Stories Need to be Shared

The life of an organization such as Wallingford Public Access Association (WPAA), intersects with and touches lives in unpredictable ways. Often, outcomes are not readily quantified for donors, but when they are shared with them in a story, the outcomes and results may be clarified, and perhaps stir us to laughter or bring us to tears. Stories inspire us to remain connected to the mission of the organization. Connecting through stories cultivates something bigger than each of our individual reasons for joining in. There is little doubt that whether one is either giving some benefit to or receiving some benefit from the organization, when telling or listening to its stories, lives are changed.

Stories are Meant to be Told

As a growing organization with a working Board of Directors, our cycles have been as unpredictable as our services: Whatever walks in the door.  We have not yet developed the brass tacks of planning the Board Meeting Agenda based on the cycles of work. However, organizational maturity is getting us closer to constructing a governance platform; that feels promising.

But more important than the structures we construct to govern are the reasons we decide to join in to begin with. As a community media organization that enables storytelling and informed conversation, we have come to realize that stories in our meetings are as vital as in our work.

Stories Enhance Meetings

At our last board meeting, I told many stories including a founder’s story, collaboration and journey stories. There was much laughter and even a moment when I nearly came to tears. Then as a team, everyone contributed in a discussion of the policy gaps and envisioned a revised TV distribution schedule that these stories identified a need for. We affirmed being on the ‘same page’ throughout. In two hours, much work was accomplished and new understandings achieved. A young prospective board member recapped as follows:

I think you guys are definitely moving in the right direction. I am hopeful to be appointed to the board.

It is gratifying to know that more intersections are being formed and starting to root for growth in our community.

Stories Influence Us

Another revealing comment was emphatically announced with some concern:

Board members and volunteers seem to pass through here; when they leave, they do not come back.

This may not be a bad thing. Each of us becomes a volunteer for different reasons. Having personal goals to achieve can either support or conflict with the mission of the organization.  Making room for both the personal and organizational goals is a challenge.

Often there are unexpected, serendipitous contributions that might never have been foreseen in strategic goals or targeted in individual aspirations. Successful leveraging of personal goals for the greater mission is my job as Executive Director.  I know I have succeeded when the outcome will make a good story.

Stories Change Lives

Ironically, the Wallingford Public Access Association, Inc. (WPAA) originated from community discord. From the stories I hear, the original incorporators were not extremely passionate about free speech, transparency in government, inclusion, or the free exchange of ideas. Yet, collectively their interest in technology, media arts, supporting their church’s outreach, a desire for a supplemental retirement income, or the need to be part of a group, directed the passions of early cable TV activists. The groundwork of activists across the nation and availability of cable fees provided roots for WPAA to contribute to the life-changing stories of our community and to transform it into WPAA-TV and Community Media Center.

Stories Inspire Us

It is quite appropriate that as a community we memorialize Russ Styles,

founding member and original station manager of WPAA where he served on the Board of Directors as treasurer for many years, as well as on the Cable Advisory Council for South Central Connecticut.

Russ Styles shared many stories about videotaping parades, tangled cables, new innovations in cameras, acquiring building keys to have access to equipment at night, his love of free meals and his fun retirement job. It was Russ who invited me to participate here in Wallingford. As a result of his stories, I wished to become part of the advancement of WPAA as it embraced the visions of original cable advocates.

Eventually, his personal goals did not remain aligned with the evolution of WPAA. In remembering Russ’s contributions, I can only wink, chuckle and remind myself to say:

Be careful what you wish for.

Stories Connect Us

I encourage more of you to come as you are able. Come to fulfill both an individual aspiration and the mission of WPAA-TV and Community Media Center. Come to connect with us, to contribute and share in being that unexpected and serendipitous part of our community story.

What does #AnyoneCanBeFreeman really mean?

