Captured and expertly delivered by our blog's trusty 'Indigo', here is Pacifica's iED Tom Livingston with an update on the current situation. It does not answer all the questions, but it is enlightening and includes peripheral reference to a search for two program directors (at 7.24).
Apropos that, there is also talk of harassment training, which may or may not be related to Tony Bates' abrupt May 2 departure. Hmmmm.
The bequeathed property Mr. Livingston refers to is not Downton Abbey, nor does it sound like the house Berthold Reimers has variously described as being worth $100,000 to 160,000. It is apparently a forlorn Piscataway, NJ house with liens on it.
The audio clip also contains a couple of Q & A's, including a relatively harmless performance by Adriana.
The audio clip also contains a couple of Q & A's, including a relatively harmless performance by Adriana.
Update from iED Livingston
"Apropos that, there is also talk of harassment training, which may or may not be related to Tony Bates' abrupt May 2 departure."
ReplyDeleteNah, harassment training is Grace Aaron's favorite hobby horse. Livingston even said it was "at the direction of board."
Two p.d. searches - cashing in while there's still $$.
I thought it was fascinating he started off saying,"a National Board member made a list of projects I've worked on." Some people just have to micromanage everything and everyone.
Some wheels are turning. It remains to be seen if they're still connected to the cart.
- Kim
There was actually a harassment incident at WBAI a couple of years ago (with witnesses).
DeleteYou're missing the point Chris. He is talking about online training for staff AND volunteers and other measures including getting an HR director and developing an employee handbook to reduce the number of lawsuits against Pacifica. He is also talking
ReplyDeleteabout outsourcing finance functions in order to get moving on the audits.
I believe most of the lawsuits come from members as opposed to third parties (not including creditors who take legal action). If they can reduce liability costs and prevent lawsuits from their own members, that would be a significant improvement.
I am aware of all that, but Kim made specific reference to harassment and these days that is often of the sexual variety. WBAI has not been immune from that—a specific case came to mind.
DeleteThe harassment training is just something Grace always trots out. It's not a bad thing but it's just something she always likes to get motions passed about and now she's leaning on Livingston to do it so she can say she accomplished something. Meanwhile, FCC violations are ignored. Two lawsuits from KPFK last year were directly because of two board members incompetence, and I'm putting that politely here, so avoidance of lawsuits is a good talking point but doesn't happen in practice if it's not convenient. And those two are different than two filed from a KPFK board member against Pacifica.
DeleteHmmm, I wonder if Randy Credico will have a show again on WBAI. Who else was pissed when he lost his show? It's payback time, folks. Please don't confuse it with good governance.
As for outsourcing finance, I can think of nothing more unworkable for many reasons. But, we'll see.
Kim
I also wondered about Randy, but then I remembered that his real beef was with Berthold Reimers who, alas, seem to be staying.
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