[Kzyxtalk] KZYX Programming Policy

Sat Apr 30 13:33:23 PDT 2016

Many thanks to Lorraine and Raoul for putting time and energy into implementing the Programming Policy and the Program Advisory Council (see below).  I am posting the policy itself so everyone knows what is involved.  It was difficult to reformat for this list, but it is readable.  The appendix referred to was even more difficult, so it is not included.  Perhaps the full Programming Policy could be put on the website, along with the Bylaws.  Perhaps all the policies could go there?  Would make discussions easier, more productive.

Denny

Mendocino County Public Broadcasting

KYX&Z Programming Policy
Approved by the Board of Directors December 9, 2008

Policy Mission Statement:

This policy outlines how policy decisions are made at KYX&Z and describes the role of the people involved in those decisions. The policy is designed to:
	1. Strengthen KZYX& by facilitating communication about programming;
	2. Describe a process and criteria for programming decisions;
	3. Set up and define guidelines for the work of a KYX&Z Program Advisory Council.

This policy was developed by the Programming Policy Committee appointed by the Board of Directors of Mendocino County Public Broadcasting in 2004. The committee included KZYX&Z staff members, board members, a member of the Community Advisory Board (CAB), programmers and members of the listening community. A policy draft was presented first to KZYX&Z programmers in February 006 and then to the general public for feedback from March to June 006 before being presented to the board for approval. The MCPB Board of Directors approved this policy at the July 11, 2006 board meeting with the agreement to review the policy for effectiveness one year from seating of the first Program Advisory Council.

The work of the committee was guided by the following goals, which were agreed to by the committee and approved by the board at the outset of its work:

"Our goal is to propose to the Board of Directors what might work best for our station. We will endeavor to arrive at a process that:
	- Does justice to our mission statement and long range plans;
	- Allows the station's programming to evolve to meet the needs of our listeners and the wider
	  community and that
	- Assures KYX&Z will continue to thrive now and in the future."

											Page 1 of 9

Table of Contents:

PART 1: PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL					3
1.1 Program Advisor Council Membership					3
1.2 Guidelines for the Work of the Program Advisory Council			4

PART 2: PROGRAMMING DECISIONS						4
2.1 Program Assessment								5
2.2 Program Changes								5

APPENDICES									6
Appendix 1: Best Practices								6
Appendix 2: Desired Qualities for Program Advisory Council Members	6
Appendix 3: Program Advisory Council Selection Process and Timelines	6
Appendix 4: Matrix of Needs for Program Advisory Council Members		7
Appendix 5: KZYX&Z program Advisory Council Application (2 pages)	8

											Page 2 of 9

Part 1: Program Advisory Council

In order to provide a continuously improving listening experience that reflects the needs of our listening audience, the Program Advisory Council shall be an advisory group that gives input to the program Director and receives input from the listening audience.

The council is the first point of contact for the Program Director when faced with significant decisions or projects related to programming and programmers.

The relationship between the Program Advisory Council and the Program Director is collaborative. The Program Director has responsibility for making program decisions.
The Program Advisory Council works with the Program Director to:
	1. Provide broad-based input to inform programming decisions.
	2. Assess all programming (local and non-local) (see Appendix 1.1, Best Practices);
	3. Invite and evaluate new program proposals.

1.1  Program Advisory Council Membership

Anyone interested in serving on the council must complete an application. The Program Advisory Council has six (6) members selected from that common poll of applicants:
	- 1 person selected by programmers;
	- 1 person selected by the Community Advisory Board/Group (CAB/CAG);
	- 1 person selected by the MCPB board of directors;
	- the remaining three members will be selected by the above council members and the Program
	Director. Initially, the remaining three members will be selected by the Programming Policy
	Committee in keeping with the application and interview process outlined in Appendix 2 and 4.
	The initial as well as the ongoing selection of Program Advisory Council members will be guided
	by a "Matrix of Needs" (see Appendix 3) to assure diversity of council membership.

Programmers are welcome to serve as members of the Program Advisory Council, but no more than two programmers may serve on the council at any one time. A programmer is defined in the same manner as called for in the MCPB Bylaws for programmers running for board election:

Anyone who is a regularly scheduled program host, board operator or substitute program host, as determined by the program director, between July1 and December 31 of the year prior to the year in which the programmer would start their term in the council, or who will be in the first quarter (January 1 - March 31) of the following year.

In order to insure broad-based community representation, members of the MCPB board of directors and the CAB/CAG may not concurrently serve on the Program Advisory Council.

Programmers, CAB/CAG and the board will each select by ballot, by ranking their choice of the top four candidates. At least one of these has to be a non-programmer.

Members will serve a two-year term and may serve as many times as desired if selected, but with a mandatory one year off after two consecutive terms. In the event of any council member being unable to serve their full terms, the remaining council members may decide to select a replacement from existing applications or solicit new applications to fill the remainder of the term. (See appendix for initial terms and turnover).

