April 2006 Staff Reports to the board

Music Director

Sybil Augustine

VOLUNTEERS:

- The Thursday late night position vacated by Patrick Swickard has been filled with similar programming by Brian Steele, who is an experienced and enthusiastic volunteer who is fitting in very well with our DJ pool.

-We have an intern coming to be at least a 6 month temporary addition to the Other Voices female programming collective, who have been seeking additional members.

- My work-study student has had some family emergencies and hasn't put in any hours for a couple of weeks. I'm not certain but I don't think I have funds for another student until the fall semester, and will have to rely on volunteers to help me out until then.

- We are low on music reviewers and off-air volunteers right now since Longku (music librarian and Wednesday volunteer "crew leader" has been on leave, but I now have many ideas and resources to increase participation. It's a good thing since every time I leave a huge backlog builds up.

- I have met with our Friday afternoon programmer to follow up on several training issues, and the two shows I heard since then showed marked improvement on several levels, so I'm confident she'll continue her progress towards becoming another staple of the WORT schedule.

- The Promos group is going VERY strong with several new additions and a lot of energy! Concerts will be slowing down soon, so I'm going to open up sessions to programming volunteers so they can come in to get help recording promos for their shows, and to learn how for themselves.

PROGRAMMING/MUSIC DEPARTMENT:

- I have a number of items drafted or already sent out to music list-serves that I'll compile into a paper music newsletter, which I haven't been able to get to yet but plan to have out in early May.

- I'll also plan a music reviewing party and launch some of the new library upkeep techniques I've learned in early May to catch up from this very busy time for new releases. Weekly open music meetings are an idea that I'm now convinced we should be trying and I want to start those ASAP.

-Several nationally produced music specials for Black History Month/Women's History Month/etc. have been aired on jazz and rock shows, with good response. I think it's an important addition to our programming to occasionally have such specials.

- I created a Rock genre flyer to pass out at concerts, and provide an example for the outreach folks to follow for other genres. It really isn't that hard since I was able to do it in less than an hour and I'm not that good at graphics stuff. The next priority will be Folk programming flyers and I also found a nice template for this from KBOO, our host station at the conference.

Listener Sponsor Development Director

Jim Goronson

WINTER 2006 PLEDGE DRIVE

We have almost finished entering in unpaid pledges (just a few to go) in the Listener Sponsor database and here are the current numbers: $96,911 in pledges entered with $86,032 in pledge fulfillments received (a fulfillment rate of 89%--7 weeks after the end of the drive). I'm anticipating that the final numbers for the Winter '06 drive will be in the vicinity of $98,000 in total pledges with a fulfillment total approaching $90,000.

WINTER 2006 PILOT

The Winter Pilot was mailed to 3,014 people in mid-February and so far we have received 107 donations totalling $5,651.

FALL 2005 PLEDGE DRIVE

With all pledges processed from the drive the total amount pledged is $111,281. We have received $101,778 in pledge payments--a fulfillment rate of over 91%.

DECEMBER 2005 DIRECT MAILING

We have received 111 donations totalling $9,120.

SPRING 2006 PILOT

Editing of content for the 12-page Spring '06 Pilot is currently underway by volunteer editor Laura Miller. Laura will finish editing all of the articles by this Friday 4/28 whereupon I will send the edited content and photos/graphics to graphic artist Carol Bracewell. The Spring Pilot will be mailed to between 3,000 and 3,500 people in early to mid-May in advance of the Block Party on May 21st.

SUMMER 2006 "PLEDGE CRUISE" (mini pledge drive)

Say goodbye to the "Below the Radar" concept (for now). WORT’s “Summer Pledge Cruise” (mini pledge drive) will begin on Tuesday May 30^th and will last for a week or so (i.e. until we reach our goal of $15,000). Included in the fundraising festivities will be a WORT benefit by journalist and filmmaker Greg Palast on Sunday June 4^th ! Palast will be kicking off his new national speaking tour at The Orpheum Theatre (or Barrymore, or somewhere else).

While a departure from our “Below the Radar” appeals of the past two years there are differences in this pledge drive as compared to our traditional on-air pledge drives that we have in the fall and winter. As an example, there will be less pledge rapping per hour by our on-air hosts. No goals will be established for the individual shows—only the overall station goal for the drive. Therefore while not “below the radar” it will be low pressure in character. Premiums/ /are limited to WORT-specific items INCLUDING the official launch of our brand new women’s cut t-shirts featuring the Marlys! "Do the Funky Chicken/Listen to WORT" artwork by Lynda J. Barry. The t-shirts are being produced by a women's clothing cooperative in rural El Salvador and are being screen-printed by Wildwood Productions in Madison. They will be making their debut at the Block Party.

