I am running for Membership/Fundraising Coordinator at WPFW because I believe that growing membership and finding new ways to fundraise are critical for WPFW to thrive for the next 50 years.
I have been a listener member since moving to Washington in 1999. I believe deeply in WPFW’s Jazz and Justice mission and consider myself incredibly lucky as a listener. Every time I listen, I learn something new. I became a WPFW activist in 2012 and first ran for and was elected to the LSB in 2016. I first served on the Pacifica National Board in 2021, giving me insights into WPFW’s strengths as well as areas for growth. I want to return to serving WPFW, contributing my labor as well funds to WPFW being financially sustainable.
WPFW has few paid staff and depends mightily on the contributions of time and expertise of the many volunteer programmers. The same can and should be true of our most devoted listener members – there are many ways to contribute volunteer time to improve the station’s membership rolls and finances. The key to getting donations is telling people what you need funds for, asking them directly to contribute and then thanking them for doing so.
Similarly, the key to attracting volunteers is telling people what help you need, asking them directly to help, and then making sure they have roles that leverage their talents and feel fulfilled and appreciated – much like the volunteer programmers feel! People lead busy lives and volunteer labor will dry up if they can’t see the fruits of their labor.
I have an ambitious agenda as the M/F Coordinator, drawing on my 20 years of management experience, including leading the Combined Federal Campaign for my office of 600. I would be a liaison between management and the LSB, communicating frequently and clearly with both. I would organize and manage a committee of volunteers, leveraging their skills to maximum effect to support the station and to define clear roles for volunteers – some of whom are already contributing to the station’s goals for membership and fundraising. I would strive for all LSB fundraising events to be well planned, well-advertised on air, well-staffed, and strongly supported by management. I would suggest ways to enhance benefits to make membership more attractive. I would help WPFW acquire membership management software with more capabilities than the station’s current system – allowing members to look up their own donations! I would work towards the goal of WPFW hiring a development director. And though our listenerships are all very different, I would organize meetings of the M/F Coordinators at all five Pacifica stations to share ideas and lessons learned. Finally, I want to connect listeners with listeners so we can let our little lights shine collectively to get out the word about WPFW and attract even more listeners!
I humbly ask for your vote and appreciate you taking the time to read up on all the candidates!