the WBAI Unity Caucas
CRITICAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSED
“CONSTITUENCY / INCLUSION” MODEL
WBAI Unity Caucus
9/19/02
[click here to
see a pie chart w/the Unity Caucas break down]
A plan for guaranteed self-representation of all key constituencies
in Pacifica on the local and national boards, with a special
emphasis on communities in each signal area that are oppressed,
exploited and marginalized, and thus central to fulfilling
Pacifica’s mission.
Critical elements (not a comprehensive summary) are as follows:
PART I: GENERAL BY-LAWS PROVISIONS
1. STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES – A preamble to the by-laws
seeking to deepen and update the Mission in conjunction with
that expressed in the Articles of Incorporation. An introduction
sets forth the major areas of media coverage, commitment to
social change, and self-empowerment, followed by a list of
principles of nondiscrimination, affirmative action, noncommercialism,
workers rights, openness, accessibility and other cornerstones
of Pacifica’s progressive approach to radio. This preamble
becomes a key part of the standard by which all candidates
for Station & National Board seats can be evaluated by
voters.
2. OPEN DEFINITION OF MEMBERSHIP - Any listener, regardless
of whether they have made donations of money or time to the
station, should be eligible to vote. This is to insure that
those who strongly support the station, but for a variety
of legitimate reasons lack either the money or volunteer time
to donate, can still have a voice in the election of the Station
and National Board.
3. PRE-ELECTION “IN-REACH” CAMPAIGN:
A. PAID COORDINATORS [Not part of the by-laws] –
As part of the FY 2003 budget, the iPNB must immediately
authorize the Executive Director to work with all the LABs
and stations to enlist five full-time paid community organizers
as in-reach coordinators to link with community-based activists
to support and help expand the constituent-inclusion work
that is already underway.
B. THREE-MONTH PRE-NOMINATION IN-REACH PERIOD - To meaningfully
engage in this critically needed but grossly neglected work
(and to build the base of listeners, sponsors, volunteers
and potential voters), the by-laws should provide that the
nominations and elections processes should be preceded by
a three-month “In-reach” Campaign among the
various constituencies, both specific and at-large.
4. ROLE &AUTHORITY OF STATION & NATIONAL BOARDS -
Overall and final responsibility should reside with the National
Board of Directors, but major governance decisions will be
made by the Station Boards, subject to various types of review,
as per the Revised KPFA/Spooner draft. In addition, specific
language (from the Diversity Committee/Blanchet draft) should
be added mandating that both Station and National Boards are
responsible for ensuring that staffing and programming, both
local and national, provide for represention of the diverse
communities served by Pacifica.
5. BY-LAWS CONVENTION - A national by-laws convention will
be convened one year after the first election to review the
impact of the by-laws revisions and make appropriate changes.
PART II: SPECIFIC PROVISIONS FOR COMPOSITION/ELECTION OF
STATION & NATIONAL BOARDS
1. STATION BOARDS: SIZE AND COMPOSITION
The Station Boards are comprised of thirty-six (36) representatives;
divided into three categories of constituencies, as follows:
1. Category One: Fifteen (15) Mission Constituency Representatives;
2. Category Two: Fifteen (15) Signal Area Listener Constituency
Representatives
3. Category Three: Six (6) Staff Constituency Representatives
[Numbers of seats for each category or sub-category are in
parentheses]
Category One: Mission Constituency Sub-categories: (15)
A. (Historically) Oppressed & (Structurally) Discriminated
Against Peoples (8):
a) African Ancestry (2)
b) Asian & Pacific Islanders (1)
c) Latinos (2)
d) Native/Indigenous (1)
e) Arabs & Moslems (1)
f) Immigrant (1)
B. Often-exploited and/or Marginalized Sectors of Society
(7)
g) Rank-and-file Labor & Unemployed Workers (1)
h) Youth (1)
i) Women (1)
j) People with Disabilities(1)
k) Prisoners (1)
l) Lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered (1)
m) Cultural Workers (Artist/Arts Community) (1)
Category Two: Listener Constituency Sub-categories: These
sub-categories are based on a division of each station’s
signal area into distinct, relatively large geographic sectors.
As an example, the following is the listing of the geographic
sectors in the WBAI Signal Area: (15)
A. Geographic Constituencies (6)
1. New York City (3)
2. New Jersey (1)
3. Long Island (1)
4. Upstate NY/Conn. (1)
In addition, Category Two must include a relatively large
number of At-Large constituency seats for members of the radio
community not fully represented by Mission and/or a Geographical
constituencies (subcategories).
B. At large seats (9)
Category Three: Staff Constituency Sub-categories: (6)
1. Unpaid (4)
2. Paid (2)
2. REGISTRATION, NOMINATION & VOTING PROCEDURES
Registration –Registration is required for all, including
subscribers, who seek to vote, and can be done by mail. As
part of the process, the registrant will be asked to provide
information about themselves and to voluntarily answer a separate,
anonymous survey about their favorite and suggested programs.
