KBYU is in the process of creating a new strategic plan and CVC members were asked to participate by offering their perspectives and suggestions. As a prelude to the CVC discussion about the stations’ purpose and role in the community, staff presented background information about the history and current status of KBYU Eleven and Classical 89 as well as Utah’s changing media environment. Regarding KBYU Eleven, it was recommended that the station continue offering a broad service—with programs that appeal to a wide variety of audiences and to make serving the significant number of Utah households who rely on over-the-air broadcast a priority. CVC members believe the community values Eleven as a safe place for their children and asked the staff to continue providing “family friendly” programs in the early evening hours. It was also suggested that Eleven widen the variety of people and stories featured in the programs it broadcasts to better reflect the diversity of the state’s population. Additionally, it was recommended that the station promote the non-commercial nature of KBYU’s broadcast schedule, particularly around children’s programs. During their discussion of Classical 89, the CVC encouraged the station to continue having the station hosts provide background information about the music, composers, and performers and to promote the opportunity Classical 89 offers to explore classical music. The CVC also advised that the station place an explicit invitation prominently on its website encouraging listeners to share their thoughts and comments about the station. The meeting concluded with reports from the membership department and the election of Marian Howe-Taylor as the CVC Vice Chair for 2013.

After welcoming five new members, Brenda Burrell, Nels Holmgren, Barbara Leavitt, Paul Leggett, and Heidi Swinton, the CVC began its discussion of two of the community needs identified by the council—cultural understanding and children’s health. Cultural diversity is seen by members of the CVC as strength of our community that should be celebrated and they advised the stations to approach the topic from this perspective. Members discussed how storytelling through media could be used to help those living in Utah to become aware of the assumptions they are making about themselves and others, to build awareness of the value and contribution of various cultures, to frame the discussion of Utah’s changing population as a positive opportunity, to celebrate Utah’s cultural “salad bowl,” and to promote resources that are currently available to help members of various cultures better understand each other. In the area of children’s health members of the CVC expressed particular concern about the rise in childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes. They suggested that the stations help parents and day-care providers learn where they can find reliable information about children’s health well as the resources available to help children and families. The staff provided an update on VoteUtah 2012, including candidate debate programs and plans for live election night coverage that involves students from colleges and universities throughout Utah. Classical 89 reported on recent productions and the availability of “Thinking Aloud” episodes through a searchable online archive. Eleven announced plans for “Slam Dunk Hunger 2012” an event that the stations will sponsor in support of the upcoming Utah Valley Food Drive and the premiere of a new educational film, “Utah’s Perfect Storm: Drought Debt and the Great Depression” that is aimed at junior and senior high school students and their families. The meeting ended with an expression of appreciation to the five members of the CVC concluding their term of service, Simon Bolivar, Shirley and Monroe Paxman, Alex Schamlz and Alice Edvalson, for their years of guidance to the stations.

Members of the KBYU TV/FM Community Volunteer Council centered their discussion on two of the community needs identified by the council-- education and disaster preparedness. It was suggested that the stations concentrate their efforts in the areas of early childhood education, improving school readiness and increasing high school graduation rates. Specific ideas include promoting mentoring of at-risk students, highlighting the need for a high school diploma and additional education in obtaining employment, providing broadcast or online content that helps improve parenting skills, drawing attention to the negative effect of substance abuse on the school environment, and emphasizing the need for students to learn life and social skills. Station staff presented information about current efforts in some of these areas and reviewed potential community partners for new efforts. KBYU Eleven is developing series of short programs on disaster preparedness and CVC members suggested specific topics that they would find most helpful. The staff provided an update on VoteUtah 2012, an initiative by Utah’s public television and radio stations to provide unique coverage of the 2012 elections and promote voter participation. There was also a report on the radio production process and an invitation to CVC members encouraging them to send topic ideas and guest recommendations to Classical 89 staff. The meeting concluded with the announcement of “Community Connection,” a new series of short television programs that feature non-profit organizations throughout the state and the services and events they provide.

The KBYU TV/FM Community Volunteer Council discussed the needs and demographic characteristics of the stations’ current audiences as well as potential new audiences. Both stations would like to increase their value to the community and asked CVC members for their perspective on how well the stations are serving their audiences and suggestions as to the type of programming and services that would be most attractive and useful. It was suggested that the stations could serve the community and foster greater understanding among Utahans by airing programs on the religious diversity within the state, particularly programs on Islam. The staff was asked to make voter participation and information key elements of any election related activities. Staff reports included an update on VoteUtah 2012, a collaborative effort of Utah’s public radio and television stations; presentation of a Thinking Aloud episode featuring Black Storytellers of Utah that illustrates the power of radio to communicate; several new television productions including Community Connection, a series that features events and services provided by community organizations and agencies; and plans for an upcoming community event to encourage home and community gardens and donations of fresh produce to local food banks.

Members of the CVC reviewed the 2009-2014 KBYU Community Service Priorities and discussed how the stations could best address them. The discussion emphasized the importance of KBYU TV/FM serving as a bridge between community members and community resources. The stations were asked to carefully consider how they might add more social media interaction, advance children’s educational development and health, assist Utahans in gaining or improving current employment, and increase their coverage and representation of diverse communities within the state. Staff reports included an update on topics of interest to the CVC covered on Thinking Aloud; a presentation about a new radio music performance series, Highway 89, that features many local musicians; VoteUtah 2012, a collaborative effort of Utah public radio and television stations; and an upcoming community literacy event. Alice Edvalson, outgoing chair of the CVC was presented with an award of appreciation for her years of thoughtful and diligent service on the KBYU Community Volunteer Council.

The principal topic of discussion was coverage of the 2012 Elections. The goals of Eleven’s and Classical 89’s election programming should be to 1) create better informed voters and, 2) increase voter turnout. The staff was encouraged to produce and broadcast programs that are substantive and delve into a candidate’s philosophy on a deeper level than campaign rhetoric. Various program ideas were discussed including radio “town hall” editions of “Thinking Aloud” featuring a wide spectrum of voting citizens and short interstitial programs about the election process for broadcast on Eleven. These short video pieces could also be used online and made available to schools. The staff reported that “Thinking Aloud” is now available to a national audience through additional broadcasts on BYU Radio’s Sirius/XM channel. Classical 89 and BYU Radio are producing a new series, “Highway 89,” that features live and as-if-live performances by the finest local and visiting musicians. Eleven’s original production, “Remembering Geneva Steel,” premiered in August and was one of the highest rated programs during the pledge drive. A documentary on the Hotel Utah, titled “Utah’s White Palace” will premiere in December. Eleven distributed “The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Salutes Our Armed Forces” concert that was taped in July to PBS stations nationally for broadcast this coming Veterans Day. There was also a report on the strong community interest in the new BYU Broadcasting Building.