All of humanity has the capacity to embody Freeman. But the question is do all humans have the social and emotional skills? Do you have what it takes to be a card carrying ambassador of free speech as Freeman P. Quinn, 1st? It requires a commitment to the open expression of ideas and civil engagement with others. It requires an awareness of story as a transformative tool involving discernment and active listening. To rightfully embrace free speech, one must also embrace justice. An abiding commitment to justice, and understanding the boundaries of speech in pursuit of justice, is challenging.

Judge Holmes’ dictum that “falsely” shouting fire in a crowded theater (1919) is not protected speech was intended to explain that the First Amendment is not absolute.

It is obvious that unrestricted liberty of utterance cannot have been intended, but the familiar formula that “liberty does mean license” is of little help in solving concrete situations. The Present Status of Freedom of Speech under the Federal Constitution Harvard Law Review Vol. 41, No. 4 (Feb., 1928), pp. 525-528

It was not until 1969 that a higher bar for what could be punished by the government was set. Speech that is “directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.” is not protected speech.

Toward informed Free Speech

In this era of FAKE, the protection of free speech is more vital. It might be argued, “A man who stands in a theatre and warns the audience that there are not enough fire exits,” should be given access to the stage. But, what if the fire code is met and the speaker is actively spreading misinformation packaged to look like it has reliable sources? FAKE is a threat to democracy. It is not protected with proof of actual malice, “That is, with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard for the truth.” But intent, proof and truth can be quite entangled when forms of expression need ‘breathing’ space to survive.

Free Speech at the Core of Community TV?

Community TV is hyper-local, non-commercial and a tool of democracy providing resources to citizens in support of free speech. This also means at no or low cost. The commitment to uninhibited, robust and wide-open debate on public issues such as safety in public places is fundamental. Similarly, there is a commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Human dignity is inviolable.

Another difference is that TV production is labor and technology-intensive. TV production usually requires a team effort. And providing free or no cost resources often involves volunteers on these teams. Can anyone volunteer? Ideally yes, but realistically no. All volunteers must respect the inherent principles of free speech, its relationship to the dignity of all people, and embrace just behavior and adopted practices.

Some free speech boundaries are less clear when the interaction is through media rather than in a physical proximity. For example, when using social media, we are not usually supporting face-to-face discourse. Unlike social media, content distributed as TV is not an anonymous voice.

Volunteerism is at the core of citizen media!

Volunteers are priceless. With our commitment and approach they are also an investment. Our approach involves supporting volunteer goals, and mutually beneficial outcomes for the organization. Most receive college, or community service, credits.

Selecting our volunteers is the role of the Executive Director. Volunteer selection is multifaceted. Volunteers are vetted. A volunteer assessment is similar to being hired for a job. The Q & A would initially identify how familiar the prospective candidate is with the organization. What do the candidates already know about community media in general or WPAA-TV in particular? Have they watched any shows? Have they checked out our website before calling or writing? Do they know people who have been involved who can recommend them? Have they helped a producer? Do they know what skills they have which might be useful? Do they have predictable days and times that can be incorporated into our process?

The Benchmark: Can you be Freeman?

All volunteer inquiries do not result in a match. There are many reasons for not selecting a volunteer. Some candidates do not have skills we can confidently deploy. Others cannot work within our scheduling. Some cannot be independent enough.

The most important benchmark is #AnyOneCanBeFreeman. Can a prospective volunteer be the face of the organization we want Wallingford to see? We do not have a crystal ball but conversation can reveal enough. This is what we try to discern. Does the candidate exemplify our values? Does their personal life have evidence of pushing the limits of free speech with inflammatory or fighting words whether they be colorful, foolish, vicious, dramatic or quixotic? Is there some certainty they can aspire to our core competencies in the fulfillment of the duties they become accountable for?

Reference: Even the architect evolved his understanding California Law Review Vol 80 Issue 2 March 1992 Justice Holmes and the Modernization of Free Speech Jurisprudence: The Human Dimension by G. Edward White

Most Prized Right Zechariah Chafee, Jr., Free Speech in the United States (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1941)

Breathing Space Times Co Vs Sullivan 1964