[PAA-Discuss] Guess what I did the night before last!

[Paul Myers]

The night before last night I attended a KPFT Local Station Board (LSB) meeting to request a focus in programming that deals with the root causes of the conflicts in the Middle East  in addition to the reports of symptoms and strategies we do hear about on KPFT (90.1 on your FM dial).  It was more entertaining than watching the teli.

The LSB is made up of people like you and me that are elected by contributing listeners to KPFT.  Most of KPFT's income is from contributions and events with only 14% from the government and grants.

During the meeting I felt uncomfortable though when I was introduced to a concept called the "Program Council" (PC), while at the same time understanding the emotions that lead to its creation. 

Being one who is concerned and curious about current and last year's program changes, the "Program Council" is of interest, to me, because I cannot find how or under what criteria program changes are made at KPFT.

A current proposal, that has been in the works for many months, is for a revised agreement that extends and modifies the formation of a management committee called the "Program Council", which, if nothing else, is a shift of responsibility and authority from the Local Station Board (LSB) to Station Management -- just as we have witnessed a shift of executive authority at the Federal level in this country. 

It was clear, to me, at the meeting that only a portion of the LSB is on the Program Council, the Station Manager has some ability to appoint people to this committee and the station management has the last word in programming decisions (unless the people he had a hand in appointing disagree with him - then it goes back to the entire LSB - according to the version on the web site.). 

While the current proposal was being discussed, not all the LSB members believe they had a current copy of what was being discussed.

The Supreme Court has recently spoken out about the administration's attempts to over reach executive authority.  

For KPFT, are you, the listeners, not the Supreme Court of KPFT?

If you desire for the Station Manager and people chosen and/or endorsed by him to make programming evaluations and decisions behind closed doors, do nothing.  Turn on the radio and enjoy.

If you desire compliance with the KPFT By-Laws and the related transparency, tell the members of the LSB to vote against implementation of the next version of the "Program Council", and to try something that is in compliance with the By-Laws.  How to contact LSB members: http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lsb_members<http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lsb_members>

Worth mentioning is a comment made by a LSB member during the meeting about the nature of conflicts within the peace and justice community. I too have observed this and I attach an article that might help to explain how and why Gandhi was successful and the current peace movements have much room for improvement.

With the KPFT elections for LSB members on the horizon, I implore those interested in what KPFT stands for to get involved and get to know and understand the positions of the candidates. http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=elections_2006<http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=elections_2006>

 I urge you contribute $25.00 to KPFT and vote for those who understand the foundation of peace and nonviolence is spiritual in nature, for those that can empathize with the other, for those that desire to work by consensus in a so called democratic environment and, lastly, for those that can walk their talk. 

Why the concern?  

The Pacifica By-Laws clearly state that the LSB and station management are to work together to ensure programming fulfills the purposes of the Pacifica foundation, just as the Congress and the president are to work together.  Does that imply consensus, democracy or autocracy?  The By-Laws do not state that the Station Manager has the last word on programming decisions.

According to the By-Laws, meetings of the LSB are required to be public, as are the minutes of the meetings.

Additionally, the LSB can appoint advisory committees.  These committees authorized by the LSB, including those dealing with programming, are to serve at the pleasure and under the supervision of the LSB.  Meetings of these committees are likewise public, as are the minutes of these committees.

Management committees such as the proposed "Program Council" are not required to meet in public nor is it required for the minutes of these meetings to be made public. That decision to share information with the public rests with the  "Program Council" according to the "Program Council" and the Station Manager.  The By-Laws are silent about the duties and responsibilities of station management except as noted above.

The KPFT web site has a version of the "Program Council" proposal ( I am not sure if this is the current version that the LSB is contemplating, but it is the only one I can find on the KPFT web site after being told by a LSB member that the current version was on the KPFT web site).  http://houston.kpft.org/lsb_and_committees/programcouncil/programcouncil_proposal.htm<http://houston.kpft.org/lsb_and_committees/programcouncil/programcouncil_proposal.htm>

Additionally only a portion of the LSB is on the committee to develop the "Program Council" document.  

A further reading of the Pacifica By-Laws reveals that when appropriate and needed the LSB nominates candidates for the position of Station Manager (selection of one of these candidates is made by the Executive Director of Pacifica), the LSB is to complete performance evaluation of the Station Manager (which this LSB has not done) and the LSB can initiate proceeding to fire the Station Manager and must obtain the agreement of the Executive Director of Pacific to fire the Station Manager.  Additionally the LSB approves and makes quarterly reports to Pacifica related to the budget. 

I remember a time when those people that had some influence on my being hired, fired and evaluated gave me work to do (like a specification and in this case a program schedule). While I worked and collaborated with them, it  was my job to carry out and manage the program provided.  additionally, my experience has been that the executive entity reports financials up the line even if staff prepares the work. 

However, we often hear that the framers of our constitution ensured a tension between our three branches of government, is it possible that the designers of the KPFT By-Laws intended for a certain amount of tension between the LSB and the Station Manager?  The "Program Council", at a minimum reduces that tension.
  
