Phoebe Thomas Sorgen, candidate for KPFA LSB
KPFA 94.1 FM
Pacifica Elections 2024
Why I'm a Rescuer, not a Protector
by Phoebe Thomas (formerly Phoebe Sorgen)
I've served on the LSB before; in the past I ran with a predecessor of today's "KPFA Protectors" slate.
Why have I changed sides? Because I've watched the 'Protectors' in action... and it's not a pretty picture:
Don't Follow the Money
Some of the 'Protectors' talk about Pacific's (genuine) financial crisis... but they don't do anything to actually help KPFA's finances, such as creating a fundraising committee. And at its recent (Sept. 21) meeting, the LSB ratified management's proposed annual budget after only about an hour of discussion, and when the budget documents had been provided only on the morning of the meeting. Doesn't a $3Â1/2 million budget deserve a more careful look than this?
Working Hard? No, Hardly Working
As they hold the majority, the 'Protectors' decide the whens-and-wheres of meetings. They've chosen to have the LSB meet only the minimum number of times required by the Pacifica Bylaws (once every two months). They also adjourn the meetings after two hours, whether or not the Board has finished its agenda! Nor are there any committees to do work in between the Board meetings (some other Pacifica station boards have finance committees or programming committees). Worst of all, they don't do the most-important duties of the LSB: writing annual performance reviews of KPFA management, and starting the hiring process for the General Manager job (we have had an 'interim' General Manager for two years now).
'Protect' the building?
Some 'Protectors' have talked about seeking landmark status for the KPFA building. Nothing wrong with that, but can a building be granted 'landmark' status when it's less than 35 years old?
And landmarking it won't save it, as it didn't save People's Park. We want to protect the building. The effective way to do so is better outreach and fundraising.
What about programming?
KPFA has many excellent programs, but the lineup could certainly be improved. For example, more air time should be devoted to young, Black, Brown, and Asian talent. Since the 'Protectors' say nothing about improving programming, we can only conclude that what they're actually 'protecting' is the status quo. But this is not the way to succeed in the modern media world; KPFA's dwindling subscribership numbers prove that. What we need now is innovation!
SO, WHAT DOES RESCUE-PACIFICA ADVOCATE?
We want to restore the KPFA Program Council, to give subscribers and staff a role in programming, as was previously the case. Some of KPFA's best programs came via the Program Council.
We believe that KPFA should be much more active in soliciting community input. KPFA used to hold in-person town halls, where listeners could share their ideas with board members, management, and each other. These too should be restored.
We believe KPFA needs to catch up with the dramatic changes in 21st Century media technology, by (for example), incorporating more video streaming and making our treasured archives searchable.
We favor thorough financial oversight, not hasty last-minute votes on the budget.
Learn more about our platform at www.RescuePacifica.net
A bit about me -- I'm a very busy peace / justice / sustainability activist. I've worked with Code Pink, Move-to-Amend, Berkeley Citizens Action, and others. As chair of the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian-Universalists' Social Justice Committee, I was honored to share the stage last week with Alice Walker, Dennis Bernstein, and other luminaries as we celebrated Julian Assange's freedom.
Thanks for reading... and, once again, be sure to vote by Monday evening, Sept 30!
PHOEBE THOMAS (SORGEN)
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Candidate Phoebe Thomas Rescue Pacifica will really 'protect' KPFA and all it stands for!
I'm Phoebe Thomas (formerly Phoebe Sorgen), running for a seat on the KPFA Local Station Board (LSB). Please vote for me, and for my Rescue-Pacifica running mates. Your ballot lets you select multiple candidates. Please vote only for the 'Rescue' candidates:
* Rabab Abdulhadi Professor at San Francisco State; Palestinian scholar / activist
* Donna Carter Retired nurse and California Nurses Association contract negotiator
* Felipe Messina Modesto Cop Watch member; IBEW member; clean-air campaigner
* Pathma Venasithamby Jewish Voice for Peace member
* Virginia Browning Former radio reporter / producer / program host
* Stan Woods Oscar Grant Committee member; former ILWU Local 6 board member
* Phoebe Thomas (Sorgen) Social Justice Committee of Berkeley Unitarian-Universalists
* Michai Freeman Disability-rights organizer; former Berkeley City Council candidate
This is not an official communication from KPFA radio station, their respective local station board, or, the Pacifica Foundation. Please note that you have received this because you are a member of KPFA. The communication was paid for and authored by Phoebe Thomas and should not be presumed to represent the official stance of the Pacifica Foundation or KPFA radio station.
