TITLE

MEGALOMANIA

Analysis by
Frank Ferris

(1013 words)

Is megalomania the right word? The drafters of this memo are flying pretty high -- in the grip of Big Ideas -- and feeling the license to bring the puny mortals on the LABs to heel. They have an ambitious design for making Pacifica over, and no time for insubordination in the ranks.
MEMO * ALL PACIFICA ADVISORY BOARDS ARE FROZEN AS OF MAY 15, 1995. 
TO: ALL LOCAL ADVISORY BOARDS OF DIRECTORS 
FROM: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE PACIFICA NATIONAL BOARD 
DATE: JULY 12, 1995 
In light of the vast changes that are to occur at all stations, the Executive Committee of the Pacifica Foundation National Board believes it is necessary to issue an interim set of guidelines that supercede the local station By-laws so that you will have a clear understanding of our expectations of your role during this period.

We feel it necessary to remind you that the local Station Board is responsible to the National Board and, in fact, serves at the will and direction of the National Board. The local station Board of Directors' main responsibility is to carry-out the directives of the National Board and abide by its decisions.

[P.2 : entirely false, at least in terms of the Communications Act (section396(k)(8)), which informs compliance requirements for public radio licensees to receive government (Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB))funding. These requirements describe "a community advisory board that is independent of the community licensee's governing body."]

At the October, 1994 National Board meeting, the Board mandated that the station managers re-configure programming to better serve core listeners in each signal area, to develop more relevant and professional programming and to, thereby, increase the audience. We were mindful that this would unfortunately inconvenience, if not distress, some staff, board and audience members. It will mean that there will be many alterations to current and long-standing practices at the stations. This may include the elimination of aspects of the traditional program format, the repositioning of others, and the development of new and innovative programs.

[P.3: au contraire: it is the advisory boards' function to scrutinize the stations' policies and performance with an eye to the needs of the communities served, and to advise and make recommendations to the governing board (Section 396(k)(8)(B)).]

To date, we are satisfied that the General Managers have taken steps to implement requisite changes in programming and thus meet Pacifica's mandate and goals. They, along with the Program Directors, have the authority to make such alterations without the approval or disapproval of the local Board. However, the National Board expects the members of local Boards to assist and support the Manager and his/her when asked and as needed. The Station Board must perform a specific function during this period in order to assist the Managers. Mindful of our responsibility to give you direction as stated in the Board Position Description:

The Station Advisory Board shall have duties, responsibilities and powers as from time to time may be set out by the by-laws, policy or other statements of the Board of Directors. No actions may be taken by the Station board that would pre-empt, in whole or in part, the authority or responsibilities of the Board of Directors.

[P.4: This "Board Position Description" is incongruent with the compliance requirement of an independent LAB; it reconceives the LAB as a sort of assistant to the governing board.]

The Local Advisory board is, hereby, directed not to take action that will impede the plans of the station staff. Members of any local Board who do not feel that they can assist Pacifica in its present mission are advised to resign. If there are indications that actions are being taken collectively or individually to countermand the policies, directives, and mandates of the Pacifica Board, the Board will take appropriate steps.

[P.5: Thus is the raison d'etre of the LAB proscribed.]

Since we are responsible for your performance and behavior as a Board and a Board member we are setting a set of guidelines which you are to follow. These guidelines supersede, but include some of the responsibilities stated in the document Pacifica Foundations Station Board Position Description.

General Guidelines for all stations:

1. To act as a primary support body for the General Manager and station.

2. To establish a committee by 1 August 1995 that will raise money through direct financial contributions and/or fundraising for the activities of the station.

3. To establish a committee by 1 August 1995 that will review, make recommendations, and monitor the implementation of approved budgets.

4. To establish a committee by 1 August 1995 that will develop a plan for general development activities at the station.

5. To establish a committee by 1 August 1995 to assess and make recommendations about the space, technology, and equipment needs of the station.

6. To establish a committee by 1 August 1995 that will evaluate the membership of local boards with the view to make recommendations about further recruitment of members.

(MEMBERSHIP TO LOCAL ADVISORY BOARDS IS FROZEN UNTIL NEW GUIDELINES ARE APPROVED AT THE OCTOBER BOARD MEETING. PLEASE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP INFORMATION ON CANDIDATES.)

7. To send to the Executive Director minutes of each local meeting. (Boards should have received by this time a directive that specifies the manner in which Board meetings are to be conducted from the National Chairperson, Jack O'Dell.) By 15 August 1995, the Executive Director, Pat Scott, should receive from the local Board Chairperson a copy of the committee rosters. By 15 September, 1995, the Executive Director should receive from the Board Chairperson a report of the plan and progress of each committee.

[The "General Guidelines" obliterate any consideration of the "specialized educational and cultural needs of the communities served by the station (Section 396(k)(8)(B))," and consign LABs to various fundraising and administrative support duties. Were the drafters of this memo acquainted with the law? Were they exploiting perceived ignorance of LAB members? Were they abetted in this gambit by CPB officials? For Pacifica to function as originally conceived requires principled players, and has thus been vulnerable to power grabs.]

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