90.3 WCPN Year-End Review

FROM: Kathryn P. Jensen
Chief Operating Officer

With today's headlines so often dominated by disquieting events, I'm delighted to be the bearer of some good news.

But before going any further, I want to thank the members of 90.3 WCPN for their support this past year. Your generosity helped to make possible thousands of hours of programming that informed, enriched and strengthened our communities.

Yet for all that your support helped 90.3 achieve in 2006, the future of non-commercial, public radio in northeast Ohio depends on your continued support.

So I ask that you include 90.3 WCPN in your year-end gifting plans. Becoming a member now – or making a small additional gift – will not only earn you a valuable tax deduction, it will give us the added resources needed to bring you more great programming and services in 2007.

PLEDGE NOW

During the station's 2006 fiscal year, 90.3 WCPN hit so many high notes that it is difficult to find a single theme to embrace them all. Fortunately, a few weeks ago, Kevin Klose – CEO of National Public Radio – visited Cleveland to speak at The City Club. Broadly, his comments addressed the role of public radio in advancing America's democracy.

I will borrow one of his observations in particular because it succinctly captures the vision 90.3 WCPN strives to achieve in serving you and the communities of northeast Ohio:

(We) “are engaged in a lively discussion about the ideas that will inform us … a lively discussion in which we seek out the paths that will lead us to common ground.”

90.3 WCPN takes this responsibility very seriously.

  • That responsibility was at the heart of our in-depth coverage of this year's national, state and local elections and candidates' debates.
  • It drives our examination of local issues on our daily call-in program, The Sound of Ideas®.
  • It was why we opened the doors of our new home at Idea Center to our members for a wonderful “Welcome Home” event in August.
  • It's behind our commitment to reporting environmental issues … a commitment that led to the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists' recognition of ideastream for Best Coverage of the Environment.
  • It propelled the recent changes to our schedule … debuting such programs as Wait, Wait … Don't Tell Me, Le Show and Vinyl Café … reintroducing the well-known personalities of Bob Edwards and Tavis Smiley … and expanding our news coverage with the BBC World Service and World Have Your Say.
  • It drives our commitment to partner with area arts, cultural, educational and economic development organizations … partnerships intended to strengthen our communities and encourage an active debate of regional issues.
  • And, of course, it invigorates our whole program schedule … from Morning Edition and All Things Considered to Fresh Air and The Diane Rehm Show … and from perennial favorites like Car Talk and A Prairie Home Companion to local offerings like Around Noon and Jazz from the North Coast.

PLEDGE NOW

We live in a complex world. We live in complicated times. We are barraged by a plethora of media and messages.

What makes 90.3 WCPN so valuable is its unflinching commitment to bringing you distinctive programming – unfettered by commercial demands and political motives – that informs, illuminates and inspires. But to fulfill that promise, we rely on community support … your support.

In response to our members' requests, we are limiting on-air pledge campaigns to just two, 10-day drives. That means you'll enjoy 345 days of pledge-free programming. It also means that your gift now is even more essential as we strive to strengthen our communities.

Please click the pledge now button below to make your gift securely online.

The value of 90.3 WCPN comes back to you every time you turn on your radio. Please show you support for quality, commercial-free radio by making your tax-deductible gift right now. Thank you.

Best wishes in this holiday season,

Kathryn P. Jensen
Chief Operating Officer
(and fellow 90.3 WCPN Member)