WBAI and Pacifica face two existential crises: financial survival and preserving democratic governance. It is important to elect a WBAI PNB Station Listener Representative with deep operational experience and appreciation of Pacifica’s principles, as established by a conscientious objector to WWII and expressed through our programming and democratic governance.
My close association with WBAI and Pacifica has given me that experience and appreciation needed now. A 55+ years Listener, I joined governance 12 years ago. I have served on most Committees but focus on Finance, including many continuing years on the National Finance Committee (several as Chair/Board Treasurer).
Also, for about a decade, I was an assistant to the immediate past WBAI General Manager.
Declines in audience across the radio industry have affected all Pacifica stations. Membership and fundraising are way down, largely due to the internet, to which Pacifica has not sufficiently adapted.
When Pacifica was created 77 years ago, it invented listener-sponsored, noncommercial broadcasting. To remain a beacon of diverse free speech, we need to reinvent our use of radio broadcasting while adapting to the way people use media today: Improve ‘on demand’ options, increase use of Podcasts, use YouTube and Patreon, provide downloadable thank-you gifts for donors, etc.
Today’s audiences are in the digital world; we must be there, too.
Many Pacificans realize we can not survive in our present format. Rather than change, some seem to want to fully control and/or liquidate major assets like WBAI to pay for it. I believe some on the Pacifica National Board (PNB), with a supermajority obtained through alleged Bylaws violations, may have that in mind.
Recently, some purported to change our Bylaws through a court settlement without members voting or even receiving timely notice. In my opinion this is a gross violation of member’s rights which is claimed to mostly eliminate their role in the management and governance of Pacifica through its Boards and committees.
This must not stand! There is no recent version of Pacifica Bylaws where members do not have the right to vote on Bylaws changes that affect their voting rights
I run with the Pacifica Mission Coalition (PMC) to return Pacifica to the principles of the Pacifica Mission, the legally solid ground of true Bylaws compliance and a better democratic governance. Please, vote for me as WBAI PNB Station Listener Representative and the PMC candidates for PNB Officers: Malveaux, Chair; McCary, Vice Chair; Harris, Treasurer; Carter, Secretary.
The last time a similar coalition held the majority on the PNB, I was the Finance Committee Chair/Board Treasurer. Through struggle, we got current with our audits.
Now, under the leadership of some from within who attack bylaws compliance, and therefore democracy itself, we are dangerously close to the limit on late audits.
Whatever assurances are given, and whatever sucess is hopefully had, this is unacceptally close to failure. Exceed the limit and we could lose our government approvals to raise money over the air (FCC), provide donors tax deductions (IRS) and be recognized as a charity. (CaAG).