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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

Program Proposals

Bill Weye — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:06:35 +0000

The official VFR program proposal form is now live.You can find the form and submission directions here:

http://www.valleyfreeradio.org/programming/program-proposals/Â

General Membership Meeting Agenda 1.16.08

Bill Baue — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:39:39 +0000

MEF 60 Masonic St. Northampton
7-9 pm

-Easthampton Cable Access and the FCC
-Update on recorder collections
-Update on online schedule progress
-Further Discussion on Responsibilities and Privileges

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

Friday, January 4, 2008 – Independent Muse & Catie Curtis

Annalise — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:12:38 +0000

Join Mary Wheelan on Friday, January 4, 2008 on Independent Muse. Catie Curtis will be her studio guest at 3:00pm.

Arts & Culture Collective At-A-Glance

Annalise — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:10:04 +0000

Check out the linked file for Arts and Culture Collective/Programmer information! To find out more about this collective, contact annalise fonza at fireinbones@hotmail.com.

VFR General Membership Meeting Minutes 12.19.07

Bill Baue — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:36:36 +0000

7-9 pm MEF

In Attendance: Fidel Hidalgo, Matt Dineen, Tony Shannon, Bob Gardner, Mo Ringey, Dana Prescott, Bill Weye, Nick Curley, Bushi Harvey, Michelle LeBlanc, Arjuna Greist, Ed Russell, Joshua Vrysen, Derek Goodwin, Paolo Mastrangelo, Glen Ayers, Don Ogden, Voice of Reason/Katherine, Mary Serreze, Bob Gutowski

Matt Dineen facilitating

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Matt Dineen made an announcement about the enviro show being listed in the valley advocate’s horns and halos of 2007 (as a halo).

1.) AUTOMATION COMPUTER UPDATE
The automation software needs to be updated. The cost is 49$. Tony Shannon will verify the cost. It was approved as an expense.

2.) REPORT BACK FROM COLLECTIVE MEETINGS

Education/Social Issues: Derek Goodwin and Katherine will be acting liaisons through January meeting. Non attendees will be contacted in an effort to find replacement liaisons from thereafter. Derek will set up a google group for the collective.

Music Collective: Liaisons are Eddie Kennedy & Nick Curley. Community outreach was discussed at their collective meeting.

Arts and Culture: Liaisons are Anneliese Fouza and Mary Wheelen. Alan Vogel proposed a new show to be called Storytown.

News and Politics: Paolo Matrangelo and David Packman (volunteered in his absence) will be liaisons.

3.) RECORDER
People are having a lot of trouble using the current recorder. Tony Shannon proposed the purchase of the *Marantz PMD560*, http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PMD560/print/
The Marantz records directly to a flash card thus eliminating costly CDs. It also means that 2 hours shows will now be able to be recorded onto a single device. The cost is $499.99. The cost was approved with members being asked to donate toward the purchase on a sliding scale and the purchyase being made once funds are collected. Tony Shannon agreed to collect funds, In the interim we will borrow Richardâ€™s CD recorder.

4.) STREAMING
Bill Weye reports that the current streaming situation is unstable and likely to cause more problems in the future. It is suggested that there be a meeting of the Tech Group, reporting back at the next meeting.

5.) OPERATIONS COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Operations Committee will be holding meetings via internet conference call and will include people from key areas like Tech, Web, Volunteer Coordination and Studio Management. Contact for Op Com will be via vfroperations@gmail.com.

6.) PLEDGE OF SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE COORDINATORS
Bill suggested a statement of support empowering the coordinators for all that needs to be done to follow the spirit and the word of the bylaws to show support in the event that they make unpopular decisions.

7.) RESPONSIBILITY & PRIVILEDGE
Item added by Ed Russell to explore whether we can successfully make a linkage between responsibility and priviledge for necessary momentum to continue. It was discussed whether program time slots can be linked to fulfilling tasks at the station. Arjuna Greist suggested making a chart for people to fill in showing their contributions. Mary Serreze suggested allowing cash donations in lieu of volunteer hours such as membership dues function at other stations. It was decided that the Operations and programming committees work together to devise a system for sign up and tracking of contributions in the form of tasks and hours.

NEXT BOARD MEETING IS TBA.

VFR General Membership Meeting Agenda 12.19.07

Bill Baue — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:42:43 +0000

Wednesday
MEF 7-9 pm

AGENDA

-Report back from collective meetings
-Recorder
-Streaming
-Operations Committee update
-Pledge of support for Programming Coordinators

VFR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES 11.29.07

Bill Baue — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:56:40 +0000

7-9 pm MEF
In Attendance: Fidel Hidalgo, Matt Dineen, Tony Shannon, Bob Gardner, Mo Ringey, John Prettyman, Megha Arraj, Dana Prescott, Bill Weye, Shawn Smith, Tom Erwin, Nick Curley, Lundy Bancroft, Lena- Eckert-Erdheim, Sara, Aboulakia, Eddie Kennedy, Linda Kennedy, Mary Wheelan, Annalise Fonza, Bushi Harvey, Michelle LeBlanc, Arjuna Greist, Ed Russell, Joshua Vrysen

Lundy Bancroft facilitating

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fundraising discussion event to be December 8th 10am at MEF. Expert on Fundraising to speak

Open House, Sunday 10-1 at the station. Training/Orientation for new people & volunteers

1.) FUNDRAISING UPDATE: Pledge Drive Reflections

Over $1,000 was raised during pledge drive. Funds still coming in from bulk mailing in October. Over $2,000 from internal mailing list.

