Public Radio in Mid America
Board of Directors Meeting
December 20, 2017
Called to Order: 2:34 pm Eastern Time
Present: Regina Dean, Tim Eby, Neenah Ellis, Kristina Kuzmych, Nico Leone, Paul Maassen, Steve Schram, Dan Skinner
The Board Discussed Planning and Ideas for the Spring PRIMA Conference.
- The member survey showed that Chicago emerged as top vote getter for spring conference.
- WBEZ can work with us to host. A few years ago we had the conference at WBEZ.
- Possibility to see WWDTM. Looking at the first two weeks in May
- Reached out to a lot of people about participating. Dan is contacting potential speakers and will be able to do more once we have finalized a date.
- Paul Maassen will manage the logistics, arranging for hotels, etc.
- McCormick Place Hyatt was suggested as an option
- Paul will be in touch with Goli to see if attending WWDTM is an option.
- Topics/Guests Under Consideration:
- Representation from NPR to discuss NPR related issues:
- Business Plan for NPR podcasts. How many does NPR plan to launch, what impact will it have on stations.
- Continue to provide feedback to NPR regarding the compact.
- What about inviting Development and Marketing SC+VPs? People like that idea.
- Suggestion made to invite Paul Haaga, Chairman of the Board
- PRSS folks show and tell about the new interconnect equipment. Digital services.
- Smart speakers development as a platform. (Jacobs media again?) Update on digital.
- Representation from NPR to discuss NPR related issues:
Other agenda items:
- Tim Eby noted that NPR’s strategic plan has been approved that hasn’t been shared with stations.
- Regina Dean says a good response for mid fiscal year dues. A huge deposit last week. Will have a fuller report next meeting for fy 18 membership.
- Steve Schramm reports that Jarl is eager to get back to work.
Meeting Adjorned at 3:05 pm.
Submitted by board secretary Neenah Ellis