Finally: local control at KPFA

Former Pacifica executive Summer Reese had also stalled the hire of a permanent general manager for KPFA, which has had a series of interim appointments since early 2010. (The difference: “permanent” managers are hired with participation of KPFA’s elected board, which also gets a say in whether they’re terminated. “Interim” managers are installed and removed at the whim of Pacifica — making it much more difficult for them to protect the interests of the station.)

KPFA’s elected Local Station Board had submitted a pool of candidates for the position last fall — but Reese failed to hire from it, opting instead to keep the position filled by “interim” appointments until the end of her tenure.

At the end of June, KPFA finally announced the hire of a new permanent GM: veteran broadcaster and nonprofit manager Quincy McCoy. McCoy will be delivering his first report to KPFA’s Local Station Board this Saturday, which will be held at the SEIU Local 1021 hall, 155 Myrtle St., Oakland, from 11 am to 4 pm. The public is welcome. [Meeting recording is here.] Now that he’s in place, KPFA’s Local Station Board is moving forward with hiring a permanent Program Director — something the station hasn’t had for 15 years.

McCoy’s first email to KPFA’s membership went out this week — praising KPFA’s coverage of the war in Gaza, and appealing for financial support during the station’s summer fund drive.

SaveKPFA heartily supports that call: for the first time in years, Pacifica has leadership that is bringing transparency and accountability to its finances, and allowing KPFA’s elected board a meaningful role in choosing the station’s leadership. The financial mess left by previous management is daunting, but manageable — if KPFA and the other Pacifica stations can meet their fundraising goals. Please donate at www.kpfa.org.

KPFA listeners stick around for Uprising at 8AM

uprisingThe new 8AM lineup featuring award-winning Pacifica programmer Sonali Kolhatkar‘s Uprising Radio is doing well. Uprising follows Upfront with Brian Edwards-Tiekert at 7AM. Since the program began in late May,audience retention from the hours of 7 to 8 has improved.

KPFA’s interim general manager Richard Pirodsky said he put Kolhatkar’s show in the 8AM slot for just that reason — to solidly keep KPFA’s audience listening during peak drive time of 7 to 9AM, and it appears to be working. The previous morning hosts have been given airtime in the afternoon.

Pirodsky delivered a report to last Saturday’s LSB meeting describing his reasoning, and asking critics to take a step back and consider the needs of KPFA’s entire listening community. | LISTEN to iGM’s report, READ iGM’s report, LISTEN to LSB meeting: part a, part b, part c

Message from KPFA’s interim GM

KPFAclock[This message was sent to listeners on 5/24 from KPFA’s interim general manager Richard Pirodsky]

Dear KPFA Family,

KPFA’s Spring Fund Drive just ended. But if you missed it, there is still time to show your support.

Please, take 60 seconds to pledge online at www.kpfa.org

You rose up and did all you could to make this drive a success.  And so KPFA is rising to the challenge to offer you “Uprising,” a show new to the Bay Area hosted by “Up Front” co-host Sonali Kolhatkar.

During its trial run this week, it generated the most consistent support of any program during the drive.  You spoke and we listened.  By offering “Uprising” every weekday at 8am and presenting the Morning Mix hosts later in the day, we’ll be doing our part.

Please continue to do your part right now at www.kpfa.org.

We have dozens of amazing thank-you gifts on offer at kpfa.org – including the KPFA Spring Speech Pack, featuring fascinating talks, including some from the KPFA Events Series. The collection includes gifted individuals such as Jane Goodall,  Matt Taibbi, Nomi Prins, Ali Abunimah, Thomas Piketty, and Peter Dale Scott.

The Events Series is just one of the many services, from the KPFA Crafts Fair to the Apprentice Program to the website archive of every KPFA program, which only KPFA makes available to you.

Join the thousands of listeners who’ve already pledged to support the programs and services that KPFA and KPFA alone has to offer. The drive may have ended, but all the good work must continue –give now at www.kpfa.org.

Sincerely,

Richard Pirodsky
iGM KPFA
Pacifica Foundation Radio 94.1FM