Each person can choose to register in up to 2 constituencies
of which they are a part (this includes at large, geographic,
as well as those defined by various categories of oppression/marginalization,
etc.). However, Staff can only register in one of the two
Staff subcategories (paid or unpaid).
Nominations – Self-nominations of listener constituencies
made with requirement of 50 verified signatures (less for
staff) from registered voters in that person’s constituency,
and detailed forms setting forth personal qualifications and
views on Pacifica mission and policies. In addition, a well-publicized,
open-to-the-public “Big Tent” convention will
be held at which members of the “Mission,” listener
and staff constituencies can debate positions on Pacifica
issues as a large group, and can break into caucuses by constituency
to adopt positions or endorse or encourage particular candidates
to self-nominate.
Campaigning – Voter guide compiling all candidates’
forms will be distributed. Each station will sponsor candidate
debates for each constituency, at least one of which (per
constituency) must be broadcast.
Elections – To minimize fraud, polling places will
be set up at the station and several locations throughout
the signal area on several days during the three-week voting
period, staffed by volunteers. Waivers will be available for
prisoners and people with disabilities or transportation problems.
Registered voters will have to show identification (not necessarily
picture IDs.), and will then receive ballots for the constituencies
in which they are registered. Subcategories of the Board with
multiple election seats will be tabulated using the KPFA model
(50% women/people of color mandates and proportional representation).
Subcategories with single seats will employ “instant
runoff” procedures to insure majority support for the
winner.
Supervision: An Elections Board of noncandidates will be
chosen by the Station Board to supervise the entire process,
investigate any irregularities, and decide on any complaints.
Grandfathering: In the first election, current LAB members
(except staff members) will be offered to be grandfathered
for the shortest term available in the constituency of their
choice, if they can obtain 50 petition signatures from registered
voters in their constituency. Any seats thus grandfathered
will not be elected for the first term.
Removal/Recall: Removal by a 2/3 vote of the Station Board
on adequate grounds. Recall at the next scheduled election
by a 2/3 vote of the signal area registered members of the
specific constituency category in which the Station Board
member was elected. Special recall election triggered by a
petition gathering signatures equal to 20% of the registered
voters of the last election in the constituency in which the
Station Board member was elected.
3. NATIONAL BOARD: SIZE, COMPOSITION AND ELECTION PROCESS
Election of PNB to occur after the Station Board elections,
in an open meeting of the new Station Board, by the 3 respective
categories of members on the newly elected Station Boards.
Two alternative plans:
Alternative 1: The National Board is comprised of twenty-one
(21) directors; four (4) elected by each station as follows:
two (2) from Mission Constituencies, one (1) from Listener
Constituencies; one (1) from Staff Constituencies, as well
as one (1) selected by Pacifica affiliate stations.
Alternative 2: The National Board is comprised of twenty-six
(26) directors; five (5) elected by each station as follows:
two (2) from Mission Constituencies; two (1) from Listener
Constituencies; one (1) from Staff Constituencies, as well
as one (1) selected by Pacifica affiliate stations.
Removal/recall: PNB directors can be removed by a 2/3 vote
of all PNB directors. PNB signal area representatives (directors)
can be recalled at the next regularly scheduled election by
a 2/3 vote of the signal area registered members of the specific
constituency category from which the director was elected.
PNB signal area representatives can also be recalled at any
other time by a 2/3 vote of the Station Board representatives
of the constituency category which elected the Director.
The Entire Draft
CONSTITUENCY INVOLVEMENT
AND REPRESENTATION WITHIN PACIFICA AT THE LOCAL & NATIONAL
BOARD LEVELS
(Revised/Corrected)
WBAI UNITY CAUCUS PROPOSAL;
“PRE-BYLAWS DRAFT” (9/19/02)
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
This Statement of Principles reflects the deepening of the
Pacifica Foundation’s understanding of its mission as
it proceeds into the 21st Century. Having been born more than
fifty years ago amid war and rumors of war, it has been tested
in every decade from within by bad ideas and policies as well
as by opportunism. Similarly, there have been many serious
challenges from the outside by reactionary forces.
However, due to the resolve of many listeners and the stewardship
of the iPNB, Pacifica has regained its focus and is now reclaiming
its mission. Coupled with the Mission Statement in the Articles
of Incorporation, these principles are intended to be unifying
tenets by which the Foundation and its membership can more
effectively continue to struggle for social change. They will
also become a key part of the standard by which all candidates
for Station and National Board can be evaluated by voters.
Thus, we propose adding the following language to Article
1, Section 2 – Purposes.
