amendment that would protect net neutrality tied, falling one vote short of passing. Now the debate will move to the full Senate floor. The fight’s not over yet, so if you haven’t contacted your Senators do it now!

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The 11th annual Grassroots Radio Conference will be held at WORT in Madison WI on July 27 – 30. We encourage anyone who can attend and lend their skills to the LPFM community to do so.

If you are interested in attending and require assistance, please email vfrboard@gmail.com and answer the following questions:

• What can you bring to the GRC (skills, knowledge, etc)?
• What can you bring back to VFR (report back, set up workshops here, etc)?

Requests will be accepted up until the July Board meeting which is on Wednesday, July 5th.

The next barnraising will be held in Woodburn, Oregon on the weekend of August 18-20. The Prometheus Radio Project will be collaborating with PCUN- Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (Treeplanters and Farmworkers United of the Northwest) to build a radio station that has been a dream of PCUN since they formed in 1985.

If you are interested in attending the barnraising and require financial assistance please email vfrboard@gmail.com and answer the following:

• What can you bring to the GRC (skills, knowledge, etc)?
• What can you bring back to VFR (report back, set up workshops here, etc)?

Requests will be accepted up until the August Board meeting which is on Wednesday, August 2nd.

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The Senate Commerce Committee is voting any day now on the Telecom Act (S. 2686). Please call your senators immediately and tell them to support the Snowe-Dorgan amendment that would protect net neutrality.

Another important amendment to this bill proposed by Senator John McCain would protect LPFMs and open up hundreds, potentially thousands, of new frequencies for community use. Tell your senator to support the McCain amendment, too!

For more information visit www.savetheinternet.com.

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