Community Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 2, 2018
Community Advisory Board (CAB) chair Sarah Dailey called the meeting to order at 6:05p.m. Members present were Collin Alexander, Katelyn Clark, Sarah Dailey, David Gregory, Krys Lynam and Steve O’Connor. Also present was Paul Hitchcock, MSPR General Manager. No guests were present.
Old Business
CAB Meeting Minutes from February 7, 2018 were reviewed and approved (Alexander/Clark).
MSPR’s Quarterly Program Report for the period of January through March 2018 was presented, discussed and approved (Lynam/Alexander).
Hitchcock reported that as of April 30, MSPR’s Spring Fundraiser and Membership Drive (April 9 – 13) has generated $21,340 from 172 members and 57 online pledges. Pledges are still coming in through WMKY’s online pledge form, mail and MSU’s call-out campaign. MSPR’s next on-air fundraiser will be held in October. As of May 2, MSPR’s balance in the MSPR Fund (MSU Foundation) is $165,860.
New Business
MSPR’s FY1819 budget was discussed. Hitchcock reported that Morehead State University (MSU) plans to eliminate operational support to MSPR for institutional work-studies ($44,000) and WMKY’s transmitter electricity ($22,800).
In addition, MSPR’s Asst. News Director will be eliminated and Paul Hitchcock will be moving to a 10 month contract. Chuck Mraz has announced his retirement effective June 30 and Leeann Akers will be transitioned to the MSPR’s News Director. To help replace the Asst. News Director position, MSU will provide up to $20,000 for the hiring of two part-time positions.
In anticipation of the internal budget reductions, MSPR has reduced several line items for a savings of $21,501 beginning July 1. Reductions include eliminating the Americana Music Association membership, dropping The Folk Sampler, negotiating program fees from National Public Radio (Latino USA) and Public Radio International (The World, Jazz Happening Now) and a reduction of several part-time and work-study hours.
Hitchcock noted the MSPR Fund will be the funding source for institutional work-studies and a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will be used for WMKY’s transmitter electricity.
Dailey suggested the CAB write a letter to the MSU administration expressing concern for the budget reductions. There was general discussion.
Upcoming MSPR program changes include Red Barn Radio replacing The Folk Sampler (Saturday, 2:00p.m.). Mike Flynn is retiring and The Folk Sampler program will be discontinued in June. Tildon Johnson will replace Arlo Barnette to host Deep Grooves as part of Audio Visions (Thursday, 8:00p.m.). Leon Smothers will host That Was Radio as a quarterly special with the first program scheduled during Memorial Day weekend.
MSPR staff won 16 awards from the 2018 Kentucky Associated Press Awards Banquet in Louisville on April 14. In the professional division, three 1st Place (Long Newscast, Sports Reporting, Use of Sound) and four 2nd Place (Political Coverage, Anchor, Long Newscast, Long Public Affairs). In the college division, four 1st Place (Newscast, Sports Coverage, Feature Story, Public Affairs) and five 2nd Place (Public Affairs, Sports Coverage, News Story, Radio Reporter, Newscast).
Closing Comments
CAB members recognized MSPR’s promotion of community events, such as theatre productions and concerts. O’Connor suggested MSPR develop a radio program with a focus on current events and programs at Rowan County Senior High School and then expanded to include area high schools. There was general discussion.
The next CAB meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 1 at 6:00p.m. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:12p.m. (Alexander/O’Connor).
CAB Meeting Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Paul Hitchcock
May 17, 2018