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KPFA Revised Draft B of proposed Pacifica bylaws
(with underlines etc)
9-13-02
From: Carol Spooner
Date: Sun Sep 29, 2002 10:49 pm
Subject: Bylaws - KPFA 9/13/02 Revisions

There are a few minor changes from the 9/8/02 that is "on the grid" ... and the duties & authority of the local boards are clarified to finesse the issue of how much authority the national board can delegate.

This proposal is designed to make the local & national boards and management accountable to listeners who support Pacifica's mission. It provides for boards that make policy, set expectations for management, support management in carrying out those policies & expectations, and then evaluate their performance and hold them accountable.

It is also designed to prevent this network from splintering into national vs local interests and concerns and regional interests against one another. The tendency is there ... and almost inevitable ... unless we design a structure that keeps the local and national and the five stations knitted together in dialogue and decision-making process ... and we need an appropriate distribution of power and authority. One of the reasons for the devolution over the past decade was that Pacifica national decided on strategies without local "buy-in", setting up resistance that escalated to reprisals that escalated to all out war. We've got to prevent that from happening again. National initiatives need local support to work. Local stations need national perspectives to be more effective in opposing war, racism, injustice. I believe it is possible to knit this organization together into a real "net" of local radio stations, affiliate stations, national and local programming ... and I think that's what these times call for from Pacifica.

We are concerned that our democratization project could open us up to "takeover" from the right by buying up memberships. So we have built in some safeguards. One is that the local boards elect the directors, rather than direct election by the subscribers. Direct election of directors is an unstable system that could easily be targeted for an organized takeover.. The local boards will be able to evaluate their members' performance carefully before putting them on the national board. Another is the requirement that directors serve at least one year on a local board before being eligible to serve as a director (this requirement would be waived in the first year's election). Another is staggered elections (both local and national) so that it would take time to gain a majority on any board. Staggering elections so that 1/3rd of the local boards are elected each year does that better than doing it in halves ... but it is more expensive to do elections every year. Another safeguard is having staff members on the local (and national) boards.

The revised Draft B (KPFA Committee) proposal was drafted with the objective of knitting local and national interests together ... requiring "collaborative process" ... and setting up a democratic system that we feel is the least vulnerable to organized efforts to takeover Pacifica while holding Pacifica management accountable to the listeners.

--Carol

-----------------

This draft revised from the 9-8-02 version of draft B
Deletions in blue strikethrough text
Additions in green underlined text

PACIFICA FOUNDATION BYLAWS

[KPFA SUBCOMMITTEE PROPOSAL - DRAFT B-Revised 9/13/02]

ARTICLE ONE

IDENTITY AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1. NAME

The name of this corporation shall be is PACIFICA FOUNDATION, and it shall be referred to in these By-Laws as "The Foundation".

SECTION 2. PURPOSES

The purposes of The Foundation are stated in Article II of the Articles of Incorporation, as follows:

 (a) To establish a Foundation organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member of the Foundation.
 (b) To establish and operate for educational purposes, in such manner that the facilities involved shall be as nearly self-sustaining as possible, one or more radio broadcasting stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and subject in their operation to the regulatory actions of the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934, As Amended.
 (c) In radio broadcasting operations to encourage and provide outlets for the creative skills and energies of the community; to conduct classes and workshops in the writing and producing of drama; to establish awards and scholarships for creative writing; to offer performance facilities to amateur instrumentalists, choral groups, orchestral groups and music students; and to promote and aid other creative activities which will serve the cultural welfare of the community.
 (d) In radio broadcasting operations to engage in any activity that shall contribute to a lasting understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors; to gather and disseminate information on the causes of conflict between any and all of such groups; and through any and all means compatible with the purposes of this corporation to promote the study of political and economic problems and of the causes of religious, philosophical and racial antagonisms.
 (e) In radio broadcasting operations to promote the full distribution of public information; to obtain access to sources of news not commonly brought together in the same medium; and to employ such varied sources in the public presentation of accurate, objective, comprehensive news on all matters vitally affecting the community.

SECTION 3. PRINCIPLES, POLICIES AND PRACTICES

Because the activities of the Foundation are supported by diverse communities of listeners, volunteers, community organizations, employees, members and contributors, because the basis of the Foundation's governance is democratic, because the Foundation endeavors to recruit a staff that is diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, sexual preference and disability at all levels and to maintain a working environment that is free of discrimination, because of the primacy of the tradition of volunteerism in the Foundation, and because the Foundation exists to promote understanding of the causes of conflict between people of all nations, races, creeds and colors, all of the roles and relationships within the Pacifica communities should promote collaborative processes and respectful dialogue, where, to the greatest extent practicable, all affected persons are consulted and given an opportunity to be heard, both within the governing structure, and in the management of the Foundation, as well as in its relations with the diverse communities it serves. These By-Laws shall be augmented wherever possible, by resolutions of the Board of Directors and Local Station Boards establishing policies, and implemented through written Operating Guidelines and Procedures stipulating practices by which the Board of Directors exercises its fiduciary responsibilities and holds management accountable to theses principles.

ARTICLE TWO

OFFICES OF THE FOUNDATION

SECTION 1. PRINCIPLE PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The principal office and place of business of The Foundation shall be located in the County of Alameda, State of California.

SECTION 2. OTHER OFFICES

The Foundation shall also have offices at such other places within or without the State of California as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

ARTICLE THREE

MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDATION

SECTION 1. DEFINED

There shall be two classes of members: (A) "Listener- Sponsor Members", and (B) "Staff Members".

 A. LISTENER-SPONSOR MEMBERS

"Listener-Sponsor Members" shall be any natural persons who within each of the three preceding 12-month periods1 period: (1) has contributed a minimum $25 donation to any Pacifica radio station, or such minimum amount as the Board of Directors may from time to time decide, or has volunteered a minimum of 3 hours' work to any Pacifica radio station.

 B. STAFF MEMBERS

"Staff Members" shall be: (1) any non-management permanent paid employee of a Pacifica radio station, or any unpaid worker or volunteer who has worked for any Pacifica radio station at least 15 hours in the preceding 3 months or at least 30 hours in the preceding year.

 C. SINGLE MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be determined by radio station area, and each Pacifica Foundation radio station shall maintain a register of its Listener-Sponsor Members and Staff Members. In the event that a person qualifies for membership in more than one radio station area, he or she shall be entitled to only one membership and shall notify the Foundation of which radio station area s/he wishes to be a member. In the event that a person qualifies both as a Listener-Sponsor Member and as a Staff Member, such person shall be deemed to be a Staff Member.

