WTIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING –Minutes
WTIP Conference Room 4:00 pm
Thursday, July 18, 2013
1. Call to order at 4:08 pm. In attendance - Rick Anderson, Ann Possis
Dave Teersteg, Hyla Napensky, Deb Benedict
2. Approve Minutes from 6-20-13 meeting – motion by Rick, 2nd by Hyla.
All in favor.
3. Technical Report – update on tower
Deb reported that engineer Jeff Nemitz had received tower plans from
the county/Verizon and was reviewing them to ensure they would
accommodate our antenna needs. Funding raised thus far for this project
includes $5,000 from the North Shore Health Care Foundation, $25,000
from Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, and a commitment of $10,000 from the
Schaap Foundation. Total cost of this phase to include new antenna and
feedline, removal of old antenna and feed line is approximately $98,000.
Deb was working with Nancy Grabko of the EDA in seeking additional
funding for the project.
4. Treasurer’s Report (Hyla) –
a. June statements – Hyla reported that the financials are in good
shape for the first 6 months of the year. We anticipate grant payments in the
2nd ½ to offset monthly negative net, which is the norm until the last few
months of the year. Hyla also reviewed the Directors and Officers insurance
from Beehive Insurance and believes that the policy adequately covers our
needs.
5. Development/Marketing Committee Report –
a. membership drive results – see station manager report
6. Programming Report –
Programming Committee Report
July 16, 2013
I’ve officially been working as program director for almost five months
now, and it has been a whirlwind! Thanks for all of the support and
encouragement, as well as bearing with me as I continue to get a handle on
all of the different aspects of programming at WTIP. I just wanted to send
you a quick update on some of the exciting program changes that have been
happening over the past few months.
Hip Hop on the ‘TIP (Saturdays, 10 p.m. to midnight)
In April, longtime host Trevor Huggins approached Matthew and I to let us
know that he would only be available to host the show once a month from
now on. While we searched for additional volunteers interested in hosting
the program, we re-aired some of Trevor’s old programs. After two months
of searching and not much success, we came across a program called Soul
Deluxe, offered through Native Voice 1. Here is a description of the
program:
“Soul Deluxe” is a weekly, two-hour radio program
featuring eclectic mix sets by Phoenix-based DJ Byron
Fenix. The show spotlights Soul music and various
genres that either gave rise to or were influenced by
it, including Electronic, Disco, Funk, Hip-Hop,
House, Jazz, and R&B. In addition to the music, the
show exposes listeners to a variety of emerging urbanthemed artists and musicians.
We are excited to carry the program on the Saturdays that Trevor isn’t
available, and thought it might help engage our regular demographic to hiphop and rap through a “softer” program, while also continuing to engage our
listeners who enjoy Hip Hop on the ‘TIP.
You can learn more about the program here:
http://www.souldeluxeradio.com/
If you get a chance to listen to the program, please let me know what you
think!
The Stone Age & The Needle Drop (Fridays, 10 p.m. & 11 p.m.,
respectively)
Two weeks ago, we were informed by the folks at The Needle Drop that the
program had officially been discontinued. At the same time, we aired the last
episode of The Stone Age. As an interim measure, we’ve been re-airing past
episodes of each program. Since we were also in the process of updating our
program guides, we decided to move forward with a more semi-permanent
option, which was to re-air American Routes during that time period.
American Routes airs each Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon, and
features roots, Americana, blues, zydeco, and folk music. The program is
exceptionally produced, and since we already pay for it, we felt like it would
be a good interim option as we move forward with determining what might
be best during that Friday evening time slot following Boomer Jam.
Lake County Journal
And now for, perhaps, one of the most exciting developments in WTIP
programming. A few months ago, a group of Lake County residents
approached Debbie about developing a program at WTIP centered on Lake
County events. They get our signal in most of the county, and wanted to
create a North Shore Digest-esque program with a Lake County sound and
focus. Matthew and I have been working with them for the past few months
on training and developing a mission and core values for the program, and
they just completed their first test show, with great results. The program
features segments focusing on the outdoors, people and events of the county,
with several contributing commentators, interviewers and a host. We’ve
decided to move forward with a live program on the fourth Thursday of this
month, July 25, at 7 p.m. (the spot where you’d regularly find Northern
Gardening and Community Conversations). We feel like this new program
will flow well with those shows, as well as help us connect with more of our
listeners in that area. We hope to make this a monthly thing. I encourage you
to listen to their first program and let me know what you think.
7. Station Manager’s Report –
July 2013 Executive Director’s Report
WTIP’s “Shine On” membership drive was a huge success. We raised
$29,184 in pledges from 75 new members and 263 renewing members in 6.5
days. We served over 200 bratwurst and tons of other food and sweets. We
met and chatted with so many members that came to the station. The
support, kind words, feedback and level of engagement was unbelievable.
The good work of staff, volunteers, and board members was reflected with
the overwhelming turn out. Thank you all for your help.
On July 4th, WTIP staff and volunteers participated in 2 parades – Tofte and
Grand Marais. It was fun to see the support for the station in the crowds. Or
else they just wanted our candy!!!!
North Shore Dragon Boat Festival is next weekend, July 26-27. If any of you
can assist on Friday or Saturday we would appreciate it. See Deb for duties
we need covered.
We received a $3,000 grant from the DSACF for a project to include
interviews from professionals on perspectives and insights on solving
community issues. Marcia Hyatt proposed a similar project and we are
meeting to discern her level of engagement. Outcomes would be 4 - 1 hour
programs over the course of this year. Jay and I are meeting with her this
week.
8. Old Business –
a. by-law committee update
b. discussion of board evaluation form
No movement on these items. Deb suggested that the board wait until fall to
address these items as summer months are very busy.
9. New Business – no new business
10. Set Next Meeting Date – August 15, 2013
11. Adjourn – motion made by Rick, 2nd by Ann. All in favor