[Kzyxtalk] KZYX Pledge Drive (sako4 at comcast.net)

Wed Nov 4 12:37:04 PST 2015

Jim,

I agree that we should focus on the job description that applies to KZYX which is why I refer to the station handbook when addressing this issue. I do not know if you have a copy and I did not find one on the website. I know that the last person who tried to get a copy had to threaten to sue in order to get it.

As someone who has advocated for programmers rights at KZYX for many years one of the greatest issues of concern for me has been the lack of a contract between programmers and the station concerning production rights. The station handbook is clear that such a contract should be drawn up, giving programmers 50% of the rights to their program.  This is part of the job description of the program director.  There are meant to be yearly reviews of the program at the time of the contract renewal. 

In my experience, no such contract was ever offered to me. Have you seen one or been asked to sign?

Without such a contract, MCPB owns 100% of the production rights to any show produced in their studio making it impossible for programmers to syndicate without the approval of MCPB, which has never been forthcoming.  This is why Barry Vogel and Dan Roberts and Mariah Gilardin have to produce their programs from home. 

I have advocated for the current program director to fulfill this obligation as I believe programmers, who work hard to produce their programs, should have some ownership rights to their shows. This is current board policy, and I think it is unfair that station staff chooses not to follow it. 

I hope you choose to help me look into this important station issue.  

