<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>Chuck,</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for joining the discussion. I agree with all of the points that you make except the part where you imply that programming choices are part of a studio managers job and that the board "meddling" in programming would be an attempt to micro-manage the station. I whole heartedly agree that boards of non profits should not micro-manage, but there is a difference in the audio production business between a general manager and a producer. The board are the owners of the station and have every right to steer the stations "programming and operational philosophy."</div><div><br></div><div>As you say, the board should set policy. That policy includes deciding how programming is chosen and what types of programs are produced in the studio that they own. Board members are also obligated to abide by the mission statement of their operation which, in this case, gives "membership control" over the programming. In the case of KZYX, past boards created a "programming advisory council" made up of a diversity of the membership in order to fulfill this vital role. If elected, I would ask staff to abide by this policy, which is current, or advise the board to eliminate it through a vote at a public meeting. </div><div><br></div><div>Giving the general manager carte blanch to make programming decisions is very rare at community radio stations. It does happen at public radio stations where the extent of the programming is NPR and classical music, but I have never heard of another community radio station that operates in this way.</div><div><br></div><div>Again, thanks for joining the discussion. Always nice to hear new a new voice! </div><div><br></div><div>Doug McKenty</div><div><br>Sent from my iPhone</div><div><br>On Mar 4, 2015, at 10:48 AM, Chuck & Betty <<a href="mailto:fbmusic@mcn.org">fbmusic@mcn.org</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
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<td>my two cents</td>
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<td>Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:18:25 -0800</td>
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<td>Chuck & Betty <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:fbmusic@mcn.org"><fbmusic@mcn.org></a></td>
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<pre>My name is Chuck Artigues, I have lived out on the coast about 20 years
and have been a supporting member of KZYX for about the last 10. This is
my first posting on the list serve and I'd just like to put in my two
cents, for what ever it is worth...
I have never paid much attention to the list serve until it was brought
to my attention by one of the candidates running for the board. After
reading the postings for the month of February I am rather dismayed at
the petty bickering and personal attacks that seem to dominate the
discussions. Can't we do better?
But there are a few items that I think are worthy of discussion;
A very good question is; should there be ANY paid staff at KZYX? Which
positions should be paid and what should those salaries be? Another
question might be; what portion of the annual budget is healthy (for the
station) to spend on salaries?
I do agree that there should be a designated 'station engineer' and that
more of the stations resources should go to the physical plant that
keeps the station on the air. It kills me that there is all this
constant bickering over programs and programming yet the station is
constantly going off the air. What good is an excellent program if you
can't hear it?
Another good idea is to have a volunteer coordinator... perhaps one of
the board members could take on this responsibility.
In general I believe it is the job of the board of ANY non-profit to do
the following; 1) raise money 2) set policy 3) raise more money 4)
hire/fire management 5) raise even more money! Whenever I have seen the
board of a non-profit try to get involved in micro-managing the
operation of that endeavor, I have witnessed disaster and chaos. I think
the worst thing in the world would be if the board at KZYX began to
meddle or get involved with the programing! Ugh!!
In general I think John Coats has done a pretty good job running the
station and the period under his leadership has been a time of stability
and steady growth. I especially give him credit for reducing the debt
load at the station and putting KZYX on a firm fiscal foundation.
I know it is difficult when 'management' doesn't see things your way. It
seems to me there ought to be a way to have reasonable discussions
about important issues without all this crazy talk. If you really care
about the station, roll up your sleeves, get to work in a positive way;
don't try to blow it up! I am dismayed that anyone who claims to care
about the station would express glee at a poor fund drive or even worse
seek to sabotage the station as a way of bringing about the change they
desire.
Unfortunately I have a previous engagement Thursday evening and won't be
able to catch the candidates nite. I hope it is recorded and archived so
I can listen to it at a later time. Thank you to all the candidates that
strive to make KZYX even better than it already is.
Anyone can feel free to email or phone me up (I'm in the book) to
discuss this or any other issue. I know we are all pretty spread out but
maybe there could be a time and place for a face to face meeting to
discuss these issues. thanks for reading....
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