The on-air summer fund drive is now in full swing and ends FRIDAY, August 2. Consider how much KPFA’s continuing presence means to you and your co-workers, friends and neighbors. [UPDATE: KPFA exceeded its goals! See the results here.]
Consider what listener-supported, non-corporate radio means for all people facing a future fraught with dangers to health, education, economic security, civil liberties, and to their very lives. KPFA covers the information, the issues, and the ideas for change — and makes room for a diverse array of the best music and literary programming available.
SaveKPFAurges you to donate what you can to the fund drive. If you can donate time, volunteer in the phone room, which is open at 6:30 AM weekdays and 7:00 AM on the weekend (closing times vary each night). Come to 1929 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, near University Ave. in Berkeley. DON’T FORGET: you can also donate securely online at www.kpfa.org.
Programmers have been pouring their hearts into KPFA’s fund drive for over two weeks, so far raising over $436,000. The problem? That amount is quite short of the drive’s $750,000 goal.
“Let’s all step up to the plate and let KPFA’s staff know we value and support them,” said SaveKPFA‘s Margy Wilkinson, an elected member of the station’s local and national boards. “They have been working under very difficult circumstances for some time,” she said, “and if KPFA comes up short in its current fund drive, we fully expect some in Pacifica management to use the shortfall as a pretext to push for retaliatory cuts at KPFA.”
SaveKPFA encourages you to contribute what you can to KPFA by calling the phone room at 800-439-5732 or 510-848-5732, or by donating securely online at https://secure.kpfa.org/support. Phone room volunteers can describe the thank you gifts available, or you can peruse a list at the website.
Lend a hand, smooze with fellow listeners
Another way to support the station is come to KPFA’s phone room and help answer phones — every day of the fund drive starting at 6:30 am. Volunteers are really needed. There are usually tasty treats donated by bay area cafes and bakeries.
Remember, renewing or starting your KPFA membership gives you a vote and a voice in how Pacifica and KPFA are run. Another round of elections is coming up this fall for local and national representatives, and it is crucial that we elect smart, caring people to these posts. Giving at least $25 annually to KPFA makes you an eligible voter.
There have been some interesting developments at KPFA and in Pacifica, and we promise to cover them in our next SaveKPFA newsletter. For now, we have only one urgent message: please take a moment to give generously to KPFA!
Pacifica’s top official moved to oust KPFA’s interim general manager, Andrew Phillips in a phone call on April 12th. Phillips told KPFA’s elected Local Station Board (LSB) on April 13 that interim Pacifica executive director Summer Reese told him to vacate his office within a week. Here’s a report that ran on the Pacifica Evening News.
The LSB passed two measures in response. The first states: “The KPFA Local Station Board opposes any move by Pacifica to remove or replace a KPFA manager without the meaningful participation of KPFA’s elected Local Station Board and consultation with KPFA’s paid and unpaid staff.” This resolution passed with a vote of 15 yes, 1 no, and 4 abstentions.
The second states: “Based on the information we have as of this date, the KPFA Local Station Board supports continuing the tenure of Andrew Phillips as interim general manager until the process of hiring a permanent general manager is complete.” The vote for this one was 14 yes, 0 no and 3 abstentions. Several members crossed factional lines to vote for (or abstain on) these resolutions.
Phillips was given the job in early 2011 by then-executive director Arlene Engelhart, and he faced widespread criticism – including a vote of “no confidence” by the local board in September 2011. Subsequently, Engelhardt rejected the LSB’s recommended pool of applicants for the permanent GM job.
By most accounts, Phillips had grown on the job and won support from many quarters. But the issue isn’t only about him. It’s about local control at KPFA, Pacifica overstepping its authority, and a fair, legal and democratic process for hiring and firing. | WRITE Pacifica via this page, SIGNpetition, LISTEN to the KPFA LSB meeting: part 1 (manager’s report followed by discussion starts at 23:30), part 2
Several in-person meetings of KPFA’s paid and volunteer staff have overwhelmingly supported the essence of these resolutions, and over 60 workers have signed a public statement (page 1 | page 2) insisting on a full investigation before any action is taken.
The Pacifica National Board met on April 25 behind closed doors and presumably discussed the situation at KPFA. On May 2, Pacifica suddenly put Phillips “on leave” and installed a new interim manager. | REPORT on the Pacifica Evening News
Phillips was given the job in early 2011 by then-executive director Arlene Engelhart, and he faced widespread criticism, including a vote of “no confidence” by the local board in September 2011. Shortly afterward, Engelhardt rejected the LSB’s recommended candidates for the permanent GM job.
The on-air summer fund drive is now in full swing and ends FRIDAY, August 2. Consider how much KPFA’s continuing presence means to you and your co-workers, friends and neighbors. [UPDATE: KPFA exceeded its goals! See the results here.]
