"Democracy Initiative
"
A Dangerous Proposal
That Harms Our Community Radio Station KXCI
Learn More Before You
Act
KXCI
community radio
91.3 FM
220 S. 4th Ave
Tucson,
AZ 85701
(520) 623-1000
Fax: (520) 623-0758
www.kxci.org
On November 17, 2003, the KXCI Board of Directors received information regarding a "democracy
initiative" to drastically alter the bylaws that govern KXCI. Soon thereafter, KXCI members received a note asking us to sign
a petition to force a vote on the proposal. That letter was sent by individuals not associated with KXCI or the Board of Directors.
A court order, contested by KXCI lawyers, required us to provide them with your name and address. We take your privacy very
seriously.
Proponents hope the plan
will radically change KXCI. It will - but not for the better. The proposal will hurt KXCI, and might destroy the station we
all love.
Currently, our twelve
member board includes five people who were elected by the membership and seven who were appointed. Some of the board members
were appointed to fill seats vacated by others who were elected but unable to complete the three-year term. All twelve board
members are dedicated KXCI members who have a variety of backgrounds, experience, views, ethnicity, gender and more. They
represent the eclectic nature of our community and radio station. It is their job to provide the framework and policy by which
the professional staff and volunteers operate KXCI in the best long-term interests of the station.
KXCI needs the flexibility
to be able to appoint board members with the skills, backgrounds, and diversity to make the important decisions necessary
to continue our success story as Southern Arizona's best radio station. Changing the bylaws to increase
the number of elected positions will make it harder to ensure that a variety of viewpoints are represented, and will decrease
the likelihood that board members will have the valuable experience needed to support the station (legal, financial, marketing,
etc.).
Religious broadcasters
have offered to buy our frequency for as much as $4.5 million. We're not for sale! But if the proposed bylaw changes take
effect, creating more elected seats, special interest groups could take control of the station for as little as $30,000. One
thousand new members from a special interest group would dominate the board election process, and there goes Community Radio
- twenty years of KXCI down the drain. It's a dangerous proposition at this point in KXCI's history.
That's just one problem
with the proposal. Their letter does not explain the other proposed changes - more than twenty in all. Our staff and lawyers
are still reviewing the implications of the changes, to more than fifteen sections of the bylaws, to learn how things like
our Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding might be affected. You deserve to know more about the changes before you take
any action.
Over, please
The KXCI board, staff
and volunteers will be providing more information to you in future newsletters, on our website at kxci.org, and in other mailings.
We feel that an informed membership is the best solution to the problems we face.
A station as dynamic
as KXCI is always going to have dedicated individuals, and we are always going to be balancing competing interests. This is
what makes us strong. Existing concerns are being addressed by responsible people from many different points of view, working
productively to solve the problems - board members, staff, deejays, volunteers, Community Advisory Board members, all with
input from you. We are addressing the issues, and KXCI is becoming stronger for it.
Early in 2004, we will
hold a series of mediated town hall style meetings with a facilitator to help us work through existing conflicts. Everyone
will be involved, including hopefully you. The board and staff have developed this proposal as a useful, proactive solution
-one that brings us together, rather than divide us further. That is what KXCI is, and should be, about.
Any cure needs to address
the problem. You wouldn't amputate your leg if you had a sprained ankle. You'd wrap the ankle, get a pair of crutches, and
rely on your friends to help support you. Likewise, this dangerous initiative is like an amputation - it goes way too far.
We'd rather lean on our friends for support and assistance.
The letter you may have
received from the initiative proponents does not identify them. This letter is from your Board of Directors and the staff.
We believe strongly in the points made here, and in the need to stop this dangerous initiative right now, before thousands
more dollars of your support are wasted in the courts, and before it destroys everything we have worked together to build.
We must protect the KXCI that we lo we and keep Community Radio strong.
We hope you will honor
our commitment and support our station now by not being a party to the wasting of twenty years effort, and by joining us in
the process to keep KXCI the best radio station possible. The mediated town hall is just one effort. We encourage you to visit
our website at www.kxci.org to learn more. We will be providing updated responses regarding the initiative and providing you
with the information you heed to make informed decisions.
We are also happy to
communicate with any of you with specific concerns. Contact us by e-mail at commentl@kxci.org or call interim general manager
Randy Peterson at the station.
Sincerely,
Your Community Radio
KXCI-FM Tucson
P.S. Initiative proponents
have made every attempt to attach Democracy Now! to their cause. Demcracy Now!, which we are proud to bring you, and host
Amy Goodman, have no affiliation with the initiative.