[KFCF Friends] KFCF & the Marathon

[subs@kfcf.org]

Hi everyone,

As most of you know by now, Juan Gonzalez's Pacifica Campaign has called 
for a funding boycott of the five Pacifica stations in order to "turn 
off the water, turn up the heat" on the rogue Pacifica National Board 
that holds the license for KPFA and four other stations.

As the fund drive heads into the first weekend, I'm finding there is 
still much confusion as to how the boycott question affects KFCF.  I'm 
going to try to answer those questions as simply as possible(!).

KFCF listeners need to be made aware that while they will hear calls to 
withhold their pledges on the air via KPFA, those messages are NOT 
intended for KFCF listeners. Those backing the boycott are doing so in 
order to de-fund Pacifica's board, and in no way wish for listeners to 
mistakenly de-fund KFCF as an unintended consequence.  I have received 
assurances from key supporters, including KPFA staffers, that they will 
air reminders for KFCF listeners to continue subscribing despite the 
boycott announcements. I'm also sending this as a gentle nudge to remind 
them of that promise. 

KFCF is neither a Pacifica station nor an affiliate - the station was 
established in part to re-broadcast KPFA into the Central Valley, and 
thanks to a 26-year-old agreement with KPFA (though with Pacifica's 
blessing), funds raised on-air with the help of KPFA programming and 
staff come back to KFCF minus ONLY costs for credit card processing, 
premiums, etc. Not a dime of it goes into Pacifica administration, which 
Pacifica is funding by extorting at least 17 percent from the income of 
its five stations (KPFA, WBAI, KPFK, KPFT and WPFW). It's that 17 
percent the boycott is intended to cut off.  KFCF doesn't give them that 
17 percent, and never has. 

Here's how the funding works:

When programmers pitch on KPFA, they include an "800" number for 
subscribers outside of the 510 area code. That's us. When a subscriber 
makes a pledge, the volunteer takes down his or her address - including 
the zip code - which is then used to separate KFCF subscribers from 
KPFA's. 

**If your ZIP CODE begins with the numbers "93" (ex: 93704), your pledge 
comes back to the Fresno Free College Foundation - NOT Pacifica - minus 
only those processing and premium fees. NOTHING GOES TO PACIFICA. EVER. 
This distinction is extremely important.**

There is much concern among listeners in KFCF-Land that their 
subscriptions may somehow end up helping to fund Pacifica. They need to 
be reassured that they do NOT. Staff at KPFA can help by explaining that 
KFCF / Central California listeners should continue to make their 
pledges when pitching. Staff choosing to honor the boycott and NOT pitch 
for KPFA could instruct KFCF listeners to continue subscribing. KFCF 
staff with their own programs should try to squeeze in time to pitch, 
and explain that no part of KFCF subscriptions help to fund Pacifica, as 
well. New KFCF staff who are still unclear about how to go about this 
should talk to Vic Bedoian or Rych Withers for help, or email me and 
I'll help any way I can.

Still, no matter how much "listener education" you try to do, there will 
still be those who will either miss the message or be wary of 
subscribing through the usual means. They can be encouraged to send 
subscriptions/donations directly to the Fresno Free College Foundation - 
though they won't be able to receive premiums this way. The office 
address and phone number follow.

All KFCF subscribers should also be reminded that donations of $25 or 
more qualify them to become voting members of the Fresno Free College 
Foundation that oversees KFCF. They still need to fill out membership 
applications indicating they want to be members, but it's important to 
fulfill the democratic function of the organization and give listeners 
voice as to what they want from KFCF. 

Direct contributions can be sent to:

Fresno Free College Foundation
P.O. Box 4364
Fresno, CA
93744

office phone: (559) 233-2221

Thanks a lot, everyone.

Debbie Speer
Secretary, FFCF/KFCF
Fresno, CA