Fall 2006: Columbus

PUBLIC RADIO IN MID-AMERICA
MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Fall 2006 Conference
September 8, 2006
Hampton Inn
Columbus, Ohio
9:00 a.m.

Minutes

I. CALL TO ORDER

PRIMA President Patty Wente called meeting to order at 9:15.

II. SECRETARY’S REPORT

Minutes presented by Christina Kuzmych.  Motion to approve by Craig Beeby. Seconded by Keith Neisler.  Approved unanimously.

III. TREASURER’S REPORT

PRIMA Treasurer Dorie Vallillo reported.
Balance in checking account 3/1/06: $4,801.47
Income:$10,553.30
Expenses: $2,096.60
Balance in checking account 9/1/06: $13,259.17
Vanguard Money Market Account 
balance 6/30/06: $5,965.26.

Motion to approve Treasurer’s Report made by Phil Corriveau.  Seconded by Eric Nycklemoe.  Approved unanimously.

IV. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Patty gave an overview about PRIMA, its mission, and future directions.  Also reviewed some of the ideas presented at the last PRIMA Board retreat. PRIMA’s relevancy to members was a key issue.  Public radio is going through a transition that is changing the role of managers.  PRIMA needs to be in a position to facilitate these changes. The PRIMA Board is scheduled to review new directions in November.  Patty encouraged discussion of new direction at this meeting, as well as on-line, prior to the Board retreat.  In short: What would members want PRIMA to do for them?

V.  OLD BUSINESS  

DISCUSSION OF PRIMA WINTER MEETING

Does the membership of PRIMA want a Winter meeting?  Considering that travel is an issue with many managers, should PRIMA drop this meeting option? Jay Pearce stated that in the absence of PRC, it’s a good idea to have two meetings a year.  Craig Beeby offered historic perspective on the meeting schedule of PRIMA.  Craig also informed that U:SA would like to offer an update at the Winter meeting. Scott Hanley reminded that the New Realities meeting in Washington had no quorum, a fact that points to the need for regional meetings during which managers can gather to discuss issues.  NPR has scheduled a meeting for April 22nd.  John Schwartz said that the Winter PRIMA meeting (and PRIMA meetings in general) are a good place to meet with managers, industry leaders, and generally more congenial to thinking and discussion.  The smaller setting provides a more serious discussion environment. Phil Corriveau mentioned that radio is faced with more issues now than ever before, and the ability to interact in a smaller group is very important.  This sentiment was echoed by several other Members.  Arthur Timko suggested that the Winter meeting be combined with the April NPR meeting.  This sentiment echoed by several members.   On the other hand, placing space between our Winter meeting and the national NPR meeting is good, because it allows us to have a discussion, share the thoughts, and influence the NPR meeting. Patty: What do we want to achieve in the Winter meeting? Dovetail with NPR?  Hold PRIMA meeting before or after NPR’s meeting? The consensus was to maintain the Winter meeting separate of the NPR meeting.

REPRESENTATION OF NATIONAL GROUPS AT MEETINGS

Representatives from PRI and APM agreed that it would benefit discussion if they could know what is expected from PRI, APM, NPR.  Do PRIMA managers want representatives to present new ideas, facilitate discussion, participate in discussion?  Members present agreed that representation from major public radio organizations is crucial to the success of PRIMA meetings, and that representatives should be prepared to join discussion as well as present.

REPORT ON PRIMA ELECTION HISTORY AND NOMINATION PROCESS

Election history and projection presented by Christina in a handout.  Bruce Haines reported on the deliberations of the Nominating Committee and put forth names for the slate:  VP Cleve Callison; Treasurer Dorie Vallillo, Board Member No 1  Al Bartholet, Board Member No  2  Jon Schwartz. Motion to approve made by Keith Neisler. Seconded by Craig Beeby; Approved unanimously.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

REVIEW OF THIS MEETING

Patty led a discussion about the meeting, and asked why it worked?  Several factors were cited:

  • Groups were small
  • Discussion focused and concise
  • All participants had an opportunity to share ideas
  • Guests were knowledgable
  • The topics were relevant and included major industry issues
  • Representation from major organizations (NPR/APM/PRI/SRG,etc.) was strong

 VIII. ADJOURN 

Motion to adjourn meeting by Keith Neisler.  Seconded by Eric Nycklemoe.
Meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Christina Kuzmych, Secretary
Public Radio in Mid-America
September 8, 2006

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