Openings on the Program Advisory Council and invitations to apply will be announced widely to on the air (KZYX&Z), via Radio Waves, press releases, newspaper articles, on the KZYX&Z website and through personal recruitment.

											Page 3 of 9

In the even that the Program Advisory Council is meeting as the Community Advisory Board, programming members of the Program Advisory Council may not take part in Community Advisory Board meetings.

1.2  Guidelines for the Work of the Program Advisory Council

The Program Advisory Council will meet quarterly. The council will:

	- Seek out, invite and consider public input in advance of Program Advisory Council meetings.

	- Seek consensus whenever possible; Consensus is achieved when everyone on the team has
	had ample opportunity to have his or her ideas considered and can full support the team's
	decision. Consensus decisions mean that th entire team has come to agreement on a course of
	action, even if individuals have a different preference. If consensus cannot be reached, differing
	opinions will be documented in the written meeting notes of each council meeting. The Program
	Director will take all points of view into consideration.

	- Work within the framework ot the MCPB Station Handbook and Strategic Plan.

	- Provide written recommendations to the Program Director following each meeting.

If the Program Director n conjunction with the General Memager and the Board of Directors agrees that the Program Advisory Council is no longer fulfilling its function, the Board of Directors may dissolve the council and either begin the process of forming a new one or devise new policies for program decisions.

In the context of the ongoing work of Program Advisory Council and Program Director, it is anticipated that the Board of Directors as a whole, or individual directors, will have no direct input or influence on programming decisions, unless disputes are brought to the board under the procedures outlined in the KZYX&Z Station Handbook.

Part 2: Programming Decisions

Programming is our most effective audience-building tool. The purpose of programming is to serve our listeners, our mission and the directives of our strategic plan:

Our goal is to entertain, inform and contribute to the enjoyment, enrichment and wellness of our diverse community. We provide programming as a platform for expressing our common humanity.

	Balanced Programming

	- We are dedicated to excellent programming that responds to the needs of our community as
	a compliment to other media
	- We pledge to be a responsible, responsive and inclusive medium for news information,
	music, performing arts, and entertainment

	We are committed to the finest in national, international and locally produced programs. We
	proved a forum for open dialog and diverse perspectives on issues of local interests.

Programming is an evolutionary process. KZYX&Z will continuously embrace creative change and be open to new programming that serves current listeners and attracts new ones.

This policy outlines the process for assessing current programming, for making programming changes and for providing feedback to our programmers and to our community.

											Page 4 of 9

2.1  Program Assessment

The Program Advisory Council works with the Program Director to assess all programming on a regular basis to further the goals of the MCPB Strategic Plan and to ensure compliance with the KZYX&Z Station Handbook.

The Program Advisory Council will define a list of criteria, questions, and standards used in the assessment process to:

	1. Recognize excellence in programming;

	2. Identify areas in need of improvement;

	3. Make recommendations for change.

2.2  Program Changes

It is recognized that programming on KZYX&Z needs to evolve over time in order to continue to meet the needs of our listeners and remain a vital and relevant resource for our community. These changes should be proactive and based on increasing listener service as well as programming goals set forth in the strategic plan. This is true for individual programs and the program schedule as a whole.

The Program Director is responsible for programming decisions. The program Advisory Council advises the Program Director on these matters.

Program change can occur when any of the following occurs:

	- A program slot becomes available when a programmer leaves their program.
	- A recommendation is made through the assessment and discovery process.
	- Opportunities arise for special programming such as holidays or political events.
	- KZYX&Z management determines that a change is needed

The Program Director will publicly invite proposals for new local programming on a regular basis and when the need for a new program arises. The Program Director and the Program Advisory Council will review all proposals at the quarterly meeting. When a proposal is accepted, the person making the proposal will be referred to the appropriate staff for training and program development.

Proposals that are not accepted may be revised and resubmitted.

New programs added to the schedule will be reviewed by the Programming Council after 90 days or during the first Program Advisory Council meeting following the third program, whichever comes first.

											Page 5 of 9

--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 4/27/16, Raoul van Hall <pd at kzyx.org> wrote:

 Subject: RE: [Kzyxtalk] Reasons for Challenging Programmer-Director Policy
 To: "'Tim Gregory'" <tgregory at saber.net>, dennisobrien at sharejerusalem.com
 Cc: kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org, lorraine at kzyx.org, gm at kzyx.org
 Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2016, 6:06 PM

 Hi Denny,

 We are well underway with putting the new PAC parameters
 together.
 We're in the writing phase right now, but expect to proceed
 with the
 recruiting fairly soon.

 I'm very much looking forward to resurrecting the PAC.

