Summer 1997 - Paul attends his first Grassroots Radio Coalition conference, while other board members (Greg, Joann?, ?) attended first in 1996. PRFR(KRFC) board attendance, and later board+volunteer attendance, is fairly heavy each year, peaking in summer 2003.
I'm forwarding this longish essay because it is well written and topically relevent to our bylaws discussion and our tensions between democracy and discipline, besides being an interesting glimpse into Pacifica's problems.In part the essay proposes a definition of democracy:
It seems essential to first define what is meant by the terms "democracy" and "accountability " Here's what it means to me: (what does it mean to you?)1) The people affected by a decision are the ones who make it
2) People who are doing work decide how they do that work.
3) People doing work on behalf of others must be accountable to those others, and work on behalf of the needs of others as well as their own.
I am reluctant to raise this issue because most folks, including me, want to avoid it and assume we're all just nice folk who will do the right thing. But we have two gifts in front of us which make this examination timely. First let me put out an observation about how our board functions.Often we use an abbreviated form of Robert's Rules when we vote on things, with the outcome decided by majority. When there are dissenters, we make some effort to hear them out and check that they are not terribly opposed to the resulting decision. I think this may be working pretty well (not having been in the minority yet I'm not sure everyone would agree).
But there is no _structural_ reason or incentive to listen to and try to accomodate dissent, as there is in consensus for example. At any time we could start ignoring our minority because what structure we have (Robert's + majority) allows that, but I believe that is at odds with our notion of democracy in our mission statement. I think we need a structural safeguard of some sort.
My neighbor Don Flick is offering his abilities regarding group democratic process. He is an experienced facilitator having several years of practical consensus experience both in co-housing and Quaker Friends meeting.
[...]In my experience unspoken structures and decisionmaking methods never really "just work" for long, so the sooner we start the better.
I too would be very interested in some training in the true democratic process as alluded to in our mission.
a few thoughts on lasts nite good discussion on politics and who we are??1. this has and will be a continuing theme in many if not all community radio stations. it is the main focus of the past and continuing tribulations at pacifica. [do we serve more people or do we stay true to the founders mission]. these disagreements caused the founder of pacifica to commit suicide.
2. we can never serve all the people, so why even pretend that we can or will.
3. as a community/public radio station on the left side of the dial there will be and probably always will be the perceived notion that we are left of center if not very left. the board is also left of center and we created this thing so lets be left and proud of it. this does not exclude inteligent and thought provoking discussion of all points of view.
4. lets continue to have discussion on the subject.
plan for hiring general manager
a. need a people person
b. someone who understands the grassroots mission
Everyone suggested that the mission statement needs to be shortened to 1 or 2 sentences
Clarify what democratcially managed means
Mission statement is evolving, a living document
Propose establishment of a planning committee with board members and community members to work on mission statement, define democratically managed, etc.
Tess Heffernan might be a good choice to work with this committee (professional facilitator)
Need to establish a planning committee to establish who we are!"
In a civil though heated discussion, most PA members advised taking other steps first (see the minutes) and most agreed with the statement that "implementing the Mission Statement, as it is, is of more concern to us than changing it." (from http://krfcfm.org/pipermail/pa/2005-January/000267.html)
A letter from concerned members dated March 1 is included in the board's minutes. It says in part:
" We strongly promote the democratic ideals inherent in our mission statement, but they don't seem to be working for everyone. There may be a lack of consensus about what those practices look like, for example:The above represent only a few of the broad range of problems we have observed. We request a meeting with you, without staff, within the next two weeks, to present specific examples of problems we have observed, and suggestions for moving forward together. We are especially excited about the new policy committee and opportunities for broader input from volunteers, listeners, and members, to sculpt policies which promote a shared vision of democracy. "
- Major decisions have been made without consulting stakeholders.
- Volunteers are afraid to openly express disagreement with decisions made by station staff for fear of reprisals.
- The processes are unclear for hiring the new development director, and for Eddie's appeal.
Finally in the policy committee report to the board:
"2. We discussed the Mission Statement review process and many questions arose. Is this
project just about the MS or is it about our whole strategic plan? This may be a long
process - we may or may not have the project done by our next annual meeting. Saul
agreed to talk with Tess xxxx (a possible facilitator) and see if she would agree to
come speak to the BOD. Subsequently, (Saul's e-mail of Feb. 28), she recommended
[another person]"
"6. Member questions and comments:
a. Kathleen expressed concern about rumors about changes to the
Mission Statement and thinks that during times of "crisis", the
station needs to be guided by the MS. Gina and Greg explained
that observers have told us that our MS is too long and not clear
enough and that a process that involves volunteers from the whole
station will be used in re-evaluating the MS. The core message of
the MS is not in question.
[...] Dawn has said that it is the mission statement that defines everything who we are / what is it that Dawn sells?
[...] After much discussion it was decided:
recent history on the main page