WRFI Board Meeting Minutes 12-9-25

By Peter Bakija | January 19, 2026

WRFI Board Meeting notes (Dec. 9, 2025)

Attending: Amie, Corinne, Joe, John, Mike (notes), Peter, Niki, Steven, Talaya

The board celebrated a successful winter fund drive, meeting its financial goal despite mid-drive slowdowns and reduced social media engagement. Gift baskets and phone calls showed minimal impact on donations, prompting a review of their future use. Matches were highly effective but require better timing strategies. Financially, WRFI is on track to avoid a projected deficit, with strong individual giving and pending underwriting revenue. Music licensing costs for WINO will rise, though new agreements may offset streaming fees.

WINO resumed broadcasting in Watkins Glen under a temporary lease; the board will evaluate permanent site options versus transferring the license, including cost-benefit analysis and community impact. Strategic planning focused on volunteer engagement, onboarding improvements, and implementing a volunteer management system or CRM. The board agreed to re-establish a Staff Advisory Committee in early 2026.

Grant opportunities were discussed: the T-Mobile placemaking grant is deferred due to readiness requirements, while the Arts Council grant will be pursued pending eligibility confirmation. Board recruitment efforts will target candidates with HR and financial expertise, alongside potential additions from the DJ community. Finally, the board approved rolling over up to 70 hours of the Executive Director’s unused vacation time into 2026, encouraging time off in Q1.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fund Drive: Goal met; matches effective; gift baskets and phone calls had minimal impact; social media engagement down.
  • Financials: Strong year-to-date performance; underwriting below target but improving; music licensing costs expected to rise.
  • WINO: Back on air under temporary lease; permanent site options and cost-benefit analysis required.
  • Strategic Planning: Volunteer engagement plan drafted; CRM/volunteer tracking system needed; Staff Advisory Committee to return.
  • Grants: T-Mobile grant deferred; Arts Council grant application moving forward.
  • Board Recruitment: Focus on HR and accounting expertise; potential candidates identified.
  • Vacation Policy: Approved rollover of up to 70 hours for ED; encourage Q1 time off.

Action Items:

  • Fund Drive:
    • Plan DJ briefing/training before next drive.
    • Explore alternative donor engagement strategies and end-of-year email push.
    • Review gift basket approach and consider decoupling from phone calls.
  • WINO:
    • Prepare cost-benefit analysis for permanent site options and timing.
    • Include potential upside (listener reach, community impact) in proposal.
  • Strategic Planning:
    • Board to review volunteer engagement draft and provide feedback.
    • Identify and evaluate volunteer management/CRM solutions.
    • Define timeline and outcomes for Staff Advisory Committee.
  • Grants:
    • Confirm eligibility for Arts Council grant; submit application by deadline.
    • Outline infrastructure needs for future T-Mobile grant cycle.
  • Board Recruitment:
    • Peter to follow up with Kyle; Amie to meet with Mark Faris.
    • Brainstorm additional candidates with needed skill sets.
  • Vacation:
    • Personnel Chair (Joe) to monitor ED vacation usage in 2026.
Posted in ICR Board, ICR Board Meeting Minutes