Date Set for Community Engagement Pipeline Videoconference
NCO's Community Engagement Pipeline Videoconference will happen at 2 p.m. EST on Thursday, June 5. Invite your community partners for 90 minutes of information and preview clips that will guide your engagement strategies for the year ahead. Look for more details in next month's News Blast. To register for the NCO Videoconference email nco@ncoengage.org.
My Source: On Air, Online, Across the Country
My Source is designed for flexible use on multiple platforms. In Washington, D.C., WHUT has My Source TV spots on the air, while WILL in Champaign-Urbana features My Source testimonials online and on the radio. Check out examples from your fellow stations, as well as resources available to support your My Source work.
Premiering April 28th, "The Takeaway" with John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji, is a radio co-production of WNYC and PRI, in collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH. The show aims to combine community engagement with the vast newsgathering resources of the editorial partners and contributors. The anchor desk will serve as "the water cooler," convening critical conversations, live reports from the field, commentary and analysis, and listener involvement in the discussion. http://www.wnyc.org/thetakeaway/
Station Remote Control to Re-Launch This Month
PBS will re-launch Station Remote Control in late April. The new site will feature more robust search capabilities, RSS feeds, and a Station Talk area designed to help stations better collaborate with each other. To learn more, an archived version of the March 31 Webinar previewing the site is available at https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/vcc-ic03/view?id=ic03- New+Station&pw=view.
Note: Because this Webinar is not public, you will need to enter your name, email address and organization to access it.
Tools to Support your Digital Transition Activity
The Digital Transition is a chance to help your most vulnerable community members in a different way. Public broadcasting entities are already offering tools to support your efforts and help you stay abreast of developments. Two examples include:
The PBS Development Advisory Committee (DAC) holds monthly conference calls for all station personnel. Next call is on Thursday, April 24 at 3:00 pm Eastern and will focus on "Development Plans and Budgets for FY 2009 ˆ¢¬Ä¬ì Tackling the Challenges and Opportunities." For more information about the series, visit Connect at https://secure.connect.pbs.org/wb/default.asp? action=9&read=248266&fid=84
NCO's March Webinar "Helping Communities Make the Switch" is available online http://www.ncoengage.org/resources/webinars/ MakingSwitch.cfm. Also check out DTV Transition plans from KUED and WHYY to learn how those stations are using the transition to reach community members in need.
The Analog Shutoff repository from the Affinity Group Coalition (AGC) offers samples of how other stations are preparing the public. Content on the site changes frequently so bookmark it for later visits. http://kued.org/agc/
Understanding Community Rhythms - a Harwood Tool
Over the past year, NCO has collaborated with CPB and The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation to help public broadcasters strengthen civic life in their communities. Harwood's "Community Rhythms" tool is a valuable way to better understand your community and the role you play in it. Take a look and learn more about your community's rhythms. http://ncoengage.org/engage/harwood/community_rhythms.cfm
NCO'S Repository Pick of the Month: KCET's Online Premier of CARRIER
In Los Angeles, KCET is using technology to bring new audiences to their preview screening and discussion of CARRIER episode one. The station will hold the screening online where audiences can easily jump from watching the program to sharing personal stories via StorySHARE. Check it out.
Reminder: A customized version of StorySHARE is available for stations to collect stories around CARRIER. For details, contact PBS at pbsi_stationservices@pbs.org
A Diversity Initiative from APT
American Public Television (APT) is supporting community engagement initiatives for stations interested in delving into the topics of diversity and cultural stereotypes. The initiatives are built around the film "On A Wing and A Prayer: An American Muslim Learns to Fly" (1/60 available May 1) and the series "AfroPop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange Program" (6/60 available June 1). The broadcasts employ elements of humor and personal stories to address these potentially volatile topics and offer communities an easier, less controversial entry point into insightful engagement. See the NCO Pipeline to learn more or email Tom_Davison@APTonline.org.
NCO's mission is to increase public broadcasting's ability to serve local communities. We help stations engage and educate citizens, expand community relationships and stimulate civic participation across multiple service platforms.
