KPFK LSB Minutes 2/29/04 A special meeting of the KPFK Local Station Board was held on Sunday, February 29, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the Southern California Library, 6120 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, California. The meeting was convened by Sara Amir. This being the first meeting of the LSB, no minutes were read or approved. Twenty-two Members present, constituting a quorum: Grace Aaron, David Adelson, Sara Amir, Maria Armoudian, Marie Deary (late), Jim DiEugenio, Israel Feuer (late), Bill Gallegos, Sherna Gluck, Jan Goodman, Terry Goodman, Jane Hallaren, Sonali Kolhatkar (late), Alan Minsky (late), Ed Pearl, Margaret Prescod, Leslie Radford (late), Julie Rodriguez (late), Madeline Schwab (late), Donna Warren, Harrison Weil, Don White Three Members absent: Nile ElWardani, Eva Georgia, Fernando Velazquez Convener: Sara Amir The meeting was recorded by Jack VanAken and an audio version is currently online at http://www.dogsofnow.net/lsb/29feb04lsb/29feb04lsb.html. Bracketed numbers in these minutes refer to section starts in the elapsed timings of eleven MP3 format audio files, named by date and sequentially numbered. Without objection, the meeting was convened at approximately 2:10 pm by Sara Amir, who requested a moment of silence in solidarity with the people of Haiti. [29feb04lsbpt1.mp3, 2:44] The agenda was discussed, revised, and approved. [14:40] There was additional discussion on the difference between Delegates meetings and LSB meetings and on the scheduling of a Delegates meeting. Jane Hallaren objected to not having received proper meeting notice or an advance copy of the draft agenda. All LSB Members noted as late had arrived by this time. Nominations were opened for the position of LSB Chair. [29feb04lsbpt3.mp3, 12:55] Don White and Jim DiEugenio were nominated. DiEugenio declined. Nominations were opened for the position of LSB Vice Chair. [16:38] Maria Armoudian and Madeline Schwab were nominated. Schwab declined. Motion by J. Goodman [29feb04lsbpt4.mp3, 3:24] Resolved: That the elections for secretary and treasurer be postponed until at least the next meeting so that we have more time to do more outreach, but that Terry Goodman continue as Secretary Pro-Tem. Motion tabled by unanimous consent. Public comments were heard (see APPENDIX B). [9:40] Ballots were distributed, marked, and collected for the election of Chair and Vice Chair, with KPFK Elections Supervisor Emeritus Casey Peters acting as teller. [29feb04lsbpt5.mp3, 10:40] There was an announcement explaining the absence of General Manager Eva Georgia in connection with special programming and technical problems at the station. A special public comment segment was opened for Kwaiku Person-Lynn, Producer of the African Mental Liberation Weekend (see Appendix B). Casey Peters announced the results of the elections (see Appendix A). [29feb04lsbpt6.mp3, 0:00] Don White was elected Chair and Maria Armoudian was elected Vice Chair. Don White chaired the remainder of the meeting. There was discussion about the tabled motion to postpone elections of Secretary and Treasurer. Nominations were opened for Secretary Pro-Tem (Continuing). [10:59] Terry Goodman was nominated. There were no further nominations. Terry Goodman was elected by a show of hands. 17 YES 0 NO There was discussion about the postponement of the election of Treasurer. Substitute Motion by Adelson to elect a Treasurer Pro Tem [29feb04lsbpt7.mp3, 0:20] Motion Passed by a show of hands 17 YES 0 NO Nominations were opened for Treasurer Pro-Tem (Continuing). [2:10] Leslie Radford, Learner Goude, Bill Gallegos, Marie Deary, Joe Cronyn, Jan Goodman, and Donna Warren were nominated. Bill Gallegos and Marie Dearie declined. Joe Cronyn and Donna Warren were ruled ineligible. Ballots were distributed, marked, and collected. A resolution condemning U.S. actions in Haiti was offered, amended, discussed and divided. [11:24] There was a ruling of the Chair that abstentions do not count as present and voting in determining majorities. Appeal by DiEugenio [29feb04lsb9.mp3, 01:10] Appeal failed by a show of hands 4 YES 12 NO Motion by Prescod (Divided) [2:55] Resolved that: The LSB is opposed to the kidnapping of the elected President of Haiti, Jean Bertrand Aristide, and the US backed and orchestrated coup. We are further oppposed to yet another racist occupation of Haiti by US forces and their allies. We support the bringing to justice of those who are committing violence and other atrocities against the Haitian people, including by coup leaders, some of whom are purported drug dealers, convicted assassins, and mass murderers. Furthermore, we are opposed to the returning by the US government of Haitian refugees who are fleeing violence, including the violence of poverty and who are bound to face more of the same upon their return to Haiti. We are demanding assurances of the safety of President Aristide, his family and supporters. We condemn acts of violence against the people of Haiti, where as in any armed conflict, women and children bear the highest price. Furthermore, we oppose US financial and other intervention in Venezuela whose aim is to destabilize or topple the democratically elected government of Venezuela, a country where 80% of the people live in poverty, the majority of whom are women of African and Indigenous descent, and who elected Presiden Hugo Chavez to tackle povery and corruption. Further resolved that: Haitian refugees should be recognized as seeking asylum according to international law. Motion Passed by a show of hands 19 YES 0 NO Further resolved that: This statement shall be read on the KPFK air as the position of this LSB after