Here, from last night's (Feb. 10, 2017) open PNB telephonic meeting is a reaction to two letters that threaten Pacifica's tax exempt status. A self-inflicted, negligence-based situation brought on by the Foundation's failure to submit audits for 2015 and 2016.
Typically, the delinquency has been known to the PNB since the deadline passed, but the warning letters had been swept under the rug until discovered and made public by an unnamed person. Here is an audio of the discussion that took place prior to the PNB moving into an "executive session" and slamming the door.
This is not exciting stuff, but the gravity of the subject warrants your time—I have edited out the roll calls, etc. that took up the first half hour of the meeting. If nothing else, you might find it interesting that the auditor have yet to be paid for their work on 2014, and refuse to continue unless that bill is taken care of. It's about $32,000 and Bill Crosier (the sanest member) who brought this important matter up, mentions that the auditing could cost as much as $200,000.
One wonderful idea is to have the five stations raise the money next month... bear in mind that WBAI is currently in the first week of another four-week fund drive. I can hear it now: "The current fund drive has been pre-empted so that we can bring you another fund drive" For comic relief, I bring to your attention the time-keeper who can't keep time!
At the start of the meeting, all the children left the room leaving the adults to play.
ReplyDeleteAnd here is the result ...
February 11, 2017
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bill Crosier, Interim Executive Director, Email: kpft@crosierbiomed.com, Telephone: 713-305-5346
Pacifica Foundation Appoints New Executive Director To Grapple With Financial Challenges
Berkeley-The five-station Pacifica Radio network opted for change in 2017 by removing Lydia Brazon, the interim executive director since 2015 and replacing her with 2010-2012 and 2016-2017 Director William Crosier.
The change comes as the network faces an unprecedented political situation in the United States, which is reeling from the assault of the newly elected Donald Trump administration on constitutional freedoms and governmental assistance programs. Pacifica's alternative news, information and cultural programming provides perspectives rarely heard in mainstream media and features the voices of artists, activists and public intellectuals.
The network, founded in 1946 in Berkeley, California, faces an increasingly acute financial situation, with litigation recently filed by the Empire State Building for unpaid transmitter tower rent for station WBAI, and an investigation in progress by the California Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts over delinquent financial audits.
Crosier commented: “Pacifica's mission of alternative educational broadcasting is crucial to the future of this country. I will do everything in my power to ensure the Pacifica Foundation's survival until I can hand over the network to the care of a new visionary leader. I thank my colleagues on the Pacifica National Board for their faith in me. I know we have serious challenges ahead, but I look forward to working together with Pacifica staff and volunteers to catch up on the things we've been neglecting, and guide us to a better place”.
Crosier holds a master of science degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and thirty-five years of experience in the development of computer-based electronic and electro-mechanical hardware and software systems for biomedical research. He is a long-time radio aficionado and the former chair of the board and President of the Houston Peace and Justice Center.
The Pacifica National Board made the change on Friday evening during a national teleconference. Outgoing director Lydia Brazon had held the interim position since October of 2015.
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