CURRENT KBOO DIRECTORS

Mike Frost, President

I am serving as a member of the KBOO Board of Directors. My interest is driven by a desire to give back to the community and support under-represented groups. 

I have worked in the technical aspects of audio manufacturing since 1985 which has given me a thorough understanding of audio technology. I have recent experience as a project manager which involved communication and mediation among disparate functional groups such as hardware engineering, software engineering, product management, manufacturing operations, customer service. In this role, I was responsible for ensuring that projects were completed on schedule and that they met customer requirements.

I have worked as a live sound engineer for nearly the same amount of time, so I am very experienced in the practical deployment of audio systems. I worked as a live sound engineer for Robyn Shanti when she was promoting a series of folk music events in the basement of the Melody Ballroom many years ago. I’m currently on the roster with frequent gigs as an engineer at Mississippi Studios, Polaris Hall, and Revolution Hall. I occasionally consult with other live music venues as a system engineer, tuning the PA systems for optimum sound quality.

I have always had a progressive mindset which has been amplified by recent events. I attended the first Women’s March in 2016 and the March for Science shortly thereafter. I haven’t had much time for volunteer work although I try to make up for it with recurring donations to organizations such as ACLU, Mother Jones, Planned Parenthood, and Human Rights Campaign.

I believe my mindset and experience will allow me to facilitate communication between the staff and the board regarding technical issues. I’m sure I can contribute as a member of the technical committee. I look forward to serving my community as a member of the KBOO board of directors.

Michael Van Kleeck, Vice President

Joyce Nance, Treasurer

My name is Joyce Nance and I'm a KBOO board member because I believe I can help. My background in various jobs, hobbies, and passions fit with KBOO. I understand KBOO's humble beginnings and its continued path towards growth. I believe in the power of communication and I appreciate KBOO's big tent philosophy and the voice it provides for underrepresented persons and causes in the Portland community

My background helps KBOO in a variety of ways. First of all, I understand business pretty well. I have a bachelor's degree in business/accounting from San Francisco State and worked as a senior accountant for many years. I also ran my own video post-production business for over a decade where I had many employees and performed all of the company's financial, HR, sales, and tech functions for my company.

I've also had many other jobs and endeavors through the years. Right now, I work part time on  America's number one progressive talk radio show. It's a Monday thru Friday three hour live show, and as a result of working on this show I have increased both my A/V technical skills and my knowledge of politics. I have a creative side as well. I perform stand up comedy around Portland as well as co-hosting a weekly political podcast called Not Right In The Head. I have written six books, including a couple in the True Crime genre. I am currently serving on the Finance, Engineering, Program, and Executive committees. I'm also the board Treasurer. 

Jill Blanchard, Secretary

I was 8 years old when I received my first radio. AM, of course.

I spent hours standing by my bedroom window tuning out the static on a whole new way to experience music, news and storytelling. I couldn’t stop listening even though I’m sure my 8-year-old self didn’t understand most of the content.

Many nights, my parents said goodnight and imagined I would fall asleep listening to the radio. Some mornings, however, they found me – still awake. Still listening from the night before. My parents must have had the “she’ll sleep when she’s tired” attitude as they never discouraged me from tuning in.

The next year, I received an alarm clock radio for my 9th birthday. It’s the only present I remember. Access to the FM dial set my life on a trajectory to listen, learn, and experience as much music as I could. Classical, Gospel, Pop, Reggae, Soul, Blues, Country…. I managed to fit in some news and talk radio from time to time. I might still have that alarm clock radio.

Music is the reason I became a KBOO member. I value music programming that reflects the Portland community. Radical news and public affairs along with the diverse music programming are my motivations for maintaining my KBOO membership. The Movement, Parsing Sound, Tonalli, and Afro-tainment are my favorite broadcasts.

I have been a Portland resident since 2003. Over the years, my relationship with KBOO has grown – first I was a listener, then I became a member. In 2016, I increased my support for the station by becoming a volunteer. 6 years later I was appointed to KBOO’s Board of Directors. I am now beginning, in fiscal year 2024-25, my second 3-year term.

As a volunteer with KBOO I worked with the Development & Events Committee. I led the planning team for the KBOO’s 50th Anniversary Block Party and have supported Book & Record Sales along with other community events. I have also participated in phone-banking activities for drives.

As a KBOO Director I serve on committees including the Development Committee, Nominating Committee, Finance Committee and Governance and Policy Committee. I have served on the Executive Committee and Management Bargaining Committees in the past. I also led the planning workgroup for KBOO’s 55th Birthday Block Party.

I have professional experience in project management and strategic planning that I share with KBOO’s Board as it continues work on its new multi-year plan. In my work at KBOO, I pay close attention to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (JEDIB) and to KBOO’s Beloved Community commitment.

I have time to serve as a director and a passion for KBOO Community Radio. I will help propel both the Board and KBOO to a successful and strong future.

Ona Harshaw, At-large

I currently volunteer at the station. I arrive on Monday mornings to sort mail, route voicemails and tidy the reception area and entry way. I have noticed that the station is in need and if filling a board position will help support the station then I am willing to serve.

