Issues like this are all too common in LPFM. Typically they don't surface so quickly but after months of footing the bills for the operation. I have even seen an instance where the guy that started the station and put up all the money being voted off the board and his station taken from him.
This should be a cautionary story for LPFM CP holders. You must have a solid board you can trust and count on and then hold the reigns tight. There is a tendency for lots of people to harken the station's door, all with their own agenda and dreams of ruling over the station.
This stuff happens all too much. In fact, I know a group that has a LPFM that was contacted by a supposed website design company. The LPFM group wanted to talk to the company, saying to put together a proposal. In a matter of days the website company shows up suggesting a new moniker for the station, new website, had registered it and was even accepting donations on the website they created. In fact, he had worked it to where a search pulled up his site, not the station's meager website. In short, without permission, a website designer had stolen the online presence for the station without the station board's knowledge or permission. The website design company wanted a large sum of money for the work. After the station had to resort to getting an attorney involved, the issue was resolved but not until after much needed dollars had been spent to resolve the 'theft'.
It can be scary once you have your CP, so tread carefully and don't be too eager to have folks jump on board. Get to know them first. It is only fair that the people who spent money, devoted the time and built the station to have the final say, not only because their neck is on the line with the FCC, but it is right that they get to share their vision of radio because they earned it. If you have never applied with the FCC, you haven't a clue of all the detail and time involved, not to mention the cash.
A friend makes his volunteer DJs and board pay a fee to be with the station. He says even a few dollars weeds out the bad. To have a show, you must donate $1 per half hour ($4 for a 2 hour weekly show, paid monthly) and board members must be members at the $100 a year level. If cash is an issue, you can work out some of the amount doing administrative work at the station. He said that for some reason, when they pay, they take it seriously, protect the station and tend to not skip out on their shows. He said the troublemakers are turned off by having to pay. I find that somewhat amazing but I've heard as little as a dollar changes the scenario, even when the monetary value is quite high.
