Minutes of the KXNM BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING -- Thursday July 20, 2017
PRESENT: Art Swenka, John Griego, Ladd Hagmaier, Barbara Kinney, Jo Onarheim, Bill Simms, Dixie Swenka, Randy Wright
Guests: Peggy Schwebach, Chair of the Community Advisory Committee
Not Present: Rhoda Geduld, Norm Onarheim
Art Swenka called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all present.
A quorum was met with eight directors present.
AGENDA: John Griego made a motion to accept the agenda with one addition under ‘Old Business: Changing the By-Laws - Ladd Hagmaier.’ Barbara Kinney seconded and all directors approved it.
MINUTES: John Griego made a motion to accept the minutes from the June 21, 2017 meeting as submitted. Dixie Swenka seconded the motion, and all directors approved it.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Art Swenka discussed the impact of Blake William’s sudden asthma attack on Thursday, June 29th and unexpected death on Sunday, July 2nd. Blake was the station’s Chief of Operations, Programming Director and Engineer, and his passing left a huge gap in providing the services that are required by the FCC, and that are needed to keep the station on the air. Blake’s long and successful career in radio is legendary, and his contributions to KXNM are immeasurable. He will be missed.
B. Art Swenka and Bills Simms described the process of keeping the station on the air and the transition of moving operations from Blake’s studio in Moriarty to the studios in McIntosh. Fortunately, Simian was running in Moriarty, which allowed the station to broadcast Thursday’s shows in a loop through Friday. That’s when the President of NPR authorized Michael Brasher at KANW to re-broadcast their NPR shows at KXNM, by Sunday the station had resumed its own broadcasting by playing CDs, and by the first of the week, regular programming had largely resumed with the exception of Zone-by-Zone Weather.
Throughout the following week, Art Swenka hired several consultants including Derrick Underhill from Grants, who manages two radio stations that have operation similar to KXNM, including using Simian. Derrick moved equipment from Blake’s studio in Moriarty to the studios in McIntosh. He also worked with Bill Simms and other station personnel to re-program Simian, and trained the staff to use Simian, which allowed the station to resume regular operations. There are still a few bugs with Simian, but they are being resolved.
Several directors commented on the exceptional way that the station’s management and staff handled a potential crisis that could have taken the station off the air.
C. Art and Dixie Swenka discussed the key positions required by the FCC that were left vacant by Blake’s passing. These positions are being filled with the following professionals:
Engineer (on-call) – John Chidester
Programming Director – Vacant (appointment pending)
Chief of Operations – Art Swenka (by vote of the Directors)
Jo Ornaheim motioned that Art Swenka be appointed as Chief of Operations, it was seconded by Randy Wright and approved by all directors.
D. Dixie Swenka distributed and discussed a new policy on Employment Policies and Office Rules that describe the dress code, jury duty, bereavement leave, station holidays, etc. Jo Ornaheim motioned that the policy be approved with one change ‘remove the requirement for socks or stockings from the dress code.’ Barbara Kinney seconded the motion, and all directors approved it.
TREASURER’S REPORT: John Griego provided a detailed P&L Statement and Balance Sheet through July 20, 2017, and a P&L for the 2016 fiscal year along with a comparison of financial statements from the same time last year. Overall, revenue has increased significantly from last year and so have expenses, largely attributed to one-time costs including outside contractors (Simian consultant) and grant expenses (consultant and CPA). John reported that a $10,000 donation was not included in these reports and will be recorded on Friday.
