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Pacifica National Board Censures KPFK Jan Goodman For Illegal Deal Making
KPFK LSB Board member Jan Goodman in cahoots with The KPFA management cabal and their supporters that want to corporatize Pacifica and shutdown WBAI went into private negotiations with the lender of Pacifica's loan to supposedly work out a special deal.
This effort to subvert the PNB officers and board is illegal under California Corporation laws. You cannot negotiate for a Foundation you do not represent. She was censured by the PNB
This effort to subvert the PNB officers and board is illegal under California Corporation laws. You cannot negotiate for a Foundation you do not represent. She was censured by the PNB
The Pacifica National Board has censured KPFK Jan Goodman who Is pushing corporatization of Pacifica bylaws and tried to privately negotiate with the holders of a loan to Pacifica. She did this as welll in collusion with KPFA supporters of the shutdown of WBAI & corporate bylaw proposals.
In a desperate move to get people to sign bylaws for a getting a corporate bylaw proposal on the Pacifica ballot KPFK LSB member Jan Goodman tried to privately negotiate with Pacifica's lender for a "special deal" and use that to get people to support the bylaw proposal.
She did this in cahoots with the KPFA manager Quincy McCoy who offered to hire the laid off KPFK programmers after a layoff because of lagging financial contributions. This is despite a freeze on new hiring at Pacifica.
At the same time the managers of KPFA and KPFK are actively pushing for the bylaw proposal which is improper and a violation of the role of managers for a foundation.
The flagrant violation of the bylaws of Pacifica and also California Corporation laws is another sign of desperation of these forces. They are unable to wait until next year when a new election will take place and want to subvert the normal election shouting that the end is coming. They used the same tactic when they pushed for "voluntary bankruptcy" arguing that the foundation would go into liquidation unless Pacifica went into bankruptcy with a judge taking over the running of Pacifica.
This shock treatment tactics are the same that the capitalists use to attack workers and communities in order to destroy democracy and institute their economic agenda.
Pacifica Nationa Board Censures KPFK Jan Goodman Who Is Pushing Corporatization of Pacifica Baylaws
https://pacifica.org/documents/pnb_exec_201022.pdf
October 23, 2020
Pacifica National Board Executive Session Report
Report Out from the PNB Closed Session of October 22, 2020
The Pacifica National Board adopted the following resolution on October 22, 2020. This resolution is to be reported out to the public.
Motion to Censure Director Jan Goodman
Whereas notice was filed on August 8 informing the PNB of a breach of confidentiality by Director Jan Goodman regarding confidential discussions on the KPFK LSB, and
Whereas since the notice that was filed on August 8 Director Goodman has engaged in other actions detrimental to the Pacifica Foundation, to wit:
Director Goodman initiated an unauthorized communication with the officers of the lenders to whom Pacifica is obligated on in October without the knowledge of any member of the Pacifica National Board or any of its Officers, including the interim Executive Director of Pacifica and the interim Chief Financial Officer of Pacifica,
And in the course of her unauthorized communication with the lenders Director Goodman made certain assurances to the lenders about the possibility of a restructuring of Pacifica and the direction Pacifica is moving toward which may have created unrealistic expectations on the part of the lender that make negotiations over the loan more difficult and therefore are harmful to the Pacifica Foundation,
And whereas Director Goodman has made public her unauthorized negotiations with the lender, thereby breaching the confidentiality of an ongoing contract negotiation,
And whereas Director Goodman has sought to benefit from this unauthorized negotiation with the lender by touting her role in this as a reason to support her attempt to rewrite the Pacifica bylaws,
Be it hereby resolved that for these actions Director Goodman is publicly censured for her unauthorized action and breach of confidentiality.
Director Goodman is directed to have no further contact with Pacifica’s lender and to refrain from any further breach of confidentiality. Violation of this directive will result in further disciplinary measures.
This motion shall be reported out to the public at the conclusion of the closed session of Oct 22, 2020.
Submitted by Ron Pinchback Lawrence Reyes Oct 22, 2020
In Peace,
Grace Aaron
Pacifica National Board Secretary
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article Six, Meetings of the Board of Directors, Section 7: Open Meetings
“In addition, within a reasonable period after the closed meeting, the Foundation's Secretary shall post on the Foundation's website a general statement of the basis on which all or part of said meeting was closed.”
This notice is pursuant to and satisfies the requirements of Section 396(k)(4) of the Communications Act.
"An amazing offer to extend their existing $3.2 million loan to Pacifica by FJC, a non-profit lender who supports public media who are struggling financially, proves our point.
Jan Goodman, NDP activist and current Pacifica National Board (PNB) member, recently contacted Pacifica’s lender, FJC, to discuss the possibility of Pacifica dealing directly with FJC, rather than going through an expensive loan broker (costing Pacifica $100,000 or more) as had previously been done. Jan called FJC after 2 1/2 years of the PNB creating three committees to deal with the loan, with no actual action taken. The $3.2 million balloon payment was due to FJC next April, and we had no reserves to pay it.
As a result of Jan's conversation with FJC, which included updates on Pacifica's making progress towards getting its audits more current (we just finished 2018) and that Pacifica membership is seriously considering bylaw reform, FJC was encouraged enough to offer to extend the entire loan to Pacifica for another year, without any additional costs to Pacifica."
The June 11, 2020 Minutes are attached.
The Main Motion as amended passes without objection. 11:38 pm
The final, approved wording of the Main Motion is as follows:
Whereas: Currently the National Office has over $500,000 in
outstanding payables. We owe NETA $206,000 currently as of June.
KPFK was unable to make its payroll in mid April. About $45,000 had to
be taken from an Affiliate Program bank account to make that payroll.
