[Kzyxtalk] KZYX - Concerns

Wed Jun 15 13:36:42 PDT 2016

Dear Clay,

Thanks for your prompt reply and straight answers.

My concern here is the health of Mendocino County nonprofits. As 

we've seen with Mental Health issues recently, nonprofits are likely to 

have greater future involvement in providing vital public services. Case

in point is MCPB. A nonprofit that carries the Emergency Alert System.

A vital public service. Not to mention local news. KZYX is Mendocino

County's only high-power public radio station. And thus irreplaceable.

As far as the timing of my arrival. It was April 9th of this year. In the

course of my research, I found five consecutive Form 990s with a very

unusual policy stated on them. About the Form 990s themselves: "No

review was or will be conducted." There was also a statement about

audited financial statements. Right on the Form 990s. Swearing they 

hadn't been prepared. Under penalty of perjury. The complete set is

here:

http://nccsweb.urban.org/communityplatform/nccs/organization/profile/id/680050440/popup/1

This contradicts documents that appear on the KZYX website here:

http://www.kzyx.org/index.php/about-us/station-business/mcpb-bylaws-and-financial-statements

Needless to say I was alarmed. I contacted Station management to

report what I'd found. Then Ms. Courtney responded by email. Telling

me that my information was incorrect. Even after I sent her the same

links that I'm sending you. Then a few weeks ago, the following editorial

ran in the Ukiah Daily Journal:

http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/opinion/20160602/kzyx-board-responds

With the entire MCPB board claiming that "No financial improprieties

were found." Thus denying the very existence of all the information I'd

sent. All of which originated with MCPB. And your name is on it.

I've since learned of a private listserv attended by all the MCPB board

members. Where reports like mine are dismissed. And any dissent is

vilified. According to one former board member, this has been going

on since 2005. When MCPB's net asset balance was around $350,000.

So I don't really have an 'agenda'. Only concerns. Particularly because

MCPB is such a cornerstone nonprofit. Practices here affect practices

elsewhere. As do policies. If I can understand what that is -- and why -- 

I've got a chance at helping other nonprofits in the same boat.

You can read my report on Mendocino County nonprofits here:

http://theava.com/archives/54789

Sincerely,

Scott M. Peterson

Mendocino

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From: clayeubank at gmail.com
To: scottmartinpeterson at hotmail.com
Subject: RE: KZYX - Concerns
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2016 10:31:23 -0700

Scott:

I am no longer the treasurer at MCPB. Meg decided to give that 
position to Stuart and asked me to be in charge of the audit committee. 

As to the missed meetings I will say that the first one I 
chose not to go to as I was angry and didn't feel I could be a calming and 
rational presence. The second meeting I had a conflict with my "paid" job. It 
obviously has a higher priority for me. 

Last year MCPB definitely ran in the red and during this past 
year there have been several financial challenges not the least of which was the 
large payouts to former staff and the transition between the old and new 
management structure. I do believe that there is movement to address the trend 
you observed. I have missed several meeting due to pressing matters and 
conflicts with my current job. 

I did read Raoul's letter and am not clear what he means about 
"cronyism" or whom he is referring to. I did not get the chance to meet the man 
although I had heard good things about him. No one has been able to enlighten me 
on what he means by that either. 

In responding to you I do so only in that I believe we have a 
responsibility to the public and our membership. I will admit however to having 
some trust issues. I've had my words taken out of context or misconstrued on 
several occasions while dealing with this organization and many 
people seem intent on fanning the flames of contention. 

You seem to have come out of nowhere and I'm not clear what 
your agenda is or why you have chosen now to act. 

As to your other questions I will attempt to respond when I 
have more time and energy. 

Best,

Clay

From: Scott Peterson 
[mailto:scottmartinpeterson at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 
2016 9:37 AM
To: kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org; 
clayeubank at gmail.com
Subject: KZYX - Concerns

Dear Mr. Eubank,

I understand you're still the treasurer at Mendocino County Public 
Broadcasting.

But I've noticed that you haven't attended the last two MCPB board 
meetings. Is

everything okay?

I've two concerns. First, for the financial well-being of MCPB. Two years 
ago the

net assets amounted to $160,000. Last year they were $80,000. A straight 
line

projection suggests insolvency now. Do you know of any plans to reverse 
that?

Second, please read the below email from Raoul van Hall. And his 
comments

about the 'cronyism' and 'nastiness' at KZYX that contributed to his 
departure.

Have you seen any cause-and-effect relationship between reports like this 
and

the financial well-being at MCPB?

According to your online resume, you have a certification in conflict 
resolution:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-eubank-34b94412

Have you tried this at MCPB? If so, what were the impediments?

If not, then why not?

Sincerely,

Scott M. Peterson

Mendocino

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Raoul van Hall wrote:
> Hi Richard,

> Thank you for all those kind things you said. It really means a lot.

Ultimately, there were several factors that made me decide to leave.

For the record, it wasn't the volunteers, the staff, the board or the
self-appointed 'community radio police' that drove me away. It was internal
politics.

It was also something else… I basically retired a couple years ago. After
the passing of my girlfriend, I decided to leave Portland and work at one
last radio station for the final chapter of my career.

What I'd hoped for was a gathering of artisans and intellectuals within a
group of volunteers and staff working towards a common goals.
And a radio station that it will was at the hub of a beautiful and peaceful
place.

What I found instead at KZYX was a microcosm of what's wrong with society
in general, nastiness and a lack of civil discourse.  And also a level of
cronyism that was going to prevent me from being effective at my job…or
happy.

While I certainly met some great people at KZYX and in the community, the
growing list of negatives finally made the decision easy.

Since I don't really need to work full-time anymore, it wasn't worth it.

I'll be quite content working from my home studio again.

Thank you for being an open and welcoming person with me while I was there.

I wish you great health and success.
And happiness.

   *Raoul*

Raoul van Hall
Audio Arts LLC
*On the Air - In the Air - Online*

Portland, Oregon USA

503.858.7347 		 	   		  
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