The Pacifica Foundation is committed to maintaining a strong
noncommercial radio network that:
a. is committed to peace with social justice
b. offers progressive political information and analysis as
a tool for positive social, political, economic and cultural
change;
c. promotes the most progressive currents of culture, arts
and ideas and provides a venue for non-mainstream artistic
presentations that are rarely heard on other electronic media;
d. exposes injustice and inequality of all types, both nationally
and
internationally;
e. educates about the fundamental role of capitalism, corporate
globalization and global apartheid in the ecological, social,
political and economic devastation of this planet;
f. recognizes the critical importance and provide an outlet
for the global grassroots movement for human rights, social
and economic justice and sustainable development to the survival
of this planet;
g. advances the self-empowerment and self-determination of
exploited, oppressed and/or disenfranchised communities, populations
and nations;
h. respects the rights of all workers to be treated equitably
and respectfully;
i. encourages the free expression of controversial, marginalized
opinions; and
j. seeks to involve in its governance and operations individuals
committed to these broad principles.
As such, the Foundation commits to the following fundamental
guarantees:
1. The Foundation and all of its local stations, in the selection
and treatment of staff, national and station board members
and appointees to various bodies, and in all programming,
shall operate with equity, nondiscrimination, and (where appropriate)
affirmative action in terms of race, nationality, language,
religion, citizenship status,
class, gender, gender identity, sexuality, age, appearance,
and ability/disability.
2. Recognizing the centrality of racism in U.S. society and
given Pacifica’s stated mission “to engage in
any activity that shall contribute to a lasting understanding
between between nations and between individuals of all nations,
races, creeds and colors”, the Foundation shall foster
leadership in all of its national and local management, decision-making
and advisory bodies, of people of color from a diverse range
of races and nationalities.
3. The Foundation shall strive for gender parity and shall
promote women's leadership in all of its structures and programs.
4. All Pacifica facilities, meetings and public events shall
be accessible to people with all types of disabilities, as
determined by standards including but not limited to those
set by applicable local, state and federal laws.
5. Pacifica broadcasters shall have the freedom to discuss,
and invite others to discuss, the internal business of the
Foundation, with the only permissible limitations being any
reasonable, clearly-defined policies the Foundation may establish
to restrict personal attacks on anyone and hate speech on
the basis of race, nationality, language, religion, citizenship
status, class, gender, gender identity, sexuality, age, appearance,
and ability/disability.
6. The Foundation recognizes paid and unpaid staff as employees
and their right to seek union recognition under a common collective
bargaining unit and to contract for their rights. Whenever
the paid and/or unpaid staff of any Pacifica unit chooses
to be represented by a union, the Foundation shall engage
in good-faith negotiations with
that union to contract for the terms and conditions of work
at that unit.
7. All meetings of the Pacifica National Board and the various
Station Boards, and any committees thereof, shall be open
to the public, except for any discussions of litigation strategy,
personnel or criminal matters that are deemed necessary to
be held in closed
session.
8. The Foundation shall accept no funding from for-profit
corporations.
9. The Foundation shall under no circumstances sell its rights
to any of the radio frequencies in its possession.
CONSTITUENCIES
The Pacifica Foundation has three basic constituencies: (1)
The broad category of exploited, oppressed and marginalized
peoples, communities and nations; those whom Pacifica’s
mission supports and serves, (2) Its listeners; those who
connect with one or more of the programs, and support the
existence of the station, (3) Its workers (staff), paid and
unpaid; those who daily operate each station, deliver the
programming and maintain Pacifica as a network.
Collectively, these constituencies are Pacifica. While they
are not mutually exclusive, they are each entitled to membership
and representation in the Foundation. They each must also
play an active role in all aspects of the new, more democratic
Pacifica.
MEMBERSHIP AND VOTER REGISTRATION
Membership in the Pacifica Foundation and voter eligibility
is granted to anyone who falls into one of Pacifica’s
three categories of constituencies and registers to vote.
Accordingly, membership is comprised of the following three
basic categories: (1) the broad, mission constituency of exploited,
oppressed and marginalized peoples, communities and nations;
(2) the listener constituency, both those who have and have
not donated funds or volunteered and (3) the staff constituency.
All members of the above constituencies residing in a local
signal area are eligible voters in local Station Board elections.
All registered voters, in addition to listener-sponsors,
become members of the foundation. Listener-sponsors are listeners
who were current subscribers and volunteers within a one-year
preceding the start of the registration period. Membership
in the Foundation must be officially recorded. That is, each
“member” must be registered as such with one of
the stations comprising the Pacifica network.
A mass mailing to all members of the Foundation and all past-year
voters will be completed one week prior to the start of the
voter registration period. In addition, any call-in or drop-in
individual will be given or sent a registration package upon
request. Registration packages will also be prominently displayed
in locations friendly to Pacifica such as progressive bookstores,
libraries, union locations and community centers. Voter registrations
will also be available during the Big Tent convention (see
“Nomination” below). All Foundation members will
be required to fill out and return a voter registration during
the registration period to be eligible to vote. Every election
will require a new registration. Voters in the most recent
election, as well as recent subscribers (less than one year
before first day of registration), volunteers and staff will
normally receive a registration package.