normal management review, and it shall be forwarded to the PNB for consideration. Motion Passed by a show of hands [4:30] 17 YES 0 NO The agenda item on formation of committees was postponed by unanimous consent. Public comments were heard (see APPENDIX B). [12:07] There was discussion about the scheduling of a special meeting in advance of the PNB meeting, and a discussion of meeting notice requirements. [29feb04lsbpt11.mp3, 7:25] The dates of March 11, March 10, and March 7 were considered. Motion by Hallaren [29feb04lsbpt11, 8:09] Resolved: That there shall be a special meeting of the KPFK LSB on Tuesday, March 9th, at 7pm, at a location to be determined, for the purposes of discussing the upcoming PNB meeting and considering proposals related to the interim Program Council. Motion passed by a show of hands 15 YES Sherna Gluck requested that the Program Council discussion not start before 8pm. The meeting was adjorned at approximately 5:15 pm. Terry L. Goodman, KPFK LSB Secretary Pro-Tem (Continuing) These minutes were approved on 4-13-04. ----- APPENDIX A - Teller's Report and Declaration of Chair KPFK Chair nominees: Don White 19 votes ELECTED; blank ballots 3 KPFK Vice Chair nominees: Maria Armoudian 18 votes ELECTED; blank ballots 4 KPFK Treasurer Pro-Tem nominees: Jan Goodman 13 votes ELECTED; Leslie Radford 8 votes Learner Goude 1 vote ----- APPENDIX B - Summary of Public Comments This report on public comments has been prepared by the Secretary Pro-Tem and is attached to the minutes for general reference. Inclusion of this report is no representation from the LSB or the speakers mentioned as to its accuracy or completeness, nor is it an endorsement of any content herein. FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT SEGMENT [29feb04lsbpt4.mp3, 8:35] John Doe 1 [9:40] Speakers are not required to identify themselves by name. Rafael Renteria [10:27] A director revote could impact who is available to serve as LSB officers. Maynard Levinson [11:32] "I hope that all of the board members are suitably embarrassed by what happened at the beginning." The LSB didn't have agendas, the sound system wasn't set up, people arrived up to about 45 minutes late, and there was a lot of unfamiliarity with procedures. The audience should show the proper respect and hold their comments for the proper time. Dele [12:53] The LSB elections demonstrate that democracy has come only to the white midle class. "It has come to North Hollywood, but it has not come to South Central" Time has been wasted on procedures. The LSB should pass a resolution condemning the imperialist mafia coup taking place in Haiti. Lawrence Reyes [14:28] There could be a U.S. military intervention in Haiti, and the LSB should pass a resolution on the issue. The LSB Chair and Vice Chair should consult page 15 of Robert's Rules. Listener D [15:42] What has happened to the African Mental Liberation Weekend, and why aren't we getting it now? Nancy Kent [16:15] "It's a new beginning" and a chance to break from LAB practices and start off on the right foot. Talkers and cell-phone users should leave the room. It is hoped that the LSB will find a volunteer parliamentarian. Mari Quis [29feb04lsbpt5.mp3, 0:00] How may the Art in Africa Network invite the LSB out to meet the community, as has been done with Eva Georgia and Armondo Gudiño? Luis Garcia [0:55] The LSB should pass the same resolution as the LAB to meet the broadcasting needs of recognized national minorities and to give them priority. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT SEGMENT [29feb04lsbpt5.mp3, 13:07] Dr. Kwaiku Person-Lynn [13:07] "There's a policy in place that has been totally ignored as it relates to African Mental Liberation Weekend...'Programmers accused of objectionable conduct shall be provided with fully described due process by which they can repond to accusations made against them prior to actions being taken against them by management'...If there is a due process hearing, I can clearly show, without a shadow of a doubt, that every accusation made against the program and myself are totally false, bogus, and an attempt by station management to sacrifice the program." According to Dr. Lynn, the banning of AMLW was justified by false charges and the producer's calls for due process have been totally ignored. A licence challenge from an anti-black right-wing conservative group was rejected by the FCC. THIRD PUBLIC COMMENT SEGMENT [29feb04lsb9.mp3, 12:07] Long Beach Listener [14:00] Please find out who is responsible for responding to programmers and see that they do so to explain the cancellation of the African Mental Liberation Weekend. The listener offered to provide the Secretary with a list of guidelines to improve meetings. John Bachar [16:17] The iPC is the most important issue facing KPFK. The LSB needs to provide time to hear from iPC members in depth. Shel Plotkin [16:56] Plotkin volunteered to serve on the iPC as a representative of the Science and Technology Collective. Gordon Stitch [17:50] Stitch yielded time to Novick. Michael Novick [18:00] You're "pushing peanuts with your nose." Time has been wasted with procedural nonsense, such as dividing motions when the support of each half is the same. Isidra Person-Lynn Will AMLW be put on the agenda for the next meeting or sometime soon? There has been no due process. Learner Goude [1:39] The iPC issue needs sufficient time. The AMLW issue could be submitted to the Program Council. Bernie Eisenberg [3:08] KPFK needs programming on rational thinking. The delegates voted Directors illegally. Linda Krausen [4:24] The iPC must move forward in a progressive way. All iPC proposals should be made available for study and review.