Checking acct at close to $10,000.

Website is currently set up for people to donate online. Totals to come from Tony Shannon. Discussion about promoting the station as well as individual shows.

2.) LAWSUIT UPDATE:

Dec 19-21 Depositions of individual defendants.
Dec 31, 2007 Discovery completed.
Jan 31 & Feb 28: Summary Judgement Motion (where we petition to have case thrown out)
Pre-trial conference: 3/27/2008
No trial date has been set.
Legal fees are under $2000.00
Attorney Morneau is essentially working pro-bono.
3.) SCHEDULE UPDATE:

Programming committee created a chart and is trying to fill in slots.

4.) COLLECTIVE REFORMATION

collectives will be:

Education/Social Issues

Music

Arts and Culture

News and Politics

The collectives will meet and assign/vote on liaisons by December 19

A vote was taken in favor of the Programming Committee having two coordinators: Megha Arraj and Josh Vrysen

Responsibilities will include:

Booking rooms for scheduling meetings

Training and Scheduling

Coordinating with liaisons

Assist new members in finding an appropriate collective

Minutes notes

Term to equal one year.

5.) PROPOSAL OF FORMATION OF OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Will coordinate with Studio Managers and ideally will have two coordinators/liaisons

Michelle suggested a board member contact the studio managers to discuss how they can be helped by an Operations Committee.

Tony will post past Operations Committee notes for review.

The Board will formulate a plan based on input from this meeting.

Bob Gardner and Tony Shannon volunteered for Operations Committee.

6.) FACT FINDING FROM OTHER STATIONS

Matt Dineen volunteered to contact other stations and do a presentation at next board meeting. New definition of programming/membership to come from Lundy Bancroft after discussion with board.

7.) REVISIONS TO MISSION STATEMENT

Revised mission statement approved and updated on website to remove affiliation with MEF’s mission.

NEXT MEETINGS

Wednesday, December 5th, Board meeting at MEF

Thursday, December 6th â€“ Programming Committee meeting at station

Wednesday, December 19th, General Membership Meeting at MEF.

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

12.8.07: Roundtable Discussion on Community Radio and Fundraising

Bill Baue — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:13:21 +0000

Saturday, December 8
10am to Noon
Media Education Foundation
60 Masonic Street, Northampton

Chris Tesky of WPKN (89.5 FM Bridgeport, CT) will participate in a Roundtable Discussion on community radio and fundraising on (Thank you to Tony S. for reserving the space.) All are invited and encouraged to attend. Bring your questions and brainstorms.

Chris has been doing radio since 1974 and served the following elected positions:

1974-1979 Programmer, WSHU FM, Fairfield, CT 91.1FM
1975-1976 Music Director WSHU FM
1978-1979 Programmer, WRKI FM, Brookfield, CT 95.1FM
1978-Present Programmer WPKN FM, Bridgeport, CT 89.5FM
1989-1990 Music Director WPKN FM (executive board)
1990-1995 Program Director WPKN FM (executive board)
1997-Present Secretary, Board of Directors WPKN FM (corporate
board)

Chris has been with WPKN for nearly 30 years. I had the fortune of working with Chris for five years at WPKN before moving to Western Mass and found his mentorship and insight invaluable. WPKN manages a variety of fundraising efforts in addition to their biannual on-air pledge drives; including, benefit concerts, a Long Island boat trip, used LP sale, rummage sale, art auction and wine tasting.

When I asked Chris to give his insights as to why WPKN has been successful with their fundraising and community support he responded, “WPKN has been successful at fundraising on the air because we have adhered to a number of basic principles that we consider essential to our mission. The fact that WPKN takes no corporate, government, or conditional foundation money but relies on its listeners to fund it and volunteers* to run it is very attractive to people who want an alternative to commercial radio and NPR … it’s a good model if you can pull it off. (*We do have a general manager and an assistant who are paid)

Warm Regards,
Sienna Wildfield

Hilltown Family Variety Show
www.HilltownFamilies.org

VFR General Membership Meeting Agenda 11.29.07

Bill Baue — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:48:14 +0000

Thursday 7-9 pm
MEF 60 Masonic Street

-Announcement: Fundraising Discussion Event
-Fundraising Update: Pledge Drive Reflections
-Lawsuit Update
-Haymarket Grant
-Schedule Update
-Collective Formation Update
-Election of Programming Committee Coordinators
-Formation of Operations Committee
-Vote on Revision of Mission Statement (to be circulated)

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)

Press Release: Valley Free Radio Pledge Drive

Bill Baue — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:34:46 +0000

Valley Free Radio (VFR) is holding its annual pledge drive this November 12th through the 18th to help support and maintain its daily operation. The VFR studios are located in the Florence Community Center at 140 Pine Street in Florence, MA and the station operates solely on volunteer support and through the contributions of their listeners. Donations will be used to purchase new equipment for the station and to pay for necessities like rent and phone bills. As an all-volunteer station the operating costs are very low, but listener contributions are absolutely vital to the continued survival of VFR.