Doug McKenty

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 4, 2015, at 11:27 AM, Jim Heid <jim at heidsite.com> wrote:
> 
> And what does one station’s job description have to do with KZYX? 
> 
> The station, a web search reveals, is in Virginia, run by Virginia Tech, and serves a much larger market:
> https://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=175896239
> 
> More to the point, this job was for “Program Director-Content Manager” — which entails many more responsibilities than program director. You seem to have edited out that minor fact.
> 
> And how are you aware of Mary’s daily routine? Are you monitoring her web browsing and computer use?
> 
> Do you see her at the station at 7 pm, when my shows start? I do. Do you see her there at all hours during fires and floods and storms, printing out Caltrans and PG&E warnings? I do.
> 
> Unreal.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Nov 4, 2015, at 10:56 AM, kzyxtalk-request at lists.mcn.org wrote:
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>> Today's Topics:
>> 
>>  1. KZYX Pledge Drive (sako4 at comcast.net)
>> 
>> 
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 18:56:55 +0000 (UTC)
>> From: sako4 at comcast.net
>> Subject: [Kzyxtalk] KZYX Pledge Drive
>> To: kzyxtalk <kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org>
>> Message-ID:
>>    <341685706.23429651.1446663415723.JavaMail.zimbra at comcast.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>> 
>> Dear friends of public radio, 
>> 
>> Below please find the job description for Program Director that was recently posted for another NPR affiliate station that is not KZYX. 
>> 
>> Kindly note that KZYX Program Director, Mary Aigner, doesn't perform even half of the duties described in the post. When I had a show at KZYX, Aigner didn't help me pick topics, schedule guests, produce content, or thank guests. She didn't even know how to archive shows. 
>> 
>> Add to that incompetence that Aigner really reports to no one, and this has been the case for the last 20 years. 
>> 
>> Why? Because she has every KZYX General Manager and MCPB Executive Director either intimidated or fooled. And because Aigner interferes with Board elections by recruiting candidates, making endorsements, and getting out the vote, the Board is handpicked by her. The Board's only true function is fundraising. 
>> 
>> Also, Aigner keeps no work logs. No time logs. She comes and goes as she pleases. She submits to no formal job performance evaluation -- an annual job review. KZYX doesn't even have a formal job description like that found below to measure Aigner's performance. 
>> 
>> A typical day? Aigner comes in late. She comes in at 10 a.m. or later. She spends ma lot of time on personal email. Spends a lot of time Internet surfing. She a lot of time on the phone on personal calls. Spends a lot of time disparaging those who want to reform the station and return it to a true public radio model. She spends a lot of time strategizing against those very same public radio activists. She chain smokes throughout the day at picnic table at patio where staff have their lunch and takes frequent breaks. She thwarts any effort to form a vital and strong Community Advisory Board and Program Advisory Committee. She intimidates programmers with sanctions and the loss of their shows, thereby keeping them compliant and docile. She purges her critics who are programmers. 
>> 
>> When listeners give their hard-earned dollars to become members, they don't support KZYX. They support the staff who work there. They support Aigner. Aigner gets paid first. She gets paid before the light bill gets paid. 
>> 
>> What's the solution? 
>> 
>> KMEC's business model is all-volunteer. KZYX can do it, too. 
>> 
>> If not all-volunteer, then at least KZYX should pay the news staff and technical staff for hours actually worked. KZYX does not need a highly paid, salaried General Manager and Executive Director. We do not need a highly paid, salaried Program Director. 
>> 
>> Remember, half of KZYX's annual budget of $550,000 goes to salaries and benefits. 
>> 
>> That's obscene for a small market like us. 
>> 
>> Withhold your pledge to KZYX until we get meaningful change. Support true public radio by supporting KMEC, KNYO, and KMUD. 
>> 
>> Thank you. 
>> 
>> John Sakowicz 
>> MCPB Board of Trustees, 2013--2016, Board Treasurer, 2014 
>> 
>> *** *** *** 
>> 
>> Position Summary: 
>> Program Director-Content Manager for NPR member station will be responsible for all programming produced, acquired, & distributed, as well as content created for (2) web sites, & the programming of Radio Reading Service. Keeps station's programming and content services compliant with all rules and regulations as stipulated by all regulatory agencies as required. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Main areas of responsibility: 
>> 
>> Audience- - 
>> 
>> Programming- 
>> 
>> Supervision of Staff. 
>> 
>> Follows national, regional, and local trends in public radio broadcasting to assist with successfully programming the radio services. Determines which forms of traditional and new media are being used and how they are used by audiences. Implements strategies to best target desired audiences. Responsible for overseeing broadcast and digital media content and programming of both radio services. Duties: 
>> 
>> A. Evaluate new & existing programs for suitability. . 
>> 
>> B. Responsible for all air shifts. Fills in when needed for any air shift on any program on both services. 
>> 
>> C. Plan and schedule programming and event coverage. 
>> 
>> D. Seek out and select programming for broadcast from vendors. 
>> 
>> E. Maintains contracts for broadcast rights. 
>> 
>> F. Develops ideas for programs & features. 
>> 
>> G. Develops promotions. 
>> 
>> H. Monitors network advisories. 
>> 
>> I. Monitors & reviews programming. 
>> 
>> J. Responsible web site content- current and updated. 
>> 
>> K. Maintaining and increasing effectiveness of various social media platforms, i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc. 
>> 
>> L. Gathers web site and digital platform analytical data. 
>> 
>> M. Develops & adheres to budgets 
>> 
>> N. Representative in industry organizations such as Public Radio Program Directors ( PRPD ). 
>> 
>> O. Compiles Issues & Programs list, quarterly, for FCC public file. 
>> 
>> P. Creates & submits reports to Sound Exchange, BMI , ASCAP , and others. 
>> 
>> Q. Oversees annual inventory of compact discs for audits. 
>> 
>> R. Works w/ NPR Digital to maintain and up-date web site functions. 
>> 
>> 1. The PD-CM supervises programming department heads and oversees supporting staff. 
>> 
>> A. Manages: News Director, Operations Director, Music Director, Music Hosts (all genres). 
>> 
>> B. Manages part-time staff: fill-in and weekend on-air hosts, Radio Reading Service manager, contract producers creating proprietary programming. 
>> 
>> C. Confers with direct reports. 
>> 
>> D. Works with News Director regarding news and information content. News Director (ND) is responsible for the day-to-day news. 
>> 
>> E. Works with Music Director regarding music content Music Director is responsible for the day-to-day music content. 
>> 
>> F. Works with Music Director to ensure that the music library and database program are properly maintained and kept up-to-date. 
>> 
>> G. Works with Operations Director and/or Chief Engineer to ensure that the traffic & scheduling software program is properly maintained and kept up-to-date. 
>> 
>> H. Co-ordinates activities between departments. 
>> 
>> I. Acts as a liaison between departments. 
>> 
>> J. Performs personnel duties such as hiring, staff evaluations, etc. 
>> 
>> K. Performs or oversees training of on-air staff. 
>> 
>> L. Oversees work schedules and on-air scheduling in co-ordination with news/music directors. 
>> 
>> 2. Participates in all on-air fund-raising activities, either live and/or recorded, such as: 
>> 
>> A. Producing on-air pitch spots. 
>> 
>> B. Producing on-air pitching. 
>> 
>> C. Performing On-air pitching, live and recorded. 
>> 
>> D. Co-ordination of air staff for on-air pitching. 
>> 
>> E. Acquiring pitch spots and content from national hosts, reporters, and personalities. Includes NPR , APM , PRI , independents, etc. 
>> 
>> 3. Represents the station at public events when and where needed 
>> 
>> 4. Works with Chief Engineer and Operations Director to maintain the station's Radio Reading Service programming and sub-carrier broadcasts. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Required Qualifications: 
>> * Exceptional interpersonal leadership and communication skills 
>> 
>> * Extensive experience and success in public radio programming and public media content management. 
>> 
>> * Network level on-air skills and ability to fill in as needed on any hosting or reporting shift, including news, music, and entertainment 
>> 
>> * Understanding of audience research tools and data, and practical application of such. 
>> 
>> * Network level production skills. 
>> 
>> * Supervisory experience of both personnel and resources. 
>> 
>> * Budget creation and budget management experience. 
>> 
>> * Excellent writing and editing skills for broadcast, print, and electronic media platforms. 
>> 
>> * Computer literate with well-rounded knowledge of basic essential software programs, i.e. Word, Excel, etc. 
>> 
>> * Working knowledge of and understanding of new and emerging digital and other new media content distribution platforms. 
>> 
>> * Must be able to work within a state university structure. 
>> 
>> * Ability to work in a varied schedule environment. 
>> 
>> * Bachelor's degree or equivalent level training/experience. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Preferred Qualifications: 
>> Experience in on-air fundraising planning and production. 
>> 
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