[Rfu-station] Audio equipment appropriation

[Andrew Ó Baoill]

At today's WRFU meeting we discussed the proposal from the Finance  
Working Group to appropriate the WRFU-Radio News fund to pay for the  
credit card debt recently paid out of general funds. I think it is  
fair to say that there was concern with the process that has been  
followed (both with the original purchase and the attempts to correct  
the matter), but also a general commitment to reach a reasonable and  
appropriate solution.

We were unable to come to a final decision, but were able to reach  
consensus on two items:

1 To ask for a detailed list of the actual equipment purchased and  
involved in this issue. (This should also include the total cost  
involved, and if possible the cost of each individual item.) This will  
aid us in making an informed decision.

2 We reached agreement on a 'roadmap' - an outline of a decision we  
hope to be able to reach at our next meeting. The group was well  
disposed to agreeing to the Finance Group request, subject to a number  
of factors:
a That the equipment be available to WRFU members. We understand that  
most of it is currently under the stewardship of the Production Group.  
We are not looking to take the equipment from Production - just to  
make sure that WRFU members have access (now and in the future), and  
that the process for gaining use is documented so we can let all our  
members know what's available and how to access it.
b That processes be put in place to ensure that this does not happen  
again. Mike's proposal that in the future any individual who incurs  
such a charge will be personally liable was mentioned as appropriate.  
It was noted that Finance has got rid of the credit card and replaced  
it with a process where a check is cut for such payments. This should  
also help. Documentation and reporting of Finance meetings will help.
c That we get an accounting of the funds currently in the Radio News  
account, and that no more be appropriated from WRFU than the amount in  
this account. If there is a surplus in the account, this will be  
retained by WRFU.

While we need some more information before making a final decision on  
this matter, I'm confident that we will be able to reach consensus on  
a generally acceptable solution by the time of our next meeting.

Andrew

p.s. I'm copying this to the Finance and Production lists, as the  
bodies (other than WRFU) most directly involved in this matter. As  
you'll note, some input from each group will be needed in order to  
reach a final resolution.