Dixie Swenka motioned that the Treasurer’s Reports for May-July, 2017 be approved. It was seconded by Jo Onarheim and approved by all directors.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT: Peggy Schwebach, Chair of the Community Advisory Committee reported on potential activities with the East Mountain High School. The committee has put several initiatives on hold including developing focus groups and recommending new programming until the station has more resources. Peggy Schwebach and Lee Torres remain as the only active CAC members.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Bill Simms reported on the continued success of the FFA shows with the exception of the commodity report from the FFA Chapter in Moriarty, which is on hiatus during the summer. Bill applauded Matthew Lindeman from Estancia H.S. who was able to record and file his report while at a scout camp in West Virginia.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Art Swenka’s report was included in his extensive discussion of the station’s transition from Moriarty to McIntosh, and enlisting consultants and other professionals to keep the station on the air.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. At the June 21st Board Meeting, Art Swenka asked Ladd Hagmaier to contact the N.M. Secretary of State to determine ‘how to report changes to the station’s by-laws’. Ladd Hagmaier contacted the Secretary of State Corporations Bureau, and reported that the station is not required to notify the N.M. Secretary of State of changes to KXNM’s By-Laws. Certain changes to the by-laws are needed to modify term limits for members of the Board of Directors and officers. Dixie Swenka and Randy Wright will review the by-laws for needed revision, and report their findings to the Board of Directors for consideration at the next board meeting.
B. Art Swenka reported on the installation of new carpet by Robert’s Flooring and thanked everyone involved including volunteers who are not employees of the station. A special thank you was made to Norm Onarheim, Joe Winters and Drew Harrelson. Art also said, ‘that the next project is to replace the windows in the building before winter starts.’
C. Randy Wright reported on the review of the 2018 CPB Grant Application conducted by Sharon Simmons, Manager of Grants Applications and Ken Goulet, Financial Review Specialist. The reviewers requested clarifications and additional information, and all responses to their questions were completed and submitted in a timely manner. The station’s application has been thoroughly reviewed and submitted to Andrew Charnick, CPB’s Director of Grants, who will make the decision to award a grant to the station by early September.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday August 16, 2017 at 2 pm at the KXNM Offices and Studios in McIntosh.
Bill Simms motioned to adjourn the meeting at 3:45 PM.
Submitted on 07/22/17 Approved:
Randy Wright, Secretary Arthur J. Swenka, President
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END
PRESENT: Art Swenka, John Griego, Ladd Hagmaier, Barbara Kinney, Jo Onarheim, Bill Simms, Dixie Swenka, Randy Wright
Guests: Peggy Schwebach, Chair of the Community Advisory Committee
Not Present: Rhoda Geduld, Norm Onarheim
Art Swenka called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all present.
A quorum was met with eight directors present.
AGENDA: John Griego made a motion to accept the agenda with one addition under ‘Old Business: Changing the By-Laws - Ladd Hagmaier.’ Barbara Kinney seconded and all directors approved it.
MINUTES: John Griego made a motion to accept the minutes from the June 21, 2017 meeting as submitted. Dixie Swenka seconded the motion, and all directors approved it.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Art Swenka discussed the impact of Blake William’s sudden asthma attack on Thursday, June 29th and unexpected death on Sunday, July 2nd. Blake was the station’s Chief of Operations, Programming Director and Engineer, and his passing left a huge gap in providing the services that are required by the FCC, and that are needed to keep the station on the air. Blake’s long and successful career in radio is legendary, and his contributions to KXNM are immeasurable. He will be missed.
B. Art Swenka and Bills Simms described the process of keeping the station on the air and the transition of moving operations from Blake’s studio in Moriarty to the studios in McIntosh. Fortunately, Simian was running in Moriarty, which allowed the station to broadcast Thursday’s shows in a loop through Friday. That’s when the President of NPR authorized Michael Brasher at KANW to re-broadcast their NPR shows at KXNM, by Sunday the station had resumed its own broadcasting by playing CDs, and by the first of the week, regular programming had largely resumed with the exception of Zone-by-Zone Weather.
Throughout the following week, Art Swenka hired several consultants including Derrick Underhill from Grants, who manages two radio stations that have operation similar to KXNM, including using Simian. Derrick moved equipment from Blake’s studio in Moriarty to the studios in McIntosh. He also worked with Bill Simms and other station personnel to re-program Simian, and trained the staff to use Simian, which allowed the station to resume regular operations. There are still a few bugs with Simian, but they are being resolved.
