Would the world be different?


If I had retired this week at age 65, would the world look different?  A reflection by Volunteer Executive Director Susan Adele Huizenga

A Different World – Most Definitely!

So much of our lives is the returning of seasons, with subtle, incremental, by the playbook changes. To be able to take measure of our decisions with some clarity, and to make mental note of the people whom we would not have met, the transformations in a building or neighborhood that would not have come to pass, the understanding that would have been different, is satisfying and possible in a make-a-difference lifestyle. Yes, absolutely the world would be different if I had waited to retire this week at age 65. And yes, much of the difference in me and my community is in the stories of those who walked through the doors of my home and WPAA-TV since 2011.

A few more ‘corporate’ years would have enabled me to amass a comfort level amount of discretionary income. Instead, I short-circuited retirement savings and retired from a paycheck to my self-funded poverty level stipend in order to volunteer full-time. I continued to live with “Mr. Huizenga TV” in a house too big for two that has sheltered many in need of transitional housing.

… with mixed emotions that I am announcing Susan’s official retirement … most recognized for her passion and expertise … superior customer service for our members and her unique style and incredible knowledge and dedication will be greatly missed. Susan has worked hard all of her career and has now earned the opportunity to enjoy more time with her family and community service projects.

I would not be part of WPAA-TV now if I did not make the commitment in 2009 to see the building And the vision of WPAA renovated. The most probable scenario for me: returning to New Haven. The most likely scenario for WPAA: being absorbed into Connecticut Community TV, and remaining at 128 Center St. with a few programs a month in production, looking like every prior year since 1995.

By the time I moved into Wallingford, I had a repertoire of seasonal, long-term community service projects that I was ready to leave on a memory shelf. To be a volunteer in Wallingford would consist of buying potted plants from the firemen, or adopting a road to clean on Earth Day, or writing checks to programs where I used to live for the housing and food insecure. Instead, on my radar was rejuvenating, finding my footing, and most of all, balance. Relocation provided some anonymity and room for a much-needed remake of my actions Not my values.

Even after being co-opted to engage in the resuscitation of Community TV in Wallingford, I performed the essential, nobody wanted tasks, i.e., regulatory reports, grant writing, meeting minutes, and bylaw amendments. Nothing with real accountability or visibility. I never joined the board. Noticing the absence of democracy-oriented producers, I co-opted my son, Houston, to host a conversation show as OnTheParadeGround Productions, branded with a laptop sitting on the grass on the town’s Parade Ground. I started to discover a few of Wallingford’s civic-minded with this project and also learned how much video editing had advanced since 2004.

The building transformation literally was consuming for all the volunteers from the moment of purchase in December 2009 until the studio upgrade in 2015. It was wishful thinking to imagine that I could nudge the organization’s vision with so many tasks to accomplish. Midstream, in 2013, the organization was again at a crossroad. It was then that I agreed to become un-paid staff under contract as a full-time ‘volunteer’ Executive Director. Under this arrangement, the doors of WPAA-TV, now calling itself a media center, would be open daily for the first time.

The shows, internships, job opportunities for youth and differently-abled, the service expansions into art, theater, and film – hundreds, maybe even thousands, of stories of changed lives would have never happened without day-time hours and full-time staff. By 2017, my bosses, the governance team, included a few millennials educated in video production, in addition to the blue collars that made the building renovation possible. This diverse and inclusive board firmly declared WPAA-TV as More Than TV: in other words more than the tools & stage for TV creation. In 2018, WPAA-TV was solidly the tools & stage for much more with #collaborations, a gallery and theater, and civic groups using our “community building.” Adoption of the phrase itself is one of my favorite stories.

Tracing Back to My ‘Social’ Work Story

This week I had the pleasure of meeting a social work graduate student at a Middlesex County Candidates Forum focused on housing. We chatted about how we each became aware of policy, how social systems are interconnected, and how better awareness of policy changed our perspective on ‘social’ work. I told her I was in the first Bachelor of Social Work Program at Southern Connecticut State University. I did not tell her that I was given insightful advice: “You take the work home. You might want to consider a different career.” My dad was wise.

I shared my favorite bus story with her. We both knew the link between employment and housing security is transportation. I repeated my story to an elected official, also in attendance, and also in election mode. He heard it from his lens of corporate private partnership. That is not how I was trying to tell it. As we parted I said: “If you win, keep coming to these gatherings to hear people’s stories.”

