Valley Free Radio » Board of Directors

VFR Board Meeting Minutes 8.6.08

Bill Baue — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:36:19 +0000

7-9 PM Media Education Foundation Meeting Room

In attendance: Mo Ringey (Clerk), Strong Oak, Matt Dineen, Fidel Hidalgo, Bob Gardner, Dana Prescott, Tony Shannon (who wins for “Most Flourish-ey Signature” in signing the attendance sheet) Absent with excuse: Bushi Harvey. Absent with excuse and as of yet not present at a meeting: Michelle Marchese

BIRTHDAY PARTY/LOOK PARK REFLECTIONS

7:00 PM A moment of silence was held for the now-postponed Look Park Fundraising event. Dana Prescott donated a stunning pictorial Florence sweatshirt from 1993 with a mini-map of Florence including buildings and shrubbery. It was decided that it matched Tony Shannon’s flourish-ey hair best and so it was awarded to him for outstanding contributions to VFR.

7:03 PM It was observed that the clock in the meeting room is missing.

7:03:47 PM Happy Birthday to us tomorrow (August 7) when we turn three years old. No songs were sung. It was decided that we should make PSAs announcing our birthday and perhaps ask for birthday presents in the way of donations. Said PSAs will run for a month. This perhaps could be done by a programmer who is not currently fulfilling their volunteer hour requirements, of which there are many.

UNDERWRITING

7:17 PM River Valley Market has not yet paid for underwriting mentions to date or returned phone calls. Matt Dineen will call and try to set up a meeting.

7:21 PM The newsletter progress is again delayed because it is being completed by a one person committee of Matt Dineen et al. Matt would like volunteers to assist in collecting events to be included in the newsletter. This perhaps could be done by a programmer who is not currently fulfilling their volunteer hour requirements, of which there are many.

PUBLICITY DRIVE

7:22 PM We will begin trying to reach area colleges and universities by distributing pamphlets, tabling with pamphlets and etc. We will contact area newspapers and suggest radio program listings such as are currently run for television listings. Matt would like to organize a highly organized publicity drive and will need volunteers to assist in this worthy endeavor. This perhaps could be done by a programmer who is not currently fulfilling their volunteer hour requirements, of which there are many.

7:32 PM Moving right along. This perhaps could be done by a programmer who is not currently fulfilling their volunteer hour requirements, of which there are many.

LOCK CHANGE

7:37 PM On October 1, 2008 the locks will again be changed. Programmers will have to contact their liaisons to get the new code. It is hoped that this will reinforce that programmers have liaisons and that they are people and have contact information and that they have knowledge that all programmers can use such as the new code which enables programmers to get into the studio in a crime-free manner. At this time perhaps the liaisons can remind programmers that the deal is that they get to have committed radio time in return for 2 hours monthly of volunteer hours plus attendance at one meeting per month. Programmers should be advised that they have to contact their liaisons to get the new code. This perhaps could be done by a programmer who is not currently fulfilling their volunteer hour requirements, of which there are many.

VOLUNTEER STUFF

7:40 PM It seems that not all programmers are signed up for volunteer tasks and we will continue to try to contact said programmers. We will soon have new tracking software so volunteers can input all hours and tasks and this will be implemented by next week. Liaisons should contact their collective members to make them aware of this new software. This perhaps could be done by a programmer who is not currently fulfilling their volunteer hour requirements, of which there are many.

A programmer who has not yet helped the station in any way and whose name seems to have the initials G and B was heard on more than one occasion very critically criticizing the state of the radio station on the air in a not very happy or pro-VFR manner. No matter of recourse was suggested. It is my clerkly suggestion that we present said person with a broom. Sweetly, of course.

STUDIO RENT

7:58 PM Our rent is going up by $12/monthly beginning October 1 with our new lease. It was agreed that we should pay this increase in a dignified manner.

PLEDGE DRIVE

8:00 PM The on air pledge drive will be September 8 – 14. All programmers are encouraged to use their shows that week to help support the station by encouraging listeners repeatedly throughout their shows to donate a dollar or so.

Programmers who pre-record their shows are encouraged to take advantage of recent breakthroughs in technology that will allow them to do the same for their pre-recorded shows which will air that week so as to help collect money to be used for rent which will enable them to have a place to broadcast their pre-recorded shows. Pre-recorded shows that air on multiple stations are encouraged to use a new function called, “Save as” which will allow them to save a second copy of their show and add plugs for donations to pay rent to keep the station going to play their shows on. It is my clerkly observation that excuses are passé while action can cause one to win the lottery and keep their time slots.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE COORDINATOR POSITION

8: (notes are illegible) PM We need two of the positions above (with the many letters in them) and it was asked if anyone present had any ideas. A moment of silence followed. Then Strong Oak graciously volunteered. In two weeks there will be a vote. Others are encouraged to volunteer as well. This perhaps could be done by a programmer who is not currently fulfilling their volunteer hour requirements, of which there are many.

