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WTIU Community Advisory Board Meeting September 1, 2022

WTIU Community Advisory Board Meeting

September 1, 2022   12:00pm

ZOOM MEETING LINK / RECORDING

https://iu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/t/1_3f72nsey

In Attendance:

WTIU Community Advisory Board Members:

John Bailey, Tom Bunger, Joan Curts, Pamela Davidson, Mark Edwards, Mike Hefron, Martha Nice, Lynn Schwartzberg

Staff Members/Others:

Laura Baich, Mary Ducette, Brad Kimmel, Brent Molnar, Amy O’Shaughnessy, Marianne Woodruff

Agenda:

Discussion About Community Advisory Board Restructuring

Since June, the WFIU and WTIU Community Advisory Boards have begun to explore whether restructuring in to a single entity makes sense.  The stations currently exist as a public broadcasting joint licensee.  Most administrative and internal resources are currently shared by both stations.  Viewer/Listener (consumer) habits are also trending towards consuming content on multiple platforms (tv, radio, web, streaming services, etc.).

Lists of Benefits and Concerns of Board Members were gathered prior to the WTIU CAB discussion.

Station management has expressed favorable view of combining the community advisory boards in a way that supports the organization’s 3-year strategic plan.

A combined advisory board could support smaller working groups to address initiatives like:

  • Content Development / Platform Distribution
  • Diversity Equity Inclusion
  • Development / Fundraising
  • Engagement
  • Recruiting

Board members expressed that their role as an advisory board is different from a governing body, and as such, a restructuring into one board would not likely result in conflict nor indecision the way it can in corporate mergers.

One point voiced by a few members was whether all voices in a larger board would be able to be heard, however, incorporating smaller working groups into a restructuring might address that concern.

Mike Hefron expressed his concerns that a large board may be ineffective, and a small board might not be able to represent the entire service areas covered by both stations.  Also, TV and Radio likely have different audiences to be represented too.

The group likes the idea of combining strengths and skill sets from members of each of WFIU-WTIU CABs to better equip a combined advisory board.

Pamela Davidson motioned to pursue a restructured community advisory board consisting of existing WFIU-WTIU CAB members, to be voted upon in October.  Tom Bunger seconded the motion.

The motion resulted in a 7-1 vote in favor of the restructuring.  An additional CAB member who was unable to attend the meeting expresses support for the merger prior to the meeting as well.

Tom Bunger and Martha Nice agreed to work with members of the WFIU CAB to develop a proposal for new bylaws, policies, and practices.  (Board function, structure, working groups, meeting times, etc.)

Future WTIU CAB Meetings

  • October 3, 2022 – 12pm            (virtual only, and same day as WFIU CAB Meeting)
  • December, 1, 2022 – TBD