NFCB’s virtual unconference entitled, Wish You Were Here, is almost here.
Starting July 7, the event will be focused on four areas: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Mis/Disinformation, Polarization and Wellness and Mental Health. Our agenda includes the following sessions:
Engagement Sessions
Keynote: Media Priorities in Correcting Vaccine Misinformation
Partisan political battles are still raging nationwide. COVID-19 conspiracy theories, false information about vaccinations, and weaponized social media are deepening divisions and creating confusion in cities and towns everywhere. What are the foundations of such beliefs, and how can media help address the underlying issues? The National Federation of Community Broadcasters welcomes you to a discussion on how public media can address the flood of memes, fake news and information biases to help communities.
PUBLIC EVENT | Tuesday, July 13, at 4 ET
The FCC’s Upcoming Filing Window for Noncommercial FM and Low Power FM Frequencies
The FCC will accept applications for full-power noncommercial radio stations across the nation this year. Such a filing window is expected to be followed by the intake of license applications for new low-power FM (LPFM) stations, which last happened in 2013. What’s involved in getting an FCC license? What do you need to be aware of legally to be prepared? How can you get organized now for this rare opportunity? Join two of the nation’s top attorneys for an update on these issues and to answer your questions.
PUBLIC EVENT | Tuesday, July 20, at 2 ET
Keynote: Dave Isay and One Small Step
Dave Isay, founder and president of StoryCorps, is a public media icon. His latest initiative, One Small Step is aimed at tackling divides in our nation. Learn how StoryCorps is helping communities to counteract intensifying political divides and enabling those who disagree to listen to each other with respect. Dave Isay will be introduced by President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Patricia de Stacy Harrison.
PUBLIC EVENT | Wednesday, July 21, at 4 ET
Content Sessions
Community Radio Program Management
Every station with volunteers may face programming dilemmas. Schedule changes happen. You may experience delicate situations such as conflicts of interest in programming or perceptions of volunteers “owning” timeslots. Maybe you dream of alternate internet channels, but are unsure what that entails. Join one of community radio’s most respected voices for a session on effective and thoughtful program directing.
MEMBER-ONLY EVENT | Friday, July 9, at 2 ET
One Mic, Many Voices
Lack of diversity in gender, identity, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic range have long been part of media. Even with the advent of independent community radio, most voices are white, male, and middle class. How can women and non-binary folks intentionally diversify the airwaves? The WRIR collective One Mic, Many Voices started to bring diverse voices to community radio through intentional recruitment, training, and facilitation of production. Learn more in this session about their local engagement efforts.
MEMBER-ONLY EVENT | Monday, July 12, at 4 ET
Launching a Community News Effort: Doing a Lot with a Little
Three different journalists from three different stations in three different time zones share ideas and resources for stations ready to invest in starting up a news effort. We’ll share a range of approaches to producing local news, including writing headlines, sourcing free audio segments, engaging via social media, involving students, covering social movements, and highlighting marginalized voices.
MEMBER-ONLY EVENT | Wednesday, July 14, at 3 ET
Audio Narratives Demystified
Radio and podcasts have seen audience gains through longform presentation styles. This session, get some context as well as a breakdown of the most popular audio narrative formats. In addition, you will receive a basic technical understanding of how to record, edit, and distribute an audio narrative production. This is a great session for stations and producers looking to expand their arsenal of audio approaches, and how to create them.
MEMBER-ONLY EVENT (SPONSORED) | Thursday, July 15, 2 ET
Revenue Sessions
Sustainer Programs and Other Pledge Drive Alternatives
The days of one-time-donation pledge drives are long behind us as more stations adopt monthly giving programs. But how should a station incorporate a monthly giving program into the traditional pledge drive? WFMU General Manager Ken Freedman discusses this question, and also provides examples of creative twists on traditional pledge drive giving.
MEMBER-ONLY EVENT | Thursday, July 8, at 4 ET
Monthly Giving. Long Term Support Means Long Term Work
We will discuss how to start, or jumpstart, a monthly giving campaign. Why and how to get it going, to the much more important, how to maintain your campaign over time. This session will include lessons learned and common issues along with time for discussion to share what works for your organization.
MEMBER-ONLY EVENT | Friday, July 9, at 4 ET
Crowdfunding and Community Radio
Crowdfunding – raising small amounts of money from a large group of people to reach a goal – has long been a go-to for entrepreneurs, influencers and inventors. KWMR has utilized crowdfunding as a tool during on-air fundraising to great success. In two pledge drives, the station gained about 250 first-time donors. Join us for a quick low down on how KWMR used crowdfunding successfully and learn other ways it can be used to support your station.
MEMBER-ONLY EVENT | Friday, July 16, at 4 ET
Organizational Capacity Sessions
Keynote: Wise Warriorship: How to Advance DEIJ In A Complex World
What is your role in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice? And can you keep it up? In this 90-minute talk, author and Brevity & Wit founder Minal Bopaiah discusses the importance of wisdom for anyone committed to this work. Discover how to be a nonpartisan warrior for DEIJ in public media, the benefits of a warrior lifestyle, and the three qualities you need to cultivate to have the energy to pursue this work. Drawing on her heritage, personal sheroes, and social science, Minal helps individuals and organizations identify the unique contribution they have to make to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and just world.
PUBLIC EVENT | Wednesday, July 7 at 1 ET
Engaged and Equitable Leadership (90 min)
NFCB members will continue to build on the conversations in July 7’s keynote as you spend exclusive time learning with Minal Bopaiah. Participants will learn about the six characteristics of inclusive leaders. We’ll dive deep on cultural intelligence in communication styles and a framework for inclusive decision-making.
MEMBER-ONLY EVENT | Wednesday, July 7, at 3 ET
Music Reporting: What You Need to Know
Few areas of regulation are as treacherous for community radio stations as music rights and stations’ obligations to report their streaming. In this lively yet accessible conversation, Spinitron’s Eva Papp, one of community radio’s best experts on the subject, will help you decipher all you need to know to ensure your station is meeting all its obligations.
MEMBER-ONLY EVENT | Monday, July 12, at 2 ET
Keynote: When Every Day is a Mental Health Day
As the boundaries between home and career, the personal and professional dissipate, leaders have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to create a safe space for people to bring their whole selves to the work they do. Karen Hawkins, co-editor-in-chief of the Chicago Reader, will offer suggestions for leading with compassion, how to make boundary-setting safe, and being OK with not being OK.
PUBLIC EVENT | Thursday, July 15, at 4 ET
Ask the Attorneys
This legal session takes on the ins and outs of community radio – from underwriting, to indecency, to other matters that stations face. Our panel of lawyers will offer an overview of the basics, a look at complicated questions, field real-life case studies. This session features an extended question-and-answer period to get your puzzles solved.
MEMBER-ONLY EVENT | Monday, July 19, at 3 ET
For keynote registration links, visit our conference page. For member sessions, log in to the Solution Center. (login required) If you need help getting access, contact NFCB.
