January 14, 2016 BSPR Community Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

Community Advisory Board Meeting Thursday, January 14, 2016 – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Ron and Linda Yanke Family Research Park 220 E. Parkcenter Boulevard, Room 700 Board Members in Attendance: Emily Walton, Chair Shelby Zepeda, Vice Chair Susan Giannettino David Lombardi Mark Wheeler Marilyn Shuler, via telephone

Maria Trebby Cornelia Sprung Kay Alspaugh Kristin Matthews Stacy Madsen

Staff in Attendance: Peter Morrill, Interim General Manager Paul Stribling, Programming Director Kelly Palmer, Development Director

Shikhar Sarin Vicki Lawson Corey Cook Dede Ryan Paul Ries

Katie John, Recorder

***************** Call to Order – Emily Walton Chair, Emily Walton, called the Boise State Public Radio (BSPR) Community Advisory Board (CAB) meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Emily introduced the three new members (Corey Cook, Stacy Madsen and Paul Ries) to the rest of the CAB. Brief introductions for other members also took place.

Approval of November 2015 Meeting Minutes – Emily Walton Motion: Kay Alspaugh made a motion to approve the minutes; seconded by Dede Ryan. The motion was passed unanimously.

State of the Station – Mark Wheeler and Peter Morrill Mark discussed the following subjects: John Hess’s resignation, Peter Morrill being named interim general manager (IGM), a national search for a new general manager, the December 15 Idaho Statesman article, and a successful winter pledge drive.

Greater detail on these items is listed below:  Mark addressed the surprise some board members felt regarding John’s resignation. Because it is a personnel matter, details cannot be discussed further.  Kelly shared that the winter 2015 pledge drive brought in ~$156,000 (net) and ~1300 pledges, both of which are increases from the previous year.

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Some CAB members felt they should have known about the report filed in February 2015, while other members recalled it being disclosed at a prior meeting.

On January 4th, Tom Livingston of Livingston Associates visited the station and began the process of conducting a national search for a new general manager. The search committee will be led by Mark Wheeler, and also includes Kelly Palmer, Paul Stribling, Emily Walton, Shelby Zepeda, and Greg Hahn. Shikhar Sarin was to be part of the committee as well, but has since declined the opportunity. It is expected that by March 2016, the pool will be narrowed down by Livingston Associates to the top 20 candidates. The committee will Skype interview approximately 8 of these candidates, and then the top 4 or so will be asked to BSPR for interviews in approximately April 2016.

Also on January 4th, Peter Morrill started as the new Interim General Manager for BSPR. Peter comes to the station after 16+ years as the general manager for Idaho Public Television.

In response to this list of events, many CAB members expressed disappointment in not being more upto-date and informed with the happenings of BSPR. Some CAB members feel their role is purposeless. 

Peter gave a brief introduction and a summary of his first nine days as IGM. o He is very excited to be at BSPR, and noted that the University’s decision to use an outside firm, Livingston Associates, to conduct the GM search was excellent. o The station is working with MJ Murdock Charitable Trust to secure funds (amount requested is $250,000 not including local match) for updated technical equipment. o The spring pledge drive is happening in April and the station is already preparing in anticipation of raising 40% of annual membership at that time. o Fiscal year 2017 begins on July 1st, 2016 and the budget will be set by April 2016. o David Sedaris is coming to Boise’s Egyptian Theater in April. o Peter will be focusing on the much needed updating of technical equipment with Business & Engineering Manager Krista Doble.

In response to the State of the Station update, the following ideas were shared:  The importance of continuity with major and general donors throughout the transition of management was stressed by some CAB members.  Several board members posed the idea of one or more board members being involved in future report filings by employees at the station and subsequently investigated internally by BSU. They suggest that this would provide greater transparency throughout the process.  Also in regards to community relations, it was suggested that the CAB could be updated with official language and talking points during future station changes. This would unite the CAB and present a common mission to the community in the instance of future incidences.  Many members feel the CAB is lacking a charge and a job description.  It was pointed out that it is inappropriate to discuss station personnel details/matters in general.

Code of Editorial Integrity Update—David Lombardi David gave a brief overview of the committee. He then read the proposed motion, and shared that each statement beginning with “whereas” is part of the foundation leading to the writing of the Code. It is dense in principles, but simple in theory.  A brief discussion followed regarding the “Conflict of Interest” section on page 3. General consensus is that it is normal in many workplaces to include this language.  Kristin pointed out the hard work by the committee, and thanked them profusely.

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Motion: Susan Giannettino made a motion to adopt the Code of Editorial Integrity as proposed

by David (see below); the motion was seconded by Shikhar Sarin. The motion was passed unanimously.

Proposed Motion: WHEREAS Boise State Public Radio is a public media outlet that is relied upon by the local and general community as a source of information concerning news, culture, education and other matters; and WHEREAS public trust and confidence are essential to the continued viability of Boise State Public Radio as a reliable public media outlet; and WHEREAS the maintenance of editorial integrity by Boise State Public Radio is essential to the maintenance of public trust and confidence NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Boise State Public Radio Code of Editorial Integrity attached to this Resolution is hereby approved and adopted by the Community Advisory Board of Boise State Public Radio. 

A discussion was had regarding how to share news of the Code’s adoption by the CAB. Peter will draft an email from himself & the Chair to membership that will introduce the Code.

Good of the Order  Mark thanked the CAB for their attention and work over the past month- particularly Emily, Shelby and David, as well as Peter.

Adjourn – Emily Walton Shikhar moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 pm.

The next meeting will take place on March 10, 2016 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at 220 E. Parkcenter Boulevard, room 700.

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