September 19, 2006
9/18/06
In attendance: Jen Herard (GM), Chaz Berret (Asst. GM), Evan Eustice (BOD), Mike Clancy (BOD), Alex Sergay (Chief Engineer), Jason Voss (BOD), Brendt Rioux (BOD), Sarah Stedman (BOD), Tom Bray (BOD)
Call to Order
Next meeting scheduled for Oct. 23
• BOD minutes will be e-mailed to the BOD list as well as posted on the minutes blog. The board will then vote on minutes from these copies rather than doing so during meetings.
• We need to discuss sound insulation with the architects of the SAB renovations; studio standards should be assessed and requested. New carpeting won’t be included, but this may be the proper opportunity to replace it. New lighting will be provided. Ventilation standards should also be be assured. We will in fact gain storage space, but in another location near the current student woodshop. Renovation money will provide us with certain upgrades to the sports office, mostly wiring and electronics. We will get some limited office space in addition to the sports office.
• The Fall BOD election will be held soon. Three seats are up for election.
• Tony has been considered for the recently proposed webmaster exec staff position. Since he is not a student and the job is so large and demanding, it is reasonable to request that the university hire him on as a part-time employee, much like Alex. It seems most practical to just ask Tony how he feels about his role in this proposed endeavor and how much he would expect to be paid.
• Edgefest is happening on Oct. 11, and Jason proposes that we donate $1000. This might limit our budget for the Fall and Winter concerts. The budget is $5000, $2500 was spent in the Summer, so this would leave $1500 for these events.
o Tom motions that $1000 be donated to Edgefest. Unanimous approval.
• It is uncertain whether online broadcast fees need to be paid for both last year and this year. It costs $250 per year. This cost is budgeted yearly under “DMCA."
• Turkish Delight and Tsunami Dreams were switched; Mehmet is upset. This was decided because Randy has been DJing the 9-10 and 11-12 slots – as well as covering for Turkish Delight during frequent no-shows -- so this move was significantly more convenient for him.
TOM B. SAID THAT HE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO MAKE CHANGES IN PROGRAMMING SEPARATELY FROM FILLING THE SCHEDULE EACH TERM. PROGRAMMING CHANGES HAVE A GREATER IMPACT, AND AS WE KNOW, ARE FAR MORE CONTROVERSIAL AMONG THE STAFF. PROPOSED CHANGES IN PRGORAMMING SHOULD BE ANNOUNCED AND EXPLAINED IN ADVANCE OF ACTUALLY MAKING THEM, ALLOWING ENOUGH TIME FOR THE GENERAL STAFF TO COMMENT AND POSSIBLY PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE IDEAS. IN PARTICULAR, THOSE DJS DIRECTLY INVOLVED SHOULD BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY, AND BEFORE ANY GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT. IT IS CERTAINLY THE PREROGATIVE OF THE PROGRAMMING STAFF TO EVALUATE THE SCHEDULE OF SHOWS AND SUGGEST CHANGES. I AM ONLY SUGGESTING THAT PROGRAMMING CHANGES HAVE A LARGER IMPACT ON THE STATION THAN ASSIGNING INDIVIDUALS TO TIME SLOTS, AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE DONE IN AN OPEN AND INCLUSIVE WAY, WITH THE GOAL OF GETTING A CONCENSUS FROM THE STAFF ON THE CHANGES TO BE MADE.
• The Program Guide needs to be printed soon. 1000 copies will cost $500.
o Tom moves to spend $500 on the Program Guide. Unanimous Approval.
• The recent problem with the Channel 6 Translator is WEMU’s responsibility. WEMU and the UM lawyers are working it out.
Motion to adjourn. Unanimous approval. BOD adjourned.
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(Minutes from last month's meeting; attendance requirement for quorum was not met)
8/28/06
In attendance: Jason Voss (board), Tom Bray (board), Mike Clancy (board), Sam Turner (GM), Chaz Berret (Ass. GM)
No quorum
RFAA concerns about lack of subbing
o Wendy believes that the lack of DJs is no worse than it has been in previous summers.
o Perhaps more of an effort should be made to recruit community DJs. Even if it is only to amass a pool of sub-only community DJs, such an approach could help the pressure and frustration felt by the few people who regularly sub.
o It would be wise next year to plan in advance for the inevitable paucity of DJs available in the Summer.
o It might help to recruit community DJs if the candidates did not have to go to such lengths to prove their value to the station before they are allowed to train. If we make a differentiation between community DJs brought in for the Summer without many qualifications, and then have more rigorous selection for regularly scheduled DJs, we could solve the problem while maintaining the current student/non-student ratio during the year.
o Jen Herard will take over as GM in the Fall; she arrives home this week.
o For nearly a decade we have sponsored Edgefest. Jason proposes that we do so this year as well. We donated $500 the last few years; in the past we have donated as much as $1000. Edgefest recently won a national award for eclectic programming. They lose money every year, typically as much as $20,000. The concert planners have suggested that we donate $1000, but we also have a great number of expenses in the coming year. An e-mail vote should be conducted; Jason will compose and send it.
o The new webmaster position was discussed at the last exec staff meeting and a list of responsibilities was composed. It is likely that the best way to approach this will be to hire someone with the technical ability to fix all of the existing issues, remake the site, and set us up for the future. But it is also important that the creation of this position promotes a 'cultural continuity' in those who will hold the position in the future.
o Next meeting is scheduled for Sept 18th.
Posted by cberret at September 19, 2006 12:15 PM