BOARD NOMINATION COMMITTEE

8:18 PM It was noted that we will need said committee for the October election and people should be submitting ideas for positive choices for Board Members who will go to meetings.

AUTOMATION

8:27 PM This somehow became a discussion about our Bulk Mailing rate license and it was merrily agreed to renew this for another full year.

8:34 PM The meeting ended and we put away the folding chairs. This perhaps could be done by a programmer who is not currently fulfilling their volunteer hour requirements, of which there are many.

Board Agenda 8.6.08

Bill Baue — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:10:40 +0000

Wednesday 7-9 pm

Media Education Foundation, 60 Masonic St.

-Birthday Party/Look Park Reflections
-September Pledge Drive
-River Valley Market
-Newsletter
-Programming Committee Coordinator

-New Rental Lease for Studio

-Publicity Drive

-Progress on Volunteer Coordination/Timesheet Development

Board Meeting Minutes 7.9.08

Bill Baue — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:26:58 +0000

In Attendance:

Matt Dineen, Fidel Hidalgo, Tony Shannon, BushI Harvey Ahmai, Bob Gutowski, Dana Prescott, Strong Oak, Bob Gardner.

FINANCIAL REPORT

- Valley Free Radio financial situation better than last year but still in great need of funds.

LICENCE TRANSFER

- Matt Dineen will email Tony Udell on the licence transfer update.

SOUND CARD

- Tony Shannon will email Ed Russel approving the purchase of one sound card.

NEWS LETTER

- First news letter will be circulating the first week of August of 2008.

- News letter will be issued once a month.

- The news letter will contain excerpts from programmer blogs, there will be a link to VFR myspace.

- Matt Dineen is the editor.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATION

- Studio managers will be asked to be Local Host back ups.

- A “Coordinators” meeting will be held in upcoming weeks. Coordinators will be notified.

FUNDRAISING/LOOK PARK EVENT

- Wednesday July 16 at 6pm there will be a fundraisng coordinating meeting.

- Look Park VFR birthday party event will happen Saturdat Aug 9 at 3pm. Doors to Pines Theater will open at 12:00 pm.

- 30 volunteers needed for the event.

- Businesses of the valley will be approached to support the event.

- Valley Free Radio sustainer cards will be printed for the event.

- Sustainer cards will cost 25 dollars.

Board Agenda 7.9.08

Bill Baue — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:18:19 +0000

Wednesday 7-9 pm

MEF 60 Masonic St.

AGENDA

-Financial Report
-Fundraising/Look Park Benefit
-Newsletter

-Volunteer Coordination

-License Transfer

-Sound Card

VFR Board Meeting Rescheduled to Wed. July 9 @ 7pm

Bill Baue — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:37:49 +0000

At Media Education Foundation, pending confirmation of meeting room availability

Board Meeting Minutes 6.4.08

Bill Baue — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:04:04 +0000

Attendance: Fidel Hidalgo, Strong Oak, Matt Dineen, Anthony D. Shannon, Christina Svane, Bob Gutkowski, Dana Prescott, Samuel Hudnall, Tony Udell, Mo Ringey

We welcomed Christie Svane, one of our new board members.

7:00 RIVER VALLEY MARKET/UNDERWRITING

We have 4 underwriters to date. All contracts are for 6 months. At present we are still in the process of setting up the bank transfer to receive funds from RVM, for whom there have been 27 underwriting spots read for RVM since May 1^st totaling payment due of $270.

7:09 LOCK UPDATE

A proposal was made to change the lock combination every 3 months in an effort to keep programmers in contact with their liaisons and to better monitor fulfillment of required member volunteer obligations. To be voted on at next General Membership (GM) meeting on June 18, 2008, in hopes of beginning August 1, 2008.

7:15 FUNDRAISING

The next on-air fundraising drive is August 25-31, 2008. The next fundraising committee meeting is Sunday, June 8, 2008 at Yellow Sofa Café at 2 PM. The online newsletter is scheduled to be set up for July 2008.

7:20 VOLUNTEER UPDATE

New programmers seem to be assigned to tasks. When we next change the lock combination we will have a better idea of who is in contact with their liaisons. Programmers who do not comply with membership volunteer duties will be asked to relinquish their membership as well as their time slots.