KPFK is at least 5 months in arrears on its Central Service payments. It
currently owes $184,000 in Central Service payments. The KPFK Business
Manager stated on May 14th that up to the end of April 2020, KPFK
listener support had declined by 11%, its total income had gone down by
22%, although its payroll had increased by 5%.
The KPFK Business Manager stated that this decline had very little to do
with the Coronavirus epidemic as these numbers are mostly from before
the lockdown.
In the last 2 months KPFK's income has declined precipitously. KPFK is
currently bringing in only half the income necessary to meet its
expenses. This means that KPFK is not able to make Central Service
payments currently, is backlogging bills and is having trouble meeting
its own payroll. KPFK's monthly expenses are about $300,000. KPFK's
income has only been $150,000 per month for the last 2 months.
It is unclear as to whether Pacifica will receive any emergency stimulus
loans or if there will be any other significant influx of revenue
sufficient to make up for the heavy loss of KPFK Central Service payments.
Compounding this is the fact that every station, with the exception of
KPFA, is seriously in arrears in its Central Service payments, with the
possible exception of KPFT.
We have no reserves. If our financial situation deteriorates any further
we may be forced to sell one of our buildings.
Therefore, be it resolved that significant expense cuts be made at KPFK
as soon as possible. These cuts should be at least 30%. Expenses must
be less than income as there are no resources to cover any shortfalls.
Further, all units (excluding the National Office) should provide a plan
within 1 week to the NFC, the PNB, the Management Team and the iED
that balances expenses and revenues if the units in the preceding six months
have had expenses that exceeded revenues. (ie, if a station's expenses are
exceeding its income by 10% the plan should show an expense decrease of 10%.)
As KPFK is currently running a $150,000 per month deficit, it is
absolutely urgent that expense cuts be made immediately at that station.
Other fundraising plans should be encouraged, but they would not be able
to cover shortfalls of that magnitude. Thus, substantial expense cuts are
unavoidable.
New Day Pacifica
New Day Pacifica
We're Making Progress
...but we still need your help!
SIGN THE PETITION
Disclaimer: “This communication has not been paid for by the KPFK, KPFA, KPFT, WBAI, WPFW LSB or the Pacifica Foundation. It is a campaign communication distributed by or on behalf of NEW DAY PACIFICA. Otherwise, it has no affiliation with or endorsement by any LSB or the Pacifica Foundation. Please note that you are receiving this email because you are on the membership list of KPFK, KPFA, KPFT, WBAI, or WPFW.”
New Day Makes Progress on the $3.2 Million Dollar Loan
New Day Pacifica (NDP) is in the beginning stages of bringing big changes to Pacifica, so Pacifica can survive for future generations. Our rough estimate is that voting on the NDP bylaws referendum will happen next March, with the Transition Board of Directors taking office in April.
Many listeners have legitimately asked "How would the NDP Bylaw Reforms help Pacifica financially?" We have answered "Listeners, donors and philanthropists want to donate to help stable, viable organizations grow. Pacifica's Boards have a well-known history of being chaotic and unstable, so efforts to make Pacifica more stable will encourage donors to step up to the plate."
An amazing offer to extend their existing $3.2 million loan to Pacifica by FJC, a non-profit lender who supports public media who are struggling financially, proves our point.
Jan Goodman, NDP activist and current Pacifica National Board (PNB) member, recently contacted Pacifica’s lender, FJC, to discuss the possibility of Pacifica dealing directly with FJC, rather than going through an expensive loan broker (costing Pacifica $100,000 or more) as had previously been done. Jan called FJC after 2 1/2 years of the PNB creating three committees to deal with the loan, with no actual action taken. The $3.2 million balloon payment was due to FJC next April, and we had no reserves to pay it.
As a result of Jan's conversation with FJC, which included updates on Pacifica's making progress towards getting its audits more current (we just finished 2018) and that Pacifica membership is seriously considering bylaw reform, FJC was encouraged enough to offer to extend the entire loan to Pacifica for another year, without any additional costs to Pacifica.
In its letter to Pacifica, FJC explained their motivation: "We hope this potential one year extension will allow Pacifica to financially stabilize, reorganize its structure, as well as hire professional, experienced management, so that it can grow its listenership and thus its donor base... we look forward to working with your team, including Ms. Goodman, to facilitate this."
Were you worried about losing KPFA, KPFK and KPFT’s buildings next April? Well, Pacifica now has at least a 12 month reprieve, giving us much needed time to return Pacifica to financial and organizational stability (the Pacifica Board still needs to sign an agreement with FJC about the no-cost loan extension).
Over 3,000 Listeners and Staff Support the NDP Efforts: Please join us and sign the petition!
We filed the NDP bylaws petition on October 19 with the Foundation Secretary to trigger the bylaws referendum calendar being set. The petition was signed by over 3,000 listeners and staff. Thanks to all of you who have endorsed our efforts so far! As expected, the Board majority said that NDP was 'too late for 2020'—even though the Board majority had deliberately delayed giving NDP the mailing list for four months so that we’d be "too late for 2020!" Stay tuned. We are committed to making big changes at Pacifica.
Please join Pacifica staff and listeners and sign the New Day Pacifica petitionif you haven’t already. Our goal is to organize 7,000 supporters before the referendum ballots go out next March. You only need to sign it once, but if you’re not sure, it’s fine to sign again (we’ll take out any repeats).
Over 3,000 Pacifica Staff and Listeners Support New Day Pacifica... How About You?
SIGN THE PETITION
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ENDORSED BY THE FOLLOWING STAFF AND LISTENERS:
Carol Spooner, KPFA listener and co-author of the present bylaws: “The Pacifica bylaws are flawed and need to be re-written to give Pacifica a chance to flourish. The New Day Pacifica Bylaws will help correct many of the excesses of the present bylaws by reducing the size of the board, getting the Local Station Boards out of station management and having direct elections of national board members.”