All those who seek to register as voters will be required
to fill out a form including:
1. Name, Address and Telephone Number
2. Constituency identification: the registering voter will
be asked to indicate which constituencies he or she identifies
with. The selected constituencies will be a maximum of Two
(2) with the following options (see below for constituency
categories and subcategories):
a Up to Two (2) subcategories in Category One (Mission)
b Up to One (1) subcategory in Category One and up to One
(1) subcategory in Category Two (Geographic and At-Large).
c Up to One (1) subcategory in Category Two A (Geographic)
and up to One (1) in Category Two B (At-Large).
In addition, registrants will be requested to fill out an
anonymous survey on a voluntary basis, so that the station
can obtain broader listener input. It could contain the following
questions:
a How long have you been listening to the radio station?
b How many hours a week (or day) do you listen and during
what times of the day?
c What are your favorite shows and why?
d What new shows and perspectives would you like to hear?
All station staff registering as voters will be asked to
register into a maximum of one subcategory of Category Three
and will not be allowed to register into any other subcategories.
Each member’s registration must occur no less than fourteen
(14) days before the date commencing the election period,
with the following exception:
The minimum voter registration in any one constituency (subcategory)
will be no less than 50. If at the close of the registration
period one or more subcategory has not been selected by the
minimum 50 registered voters, the registration period will
be extended for this subcategory or these subcategories for
up to the day before the start of the voting period. If, by
the time of the election, a subcategory has not received the
minimum number of 50 registrations, the seat or seats assigned
to this subcategory will remain vacant until the following
year election.
The following is an outline of the sub-categories of membership
within the Foundation. The sub-categories were developed to
facilitate broad, inclusive member-participation in Governance
(i.e., local and national board representation), Outreach
and Programming Policy.
Category One: Mission Constituency Sub-categories:
A. Historically Oppressed & Structurally Discriminated
Against Peoples
a) African Ancestry
b) Asian & Pacific Islanders
c) Latinos
d) Native/Indigenous
e) Arabs & Moslems
f) Immigrants
B. Often-exploited and/or Marginalized Sectors of Society
a) Rank-and-file labor & Unemployed Workers
b) Youth
c) Women
d) Disabled
e) Prisoners
f) LGBT
g) Cultural Workers (Artist/Arts Community)
Category Two: Geographic and At-large Constituency Sub-categories:
The Geographic sub-categories are based on a division of each
station’s signal area into distinct, relatively large
geographic sectors. As an example, the following is the listing
of the geographic sectors in the WBAI Signal Area:
A. Geographic Constituencies
1. New York City
2. New Jersey
3. Long Island
4. Upstate NY/Conn.
In addition, Category Two must include a relatively large
number of At-Large constituency seats for members of the radio
community not fully represented by Mission and/or a Geographic
constituenies (subcategories).
B. At large seats
Category Three: Staff Constituency Sub-categories:
A. Unpaid
B. Paid
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The members of the station boards of the Pacifica Foundation
will establish, elect and maintain a National Board of Directors
(PNB).
ROLE &AUTHORITY
Overall and final responsibility and authority for the Pacifica
Foundation resides with the National Board of Directors (PNB)
[Incorporate updated revised Spooner language]
Duties: (from annotated draft B – KPFA Diversity Comm./Blanchet
language)
· The ongoing duties of the Board are to:
ensure that the staff of the Foundation, including its managerial
staff, at the national and local levels is diverse consistent
with national and regional signal areas' demographics respectively
and that an atmosphere is maintained at all levels that is
free of discrimination.
· Ensure that national and local programming is instituted
that addresses the concerns, needs and interests of the diverse
communities the Foundation serves, especially those of marginalized
and voiceless communities.
SIZE & COMPOSITION (2 alternatives)
Alternative 1: The National Board of Directors (PNB) is comprised
of twenty-one (21) directors; twenty (20) Station Signal Area
Directors and one (1) Affiliates Director. Details of PNB
composition are as follows: two (2) Category One, one (1)
Category Two and One (1) Category Three Directors, for a total
of 21 Directors when the affiliate representative is counted.
Board Directors will also be considered members of the local
Station Board, which elected them.
During the first three years of PNB operations under these
revised Bylaws, there will also be one representative to the
PNB and one alternate representative to the PNB elected by
the Formal Organization of Pacifica Affiliates.
During Year 3 of PNB operations, this bylaws item (i.e.,
Affiliate participation on the PNB) will be reviewed by the
PNB and the membership as well as by the Formal Organization
of Pacifica Affiliates. After receiving the views of the Affiliate
Organization and the PNB, this bylaw/article will either be
permanently retained, extended for a specific period, revoked
and/or amended. Such action(s) may occur either during new
PNB elections by vote of the Foundation membership; or within
two months after new station board elections by vote of a
majority of the newly station boards.