Several directors commented on the exceptional way that the station’s management and staff handled a potential crisis that could have taken the station off the air.
C. Art and Dixie Swenka discussed the key positions required by the FCC that were left vacant by Blake’s passing. These positions are being filled with the following professionals:
Engineer (on-call) – John Chidester
Programming Director – Vacant (appointment pending)
Chief of Operations – Art Swenka (by vote of the Directors)
Jo Ornaheim motioned that Art Swenka be appointed as Chief of Operations, it was seconded by Randy Wright and approved by all directors.
D. Dixie Swenka distributed and discussed a new policy on Employment Policies and Office Rules that describe the dress code, jury duty, bereavement leave, station holidays, etc. Jo Ornaheim motioned that the policy be approved with one change ‘remove the requirement for socks or stockings from the dress code.’ Barbara Kinney seconded the motion, and all directors approved it.
TREASURER’S REPORT: John Griego provided a detailed P&L Statement and Balance Sheet through July 20, 2017, and a P&L for the 2016 fiscal year along with a comparison of financial statements from the same time last year. Overall, revenue has increased significantly from last year and so have expenses, largely attributed to one-time costs including outside contractors (Simian consultant) and grant expenses (consultant and CPA). John reported that a $10,000 donation was not included in these reports and will be recorded on Friday.
Dixie Swenka motioned that the Treasurer’s Reports for May-July, 2017 be approved. It was seconded by Jo Onarheim and approved by all directors.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT: Peggy Schwebach, Chair of the Community Advisory Committee reported on potential activities with the East Mountain High School. The committee has put several initiatives on hold including developing focus groups and recommending new programming until the station has more resources. Peggy Schwebach and Lee Torres remain as the only active CAC members.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Bill Simms reported on the continued success of the FFA shows with the exception of the commodity report from the FFA Chapter in Moriarty, which is on hiatus during the summer. Bill applauded Matthew Lindeman from Estancia H.S. who was able to record and file his report while at a scout camp in West Virginia.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Art Swenka’s report was included in his extensive discussion of the station’s transition from Moriarty to McIntosh, and enlisting consultants and other professionals to keep the station on the air.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. At the June 21st Board Meeting, Art Swenka asked Ladd Hagmaier to contact the N.M. Secretary of State to determine ‘how to report changes to the station’s by-laws’. Ladd Hagmaier contacted the Secretary of State Corporations Bureau, and reported that the station is not required to notify the N.M. Secretary of State of changes to KXNM’s By-Laws. Certain changes to the by-laws are needed to modify term limits for members of the Board of Directors and officers. Dixie Swenka and Randy Wright will review the by-laws for needed revision, and report their findings to the Board of Directors for consideration at the next board meeting.
B. Art Swenka reported on the installation of new carpet by Robert’s Flooring and thanked everyone involved including volunteers who are not employees of the station. A special thank you was made to Norm Onarheim, Joe Winters and Drew Harrelson. Art also said, ‘that the next project is to replace the windows in the building before winter starts.’
C. Randy Wright reported on the review of the 2018 CPB Grant Application conducted by Sharon Simmons, Manager of Grants Applications and Ken Goulet, Financial Review Specialist. The reviewers requested clarifications and additional information, and all responses to their questions were completed and submitted in a timely manner. The station’s application has been thoroughly reviewed and submitted to Andrew Charnick, CPB’s Director of Grants, who will make the decision to award a grant to the station by early September.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday August 16, 2017 at 2 pm at the KXNM Offices and Studios in McIntosh.
Bill Simms motioned to adjourn the meeting at 3:45 PM.
Submitted on 07/22/17 Approved:
Randy Wright, Secretary Arthur J. Swenka, President
# # #
END