Roy Tuckman (Roy of Hollywood), KPFK host, Something’s Happening: “We have a chance of getting a democratic structure which will allow us to get something done, not just argue. This gives me hope that Pacifica won’t disappear next April when the big loan is due.”
Aileen Alfandary, KPFA News Director (also heard on KPFK): “The current bylaws structure has encouraged dismal mismanagement which threatens the continued existence of the nation’s only progressive radio network.”
Alan Minsky, KPFK Senior Producer, Executive Director, Progressive Democrats of America*: “These proposed Bylaw changes are essential for the survival of the Pacifica network. These new Bylaws are the remedy. As we need Pacifica now more than ever, please support The New Day Pacifica Bylaws Petition.”
Sonali Kolhatkar, Host of Rising Up with Sonali, heard on KPFK, KPFT, and KPFA: “I've been at Pacifica for nearly two decades as a paid programmer and have been shocked year after year watching the local and national boards hamper the workings of stations, undermine worker rights, and generally stand in the way of the Pacifica network thriving.”
Teresa Allen, KPFT listener and former member of the Pacifica National Board: “I urge members to sign the petition calling for a member vote on the New Day Bylaws.”
Ian Masters, KPFK Host of Background Briefing: “The Pacifica Foundation is run by a dysfunctional Board incapable of raising funds and in denial of its looming debt. Please do your part and sign the New Day Pacifica bylaws petition.”
Sharon Kyle, Publisher and Co-founder of the LA Progressive: “I support Pacifica and am honored to be part of the effort to bring Pacifica back to financial and organizational health.”
Wally James, Host, Progressive Forum, KPFT, also member of the Pacifica National Board: “Pacifica is at a very critical time, and the current bylaws are not working as intended. We need a change, and I support the new bylaws.”
Jonathan Alexander, KPFK Network Administrator, former Chair of the Pacifica National Board: “Current Pacifica Governance does not represent the listeners; it does not represent the staff. We need change.”
Larry Winters, KPFT Host of Spare Change: “Our governance needs major reform if our stations and Pacifica are to survive. Please support the New Day Pacifica Bylaws.”
Jackie Goldberg, LA Board of Education*, California State Assembly & LA City Council, Retired
Jodie Evans, Co-founder of Code Pink*, Board of Rainforest Action Network*
Roark Smith, KPFT Host of Wide Open Spaces
Eric Mann, KPFK Host of Voices from the Front Lines, Executive Director Bus Riders’ Union*
Cat Brooks, KPFA Co-host of Upfront
Brian Edwards-Tiekert, KPFA Co-host of Upfront
Mitch Jesserich, Host, Letters and Politics, heard on KPFA and KPFK
Larry Bensky, Pacifica National Affairs Correspondent, Retired
Ismael Parra, Southern California Chair of Writers' Union*
Dr. September Williams, Bioethicist, Author, Filmmaker
Robert Farrell, LA City Councilmember, Retired, former chair Pacifica National Board
Mimi Kennedy, Co-founder, Progressive Democrats of America*, TV Co-star of Mom, and frequent KPFK guest
Philip Maldari, KPFA Host of Sunday Show
Sheela Gunn-Cushman, KPFA Co-host, Pushing Limits
Barry Smolin, KPFK Host of Head Room
Kris Welch, KPFA Host of Talkies
Bill Galbraith, KPFT Host of Irish Aires
Steve Clare, affordable housing champion (LA)
Bob Baldock, KPFA Events Producer
Bonnie Simmons, KPFA Host of The Bonnie Simmons Show
Carlos Marroquin, Bernie Organizer, Public Banking & Occupy Organizer
Will Lewis, General Manager of KPFK and KPFA during the 70s golden years
David Baker, KPFT Host of Maverick’s Corner
Miguel Paredes, Creator of KPFK’s Soul Rebel Radio
Cynthia Anderson-Barker & Tim Barker, National Lawyers' Guild*
Bill Gardner, KPFK Host of Rhapsody in Black
Cary Harrison, Former / Periodic Host on KPFK, Air America, and CBS
Charles Fredericks, former KPFK Local Station Board, Independent Filmmaker
Adrienne Lauby, KPFA Co-host of Pushing Limits
Dalton Harris and Joanna Jetton, KPFT Co-hosts of Bluegrass Depot
Darlene Pagano, KPFA Graduate Apprentice
David Collingsworth and Elizabeth Stein, KPFT Co-hosts of The Prison Show
Teddy Robinson, Host of KPFK's Stairway of Heaven
Dorothy Reik, Bernie activist, President, Progressive Democrats of Santa Monica Mountains*
Duane Bradley, KPFT Host of Open Journal, Former General Manager KPFT
Evelia Jones, KPFK Local Station Board
Steve Pride, KPFK Host of IMRU
Frances Yasmeen Motiwalla, Bernie organizer & Public Banking organizer
Freddie Rothstein, Rick Norris and Laryssa Lee, KPFT Co-hosts of All Day Music
Genie Mims, KPFT Host of Down Home Blues
Joel Sachs, KPFA Host of Non-Fiction Music
David Britton, KPFT Volunteer
Goetz Wolff, UCLA Professor of Urban Planning
David Emory, KPFK Co-producer of Something’s Happening
Hank Lamb, KPFT Host of The Prison Show and Electro Luv Radio
Jon Wiener, KPFK Host of Trump Watch
Harvey Wasserman, KPFK Host of California Solartopia
Jolie Mason, KPFK Co-host of Access Unlimited, Retired
Hector Resendez, KPFK Co-host of Canto Tropical
Nancy McAfee, KPFT Co-host of Blues on the Move
Henry Slucki, 35-Year Co-host of Access Unlimited on KPFK
Mark Humphrey, KPFK Host of Roots Music and Beyond
Howie Klein, political commentator, Down with Tyranny
Ilene Proctor, Publicity maven
James and Colleen Nagel, KPFT Co-hosts of Howlin' the Blues
Joan Sekler, Film Producer Unprecedented
Judy Alter, Election integrity expert
Nuri Nuri, KPFT Host of Blues Branch
Kay Edwards, KPFT music librarian
Kiyana Williams, KPFK Audio Engineer / Editor / Producer
Timothy Lynch, KPFA Host of Dead to the World
Terry Guy, KPFK Membership Director
Tom Lutz, KPFK Host of LA Review of Books
Madelyn Schwab, retired educator, long-time KPFK staff
