NCPR Executive Council Meeting Minutes 2/9/15

a)      NCPR may have to be more dependent on cash reserves due to an off-year from grants and special project funding.

b)      We are dipping into reserves by an estimated thirty to seventy-five thousand.

c)      A dependency on the reserves is not ideal.

d)     Ideally, Ellen would like a reserve of at least Five-hundred thousand to be safe for a Two million dollar budget.

3)      Question on establishment of reserves:

a)      Over the year, several special projects and grants that came in under budget.

b)      Fundraisers brought in more expenses.

4)      To note: Reserve is not the same as the Endowment.

5)      It was noted that Endowment money is not necessarily designated on NCPR’s books, such as the Adirondack Fund being held with the Adirondack Foundation (pays for ADK News Bureau expenses) as well as money held with The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida.

6)      Ellen’s goal is to have the bottom line out of the red.

3)      For three weeks leading up to the “Traditional” fundraiser, the new approach was taken, and going into Monday morning of the scheduled on-air drive, the goal was met and passed with 3 hours by Martha Foley, Todd Moe and Ellen.

4)      This new approach was a huge success and well received throughout the Public Radio system. Ellen and June gave Webinars on the approach which after early feedback, has been working for other stations.

5)      The approach will be tested again in the spring, and the biggest concern is about the potential of having to go back to the “traditional” route.

6)      Question of clarification on sustainers:

a)      The amount of sustainers greatly increased and with that how much money was given by sustainers increased as well.

b)      Increase attributed to the first time the language for promoting sustaining had been given regularly.

c)      Ellen and June have reservations of pushing more sustaining for a few reasons; 1.Ellen stressed that it is important to constantly be in touch with our donors so that they know they are important, the system-wide approach is to “set it and forget it.” 2. People forget that they have already signed up for it, which causes issues. 3. An important goal is to push people up the line, rather than have people settle on the same annual amount.

7)      The new approach also saw an enormous jump of on-line giving instead of over the phone. Also, a high number of mailed donations.

a)      This had been a desire since the phone service is costly and not very good.

b)      Coincidently, the phone bank had been having issues, so the number was rarely given out at first and the url was given instead. When the lines were working again without issue, the phone number was given, but still not the preferred method for donors.

b)      The idea for use being, if a donor gives NCPR $100 annually, but much more philanthropically throughout the year, Ellen can approach them to discuss increased giving to NCPR.

c)      June is also exploring options to use Donor Search for Membership giving.

2)      Ellen is working with St. Lawrence University Director of Planned Giving Anne Sibley, to have NCPR partner with SLU in using resources they have in place to set up planned giving for the station.

a)      Ellen plans on taking Cali up on her volunteering to help with Planned Giving, planning.

3)      Sandy is working to increase the Underwriting book two ways:

a)      Increase the exposure of online underwriting and to use that in more of an emphasized sales pitch to businesses.

b)      Bring on a part-time sales person in based Plattsburgh, which if successful would potentially lead to the same position being created in other markets; Glens Falls, Watertown, Lewis County, etc …

b)      Will be featured in the Adirondack Explorer.

3)      The meeting will be informational for the Committee which Marion will then share with the Board.

3)      Ellen wanted to utilize the Lake Placid breakfast and will discuss further with John Rosenthal.

4)      On October 3^rd, NCPR is co-hosting with the Strand Theatre in Plattsburgh, an evening with Ira Glass.

3)      NCPR Engineer Bob Sauter and Production Manager Joel Hurd, are currently putting together rough estimates of how much it would cost to build a new space.