      Raoul

 Program Director
 KZYX & Z
 Mendocino County Public Broadcasting
 PO Box 1
 Philo, CA  95466
 (707) 895-2324
 www.kzyx.org

 -----Original Message-----
 From: Tim Gregory [mailto:tgregory at saber.net]

 Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2016 4:42 PM
 To: dennisobrien at sharejerusalem.com
 Cc: kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org;
 lorraine at kzyx.org;
 gm at kzyx.org;
 pd at kzyx.org
 Subject: Re: [Kzyxtalk] Reasons for Challenging
 Programmer-Director
 Policy

 I just meant like, on the telephone...you have admit, you
 love your
 megaphone...
 :)

 ---

 I was not elected last year, but that does not influence my
 thinking
 at this time.
 What I wrote below is a true and accurate reflection of my
 present
 concerns.

 I have sent copies of both the formal notice and the
 explanation to
 the Board of
 Directors.  I did not send them to the new GM as it was
 not within
 her power to make
 such a decision.  However, I did add a suggestion that
 management
 fully implement
 the existing Programming Policy and the PAC, so I am sending
 that to
 her now, along
 with the new interim PD.  Thanks for the suggestion.

 Denny

 --------------------------------------------
 On Sat, 4/23/16, Tim Gregory <tgregory at saber.net>
 wrote:

  Subject: Re: [Kzyxtalk] Reasons for Challenging
 Programmer-Director
 Policy
  To: dennisobrien at sharejerusalem.com,
 kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org
  Date: Saturday, April 23, 2016, 2:45 PM

  it did enter my mind that
  this had something to do with the members not being a big
  fan of you gaining a board seat recently, and
  possibly that you wished to still
  represent
  them whether they want you to or not.

  are you in conversation with the ceo/gm?
  ---

  I have been asked to explain what I hope to
  accomplish by asserting the right of the
  Members to elect all of the Directors.

  I am a big fan of membership
  nonprofits. They are an excellent vehicle for the
  collective efforts of a group of people who are
  focused on a common mission.Â  The
  choosing
  of the Directors by the Members is an act of collective
  consciousness, and
  the Directors are charged
  with making decisions on behalf of the Members.

  I am assuming that the
  Programmers are well-informed, noble, and have the best
  interests of the nonprofit at heart.Â 
  Nevertheless, they do not represent the
  collective knowledge, wisdom, and interests of
  the Members.Â  If anything, there is
  an
  ongoing tendency, subconscious at least, to support the
  continuation of the
  status quo, as the
  people and thinking that go into choosing a
  Programmer-Director
  are already present at
  the station.Â  Some have even suggested that, since the
  Program Director selects the Programmers, there
  is an internal loop of support that
  protects
  the General Manager and Program Director.

  The power of selecting one out
  of nine directors and having a guaranteed presence on
  the board should not be underestimated.Â  Much
  of our nation's politics right now is
  focused on who will choose the ninth vote on
  the Supreme Court.Â  Even in larger
  bodies
  such as Congress, the control of 11% of the vote (one out
 of
  nine) would
  swing almost any contested
  decision.Â  So taking away from the Members the power to
  choose one of their nine directors is
  significant.

  In my life I
  have watched the arc of history bend toward justice.Â 
 But I
  am very
  troubled by the rising incidents of
  voter suppression that we have witnessed this
  year.Â  ID's that are hard to get, tougher
  registration rules, reduced polling
  places,
  reduced early voting, voting rolls purged - these are just
  some of the
  problems.Â  And each one of them
  means that the collective knowledge, wisdom, and
  concerns of those being affected by important
  decisions are less likely to be heard,
  to be
  integrated into the decision-making process.

  I have reached the point where
  I am compelled to do what I can to reverse that
  trend.Â  In politics, as with the environment,
  we must think globally and act
  locally.Â 
  The station and the nonprofit will benefit greatly by
  restoring Member
  selection of all
  directors.Â  Conversely, the Programmers will not
 suffer.Â 
  They have
  for years been unfairly prohibited
  from running for any of the five District seats
  on the board, and that has kept good and
  competent people from running the past few
  elections.Â  I don't have a problem with
  individual Programmers being on the board.
  But that decision should be made by the
  Members.

  Nor should people
  be concerned that Programmers will be shut out of
  programming
  decisions.Â  They are assured of
  input under the current Programming Policy and the
  Program Advisory Committee (PAC).Â  The current
  Board and Management should act
  immediately
  to fully implement that policy.

  So what I hope to accomplish is to restore
  legitimacy to the Board of Directors and
  the
  governance of MCPB/KZYXZ.Â  I hope to make the Board a
 true
  expression of the
  will of the Members.Â  Our
  bylaws state that the station is Member controlled.Â  We
  have been told that means that the Members
  choose the Directors.Â  As noted above, it
  is not enough to choose eight out of nine.Â 
  The Board must acknowledge the right of
  the
  Members to choose all of the Directors, and make the
  necessary changes to our
  Bylaws and Election
  Policy.

  Dennis

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