 D. WAIVER OF REQUIREMENTS

A Local Station Board may choose to waive the gift requirement for Listener-Sponsor Membership for reasons of financial hardship for anyone who, due to incarceration or disability, cannot volunteer his/her time.

SECTION 3. RIGHTS

A. ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DELEGATES; REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

The Members of a radio station area shall have the right elect Delegates and to remove any Delegate elected by them and any Director elected by the Delegates from their radio station area in the manner provided in Article Five of these Bylaws and consistent with the provisions of Section 5222 of the California Corporations Code. The removal by the Members of any Delegate who is also serving as a Foundation Officer or Director shall serve to remove that Director from the Board of Directors and from all offices of the Foundation.

B. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Any amendment of these bylaws that materially adversely affects the rights of the members, or any class of members, shall require the vote of approval of the members, or affected class of members, in order to be effective. Any amendment of the Foundation bylaws that changes the number of Local Station Board Delegates or Foundation Directors, or the manner of election of Delegates or Directors, or the powers of Local Station Boards, shall require the vote of approval of the members, or affected class of members, in order to be effective.

C. AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

Any The Members shall have the right to approve or reject amendment to the Foundation Articles of Incorporation altering the purposes of the Foundation shall require the vote of approval of the Members. , as set forth in Article XVII, below.

D. APPROVAL OF ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF MAJOR ASSETS

The Members of the Foundation shall have the right to approve or reject the acquisition or disposition of major Foundation assets, for example real property and radio broadcast licenses.

SECTION 3. QUORUM

For purposes of any election or written ballot, a quorum of the Listener-Sponsor Members shall be 10% of those entitled to vote, and a quorum of the Staff members shall be one-third (1/3) of those entitled to vote, as of the applicable record date.

SECTION 4. RECORD DATE

The record date for purposes of determining the members entitled to notice, voting rights, written ballot rights, or any other right with respect to any other lawful membership action, shall be 45 days before the first written ballot or notice is mailed.

SECTION 5. PROXIES

All action taken by Members shall be taken by the Members personally. The powers of Members may not be exercised by alternates, by proxy or the like.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

ELECTION OF DELEGATES

SECTION 1. DELEGATES DEFINED

Delegates shall be any eligible natural persons elected by the Members, or class of Members, and is serving as such. Delegates shall serve as the Members' representatives in electing Foundation Directors and in serving on the Local Station Boards. Delegates may only act personally at a meeting or by written ballot and may not act by proxy.

SECTION 2. NOMINATION OF DELEGATES

A. NOMINATION PROCEDURES

Nominations for the office of local station Delegate shall open on September 1st of each year and close on November 1st 2 1st 1. Nomination papers shall be delivered to an independent and neutral elections coordinator, who shall not hold any elective Foundation office and who shall not be an employee of the Foundation, who shall be chosen by each Local Station Board, by majority vote, to oversee and certify the fairness of the elections and conformity with these bylaws. Nomination papers shall consist of the required number of signatures on a form to be provided by the election coordinator, a statement of whether the candidate is running for election as a Listener-Sponsor Member or a Staff Member, and a statement up to 500 words in length by the candidate which shall be mailed to the voting members. The names of up to ten (10) nominators may be listed at the end of a candidate's statement. The candidate shall also indicate his/her gender, and racial or ethnic heritage, i.e., European, African, Latin American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Arab, or declines to state.

B. ELIGIBILITY ELIGIBILITY
 1. Listener-Sponsor Member Delegates: Any Listener-Sponsor Member in good standing may be nominated for the position of Delegate by the signatures of ten (10) Listener-Sponsor Members in good standing, provided that no person who holds any elective or appointive public office at any level of government - federal, state or local - or is a candidate for such office, or who has held such elective or appointive office within the preceding 3 years, shall be eligible for election to the position of Delegate, and further provided that no Pacifica national or radio station management personnel shall eligible. A Delegate shall be deemed to have resigned the position of Delegate if s/he becomes a candidate for public office or receives a political appointment during his or her term as a Delegate. This restriction shall not apply to civil service employment by governmental agencies.

 2. Staff Member Delegates: Any Staff Member in good standing may be nominated for the office of Delegate by the signatures of five (5) Staff Members in good standing, provided that no person who holds any elective or appointive public office at any level of government - federal, state or local - or is a candidate for such office, or who has held such elective or appointive office within the preceding 3 years, shall be eligible for election to the position of Delegate. A Delegate shall be deemed to have resigned the position of Delegate if s/he becomes a candidate for public office or receives a political appointment during his or her term as a Delegate. This restriction shall not apply to civil service employment by governmental agencies.

SECTION 3. ELECTION OF DELEGATES

A. LISTENER-SPONSOR DELEGATES

The Listener-Sponsor Members for each station area shall elect twelve Delegates who shall sit on the Local Station Board. One third of the Listener-Sponsor Delegates shall be elected annually by mail ballot by the Listener-Sponsor Members of each radio station 3 , subject to the diversity criteria specified below. Cumulative Voting is permitted. The Proportional Representation "Single Transferable Voting Method" is permitted and may be utilized if approved by majority vote of the Local Station Board. There shall be a 30-day period for return of ballots after mailing, and the ballots shall be counted and the election results certified by the Elections Coordinator not later than December 29th of each year 4.

B. STAFF DELEGATES

The Staff Members for each station area shall elect six Delegates who shall sit on the Local Station Board. One third of the Staff Delegates shall be elected annually by the Staff Members of each radio station area by mail ballot 5 , subject to the diversity criteria specified below. Cumulative voting is permitted. The Proportional Representation "Single Transferable Voting Method" is authorized and may be utilized, if approved by majority vote of the Local Station Board. There shall be a 30-day period for return of ballots after mailing, and the ballots shall be counted and the election results certified by the Elections Coordinator not later than December 29th of each year.

