Minutes
Western State Public Radio Board of Directors
Conference Call
May 9, 2008

In attendance: Jon Schwartz, Karen Holp, Paul Stankavich, John Hess and Beth Warren.  From NPR: Dana Rehm, Page Smith and Joyce McDonald.

I.  WSPR Conference planning with NPR:

The board discussed several options with NPR staff as to how to frame discussions with the WSPR membership in advance of WSPR’s fall 2008 conference in Seattle.  The discussion centered on ways to bring out the needs, desires and hopes of WSPR member stations in relationship to NPR, its staff and board.

NPR staff suggested that a framework for the meetings begin with a “dashboard review” of where NPR stands in its’ current fiscal year from a financial and strategic standpoint in light of March’s A-Reps meeting update.  This report would be sent to WSPR members in advance of the fall 2008 conference and members would be given a chance to comment on the report via a survey sent out in advance of the conference.  It is the hope of both the WSPR board and NPR that this advance dialogue will help to facilitate the sessions hosted by NPR at our conference.

NPR’s Page Smith will serve as the project manager with input from Dana and Joyce.

II. WSPR’s input on the NPR annual meeting:

NPR staff solicited feedback from the board on when to hold its annual meeting. A few possibilities came up; the first was to hold the annual meeting adjacent to the PRDMC.  Another option would be to hold the meeting in May as was the practice with the PRC.

III. Other Conference Business:

Chairman Stankavich met with Tom Mara from KEXP to discuss Wednesday night festivities for the fall conference.  Planning is underway to have a large kick-off event on that evening. The board discussed possible openings in the conference agenda and how to fill them.  Suggestions centered on finding a dinner speaker for Thursday night and adding in Karen Holp’s session on the Myers Briggs assessment tool  for the 4:00 p.m. session on Thursday 11/6.

IV. Next meetings:

Jon Schwartz will contact Mark Furst to set up a meeting with the board to discuss internet partnerships with local stations and NPR.  Jon will email board members as to the time and date of the meeting. Chairman Stankavich will coordinate with the NPR group on a follow up meeting with the WSPR board.

Respectfully submitted: John Hess- Secretary, WSPR