WBCR-LP 97.7FM, Great Barrington Community Radio

Programming Committee Minutes December 16,2008

Programming Committee
December 16, 2008

Members in Attendance: Ananda Timpane, Dan White, Harold Schrager, Deborah Alecson, Nick Ring,

Guests: Tim Schaefer, Jim Stark

Previous Tasks
New Listener Comment Line Voicemail Box
Promo Person Job Description to PC: Nick spoke with Andy Potter. nothing in writing. will for future.
Pull Hammell On Trial Station ID (DW): Done.
CSRS Hours Question Response (AMT): Done.
Follow-up OFCS note (AMT): Done.
Send fund drive request to FRC (DW): Done.
Draft AM Show Guidelines (HS): Done and ongoing.
Explore Partnership with Eagle & Record (HS): not done

Programmers/Programs
AM Show: Discussion on accessing content from audioport and streamlining the process of airing periodic news.  Determining sources of news, including relationships with local print outlets (Eagle, Record, Newsletter).  Howard continue developing schedule, structure, and organization of AM with current workgroup.  Tasks: 1.) Ananda set up time with Harold to meeting and go over the google calendar as a scheduling tool; 2.) Harold - send email to programmers for AM volunteers; 3.) Dan - look further into news segments - clarify frequency of each and when they become available for download.
Andrew Sagarin Show: Andrew is back on the air.  Ben Shalles reviewed policy with Andrew and told Andrew to complete the quiz and put it in Ananda’s folder prior to going on the air.  Ananda found quiz in studio (not in her folder), incomplete.  Andrew will need to pass the quiz prior to going on the air again.
Hammell on Trial ID:  Motion: pull the Hammelll on Trial station ID from the air due to what was considered inappropriate terminology (MILF).4 in favor, one abstention.
Dan White: Self report that he asked for fill in less than 48 hours in advance (12/9/08), but did receive coverage for his show slot.  Not in violation; no points awarded.
12/13/08 2pm doors unlocked:  Report that doors were unlocked, alarm was set.  This resulted in showing that neither of the two previous shows had logged in.  Points will be awarded for non-logging (2 points each) for The Bridge and The Perfect Game programmers, pending notification of the programmers.  For the unlocked door 3 points will be awarded pending notification of the programmers and confirmation that the station was unoccupied on their exit.
Free Speech Radio News: Very old program is still playing.  Ben had removed FSRN from automation pending timely playback.  It has been re-activated,  Asais willing to work on the automation script.  Ben has re-removed FSRN from automation.
Judy Rosley: Self-report that guest said price on the air.  Judy says she prepped guest, corrected guest on the air, guest apologized on the air. Motion: based on precedence, award one point.
Audio Book Show: Now airing every week.  Supposed to alternate with live show which is not airing, so the program is airing biweekly but with a repeat of each program airing.

Pacifica Audioport Access System for Programmers
tabled for next meeting. unanimous.

Quality
Harold interested in structured, non-punative feedback for programmers regarding programming quality.  Tim hearing problems relevant to programmer training and problem-solving (dead air, handling skipping CDs, recovering from problems, etc.); feels it reflects poorly on the programmers and the station.  Recommends air checks, feedback systems, and training reviews.  PC has previously looked at peer-based program review system; logistically, implementation has been an issue.  How do we provide ongoing training while being maxed out on current work?  Tim will lead workshop on transitions for early next term.  Peer review discussion to be added to next PC meeting.

Training Update
Updates received from Larry and Rishi.  Larry working with programmers from previous term.  Rishi working with current new applicants, several of which are previous programmers.

Review New Applications
Reviewed 12 applications for new programs.  Several applications were identified has needing some follow up:
Joy and Bob Show - the application was found to be incomplete: Task - request applicants provide more information.
Imagine That! - committee set limit at 10min 4 times each week: Task - follow up on conversation about amount of time requested & confirm 10minx4x/week
Talk to the Car Girls - call in’s can’t be relied on: Task - give programmers a heads up
Berkshire Fit - Didn’t answer Question 11 about separation between business and show, we found this aspect of their application incomplete: Task - request
applicants provide a more thorough answer.
What’s Your Sign, Have your Number - Didn’t answer Question 11 about separation between business and show, we found this aspect of their application incomplete: Task - request applicants provide a more thorough answer.

Under Chapter 2
Subheading: BCRA Meetings, Attendance and Business
The Programming Committee voted to eliminate the requirement for programmers to attend 1 general meeting per term (pending a quorum i think?).

Under Chapter 3
Subheading: Security and Equipment
Paragraph 1
The Committee voted to strike “and obligation”.

Other Tasks:
Ananda - send email to on air list about quality problems.
- ask Asa to update the FSRN script
- Ask Ben to stop FSRN (DONE)
- Find out what is going on with Community Talk
Tim S. - organize a seminar on transitions to happen in Feb.

→ Posted by LauraD on 12/16/2008 at 08:37 PM. Filed under "minutes".