Bernadette Ellorin (Regional Coordinator, BAYAN USA -- progressive Filipino alliance; community organizer, Philippine Forum; 29-year-old documentary filmmaker)

Click here for her candidate statement.

Bernadette Ellorin

WBAI Candidate Questionnaire

1. Why do you want to be on the Local Station Board?

My strong interest in being a member of the LSB lies in my desire to contribute to the advancement and protection of WBAI’s overall progressive community vision. I believe the LSB is the only genuine task force that is mainly responsible for representing the interests of underrepresented communities in all WBAI matters. In this respect, it is important that members of the LSB come from diverse backgrounds, grounded in the concrete experiences and conditions of underrepresented and disenfranchised communities themselves.

2. How do you envision the Local Station Board working with the Pacifica Foundation, WBAI, and the community?

The LSB must operate as a co-equal with the national structures that determine the overall aspects of Pacifica. But in its capacity, the LSB by its very nature represents community voices on the ground. Therefore, the LSB must always be in a position to assert and protect the interests of real community voices over all other interests.

3. How could the station better serve its listeners?

The station must broaden and diversify its listener base and demographics. It must make itself tangible and available to all communities in New York City. The only way to accomplish this is through concentrated outreach, hand-in-hand with sweeping, traditional outreach.

4. Describe some actions you would take to increase the influence of the station in underrepresented communities and to increase diversity of the listening audience?

We must consistently monitor the listener base in order to gauge its diversification. I would recommend strategic outreach methods of different types customized for different underrepresented communities. This would entail a diversification in issue-based programming to cover issues of those underrepresented. For example, since New York has a high industry demand for domestic workers, most of which come from immigrant communities, then we should provide programming that speaks to the experiences of domestic workers. This would also entail a multi-channel expansion of the station itself to reach more people.

5. What sources of funding, other than listener donations, do you feel WBAI should solicit?

Income-generating projects should not be limited to WBAI membership dues, but must also be diverse -- from community events-planning to merchandise sales. I also support the Justice and Unity proposal to develop a Pacifica record label. This could help bring in a whole new revenue stream while also showcasing musicians who are not connected to corporate labels.

6. Please state briefly the skills, experience, educational background, work history, organizational affiliations, areas of community service, areas of interest and expertise that you would bring to the Pacifica network as a member of the Local Station Board.

I would bring my skills as an organizer, public speaker, events-planner, campaign manager, writer, activist, and fundraising strategist to WBAI’s LSB. I hold a Bachelor’s in Film, TV, and Radio Production from NYU, with a minor degree in Asian-American Studies. I have been a freelance TV producer for the past seven years and a documentary filmmaker for the last two years. I am a national media officer for BAYAN USA, the overseas chapter of BAYAN Philippines. I am also a Filipino community organizer with the Philippine Forum, a low-income immigrant community service organization based in Elmhurst, Queens. In my capacity, I have also been instrumental in several other community organizing initiatives, including the National Alliance of Filipino Concerns, Anakbayan Filipino Youth of Jersey City, the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, and the Philippine Forum’s Young Girls Empowerment Program.

7. Do you anticipate missing any Local Station Board meetings due to family or job related problems or inadequate transportation?

No.

8. On which Local Station Board committees are you interested in actively serving?

Committee of Inclusion Membership, Outreach and Fundraising Committee

Contact me at bernadette@justiceunity.org.