WRFI Board Meeting Minutes 4-7-26
WRFI Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Tuesday April 7, 2026
In attendance:
Talaya Centeno
Amie Herman
Marc Faris
Peter Bakija
Joe Romano
Corinne Shanahan
John Young
Niki Ray-Israelsohn
Stephen St. Francis Decky
Ben Coakley
Absent:
6:05: Call to Order.
6:10: Board Succession:
Peter plans to step down from Board Presidency after 2 years. Looking for someone to take the position. Corrine indicates she will be unavailable for the next few months, and plans on stepping down from the Board in August.
6:20: Financial Updates:
Station is close to 25% of donation income in the first quarter; Underwriting is a little behind. Not getting a hoped for increase in grant income. Hungerford Hill will be a little more expensive than the tower in Westhaven, but the Westhaven tower will break even with a new tenant renting from us.
6:30: Strategic Plan Updates:
Some things have gone according to plan; many new Creatives episodes, mostly done by volunteers; work with news organizations have been going slowly; working on Volunteer engagement. More new volunteers have been oriented; Gayle is up to speed with training and volunteer intake.
6:40: Committee Reports:
Development Committee: Looking at more communication with Major Donors; looking at more events in the Fall, including possibly the Hangar and maybe another Square Dance event. Looking at some fun live events for fundraising and general engagement. Asking for a large scale event and fundraising calendar. Looking at potential future themes for fund drives (Community!) for cohesion. Applied for another grant for underwriting (promoting literacy). Working on screening the Alabama Solution in May at Cinemopolis. We will be at Earth Day, Ithaca Festival, FLX Music Expo.
Personnel: Developed documents for interviews for personnel issues and discussions. More to be discussed at the Executive Session.
Finance: Ben has been meeting with the Finance Committee about various issues.
7:00: Hungerford Hill Tower.
A lot of time has been spent on it this quarter; a proposed equipment list has been developed and sent forward to other parties; some light debate over license rights with the tower. Upgraded internet connection at Clinton House, now have faster service, WVBR can use this connection to route through WRFI studios as a backup. Board unanimously votes to allow an email vote on the lease; board will look over the lease and vote this week.
7:10: ED Report.
Regulatory filings done, Playlist reporting done, making sure all filings are done. All 4 staff workspaces have moved to back of station; room now for live music and volunteer meetings in the front office. Office feels much more inviting. Some discussion of some legacy giving with folks. Communication with a smartphone app company, questions about getting a specific WRFI listening app; will help with folks in modern cars, where listening app shows up on car dashboard. A few new underwriting accounts in operation. Discussion of linking up with other local new business organizations to help with folks underwriting on our station (which are things that exist).
7:30: Board Recruitment.
Niki has made some contacts; Amie has reached out to a local business person. Discussion of a Board Fellowship (a year long board appointment, focusing on a specific project?). Discussion of a potential candidate who is a station volunteer.
7:40: Consent Agenda
7:45: Executive Session.