NFCB CONFERENCE

Along with the fellow full-time members of the staff collective I attended the 31st annual NFCB conference in Portland, OR last week and have come back with information quite pertinent to WORT fundraising efforts (falling under the general areas of our upcoming Major Donor Campaign, membership software, online fundraising, and pledge-rapping training workshops that Sybil and I will be organizing in a few months).

BUSINESS and FOUNDATION DEVELOPMENT

Maggie Weiser (interim)

EVENTS

· Bowl-A-Thon was a success. The turn-out was great, and we had a great group of volunteers helping out. Volunteer Ralph Shively helped coordinate sponsorships and food donations, as well as providing expertise in all things Bowl-A-Thon. This was very helpful to me, being new to this event. The bands were on time, and very personable. And they sounded really good. So I am a happy camper. I will be able to provide numbers for what we raised at the event in my next report (still crunching the numbers).

· Block Party planning is well underway. The Block Party is scheduled for Sunday, May 21st. Glenn and I met with the 4th Ward Loft condo association, and they gave us the thumbs up for doing such a great job last year. They generally approve of the event, and feel comfortable with our arrangement. I have obtained a street use permit, and am applying for all other necessary permits. I am complying with the terms of our street use permit: arranging for special duty police, obtaining signs and barracades, providing insurance documentation, etc. I am also working on booking bands for the event, trying to focus on originality and diversity. I will be meeting with the Events Committee when I return from the conference, and we'll be working on promotion and logistics. Three bands already confirmed for the event. The poster will be ready to print on 4/31.

· First Tuesdays/Reggae Night at the Carninal Bar brought us $435 this month. And I forgot to note that the Reggae Night last month brought us $375.

· Willy Street Fair is scheduled for September 16 and 17. WORT will host the Underground Stage on Sunday the 17th. I am working with Dave Zero, who is going to help with selecting bands, booking, schedule, etc.

GRANTS

· I've been working with Norm and Jill Hopke on grants for the Sister Station Committee to bring a delegation from Radio Victoria to Madison this summer for the GRC conference. We have applied for a grant from the A.J. Muste Foundation and the Evjue Foundation.

· I also worked with Glenn and volunteer Kris Schiltz on an ASM grant from UW so that we can cover printing costs of "Students for WORT."

COMMITTEES

· The Events Committee met on Monday, March 20th. It was a "working meeting" dedicated to Bowl-A-Thon preparation where we distributed flyers, sorted prizes, and assigned duties and tasks. All committee members were present, and also Glenn. There are no notes, because there was not much discussion. We are scheduled to have our next "regular" meeting on Wed, April 26th at 5pm (before the board meeting).

· The Fundraising Committe met on March 23rd. See Jane's notes.

UNDERWRITING

YAWO Afrofunk Organization
Overture (3)
Frank Productions
UW Arts Institute
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Madison Festival Choir
New Orleans Takeout
Madison Chamber Choir
TapIt-NewWorks
UW Milwaukee - San Gemini Program

*Renewals:*
Willy Bikes

*Info Sent:*
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
Remember Me Productions

Operations

Norm Stockwell

Finance Committee met earlier this month to begin discussing the FY2007 budget proposal, and continues to work on plans for more lucrative investments (to be discussed at tonite's Board meeting).

The Engineering Committee met earlier this month and discussed and planned various projects (see Eng Comm Report). We are in the process of getting the Building evaluated by a structural engineer & architect.

An exciting live remote took place on the April 10th "day Without Latinos" rally. The Madison Wi-Fi system, however, is not quite up to carrying audio yet.

Our Sister-Radio station group submitted a grant to bring two youth from El Salvador to Madison this summer. We will hear later this Spring.

Plans are underway for an exciting Grassroots Radio Conference in July, and WORT was well represented at the annual NFCB (National Federation of Community Broadcasters) this past weekend.

Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator

Glenn Mitroff

Volunteers

We had the great privilege of hosting Anna Backlund from Mid Sweden University for a 10 day spring break internship from March 20-30. Anna participated in staff meetings, helped with data entry of pledge payments, reported for IOBY, made phone calls to thank volunteers from the winter drive, and even cleaned up and mulched the flower beds at the front of the station.