David Impastato, KPFT Host of Roots Radio
Mansoor Sabbagh, KPFK Co-producer of Something's Happening
Marcia Zimmer and Michael Tarbet, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights*
Mark Maxwell, Host of Rise, former producer Lila Garrett's Connect the Dots
Michael Honig, KPFT Host of Thinkwing Radio
Mr. and Mrs. V, KPFT Co-hosts of Blues on the Move
Pamela Elmore, KPFA Receptionist
Paul Newman, Musician
Reyna Cowan, KPFA Host of Cover to Cover
Sandra Cox, Chair, Coalition of Mental Health Professionals (LA)
Steve Weatherwax, KPFK Front Office Manager
Suzi Weissman, Host of KPFK's Beneath the Surface
Jeff Lebow, KPFA Programmer Change Makers
Terry Paris, KPFA Receptionist
Tom Tranchilla, KPFT Host of Songwriters Studio
George Shea, KPFT producer of The Brainstorm
Thomas Harper, KPFT producer of The Veterans of War
David Emory, KPFK co-producer of Something's Happening
*Organizations for identification purposes only.
Join Over 3,000 Pacifica Staff and Listeners in Support of New Day Pacifica
SIGN THE PETITION
Get answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at NewDayPacifica.org/faq. Visit NewDayPacifica.org or email us at info [at] NewDayPacifica.org with any questions.
KPFK Manager Pushing Change In Bylaws Using His Position As Manager
From: Anyel Z. Fields
To: Anthony
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 12:00:53 PM PDT
Subject: KPFK FACING EXTINCTION
Dear Anthony,
KPFK was born of a very simple idea -- why should our airwaves be dominated by status quo news organizations when we can promote peace, aid in building citizenship, raising social awareness, and strengthening communities. KPFK has a significant role in being a venue where community organizations, community leaders, and the underserved can discuss the issues and find solutions.
KPFK 90.7FM in Los Angeles, like many nonprofits, faces a bleak future as revenue dries up amid coronavirus and an economy in ruin. After 61 years of independent and community-based media, if our support continues to fall beyond 30%, we may have to think of the unthinkable; we might be forced to shut down.
Individual supporters provide nearly 90% of KPFK's budget, but they also provide 100% of our editorial independence. That independence is in jeopardy as we operate on razor-thin margins even in good times, AND these are not good times.
KPFK operates on 3.6 million dollars annually compared to KCRW and KPCC that operate on funding that exceeds 20 million dollars a year. Like many other public media organizations, we have reduced our workforce, scaled back on operational services, including our local news department, and executive managers have taken a pay cut, but that may not be enough to ensure we have a future.
WE ARE EITHER AT THE BRINK of OUR EXISTENCE OR THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS A REBIRTH OF OUR MISSION -- AND NEW HOPE GET A SHOT AT BRINGING PACIFICA BACK to its rightful place as the original home to free AND independent non-mainstream voices. Voices to advocate for the change our world needs -- before Marijuana was legalized, before insurance companies were forced to allow those with pre-existing health issues to keep their insurance before climate change was a popular political issue before all the race riots became a unifying issue -- there was KPFK -- speaking up for each one of these topics, BRINGING INTELLIGENT AND SOLUTION BASED ideas to the public long before they became part of the national discourse.
That is the KPFK we need now -- one that can become a magnet for talented progressive journalists and one that can unite communities across a significant spectrum of our society.
This manager has been under orders to cut his budget for some time because of declining income. Now he and the KPFA blame the financial crisis at KPFK for the governance of Pacifica. This is the same cabal at KPFA that the failure to pay property taxes for many years was the fault of the Pacifica National Board despite the fact that the taxes were being paid in Los Angeles by KPFK. The planning malfeasance, incompetence and decline of listeners is a result of the NPR type strip programming pushed by the managers and their supporters.
Pacifica should be growing in listeners and supporters and instead young people and the many activists throughout the country no longer listen to the same old programmers who have had their slots for many decades. They believe they are entitled to permanent jobs at they want the corporatization to keep their positions permanently. In order to do this they need to illegally take over the foundation with scare tactics like the shock doctrine.
In a desperate move to get people to sign bylaws for a getting a corporate bylaw proposal on the Pacifica ballot KPFK LSB member Jan Goodman tried to privately negotiate with Pacifica's lender for a "special deal" and use that to get people to support the bylaw proposal.
She did this in cahoots with the KPFA manager Quincy McCoy who offered to hire the laid off KPFK programmers after a layoff because of lagging financial contributions. This is despite a freeze on new hiring at Pacifica.
At the same time the managers of KPFA and KPFK are actively pushing for the bylaw proposal which is improper and a violation of the role of managers for a foundation.
The flagrant violation of the bylaws of Pacifica and also California Corporation laws is another sign of desperation of these forces. They are unable to wait until next year when a new election will take place and want to subvert the normal election shouting that the end is coming. They used the same tactic when they pushed for "voluntary bankruptcy" arguing that the foundation would go into liquidation unless Pacifica went into bankruptcy with a judge taking over the running of Pacifica.
