NCPR Executive Council Meeting Minutes, 2/3/16

a. Student experience is the Board’s number one priority.

b. High interest from the board towards the numerous awards won by NCPR.

c. Thanks to the work of Melissa Richards, the NCPR presence on the SLU website is now more visible.

d. Ellen’s reporting to Marion has been very helpful for presenting to SLU.

2) Melissa reinforced the point that the Board is always very interested in SLU student’s potential relation to NCPR.

a. Ellen referenced the Todd Moe interview with a SLU student band that aired the morning of 2/3/16 as an example of NCPR coverage of SLU related stories.

b. Ellen always makes a point to send SLU stories to Melissa.

a. At this time there are no concrete updates. Following up from the holiday season, projects are slow to move along.

b. Ellen did have some meetings with several SLU faculty members about the potential of a space that could have shared facilities for NCPR and SLU students who would have the ability to encounter more real world experience. This would allow the students to have a deep media connection and organically grant access to the students.

2) Recent / Upcoming Projects

a. NYS Minimum Wage

i. Great success and conversation around continuing on NCPR webpage and Facebook page.

ii. A hot button issue across demographics.

b. Alcoa

i. With the slow-moving nature of the story, NCPR Digital Producer Brit Hanson will eventually build out a more expansive story for digital use.

ii. Cooperative work with Kate Fish of ANCA on community events for Massena.

iii. EC Member Dale Kramer of Massena shared the following

1. Many rumors around the Alcoa news.

2. 348 houses currently for sale in Massena.

3. Aluminum prices are low now.

iv. This is not an unfamiliar Public Radio news story, prominent among rust belt cities.

1. Looking for revitalization.

3) Personnel

a. Sandy Demarest is retiring at the end of September.

i. Ellen is working on a replacement plan.

ii. Melissa Richards assisting with HR to finalize, more details to come.

b. Brit Hanson will be attending a data visualization training.

c. Melissa Callaert will be interning with NCPR through April.

i. Melissa is here from Belgium.

ii. Working towards a special Journalism degree.

4) Finances

a. New membership database conversion wrapping up, tying up Giving and Finance Director June Peoples.

b. Awaiting financial data from the SLU Business Office; will provide when available.

c. Data will be more in depth and available at May meeting.

d. Chief Engineer Bob Sauter in the process of selling unused, unnecessary translator low-power construction permits.

i. Will earn $120k – $130k for the sale.

ii. Part will go to reserve fund, some towards this fiscal year’s bottom line.

iii. Not the first time NCPR has proceeded with this type of transaction.

iv. A one-time window allowed by the FCC, not for public sale, but to help AM radio stations.

v. The equipment can be transported up to 250 miles from present location.

vi. Some brokers advise on waiting on for a higher bid, however we are taking a sure thing at the price we are getting. It is a “gift” that came to NCPR.

e. Spring Fundraiser

i. This past fall fundraiser had no interruptions, most money ever made.

ii. Spring drives are always tougher to make goal, system-wide.

iii. OPI coming soon with Allegiance. Allows donors to be able to manage their donor profiles. Will also improve fundraising.

a. NCPR 50^th anniversary year, too important of a year to leave during year.

b. Time for the next generation of leadership.

c. Ideally there would be a year or two buffer for the next station manager – a “bridge” approach.

2) Commitment to the next generation of Public Radio.

a. Grooming individuals whether they stay at NCPR or move onto other stations.

b. A commitment to good journalism.

c. Rigorous guidance and ethical behavior.

d. David and Brian are working to build “journalism basics” training materials.

e. Cali Brooks complimented Zach Hirsch on how he has been conducting himself as a reporter for NCPR.

i. Ellen spoke highly of Zach’s work since his appointment of as the Champlain Valley reporter.

ii. Rod Giltz also complemented Zach and his approach on handling news in Plattsburgh.

iii. Zach came to NCPR via the Salt Institute after completing his degree at UVM. Initially part-time, after success, brought on full-time to start the Plattsburgh bureau with help from Melissa Richards and HR.

a. On SLU campus, details to follow.

2) Fourth quarter meeting to be held October 27^th.

a. Via conference call / web presentation.

3) First quarter meeting of 2017 to be held on February 2^nd, focused on preparing for the 50^th anniversary of NCPR.

a. Via conference call / web presentation.

Greetings

Are members of the Executive Council also on the Governing Board?

Why has there been no call out to the listeners, the community, for candidates, for new members of the Executive council? Why has there been no call for elections? This appears to be a violation of Corporation of Public Broadcasting rules. Members of the community used to host afternoon shows, answer phones during fund raising. That has all history now, why?

Our local NCPR station refuses all requests for a news feed other than Washington based NPR News and BBC made for America. Albany, Syracuse and Burlington all have other sources of news. Why does this station refuse? NCPR has lost many listeners and funding because the station refuses to budge on this issue and other issues. It does not want or need community support. I fear the station will become just another internet based radio station with no region to call home.

Sincerely
Rich from West Stockholm

2) After receipt of the email, NCPR’s Jon Sklaroff relayed the first portion about council membership to the Executive Council and forwarded the email for the second portion about programming to Program Director Jackie Sauter.

3) Ellen suggested that the EC may want to discuss expanding membership on the Council and finding new ways of getting recommendations for prospective new Council members; she suggested this be addressed at May meeting..

4) Rich expressed concern of censorship via exclusion, although that was never the intention but rather misguidance.

a) Ellen acknowledged Rich’s efforts in helping NCPR adhere to CPB guidelines in line with proceedings relating to Executive Council meetings.

b) At the behest of Ellen, the comments were also forwarded to the entire Executive Council allowing opportunity for further review and individual commentary.