WRFI Board Meeting Minutes 1-13-26

WRFI Board Meeting notes (January 13, 2026)

Attending: Amie, Joe, John, Mike, Stephen (notes), Peter, Niki, Talaya, Ben (ED).

The board discussed the Ithaca Music Alliance meeting, where Peter made a short pitch and made connection. The addition of Marc Faris to the board was discussed, and at 6:17PM Marc joined the meeting. There was a question and answer period, with Amie and Peter emphasizing Finance, Development, and paying a living wage, while Joe mentioned the need to figure out how to match new demographics in order to have a bigger presence in the community. Marc had questions about challenges and responsibilities but also discussed his long history as a DJ. After he left the call, the board unanimously voted to approve his joining. 

BOARD NOTES

• A motion to vote for Stephen to be the Recorder was unanimously approved
• A motion to re-up Amie and Talaya—whose terms on the board have ended but both would like to continue— was made and unanimously approved.
• Mike announced he would need to leave the board (temporarily)
• Mike has to leave the board temporarily
• Joseph mentioned that he's going to drop off the board
• Another potential member, Kyle—who interviewed for management position—may interview Kyle next meeting.
• end Board points of order

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

DEVELOPMENT: 

• Park Grant was submitted (Amie mentions that we should have access to it, Ben says yes).
• Good news: one donor from the past sent a check on January 2nd, sent 5K
• Also sent an end of year ask w/return envelopes, one came back with a check for 5K 
• (One small concern from 5K donor, wants it anonymous)
• Development needs to build a calendar, from underwriting to events, donors, fund drives.

PERSONNEL

• Job descriptions: Ben wants to align them with strategic plan. will add job descriptions once strategic plan is approved.
• We have successfully changed payroll systems to Quickbooks. Holiday pay is the only issue.

FINANCE

• There was not a deficit.

 

FURTHER AGENDA:

EINHORN GRANT

• Almost all the grant is salary for program director and PA for episodes.
• Cornell Sun Connection.
• This might be a key to getting more local news on air

WINO UPDATE

• Exact numbers are difficult to pin down: Rough estimate $7500 to keep WINO on the air, also mileage heading out there
• A long conversation on whether on not we should keep WINO ensued
• Ben says WSKG, WRVO might be interested in taking it over. Peak donations are $1500 from the area, a few years back
• A tentative plan to reach out fo FLX wine group should be considered
• Arguments for or against keeping WINO:
• Proposing a 90-day window to reach out to sales

STRATEGIC PLANNING

• Programming content and partnerships
• Infrastructure and technology
• Lease at Clinton House is through 2027