Note: The Affiliates representative and alternate representative
will have the same requirements of as other (station signal
area) PNB candidates and elected representatives.
Alternative 2: Same as above but each Station Board elects
two (2) Category One, two (2) Category Two and One (1) Category
Three Directors, for a total of 5 Directors sent by each Station
Board to the National Board and 26 National Board Directors
when the affiliate representative is counted.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
PNB Directors will be members of the local station board and
will be nominated and elected as follows:
General nomination requirements include the following: Every
candidate (1) may only stand for election for one seat in
the election. (2) articulate her/his specific views about,
and grasp of the Pacifica Mission Statement and Pacifica Statement
of Principles (incorporated above) in a writing of at least
100 words. (3) articulate in a writing of approximately 500
words her/his vision of the New Pacifica, its relationship
to her/his local station and signal area, and how s/he proposes
to help attain or implement that vision. (4) clearly articulate
her/his ability and willingness to commit to the time, effort
and performance/work requirements attendant to the position
of PNB director. (5) Provide adequate and accurate information
regarding her/his relevant technical, fiscal, fundraising,
or legal or consensus-building skills; board, political and/or
professional experience, work, progressive affiliations, etc.
The nomination and election of candidates for PNB Director
seats will occur within one month after the seating of the
station board. Each nominated candidate will be elected by
his or her respective constituency category at a public meeting.
Alternative 1: Four representatives to the PNB (Directors)
will be elected by the station board of each station signal
area. The local Station Board members will elect two (2) members
from Categories One (Mission), one (1) from Category Two (Geographic
and At-Large) and one (1) from Category Three (Station Staff)
respectively. The election of board Directors by the local
Station Board will satisfy the Affirmative Action requirement
of a minimum of 50% people of color and 50% women. Each Station
Board will provide replacement to the vacated seats in accordance
with the local Station Board member replacement policy or
bylaw.
Alternative 2: Five representatives to the PNB (Directors)
will be elected by the station board of each station signal
area. The local Station Board members will elect two (2) members
from Categories One (Mission), two (2) from Category Two (Geographic
and At-Large) and one (1) from Category Three (Station Staff)
respectively. The election of board Directors by the local
Station Board will satisfy the Affirmative Action requirement
of a minimum of 50% people of color and 50% women. Each Station
Board will provide replacement to the vacated seats in accordance
with the local Station Board member replacement policy or
bylaw.
TERM LIMITATIONS
PNB Directors may serve up to two (2) consecutive terms. A
former PNB Director must allow a minimum of one year before
being elected to additional terms.
REMOVAL/RECALL OF DIRECTORS
PNB directors can be removed by a two-thirds vote of all directors.
During an election, PNB signal area representatives (directors)
can be recalled directly by a two-thirds vote of the signal
area registered members of the specific Constituency Category
from which the director was elected. PNB signal area representatives
can also be recalled at any other time by a two-thirds majority
vote of the Station Board representatives of the constituency
category, which elected the Director.
STATION BOARDS
The members of the Pacifica Foundation within each station
signal area, will establish, elect and maintain a Station
Board.
ROLE & AUTHORITY
Incorporate updated revised Spooner Draft language, along
with diversity language from Annotated Draft B (KPFA Diversity
Comm/Blanchet)
Station Boards will have the capacity to establish their
own committees. The following are proposed as standing committees:
· Governance
· Constituent Outreach
· Folio
· Station Operations
· Fundraising
· Program Council (in conjunction with Station Staff)
This minimal list illustrates the importance of having a
Station Board with sufficient members to take full responsibility
for all of these functions. These committees would require
work on a constant basis, not simply during meetings.
SIZE & COMPOSITION
The Station Boards are comprised of thirty-six (36) representatives;
divided as follows:
1. Fifteen (15) Category One, Mission Constituency, Representatives;
2. Fifteen (15) Category Two, Signal Area Listener Constituency,
Representatives
3. Six (6) Category Three, Staff Constituency, Representatives
There will be at least one representative from each of the
sub-categories. The specific number of representatives for
each Category and sub-category is presented below in parentheses.
Category One: Mission Constituency Sub-categories: (15)
A. (Historically) Oppressed & (Structurally) Discriminated
Against Peoples (8):
a) African Ancestry (2)
b) Asian & Pacific Islanders (1)
c) Latinos (2)
d) Native/Indigenous (1)
e) Arabs & Moslems (1)
f) Immigrant (1)
B. Often-exploited and/or Marginalized Sectors of Society
(7)
g) Rank-and-file Labor & Unemployed Workers (1)
h) Youth (1)
i) Women (1)
j) People with Disabilities(1)
k) Prisoners (1)
l) LGBT (1)
m) Cultural Workers (Artist/Arts Community) (1)
Category Two: Listener Constituency Sub-categories: These
sub-categories are based on a division of each station’s
signal area into distinct, relatively large geographic sectors.