This shock treatment tactics are the same that the capitalists use to attack workers and communities in order to destroy democracy and institute their economic agenda.
Pacifica Nationa Board Censures KPFK Jan Goodman Who Is Pushing Corporatization of Pacifica Baylaws
https://pacifica.org/documents/pnb_exec_201022.pdf
October 23, 2020
Pacifica National Board Executive Session Report
Report Out from the PNB Closed Session of October 22, 2020
The Pacifica National Board adopted the following resolution on October 22, 2020. This resolution is to be reported out to the public.
Motion to Censure Director Jan Goodman
Whereas notice was filed on August 8 informing the PNB of a breach of confidentiality by Director Jan Goodman regarding confidential discussions on the KPFK LSB, and
Whereas since the notice that was filed on August 8 Director Goodman has engaged in other actions detrimental to the Pacifica Foundation, to wit:
Director Goodman initiated an unauthorized communication with the officers of the lenders to whom Pacifica is obligated on in October without the knowledge of any member of the Pacifica National Board or any of its Officers, including the interim Executive Director of Pacifica and the interim Chief Financial Officer of Pacifica,
And in the course of her unauthorized communication with the lenders Director Goodman made certain assurances to the lenders about the possibility of a restructuring of Pacifica and the direction Pacifica is moving toward which may have created unrealistic expectations on the part of the lender that make negotiations over the loan more difficult and therefore are harmful to the Pacifica Foundation,
And whereas Director Goodman has made public her unauthorized negotiations with the lender, thereby breaching the confidentiality of an ongoing contract negotiation,
And whereas Director Goodman has sought to benefit from this unauthorized negotiation with the lender by touting her role in this as a reason to support her attempt to rewrite the Pacifica bylaws,
Be it hereby resolved that for these actions Director Goodman is publicly censured for her unauthorized action and breach of confidentiality.
Director Goodman is directed to have no further contact with Pacifica’s lender and to refrain from any further breach of confidentiality. Violation of this directive will result in further disciplinary measures.
This motion shall be reported out to the public at the conclusion of the closed session of Oct 22, 2020.
Submitted by Ron Pinchback Lawrence Reyes Oct 22, 2020
In Peace,
Grace Aaron
Pacifica National Board Secretary
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article Six, Meetings of the Board of Directors, Section 7: Open Meetings
“In addition, within a reasonable period after the closed meeting, the Foundation's Secretary shall post on the Foundation's website a general statement of the basis on which all or part of said meeting was closed.”
This notice is pursuant to and satisfies the requirements of Section 396(k)(4) of the Communications Act.
"An amazing offer to extend their existing $3.2 million loan to Pacifica by FJC, a non-profit lender who supports public media who are struggling financially, proves our point.
Jan Goodman, NDP activist and current Pacifica National Board (PNB) member, recently contacted Pacifica’s lender, FJC, to discuss the possibility of Pacifica dealing directly with FJC, rather than going through an expensive loan broker (costing Pacifica $100,000 or more) as had previously been done. Jan called FJC after 2 1/2 years of the PNB creating three committees to deal with the loan, with no actual action taken. The $3.2 million balloon payment was due to FJC next April, and we had no reserves to pay it.
As a result of Jan's conversation with FJC, which included updates on Pacifica's making progress towards getting its audits more current (we just finished 2018) and that Pacifica membership is seriously considering bylaw reform, FJC was encouraged enough to offer to extend the entire loan to Pacifica for another year, without any additional costs to Pacifica."
The June 11, 2020 Minutes are attached.
The Main Motion as amended passes without objection. 11:38 pm
The final, approved wording of the Main Motion is as follows:
Whereas: Currently the National Office has over $500,000 in
outstanding payables. We owe NETA $206,000 currently as of June.
KPFK was unable to make its payroll in mid April. About $45,000 had to
be taken from an Affiliate Program bank account to make that payroll.
KPFK is at least 5 months in arrears on its Central Service payments. It
currently owes $184,000 in Central Service payments. The KPFK Business
Manager stated on May 14th that up to the end of April 2020, KPFK
listener support had declined by 11%, its total income had gone down by
22%, although its payroll had increased by 5%.
The KPFK Business Manager stated that this decline had very little to do
with the Coronavirus epidemic as these numbers are mostly from before
the lockdown.
In the last 2 months KPFK's income has declined precipitously. KPFK is
currently bringing in only half the income necessary to meet its
expenses. This means that KPFK is not able to make Central Service
payments currently, is backlogging bills and is having trouble meeting
its own payroll. KPFK's monthly expenses are about $300,000. KPFK's
income has only been $150,000 per month for the last 2 months.
It is unclear as to whether Pacifica will receive any emergency stimulus
loans or if there will be any other significant influx of revenue
sufficient to make up for the heavy loss of KPFK Central Service payments.
Compounding this is the fact that every station, with the exception of
KPFA, is seriously in arrears in its Central Service payments, with the
possible exception of KPFT.
We have no reserves. If our financial situation deteriorates any further
we may be forced to sell one of our buildings.
Therefore, be it resolved that significant expense cuts be made at KPFK
as soon as possible. These cuts should be at least 30%. Expenses must
be less than income as there are no resources to cover any shortfalls.
Further, all units (excluding the National Office) should provide a plan
within 1 week to the NFC, the PNB, the Management Team and the iED
that balances expenses and revenues if the units in the preceding six months
have had expenses that exceeded revenues. (ie, if a station's expenses are
exceeding its income by 10% the plan should show an expense decrease of 10%.)
As KPFK is currently running a $150,000 per month deficit, it is
absolutely urgent that expense cuts be made immediately at that station.
