Community Advisory Board Meeting Minutes - May 9, 2013
Members Present: Greg Dike, Julie Ferguson, Jim Fluty and Angela Traver
MSPR Staff: Paul Hitchcock
Guest(s): N/A
The meeting began at 6:34PM in the studios of Morehead State Public Radio (MSPR) at Morehead State University (MSU). Julie Ferguson, MSPR Community Advisory Board (CAB) chair, welcomed members of the CAB.
Old Business
Minutes of the February 7, 2013 meeting were reviewed. Jim Fluty made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as presented. Angela Traver seconded the motion. The motion passed.
MSPR’s Quarterly Program Report for the period of January - March 2013 was reviewed. Following general discussion, Jim Fluty made a motion to accept the quarterly report. Angela Traver seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Paul Hitchcock shared a report on MSPR’s Spring Fundraiser. In lieu of an on-air campaign this spring, MSPR worked with MSU’s Office of Development staff to facilitate listener support through call-outs, direct mail and social networking. MSPR also aired short (:30/:60) announcements asking listeners to support MSPR by using an online pledge form.
Following about a month of these appeals, comments from listeners were favorable and results seemed to indicate a successful move towards not having an on-air campaign.
As of April 17, a total of $25,530 was raised from 426 members. Hitchcock mentioned these numbers would indicate a strong response and fulfillment of pledges, as compared with other recent fundraisers. This spring fundraiser concentrated on current contributors and a plan will be implemented to identify and reach-out to new listeners. A few ideas include using an online web form, social media (Facebook) and booths at local festivals. A suggestion was made to use half of the number of followers on Facebook for part of the membership total or to take the average of spring and fall membership totals. The CAB also suggested that a clear definition of a “member” needs to be identified.
Guest Comments
There were no guest comments available
New Business
Through the support of NPR’s Digital Services, MSPR’s website will be redesigned this summer. The new website will have a fresh look, streamlined for easy access to online features, local and regional news stories with audio/photos and other new features. Changes to MSPR’s new website should be in place by August.
MSPR and MSU’s Center for Environmental Education (CEE) will be applying for a grant from Penn State Public Media. The grant (up to $3,000) would support local reporting on managing water and watershed issues in this region. If awarded, MSPR plans to work with the CEE to provide regular feature reports for broadcast on MSPR and then shared with Kentucky Public Radio (KPR). Feature stories will also be archived on MSPR’s website.
Paul Hitchcock reported that the managers of KPR-member stations took part in a one-day workshop and meeting regularly to discuss additional options for partnerships. Currently, KPR member stations share news stories on a daily basis, which has proven to be very effective across the state. There may be other areas to enhance this partnership and consultants from Public Radio Capital have been acquired to provide a comprehensive report for strengthen or possibly expand the KPR partnership. Enhanced partnership may include programming, fundraising and enhanced news reporting.
MSPR staff recently discussed a partnership with WMMT (Appalshop) in Whitesburg (KY) for the purpose of sharing ideas and resources. MSPR will begin to share the “A Time For Tales” programs with WMMT, as well as other locally-produced programs, specials and news features.
Appalachian Wireless contacted MSPR for permission to move MSPR’s W202BH translator (88.3FM) located in Inez. They have a need to place a new tower on the translator’s current location. In return, Appalachian Wireless will place MSPR’s translator in their new building. The arrangement will provide better security, use of a generator during power failure and a better (cleaner) environment for housing the translator.
Hitchcock mentioned several awards and recognitions. MSPR staff won 19 awards in 11 categories from the 2013 Kentucky Associated Press Awards Banquet in Louisville on April 6. Awards included five 1st Place, seven 2nd Place, six Honorable Mentions and one Best of Show.
The 2013 MSPR/CAB Student Leadership Award was presented to David Gillum and 2013 MSPR Outstanding Student Award presented to Carly Lacey on April 25.
MSPR’s “Health Matters” program was recognized with a 2013 National Media Award from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons on April 28. The program is hosted by Dr. Tony Weaver with co-host Rick Phillips and producer Asa Hosoda.
Closing Comments
The next CAB meeting will take place in MSPR’s studios at 6:30PM on Thursday, August 8, 2013.
There being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Angela Traver to adjourn the meeting. Jim Fluty seconded the motion. The motion passed. The meeting concluded at 7:23PM.