As an example, the following is the listing of the geographic
sectors in the WBAI Signal Area: (15)
A. Geographic Constituencies (6)
1. New York City (3)
2. New Jersey (1)
3. Long Island (1)
4. Upstate NY/Conn. (1)
In addition, this category includes a number of at-large
seats
B. At large seats (9)
Category Three: Staff Constituency Sub-categories: (6)
1. Unpaid (4)
2. Paid (2)
PRE-ELECTION “IN-REACH”
The iPNB will immediately authorize the Executive Director
of the Foundation to work with all the Station Boards and
stations, to enlist five full-time paid community organizers
as inreach coordinator to link with community-based activists
to support and help expand the constituent-inclusion work
that is already underway. In order to meaningfully engage
in this critically needed’, but grossly neglected work,
the nominations and elections processes will be preceded by
a three-month (October-December)
“In-reach” Campaign among our constituencies.
Each station will publicly encourage (but not require) activist
and progressive community groups in each constituency to meet
together to begin discussing its proposed platform points
and posiible candidates for the local Station Board elections
– all in preparation for the “Big Tent”
convention.
Thus an approximately, eight-week nominations and elections
period would be completed around the beginning of March 2003.
Note: Based on a collaborative effort between Community for
Progressive Radio (CPR) and the Unity Caucus, two WBAI area
activist groups, “in-reach” efforts to involve
more of Pacifica’s constituent communities is beginning
to bear fruit. An iPNB commitment of resources to do “in-reach”
nationally, is a bold, yet fundamentally sound strategy.
The general plan in each signal area calls for a coordinated
series of forums, meetings, cultural events and teach-ins
within different communities and among several constituencies.
These would be coupled with an assortment of relevant in-station
programs and remote (community-based) broadcasts.
NOMINATION OF STATION BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
There will be a one-month nomination period. Prospective candidates
for the Station Board from Constituent Categories One and
Two, must produce legible nomination petitions with printed
names, addresses and signatures of at least fifty (50) Registered
Voters, who are both from the station signal area and already
registered as a constituency member of the candidates specific
sub-category.
Prospective candidates from the paid and unpaid staff (from
Category Three, Staff Constituency) must produce names and
signatures on the above referenced petitions in numbers to
be set by each Local Advisory Board.
General Nomination requirements include the following: Every
candidate (1) may only stand for election for one seat in
one subcategory. (2) articulate her/his specific views about,
and grasp of the Pacifica Mission Statement and Pacifica Statement
of Principles (incorporated above) in a writing of at least
100 words. (3) articulate in a writing of approximately 500
words her/his vision of the New Pacifica, its relationship
to her/his local station and signal area, and how s/he proposes
to help attain or implement that vision. (4) clearly articulate
her/his ability and willingness to commit to the time, effort
and performance/work requirements attendant to the position
of Station Board member. (5) Provide adequate and accurate
information regarding her/his relevant roots in the community
and experience in constituent community organizing and struggles
about programming issues, (6). Provide adequate and accurate
information regarding her/his relevant technical, fiscal,
fundraising, or legal or consensus-building skills; board,
political and/or professional experience, work, progressive
affiliations, etc. The nomination of candidates for Station
Board seats will be overseen by the Election Board .
All this information will be compiled by the Elections Board
into a Voter’s Guide to be widely distributed.
During the nominations process candidates, listeners and
staff will be invited to participate in a “Big Tent”
convention and mobilization. During the caucus period, each
constituency could meet to debate and consolidate positions
on either constituency-specific, station or network issues
and to identify and endorse candidates. This could include
sub-caucuses if there are major ideological differences within
a constituency. Meanwhile caucuses among at-large constituencies
could also meet for the same purposes. During the plenary
session, there could be debate about a vision and major issues
for the station and the network. Such an event would be a
lively, entertaining and an informative public display of
democracy that could be covered on-air by WBAI in the manner
of a national political convention. It would bring together
the entire listener community, and help stimulate the kind
of debate, exchanges, and connections between people that
are at the heart of the Pacifica mission. And such a “Big
Tent” would represent a good symbol of what the model
of inclusion is aiming to achieve.
The Election board should facilitate the overall convention
and its members would also present important member registration
requirements, election regulations, etc…The Big Tent
convention will also complement in-reach and constituency
organizing already underway.
ELECTION OF STATION BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
All listeners, including subscribers and volunteers will be
required to register. The registration period will commence
three months prior to the scheduled election and end two week
before the election, with the provision that the total number
of registered voter be at least 20% of the total number of
subscribers. This provision is to ensure a minimum participation.
The registration period will be extended until the minimum
participation is achieved and the election will follow two
weeks after the closing of the voter registration.
The nomination process will commence one month after the
start of the registration period and will last one month.
The nomination process will culminate in the Big Tent convention
where each constituency will caucus and issue endorsements
to any or all candidates in that constituency deemed to be
viable. All candidates vested with the caucus endorsement
will be permitted to advertise it.