Other fundraising plans should be encouraged, but they would not be able
to cover shortfalls of that magnitude. Thus, substantial expense cuts are
unavoidable.
New Day Pacifica
New Day Pacifica
We're Making Progress
...but we still need your help!
SIGN THE PETITION
Disclaimer: “This communication has not been paid for by the KPFK, KPFA, KPFT, WBAI, WPFW LSB or the Pacifica Foundation. It is a campaign communication distributed by or on behalf of NEW DAY PACIFICA. Otherwise, it has no affiliation with or endorsement by any LSB or the Pacifica Foundation. Please note that you are receiving this email because you are on the membership list of KPFK, KPFA, KPFT, WBAI, or WPFW.”
New Day Makes Progress on the $3.2 Million Dollar Loan
New Day Pacifica (NDP) is in the beginning stages of bringing big changes to Pacifica, so Pacifica can survive for future generations. Our rough estimate is that voting on the NDP bylaws referendum will happen next March, with the Transition Board of Directors taking office in April.
Many listeners have legitimately asked "How would the NDP Bylaw Reforms help Pacifica financially?" We have answered "Listeners, donors and philanthropists want to donate to help stable, viable organizations grow. Pacifica's Boards have a well-known history of being chaotic and unstable, so efforts to make Pacifica more stable will encourage donors to step up to the plate."
An amazing offer to extend their existing $3.2 million loan to Pacifica by FJC, a non-profit lender who supports public media who are struggling financially, proves our point.
Jan Goodman, NDP activist and current Pacifica National Board (PNB) member, recently contacted Pacifica’s lender, FJC, to discuss the possibility of Pacifica dealing directly with FJC, rather than going through an expensive loan broker (costing Pacifica $100,000 or more) as had previously been done. Jan called FJC after 2 1/2 years of the PNB creating three committees to deal with the loan, with no actual action taken. The $3.2 million balloon payment was due to FJC next April, and we had no reserves to pay it.
As a result of Jan's conversation with FJC, which included updates on Pacifica's making progress towards getting its audits more current (we just finished 2018) and that Pacifica membership is seriously considering bylaw reform, FJC was encouraged enough to offer to extend the entire loan to Pacifica for another year, without any additional costs to Pacifica.
In its letter to Pacifica, FJC explained their motivation: "We hope this potential one year extension will allow Pacifica to financially stabilize, reorganize its structure, as well as hire professional, experienced management, so that it can grow its listenership and thus its donor base... we look forward to working with your team, including Ms. Goodman, to facilitate this."
Were you worried about losing KPFA, KPFK and KPFT’s buildings next April? Well, Pacifica now has at least a 12 month reprieve, giving us much needed time to return Pacifica to financial and organizational stability (the Pacifica Board still needs to sign an agreement with FJC about the no-cost loan extension).
Over 3,000 Listeners and Staff Support the NDP Efforts: Please join us and sign the petition!
We filed the NDP bylaws petition on October 19 with the Foundation Secretary to trigger the bylaws referendum calendar being set. The petition was signed by over 3,000 listeners and staff. Thanks to all of you who have endorsed our efforts so far! As expected, the Board majority said that NDP was 'too late for 2020'—even though the Board majority had deliberately delayed giving NDP the mailing list for four months so that we’d be "too late for 2020!" Stay tuned. We are committed to making big changes at Pacifica.
Please join Pacifica staff and listeners and sign the New Day Pacifica petitionif you haven’t already. Our goal is to organize 7,000 supporters before the referendum ballots go out next March. You only need to sign it once, but if you’re not sure, it’s fine to sign again (we’ll take out any repeats).
Over 3,000 Pacifica Staff and Listeners Support New Day Pacifica... How About You?
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ENDORSED BY THE FOLLOWING STAFF AND LISTENERS:
Carol Spooner, KPFA listener and co-author of the present bylaws: “The Pacifica bylaws are flawed and need to be re-written to give Pacifica a chance to flourish. The New Day Pacifica Bylaws will help correct many of the excesses of the present bylaws by reducing the size of the board, getting the Local Station Boards out of station management and having direct elections of national board members.”
Roy Tuckman (Roy of Hollywood), KPFK host, Something’s Happening: “We have a chance of getting a democratic structure which will allow us to get something done, not just argue. This gives me hope that Pacifica won’t disappear next April when the big loan is due.”
Aileen Alfandary, KPFA News Director (also heard on KPFK): “The current bylaws structure has encouraged dismal mismanagement which threatens the continued existence of the nation’s only progressive radio network.”
Alan Minsky, KPFK Senior Producer, Executive Director, Progressive Democrats of America*: “These proposed Bylaw changes are essential for the survival of the Pacifica network. These new Bylaws are the remedy. As we need Pacifica now more than ever, please support The New Day Pacifica Bylaws Petition.”
Sonali Kolhatkar, Host of Rising Up with Sonali, heard on KPFK, KPFT, and KPFA: “I've been at Pacifica for nearly two decades as a paid programmer and have been shocked year after year watching the local and national boards hamper the workings of stations, undermine worker rights, and generally stand in the way of the Pacifica network thriving.”
Teresa Allen, KPFT listener and former member of the Pacifica National Board: “I urge members to sign the petition calling for a member vote on the New Day Bylaws.”
Ian Masters, KPFK Host of Background Briefing: “The Pacifica Foundation is run by a dysfunctional Board incapable of raising funds and in denial of its looming debt. Please do your part and sign the New Day Pacifica bylaws petition.”
Sharon Kyle, Publisher and Co-founder of the LA Progressive: “I support Pacifica and am honored to be part of the effort to bring Pacifica back to financial and organizational health.”
Wally James, Host, Progressive Forum, KPFT, also member of the Pacifica National Board: “Pacifica is at a very critical time, and the current bylaws are not working as intended. We need a change, and I support the new bylaws.”