I am currently on the We’Moon Homestead, Estacada, Oregon Board of Trustees working on Finance and Groundskeeper committees. I am a member of the Portland local NAACP Chapter 1120-B, on the ByLaws Special Committee, compiling a document that synthesizes Oregon State Law and the NAACP National ByLaws for use with our local Branch. I participate in The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond NW Undoing Racism Planning Committee, assisting with a host of duties to strengthen our coalition undoing, unlearning and letting go of the foundational fictions of racism in America. I am also an involved Member-Owner of the People’s Food Co-op.

I fell in love with radio while still in elementary school, sleeping with my transistor radio under my pillow. DJ’s answered letters, responded to requests, and played the music I was waiting for. About the time I became fed up with commercial radio, late in my teens, community radio was being born all across the country. My local stations were WYSO, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, and WCSU, Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio. I began volunteering with WYSO during fund drives in the early 2000’s. In 2004, when I took a position at Antioch College managing a scholarship program that required students to devote volunteer time to community organizations, I encouraged students to spend time at the station, among other volunteer opportunities.

About the same time I had the opportunity to take students, as volunteers, to The Free Press National Conference for Media Reform which were held every couple of years in a different major city. The students and I attended the Memphis conference, and after I left Antioch College I continued to volunteer with the Free Press Conference, attending conferences in Denver and Boston. The conferences introduced me to organizations such as Prometheus, Democracy Now!, and Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting. It was a great opportunity to interact with media personalities, lobbyists and reporters who were working hard to keep radio free from commercial interests. Of course that work is ongoing.

After moving here from Ohio in 2013, I was interested in volunteering with KBOO. I was familiar with KBOO from hearing the Old Mole Variety Hour on WYSO! I took my orientation training in 2017 after I retired and began volunteering in the reception area. Since then I have helped with various fundraising events and kept a steady shift on the reception desk.

Carmen Garnica

My name is Carmen Garnica. I am a long-time Radio Producer in the Spanish Language Tuesday programing at KBOO 90.7 FM. I was invited to become a part ot the Tonalli Radio Co-Op by co- producer Ivonne Rivero, who was aware of the work and community engagement I had been carrying on for many years in the Latinx and Native-American communities.

The purpose of this letter is to let you know I have been invited to be part of this Board of Directors as an Interim Director.I am interested, I have the time and the willingness to learn, participate and contribute my time and vision for a more equitable radio and community organization.

Let me share with you some of my background. I am an immigrant, but have continuously lived in the area for 20+ years. I am the mother of an amazing woman, artist and keeper of the Oregon lands. I am the grandmother of two wonderful children, one of them is challenged by neuro-diversity and living in a world that was not designed for them. I am a keeper of traditions, as per my ancestors in Mexico.

I earn my living through my business, INSOMNIA Art and Culture,an itinerant gift shoppe for the Latinx culture curious. I also work closely with the Indigenous traditions. I cultivate some of the traditional medicines used by my ancestors to heal the body, mind and spirit.

My shop was formerly housed at the M&M Multicultural market, the so-called “Flea Market” in Hillsboro. After the disruption caused by COVID-19, many micro-entrepreneurs like myself simply had to close shop. I was one of many whose rights were trampled by the lack of funds for paying the rent. Business came to a standstill and many of the small and micro-entrepreneurs lost their belongings as well. Most of this went unknown to the authorities and community, with total impunity.

This is one of the reasons why I believe in the power of KBOO and its programming as a link to underserved communities, like mine. I often ask whether people might have to wait six to ten years to learn the English language, but I tell you that WE NEED COMMUNICATION and ACCESS TO THE MEDIA now. This is one of the reasons why KBOO has been so meaningful to communities all across Oregon (and SW Washington!)

I want to thank you for your attention to this letter. I am looking forward to questions in regards to my work at KBOO in these last 7 years, the alternative media and the role of Spanish and the Spanish- speaking communities in Oregon.

Josh Roberts

Greetings!  My name is Josh Roberts and I currently serve on the Board of Directors at KBOO.  I live with my family in West Linn which has been our home for the better part of 7 years.  I currently work as a consultant and project manager for Legacy Medical Group.  I have a passion for music that stretches back over 40 years to my childhood in Ohio.  My musical interests span most genres but jazz, blues, classic rock, electronic, industrial, alternative, metal, classic country, and folk stand out the most.  For my service at KBOO, I’m looking forward to marrying up my love of music with my experience in leadership and governance.

As a past not-for-profit board trustee, I want to bring a host of governance skills to the station.  Also, as a community member and volunteer in Portland for the past 23 years, I have a familiarity with our city and region including their progressive and changing atmosphere and special place in the hearts and minds of the community.  Finally, as a business leader whose roles have involved embracing creativity and diversity in the workplace, I’ve led or participated in myriad events and activities that celebrate the spectrum of civic interests and cultures.  

