| KGGV's third year was a
time of consolidation and stabilization. In 2008, we mostly did the
things that we had done in years before, but we did them better. The
economic crunch snuck up on us, but a fundraising drive in December
brought us back into the black. As with other changes in years past, we regretted the departures of Helena Giesea, Guy Fox & GAX, Sheila Koren, Ari Herman and Sharon Wikoff, the teens, Sophie Weiner and Bryce Youngberg, and Katt off to New Zealand. Since 2006, KGGV has launched 94 different programs, hosted by 71 different local people. Our stasis point seems to be 50 shows and 43 DJs. As the year wound down, the loss of Beth Hearn, as head of the station, seriously rocked KGGV volunteers. With the appearance of daffodils in front of the station, spring seems to have come early, a sign of hope and change. We look now to the new people who joined us in 2008 to assume the tasks of those who have departed. This new baker’s dozen brings youth, fresh energy, and passion to KGGV for 2009’s challenges: Bruce Robinson doing the RR Gardener, Sundays at 11am; Linda Jennings on Saturday nights at 8pm; Lois Pearlman and Leslie Warren, community activists, on Thursday at 1pm; Nancy Jo Wood has a Friday noontime program and is involved in Programming; Doug Fogel hosts a 1pm Friday Health program; Jerry Louis does a music show, Mondays at 7pm; Laura Mueller interviews locals at 11am on Saturday mornings; Brian Martens hosts evening reading programs; Maria Vieagas is our New Orleans Chef on Saturdays at noon; Zoe Puckett provides late night dance music on Thursdays and supports our Underwriting efforts; Patti Blaylock has recently launched her “Soul Café,” and is also our PSA contact; and most recent is Meg Kruszewska, who launched, to rave reviews, Sacred Sounds on Saturdays at 6pm. So the goals for 2009 are to blend the passion of the newcomers with the wisdom of the old-timers to form some organizational niches, which can move the station forward along several lines: 1.) Fundraising is the paramount issue for 2009. Specifically, establishing consistent and sustainable sources of income. To that end, we have opened up a position of Fundraising Coordinator. Applications are being solicited from the volunteer staff. This would be a two-year position and span all fundraising events as overseer. Sister Dawna will hopefully act as consultant bringing to bear his experience with the Sisters. 2.) In support of the Fundraising Coordinator, we have put in place Zoe Puckett as Underwriting Manager to handle what could be our largest source of income. 3.) Programming is important to all radio stations – achieving audience appeal and providing a consistent and sustainable programming format is the domain of the group we put in place last year, the Programming Committee. This group was chosen through open applications from the volunteer body. It has been our most successful venture of last year. This year will see three replacements on the Programming Committee, again through an application process open to the volunteer body. 4.) Overall events management forms the third most important goal for 2009. Of course, event management overlaps fundraising, station management and programming; that is why we have defined an Operational Advisory Committee, at Board level, to deal with more detailed management of KGGV events. The centerpiece to this committee is the concept of a Volunteer Coordinator. The Volunteer Coordinator will be the communication bridge between the volunteer body and the Executive Committee. In a similar manner, the Operational Advisory Committee becomes a management team fully capable of running the station: Programming, Fundraising, Volunteers, and Station management. 5.) The final goal for 2009 is to document this approach to KGGV management, and the relationship between Board oversight and day-to-day management. Documentation of policies and procedures will remain the responsibility of the Executive Committee, as they are the delegates of the Church Council and ultimately the Church Congregation. 6.) The keystone to the radio station is the KGGV Executive Board. This year Ed Smith fills the Moderator role on the Board; supported by Pam Tinnin, GCC Pastor; Peter Andrews, Treasurer; and Randy Wells, Chief Engineer. Final word from Peter This past year has seen some chaotic times, as will be true for any organization with volunteers of the 50-99 size such as our radio station. There is the additional relationship between KGGV and the Guerneville Community Church, which not only provides the physical site, but holds the FCC license and the legal responsibility for the station. KGGV volunteers and church members aren’t strangers. They are neighbors who live in the river area, shop at the same stores; send their kids to the same schools. Some are deejays, some attend Church. Some attend groups that the Church supports. Some would be better friends if we came together more often. One of my biggest failures last year was not uniting the two groups for Camp Cazadero, a three-day, family camp-out. That will happen this year, I hope. |