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<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>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.). </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>While the current proposal was being discussed, not all the LSB members
believe they had a current copy of what was being discussed.</DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>The Supreme Court has recently spoken out about the administration's
attempts to over reach executive authority. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>For KPFT, are you, the listeners, not the Supreme Court of KPFT?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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: <A
title=http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lsb_members
href="http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lsb_members">http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lsb_members</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. <A
title=http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=elections_2006
href="http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=elections_2006">http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=elections_2006</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> 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. </DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Why the concern? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>According to the By-Laws, meetings of the LSB are required to be public, as
are the minutes of the meetings.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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). <A
title=http://houston.kpft.org/lsb_and_committees/programcouncil/programcouncil_proposal.htm
href="http://houston.kpft.org/lsb_and_committees/programcouncil/programcouncil_proposal.htm">http://houston.kpft.org/lsb_and_committees/programcouncil/programcouncil_proposal.htm</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Additionally only a portion of the LSB is on the committee to develop the
"Program Council" document. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thank you for reading this. Please distribute widely and consider
reading the Pacifica By-Laws. <A
title=http://www.pacifica.org/governance/PacificaBylaws-new.html
href="http://www.pacifica.org/governance/PacificaBylaws-new.html">http://www.pacifica.org/governance/PacificaBylaws-new.html</A> and
get involved.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Paul</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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 <A
title=http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/programcouncil_minutes_2005.pdf?docID=2101
href="http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/programcouncil_minutes_2005.pdf?docID=2101">http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/programcouncil_minutes_2005.pdf?docID=2101</A>
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Minutes of other meeting and of other committees are available on the KPFT
web site. </DIV>
<DIV><A
title=http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=meetingschedule&printer_friendly=1
href="http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=meetingschedule&printer_friendly=1">http://houston.kpft.org/site/PageServer?pagename=meetingschedule&printer_friendly=1</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif">I noticed the
following entries in the June 3, 2005 PC meeting minutes:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"<B><I><FONT face=Arial size=3>Confidentiality Agreement.
</B></I></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=3>This agreement was discussed and resolved
that members will sign and keep confidential matters discussed by the
PC.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3><STRONG><EM>Approval of ex-officio members.
</EM></STRONG></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=3>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."..............................</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3>..................."</FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=3>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."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif">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?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=3>
<P align=left>"Programming Issues. </B></I></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=3>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. </FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=Arial size=3><STRONG><U>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."</U></STRONG></FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face="Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif">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.</FONT></P><B><I><FONT
face=Arial size=3>
<P align=left>"Programming Issues. </B></I></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=3>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 )</FONT></P>
<P align=left><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=3>"Program Council Agreement.
</B></I></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=3>PC has decided to invite GM, Duane
Bradley to our next meeting to clarify role of PC regarding programming
decisions at KPFT."</FONT></P>
<P align=left>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:</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><B><I><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Programming Issues:
</SPAN></I></B><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Duane was present
very briefly and gave his suggestion for an afternoon line
up:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Regarding </SPAN><st1:time Minute="0"
Hour="13"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><u1:time Minute="0"
Hour="13">1-5:30pm</SPAN></u1:time></st1:time><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
Monday-Friday,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><u1:time Minute="0" Hour="13"><st1:time
Minute="0" Hour="13"><I><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
size=3>1-2 pm</FONT></SPAN></I></u1:time></st1:time><I><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> Various programs, This
American Life, Uprising, Alternative Radio, Explorations,
etc.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><u1:time Minute="0" Hour="14"><st1:time
Minute="0" Hour="14"><I><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
size=3>2-3 pm</FONT></SPAN></I></u1:time></st1:time><I><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> Music Beyond
Borders/Radio Active<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><u1:time Minute="0" Hour="15"><st1:time
Minute="0" Hour="15"><I><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
size=3>3-5 pm</FONT></SPAN></I></u1:time></st1:time><I><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> local music, HAAM,
Generasian, Roark, etc.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>5-5:50
FSRN<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>PC Chair stated again the
importance of maintaining <B>CONFIDENTIALITY</B>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Motion passed unanimously:
Before anything goes outside of PC, it must be submitted to the PC Chair for
approval."</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
face="Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif">In the October 14, 2005 meeting
minutes this entry is found:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
size=3></FONT></SPAN> </P><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Re PC
minutes:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">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."</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
face="Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif" size=2>In the October 22, 2005 meeting
another reminder that the requirements for LSB meetings and transparency do not
apply for the Program Council Meetings.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"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."</SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
face="Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif" size=2>This link to the May 6, 2006
minuets makes it clear where the currently the programming decisions are
made.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A
title=http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/minutes_may6_06.htm?docID=3363
href="http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/minutes_may6_06.htm?docID=3363"><FONT
title="http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/minutes_may6_06.htm?docID=3363
CTRL + Click to follow link"
face="Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif"
size=2>http://houston.kpft.org/site/DocServer/minutes_may6_06.htm?docID=3363</FONT></A></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
face="Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif" size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans-serif" size=2> </FONT></FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN><B><I><FONT face=Arial
size=3> </P></B></I></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=3>
<P align=left></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=3> </P>
<P align=left></FONT> </P>
<P align=left><FONT face=Arial size=3>T</P></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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