Comments on: WPFW Staff Declare No Confidence in GM http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/ 68.3 Square Miles of D.C. News and Opinion Fri, 24 May 2013 20:07:26 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: sara http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1101725 sara Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:35:08 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1101725 Move WPFW over to the Gateway Arts District! i.e., Brentwood, Mount Rainier, or one of the other towns nearby. Real estate is reasonable, and there are other amenities, and more to come. Move WPFW over to the Gateway Arts District! i.e., Brentwood, Mount Rainier, or one of the other towns nearby. Real estate is reasonable, and there are other amenities, and more to come.

]]> By: 600+ KPFA listeners tell Pacifica: quit stalling on recall vote | SaveKPFA http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1101062 600+ KPFA listeners tell Pacifica: quit stalling on recall vote | SaveKPFA Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:51:27 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1101062 [...] also on the ropes. Washington’s City Paper reports that more than 80 staff members there have signed a letter of no confidence in their manager, accusing him of lengthening fund drives, imposing steep austerity measures that [...] [...] also on the ropes. Washington’s City Paper reports that more than 80 staff members there have signed a letter of no confidence in their manager, accusing him of lengthening fund drives, imposing steep austerity measures that [...]

]]> By: Noose http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1100540 Noose Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:11:28 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1100540 Another thought: City Paper told of the severe complaints with General Manager Hughes, so where is the follow up by CP giving the GM a platform to respond? Did they try to get his story? Did he try and respond? Doesn't journalism require such an effort? Yet no mention of even trying to reach the GM that I can find. Another thought: City Paper told of the severe complaints with General Manager Hughes, so where is the follow up by CP giving the GM a platform to respond? Did they try to get his story? Did he try and respond? Doesn't journalism require such an effort? Yet no mention of even trying to reach the GM that I can find.

]]> By: Noose http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1100539 Noose Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:02:24 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1100539 The biggest issues at WPFW may be that both the business model and the structure may be unworkable. It has a very ambitious design of of a volunteers' collective while desperately needing firm management and planning - the latter is probably not possible given the 'political' aspirations and culture of the station. I cannot fault the GM for the station's failure to generate an adequate endowment over the past 30 years or to secure a permanent home. *** Who at WPFW 5,4,3 years ago didn't think the station would be priced out of Adams Morgan? Purchasing a secure location should have been a campaign that started YEARS ago, when bonds and tax credits were more plentiful. *** So a valid question is who ultimately controls UDC? Is it not the Mayor who names the UDC President and I bet, influences who joins the UDC Board? Can WPFW be pressure free, really independent if its landlord has an interest to protect the current mayor? The LS Board (and some executives) have seemed weak in fundraising expertise, vision and commitment for many years. Example: No apparent major gifts program. Has WPFW received any grants over past 5 years?? How would the listeners know if they did? Where is the 'state of the station' report shared with audience? How does one even find the financials for the station? There needs to be a governing board peopled with those with the hard skills, passion and commitment, able to make decisions, not a board of just those most agitated who want to serve mostly for protecting or influencing programming. It doesn't help that Pacifica has been broke and in disarray for years. It's not 1970 anymore. Since the Pacifica board is mostly made up of locals interested first in their own station, who on that board is truly invested first in the bigger picture, the national network or footprint of Pacifica? UDC of course at one time did have its own (great jazz) radio station which was sold off in budget stress, by city fathers to CNN for $1M. so a fair question could be will UDC, if ever it gets deep pockets, one day offer to buy and own WPFW? And then sell for a profit in 3-10 years? Will UDC faculty and staff resent WPFW getting valuable territory on UDC campus? The other challenge for WPFW is that with such diverse programming, some great, some very weak, it's audiences are silo'd so branding and marketing and continuous listening loyalty are hard to achieve. The hard truth about WPFW, is though the region's population has expanded and diversified and though WPFW does enjoy very good airwave reach, its audience share is stagnant and I suspect, quite aging. The audience size and economic demographics are troubling. This is a fundamental challenge to the station. Hughes appears to have made some progress under very tough circumstances, getting the ship righted, more on a path. Yet such a large vote of no confidence is troubling. When down on your knees, not a good time to be kicked. The biggest issues at WPFW may be that both the business model and the structure may be unworkable. It has a very ambitious design of of a volunteers' collective while desperately needing firm management and planning - the latter is probably not possible given the 'political' aspirations and culture of the station. I cannot fault the GM for the station's failure to generate an adequate endowment over the past 30 years or to secure a permanent home.

*** Who at WPFW 5,4,3 years ago didn't think the station would be priced out of Adams Morgan? Purchasing a secure location should have been a campaign that started YEARS ago, when bonds and tax credits were more plentiful. ***

So a valid question is who ultimately controls UDC? Is it not the Mayor who names the UDC President and I bet, influences who joins the UDC Board? Can WPFW be pressure free, really independent if its landlord has an interest to protect the current mayor?