SECTION 4. DIVERSITY GOALS

[Two alternatives: the first alternative is STRONGLY recommended by the KPFA Committee, the second alternative is not recommended by the KPFA Committee, but is offered as a possible "compromise" position]

EITHER

[STRONGLY recommended by KPFA Committee]

It is the goal of the Foundation that a minimum of 50% of the Delegates shall be racial/ethnic minorities and a minimum of 50% of the Delegates shall be women. To that end, in any election of Delegates half the number of seats to be filled shall be filled by the top vote-getters who are racial/ethnic minorities and half the number of seats to be filled shall be filled by the top vote-getters who are women, regardless of whether or not they are among the top vote-getters overall. However, for purposes of applying this rule, no person shall be elected a Delegate who does not receive at least one-half (½) the number of votes as the last person who would have been elected were it not for the diversity goals. After all the ballots are counted, the election coordinator shall examine the results to determine whether the diversity goals for the Local Board have been met in the aggregate and not just incrementally, and if they have not been met, then s/he shall look to see if there are candidates who are minorities and/or women who received at least half the number of votes of the lowest vote-getter who would otherwise be elected, and s/he shall declare them elected in order of highest number of votes received, replacing the candidates who would have been elected in order of lowest number of votes received. For example: if there are 4 seats to be filled and the top 4 vote-getters are 3 non-minority men and one minority woman, the non-minority man with the least votes who would have been elected will be replaced with the next highest votegetter who is either a minority or a woman provided s/he has obtained at least half of the votes of that non- minority man being replaced. The elections coordinator will then examine the results again to see if the diversity goals for both minorities and women has been met in the aggregate, and if not, s/he will replace the next lowest non-minority man who would have been elected with the next highest minority or woman with the minimum required number of votes who will fulfill the diversity goals.

OR

[NOT recommended by KPFA Committee]

It is the goal of the Foundation that a minimum of 50% of the Delegates shall be racial/ethnic minorities and a minimum of 50% of the Delegates shall be women. To that end, the candidate pool shall be limited so that the number of men and women candidates and the number of racial/ethnic minorities and caucasian candidates shall be equal within plus or minus one. I.e., if there are 5 women candidates there can be no less than 4 nor more than 6 men candidates. The Elections Coordinator shall number nomination papers in the order received and fill the candidate pool of men and women and racial/ethnic minorities and caucasians on a first come first served basis. Thus, if the first three nomination papers received are from 2 men and 1 woman, no other men shall be admitted to the candidate pool until nomination papers are received an additional woman. This provision shall not apply if the number of candidates is less than 200% of the number of seats to be filled, in which case all nominees shall be qualified as candidates.

SECTION 5. FAIR CAMPAIGN PROVISIONS

No Foundation or radio station management or staff may use air time to endorse or campaign or recommend for or against any candidate for election to Station Board Delegate, or give air time to some candidates but not others. All candidates for election shall be given equal opportunity for air time, and such air time shall be specially set aside for candidates statements and questions and answers from the listeners. No Foundation or radio station management or staff may give written endorsements to any listener-sponsor delegate candidates. Neither the Board of Directors nor any Local Station Board may, as a body, endorse any candidate(s) for election to the Local Station Board(s), however individual directors and Local Station Board Delegates who are members in good standing may endorse or nominate candidates.

SECTION 6. DELEGATES' TERMS, LIMITATION OF TERMS

The term of a Delegate shall be three (3) years. A Delegate may serve two (2) consecutive three-year terms. A Delegate shall not be eligible for further service as a Director until one year has elapsed after the termination of a Delegate's second consecutive three- year term.

ARTICLE FIVE

DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION

SECTION 1. FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS - MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY, NUMBER, POWERS AND DUTIES

A. DEFINED

The Directors of the Foundation shall be natural persons who have been elected to the office of Director as set forth in these bylaws, and are serving as such.

B. ELIGIBILITY

Any Local Station Board Delegate who is currently serving and has served at least one year as a Delegate 6 is eligible to be elected to the office of Director, and any natural person nominated by a "Pacifica Affiliate" or by two Local Station Boards is eligible to be elected an "at large" Director, provided, however, that the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer of any Local Station Board may not concurrent hold the office of Foundation Director and must resign his/her Local Station Board office upon election to the office of Foundation Director, and provided further that no person who holds any elective or appointive public office at any level of government - federal, state or local - or is a candidate for such office, or who has held such elective or appointive office within the preceding 3 years, shall be eligible for election to the office of Director of the Pacifica Foundation. A Director shall be deemed to have resigned the office of Director if s/he becomes a candidate for public office or receives a political appointment during his or her term as a Director. This restriction shall not apply to civil service employment by governmental agencies.

C. NUMBER

[Two Alternatives]

EITHER

 1. There shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) and a maximum of eighteen (18) directors of the Foundation.

OR

 1. There shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) and a maximum of twenty eight (28) directors of the Foundation.

 2. A change in the minimum or maximum number of directors, or a change from a variable to a fixed number of directors, requires the vote of approval of the members.

 D. EX OFFICIO DIRECTORS

The Foundation Executive Director, the Director of the Pacifica Foundation Archives, and a Recording Secretary and Chief Financial Officer (if either or both are appointed) shall be ex officio non-voting members of the Board of Directors. Ex Officio members shall not be counted in determining the maximum or minimum number of Foundation Directors.

E. POWER AND AUTHORITY

Subject to the provisions of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation law and any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws relating to action required or permitted to be taken or approved by the Members or Delegates of the Foundation, the activities and affairs of the Foundation shall be conducted and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

F. DUTIES

The ongoing duties of the Directors are to ensure fulfillment of the purposes of the Foundation as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation; to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws; to ensure the financial health of the Foundation by adoption and monitoring of an annual budget and to oversee an independent annual audit of the Foundations books and accounts; to ensure regular communication with the Members at all levels and areas of the Foundation; to appoint, supervise and remove, employ and discharge, the Executive Director of the Foundation; to meet at such regular times and places as required by these Bylaws and to meet at such other times as may be necessary in order to carry out the duties of Directors; to register their addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses with the Secretary of the Foundation. Notices of meetings mailed, transmitted by telecopier facsimile, or emailed to them at such addresses shall be valid notices thereof.

SECTION 2. TERMS

The term of a Director shall be three (3) years. A director may serve two (2) consecutive three-year terms. A Director shall not be eligible for further service as a Director until one year has elapsed after the termination of a Director's second consecutive three- year term.

SECTION 3. NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS

A. STATION REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORS

Any Delegate serving on a Local Station Board may nominate any other eligible Delegate serving on the same Local Station Board for the office of Director.

