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KPFK Listener Candidate: Grace Aaron

Hi! My name is Grace Aaron. I may be familiar to you as I served on the KPFK Local Station Board for 6 years, from 2003 to 2009. I was also on the Pacifica National Board in 2008 and 2009. (The Pacifica Foundation is the parent nonprofit that owns KPFK and 4 other stations.) I was the Chair of the National Board and the Executive Director of the Pacifica Foundation in 2009. Needless to say, I know a lot about KPFK and Pacifica! I hope to use that experience and knowledge to guide newer board members. Go to CandidateSlate.org to see a list of candidates I think are well qualified to be board members.

Improving programming is the most important thing that needs to be done. Better programs will increase the number of people who listen to KPFK and this, in turn, will increase our income and our relevance. We can do this by raising production values and adherence to the Pacifica Mission Statement.

We need to ensure rigorous compliance with labor laws and the Americans With Disabilities Act. This would go a long way to protect us from lawsuits.

Professional financial standards that are as transparent as the law allows need to be implemented. This will instill confidence and make fundraising easier.

Improving our signal quality and strength can mean that KPFK is heard clearly by more people. That will generate greater contributions, which will keep the cycle of outreach expanding. Along with this we need to upgrade to Digital broadcasting and expand into multimedia.

More outreach to communities around us and responding to their needs should be done. Along with this we should strengthen our Internship program.

We should utilize more mediation and conflict resolution.

My Background:

*I have a BA in English.
*I served as KPFK Secretary in 2005, and Chair in 2006.
*I am Treasurer of the Los Angeles Branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (over 10 years).
*I am the Vice President of the Social Uplift Foundation. This Foundation webcasts videos covering progressive issues.
*I served for 10 years (1984-1994) as Chair and unpaid coordinator of 13 chapters of Peace Action of Southern California (20,000 members).
*I was Co-Founder and Co-chair of the Peace Action Network of Southern California in the early ’90s. It included Peace Action, the Southern Calif. Federation of Scientists, the Presbyterian Synod, Pax Christi, New Jewish Agenda, UN Association, Islamic Center, the Unitarian Church, etc.
*I also participated in the Lincoln Heights Preservation Association, the Nuclear Free Asia Pacific Committee, Visual Artists Guild, etc.

Just as a body needs a brain but also a heart, I cherish our music, literature and arts as well as our political programming.

I try to practice my principles and if elected I promise to be honest and do my best. Please vote for me and my well qualified colleagues listed on www.CandidateSlate.org

 

Optional Questions (push the plus sign to see the answers)


In what ways are the station moving in a positive direction, that you would want to continue or perhaps improve?
The station is mentoring younger, more diverse community members. I think those efforts should be strengthened.

In what ways are the station moving in a negative direction, that you would want to stop or change? What changes would you work for?
No response

What key experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the Local Station Board to advance the station’s mission?
Decades of nonprofit management experience, organizing and fundraising abilities and conflict resolution skills.

What ideas do you have for helping the station and the Pacifica Foundation meet the financial challenges currently being faced?
The key to improving the income of KPFK is to improve the quality and diversity of our programming. Some examples might be credible, science based alternative health programs. News that you can use, such as how to help your kids get into college or improve their reading and math skills. How to deal with drug and alcohol abuse. Bicycling is very popular. Our bike show should be put back on the air. Shows about computer and video gaming might prove very popular. Hopeful, sollution-based programs are needed. As a wise peace activist friend once said, “Impression without expression leads to depression.” We need to talk about ways our listeners can do something to improve their own lives and the world around them.

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