The LS Board (and some executives) have seemed weak in fundraising expertise, vision and commitment for many years. Example: No apparent major gifts program. Has WPFW received any grants over past 5 years?? How would the listeners know if they did? Where is the 'state of the station' report shared with audience? How does one even find the financials for the station? There needs to be a governing board peopled with those with the hard skills, passion and commitment, able to make decisions, not a board of just those most agitated who want to serve mostly for protecting or influencing programming.
It doesn't help that Pacifica has been broke and in disarray for years.
It's not 1970 anymore.
Since the Pacifica board is mostly made up of locals interested first in their own station, who on that board is truly invested first in the bigger picture, the national network or footprint of Pacifica?
UDC of course at one time did have its own (great jazz) radio station which was sold off in budget stress, by city fathers to CNN for $1M. so a fair question could be will UDC, if ever it gets deep pockets, one day offer to buy and own WPFW? And then sell for a profit in 3-10 years? Will UDC faculty and staff resent WPFW getting valuable territory on UDC campus?
The other challenge for WPFW is that with such diverse programming, some great, some very weak, it's audiences are silo'd so branding and marketing and continuous listening loyalty are hard to achieve.
The hard truth about WPFW, is though the region's population has expanded and diversified and though WPFW does enjoy very good airwave reach, its audience share is stagnant and I suspect, quite aging. The audience size and economic demographics are troubling. This is a fundamental challenge to the station.
Hughes appears to have made some progress under very tough circumstances, getting the ship righted, more on a path. Yet such a large vote of no confidence is troubling.

When down on your knees, not a good time to be kicked.

]]> By: Update on Pacifica pension raiding; Workers vote no confidence in management at KPFA sister station | KPFAWorker http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1097639 Update on Pacifica pension raiding; Workers vote no confidence in management at KPFA sister station | KPFAWorker Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:47:59 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1097639 [...] than 80 unpaid and paid workers at KPFA’s sister station WPFW in Washington DC have taken a vote of no confidence in the general manager put in place by Pacifica ten months ago.  They accuse John Hughes, who was [...] [...] than 80 unpaid and paid workers at KPFA’s sister station WPFW in Washington DC have taken a vote of no confidence in the general manager put in place by Pacifica ten months ago.  They accuse John Hughes, who was [...]

]]> By: Billy Ray Edwards http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1096728 Billy Ray Edwards Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:27:03 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1096728 The more things change the more they remain the same>>>Billy Ray The more things change the more they remain the same>>>Billy Ray

]]> By: SaMoJoy http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1096670 SaMoJoy Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:03:21 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1096670 What also isn't noted is that there was a retreat held with an ALL STATION CALL to include Community Advisory Board, Paid Staff, Programmers(those members of the association and those who are not), Local Station Board, Pledge drive volunteers, office volunteers, media, public radio experts & consultants as well as other WPFW constituencies. The purpose of that retreat was to invite all factions of the station in on the planning process. So All Station meetings have been held. Perhaps what is being requested is a GM & Programmers Assoc only meeting. At that retreat and elsewhere the plans for how WPFW will attempt to raise more off air revenue has been presented. The assertion that the Development Dept has not pursued grants is an untruth. ALL aspects of increasing the revenue budget that are within WPFW’s legal & mission dictated means are being pursued most aggressively now but have always been pursued. December/Holiday Season asks by non-profits are not new. It’s a proven and effective way to earn money by most non-profits and specifically public radio. In regards to the iPD not being chosen as the permanent person, I understand the questions as posed by the PA, myself, and others but the fact remains that it is a personnel issue. As its representative, John Hughes doesn’t have an obligation to disclose information about personnel issues. In the beginning statement of the declaration which includes "...Union Staff Declare..." This gives the impression that the union members of the staff took some sort of vote. It should say some members of the union staff. Its an effort to present an image of all union members being united against the GM and with all of the PA’s complaints. In actuality I know for a fact that a couple of those union members never heard of, saw, were asked about, referred to, or pointed in the direction of this letter of no confidence before it appeared here. So to basically name a group of participants without indicating that in this context only a faction of its whole is represented is neither accurate nor an honest presentation of the truth. Including all union members in a blanket Union Staff category considering some of those members were never presented with, asked their opinion about, or even encouraged to participate in this letter is a violation of the principles of democracy and transparency and by some of the same people accuse John Hughes. Furthermore, the lifeblood of the station is its community which includes the listeners, volunteers, hosts, staff and other groups. What also isn't noted is that there was a retreat held with an ALL STATION CALL to include Community Advisory Board, Paid Staff, Programmers(those members of the association and those who are not), Local Station Board, Pledge drive volunteers, office volunteers, media, public radio experts & consultants as well as other WPFW constituencies. The purpose of that retreat was to invite all factions of the station in on the planning process. So All Station meetings have been held. Perhaps what is being requested is a GM & Programmers Assoc only meeting. At that retreat and elsewhere the plans for how WPFW will attempt to raise more off air revenue has been presented. The assertion that the Development Dept has not pursued grants is an untruth. ALL aspects of increasing the revenue budget that are within WPFW’s legal & mission dictated means are being pursued most aggressively now but have always been pursued. December/Holiday Season asks by non-profits are not new. It’s a proven and effective way to earn money by most non-profits and specifically public radio. In regards to the iPD not being chosen as the permanent person, I understand the questions as posed by the PA, myself, and others but the fact remains that it is a personnel issue. As its representative, John Hughes doesn’t have an obligation to disclose information about personnel issues. In the beginning statement of the declaration which includes "...Union Staff Declare..." This gives the impression that the union members of the staff took some sort of vote. It should say some members of the union staff. Its an effort to present an image of all union members being united against the GM and with all of the PA’s complaints. In actuality I know for a fact that a couple of those union members never heard of, saw, were asked about, referred to, or pointed in the direction of this letter of no confidence before it appeared here. So to basically name a group of participants without indicating that in this context only a faction of its whole is represented is neither accurate nor an honest presentation of the truth. Including all union members in a blanket Union Staff category considering some of those members were never presented with, asked their opinion about, or even encouraged to participate in this letter is a violation of the principles of democracy and transparency and by some of the same people accuse John Hughes. Furthermore, the lifeblood of the station is its community which includes the listeners, volunteers, hosts, staff and other groups.