I met with and gave tours to several people interested in volunteering or summer internships. For the meetings with those requesting an internship, I set up the appointments so that the appropriate department heads could join me for the interviews. Thanks to Nathan and Sybil for their participation in this process.

I have consulted with staff regarding numerous requests for community service. We have a good process for reviewing these requests to determine whether or not placement would be appropriate, and whether or not we have tasks that need to be done that fit the person’s skill level, schedule and number of hours needed. We also have to weigh the amount of volunteer and staff time that we need to devote to training and supervision. We have been able to accommodate some individuals while letting others know that we are not able to place them.

I prepared a script to be recorded by the Promos which thanks WORT volunteers past and present. The announcement will run during National Volunteer Week, April 23-29. (Let me take this moment to personally thank each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication to the station as volunteers and Board members. As staff, we are well aware of the many hours each month that you carve out of your personal lives, to oversee and guide the station. We appreciate the skill, enthusiasm and caring that each of you bring to the collective stewardship of this incredible community treasure.)

Administrative

In conjunction with other staff, we produced a faux underwriting announcement for Share-A-Meal with Community Shares which ran 20 times. This helped us fulfill some of our required volunteer hours with CSW.

Filling out the evals for Jim and Nathan was a great opportunity to reflect on their accomplishments and skills and the rare experience of working within a staff collective structure. Thanks to the Personnel Committee for extending the deadline for staff to complete these in-depth evals and for keeping on schedule with the annual review of staff.

Registering for NFCB, making arrangements for free housing with a friend and booking a flight took some time.

Outreach
Working with a volunteer from Pacifica, I helped to solicit volunteer testimonials for an article featuring WORT for the first on-line newsletter of the new Pacifica Affiliates web site. I am very appreciative of the articulate and impassioned statements provided by receptionist Marilee Harrison, Nancy Mae and Tracy Doreen-Dietzel. I look forward to reading the article which should appear on the web site this month.

I worked with students from the EPIC program at the UW to help them promote a benefit for the Wisconsin Community Fund through a Kiosk commentary and Kiosk announcement. We also contributed a few t-shirts which they gave away as door prizes.

WORT will have a table at the Restore’s Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 22nd from Noon-4pm at 208 Cottage Grove Rd.

The Dane County Farmers Market begins on Saturday, April 22nd. I submitted a permit for a table to be shared with three other groups—Mifflin Coop, Campaign for Free Speech TV on Cable, and Stop the War. Our table is on the sidewalk level of State Street. Each group will provide a volunteer once/month and the literature for all four groups will be displayed each week. Michelangelo’s Coffee House is letting us store our materials in their basement thus eliminating the need for our volunteers to transport materials by car.

Community Advisory Board

The CAB met on March 22nd for their Annual Meeting. Mitch Rosefelt was elected as Chair and Joel Garb as Secretary. (Action item—Board approval needed.) The next CAB meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2nd at 6pm. The CAB Charter and Bylaws will be reviewed in order to provide recommendations for updates to recommend to the Board.

I was having problems sending documents by email to the CAB. Working with Tom Christie, we were finally able to track down and fix the problem which was a setting on the size of the documents allowed within that particular list serve.

Marketing Communications & Outreach Committee
(See separate report)

Bowl-A-Thon

I attended the Events Committee meeting on March 20th, focused on planning and preparations for the Bowl-A-Thon. It was a very energized and productive meeting. Committee members volunteered to post fliers in specific neighborhoods; volunteer needs for the event were assessed and committee members signed up for many of the slots; prizes were packed up.

The event on April 8th went quite well. We had excellent volunteer support. Maggie and Ralph Shively did a fantastic job of coordinating the event. The turnout was good and everyone seemed to enjoy the bowling, food and music. The bands were very gracious about the unexpected change in schedule due to the UW Men’s Hockey team playing in the finals that night. The bowling alley staff were much more engaged with the event than in previous years. A number of bowlers, volunteers and staff have suggested that we hold the event at a bowling alley in Madison next year where the smoking ban is in effect.

Block Party

I talked with listener sponsor and neighbor Stefanie Moritz who is coordinating the annual clean Bassett neighborhood clean up day on May 20th the day before our Block Party. She lent support to the idea of asking the city to schedule their curb-to-curb street cleaning BEFORE the block party so that WORT volunteers can avoid the back breaking work of removing the leaves, dirt, etc. from the gutters. I sent a letter to Alderman Mike Verveer which he forwarded to the Streets Division. So hopefully this issue will be satisfactorily resolved.

