2007-03-15 Affiliates Task Force Minutes

1. Introductions –

Present were: Rip Robbins, Don White, Shawn Rhodes, Deena Kolbert, Deb Shafto, Rob Robinson, Chandra Hauptman, Teresa Allen, Sarv Randhawa, Sandra Rawline, Lori Taguma, Ursula Ruedenberg

2. Presentation by the Affiliates Coordinator –

Outline of presentation made by Ursula:

Current state of affiliates program:

• Brief historical overview of Origins and vision of the affiliates program
• Possibilities and resources brought to Pacifica by the program
• This is a critical year for the affiliates program. Policies created this year can either establish success of the program or lead to its failure. Policies set by this task force will be pivotal.
• Policy Priorities are in two areas:
  1. Internal - organizational clarity- defining the program’s institutional place (it currently has none defined)
  2. External - Establishing an outreach and public relations strategy and message

Internal Needs and pressures for affiliates program:

• Definition of affiliates
  • so we can develop new areas of clients (cell phones, commercial stations, networks, elevators, dedicated streams for TV, etc) and respond to requests
  • so we know how to work with other parts of the network (such as technology committee, licensing & distribution committee, decision-making process
• Accurate information about the finances and management of the program
  • Need accurate information (financial & administrative) at board meetings - information has not been accurate; board should be aware of successes and opportunities so we can build on them. Also staff morale is at stake
• Outreach and PR – no mailers and other short-term plans to raise money can replace long-term outreach and public relations Outreach strategy for long-term substantial success

Internal Solutions:

• Outreach and client services department – stop being a “pilot project”
• Definitions – contracts done within this task force
• Budget and budget process
• Outreach strategy

External Pressures - World has changed since 1995:

• We are no longer sole source of national content
  • Content produced at affiliate stations and independent production – free content is readily available
  • DN
• Media Democracy Movement is a growing movement; Pacifica does not have a significant presence because it has no public relations position
  • Free Press is a growing movement that is incorporating community radio – Get Radio.org
  • Prometheus Radio is a growing organization that is becoming seen as the champion of community radio
  • Democracy Now, to some extent see seen more as a champion for independent radio
  • Upcoming FCC filing window is presenting important opportunities for resources and mission fulfillment
  • New types of networks – stations are organizing regionally and creating alternative networks

External Solutions- Outreach strategy:

• Position on the state of the media: what we stand for, what our niche is
• We should be Champion Independent and grassroots community radio
• Our network could develop ability to be support system and infrastructure for building new stations and new technologies for existing stations as an extension of Radio for People Campaign (based on grant money that is becoming available)
• Proposed public position for Pacifica: in this historic time, as the community radio map becomes largely complete, the community radio stations that exist are national treasures of democracy. They are the local media democracy centers of the future, out of which new technologies, forms of journalism and art will be spawned. Places where people can go to be trained, where they can meet and relate, and which will still provide public discourse on the airwaves. Pacifica is the mother of community radio and to day we stand for the continuation and growth of local participation in making media, bringing the resources and reach of a national network.
• This would be a new and historic initiative for Pacifica – roots firmly in our heritage. It is ours for the taking, we have inherited a great tradition and have a responsibility to carry it forward & base future greatness on this tradition
• Consistent with licensing with Creative Commons in establishing Pacifica as a civic service, not an organization that commodifies listeners. This was the mission that our founders built on and it is what people support us for.

3. Questions/ Discussion –

Questions and discussions focused on use of the AudioPort, Lessons that can be learned from successes of the affiliates program, why the affiliates program, and why there is lack of accurate information regarding the affiliates program communicated to the board. It was decided that Lonnie Hicks will be asked to attend the April affiliates program to explain statements made by him that affiliates program is costing $200,000 and that there are unknown expenses.

4. Election of chair and Secretary –

Rip Robbins was selected as chair of the Task Force
Teresa Allen was selected as secretary

5. Delegation of work groups –

Two main work Groups were established:

Internal: Structural issues and defining affiliates and client services:
Chandra Hauptman
Deena Kolbert
Don White
Sandra Rawline
Ursula Ruedenberg – convener

External: Developing Outreach strategy and Public Relations Message
Teresa Allen
Deb Shafto – convener

A Third workgroup would begin building an advisory board for the affiliates program and outreach.

Meetings Scheduled:
Next Monthly meeting: April 10, 8:30 PM EST
Structure workgroup meeting: March 29th, 8:30 PM EST – Greg Guma will be invited to this meeting
Outreach workgroup: April 19th, 8:30 PM EST
Meeting adjourned at 10:15pm EST.

Minutes submitted by Ursula Ruedenberg
Approved 6-14-07