B. AT-LARGE DIRECTORS

 The board of directors, or equivalent governing body, of any "Pacifica Affiliate" may nominate any eligible natural person for the office of Director. For these purposes, "Pacifica Affiliate" is defined as any non- commercial broadcaster -- radio, digital, internet, or the like - that broadcasts Pacifica programming, either by permission or by contract with the Pacifica Foundation. By majority vote of the Delegates present and voting on two Local Station Boards, any two Local Station Boards may nominate any eligible listener-sponsor member of the Foundation, who is not then serving as a station board Delegate on any Local Station Board, to the office of Director.

SECTION 4. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

A. STATION REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORS

[Two Alternatives]

EITHER

Each Local Station Board shall elect from among its then current Local Station Board Delegates, by majority vote of the Delegates present and voting, three Directors to represent that station on the Foundation Board of Directors, two of whom shall be listener-sponsor members and one of whom shall be a staff member. These elections shall take place in January of each year and be staggered so that one Director is elected by each Local Station Board each year.7 6

OR

Each Local Station Board shall elect from among the then current Local Station Board Delegates, by majority vote of the Delegates present and voting, three Directors to represent that station on the Foundation Board of Directors, two of whom shall be listener-sponsor members and one of whom shall be a staff member. In addition, if a station has more than 105,000 subscribers who have contributed the minimum amount required for membership, or more, during the prior twelve months, the Local Station Board shall elect a fourth Director who shall be a listener-sponsor member; and if a station has more than 205,000 subscribers who have contributed the minimum amount required for membership, or more, during the prior twelve months, the Local Station Board shall elect a fifth Director who shall be a staff member. These elections shall take place in January of each year and be staggered so that, at most, two Directors are elected by each Local Station Board each year.

B. AT-LARGE DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, elect up to three (3) Directors nominated either by a Pacifica Affiliate or by two Local Station Boards, by 2/3rds majority vote of the Directors present and voting, provided that notice of the nomination and vote is served on all Directors with the Notice of Meeting at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting date.

SECTION 7. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

A. BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Any Director shall be removed automatically for unexcused absences as set forth in Article Five.

B. BY LOCAL STATION BOARD DELEGATES

Any Director may be removed by the Delegates of the Local Station Board that elected him or her at a regular or special meeting by three-fifths (3/5ths) majority vote of all the Delegates for that Local Station Board, provided that the grounds for such removal are submitted with the notice of the meeting and, provided further, that the said Director shall have a reasonable opportunity at said meeting to protest his/her removal. Notwithstanding the requirement that the grounds for removal need to be stated, removal need not be for cause in the legal sense.

C. BY THE MEMBERS

Upon the petition of fifty (50) of the Members of the Radio Station area that a Director represents, a Director may be removed by a majority vote of the Members of that station area voting in a recall election. If recall procedures have not been established by the Board of Directors, then the Local Station Board Committee for that station area shall determine the recall procedures within thirty (30) days of the submission of a recall petition.

In the case that the Sponsor Members recall any Local Station Board delegate who has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Foundation, this shall have the effect of removing the director from the Board of Directors.

SECTION 8. VACANCY

If a Station Representative Director's seat becomes vacant for any reason, that seat shall be filled for the remainder of the term by the Local Station Board for that station area.

 

SECTION 9. COMPENSATION

Directors shall serve without compensation except that they shall be allowed reasonable advancement or reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their regular duties.

SECTION 10. RESTRICTION REGARDING INTERESTED DIRECTORS

Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, not more than forty-nine percent (49%) of the persons serving on the board may be interested persons. For purposes of this Section, "interested persons" means either:
 (1) Any person currently being compensated by the Foundation for services rendered it within the previous twelve (12) months, whether as a full- or part-time officer or other employee, independent contractor, or otherwise; or

(2) Any brother, sister, ancestor, descendant, spouse, domestic partner, brother-in- law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, or father-in-law of any such person.

ARTICLE SIX

MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. TIME AND PLACE OF MEETINGS

The Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors shall take place in March, at such times, and places as designated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at the previous meeting. The Board shall also regularly meet in June and September of each year. All meetings shall occur at a location not farther than 25 miles from the offices of a Foundation radio station, and the Board meetings shall rotate through the five radio station areas so that meetings do not take place twice in the same station area until a meeting has been held in all other station areas. Directors may attend in person, or by telephone or video conference, or other electronic means, provided that all Directors may hear one another, at all times.

SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Board Chair, any two Officers of the Board, by a majority of the Executive Committee, or by any five members of the Board.

SECTION 3. NOTICE

Written notice of every regular meeting of the Board of Directors, stating the time and place of said meeting, and the purposes thereof, shall be mailed, or sent to each member of the Board of Directors by first class mail, telecopier or email, according to the preference each director specifies in writing to the Foundation Secretary, at least thirty (30) days before any such meeting. Special meetings shall require only 7 days advance notice days' advance notice, but shall also require telephonic notice by leaving a message at the telephone number given to the Secretary for such notice by each director, and shall specify the purpose of the meeting. No additional business not stated in the notice shall be conducted at a special meeting. All meetings shall be announced in advance a minimum of three times daily on the air for five days on all Pacifica radio stations.

SECTION 4. OPEN MEETINGS
All meetings of the Board of Directors shall be open to the public, except for discussion of personnel, legal or proprietary matters which are permitted to be discussed in executive session, provided that a statement of the reason for the executive session is made public.

SECTION 5. QUORUM
A quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors shall consist of one-third one-half (1/32) of the duly elected Directors.

SECTION 56. ATTENDANCE

Any Director who is absent for three (3) consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to have resigned and shall be automatically removed from the Board unless at least one of the absences has been excused by majority vote of the Directors present and voting at the meeting.

SECTION 67. ACTION BY UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board shall individually or collectively consent in writing to such action. Such written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of such Directors.

SECTION 78. PROXIES

All action taken by Directors shall be taken by the elected Director personally; the powers of members of the Board may not be exercised by alternates, by proxy or the like.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

There shall be an Executive Committee of the Board of Directors consisting of the Board Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and such other Directors as may be necessary so that there is at least one Executive Committee Member from each radio station area at all times. Executive Committee Members who are not Foundation officers shall be elected by majority vote of the directors present and voting. The Executive Committee shall NOT have the full authority to act on behalf of the full board, unless such authority has been specifically delegated to it by resolution of the board for a specific purpose. The Executive Committee may meet on twenty four hours telephone notice to all Executive Committee members to respond to such matters as may arise between board meetings as may require their attention. The Executive Committee may refer the matter to an appropriate board committee, or may convene a special meeting of the full board, or may refer the matter to the Executive Director for recommendations or action, as they deem appropriate. Within five days after any Executive Committee Meeting the Secretary shall circulate to the full Board of Directors Minutes of the meeting stating the reason for the meeting, and the action taken by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 2. STANDING COMMITTEES

There shall be three standing national committees of the board: Programming, Budget, and Governance. In addition, the five Local Station Boards, described in Article 8, below, shall be standing committees of the board.