Jonathan Alexander, KPFK Network Administrator, former Chair of the Pacifica National Board: “Current Pacifica Governance does not represent the listeners; it does not represent the staff. We need change.”
Larry Winters, KPFT Host of Spare Change: “Our governance needs major reform if our stations and Pacifica are to survive. Please support the New Day Pacifica Bylaws.”
Jackie Goldberg, LA Board of Education*, California State Assembly & LA City Council, Retired
Jodie Evans, Co-founder of Code Pink*, Board of Rainforest Action Network*
Roark Smith, KPFT Host of Wide Open Spaces
Eric Mann, KPFK Host of Voices from the Front Lines, Executive Director Bus Riders’ Union*
Cat Brooks, KPFA Co-host of Upfront
Brian Edwards-Tiekert, KPFA Co-host of Upfront
Mitch Jesserich, Host, Letters and Politics, heard on KPFA and KPFK
Larry Bensky, Pacifica National Affairs Correspondent, Retired
Ismael Parra, Southern California Chair of Writers' Union*
Dr. September Williams, Bioethicist, Author, Filmmaker
Robert Farrell, LA City Councilmember, Retired, former chair Pacifica National Board
Mimi Kennedy, Co-founder, Progressive Democrats of America*, TV Co-star of Mom, and frequent KPFK guest
Philip Maldari, KPFA Host of Sunday Show
Sheela Gunn-Cushman, KPFA Co-host, Pushing Limits
Barry Smolin, KPFK Host of Head Room
Kris Welch, KPFA Host of Talkies
Bill Galbraith, KPFT Host of Irish Aires
Steve Clare, affordable housing champion (LA)
Bob Baldock, KPFA Events Producer
Bonnie Simmons, KPFA Host of The Bonnie Simmons Show
Carlos Marroquin, Bernie Organizer, Public Banking & Occupy Organizer
Will Lewis, General Manager of KPFK and KPFA during the 70s golden years
David Baker, KPFT Host of Maverick’s Corner
Miguel Paredes, Creator of KPFK’s Soul Rebel Radio
Cynthia Anderson-Barker & Tim Barker, National Lawyers' Guild*
Bill Gardner, KPFK Host of Rhapsody in Black
Cary Harrison, Former / Periodic Host on KPFK, Air America, and CBS
Charles Fredericks, former KPFK Local Station Board, Independent Filmmaker
Adrienne Lauby, KPFA Co-host of Pushing Limits
Dalton Harris and Joanna Jetton, KPFT Co-hosts of Bluegrass Depot
Darlene Pagano, KPFA Graduate Apprentice
David Collingsworth and Elizabeth Stein, KPFT Co-hosts of The Prison Show
Teddy Robinson, Host of KPFK's Stairway of Heaven
Dorothy Reik, Bernie activist, President, Progressive Democrats of Santa Monica Mountains*
Duane Bradley, KPFT Host of Open Journal, Former General Manager KPFT
Evelia Jones, KPFK Local Station Board
Steve Pride, KPFK Host of IMRU
Frances Yasmeen Motiwalla, Bernie organizer & Public Banking organizer
Freddie Rothstein, Rick Norris and Laryssa Lee, KPFT Co-hosts of All Day Music
Genie Mims, KPFT Host of Down Home Blues
Joel Sachs, KPFA Host of Non-Fiction Music
David Britton, KPFT Volunteer
Goetz Wolff, UCLA Professor of Urban Planning
David Emory, KPFK Co-producer of Something’s Happening
Hank Lamb, KPFT Host of The Prison Show and Electro Luv Radio
Jon Wiener, KPFK Host of Trump Watch
Harvey Wasserman, KPFK Host of California Solartopia
Jolie Mason, KPFK Co-host of Access Unlimited, Retired
Hector Resendez, KPFK Co-host of Canto Tropical
Nancy McAfee, KPFT Co-host of Blues on the Move
Henry Slucki, 35-Year Co-host of Access Unlimited on KPFK
Mark Humphrey, KPFK Host of Roots Music and Beyond
Howie Klein, political commentator, Down with Tyranny
Ilene Proctor, Publicity maven
James and Colleen Nagel, KPFT Co-hosts of Howlin' the Blues
Joan Sekler, Film Producer Unprecedented
Judy Alter, Election integrity expert
Nuri Nuri, KPFT Host of Blues Branch
Kay Edwards, KPFT music librarian
Kiyana Williams, KPFK Audio Engineer / Editor / Producer
Timothy Lynch, KPFA Host of Dead to the World
Terry Guy, KPFK Membership Director
Tom Lutz, KPFK Host of LA Review of Books
Madelyn Schwab, retired educator, long-time KPFK staff
David Impastato, KPFT Host of Roots Radio
Mansoor Sabbagh, KPFK Co-producer of Something's Happening
Marcia Zimmer and Michael Tarbet, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights*
Mark Maxwell, Host of Rise, former producer Lila Garrett's Connect the Dots
Michael Honig, KPFT Host of Thinkwing Radio
Mr. and Mrs. V, KPFT Co-hosts of Blues on the Move
Pamela Elmore, KPFA Receptionist
Paul Newman, Musician
Reyna Cowan, KPFA Host of Cover to Cover
Sandra Cox, Chair, Coalition of Mental Health Professionals (LA)
Steve Weatherwax, KPFK Front Office Manager
Suzi Weissman, Host of KPFK's Beneath the Surface
Jeff Lebow, KPFA Programmer Change Makers
Terry Paris, KPFA Receptionist
Tom Tranchilla, KPFT Host of Songwriters Studio
George Shea, KPFT producer of The Brainstorm
Thomas Harper, KPFT producer of The Veterans of War
David Emory, KPFK co-producer of Something's Happening
*Organizations for identification purposes only.