7:30 LICENSE TRANSFER

Tony Udell reports that he has made efforts to contact the General Manager of MEF to get necessary information for electronic filing of the transfer application. He will have an update at the next GM meeting on June 18, 2008.

7:34 PROGRAM COMMITTEE UPDATE

Tony Shannon will contact Megha about her status as Programming Coordinator. If necessary we will begin looking for a replacement at the next GM meeting on June 18, 2008.

The Programming Committee will rework the Member Agreement/Code of Conduct in an effort to clarify all policies of the FCC and VFR. All new and existing members will be required to read and sign the agreement in the hopes of eliminating further confusion regarding policies and expectations.

8:30 GENERAL DISCUSSION

FOR NEXT GM MEETING ON JUNE 18, 2008

LICENSE TRANSFER

VOLUNTEER UPDATE

LOCK PROPOSAL/RESET SCHEDULE (QUARTERLY)

UPDATE/ELECTION FOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR POSITION

FUTURE ISSUES

MEETING ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERS

FREE PROGRAMMING DURING AUTOMATION

PURGING AUTOMATION FILES

CHANGE-UP/RANDOM SELECTION RULES

Board Meeting Agenda 6.4.08

Bill Baue — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:14:36 +0000

Wednesday June 4, 2008

MEF, 60 Masonic St. Northampton

7-9 pm

AGENDA

-License transfer

-River Valley Market/Underwriting

-Fundraising Update

-Volunteering Update

-Program Committee Update
-Lock Update

The Post Enviro Show Post #1

Enviro Show — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:08:22 +0000

In case you weren’t listening (umm…how come?), long-time caller and Enviro Show favorite, David Kroodsma of Amherst sat-in with us as we spoke with Dr. Lee Frelich on the threats to the northern forest. David biked across the States last year on The Ride for Climate and made regular call-ins to the show. Now he’s organizing the Climate Ride this coming September, going from NYC to DC in another effort to raise awareness of climate crisis issues. Given that it’s Bike Week here in the Valley, and the Commonwealth as a whole, there’s a lot riding on the climate…….sorry, couldn’t resist. Be sure to checkout all the bike events going on locally.

If you caught our previous Enviro Show on all the fuelishness going on out there, you’ll recall Jean’s take on using food crops for fuel. We’ve posted her latest screed on food crisis issues on our show blog. Jean is off to Germany for the Planet Diversity Conference. Hopefully she’ll be back for our next show on May 27, The Urban Enviro Show. Stay tuned!

VFR Board Meeting Minutes 5.7.08

Bill Baue — Mon, 12 May 2008 02:08:47 +0000

In attendance: Mo Ringey, Dana Prescott, Fidel Hidalgo, Bob Gardner, Anthony Udell, Matt Dineen, Anthony Shannon, Steve Cutting, Bushi Harvey Attmai

RELAUNCH EVALUATION/UPDATES
Collective Copies and River Valley Market are underwriting Democracy Now. Food For Thought Books and Pedal People are underwriting Free Speech Radio News. Each business is under a 6 month contract ranging from $125 to $1,300 with each underwriting spot costing $10. At the August pledge drive RVM will provide food for volunteers. Underwriters with events to promote will have to be considered in terms of time and will possibly have their events supported in terms of PSAs rather than Local Host announcements. New VFR brochures are available at the station for all VFR members to take and distribute. The new website is now up. Bill Weye has created a blog on the site and should be contacted by all members who wish to utilize it.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
Increasingly people are being assigned tasks. There will be further discussion as to how to monitor and enforce regular task completion. Coordinators and Liaisons are responsible for ensuring that everyone has signed up for a task to fulfill their monthly requirements.

LOCK UPDATE

The new lock will be installed this weekend. Combinations will ideally by synonymous for both doors. The new lock code will be given to Liaisons who will then inform collective members accordingly. the lock is scheduled to change Saturday May 17.

NEWSLETTER AND AD POLICY
The online newsletter will in the future become a printable version as well. local businesses will have the opportunity to buy ad space on the printed version. Such advertisers will receive a portion of printed newsletter copies to display at their businesses for interested customers. The printed newsletter would also go out to the mailing list. Associated policies and guidelines will be discussed at the General Membership meeting on Wednesday, May 21.

MEDIA/RADIO CONFERENCES
Conference information will be posted on the list serv for interested parties. if programmers and members wish to attend conferences VFR will try to support attendance in any way possible.

APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TRANSFER
Tony Udell will be reviewing the paperwork in the next few weeks and will report back at next month’s Board meeting. Anyone interested in assisting on this should contact Tony.

MAY BOARD ELECTION UPDATE
We have 3 interested candidates and 2 vacancies. The vote will happen at the May 21 GM.

