Friends of Public Radio, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting October 4, p.m.

Transcription

1 Friends of Public Radio, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting October 4, p.m. Board Members Present: Janice Cochrane, JoAnn Eder, Chuck Hingle, Paul McKean, Mary McNally, Marilynn Miller, Anna Paige, Barbara Sample, Barb Shafer, Amber Sundsted Non-Voting Members Present: Melissa Boehm, Cliff Coppersmith, David Craig, Doxey Hatch Ex-Officio Members Present: Aaron Clingingsmith, Dr. Mark Nook, Ken Siebert Guests/Staff: Kristy Catlin, Bill Culhane, Jill Hirschi 1) Call to Order (5:03 p.m.) 2) Welcome and Introductions a) Kristy Catlin was introduced as the new Underwriting and Public Information Specialist 3) Secretary's Report a) Moved, seconded and approved meeting minutes from July 12, ) Committee Reports a) Nominating Committee Report i) Paul McKean reported that bylaws dictate we need another member of the Executive Committee and asked for volunteers; Marilynn Miller volunteered to serve b) Finance, Investment and Audit Committee i) In Shelley Zimmerman s absence, Aaron Clingingsmith reported that the auditors are at the station this week and everything is going smoothly so far; the committee will hold a meeting on the 10 th to review any concerns raised by the auditors ii) Janice Cochrane stated that a secondary US Bank account used for donor transfers needed to be closed because the bank was going to start charging a fee (1) Moved, seconded and carried motion: To close the secondary account at US Bank. c) Station Planning Committee i) Paul McKean reported that following Tom Livingston s most recent visit, the strategic planning process is still on hold due to Livingston s desire to have a General Manager in place before moving forward; Paul reviewed the original strategic planning process plan for new Board members and provided an explanation of hold ups with the plan d) Development Committee i) Marilynn Miller provided a brief overview of the committee goals and its members

2 ii) Jill Hirschi updated the Board on the start of the Fall Fund Drive, which includes a direct mailing that has already generated about $12,000; Jill is encouraging more matches, including the FOPR match, since that seems to drive donors; Joe Sample will be in for jazz during the drive and will be matching pledges; on-air talent is scheduled for the drive but Jill is looking for more and can be contacted if anyone is interested; on-air volunteers will be provided with more specific talking points; volunteer training on the new pledge system will be provided iii) Jill recapped the Brewery Tour that was held in August and September; Bozeman had a similar turnout to Billings, while Helena was a little smaller, but had several attendees who wanted to talk about YPR and share ideas; Jill is looking to add some smaller locales next year including Red Lodge, Livingston and Great Falls; she would also like to add a coffee with the GM event if a General Manager is in place by January or February 5) New Business a) The GM Search Committee update was provided by Aaron Clingingsmith; we have had four candidates on campus, but the search has yet to yield the right candidate; the committee will meet with Chancellor Nook to determine the next steps 6) Station Update a) Ken Siebert provided a programming update (handout provided) i) The Saturday programming schedule will change as of January 1, 2017; the schedule update is great timing with the change in A Prairie Home Companion and will encourage listeners to tune in all day instead of just for a programming hour or two (affinity programming); some of the lower performing and aging programming will be retired, which will save $3,200 in programming fees over the course of the year (1) Only a Game replaces Marketplace Weekend (2) Wait, Wait Don t Tell Me! moves from 5 p.m. Sundays to 10 a.m. Saturdays replacing Car Talk (retiring), Travel with Rick Steves will be provided free of charge to fill the gap left by Wait, Wait on Sundays and he will provide a personal intro into the first program that YPR airs (3) TED Radio Hour replaces Zorba Pastor On Your Health (4) Mountain Stage replaces The Midnight Special (5) A Prairie Home Companion will remain in its spot with new host Chris Thile (6) Paul McKean questioned if any of the programming changes would affect big underwriters; Ken reported that the financial institutions will be affected by the departure of Marketplace Weekend, and auto shops such as the Metric Wrench