All committees of the board except the Executive Committee and the Local Station Boards shall be comprised of at least one director and one Local Station Board member from each station area, in order to coordinate local and national planning and to foster collaborative relations throughout the Pacifica network.

A. PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE

There shall be a Program Committee which shall review and evaluate the programming of all Pacifica radio stations and national programming to insure that each station is fulfilling the purposes of the Foundation. The Program Committee members shall consist of one director from each station area, and two Local Station Board members from each station area who shall be elected by their respective Local Station Boards. In addition, up to three at-large directors may serve on this committee. In the event that the Program Committee determines that a local station is not adequately fulfilling Pacifica's purposes, the committee shall meet and confer with Executive Director, the Station Manager, and the Local Station Board for that station to develop corrective plans and policies, and may make recommendations for corrective action to the full Board of Directors

B. BUDGET COMMITTEE

The Foundation Treasurer and one director from each station area (which may include the Treasurer) and the Treasurers of the five Local Station Boards shall constitute the National Budget Committee, which shall have the duty to prepare, in consultation with appropriate national and station staff and other local and national committees, a recommended annual budget for all Foundation operations for approval by the Board of Directors in September prior to the commencement of the next fiscal year. The National Budget Committee shall issue quarterly "budget vs actual" reports to the Board of income and expenses for all Foundation operations.

C. GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

There shall be a Governance Committee which shall bi-annually review the Foundation Bylaws and make recommendations as needed, and which shall develop recommended Operating Guidelines and Procedures for the Board. The Governance Committee members shall consist of at least one director from each station area, and two Local Station Board Members from each station area. In addition, at-large directors may serve on this committee.

SECTION 6. OTHER ADVISORY COMMITTEES

The Board may establish such other advisory committees as may be needed to assist the Board in developing plans and initiatives to further Pacifica's mission and purposes in areas such as: membership and organizational development; affiliate relations; programming for community development, peace and social justice; financial planning; fundraising and development; technological and infrastructure development; new station planning; review of governance structures and procedures. All advisory committees, whether standing or ad hoc, shall have at least one Director and two Local Station Board members from each station area. All committee members shall be elected by majority vote of the Board of Directors or their respective Local Station Boards, as appropriate.

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

LOCAL STATION BOARDS

SECTION 1. LOCAL STATION BOARDS

There shall be one Local Station Board for each Foundation radio station.

SECTION 2. COMPOSITION

The Delegates elected as described in Article Three, Section 3 (F) (including the Directors elected as described in Article Four, Section 4, to represent that station on the Board of Directors) in each station area shall comprise the Local Station Board for that radio station. Each Local Station Board shall serve as a standing committee of the Board of Directors for its respective radio station..

SECTION 3. POWER DUTIES

The ongoing duties of the Local Station Boards are: (1) to review and approve the station's annual budget prior to submission to the Board of Directors for approval, and to make quarterly reports to the Board of Directors of the station's budget vs. actual income and expenses; (2) to recommend to the Executive Director the hiring or firing of the station General Manager. No station General Manager shall be hired, retained, or fired against the recommendation of the Local Station Board, unless the Board of Directors approves the action by majority vote. A proposal to discharge the General Manager that does not originate with the Local Station Board must be submitted to that Board first. The Local Station Board shall annually evaluate the station General Manager's performance and provide a written report to the Board of Directors.
(3) to recommend to the General Manager the hiring or firing of the station Program Director. No Program Director shall be hired, retained, or fired against the recommendation of the Local Station Board, unless the Board of Directors approves the action by majority vote. A proposal to discharge the Program Director that does not originate with the Local Station Board must be submitted to that Board first. The Local Station Board shall annually evaluate the Program Director's performance and provide a written report to the Board of Directors.
(4) to work with station management and staff to ensure that station policies and procedures for making programming decisions, and for evaluating programming, are working in a fair, collaborative and respectful manner to provide quality programming that fulfills Pacifica's purposes and is responsive to the diverse needs of the listeners and communities served by the station. (5) to report station board activities regularly, and no less frequently than quarterly, on the air to the station listeners. (6) to conduct at least quarterly "Town Hall" style meetings devoted to hearing the station listeners' views, needs and concerns. (7) to assist in the fundraising activities of the station. (8) to form open committees to carry on the work of the Local Station Board so that station area members may join the committees and assist the board to the extent appropriate, taking care to keep confidential personnel, legal and proprietary matters. (9) to actively reach out to under-represented communities to help the station serve a diversity of people of all races, creeds, colors and nations, classes, abilities, and to reach out to community groups to help build collaborative relations with other organizations working for similar purposes. (10) to perform community needs assessments, or to see to it that such assessments are performed by a separate "Community Advisory Board", as may be required as a condition of grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

 

SECTION 4. ADDITIONAL POWERS AND AUTHORITY

By resolution of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may delegate to a Local Station Board any corporate powers of the Pacifica Foundation with regard to that radio station, subject to revocation of that delegated power at any time by the Board of Directors, and provided however that any resolution of or policy adopted by a Local Station Board may be overridden by majority vote of the Board of Directors. The powers delegated to one Local Station Board need not be the same for all Local Station Boards, and delegation of such power and authority may be on a case by case basis