My current roles on the board include the Programming Advisory Committee and the Strategic Planning Workgroup, in addition to recent work assisting with station manager recruitment and hiring.  What I want to do in the near-term is learn as much as possible about the staff and station, as well as get exposure to the spectrum of programming we offer and the community events in which we participate.  And as with any position on a governing body, my job will be to listen to and serve the best interests of the station and its listeners.

Ethan Scarl

Thomas Martinez

James Draznin

In the face of rising fascism in the U.S. and around the world, KBOO’s commitment to questioning the status quo and broadcasting and streaming progressive alternatives deserves attention.

KBOO’s training of unpaid volunteers in radio operations is also impressive. Don’t we all listen to KBOO because its programs treat our needs by informing us, soothing us, and inspiring us? Imagine a hospital that treats patients and then, free of charge, trains some of those patients to treat, free of charge, other patients. 

KBOO’s unusual practice of allowing all members and volunteers to vote for its governing board further cements its standing as a community nonprofit. 

These characteristics convinced me to volunteer as a candidate for KBOO’s board of directors. Dammit: I was elected.

I’m happily retired after a career in fundraising for a variety of nonprofits. You know the old saying: “people who can’t do, teach.” Extend that to “people who can’t teach, become charitable fundraisers,” and you understand my background.

More seriously, after 30 years in fundraising, through membership on KBOO’s board of directors and its Development Committee I now hope to share options that, if pursued, will strengthen support of KBOO.

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• Interested in joining the KBOO Board?

Contact Jill Blanchard at [email protected] / 503-381-7591 for more information.

or

email KBOO's Nominating Committee at [email protected] to request an application.

• ¿Interesado en formar parte de la Junta Directiva de KBOO?

Envíe un correo electrónico al Comité de Nominación, [email protected], y solicite una aplicación.

Meetings are held at KBOO (unless otherwise noted) and are open to all - call ahead (503-231-8032) to check times.

• The Board of Directors -  Meets the 4th Monday of each month starting at 6:00 pm 

• Development Committee - Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month from 4 - 6 at KBOO.  For more info contact KBOO's Development Director

• Events Committee - This committee coordinates events and outreach.  For more info, contact Ani Haines

• Engineering Workgroup - First Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm. Contact Tom Hood

• Finance Committee - Meets the second Wednesday of every month at 4:30 pm. Contact: Michael Wells

• Governance Committee meets on an ad hoc basis. Contact: Timothy Welp, Board President

• People of Color Caucus - Call Celeste Carey at KBOO (503)231-8032

• Personnel Committee - Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 6:00 pm. Contact: Zale Chadwick

• Programming Advisory Committee - Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm.  The Program Committee works with the Program Director to evaluate programmers, develop programming ideas, and support KBOO Program Staff. Contact the Program Director: Erin Yanke

• Nominating Committee  - The nominating committee meets in connection with the annual meeting and the KBOO election process and meets infrequently.  Please contact KBOO if you wish to attend a meeting.

Meetings are held at KBOO (unless otherwise noted) and are open to all - call ahead (503-231-8032) to check times.

• The Board of Directors -  Meets the 4th Monday of each month starting at 6:00 pm 

• Development Committee - Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month from 4 - 6 at KBOO.  For more info contact KBOO's Development Director

• Events Committee - This committee coordinates events and outreach.  For more info, contact Ani Haines

• Engineering Workgroup - First Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm. Contact Tom Hood

• Finance Committee - Meets the second Wednesday of every month at 4:30 pm. Contact: Michael Wells

• Governance Committee meets on an ad hoc basis. Contact: Timothy Welp, Board President

• People of Color Caucus - Call Celeste Carey at KBOO (503)231-8032

• Personnel Committee - Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 6:00 pm. Contact: Zale Chadwick

• Programming Advisory Committee - Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm.  The Program Committee works with the Program Director to evaluate programmers, develop programming ideas, and support KBOO Program Staff. Contact the Program Director: Erin Yanke

• Nominating Committee  - The nominating committee meets in connection with the annual meeting and the KBOO election process and meets infrequently.  Please contact KBOO if you wish to attend a meeting.

Meetings are held at KBOO (unless otherwise noted) and are open to all - call ahead (503-231-8032) to check times.

• The Board of Directors -  Meets the 4th Monday of each month starting at 6:00 pm 

• Development Committee - Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month from 4 - 6 at KBOO.  For more info contact KBOO's Development Director

• Events Committee - This committee coordinates events and outreach.  For more info, contact Ani Haines

• Engineering Workgroup - First Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm. Contact Tom Hood

• Finance Committee - Meets the second Wednesday of every month at 4:30 pm. Contact: Michael Wells

• Governance Committee meets on an ad hoc basis. Contact: Timothy Welp, Board President

• People of Color Caucus - Call Celeste Carey at KBOO (503)231-8032

• Personnel Committee - Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 6:00 pm. Contact: Zale Chadwick

• Programming Advisory Committee - Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm.  The Program Committee works with the Program Director to evaluate programmers, develop programming ideas, and support KBOO Program Staff. Contact the Program Director: Erin Yanke

• Nominating Committee  - The nominating committee meets in connection with the annual meeting and the KBOO election process and meets infrequently.  Please contact KBOO if you wish to attend a meeting.