PUBLIC RADIO IN MID-AMERICA (PRIMA)
Board Conference Call
July 1st, 2008
2:30 ET
Minutes
Present: Cleve Callison, WMUB (President); Christina Kuzmych, WFIU (Vice President) Dan Skinner, Texas Public Radio, (Secretary); Dorie Vallillo, WIUM (Treasurer), Al Bartholet, WKSU (Board Member No. 1), Jon Schwartz, Wyoming Public Radio, (Board Member No. 2), Bill Wheelhouse, WUIS, (Board Member No. 3)
I. Meeting began at 2:30 E.T.
II. Fall & Spring Conferences
Christina reported that the Fall Conference will begin on Thursday September 11th in Pittsburgh, PA. NPR will hold a Station Consultation meeting prior to the PRIMA Conference on Wednesday September 10th beginning in the afternoon and continuing through the evening. The PRIMA meeting will be all day Thursday continuing through Friday noon. The board discussed potential sessions for the conference including information about needed management skills, including hiring staff and succession planning for the next generation of managers. Potential experts to invite were discussed including David Liroff and Dennis Haarsager. Christina will also consult with Scott Hanley regarding potential speakers from Duquesne University.
Work continues on the Spring 2009 Conference in San Antonio for January 28-30 or February 4-6. Negotiation is still going on with La Mansion regarding room rates. If a favorable rate is not possible there, other hotels will be contacted along the River Walk. Should NPR be brought in to the negotiation process? Need to find out if NPR is interested in having a co-session in Spring 2009.
III. Michigan’s Training Plan
Art Timko joined the conference call to inform us about Michigan’s training plan. The Board discussed how PRIMA might be able to partner with Michigan to provide training at PRIMA meetings. The Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters (MAPB) (Radio & TV) has created training sessions for their staff, primarily news topics. PRIMA training sessions would focus on management. MAPB is working on its training schedule. Cleve will continue dialog with Art regarding opportunities for collaboration on training opportunities in the future.
IV. Nominating Committee
Tim Eby has agreed to chair the committee. Jay Pierce has agreed to serve. Others have been asked to serve but have not yet confirmed. Need a total of five on committee.
V. National Underwriter Credits
Cleve updated us on issues surrounding consent decree by FCC toward WNYC regarding underwriting announcement. The underwriting announcement was for a national program underwriter on Marketplace. Will NPR or other program distributers cover station expenses in these instances? Is there a policy to protect stations at NPR? Lack of uniform standards for underwriting creates problems for broadcasters. What effect will this have on national underwriting? On local stations? The board discussed whether or not it is appropriate for PRIMA to take a leadership position in asking questions about standards for underwriting. The board agreed that Cleve will raise the issue with NPR.
VI. Meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m. E.T.
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Skinner, Secretary