Meeting Information

Objective:

January Meeting & Guest Speaker Minute Highlights

Date:

January 23, 2017

The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space

Time:

 6:30 PM

Adjournment:   8:30PM

Invited Guest Speaker(s)

Jennifer Keeney Sendrow, Executive Producer

 The Jerome L. Greene Space

 Attendees:

18 Public Attendees, incl. Fred Friedland, Didi Lacher, Marlene Birnbaum, Gino Domenico, Jim Dingeman and Past Chair of WBAI Community Advisory Board

Agenda

Presenter

Time Allotted

1

Opening Remarks and Approval of Agenda (Jan 23, 2017) and Approval of Minutes (June, September, October, November 2016)

Eldar & CAB

  15 minutes

2

3. 

Conversation with Jennifer Keeney Sendrow, WNYC Studios

 Public Comment

Sendrow, CAB

& Public

  60 minutes

 15 minutes

CAB Business

Eldar & CAB

 30 Minutes

Discussion Highlights

1

2

Lue Ann Eldar (LE) opened the meeting at 6:30 PM, welcoming all who came despite a winter storm warning and inclement weather. Attendees and CAB members then introduced themselves. The 1/23 agenda and 9,10 & 11/2016 were approved.  LE introduced Jennifer Keeney Sendrow (JKS), noting her responsibility for producing over 200 events every year and public programming for WNYC at The Greene Space (TGS).

JKS began the conversation by introducing TGS and its mission.  Responsible for events, including performances, conversations, demos, tastings, podcast tapings, film screenings and testing pilots, TGS’ mission is to engage new, more diverse, younger and overlooked audiences by using all of the skills and talent across NYPR to produce a distinct body of work. In 2015-2016, TGS reached 3.5 million people through streaming with almost 50% of the audience under 35 (excluding WQXR) and 75% of programming focused on artists and communities of color. TGS programming has included awardees of the Tony (9), Obie (2), Grammy (3), Pulitzer Prize (2), NAACP Image (4), James Beard (5), and several members of Congress. Highlights included the Women’s Podcasting Festival, Artists in Residence, an Election Night Party, the Talk Box (“phone booth for audience/public feedback), and WQXR 1^st Wednesday Free @ Lunch Julliard Student Performances. JKS noted that TGS hosted the world premiere of Echoing Green, supporting entrepreneurs working for social justice. Many series are planned for January to June, including, 44 Charlton, WQXR Midday Masterpiece, Brian Lehrer, Encore, Icons and Innovations, and WQXR Presents Classical Music and Beer.  CAB member feedback included a question from Steve Rapkin on admission fees. With funding from the Jerome L. Greene Foundation, JKS responded that 85% of programs are at an average $25.  John Bacon praised JKS for TGS’ consistent and focused programming and asked for clarification on rates for renting TGS (corporate and nonprofit rates differ). Lisa Nearier praised WQXR producing partnerships with Carnegie Hall and Met Opera, and asked about other partners. JKS noted that TGS also showcases new works and can provide a more intimate space for performances vs. larger venues. Public commentary: Stephanie Berger of The Poetry Society of New York asked about hosting a poetry party in TGS jointly with WNYC as a way of engaging new members and also bringing poetry to larger audiences.  A discussion followed about poetry having a “branding problem,” necessitating a different approach, perhaps starting with a conversation, or having a thematic presentation, or possibly airing a daily poem.  JKS noted that WNYC would need a partner to do this.  Nicholas Adamski also of The Poetry Society, noted that for 9 years they have been hosting The “Poetry Brothel” in Bushwick, Bklyn, providing poetry in bite-sized pieces, and further noted that there will be a 3-day poetry festival on Governor’s Island this summer.  Didi Lacher asked if events sold out and how is advertising done. JKS noted most sell out and advertising is done with fliers, but there is no promotion done on WNYC.  There was a discussion about synchronizing events to grow NYPR membership.  JKS said they were considering new events to grow audience, such as a Rap-a Thon with young performers, or hosting an international High School performance with storytelling, rap and dialogue.  JKS noted that Radio Rookies is only marketed to young audience/contemporaries. Elizabeth asked JKS to speak about the culinary programs.  Events have included food and beer, and hosts have included Leonard Lopate.  Food can be donated and sometimes it is purchased.  TGS can handle family-type meals. JKS is planning various cultural events through food. Food programming is a way to attract and expand memberships. CAB Member Katheryn Tornelli asked if event brainstorming was done in-house.  JKS acknowledged that most of the planning is done in-house with some exceptions.  CAB Member Andrew Greene of Housing Works suggested hosting a book club and proposed partnering on a project.  Housing Works currently hosts The Moth. JKS welcomes ideas at thegreenspace@wnyc.org

Public Comments after the JKS Conversation: Faith Steinberg a spokesperson for The Friends of Theodore Roosevelt Park at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) read a statement asking WNYC to publicize AMNH’s intention to encroach on the park while expanding the museum.  Plans call for chopping seven 125-year-old trees to build the extension to generate over 800,000 new visitors/year. The new building is purported to block sunlight, is not eco-friendly, will destroy a community-created Green Space and will set a dangerous precedent. The group would like air time to publicize this plan, and asks for WNYC to research and report on this project which will affect the Upper West Side tremendously. LE assured the group a copy of their statement would be forwarded to the NYPR Board of Trustees (BOT) once in receipt.  Jim Dingeman, Past CAB Chair of WBAI noted that there have been reports that the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting may be defunded.  This will affect over 90 public radio stations. Dingeman went on to say that the last time this threat occurred, artists and station collaborated to fight back, and that a call to action again was now needed. KQED of CA did a day of programming detailing why public support of radio stations was important.  He suggested that the CAB get input form listeners about the value of NYPR programs. CAB Member Gary Brocks and David Sztyk also echoed concerns.

LE and CAB Members began New Business by thanking the public for attending and their feedback.  Following the 9/2016 planning meeting, Vice Chair Barbara Gerolimatos (BG), distributed a spreadsheet highlighting similarities and differences in By-Laws between NYPPR and WNET/13.  The two main differences are length of term for Chair (2 vs 3 years, respectively) and that WNET reserves space for High School members on the CAB. BG will email all CAB members a copy of the spreadsheet, and LE will entertain more feedback. LE asked CAB for recommended speakers and assistance in setting up the CAB programming.

Action Items

Responsible

Due Date

1.  February 8 or 15: CAB Gathering at Ted Schweitzer’s

March 13, 2017: Conversation with Dean Cappello,

Executive Vice President & Chief Content Officer

2. Barbara Gerolimatos to distribute By-Laws grid via e-mail

Eldar/Schweitzer/CAB

BOT

Eldar/CAB

Gerolimatos/CAB

   Feb 8

   March 13

   Feb 9