GM AGENDA PLANNING
Board Election
Discussion regarding on air underwriting and expansion
Newsletter and Advertising
Volunteer Requirements

Board Meeting Agenda 5.7.08

Bill Baue — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:41:13 +0000

Wednesday May 7th
7-9 pm MEF 60 Masonic St.

AGENDA
-Relaunch Evaluation/Updates
-Volunteer Requirements
-Lock Update
-Newsletter and Ad Policy
-Media/Radio Conferences
-Application for License Transfer
-May Board Election Update
-GM Agenda Planning

Board Meeting Minutes 4.2.08

Bill Baue — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:09:59 +0000

Wednesday April 2nd, 2008
7-9 pm MEF 60 Masonic St.

AGENDA
-Alcohol Policy
-May 1st Relaunch: Role of the Board
-Streaming Update
-April Board Elections
-Lawsuit Update

In attendance:
Tony Shannon, Mo Ringey, Tony Udell, Matt Dineen, Strong oak, Fidel Hidalgo, Bushi Harvey Attmai, Bob Gardner, Dana Prescott, Bob Gutkowski

-Alcohol Policy
An empty beer bottle was found in the station last Sunday morning. Programmers will be questioned directly. Policy and repercussions to be addressed at next programming meeting.

-May 1st Relaunch/Transition to New Schedule
All schedule changes have been made. Local hosts are still needed for Democracy Now and Free Speech Radio News, Mondays â€“ Wednesdays, 5-6:30 PM

-Board Vacancies
There are two vacancies on the Board. An election will occur at the April 16th GM. Terms will begin at the May Board Meeting and continue until the next election in October. Nominees can send their bios to: board by April 14. Candidates must attend the General Meeting on April 16.

-Fundraising/underwriting
Matt Dineen is still in contact with a number of local businesses about underwriting.

-Streaming
Stream Server proposal by Eclectechs circulated and reviewed by the board. There is consensus amongst the Board to commit to investing in streaming technology. To be discussed by the tech group.

-Lawsuit Update
(Executive Session)

VFR Board Agenda 4.2.08

Bill Baue — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:54:30 +0000

Wednesday April 2nd, 2008
7-9 pm MEF 60 Masonic St.

AGENDA

-May 1st Relaunch: Role of the Board
-Streaming Update
-April Board Elections

VFR Board Meeting Minutes 3.5.08

Bill Baue — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:21:00 +0000

In attendance:
Matt Dineen, Anthony Shannon, Fidel Hidalgo, Strong Oak, Dana Prescott, Bob Gardner, Bill Weye, Ed Russell, Bushi Harvey, Michelle LeBlanc, Tony Udell.

TRANSITION TO NEW SCHEDULE
-May 1st NEW SCHEDULE will become effective.
-Underwriting, Streaming and New Schedule are part of the NEW SCHEDULE.
-Change from “Studio Manager” label to “Local Host”
-”Democracy Now!” will be played through studio computer for underwriting purposes.
-Local Hosts must keep computer clocks synchronized.
-Decision of: New members must work before getting a show. Left to the GM meetting.
-Decision of: VFR Staff work at the station or pay if they don’t feel like working at the station. Left to the GM meeting.

BOARD ATTENDANCE
-Board members must attend 9 out of 12 meetings in a year. If a board member misses more than three meetings, the board will review a waiver.
-At next GM meeting attendees will be encouraged to submit a short biography for consideration running for board member. Board member elected will attend at the May Board Meeting.

FUNDRAISING
-VFR will work with Look Park to celebrate VFR 3rd Anniversary.
-Find a monthly dollar amount that VFR needs to keep on running.
-Once the dollar amount is found, a Goal Bar will show on VFR website showing the amount needed for that month.
(fund raising announcements)
-Elevens Show is moved to April.
-VFR brochure has been printed and future brochures will be provided by Collective Copies as part of underwriting.
-T shirts?
-VFR will work with Flywheel to announce monthly events.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
(………………………..)

VFR Board Meeting Minutes 3.5.08

Bill Baue — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:01:30 +0000

In attendance:
Matt Dineen, Anthony Shannon, Fidel Hidalgo, Strong Oak, Dana Prescott, Bob Gardner, Bill Weye, Ed Russell, Bushi Harvey, Michelle LeBlanc, Tony Udell.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
(………………………..)