Thank you for reading this.  Please distribute widely and consider reading the Pacifica By-Laws. http://www.pacifica.org/governance/PacificaBylaws-new.html<http://www.pacifica.org/governance/PacificaBylaws-new.html> and get involved.

Paul

Ps.  Anyone interested in reading some of reason for my feelings of confusion and unease that relate to a desire to understand what is going on at a listener supported station can read the quotes below and  KPFT minutes of the Program Council for 2005 at http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/programcouncil_minutes_2005.pdf?docID=2101<http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/programcouncil_minutes_2005.pdf?docID=2101>  

Minutes of other meeting and of other committees are available on the KPFT web site. 
http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=meetingschedule&printer_friendly=1<http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=meetingschedule&printer_friendly=1>

I noticed the following entries in the June 3, 2005 PC meeting minutes:

"Confidentiality Agreement. This agreement was discussed and resolved that members will sign and keep confidential matters discussed by the PC.
Approval of ex-officio members. After brief discussion PC decided that we will not have any ex-officio members. We retain the right to invite anyone, at anytime, for whatever reason to our closed session meetings."..............................

.................."It is decide by consensus that PC will be closed session due to the highly sensitive nature of matters we will be discussing and that modified minutes will be posted to the KPFT web-site in order to let our community know that we are in fact meeting and bullet points of what we are discussing. In addition there will be quarterly public meetings which will be posted in advance and open to all members of community."

Isn't this in violation of the By-Laws in the sense that the LSB is responsible to work with management re programming and the LSB's meetings on this and other matters are required to be open to the public, as are the records of such meetings?.  Why is discussions about programming sensitive and held in private?

There had been a great deal of discussion about Flashpoints that was moved to 11 pm, mid year 2005.  The next quote from the September 7th 2005 meeting minutes indicates that the PC had approved Flashpoints return to 7 pm.
"Programming Issues. PC discussed at length both morning (6am-10am) and evening (5pm-8pm) drive time programming. Many suggestions were presented and consensus seemed to favor continued improvement of the "Morning Mix" with KPFT local news headlines/highlights, traffic/weather updates and current programming (music, WIN, Writer's Almanac and Hightower) as is now being broadcast with possible additions of a daily environmental report and/or daily action items. Leaving BBC at 8am and Democracy Now at 9am for the time being. Also suggested that PC review "Wake Up Call" as aired by WBAI and Air America programming for additional ideas regarding morning drive time. 

Pending final approval and implementation by GM and Programmers, vote was unanimous (by 9 members still present) to move FSRN to 5pm, followed by KPFT local news at 5:30pm followed by Democracy Now 6-7pm Monday-Friday followed by Flashpoints 7-8pm, Monday-Thursday. This would then move all the Monday-Thursday 7-9pm programs back to their original 8-10pm time slots. Friday programming from 7pm on would stay as is for the time being."

The is no further mention of Flashpoints in the minutes of the Program Council related to scheduling, however, the following is from the next meeting on September 13, 2005.  Flashpoints was not moved back to 7 pm.

"Programming Issues. PC discussed at length suggested possible programming changes from last meeting being put forth as actual changes to programmers and emails received from various sources. There is a great deal of concern that there is misunderstanding regarding our role and miscommunication with iPD." ( iPD= interim program director )

"Program Council Agreement. PC has decided to invite GM, Duane Bradley to our next meeting to clarify role of PC regarding programming decisions at KPFT."

While at the next meeting for which there are minutes, October 4, 2005, there is nothing about the role of PC regarding programming decisions at KPFT, only a warning not to talk about the meeting content:

"Programming Issues: Duane was present very briefly and gave his suggestion for an afternoon line up:

Regarding 1-5:30pm Monday-Friday,

1-2 pm Various programs, This American Life, Uprising, Alternative Radio, Explorations, etc.

2-3 pm Music Beyond Borders/Radio Active

3-5 pm local music, HAAM, Generasian, Roark, etc.

5-5:50 FSRN

PC Chair stated again the importance of maintaining CONFIDENTIALITY.

Motion passed unanimously: Before anything goes outside of PC, it must be submitted to the PC Chair for approval."



In the October 14, 2005 meeting minutes this entry is found:



"Re PC minutes:

General Manager stated that posting minutes or making them available to public is a courtesy. It is not a requirement because the PC is not bound by open-meeting rule."



In the October 22, 2005 meeting another reminder that the requirements for LSB meetings and transparency do not apply for the Program Council Meetings.



"We are a management committee, not required to post minutes. Some minutes delayed due to natural disasters - Katrina and Rita. Back up meetings will be submitted for approval."



This link to the May 6, 2006 minuets makes it clear where the currently the programming decisions are made.

http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/minutes_may6_06.htm?docID=3363<http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/minutes_may6_06.htm?docID=3363>



Not only are we, as listeners, not able to understand how program changes are made, we do not know the criteria for which these changes are made or why these changes are made.

 









T




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