The campaigning period will commence two weeks into the nomination
period and end one week prior to the scheduled election (start
of the cool-out period). There will be at least one organized
public debates among all candidates – at least one for
the at-large seats and then separate debates (in different
locales) for the candidates from each constituencies. At least
one debate for each contested election should be broadcast,
preferably live and facilitated by the Election Board (see
“Election Board” section) and allowing time for
listeners to call in questions.
Station Board Members are elected for three-year terms. The
election process will span a three-week period (“the
election period”); commencing two weeks after the close
of the Station Board nominations period. Like the nominations
process, the election process will be overseen by an independent
Election Board
During the election period, signal area registered voters
will vote in person at officially designated and publicly
posted and broadcast voting times and locations in geographically
dispersed parts of the signal area. Each voter will be required
to produce some proof of identification with their name and
address on it (but not necessarily a picture I.D.). Waivers
of in-person voting will be issued for the disabled and prisoner
subcategories and, by the Election Board for other individuals
on a case by case basis. The vote will then be allowed by
mail, with the postage date acting as time of vote for the
purpose of validity. At least one (3) members of the Election
Board members will oversee voting at each polling site.
Separate, color-coded election ballots will be produced for
each constituent categories. Each constituency ballot will
be configured, if possible, as a single form anonymous ballot
containing the name of the constituency and candidates in
the format prescribed by the appropriate voting method. Voters
will be allowed privacy and ballots will be cast into a lock
box.
Each local Station Board will establish local election procedures
that meet the specific requirements of its signal area. Each
Station Board will have the right to develop and implement
mission-oriented elections similar or in conformance with
the Constituency model (a.k.a. Model of Inclusion).
The Pacifica Foundation will only establish election rules
necessary to ensure minimal uniformity in elections rules
and conformance with the Articles of Incorporation, and will
refrain from establishing unnecessary rules which may infringe
upon the rights of local signal areas to implement their own
process. No assumption nor presumption shall be made about
what is considered democratic and undemocratic but only what
is consistent with a fair and equitable process in achieving
the goal of implementing the mission of Pacifica.
ELECTION BOARD
The Election Board will be comprised of respected members
of the local constituent communities with possible help of
an independent activist legal organization with an established
track record. The actual selection of Election Board members
will be determined by the Station Board and the local iPNB
members under guidelines determined by the iPNB. The iPNB
guidelines will cover criteria for membership and Election
Board composition. Election Board members will not be candidates.
The authority of the Election Board will be endorsed by the
Station Board and it will be responsible:
a To ensure that the elections lists remain private and are
not used for commercial purposes or otherwise disseminated
for non-elections purposes.
b To address any irregularity or fraud and allegation of irregularity
or fraud in an independent, fair and professional manner and
issue determinations on what needs to be done to remedy the
irregularity or fraud, if any, in accordance with the bylaws
or existing policies established by the Station Board.
c To oversee the entire elections process through the registration,
nomination, campaigning, voting and vote tallying processes
and produce a report to the Station Board detailing its observations,
actions and recommendations.
d To coordinate the in-reach activities and the on-air debates
or interviews to ensure fairness and equal access.
VOTING METHODS
A. Each non-staff registered voter visiting the polling location
will be given a ballot per constituency in which he or she
has registered and will cast only these ballots. Staff voters
will have their own ballot at the radio station during the
election period.
B. Voters having registered in Category One (Mission) and/or
Category Two (Geographic and At-Large) will be eligible to
cast up to two votes, limited to the subcategories in which
they have registered and only one vote per subcategory will
be permitted.
C. Voters having registered in Category Three (Staff) will
be eligible to cast up to one vote in the subcategory to which
they belong and have registered into.
VOTE TALLYING METHODS
A. Votes in single-seat subcategories will utilize the Instant
Runoff Method of voting
B. Votes in multiple-seat subcategories will feature a “preferential”
ranking of candidates in that subcategory. A proportional
or choice voting system2 will be used.
C. The Category Two B (At-Large) will be used to implement
the “affirmative action” provision, which is consistent
with the current methodology with KPFA LAB elections . This
rule mandates that at least 50% of board seats should be occupied
by people of color and at least 50% should be occupied by
women. If, after the election of Category One (Mission) and
Category Two A (Geographic) candidates (but not Category Three
- Staff), there is a deficit in any or both people of color
and women in the total of elected individuals and Station
Board members, the ranked list of winners of the At-Large
sub-category will be used to adjust the number of people of
color and women until it reaches over 50% of the total, if
possible.
D. The Category Three (Staff) election will be subject to
the “affirmative action” provision.
E. Except for Category Three, the total ballots cast in a
subcategory shall be at least 50 for the election in that
subcategory to be official. If an election in a subcategory
has insufficient voting, there will be a polling extension
in increments of one week with polling location at the station
until the 50-vote requirement is achieved. If at the end of
a two week extension the minimum ballots cast are still insufficient,
the seat for that subcategory will remain vacant until the
following election year.