3 will be affected by the retirement of Car Talk; underwriters will be contacted and encouraged to underwrite other programming; Ken also mentioned that new programming opens up new underwriting opportunities, such as sports medicine for Only a Game ii) Regional Programming Update (more details provided in PowerPoint) (1) Capitol Connections is bringing on Chuck Johnson to co-host with Jackie Yamanaka, estimated cost of $3,500 in FY17 (2) Flavors Under the Big Sky continues to evolve and Stella Fong will likely be producing it on her own in another year, estimated cost of $5,000 in FY17 (3) Untitled Vocal Jazz Program to replace Marian McPartland s Piano Jazz, will be hosted by Marian Green, estimated cost of $2,100 in FY17 (4) Untitled Arts & Humanities Program, host to be determined (could be rotating), estimated cost of $2,500 in FY17 (5) The Farm File will be hosted by Sarah Brown and will follow a farmer from planting to harvest or a rancher through calving season, 5-minute programming that eventually could be repackaged into a 30-minutes program, estimated cost of $1,500 in FY17 (6) Untitled Tippet Rise Concert Series will feature the concert season from Tippet Rise, likely to air two weeks after actual concert, estimated cost is $0 (7) Programming cost totals about $14,600 of the $20,000 budgeted; additional development is ongoing, including online-only content such as regularly produced podcasts; JoAnn Eder suggested more youth radio 7) FY 2017 Meeting Calendar a) January 10, 2017 b) April 4, ) Executive Session (Staff and guests dismissed at 5:53 p.m.) a) Updates from the University provided by Aaron Clingingsmith 9) Adjourn (6:11 p.m.)

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5 PROGRAMMING UPDATE October 2016

6 A NEW YEAR FOR SATURDAYS Changes to the Saturday programming lineup begin January 7, 2017 Time to inject new energy into the weekend lineup Create space for new audiences and keep them listening Keep the spirit of our weekend programming for our current listeners Retire aging and/or underperforming programs Provide new fund raising and underwriting opportunities

7 CH-CH-CH-CHANGES Program changes focus on 9am-4pm block Creates a stronger, more cohesive schedule between two tentpole programs through a mix of new and existing programs ADDED BONUS: Changes will save $3,200 in FY2017 programming costs

8 9:00AM NEW FOCUS FOR AN UNDERSERVED AUDIENCE Only a Game ( will replace Marketplace Weekend. Only a Game is an award-winning weekly sports magazine hosted by veteran NPR commentator Bill Littlefield... Only A Game is radio for the serious sports fan and the steadfast sports avoider. Produced by WBUR in Boston, Only A Game puts sports in perspective with intelligent analysis, insightful interviews and a keen sense of humor.

9 10:00AM A HIGHER PROFILE FOR WAIT WAIT... DON T TELL ME! Wait Wait ( moves from Sunday afternoons to replace The Best of Car Talk Provides higher profile for a high-energy, fast-paced show that s a great lead-in to Says You! Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! is NPR's weekly hour-long quiz program. Each week on the radio you can test your knowledge against some of the best and brightest in the news and entertainment world while figuring out what's real news and what's made up. On the Web, you can play along too

10 11:00AM 1:00PM DON T FIX WHAT AIN T BROKE Both Says You! and This American Life are strong performers Says You! is a natural pairing with Wait Wait, but there are enough inherent differences in the shows to provide a broader listening experience

11 1:00PM KEEPING THE CONVERSATION GOING TED Radio Hour ( will replace Zorba Pastor On Your Health. TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas: astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, new ways to think and create. Based on talks given by riveting speakers on the world-renowned TED stage, each show is centered on a common theme... and injects soundscapes and conversations that bring these ideas to life.

12 2:00PM ENLIVENING THE AFTERNOON Mountain Stage ( will replace The Midnight Special. Mirrors the update and refresh of A Prairie Home Companion For more than 30 years, Mountain Stage with Larry Groce has been the home of live music on public radio. Recorded in front of a live audience, Mountain Stage features performances from seasoned legends and emerging stars in genres ranging from folk, blues, and country; to indie rock, synth pop, world music, alternative, and beyond.

13 FILLING WAIT WAIT S HOLE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS Travel with Rick Steves ( Travel with Rick Steves is a weekly one-hour conversation about travel, cultures, people, and the things we find around the world that give life its extra sparkle. Rick Steves is the leading authority on travel to Europe, and is extending his interest to global topics.

