Spokane Public Radio

Board of Directors Meeting September 19, 2012

Pacific Street Building

 

In Attendance:

 

Cary Boyce, Christie Anderson, Dave Walker, Jeff Fountain, Paul Paroff, Mary Alberts

SPR Staff: Verne Windham, Kathy Sackett, Brian Flick, Linda Stowe, Jerry Olson, Mary Harvill, Kat Langenheim

Guest: Doug Nadvornick

Linda Yates (notes)

 

Christie called the meeting to order at 5:30pm

 

 

  1. Capital Campaign – Kat Langenheim

 

·         $10,000 gift was received in August to help payoff the lot

 

·         Kat wants Cary’s input with the Capital Campaign budget and involved with discussions with potential donors.

 

·         Kat received confirmation from the Department of Commerce that the Building for the Arts Advisory Committee evaluated our application and it will now move forward. The Department forwards the list of recommended projects to the governor for consideration in the upcoming Capital Budget. SPR is the only applicant on the east side of the state to have our request recommended to the governor by the commission.

 

·         Several board members have been in contact with local legislators to advise them of the status of the BFA Grant and will continue to keep them updated.

 

·         Kat will hear in December if we are to get the National Endowment for the Humanities Grant. She has let the NEH know that a state grant is under consideration.

 

·         Kat and Cary will meet with Gary Livingston for help in getting SPR on the Greater Spokane Incorporated priority list for the next legislative agenda.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Task Force – Paul Paroff 

 

Selection Committee for new Board of Directors:

 

    • We need to increase the size of the current Board of Directors.

Paul suggests that an advisory committee be set-up to identify and nominate potential board members. Kat was suggested as an advisor to help identify the strategic values needed for future board members, with respect to the Capital Campaign. Cary needs to be included on the committee. He has contacted the Center of Philanthropy for their research on healthy board makeup, will forward when it arrives.

 

    • Dave suggests 2 board members and 2 from the Steering Committee and / or the Community Advisory Board.

 

A motion was made to form an advisory committee, none opposed.

         

             Capital Campaign Task Force Report:

       

·         Focus – raising money

 

·         Reducing the scope of the project would make it easier to sell and more achievable. We don’t immediately need to build a three-story structure. Down size the rooms to be built and combine their usage, Cary used the example of performance studio 1 that could also be used as a talk and performance studio. Bigger performance studio could be built at a later time. We could build in phases as we grow our cash reserves.

 

·         Construction – five million dollar range and greatly reduce the endowment fund requirement. New market tax credits may go away if the scope of the project is reduced. Jeff Fountain will check into this.

 

·         Cary said we are taking new steps with new perspectives – a lot of flexibility and clear thinking will be necessary.

 

  1. Budget and Revenue – Linda Stowe and Dave Walker

 

·         As of September 14th there was $38,000 remaining in the operating account. We have taken some major hits to the operating account over the last several months – GM Search, purchase of new Allegiance Software for the underwriters, lot payoff, severance pay, legal fees for personnel issue and NPR fees. We have gone through $750,000 in the last 5 months, not including payroll.

 

 

 

 

 

 

·         $50,000 was moved from the reserve account to help cover operating expenses and $50,000 remains in that account.

 

·         Membership and Underwriting are ahead so far this year. Our cash will   increase with the pledge drive and our check from CPB in November.

 

·         Mary Alberts asked what we have in reserves - $77,000 CD’s, if cashed before May 2013 would pay penalties, $51,000 in unrestricted account and $996.00 money market and $15,617 in the D.A. Davidson account

 

·         If necessary we can move money from our line of credit to cover payroll.

 

a.      Budget Meeting – Dave Walker

 

·       The Capital Campaign has been a drain on cash flow.

Cary: “The reality is that this is the issue and that we need to address

     the budget for the next 30 – 60 – 90  days.”

 

·       Friday, September 21 a meeting is planned to discuss the budget with Cary,

Linda, Dave, Mary and Christie. Linda will resend the budget to reflect the

changes since June.

 

·       It’s up to the Board of Directors to help bring in Capital Campaign money.

      Cary: “The task force is working on this issue now, and the thinking here, to

my mind, has been very good. Recommendations will be forthcoming

soon.”

 

  1. EEO – FCC issues – Cary Boyce

 

·         The draft of the EEO went to the lawyers today. Thanks to Linda Stowe and

      Stephanie for their help and contribution.

 

 

  1. Operations and Programming – Cary Boyce

 

·         Saw the budget before coming into the GM position and aware of the

      challenges. We must remain flexible and not miss funding possibilities.

 

·         Thanks again to the Capital Campaign Task Force for their time in trying to    

      untangle a very complicated situation.  We must stay focused on the issues   and economic pressures with the Capital Campaign and Operating Budget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

            Strong stations in strong markets that are in current Capital Campaigns are finding

            it difficult--if not impossible--to raise money now.

 

·         With this in mind, the challenges we face are tied in with any number of issues, nationally, statewide, and locally. Our first priority must be on our mission, and on remaining sustainable.

 

·      In the current fiscal year, we are over-leveraged and Cary is now looking for   ways to cut the operating budget by 5%. At the same time, we are in a place where we need to expand, so it’s a “chicken and egg thing.” Cary would like to:

 

1. Raise an additional $15,000 - $20,000 in operational funding. Initiatives are now underway, but they will take time to gain traction.

 

      2. When possible, hire an additional underwriting person.

 

 3. Expand news service and coverage. There are ways to do this with minimum impact on our budget, and we are beginning to undertake first steps.

              

·Cary thanked Linda Stowe for her work on the budget.

 

  1. Other business:

  

·      The 2012 Public Radio Super Regional Managers Conference will be in

    November in New Orleans. The opportunity to attend and meet with other

Public Radio Managers and staff from NPR will be invaluable. Cary will   attend and pay for all of his expenses associated with the conference.                

 

·    In the interest of disclosure Cary is renting a house from Tom Parker’s

    sister and negotiated the rental agreement with her.

 

·    At his first staff meeting Cary asked the staff to be cautious with their

    political participation, working on campaigns, signage, and social media.

   The perception with the community and how it relates to the station is     

   always an issue that should be kept in mind. While not mandating any   

   action or inaction, he has requested a  little care and common sense.

 

  1. Approve minutes

Paul Paroff motioned to approve the August minutes, Mary Alberts seconded, none opposed.

                 Meeting adjourned at 7pm.