Valley Free Radio first went on the air on August 7th 2005. In the two years since the initial broadcast VFR has grown into a staple of community media. Nearly 100 local programmers contribute shows and the station also carries a number of national syndicated shows like Democracy Now as part of the Pacifica radio network. Current local programs range in subject matter from music to multiple chemical senitivities. There are many programs dedicated to the viewpoints of centain groups such as children or women. To become a programmer one must simply present a program proposal at a meeting and be trained on the equipment. There is no fee for membership, but programmers are required to contribute 2 work hours per month to the station in exchange for use of the airwaves and equipment.

For more information or to schedule and interview with a Valley Free Radio board member call 413-584-1160 or email board@valleyfreeradio.org .

http://www.valleyfreeradio.org

VFR Board Meeting Agenda 11.7.07

Bill Baue — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:04:19 +0000

Wednesday
MEF 60 Masonic St
7-9 pm

-New board member welcome
-New & old: hopes and dreams
-Board contracts
-Election of officers
-Liaison to the programming committee
-Establishing an operations committee & operations coordinator
-New legal liaison group
-Transfer of license; new task group?
-Volunteer coordinator
-Financial report
-Fund drive coordinator?
-ATM/ Debit access
-Check acct signers and policy [2 signers?]
-New credit card service
-Membership requirement
-Programmers log requirement & other FCC compliance issues
-Executive session (Lawsuit update)

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEETING 10.25.07

Bill Baue — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:56:52 +0000

tomorrow – Thursday @ 7pm @ the station
please attend and help with the new collective organization process

Biographies of Board Nominees

Bill Weye — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 12:41:24 +0000

We have posted the biographies (that we have) of the nominees running in the board election.The election is scheduled for Wednesday, October 17 at the monthly general meeting at MEF in Northampton. You can find the biographies here: http://www.valleyfreeradio.org/bios/.

VFR General Membership Meeting Agenda 10.17.07

Bill Baue — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:03:10 +0000

Media Education Foundation
7pm

-Election
-Approval of new website/mission statement
-Underwriting
-On-air pledge drive sign-up
-Collective Reformation

Fundraising Committee Meeting 10.7.07

Bill Baue — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:58:35 +0000

*The next Fundraising Committee meeting will take place this Sunday 10/7 at Cafe Evolution on Maple st. in Florence at 11:00 am.*

VFR Board Meeting Minutes 10.3.07

Bill Baue — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:57:32 +0000

MEF 7-8:15pm

In attendance: Bob Gardner, John Prettman, Dana Prescott, Bob Gutowski, Mary Wheelan, Michelle LeBlanc, Scott Lahteine, Matt Dineen (took the minutes), Tony Shannon (facillitated)

1.) Board Election
-The election will be held at this month’s GM (10/17). There are currently 4 open spots that need to be filled. The nominations committee is comprised of Bill Weye, Bob Gardner, and Mary Wheelan. All members are encouraged to assist with the effort of nominating potential candidates. Bios should be e-mailed to Bill Weye: billhector@gmail.com by 10/14 to be posted on the website.

2.) Fundraising Updates
-We raised $25 at the Farmers Market this past Saturday and $40 at the “Passions and Survival” film event. Tony S. and others are working on a mass mailing to past VFR supporters. This will happen the third week of October to promote our next on-air pledge drive from 10/22 to 10/28. Volunteers are needed to help with the pledge drive and can sign up at the GM meeting for shifts. A series of Halloween-themed house parties will take place on Saturday 10/27 to raise money for the station. Contact Matt Dineen if you are interested in hosting a party: passionsandsurvival@gmail.com There was also discussion of applying for grants both for fundraising and to fund a weekend-long anti-racist training for board members in November which Bob Gardner is writing. Underwriting is still in the works and contracts are currently being written for worker-owned businesses that wish to underwrite syndicated programs. *The next Fundraising Committee meeting will take place this Sunday 10/7 at Cafe Evolution on Maple st. in Florence at 11:00 am.*

3.) ATM/Online Access for Checking Account
-When the board elects a new treasurer at November’s meeting we will name an admininstrator to access the checking account online and also enable ATM deposits at any time.

4.) License Transfer
-Our license still needs to be transferred upon the wishes of MEF.

5.) New Website
-New website is up and ready and has been met with positive feedback. It will be voted on at this month’s GM along with a revised mission statement that appears on the homepage, which will be distributed before that meeting.

6.) Mics and Headphones
-The over $600 that was raised from the mic tax will be used to purchase new equipment.

7.) GM Agenda
-Election
-Approval of new website/mission statement
-Underwriting
-On-air pledge drive sign-up
-Collective Reformation

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