WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Educational Communications Board

January 11, 2010

Minutes

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:  Lichtenberg, Gerlach, Rudnitzki, Jones-Bey, Shurgot, Katz, Sigman, Dietrich, Powless, Utley, Alden, Gilmore, Merrick, Steele, Corriveau, Rosewall (by phone), Tenerelli (by phone), Egan (by phone)

 

 

President Rosewall called the meeting order at 1:12 p.m.

 

Gerlach/Dietrich: MOTION: to approve September 2009 Board Meeting Minutes.  APPROVED

 

Committee Reports

Finance Committee reported by Bill Merrick

  • Merrick reports on 990 filings and led discussion relating to the form and its contents
  • Sigman/Dietrich:  MOTION:  in accordance with Minnesota requirements in filing IRS Form 990 requiring two signatures, that Merrick and Rosewall sign.  APPROVED
  • Merrick, Alden and Stockdale are forming a subgroup to discuss WPRA policies as it relates to the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) now in place
  • Merrick will discuss the possibility of sharing audit expenses with the Friends of Wisconsin Public Television and with our current auditors
  • Gilmore/Dietrich:  MOTION:  Wegner and Associates, CPA be named the WPRA auditor for 2010.  APPROVED

 

Board Operations Committee reported by Dave Steele

  • Steele reported that Board Operations has decided to hold primary elections for the WPRA positions in Central and West Central Wisconsin
    • Since the committee’s meeting a third candidate was declared eligible in Southeast Wisconsin
      • Dietrich/Sigman MOTION:  To hold primary election in Southeast Wisconsin to reduce candidates to two.  APPROVED
      • Given that this motion affects Joan Ruditzki’s district, she abstained to vote on the motion.

 

  • Rudnitzki/Gerlach MOTION:  To amend elections procedures by addition of the following paragraph:

6.a.  If at the regular January Board meeting a Regional Manager shall report to the Board Operations Committee that there are no candidates qualified for office in that region the Board Operations Committee shall immediately cause a regional nominating committee to be formed.  The committee shall consist of the regional manager, a Board Director for that region and two association members at least one of whom is known to be an active volunteer from the region.  This nominating committee shall recommend up to two qualified nominees to the Board Operations Committee no later than the last day of February of that year.  The Board Operations Committee shall review the candidates and, if satisfied, that they are qualified, cause them to be added to the elections list.  APPROVED

 

  • Steele will appoint the committees for South-Central and Northeast Wisconsin to develop the ballot for  Board Operations’ consideration
  • The committee ratified the following slate of candidates for the 2010 WPRA Election, with primary elections:

 

SOUTHEAST

John E. “Gene” O’Connell, Big Bend

Joan Rudnitzki, West Bend

Brian Theel, Milwaukee

 

CENTRAL             

Brian Estes, Stevens Point

Norman Earl Spangenberg, Stevens Point

Larry Graham, Stevens Point

Ginger Alden, Wausau

Bradford Clifford Northcraft, Plover

 

WEST CENTRAL

Dave Steele, Augusta

Katherine Schneider, Eau Claire

Curtis Edward Rohland, Chippewa Falls

Melanie Schiller, Chippewa Falls

Robert Pinckney Hall, Menomonie

 

SOUTH CENTRAL

(No candidates)

 

NORTHEAST                                        

(No candidates)

 

  • Steele led a discussion of the board book developed by intern Danielle Smiley.  Suggestion was made at Board Ops to add a special section on finance
  • Steele instructed individuals to fill out and turn in the required Conflict of Interest forms.
  • Steele reported that the board operations committee discussed structure, including increasing use of committee meetings between board meetings.  Steele invited the board to provide input on improvements on the overall structure and procedures to him.

 

Development Committee report by Joan Rudnitzki

  • Committee asked board members to write thank-you notes on behalf of WPRA.
  • Chet Gerlach has offered his home for a small get-together for key prospects to meet with board members after the May meeting.

 

Advocacy Committee report by Chet Gerlach

  • Gerlach reports that WPRA and Friends of Wisconsin Public Television are working to combine advocacy committees into a single entity to speak for Wisconsin Public Broadcasting.  Efforts are underway to develop a joint meeting in February.
  • Legislative visits being developed to local places in February and March.  John Munson will be working with the regional managers and the Madison Area Outreach Team to get these set up.
  • Legislative Day will be held again in May.  Gerlach reports it will involve board members going to the Capitol to visit with legislators about issues important to Wisconsin Public Broadcasting.

 

Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.