14 REGIONAL PROGRAMMING UPDATE Capitol Connections FORMAT: Public Affairs / Politics HOSTS: Jackie Yamanaka & Chuck Johnson PRODUCER: Jackie Yamanaka LENGTH/FREQUENCY: 29 minutes / weekly (Wednesdays, 6:30pm) DURATION: January April, 2017 ESTIMATED COST FY17: $3,500 SYNOPSIS: Capitol Connections is an extension of Jackie s news reporting during the Legislative session. As the session progresses and bills are introduced and debated, Capitol Connections provides longer-form interviews with majority/minority leadership, legislators, and state officials on the relevant bills and topics of the week. This year, Jackie will be working with veteran political journalist Chuck Johnson.

15 REGIONAL PROGRAMMING UPDATE Flavors Under the Big Sky FORMAT: HOST: PRODUCER: LENGTH/FREQUENCY: DURATION: ESTIMATED COST FY17: Public Affairs / Food, Agriculture Stella Fong Jackie Yamanaka / Stella Fong 29 minutes / monthly (Third Monday, 6:30pm) ongoing $5,000 (host + travel) SYNOPSIS: Flavors Under the Big Sky explores regional foods, food production, restaurants, and food personalities across the state, with richly-produced audio and dynamic interviews.

16 REGIONAL PROGRAMMING UPDATE Untitled Vocal Jazz Program FORMAT: Music/Jazz HOST: Marian Green PRODUCERS: Ken Siebert / Marian Green LENGTH/FREQUENCY: 59 minutes / weekly (Mondays, 2pm) DURATION: ongoing, beginning December 2016 ESTIMATED COST FY17: $2,100 SYNOPSIS: Marian Green brings her extensive collection of vocal jazz recordings to bear in a weekly exploration of vocal jazz styles, techniques, historical eras, and the stars of the genre. Marian will provide knowledgeable commentary and context as well. Playlists would be available online. This program cannot be archived online due to streaming music rights.

17 REGIONAL PROGRAMMING UPDATE Untitled Arts & Humanities Program FORMAT: HOST(S): PRODUCERS: LENGTH/FREQUENCY: DURATION: ESTIMATED COST FY17: Public Affairs / Arts & Humanities TBD Ken Siebert / Host 29 minutes / monthly (Second Monday, 6:30pm) ongoing, beginning 3 rd Quarter, FY17 $2,500 (host + travel) SYNOPSIS: This program features interviews from a variety of sources, be they visiting soloists with the state s symphonies, members of the state s various theater troupes, or visiting speakers, authors, and artists. The goal would be to bring attention to the arts and humanities events in the region, with two interviews per show. This show has the potential to go weekly in FY2018, or stay monthly and bump to 59 minutes in length. Photos, video, and extended interviews could all be part of an online component, in addition to the archived audio of the show.

18 REGIONAL PROGRAMMING UPDATE The Farm File Module FORMAT: Public Affairs / Agriculture HOST: Sarah Brown PRODUCER: Sarah Brown LENGTH/FREQUENCY: 5 minutes / bi-weekly (TBD) DURATION: 2 6-month series beginning Spring 2017 ESTIMATED COST FY17: $1,500 (possible overtime + travel) SYNOPSIS: Follow one farmer from spring planting through harvest, then follow one rancher from fall weaning through spring calving. The module would be a combination of produced, on-site audio and interviews, with follow-up phone interviews through the season, introducing YPR listeners to the people who produce the food they eat and the materials they use. Sarah would provide context in addition to the interviews. At the end of the 6-month season, a 30 minute wrap-up program could bring all the modules together into one show. Photos, video, and extended interviews could all be part of an online component, in addition to the archived audio of the show.

19 REGIONAL PROGRAMMING UPDATE Untitled Tippet Rise Concert Series FORMAT: Music / Live Concert Series HOST: TBD PRODUCER: Tippet Rise LENGTH/FREQUENCY: 59 minutes / weekly DURATION: 13 week season, Spring/Summer 2017 ESTIMATED COST FY17: $0 SYNOPSIS: YPR may have the opportunity to air the 2017 concert season from Tippet Rise. Pending music rights releases, performances at Tippet Rise would be recorded and fully produced with host announce and provided to YPR roughly two weeks after the live performance.

20 REGIONAL PROGRAMMING UPDATE FY2017 Investment of $14,600 of $20,000 budgeted Additional development of regional programming concepts ongoing, including online-only content such as regularly produced podcasts

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