[grc] Grassroots Radio Conference 2024 Directives

[Todd Tyson]

Will today’s GRC Zoom meeting be videotaped for later viewing as I am
unavailable today at 1PM Eastern.

There is a good chance that a post-‘24 future Conference could be hosted by
a coalition of community stations here in the Green Mountain State!

Todd from Free Vermont Radio/WFVR-LP

On Mon, Feb 12, 2024 at 8:29 AM Bennett Kobb via grc <grc at maillist.peak.org>
wrote:

> > I do not see how anyone who was at that meeting would say that Sharon was
> given this authority.
>
> I don't see where Sharon needed to be given any authority. What authority
> would convey that authority?
>
> > I do not see how anyone who was at the meeting would say that her
> pronouncements were endorsed by the people who attended that meeting.
>
> I don't recall that anyone objected to Sharon's stepping forward after
> taking everyone's comments into account, and setting a deadline so people
> have a target to aim for. Mandates and pronouncements don't really describe
> her style.
>
> > At the meeting there was no discussion about what method should be used
> to determine how the next GRC should be chosen
>
> If there were competing proposals some method would be needed to choose
> one. That is not the situation yet and was not the situation last year or
> the year before.
>
> > Is someone interested in hosting a less expensive GRC?  It seems that GRC
> 2023 may be the most expensive conference in my memory.
>
> Maybe it was. Considerable expense apparently was covered by in-kind
> donations and sales of vendor slots and merch.
>
> > Would it not be better to hold GRC conferences in a different city each
> year?  Perhaps we could return to the same city on alternate years.
>
> This was discussed a good bit at the Zoom meeting. It's not an issue now as
> no formal proposals are on the table at this time, only the willingness of
> Team Status Quo to fill the need.
>
> > How do people who live on the west coast think about having to traveling
> such long distances?
>
> Surely they can propose to hold conferences closer to them. Ideally it
> would be more central. Has there been one in Texas yet?
>
> > Did anyone find a good alternative to an extended trip in a rental car
> from one of the major airports in the area?
>
> The hotel-provided airport van worked out OK.
>
> > Could presentations be recorded for the benefit of those who are not able
> to attend?
>
> They should be, but that could require some professional management.
>
> > Damon admitted to pocketing a good profit from the GRC (was it 10k on 35k
> revenue?)  I do not think that is unreasonable, assuming his own funds were
> at risk in preparing for the GRC, but someone else might offer other uses
> for the proceeds.
>
> There was much discussion and contrasting views on other uses for the
> proceeds.
>
> >  what can we do to ensure that it remains an informal gathering for
> people who do not have the backing of large institutions and agencies?
>
> How many GRCs have been backed by large institutions? WTSQ got some backing
> from the local visitors bureau. Every GRC should.
>
> > Is the GRC in danger of turning into a professionally managed event like
> the NFCB
>
> I would describe 2023 GRC as professional in management though staffed by
> volunteers who have other jobs and responsibilities - in addition to
> running a radio station.
>
> The latest filing window illustrates how attendance could potentially
> increase. Professional meeting planning should be welcome.
>
> > Does the GRC exist for professionals who earn income from promoting their
> services to community broadcasters, or does it exist for the small
> community broadcasters to share and offer mutual support?
>
> 2023 was my second GRC. If those two conferences were any indication, they
> included very few who earn income from broadcasting services. I see no
> indication that this basic character is changing.
>
> > Should decisions within the GRC be mandated by a particular person or a
> closed group, or do we want decisions to be made by an open process where
> all are invited to participate?
>
> A minimum level of process was volunteered by a person recognized in the
> community for her leadership.
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