VFR Board Agenda 3.05.08

Bill Baue — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:34:10 +0000

Wednesday 7-9 pm
Media Education Foundation
60 Masonic St., Northampton

AGENDA

-Transition to New Schedule
-Board Attendance Policy
-Fundraising
-Executive Session (Lawsuit update)

VFR Board Meeting Agenda 2.6.08

Bill Baue — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:26:37 +0000

Friends Meetinghouse, Room 3
43 Center Street, Northampton
Wednesday 7-9 pm

AGENDA

-Financial report
-Fundraising update
-Operations Committee progress
-Programming Committee progress
-Revised website policies
-Changing the studio door key & report on lockbox combo change
-Board member attendence
-Transitioning to the new Democracy Now! time
-Show recorder
-Lawsuit update

VFR Board Meeting Agenda 1.9.08

Bill Baue — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:34:03 +0000

Friends Meetinghouse Social Room
43 Center St. Northampton
7-9 pm. Wednesday

-Operations committee: powers/spending authority, definition & mandate.
-Financial report
-Grantwriting workshop
-More website support
-Recorder update
-Privileges and responsibilities
-board retreat

VFR Board Meeting Minutes 12.5.07

Bill Baue — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:02:10 +0000

7-9 pm MEF

In Attendance: Fidel Hidalgo, Matt Dineen, Strong Oak, Tony Shannon, Tony Udell, Bob Gardner, Richard Moody, Bob Gutowski, Dana Prescott

1.) Edwards Church streaming: Decision deferred to Programming Committee.
2.) Recorder: Bob Gutowski will ask Bill Childs for permission to fix CD burner 12/6/07.
- Digital Marantz Recorder will be donated by Edwards Church and Bob Gutowski will install it 12/6/07.
- Tony Udell will do research on computer for the purpose of recording VFR programming 24/7.
3.) Keys: Operations Committee will put a list of 5 people that live near VFR that have a key to VFR.
- Operations Committee will ask Florence Community Center about putting another box for VFR keys at the other entrance as a backup.
- There will be reprimanding for misplacing keys.
4.) OpCom: Bob Gardner and Tony Shannon are Operations Committee interim coordinators.
- Operations Committee tasks and responsibilities include:
- Volunteer Coordination.
- Scheduling Studio Managers.
- Repair and Maintenance of equipment.
- Keeping Supplies Stocked.
- Internal Communications.
-Further description of OpCom to be presented at December’s GM
-Contact OpCom at: vfroperations@gmail.com

Board Meeting Agenda 12.5.07

Bill Baue — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:46:49 +0000

Media Education Foundation
7 pm

- Operations Committee
- Keys

VFR Board Meeting Minutes 11.7.07

Bill Baue — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:47:19 +0000

MEF
7:00-9:15 pm

In Attendance: Matt Dineen, Tony Shannon, Bush-I Harvey Ahmai, Mo Ringey, Strong Oak, Fidel Hidalgo, Lundy Bancroft, Tony Udell, Michelle LeBlanc, Bob Gutowski, Dana Prescott, Ed Russell, Bob Gardner.

-Introductions/New board member welcome
-Hopes and dreams for growing and sustaining the station
-Board contracts distributed, signed, and given to clerk
-Election of board officers: Co-chairs: Matt Dineen and Fidel Hidalgo; Clerk: Mo Ringey; Treasurer: Tony Shannon
-Liaison to the programming committee: Bush-I and Tony S. will share this position
-Vote to establish an operations committee, find interested members before the GM where we will elect OpCom coordinators.
-New legal liaison group: Matt Dineen, Lundy Bancroft, and Strong Oak.
-Transfer of license: Tony Udell will take this on and contact Alex from MEF about working together.
-Financial report presented: Over $2,000 has come in from the mass mailing initiated by Tony S. last month.
-Fund drive next week: Tony S. and Johanna have been coordinating volunteers, article in this week’s Valley Advocate mentions fund-drive with quotes from Michelle LeBlanc.
-Voted to provide ATM/ Debit access for checking account
-Voted to add an additional check signer when current check book runs out; Tony Shannon (Treasurer) to replace Jane Braaten as signer along with Bob Gardner and Ed Russell
-Executive session (Lawsuit update)

Valley Free Radio » Board of Directors

VFR Board Meeting Minutes 8.6.08

BIRTHDAY PARTY/LOOK PARK REFLECTIONS

UNDERWRITING

NEWSLETTER

PUBLICITY DRIVE

LOCK CHANGE

VOLUNTEER STUFF

STUDIO RENT

PLEDGE DRIVE

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE COORDINATOR POSITION

BOARD NOMINATION COMMITTEE

AUTOMATION

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Attendance: Fidel Hidalgo, Strong Oak, Matt Dineen, Anthony D. Shannon, Christina Svane, Bob Gutkowski, Dana Prescott, Samuel Hudnall, Tony Udell, Mo Ringey

FOR NEXT GM MEETING ON JUNE 18, 2008

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