KGNU Board Meeting, May 9, 2006

(Amended) Minutes

Present:

Listener Members: Michael Buck, Clover, Joel Edelstein, Davide, Chris Mohr

Staff: Marty Durlin, Faye Lamb

Board: Michael Shuster, Steven Sherman-Boemker, David Kane. Chip Grandits, Wendy Emrich, Janaki LeFils, Marge Taniwaki, Kitt Holligshead

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 pm.

Agenda:

The agenda was approved unanimously.

Minutes of April 11, 2006 Board meeting

The minutes were approved unanimously

Public Comments

Chris Mohr announced that he has applied for a position on the KGNU board.

Station Manager’s Report

The spring drive fell short. We are nearly set to launch a web-only drive which will include premiums, text and special graphics on our site.

The search committee has narrowed its search for a music director to six candidates.

The AM digital transmitter is in progress and should be completed by the week of the 15^th of May.

We now have a room with computer and editing software set up at the Micro-Business Development Institute at 700 Kalamath in Denver. Staff is negotiating to get sound proofing and office space for Marcos.

Faye, Marty, Shelly Schlender and Dov, with five Overdub youth, attended the NFCB Conference in Portland, OR.

There was a discussion about concerns about the process of outreach in Denver Joel Edelstein pointed out that until now there has not been much knowledge on the board about how to do Denver outreach – there has been no Board initiative or leadership in Denver. Also, there has been very little direction from staff for the outreach position. Wendy and Marge, who are Denver residents, agreed to work with Marty on developing an outreach plan to strengthen the focus in Denver. The Board reminded them to refer to the list of contacts developed by Vaishalee.

Director of Development’s report

Faye pointed out that development, marketing and public relations need to be thought of in the same context – one without the other is usually ineffective in whatever the project.

She reminded us that we are too divided in our departments and especially between Denver and Boulder concepts. We are not two, we are one. She passed out information about points of responsibility at KGNU, which included a vision quest, a marketing theme about “telling our story”, and the fundraising pie.

She is developing a brochure which is an information piece to plant seeds, including planned giving. She also spoke about presentations at breakfasts for Denver, as well as donor dinners in private homes. She is developing marketing and PR campaigns, and direct mailings in Denver.

Finance committee report

Chip reported that there is a projected shortfall in the Denver memberships, but said that no significant budget problems or cash flow problems are expected.

Faye asked the Board to set up guidelines on who we will take money from, regarding both individuals and corporations. This lead Wendy to bring up the need for a fundraising committee of the Board. A subcommittee, or ad hoc committee of the Board was formed, with Faye, Wendy, Janaki, David and Michael. Its charge is to: 1) Draft a policy for accepting gifts; 2) figure out how to get a development committee going; and 3) Look at other organizations’ guidelines for monetary gifts.

Strategic planning committee

David reminded the board that board members on committees need to push for developing goals and objectives for those committees.

PBOG

The committee feels we need to have a single annual signature event. Yukari, Ann and Faye are researching venues, costs, names and contacts in Denver and Boulder. A suggestion was made for a Free Speech Award, or a First Amendment Award to be presented at this signature event.

Denver Advisory committee

Wendy expressed concern that nothing has been done with the DAC, that there are no clear directives and she doesn’t know what to do.

Programming committee

The committee is talking about changing the times for airing Democracy Now, Free Speech Radio News and the BBC.

We need money to hire a special producer for a program like Swing State for the election coverage this Fall.

Inclusiveness committee

They are working on a speaker series with such folks as Elaine Brown and Robert Jensen.

They might have a joint benefit event with Alternative Radio and KGNU, possibly bringing in Noam Chomsky.

Internet committee

Webmaster Neil Parker is stepping down. Davide will take his place.

Mike Buck is developing a SWOT for the committee.

Building committee

Michael Shuster reported that KGNU is now getting credit for the solar energy we are providing from our installations provided by Namaste. Michael will talk with Namaste to see if we can recoup some of the funds we put out.

Evan cleaned out the tech room!

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Janaki LeFils, Secretary