PNB Meeting - Jan 2007 - WPFW Report

WPFW has done some wonderful things the past year and we look forward to facilitating and implementing ideas from our new board this year. The station will face some new challenges as well. Among them will be the continued improvement of the station’s infrastructure, expand our broadcast capabilities, develop new sources of revenue, additional staffing, new programming and audience development.

We have an aging demographic that will have to be addressed. New competition from other media outlets as well as non profits. Outreach activities will have to be planned to improve the community’s awareness of WPFW. There are numerous ways the station can continue to improve and I am quite confident the PNB, LSB, staff and volunteers are capable of helping WPFW achieve new goals.

JANUARY

In January 2006, WPFW successfully hosted the Pacifica National Board Meeting at the Best Western Hotel in Washington DC.

WPFW completed a new collective bargaining agreement with AFTRA featuring raises for all union staff, improved health & retirement benefits.

Two WPFW programmers, Von Martin and Rusty Hassan were honored with the Mayor's Arts Award from the DC Commission on the Arts. It was the 6th time a WPFW program host earned such honors.

FEBRUARY

In February, WPFW held its first drive of the year, the winter pledge drive. The goal was $490,000 and we exceeded the goal by raising over 515,000. membership goals was also surpassed that month. The station received pledges from 5042 new and renewing members. Of those that pledged 2,160 or approximately 42% were first time donors.

MARCH

Throughout the month of March, WPFW acknowledged International Women’s Month with special programming and spearheaded national participation on International Women's Day. WPFW will continue that tradition in 2007.

The station also initiated the creation of a Latin public affairs collective to produce a weekly one hour program. The station provided training and resources to the Latina Media collective. The program began airing late March. Spanish language headlines will be included in our "Latin Flavor" program grid Monday thru Friday in March 2007.

APRIL

WPFW participated in a campaign with the American Diabetes Association to highlight issues regarding the diabetes public health crisis of particular concern to the African American community. The station took part by promoting diabetes testing, prevention, education and advocated better services for those affected by the disease.

April was also jazz appreciation month and WPFW participated in various jazz events organized by the Smithsonian Institution and other community organizations to promote and educate the public about jazz.

MAY

In May, WPFW endured the lost of Damu Smith, a valued member of the WPFW family.

On May 1st, WPFW produced and broadcast 6 hours of special programming on immigration issues from a variety of perspectives. It was an important and timely dialogue to have as millions of Latin Immigrants were demanding their rights all across the nation.

Our spring pledge drive was held in May 2006 with a goal of $485,000. and for the first time in 4 years we did not achieve the financial goals we planned for that drive. We fell $56,000 short of goal. The drive raised $429.000.

JUNE

We had two major events in June. We held a successful fundraiser with Greg Palast. The station also hosted a lecture and book discussion with Dr Joy Degruy Leary , author of "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. The two events earned WPFW nearly $7000.

JULY

WPFW held the most successful “YARD SALE” in the station’s history. The station generated over $10,000.00 that day by selling off items left over from previous fund drives.

The station began the process of restructuring the staff that month. Two paid positions, the Music Director and News Announcer were eliminated. The Music Director position will be replaced with a part time Cultural Affairs & Arts Coordinator. Our morning news announcing is now done by volunteers trained at WPFW.

We also completed the upgrades of one of our production studios to facilitate more community training and accessibility.

AUGUST

WPFW lost three cherished members of its family in August. They were Dorothy Healey, Al Swales and Ray Whitfield. Their contributions to the station and community will not be forgotten.

The station held a late summer fundraiser that month called “Saturday Juke Joint” which highlighted our Saturday old school music programmers. The one day broadcast generated nearly $20,000 in pledges.

SEPTEMBER

WPFW held three fundraisers in September. The first event was our "Stand Up for Truth Day" held on 9 -11. It was a very successful 10 hour broadcast featuring alternative perspectives on 9-11, Iraq, the Patriot Act and impeachment of the president. That event raised over $15,000.

On September 17th the station held its first ever on air in house jazz festival & fundraiser called "Jazz Explorations". The event featured local jazz artists performing live in front of an audience here at WPFW. The success of that event opened the door for other such activities at the station and generated in excess of $6,000.

Our third event was an eye care workshop and lecture with Dr Mier Schnieider. That fundraiser earned $7,500.

OCTOBER

The October fall membership drive concluded with mixed results. There were some unforseen gaps in our fundraising due to the absence of a few significant programmers. We also lost valuable time because the station was temporarily knocked off the air during the drive due to high winds toppling trees at our transmitter site. Those issues forced us to extend the drive for 3 days. By doing that and making other adjustments we were able recoup most of the revenue needed to achieve our amended goal of $500,000. The drive ended with a $24,000.00 shortfall.

NOVEMBER

Once the fall drive was over, we turned our complete attention to the LSB election. On air candidate forums were scheduled for November along with enhanced airing of election promos. Enough qualified candidates emerged to fill the slate of departing board members.

The Local Station Board held a volunteer appreciation dinner and awards ceremony in early November. Thanks to the efforts of several board member the event was very successful. Programmers, staff and volunteers appreciated their awards and the involvement of the LSB.

In late November, the Pacifica Archives held its annual on air fund drive. All stations in the network preempted their schedules for their 2 day fundraiser.

DECEMBER

The highlight of December was the successful completion of the Local Station Board election. WPFW did make quorum allowing the election to proceed. A new dedicated team of board members were elected to help guide the station forward.

Other issues emerging in December are Pacifica initiatives to develop network policies regarding Indecent language, confidentiality and special programming. Pacifica hired a National Program Coordinator to improve communications among stations and affiliates while planning special national broadcasts. That person is scheduled to begin work in January and their office will eventually be set up at WPFW.

- Ron Pinchback, General Manager