I accompanied Maggie to the Board meeting of the 4th Ward Loft to ask them to sign off on our permit for the Block Party. It was great to see the enthusiastic support for the party that we have amongst our neighbors.

Great Taste of the Midwest

I am working on assignments for this year’s Great Taste which takes place on Saturday, August 12th. Since tickets go on sale May 1st and usually sell out within a few hours, I plan to complete assignments for the WORT volunteers by Friday, April 28th so that I can let folks know whether or not they have received a volunteer spot prior to the day that tickets go on sale.

If you would like to be a WORT Volunteer at this event, please send me an email, subject: Great Taste Volunteering, no later than April 26th. Let me know whether or not you can lift 50 lbs. And push 150 lbs on a hand truck.

First Tuesdays Reggae Benefit at the Cardinal

FRP has been talking with staff about the Cardinal’s request that we either pay them to cover the person at the door or provide our own door person. Sybil and I worked the door on April 4th and realized that it would be a difficult position to put a volunteer in. The staff collective has been discussing this issue and will be drawing up a proposal for the Cardinal. Norm will run the proposal by our legal counsel prior to discussing specifics with the Cardinal.

Print Ads

In addition to our monthly ads in Maximum Ink and Rick’s Café, we have two ads for May—a half page ad for the program book for the anniversary party of the Social Justice Center, and a quarter page ad for the May Day book.

Press Coverage

Volunteer engineer Bill Livick wrote a great article titled, “WORT Radio Celebrates 30 Years” which appeared in “dining entertainment”.

News and Public Affairs Facilitator

Nathan Moore

NFCB

Good times at the NFCB this year. Went to some particularly helpful discussions of disaster planning, community journalism ethics, and regional news collaborations. I co-presented two workshops: “Making Programming Change,” where I shared the Programming Committee flowchart, and “News in the Balance,” where I laid out my ideas about public journalism. I also attended the Pacifica Affiliates meeting, and there seems to be increasing political will to involve the affiliates as more than content receivers. And Portland was fun, though frankly I think I prefer Madison-brewed beer.

Contract bargaining

The staff collective came up with its initial package of proposals. As I said at the April 12 meeting, these are all relatively small changes to the existing contract, and not any kind of major overhaul. I’ll bring copies of the proposal package to the Board meeting.

Grassroots Radio Conference 11

• Again, the GRC-11 date will be July 28-30. Planning is on target with our timeline.

• The website is up at <www.grassrootsradio.info>. I did the HTML myself, with Tom’s help on the registration form submit script. Jim’s friend in Chicago (Chris) is almost finished with a house-share site for folks to offer their homes or find places to bed down.

• The GRC-11 flier made it into the NFCB tote bags for conference goers. I got a lot of positive comments from people, indicating that they’ll be coming. If the buzz is any indication, we should have a good conference this July.

Programming Committee

See separate report.

Staffing

• Cheri Dubiel hosted her last APA as a regular host last Thursday. I’m still working with Esty Dinur and Judith Siers-Poisson to hire a new host, and will fill Cheri’s weeks with subs in the meantime.

• Thursday’s IOBY has officially settled into a routine of every-other-week hosting for Sara Braun and Meredith Holmgren. A couple new IOBY volunteers are coming in this week.

• Tony Collins (Schaeve) is back in town and I’m looking for something he can volunteer with, particularly engineering.

• Bill Livick is still out, and Mary Beth Schmitt has been filling in for his APA engineering. Other APA engineers have settled back into their usual routing, following some Spring travel.

• Dan Jaffee announced to me that he’ll be leaving his APA host position in August or so to take a professorship in Michigan.

• Ken Rineer’s heart surgery recovery is taking a bit longer than he expected, so I’ve been filling in for the Access Hour producer/engineer position. He should be back at it this week or next.

Pledge Drive

Worked with a volunteer named Ben to produce (i.e. burn CDs) several pledge premiums in-house. I’ve had to burn a few more since then because of undercounts, so we’re tweaking the process for next time. This is the first drive in which we have successfully moved a good number of our in-house produced premiums, including some from WORT-originated content. We also have handsome CD labels for these premiums.

Ethics Panel

The UW-Madison student chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists has invited me to be on an ethics panel this Thursday to talk about how bloggers fit in with traditional media.

News Workshops and Discussions

I’m likely going to put these formal workshops on a summer hiatus until late July. I’ll be doing some summer traveling and a lot of GRC planning, so it’s not super practical. I’ll still be doing informal trainings aplenty, and I’d like to host some news department discussions. Look for info next month.