Thursday, 28 March 2024

Lake County Community Radio welcomes new board member, announces fall fund drive

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Community Radio Board of Directors is welcoming its newest director, Pub Talk radio programmer, Martin Scheel, and elected Jaclyn Ley – who joined the board in 2019 – as its new president.

“We were unanimous in our decisions and look forward to the enthusiasm, creativity, skill-set and commitment Martin and Jaclyn bring to the board,” said outgoing president, Olga Martin Steele.

Steele, will serve as vice president, and Susan Krones and Roberta Thomas will continue serving as secretary and treasurer, respectively.

“It’s been a year of constant adjustment,” said Steele. “We’ve significantly altered our regular operations to protect our volunteers from potential exposure to COVID-19, reducing our on-air programming hours and limiting the number of volunteers in the station to one at any time.”

Like many nonprofits, LCCR Inc. struggled for resources as the pandemic took hold. A spring concert was called off and the annual on-air spring fund drive, usually a week-long event, was significantly modified to a more low-key approach.

“We didn’t want to be intrusive at a time when the entire community was struggling,” said longtime station manager Andy Weiss.

“For the first time in my tenure, we reached the point where our operating expenses were substantially outpacing our income. It looked like we might not make it through the year. We needed a lifeline,” Steele said.

Chloe Karl, program director and past president, agreed. “We’ve always had to work very hard to meet our expenses. In addition to membership and other donations, we could supplement our operations with other income sources, like concerts and underwriting donations, which, before COVID hit, was an increasing source of revenue for us. We had to change our paradigm,” she said.

Weiss, one of the original founders of the local radio station, KPFZ, was the driving force behind the idea to fund raise in a softer, more low-key way. He came up with the idea of a “silent” fund drive.

“Instead of live pitching by our Programmers, we pre-recorded a message and played it intermittently,” said Karl.

The silent fund drive worked. “Thanks to our programmers, members, listeners, underwriters, and angel donors – like Jackie Riche, who donated $12,000 to help get us through a very challenging time this year – we will end the year in the black,” Steele said. “Next year is another matter.”

As LCCR Inc., closes the books on 2020, the all-volunteer nonprofit is returning to the tried and tested tradition of live on-air pitching. “We’ll see how it goes,” said Weiss. “I have a good feeling about this – our listeners and supporters never let us down.”

To support local community radio, tune in to KPFZ, 88.1 FM. The on-air pitching begins Nov. 30 and concludes Dec. 6. The focus of the pitch will be the history, purpose and value of noncommercial community radio – a forum for freedom of expression and cultural diversity.

In keeping with the spirit of on-air pitching, a volunteer will take donations or pledges at 707-263-3640 and a live programmer will ring the bell and announce contributions as they come in.

“We won’t be able to open the doors to the station as we have in the past,” said Weiss. “We’ll miss our drop-in supporters who joined us live in studio to express their support. But the show will go on.”

Upcoming Calendar

30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Community Cleanup Day
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Second annual Bunny Brunch
30Mar
03.30.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Lake County poet laureate inauguration
31Mar
03.31.2024
Easter Sunday
31Mar
03.31.2024 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lakeport Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt
1Apr
04.01.2024
Easter Monday
1Apr
10Apr
15Apr
04.15.2024
Tax Day

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