SECTION 4. DUTIES
The ongoing duties of the Local Station Boards are: (1) to review and approve the station's annual budget prior to submission to the Board of Directors for approval, and to make quarterly reports to the Board of Directors of the station's budget vs. actual income and expenses; (2) to recommend to the Executive Director the hiring of the station General Manager. No station General Manager shall be hired or fired against the recommendation of the Local Station Board unless the Board of Directors approves the action by majority vote. The Local Station Board shall annually evaluate the station General Manager's performance and provide a written report to the Board of Directors. (3) to recommend to the General Manager the hiring of the station Program Director. No Program Director shall be hired or fired against the recommendation of the Local Station Board unless the Board of Directors approves the action by majority vote. The Local Station Board shall annually evaluate the Program Director's performance and provide a written report to the Board of Directors. (4) to work with station management and staff to ensure that station policies and procedures for making programming decisions, and for evaluating programming, are working in a fair, collaborative and respectful manner to provide quality programming that fulfills Pacifica's purposes and is responsive to the diverse needs of the listeners and communities served by the station. (5) to report station board activities regularly, and no less frequently than quarterly, on the air to the station listeners. (6) to conduct at least quarterly "Town Hall" style meetings devoted to hearing the station listeners' views, needs and concerns. (7) to assist in the fundraising activities of the station. (8) to form open committees to carry on the work of the Local Station Board so that station listener-sponsor and staff members may join the committees and assist the board to the extent appropriate, taking care to keep confidential personnel, legal and proprietary matters. (9) to actively reach out to under-represented communities to help the station serve a diversity of people of all races, creeds, colors and nations, classes, abilities, and to reach out to community organizations to help build collaborative relations with other organizations working for similar purposes. (10) to perform community needs assessments, or to see to it that such assessments are performed by a separate "Community Advisory Board", as may be required as a condition of grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

SECTION 5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Each Local Station Board shall elect a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer, who shall be elected in January each year for a term of one year. Each Local Station Board shall also elect representatives to other committees of the Board of Directors, as may be required from time to time. None of the Local Station Board officers may concurrently serve as a Foundation Director, and if elected to the office of Director, they shall resign their local Station Board office.

SECTION 6. MEETINGS

The Local Station Board shall meet as often as required to accomplish it duties, and no less than every other month. All meetings shall be open to the public, and there shall be no less than one half hour allotted to public comment at each meeting. The Local Station Board may meet in executive session to address personnel, legal or proprietary matters.

SECTION 7. QUORUM

A quorum shall be one half of the duly elected Local Station Board Delegates.

ARTICLE NINE

OFFICERS OF THE FOUNDATION

SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

A. DIRECTOR OFFICERS
The Officers of Pacifica Foundation shall be a Chairperson of the Board of Directors, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers as may be authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Chairperson of the Board shall not concurrently hold any other Foundation office. The Treasurer must be qualified as a Certified Public Accountant, and if no qualified Director is available, willing to serve and elected, then the board shall employ the services of a non-director Treasurer who shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

B. NON-DIRECTOR OFFICERS
A Recording Secretary or Chief Financial Officer, who are not Directors, may be employed by the Board in addition to the Foundation Secretary or Treasurer. In addition to a non-Director Treasurer, as permitted above, the board may employ such Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers as may be authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors. Any such non-Director officers shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.

SECTION 2. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The duties of the officers of the Foundation shall be set out in board guidelines and procedures

SECTION 3. ELECTION, TERMS AND REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The Officers of The Foundation shall be elected bi-annually in odd numbered years by the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting in March.

B. TERMS OF OFFICERS

Officers shall serve for a term of two years or until the election of their successors, which ever is later, unless he or she resigns or is removed or is otherwise disqualified to serve before such time. No officer may continue to serve as an officer past the expiration of his/her term as Director.

C. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

Any officer may be removed from his/her office by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting by a majority vote of all of the members of the Board of Directors, provided that the grounds for such removal are submitted with notice of said meeting, and provided further that said officer shall have a reasonable opportunity at said meeting to protest his or her removal.

D. VACANCIES
In the event that an officer fails to complete his/her term for any reason, the Board of Directors shall fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.


ARTICLE TEN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SECTION 1. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Board shall employ a person designated as the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be hired, supervised and fired by the Board of Directors. In addition, his or her performance shall be annually evaluated by each Local Station Board, which may make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

The Executive Directors shall be the chief executive officer of the Foundation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, supervise and control the affairs of the Foundation. He or she shall perform all duties incident to his or her office and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of this Foundation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, he or she shall, in the name of the Foundation, execute such deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, checks, or other instruments which may from time to time be authorized by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. RESIGNATION

Any Director or Officer may resign his or her position by written resignation filed with the Secretary of the Foundation.

SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP NOT TRANSFERABLE

Foundation Membership, membership on the Board of Directors, or any position as a Delegate of an Officer of the Foundation, is not transferable by assignment, inheritance, or by execution, bankruptcy, or other process of law.

SECTION 3. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OR POSITION AS OFFICER OF THE FOUNDATION

Membership on the Board of Directors, or the holding of any office in the Foundation, shall cease and terminate upon the death of the member, upon his/her withdrawal or removal as provided in these Bylaws, upon the termination of his/her Foundation Membership, or office-holding position, and, thereafter, neither the heirs not personal representative of the deceased members, withdrawing or terminated members, or office-holders, shall have any claim whatsoever upon the assets of the Foundation, or any claim whatsoever arising out of said membership or the holding of said membership or the holding of any office in the Foundation. No member of the Board of Directors, or officer of the Foundation, either while such a member or officer, or upon termination of membership or office, for any reason whatsoever, shall be entitled to the return of any monies theretofore paid by her/him or advanced to the Foundation as a contribution to the Foundation, or any station owned and operated by the Foundation.

SECTION 4. NON-LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS

Directors shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the Foundation, subject to the provisions of the California Corporations Code.

SECTION 5. INDEMNIFICATION BY FOUNDATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER AGENTS

To the extent that a person who is, or was, a Director, officer, employee or other agent of the Foundation has been successful on the merits in defense of any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceeding brought to procure a judgment against such person by reason of the fact that he or she is, or was an agent of the corporation, or has been successful in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such proceeding. If such person either settles any such claim or sustains a judgment against him or her, then indemnification against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts reasonably incurred in connection with such proceedings shall be provided by the Foundation to the extent allowed by, and in accordance with the requirements of, Section 5238 of the California Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporations Law

ARTICLE TWELVE

CORPORATE RECORDS, REPORTS AND SEAL

SECTION 1. MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE RECORDS

The Foundation shall keep at its principal office in the State of California:

A.  MINUTES

Minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, of committees of the Board having any authority of the Board, and, if held, of members, indicating the time and place of holding such meetings, whether regular or special, how called, the notice given, and the names of those present and the proceedings thereof;

B. BOOKS AND RECORDS

Adequate and correct books and records of account, including accounts of its properties and business transactions and accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts,

C. MEMBERSHIP RECORDS

A record of its members indicating their names and addresses and the class of membership held by each member and the termination date of any membership;

D. ARTICLES AND BYLAWS

A copy of the corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the members of the corporation at all reasonable times during office hours.