]]> By: WPFWinsider http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1096522 WPFWinsider Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:23:10 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1096522 What Rpope doesn't say is that the agenda of weekly meetings to which programmers and the public are invited are limited SOLELY to planning for on-air station pledge drives! And even at those meetings Hughes typically shows little interest in ideas arising from the programmers. When a recent fund drive was going poorly, it was ideas put forth by the very guy Hughes just fired (interim PD Bob Daughtry) that led to successful conclusion of the fund drive. What Rpope doesn't say is that the agenda of weekly meetings to which programmers and the public are invited are limited SOLELY to planning for on-air station pledge drives! And even at those meetings Hughes typically shows little interest in ideas arising from the programmers. When a recent fund drive was going poorly, it was ideas put forth by the very guy Hughes just fired (interim PD Bob Daughtry) that led to successful conclusion of the fund drive.

]]> By: Rpope http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1096089 Rpope Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:33:03 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1096089 What this article doesn't say is that under the current GM the station has made leaps and bounds towards addressing its debts, begun to meets its financial goals for the first time in years, and invited the public, including programmers, for weekly meetings. It (and the Programmers Association) also fail to note the increase in station special events, renewed outreach to major donors, and the cultivation of a planned giving program, all under John Hughes leadership. What this article doesn't say is that under the current GM the station has made leaps and bounds towards addressing its debts, begun to meets its financial goals for the first time in years, and invited the public, including programmers, for weekly meetings. It (and the Programmers Association) also fail to note the increase in station special events, renewed outreach to major donors, and the cultivation of a planned giving program, all under John Hughes leadership.

]]> By: Conservemoral http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1095562 Conservemoral Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:15:18 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1095562 The Saturday (11-12-11) night jam-fund raiser at the Masonic Hall was so inspiring served with great fanfare and delicious food and I ahd a great time at my table for 10 and the dancing was off the scale. Now, to hear about the dissent makes me sad and if Dude Hughes is not up to task he must resign and quit giving us begging programming weekly. The Saturday (11-12-11) night jam-fund raiser at the Masonic Hall was so inspiring served with great fanfare and delicious food and I ahd a great time at my table for 10 and the dancing was off the scale.
Now, to hear about the dissent makes me sad and if Dude Hughes is not up to task he must resign and quit giving us begging programming weekly.

]]> By: WPFW Staff Declare No Confidence in GM – Washington City Paper (blog) | DirectUSATV.com http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/11/14/wpfw-staff-declare-no-confidence-in-gm/comment-page-1/#comment-1095557 WPFW Staff Declare No Confidence in GM – Washington City Paper (blog) | DirectUSATV.com Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:00:19 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=83376#comment-1095557 [...] WPFW Staff Declare No Confidence in GMWashington City Paper (blog)… union staff ? whose salaries were cut by more than half in an austerity move ? while the HR Director, Development Director and Business Manager maintained their full salaries,? said Robyn Holden, host of the ?Robyn's Place? program. … [...] [...] WPFW Staff Declare No Confidence in GMWashington City Paper (blog)… union staff ? whose salaries were cut by more than half in an austerity move ? while the HR Director, Development Director and Business Manager maintained their full salaries,? said Robyn Holden, host of the ?Robyn's Place? program. … [...]

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