“The secret of the demagogue is to make himself as stupid as his audience so that they believe they are as clever as he” -Karl Kraus
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| Early radio demagogue Father Charles Coughlin |
KKCR Bylaws excerpt:
(my emphasis in bold red)Section 2.1 Classes of Members. The Members of the Corporation shall consist of Voting Members, Subscribing Members, and Ex-Officio Members, all as described in this Article II.
Section 2.2. Admission of Members. The power to admit and expel Members shall be vested solely in the Board of Directors, according to the provisions, qualifications, and requirements for membership stated in these bylaws. Section 2.3 Voting Members. Voting Members shall consist only of the members of the Board of Directors, elected or appointed as these bylaws provide. Upon ceasing to be members of the Board of Directors, such persons shall cease to be Voting Members of the Corporation.
Section 2.4 Subscribing Members. There shall be a class of members to be known as Subscribing Members. Subscribing members shall have no voting rights but shall be entitled to be noticed as to all corporate activities, promotional benefits, promotional gifts and discounts and other special benefits and obligations determined from time to time by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting or any other special meeting called to determine same. Subscribing Members' primary function will be to support the Corporations' activities and fundraising projects. Subscribing Members' names and addresses will be recorded in the records of the Corporation and updated or revised each year. Subscribing Members shall be required to pay dues for each membership year in order to remain a Subscribing Member on the records of the corporation.
Section 2.5 Ex-Officio Members. There shall be class of members known as Ex-Officio Members that shall consist of paid staff members (including but not necessarily limited to the station manager, the program director, and any other senior staff member as may be defined from time to time by the Board of Directors) or such other persons as the Board of Directors shall deem appropriate to be Ex-Officio Members. An ex-officio member shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors for purposes of discussions, making of proposals, devising corporate or program strategy or any other function determined by the Board. An ex-officio member shall have no voting rights and shall not be required to pay dues but shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors.
KIUC Bylaws excerpt:
(my emphasis in bold red)Section 1 – Eligibility.
Any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, political entity or other person or legal entity that has agreed to purchase or purchases electric energy from Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (the “Association”) shall be eligible for membership in the Association.
Section 4 - Voting.
(A) Each member shall be entitled to one vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the members. Voting by proxy and cumulative voting shall not be permitted.One would think the unelected talk show hosts that offer on-air criticisms of KIUC's "crisis in democracy" would first take KKCR to task before calling out a more democratic non-profit, which at a least allows all members to elect the board.
How did these talk show hosts miss, and why don't they see this undemocratic zit angrily swelling on the tips of their own noses?
Well Ed, it sounds like you would like to come in and help do a show. The topic could be "how do we improve kkcr?" or "what is wrong with kkcr?" however you want to phrase it. I am fine if you want to help me understand how I am a demagogue on air. You are welcome to bring someone in to back you up if you like. Volunteering your voice and direct time is the best way to affect change or be heard at kkcr. There might be many people who agree with you and call in. In the mean time, know that there are not many who are willing and wanting to put the kind of time required to research the topics and do a show. It isn't like there are ten people jumping to take the slots and they are being denied. Also know my intention certainly is not to be a demagogue but to facilitate people having their opinions shared and to be empowered on the air. Please feel free to come in and join me on the program.
ReplyDeleteA big difference between KIUC and KKCR is that most everybody relies on KIUC everyday whether they want to or not. It is but a simple movement of the hand to change the station or turn the radio off. The radio audience is lucky if it has 700 listeners at any time or 0.1% of the citizens listening, in comparison to KIUC's captive 100% participation of the folks on the island, even the campers at Kalalau in terms of the safety of the world that awaits them when they come out of the valley. Most folks pay the power bill directly or indirectly and the cooperative generously pays their team. KKCR is almost entirely volunteer with 1.5 underpaid staff with the support of freely given donations. Seems to me there is a difference. I also seem to remember that there have been big humbugs over board structure at times in the past. Overall, it is a live and let live operation without much contention that reaches my awareness anyway.
This is Felicia. I forgot to name myself.
DeleteAloha Felicia, Mahalo for the invitation to co-host a program with you. I have a counter offer and a few questions. I would really appreciate specific answers if you know.
DeleteFirst I would like to invite you to a live worldwide YouTube broadcast to discuss these issues with you. Second do you agree that KKCR does not allow subscribing members to elect the board? Do you agree that their is no written articulated process to become a on-air talk show host? Do the differences between the organizational structures you point out justify KKCR not being democratic? How do you "know that there are not many who are willing and wanting to put the kind of time required to research the topics and do a show. It isn't like there are ten people jumping to take the slots and they are being denied."
Mahalo for the time you took to respond Felicia.
Take the show that Felicia hosts, for example. Karlos hosted the show for well over a decade, then he brought in Felicia and groomed her for the spot. To my knowledge, it was never offered to anyone else. Why should a host be able to name an heir apparent? Even Inouye didn't get away with that. Both Jimmy and Jay have held the other time slot for many years. Why would anyone be jumping to take slots that are never made available?
ReplyDelete