WRFI Board Meeting Minutes 9-8-26

 WRFI Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Tuesday September 8, 2026 

In attendance:

Amie Herman

Marc Faris

Peter Bakija

Joe Romano

John Young

Andrea Stevenson Won

Ben Coakley

Absent:

Stephen St. Francis Decky

Talaya Centeno

Niki Ray-Israelsohn

6:05: Call to Order.

6:10: Report on internships. 

Andrea shares information that Cornell University is interested in students doing internships with WRFI. Requires brief documentation, an overseer, 60 hours of work during a semester (15 weeks/60 hours). Various possible focuses (media/communication). In person or remote work possibilities. Andrea shares documents. Definitely a system that can be fleshed out for other organizations (IC, IHS, etc.).

6:20: Fall Fund Drive. 

Things moving as hoped; a planning meeting resulted in a Kickoff meeting, Thursday, 9/24. Board doing outreach. Gayle and Niki working on graphics. Kickoff agenda is in circulation. Kickoff will involve engaging volunteers in preparation for the Fall Drive. Signups for support will happen soon, waiting for new schedule to propagate. Discussion of “style sheet” possibilities for getting information out to newer volunteers for general On The Air procedures.

6:35: Staffing and Positions.

Ben interviewed someone for the Program Coordinator position, she accepted the position. Interviewed a few people for the Development Associate position; will offer someone the position shortly. Staff are being hired. Gayle is moving steadily into the Volunteer Manager position. Ben feels that staff is going in a good direction.

6:50: Committee Reports.

Development: Lots of focus and work on the upcoming fund drive; a fair amount of new Underwriting, including a year long contract, and possible further contracts. Underwriting seems to be doing well. Potential ideas for building relationships with underwriters through staff outreach. Discussion of potential connections to folks for underwriting. Ben submitted final report to the Legacy Foundation grant (power backup equipment).

Governance

Personnel

Finance

7:05: Station Relocation Strategy.

Discussion of potentially needing to move from our current location. Getting mixed information from various sources as to what the actual situation at hand is. The board suggests the need for clarity on the actual situation. Ben already meeting with landlords for greater clarity in the very near future. Discussion of grant applications due in the near future that could help such a move significantly. Ben has been exploring spaces in the city for potential relocation regardless. Discussion of pros and cons of various checked out locations. Discussion of logistics of actually moving the station, including major donors and a capital campaign.  

7:20: ED Report (including updates on Hungerford Hill/WINO).

-WINO: Ben is working with broadcast engineer to figure out what is needed to make current WINO situation into a permanent solution; we have a connection who can help us with the installation of a utility pole. Investigating ideas to increase coverage through use of a translator application. Time to create a translator works to advantage, between applying for a license and having to establish it. 

-New Schedule: New schedule is being launched, new schedule looks good, many vacant slots have been filled. Will work on pocket programming guides (schedules) to hand out to folks. New volunteer cohort coming in after fall fund drive, hopefully fill in some small spots. Some folks have broached the idea of broadcasting radio dramas.

7:40: Board Recruitment.

Hoping to strive for 11 total board members as a “sweet spot”; potentially looking for board members who could help in a station move (building/engineering/architecture/design/construction background, etc.). Discussion of various local organizations who might have potential recruits. 

Vote to renew John Young’s tenure on the board. Motion made to renew John’s tenure on the board for 3 years. Second. Vote succeeds, John renewed for 3 years.

7:50: Consent Agenda and Amendment to Constitution

WRFI BOARD MEETING NOTES (08-11)

Motion made to accept amendment M-17 (board composition). Second. Vote succeeds.

Motion made to approve Minutes from August meeting. Second. Vote succeeds.

Board enters executive session at 7:57 pm. Leaves executive session at 8:18.

-Meeting ends 8:20 pm.