SECTION 2. CORPORATE SEAL

The Board of Directors may adopt, use, and at will alter, a corporate seal. Such seal shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation. Failure to affix the seal to corporate instruments, however, shall not affect the validity of any such instrument.

SECTION 3. DIRECTORS' INSPECTION RIGHTS

Every director, or his or her designated agent, shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books, records and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the Foundation.

SECTION 4. MEMBERS' INSPECTION RIGHTS

Members of the Foundation shall have the following inspection rights, for a purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a member:
 1. To inspect and copy the record of all members' names, addresses and voting rights, at reasonable times, upon five (5) business days' prior written demand on the corporation, which demand shall state the purpose for which the inspection rights are requested; and

 2. To inspect at any reasonable time the books, records, or minutes of proceedings of the Members or of the Board or committees of the Board, upon written demand on the corporation by the member, for a purpose reasonably related to such person's interests as a member.

SECTION 5. RIGHT TO COPY AND MAKE EXTRACTS

Any inspection under the provisions of this Article may be made in person or by agent or attorney and the right to inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts.

SECTION 6. ANNUAL REPORT

The board shall cause an annual report to be furnished not later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the close of the Foundation's fiscal year to all directors of the Foundation and, upon payment of reasonable copying costs, to any Member who requests it in writing, which report shall contain the following information in appropriate detail:
 1. The assets and liabilities, including the trust funds, of the corporation as of the end of the fiscal year;

 2. The principal changes in assets and liabilities, including trust funds, during the fiscal year;

 3. The revenue or receipts of the corporation, both unrestricted and restricted to particular purposes, for the fiscal year;

 4. The expenses or disbursements of the corporation, for both general and restricted purposes, during the fiscal year; and

 5. Any information required by Section 7 of this Article.

The annual report shall be accompanied by any report thereon of independent accountants, or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the foundation that such statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the Foundation.

SECTION 7. ANNUAL STATEMENT OF SPECIFIC TRANSACTIONS

The Foundation shall attach as an addendum to the Annual report a statement within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the close of its fiscal year which briefly describes the amount and circumstances of any indemnification or transaction in which the Foundation or one of its Radio Stations was a party, and in which any Director or officer of the Foundation had a direct or indirect material financial interest.

The above statement need only be provided with respect to a transaction during the previous fiscal year involving more than ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000) or which was one of a number of transactions with the same persons involving, in the aggregate, more than ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000).

Similarly, the statement need only be provided with respect to indemnifications or advances aggregating more than ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000) paid during the previous fiscal year to any director or officer, except that no such statement need be made if such indemnification was approved by the Members pursuant to Section 5238(e)(2) of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law.

Any statement required by this Section shall briefly describe the names of the interested persons involved in such transactions, stating each person's relationship to the corporation, the nature of such person's interest in the transaction and, where practical, the amount of such interest, provided that in the case of a transaction with a partnership of which such person is a partner, only the interest of the partnership need be stated.

SECTION 8. EXEMPT ACTIVITIES

Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, no member, trustee, officer, employee, or representative of this corporation shall take any action or carry on any activity by or on behalf of the corporation not permitted to be taken or carried on by an organization exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended, or by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of such Code and regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended.

SECTION 9. NONLIABILITY OF MEMBERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The members, officers and directors of this corporation shall not be individually liable for the corporation debts or other liabilities, and private property of such individuals shall be exempt from corporation debts or liabilities.

 

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

A "CONFLICT OF INTEREST" is any circumstance described in Section 2 of this Policy, or such similar circumstances.

An "INTERESTED PERSON" is any person serving as a director, officer, delegate, employee, or member of a committee of the Board of Directors of The Foundation.

A "FAMILY MEMBER" is a brother, sister, ancestor, descendant, spouse, domestic partner, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, or father-in-law of an Interested Person.

A "FINANCIAL INTEREST" in an entity is a financial interest of any kind, which, in view of all the circumstances, would, or reasonably could, affect an Interested Person's or Family Member's judgment with respect to transactions to which the entity is a party.

SECTION 2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DEFINED

A Conflict of Interest exists where the personal interests of an Interested Person are or may be inconsistent with the best interests of The Foundation. The following circumstances shall be deemed to create a Conflict of Interest:

A contract or transaction between The Foundation and an Interested Person or Family Member.

A contract or transaction between The Foundation and an entity in which an Interested Person or Family Member has a Financial Interest or with which such Person has a relationship, for example as a director, officer, trustee, partner, or guardian.

A compensation arrangement between any entity or individual with which The Foundation has a contract or transaction and an Interested Person or Family Member.

A compensation arrangement between any entity or individual with which The Foundation has a contract or transaction and an entity in which an Interested Party or Family Member has a Financial Interest or with which person has a relationship, for a example as a director, officer, trustee, or guardian.

An Interested Person competing with The Foundation in the rendering of services or in any other contract or transaction with a third party.

An Interested Person having a Financial Interest in, or maintaining a relationship with an entity or individual that competes with The Foundation in the Provision of services or in any other contract or transaction.

An Interested Person accepting gifts, entertainment or other favors from any individual or entity that (i) does or is seeking to do business with, or is a competitor of , The Foundation or (ii) has received, is receiving or is seeking to receive a loan or grant, or to secure other financial commitments from The Foundation, in both cases under circumstances where it might be inferred that such action was intended to influence or might influence the Interested Person in the performance of his or her duties.

SECTION 3. DISCLOSURES, FINDINGS AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES

An Interested Person must disclose orally or in writing all material facts related to an actual or potential Conflict of Interest to directors and/or members of committees considering a proposed contract or transaction to which the Conflict of Interest relates. If a contract or transaction is not being considered by the Board or a committee, the required disclosure must be made to the Chairperson or the Chairperson's designee. Until a Conflict of Interest has been voted upon by the Board of Directors in accordance with this Policy, an Interested Person shall refrain from any action that might affect The Foundation's participation in any contract or transaction affected by a Conflict of Interest.

After disclosure of the Conflict of Interest and all material facts, and after the Interested Person responds to any questions that the Board may have regarding the Conflict of Interest, the Interested Person shall leave the Board meeting while the Conflict of Interest is discussed and voted upon. An Interested Person may not vote on the contract or transaction to which the Conflict of Interest relates, but may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum for purposes of the vote.