Join Over 3,000 Pacifica Staff and Listeners in Support of New Day Pacifica
SIGN THE PETITION
Get answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at NewDayPacifica.org/faq. Visit NewDayPacifica.org or email us at info [at] NewDayPacifica.org with any questions.
KPFK Manager Pushing Change In Bylaws Using His Position As Manager
From: Anyel Z. Fields
To: Anthony
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 12:00:53 PM PDT
Subject: KPFK FACING EXTINCTION
Dear Anthony,
KPFK was born of a very simple idea -- why should our airwaves be dominated by status quo news organizations when we can promote peace, aid in building citizenship, raising social awareness, and strengthening communities. KPFK has a significant role in being a venue where community organizations, community leaders, and the underserved can discuss the issues and find solutions.
KPFK 90.7FM in Los Angeles, like many nonprofits, faces a bleak future as revenue dries up amid coronavirus and an economy in ruin. After 61 years of independent and community-based media, if our support continues to fall beyond 30%, we may have to think of the unthinkable; we might be forced to shut down.
Individual supporters provide nearly 90% of KPFK's budget, but they also provide 100% of our editorial independence. That independence is in jeopardy as we operate on razor-thin margins even in good times, AND these are not good times.
KPFK operates on 3.6 million dollars annually compared to KCRW and KPCC that operate on funding that exceeds 20 million dollars a year. Like many other public media organizations, we have reduced our workforce, scaled back on operational services, including our local news department, and executive managers have taken a pay cut, but that may not be enough to ensure we have a future.
WE ARE EITHER AT THE BRINK of OUR EXISTENCE OR THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS A REBIRTH OF OUR MISSION -- AND NEW HOPE GET A SHOT AT BRINGING PACIFICA BACK to its rightful place as the original home to free AND independent non-mainstream voices. Voices to advocate for the change our world needs -- before Marijuana was legalized, before insurance companies were forced to allow those with pre-existing health issues to keep their insurance before climate change was a popular political issue before all the race riots became a unifying issue -- there was KPFK -- speaking up for each one of these topics, BRINGING INTELLIGENT AND SOLUTION BASED ideas to the public long before they became part of the national discourse.
That is the KPFK we need now -- one that can become a magnet for talented progressive journalists and one that can unite communities across a significant spectrum of our society.
This manager has been under orders to cut his budget for some time because of declining income. Now he and the KPFA blame the financial crisis at KPFK for the governance of Pacifica. This is the same cabal at KPFA that the failure to pay property taxes for many years was the fault of the Pacifica National Board despite the fact that the taxes were being paid in Los Angeles by KPFK. The planning malfeasance, incompetence and decline of listeners is a result of the NPR type strip programming pushed by the managers and their supporters.
Pacifica should be growing in listeners and supporters and instead young people and the many activists throughout the country no longer listen to the same old programmers who have had their slots for many decades. They believe they are entitled to permanent jobs at they want the corporatization to keep their positions permanently. In order to do this they need to illegally take over the foundation with scare tactics like the shock doctrine.
For more information:
https://pacifica.org/documents/pnb_exec_20...
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Thanks to Jan Goodman we have one extra year to get our act together.
It is understandable that as factionalized as Pacifica is there will be opposition to the new Bylaws.
When I first came to Pacifica I noticed that the Board was divided into factions. I accepted that that was the natural order of things, so I aligned with one of the factions. But I began to see things differently after I did a stint as the Secretary of the Pacifica National Board in 2017. Pacifica is not in danger of being hijacked by one faction or another. Pacifica has been hijacked by factionalism, and all sides are at fault. The dazzling lack of cooperation is crippling.
Each side thinks that everything will be fine once their side prevails. Each side is caught in an endless cycle of demonizing and distrusting the other. But the main problem is the current governance structure which creates and perpetuates factionalism.
However, many people are against changing the Bylaws. They warn of: corporate coup/takeover, turning Pacifica into NPR, etc.
Disinterested and knowledgeable third parties have been saying for years that Pacifica needs to change its governance and have made many constructive suggestions. New Day Pacifica Bylaws incorporates many of these suggestions.
Carol Spooner, who was the co-author of the current Bylaws said, “The New Day Pacifica Bylaws will correct excesses of the present bylaws by reducing the size of the board, getting the Local Station Boards out of station management, and having direct elections of National Board Members, rather than our present, baroque two stage voting process.”
Many listeners also have asked "How would the NDP Bylaw Reforms help Pacifica financially?" Listeners, donors and philanthropists want to donate to help stable, viable organizations grow. Pacifica's Boards have a well-known history of being chaotic and unstable, so efforts to make Pacifica more stable will encourage donors to step up to the plate, as a recent development shows.
As you may know, Pacifica was facing a $3.2 Million payment in April, where KPFA, KPFK and KPFT’s buildings were on the line. Jan Goodman of KPFT talked to the lender, FJC, giving them updates on Pacifica's progress towards getting its audits more current and explained how Pacifica membership is seriously considering bylaw reform. FJC was encouraged enough to offer to extend the entire loan to Pacifica for another year, without any additional costs to Pacifica.
In its letter to Pacifica, FJC explained their motivation: "We hope this potential one year extension will allow Pacifica to financially stabilize, reorganize its structure, as well as hire professional, experienced management, so that it can grow its listenership and thus its donor base... we look forward to working with your team, including Ms. Goodman, to facilitate this."
We have a window of opportunity. Our historical enmity might prevent us from seizing it, or we can come together to fix our governance.
Over 3,000 Listeners and Staff have endorsed the New Day Pacifica Bylaws. Join them by signing the petition at http://www.newdaypacifica.org