TERM LIMITATIONS
Station Board representatives can serve up to two (2) consecutive
terms. A former Station Board representative must allow a
minimum of one year before being elected to additional terms.
GRANDFATHERING
In the first election, the existing Local Advisory Board members
will be offered to be grandfathered in the constituency of
their choice. They will be required to obtain a petition of
50 members of the selected constituency to be officially grandfathered.
This petition must be completed and delivered to the Election
Board not later than the day preceding the start of the nomination
process. The member with the most seniority on the Station
Board will prevail in the selection of the constituency if
seats are limited. The seat where grandfathering exists will
not be subject to election until the grandfathering term has
expired. The term of grandfathered members will be the smaller
term available in the constituency, which they have elected.
If member grandfathering occurs in a proportion exceeding
1/3 or 2/3 of the avai;lable seats in that constituency, the
members with most seniority will be offered the lesser term.
Staff members of local advisory boards will not be offered
grandfathered seats
STAGGERING
All constituencies on the Station Board will be subject to
staggered elections with ideally 1/3 of the Station Board
seats be subject to election every year.
Alternative 1: In the first election, the Station Board members
in each constituency with more than 3 assigned seats will
be assigned terms according to the following criteria:
a Top one-third tier (or slightly more in uneven division)
of elected members declared elected in the vote tallying scheme
will receive a three year term
b Second one-third tier in the same vote tallying scheme will
receive a two-year term
c The balance of elected members, if any, and the grandfathered
members will received one-year terms.
d In all cases, elected candidates will receive a term equal
or greater than a granfathered member. Grandfathered members
with least sceniority may receive terms higher than one year,
as long as all elected members have been assigned terms.
In the first election, the Station Board members in each
constituency with 2 assigned seats will be assigned terms
according to the following criteria:
a Elected member first declared elected in the vote tallying
scheme will receive a three year term
b Elected member last elected in the vote tallying scheme
or grandfather member will receive a one-year term
c If the two seats are granfathered, the member with least
seniority will receive a two-year term and the other member
a one-year term
In the first election, the Station Board members in each
constituency with 1 assigned seat will be assigned terms according
to the following criteria:
a All seats regardless of constituency will be ranked according
to the voting participation index (ratio of constituency voters
versus constituency registered voters).
b Top one-third tier (or slightly more in uneven division)
of elected members declared elected with the highest voting
participation index will receive a three year term
c Second one-third tier of elected members in the same constituency
scheme will receive a two-year term
d The balance of elected members, if any, and the grandfathered
members will received one-year terms.
e In all cases, elected candidates will receive a term equal
or greater than a grandfathered member. Grandfathered members
with least seniority may receive terms higher than one year,
as long as all elected members have been assigned terms.
Alternative 2: In the first election, the Election Board
will randomly assign terms for constituencies with less than
3 seats (“drawing straws”). The assignment of
terms for constituencies with 3 seats or more and for grandfathered
members will follow the rules set above in Alternative 1.
Aternative 3: There will be no staggering of constituencies
with less than 3 seats. All members from these constituencies
will be elected for 3 years and elections for these seats
will occur every three years.
REMOVAL/RECALL OF STATION BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
A Station Board member can be removed by a vote of 2/3 of
the Station Board on adequate grounds. Process and ground
for removal needs to be established by a policy vote of 2/3
of the Station Board.
During an election, a Station Board member can be recalled
directly by a two-thirds vote of the signal area registered
members of the specific constituency category in which the
Station Board member was elected. A special recall election
can be triggered by a petition gathering signatures equal
to 20% of the registered voters of the last election in the
constituency in which the Station Board member was elected.
BYLAWS CONVENTION
A national bylaws convention will be convened one year after
the first election to review the impact of the bylaws revisions
and make appropriate changes.
Categories not examined in this draft: ABSENCES OF A STATION
BOARD REPRESENTATIVES, AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS, AMENDMENTS OF
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATIONS.
Current Election Models Supported By The Various
LABs:
The KPFA Model
additional documents regarding this model
How this model works
(by Carol Spooner)
The "Hybrid" Model
[WBAI]; revised as of 11/29
additional documents regarding this model
the 11/22 Draft
the 11/25 Draft (written
after the 11/22 Houston meeting)
The "Unity Caucus"
Model
The "Mission
Based" Model [WPFW]
additional documents regarding this model
Frequently Asked
Questions
Models That Were Used Earlier On In The Bylaws Revision
Process:
Click here
to read the WPFW subcommittee proposal (or
the first (A) draft).
Click here
to read the Fertig/KPFK proposal (or the
third (C) bylaws draft).
Click here
to read the KPFK subcommittee proposal.
Click here
to read the KPFT subcommittee proposal.
Click here
to read comments sent in by the public regarding the various
proposed models.
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