WTVP Community Broadcasting Advisory Council

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011 Noon in the WTVP Conference Room

In attendance: Adam Sloan, Linda Zears, Sally Hanley, Andra Conner, Henry Litchfield, Linda Miller, Chet Tomczyk

Chairman Adam Sloan welcomed everyone including our new council members Andra Conner and Henry Litchfield. Linda gave a little background on both, praising them for being so well informed about the station and its programming and being willing to share their time and talents. She also reported on members who were ill (Cindy and Carole), those who could not attend due to other commitments (Steve and Mary Jo), and the recent resignations of Norma Rossi, Russ Crawford, and Sandy Anton. All noted their sadness at having to leave the board. They will be missed.

Chet Tomczyk spoke about the fact that public broadcasting is once again under fire from some in Congress, and there is a threat to cut off all funding to it in the not so distant future. There is a movement gearing up to underscore the importance of having public broadcasters active and engaged in improving the quality of life in communities all over the country in a way other broadcasters are unable or unwilling to do. Council members will be hearing more as the situation unfolds.

Linda Miller reported that there is great excitement at the station about a free digital media service for educational use called Teachers’ Domain. It offers literally thousands of media resources, support materials, teaching tips and suggestions for student activities that teachers can utilize in their classrooms. WTVP will be promoting the service in the coming months and will join with other public station across the state to promote and pilot it. The best way to learn about the site is to go online through the WTVP website at www.wtvp.org and explore.

Barnes and Noble chose WTVP to be the recipient of books donated by B & N shoppers during its 2010 Holiday Book Drive, and through their generosity the station received !,764 books with a retail value of $8,442.88. Books have already been distributed to a number of worthwhile local organizations such as the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Peoria and the Crittenden Center.

Dates of upcoming events were announced, including the March membership drive scheduled for March 5-20 and the annual WTVP Auction April 28-May 1.

Linda showed a short clip from the current Masterpiece Classics presentation of “Downton Abbey,” which has premiered to critical acclaim. There is a scene in which two men kiss, which has generated some phone traffic at the station. There was a lengthy discussion about public opinion with the final thought that generally the WTVP audience prefers that programming not be edited and that they be allowed to make their own decisions about content and what they will and will not watch.

It was suggested that at future meetings the Council consider conferencing members in by phone in the event they are unable to come to the station to participate. Board of Trustee members participate quite successfully by phone and video conferencing methods.

Linda once again encouraged Council members to survey community members on what they feel are the most important issues facing our communities. She also said she would email the last Program Problems and Children’s’ lists for all to review.

The next meeting is set for Tuesday, April 12, 2011.

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