The Board shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether a Conflict of Interest exists and, if so, whether The Foundation shall nonetheless enter into the contract or transaction because it is in The Foundation's best interest. If appropriate, the Chairperson may appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to a proposed contract or transaction. In order to approve the contract or transaction, the Board must in good faith after reasonable investigation make the following determinations:

1. that the contract or transaction is for the benefit of the Foundation; and

2. that the contract or transaction is fair and reasonable; and

3. that the Foundation could not obtain a more advantageous arrangement with reasonable effort under the circumstances.

The minutes of the Board or committee meeting shall reflect (1) that the Conflict of Interest was disclosed, (2) the Board or committee's decision regarding the Conflict of Interest, including a statement that the Interested Person was not present during the final discussion and vote, and (3) that the Interested Person abstained from voting.

SECTION 4. VIOLATIONS OF THE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST PROCEDURES

If the Board or committee believes that an Interested Person has failed to disclose an actual or potential Conflict of Interest, it shall inform the Interested Person of the basis for such belief and afford the Interested Person an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.

If, after hearing the response of the Interested Person and making any further investigation as may be warranted in the circumstances, the Board or committee determines that the member has in fact failed to disclose an actual or potential Conflict of Interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action, which might include removal of a director from a committee or termination of an employee's employment.

 

ARTICLE FIFTEEN - DISSOLUTION AND PROHIBITION AGAINST
SHARING FOUNDATION PROFITS AND ASSETS

SECTION 1. METHOD

The corporation may be dissolved in the following manner: A petition for dissolution signed by ten percent of the members of each station area shall be submitted to the Board of Directors and a postal ballot to dissolve shall be sent to all members and shall require a three-fifths vote of a quorum of members of those valid returned ballots to uphold the petition to dissolve.

 

SECTION 2. DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all liabilities of the corporation, dispose of the assets in a manner appropriate to Pacifica's mission or to such organization or organizations as shall at the time qualify as devoted to the Pacifica Mission.

SECTION 3. NO BENEFIT SHALL INURE TO ANY MEMBER, DIRECTOR, OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE CORPORATION

No member, director, officer, employee, or other person connected with the Foundation, or any private individual, shall receive at any time any of the net earnings or pecuniary profit from the operations of the corporation, provided, however, that this provision shall not prevent payment to any such person of reasonable compensation for services performed for the Foundation in effecting any of its public or charitable purposes, provided that such compensation is otherwise permitted by these Bylaws and is fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors; and no such person or persons shall be entitled to share in the distribution of, and shall not receive, any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the corporation. All members of the corporation shall be deemed to have expressly consented and agreed that on such dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the corporation, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the assets of the corporation, after all debts have been satisfied, shall be distributed as required by the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of this corporation and not otherwise.

 

ARTICLE SIXTEEN

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

As to any matter not herein specified, Robert's Rules of Order (revised edition) shall apply.

 

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN

AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

A. POWER TO AMEND

Subject to any provision of law applicable to the amendment of Bylaws of public benefit nonprofit corporations, these Bylaws, or any of them, may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws adopted as follows:

 (1) Subject to the power of members, if any, to change or repeal these Bylaws under (1) By approval of the Board of Directors, except where (i) either Article III, above, or Section 5150 of the Corporations Code, by requires the approval of the Board of Directors unless the Bylaw amendment would materially and adversely affect the rights of members, if any, as to voting or transfer, provided, however, if this corporation has admitted any members, then a Bylaw specifying or changing the fixed members, or (ii) where the amendment changes the fixed or maximum or minimum number of directors of the corporation, the maximum or minimum number of directors, or changing changes from a fixed to variable board or vice versa, may not be adopted, amended, or repealed except as provided in subparagraph (b) of this Section; or
(2) By approval of the members, if any, of this corporation e Foundation.

B. VOTING AND RATIFICATION

In order to be adopted, any proposed bylaws amendment must:

 (1) receive the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors present and voting or voting by signed ballot received before the meeting at which the proposal is voted upon convenes, Directors voting by mail ballot must attach an exact copy of the proposal being voted upon to their ballots; and

 (2) any bylaw proposed by the members, or requiring the approval of the members, or any class of members, must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes representing a quorum of the members, or class of members, as applicable, voting by written mail ballot.

SECTION 2. AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation may be adopted by the approval of the Board of Directors and by the approval of the members of this corporation.

Any amendment(s) to the Articles of Incorporation proposed by the Board of Directors shall be presented to the Members of the Foundation and must be approved by the affirmative vote of a 2/3rds majority of the votes representing a quorum of the members, or class of members, as applicable, voting by written mail ballot.

  ###

End Notes:

1.   The three-year requirement for listener-sponsor membership shall be suspended until January 1, 2006. Through January 1, 2004 Listener-sponsor members shall be eligible to vote on any matter properly brought to the members if they have met the minimum contribution or minimum number of volunteer hours within the preceding 12-month period; through January 1, 2005 Listener-sponsor members shall be eligible to vote if they have met the minimum contribution or minimum number of volunteer hours within the preceding two 12-month periods.

2.   For the first implementation of these bylaws, nominations shall open immediately upon ratification of the bylaws and shall be open for 45 days thereafter.

3.   For the first implementation of these bylaws, the top twelve vote-getters shall be elected, subject to the diversity criteria (unless Local Advisory Board members have been "grandfathered".

4.   For the first implementation of these bylaws, the current Local Advisory Boards may, by majority vote, select up to four of their current listener-sponsor members to be "grandfathered" for a one-year term, and up to four of their listener members to be "grandfathered" for a two-year term (provided that 4 are "grandfathered" for a one-year term). This provision shall not apply to any Local Advisory Board member added after June 1, 2001, nor to any Local Advisory Board that has passed a resolution not to "grandfather" any of its members. Staff members, as defined in these bylaws, currently serving on Local Advisory Boards may not be "grandfathered".

5.   For the first implementation of these bylaws, the top six vote-getters shall be elected, subject to the diversity criteria.

6.   For the first implementation, the one-year eligibility requirement is waived.

7.   In the first implementation of these bylaws, three Directors shall be elected by the Delegates from each Local Station Board. The nominee receiving the highest number of votes shall serve a 3-year term, the second highest shall serve a 2-year term, and the third highest shall serve a 1-year term.


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