Archive for February 2009
Apply Now for Program Council
Program Council nominations are officially open!
On Wednesday, KPFT’s Local Station Board approved the new Program Council agreement and tagged its March 18 meeting as the date when it will choose listener members to the PC.
Under terms of the new agreement, six listener members of the station are to be selected to serve one-year terms on the PC. Tasks members will do include evaluations, reviewing new programming proposals and helping out with various tasks. Think of it as KPFT’s R&D (research and development) wing of programming. It is fun stuff, and worth the 3-8 hours per month you will spend with this productive committee.
Read the new agreement here, or by visiting kpft.org and clicking the Program Council link under the Community menu.
Now that the formalities are out of the way, NOW is the time to apply for a seat on the PC.
Any KPFT listener member is eligible to run for the PC. KPFT embraces all members of our diverse community, and women, youth and people of color are encouraged to apply.
Click here to fill out your application, or visit kpft.org and choose PC Application at the bottom of the Programming menu.
But once you apply, your job is not done.
Make plans to attend the Local Station Board’s March 18 meeting to speak to the board and answer questions from members. They will vote on your nomination, so being there is very important. Location has not been announced, but meetings are often held at L’Alliance Francaise (427 Lovett, next to KPFT) or the Havens Center on West Alabama, between Montrose and South Shepherd. Check kpft.org the week of the meeting to get final location details.
Need more incentive? Did I mention I traditionally provide Star Pizza at first and final meetings?
Get your application in now, and thanks for supporting KPFT.
KPFT Wants Members of CAB, PC… Huh?
KPFT is seeking listener involvement in its Program Council and Community Advisory Board.
Okay, okay, so maybe that’s not news to you. No doubt, if you’ve listened to our fair station at all in the last two weeks, you’ve heard the enchanting Alicia Crowder (who kindly voiced the announcement) beckon you to join one of these wonderful committees. What are they? And why should you be interested?
Of late, I have fielded many calls from listeners curious about joining either the Program Council or Community Advisory Board. These two committees are seeking new members to serve through the year and beyond. I get a lot of questions about both, so I figured the best way to explain them was to do a quick chart that covers the most common questions. The last three on my chart are strictly my opinion — take them as that. If you are interested, read on:
| Community Advisory Board |
Program Council |
|
| What is it? |
An advisory body required by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; independent of KPFT’s board and management; tasked with ensuring the station meets various CPB directives required of the station. | An advisory body founded through an agreement between KPFT’s board and management; is considered a committee of management, and works with the Program Director; tasked with various programming activities. |
| Size of Body | Varies | 12 |
| Policies and Procedures |
PDF here | PDF here (Tentative new agreement forthcoming) |
| Meeting Frequency |
Quarterly (about 2 hours) | Monthly (2 hours) |
| Outside Meeting Commitment |
1-2 hours each month (research, etc.) | 3-8 hours each month (evaluations subcommittees, etc.) |
| What does it do? |
From CAB Policies and Procedures
|
From new Program Council agreement
|
| What does that mean practically? |
You’ll work with the group to review documents, talk with staff, review programming goals and more. | You’ll work with the Program Director to evaluate existing programs, recommend new programs and help with various programming/operations policies. |
| Great for…* | …those with connections with different communities not generally represented at KPFT; those with big ideas. | …those with an interest in broad programming concepts and a willingness to help improve KPFT’s existing programming. |
| Probably not that great for you if…* | …big-picture discussions aren’t of interest. The CAB helps KPFT look broadly at its mission and service. | …you’re trying to get your own show (the PC agreement addresses conflicts of interest like this) or don’t have time. |
| What you probably need to know* | The CAB consistently attracts people engaged in diverse communities. It’s chaired by Drew Daubenspeck, one of the better heads for radio that I’ve run into around KPFT. | The PC is a bit of work. There are evaluations, subcommittees, teleconferences and meetings. Under the new agreement, failing to evaluate assigned programming in a timely fashion is grounds for removal. |
Both groups have minutes of previous meetings posted here. Anyone interested in participating should read them.
If you are interested in either, drop me a line at pd [at] kpft [dot] org and I’ll forward your interest onward. You should submit a brief narrative on your interest. While there’s nothing required to share, things you may want to mention include
- Why you are interested in participating.
- Any particular knowledge or skills you can offer to the body.
- Community involvement you can cite in consideration of your application.
- How you feel you can best serve KPFT.
In the case of the Program Council, potential candidates should plan to attend the Local Station Board’s March 18 meeting (location TBD; check kpft.org for updates) so you can answer questions and meet the board that will elect you.
Please consider participating!
