WYPR Losing Money, Downsizing All But Fundraising

Max Obusewski attended the September 2009 WYPR Board and Community Advisory Board (CAB) meetings and offers this report. WYPR lost $173,000 over a three-month summer period, according to WYPR financial data presented at the WYPR Board meeting. Two staffers became part-time workers, voluntarily, according to WYPR management. Salaries at the station are frozen.

Obusewksi reports: The board meeting was at the Family Tree on September 23rd, 2009. Once I entered the meeting room, I was given an agenda, the very personable Alexandra Price, Director of Development, said Hi. Shortly after 3 PM, Deborah Callard opened the meeting and acknowledged me. Then she welcomed Eva Simmons-O’Brien as a new board member.

During the governance report, the most interesting facet of his report began when Jack Machen indicated there was no need for board members to sign the Conflict of Interest policy statement. Of course, a number of board members, including Barbara Bozzuto, said it is essential that board members sign the conflict of interest policy. Machen said not necessary from a legal standpoint, but he was over-ruled by the board.

The discussion of the financial situation at YPR was very somber. There will be no new shows or news stories. Because of the recession/depression, underwriting in the radio business is way down. And YPR’s situation is no better. Nationally, ads are down 15%, in Baltimore radio 23% and at YPR 11%. This is to “operate with extreme caution.” “Strict cost controls are essential.”

Board Member Mr. Grief asked about salaries. “They are frozen.” “Some furloughs.” Two people voluntarily downsized to part-time.

The woman who heads the sales department said the sales staff is very discouraged, but determined. The hope is that the tide will turn in 2010. Brandon said Alexandra will give a report on the latest update of outreach for grants.

Rodney Stump is the new chair of the Friends Group, as Gary Levine now sits on the board. He indicated he wants to closely with the CAB members.

Dave Bowen, chair of the Finance Committee, gave a bleak report, as WYPR lost $173,000 in the June, July, August period. However, he said this was “good” as the summer is a down time. And it was added that YPR still is above budget when subtracting costs from revenue. My guess, though, is that the budget was severely cut back from previous years. One basis for this guess is that YPR listeners are constantly barraged by pleas for donations. Then Tony Brandon put his spin on the report—membership is up, grants look good and underwriting was great.

Cindy Amitin was there from the CAB, and she gave a brief report. It seems that the CAB members will be given a tour of YPR in the near future. Membership and ascertainment committees are set up. A CAB member will now attend board meetings. [This was one of our complaints.] Stump will attend the CAB meeting.

Cindy indicated that Doreen Bolger wants to step down as chair. However, the by-laws state that the chair and the vice-chair must have served at least a year on the CAB before assuming either role. Machen asked the board to vote to amend the by-laws, and to my shock the board members did.

Take Back YPR worked with the CAB over a period of several meetings to finalize the CAB by-laws. In a period of two minutes, the by-laws were changed. This is an indication of the current power relationship. Management needs CAB, so that it can get CPB funding. But the CAB must be toothless.

Tony Brandon then addressed two issues—audit and finances. He observed that all is going well with matters raised by the audit. There were no questions from the board. My assumption is that the board members have been warned not to discuss this subject in the company of members of the community.

However, the meeting adjourned to go into executive session. So I left. The next meeting is November 11 at 3 PM.

The CAB meeting was the following day, Sept. 24th., at 6 PM at the BMA. After we introduced ourselves, Doreen handed out the minutes from the June 22 CAB meeting. It seems Brandon did not post am announcement of this meeting on the web site, so it was not an official meeting. Nevertheless, the minutes were approved.

It was noted that attendance must be taken, as a member who missed a percentage of meetings would be dismissed from the CAB.

Besides Doreen, the only old member of the CAB in attendance was Peggy Olbrecht. There were nine other CAB members at the meeting. Ross spoke about the Friends Group. They meet at YPR, the second Wednesday of the month.

Amitin gave a brief report on the board meeting. Does the CAB want a board member here? There was an amendment of the by-laws. And the audit concerns would soon be alleviated.

The CAB said it was not necessary for Tony and others to come to a CAB meeting at this time, as they are working on getting up-to-speed. Doreen was very upset with the change in by-laws without any consultation with the CAB.

Edouardo Hayden, convener of the Ascertainment Task Force, said there were email problems. So not many people responded. I have a list of brainstorming ideas the CAB did on June 22 on the following subjects: environment, urban planning, diversity, religion and health care.

I then raised several issues. I would like to find out if the loan is now unsecure. If yes, then we the people should get back ownership of the station from the folks who guaranteed the loan. It was unclear if the CAB would get me an answer.

I said I was shocked when the board amended the CAB by-laws. I informed the CAB that Take Back YPR is calling for another audit. Since Cindy did not inform the CAB about the dire financial situation, I did. The next Cab meeting is at 6 PM on November 12, 2009.