December 9, 2014 CAB Minutes

Community Advisory Board Meeting Tuesday, December 9, 2014 – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Ron and Linda Yanke Family Research Park 220 E. Parkcenter Boulevard, Room 700 Board Members in Attendance: Emily Walton, Chair Shelby Zepeda, Vice Chair David Lombardi Kay Alspaugh Tony Shallat (phone)

Maria Trebby Dave Fotsch Paula Brown Sinclair Vicki Lawson

Marilyn Shuler Susan Giannettino Cornelia Sprung Dede Ryan

Staff in Attendance: John Hess, General Manager Salma Miramontes, Recorder Guest: Britt Udesen, The Cabin Executive Director ***************** Call to Order – Shelby Zepeda Vice-Chair, Shelby Zepeda, called the Boise State Public Radio Community Advisory Board (CAB) meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Emily had called John earlier and let him know that she would be in a little late.

Approval of October 2014 Meeting Minutes – Shelby Zepeda Motion: David Lombardi made a motion to approve the minutes; seconded by Marilyn Shuler.

The motion was passed unanimously.

Review of CAB Nominations Process – Shelby Zepeda It has been decided that the CAB nomination process is to be set aside until the beginning of the upcoming fiscal year, where this process will start fresh from the start. This decision is taken in order to allow more time in considering the variety of potential nominees that are available in the community, as well as looking at past nominees. This will allow further examination of nominees who have the best qualifications for the positions available.

Members expressed their concern with regards to lack of attendance and asked that this information be clearly given to potential nominees so that they may understand the time commitment that is required.

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John is not aware of a bylaw that states a specified number of missed meetings that are allowed but Susan says she believes that there are. John will make sure to look these up.

Up to this point in time, there hasn’t been any information sent concerning nominations. Shelby will send an updated schedule and process matrix with instructions for CAB members to send back to her.

Special Guest: Britt Udesen, The Cabin Executive Director ( Certified Change Leader) John introduced Britt Udesen whom he met at a conference. She has worked at The Cabin for about two years and is now the executive director. Britt began by describing the upcoming 5-day music event, Treefort, which Boise has recently named as its cultural ambassador.

This year, The Cabin is the main organizer of a subfort of the event, called Storyfort. Last year, Storyfort was very successful with more than 1,000 people of all ages attending their events. Britt handed out a copy of last year’s agenda to all members as well as page with more information concerning Storyfort.

Britt expressed enthusiasm in the opportunity of being able to partner with Boise State Public Radio and suggested possible podcasts, a journalism panel, tiny desk concerts, etc. She mentioned how Radio Boise serves the main sponsor on the music side but that Storyfort lacks this sponsor, a position she feels that Boise State Public Radio could adequately fill.

Susan mentioned NPR’s recent conversations with Joni Mitchell and related this to something that could be done similarly with Storyfort. Overall, all members seemed interested and expressed that there was a lot of potential.

Storyfort is also looking for a venue where they can have enough space for all ages, a capacity of over 100, and be able to sell beer and wine. Britt left her card and invited all to stay in touch with her.

Sub Committee Reports Advocacy (Emily Walton): Both Emily and John have been attempting to communicate and meet with local and city officials but have received slow responses. They have been doing this for the last 2-3 months. The focus is in building relationships with them and asking if they could sign in to a letter of support.

It would be preferable to designate another person who can collaborate with John and Emily as the chair of Advocacy.

Programming (Shelby Zepeda): The trivia night to raise awareness in the community about BSPR had previously been set aside since it had become too overwhelming, but it seems much more possible and attainable now. They have talked with Evangeline (Van) Beechler, who currently MC’s in a trivia event that is held in Old Chicago. Van has experience in running these and can host a trivia night for BSPR anywhere.

There are two options which BSPR can take. The first one is joining Van at her already scheduled events in Old Chicago. The downside to this is the large amount of already attaining audience and players which is well over 60. There might not be the same intimate experience with BSPR listeners. The second option is hosting an event at a location that BSPR can secure. This seems to be the better option.

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Shelby hopes this event can take place around January or February. Adrienne and Larry are currently working with trade partners in getting a venue.

Sustainability (Hess): John wanted to call the attention to the imminent round of federal funding issues.

He made sure to emphasize the reality of this threat of budget cuts and how the CAB must keep this under their radar screen.

John wants the members to begin considering options or alternatives towards handling this situation even though economically this will not impact the station until the end of the following fiscal year. He expressed how this would impact the rural communities the most and how it is important to work with government officials in order to get the value of BSPR known.

There is a large .pdf file that shows a lot of the numerical values concerning this conversation that John will make sure to send out to the CAB members.

Marketing (Shelby Zepeda): This committee as dissolved, until further notice, this does not need to be included in CAB agenda.

As a CAB, all can contribute by sending and sharing events with others through social media and e-mails.

Currently working on a co-branding project with NPR concentrated on the areas of Meridian and Eagle where it is believed that there are more possible members who are not aware of the services that BSPR offers. This project will work towards having fringe listeners of these areas listen more often. Tracking of this will be done over a span of around 2 years with data from Arbitron and through membership.

Station report – John Hess The station is doing well up to this point with 5% above our annual fundraising goal, and 10% above the underwriting. Currently, work is being done towards getting the year-end gifts in. The fund drive will be this upcoming Thursday, the 11th of December.

There is still no new Morning Edition host. A new search will begin in this following year.

Keep in mind the need for BSPR to partner with other organizations who share similar values and goals.

Possible recommendations or suggestions made include Edible Idaho South, Farmer’s Market, Boise Weekly, StoryFort (as mentioned earlier), EdNews, etc.

Adjourn – Emily Walton As a closing remark, Emily wanted to remind the CAB members to give as the year is closing. The next meeting will take place on February 12, 2015 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at 220 E. Parkcenter Boulevard, room 700.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

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