I was hired by the new nonprofit new Blue Cross Blue Shield of CT (BCBSCT) in 1980 to work on manual systems. The corporate merger of Blue Cross of CT and Connecticut Medical Services (CMS|BS) was six months away from a major systems integration two years in the making. No one had yet done workflow analysis or forms design. A consultant, a few frontline managers grateful for the help, and I began the mission-critical work. Our workflow costs savings outcomes with work simplification designs were phenomenal. More than 100 times my salary was to be saved annually. However, my team’s outcomes were rolled into the larger system project outcomes as if they were part of the original plan. They were not. Workflow changes were an afterthought and non-automated work simplification, a bonus Many layers here: pay equity, headhunters, how to listen and to whom, and teamwork.

I had no idea my career would become decades of merger work. I also did not know I had been hired at 20% below pay-grade until years later when a corporate-wide pay level adjustment was mandated It was a nonprofit after all. Even with the title Methods Analyst, I saw myself as a people’s advocate. I merely had a new focus: improving healthcare systems. I had just served two years in VISTA in criminal justice on a poverty-level stipend. I took public transportation. I enjoyed it. Still do.

The Bus Story

It was in the news that there would be a bus from downtown New Haven for city residents working at BCBSCT in North Haven. City leaders were concerned that without transportation the relocation of CMS jobs could disenfranchise many workers. Together with corporate representatives, a commitment was hammered out to provide transportation for city residents to the North Haven campus. The company contracted a private transportation provider that became my way to get to work. Therefore I applied for an analyst job at the newly merged nonprofit.

It turns out that I was the only salaried person on this bus. When the bus was late, others were docked for late arrival to work. I brought this to the attention of Human Resources as an injustice. Employees arrived at the bus stop on time, but they had no control over the bus’s arrival. I was told with your attitude you will be lucky to last two years here: the emphasis was, “As a salaried employee you should be grateful for the bus-ride benefit.”

Ultimately, I prevailed. It helped that I had built strong relationships with the Legal Dept. in my merger work. I suggested a public transportation route modification as a way to improve worker satisfaction, increase productivity, and keep the company’s commitment to the city. It was a win-win for all, which now included public transit. The CT Dept. of Transportation rerouted a public bus and corporate subsidized the monthly bus passes. My role in the change was never made public. However, within the community where it counted, the people on the bus, it was no secret. I remember telling my dad this advocacy bus story. He replied, “It appears you take your life’s work to the job.”

Work Must Be More Than a Paycheck

For me, retirement from for-profit corporate work was not about a vacation lifestyle to come. My retirement decision had several layers of social complexity. One moral complexity was that decades of mergers had swallowed up nonprofit BCBSCT into one of the largest for-profit health insurance companies in the nation.

The timing of my decision was interwoven with a business need to redesign a critical interstate system for which I was both institutional knowledge and a daily ‘finger in the dike.’ The project was my dread, my leverage, and truthfully my proof-of-excellence to myself. But, I would be less available for community service of any kind for almost two years if I committed to this high-stakes aggressive merger project. But, the idea of choosing my own systems team was compelling. This was 2009. The work landscape was unsettled. There was another round of layoffs for which I obviously was not a candidate, off-shore team negotiations, and jobs I felt I could save in my departure strategy. Merger work most often meant people losing jobs. Every merger had taken away a part of me because I got to know the people whose lives were uprooted.

My dad, for whom I was then the caregiver advocated, “Give the company the finger!” I reassured him my decision would be about all the people: him and me, my co-workers, frontline teams, and the insured in several states. When I declined his furtive advice to leave them owning it, I was trying not to calculate the people of Wallingford in my claim of “all the people.” Quite frankly, I did not want to care about them. I was wounded by the sucker punches and tired of, in my opinion, self-serving users of frail community resources since 2005. I reminded him that they never really own it when a vacuum is created. It is the day-to-day laborers that take the hit, or as was the case with WPAA, the volunteers who committed to the ideals.

A few weeks of intense job-strategy termination, or not, conversations with my direct management and their management ensued. I did take from dad’s playbook. I threatened to leave 18 months sooner than I ultimately did. Ironically, or as I have come to call it serendipitously, during this very time another in-town Wallingford building came up for sale. My next steps in life choices became more complicated. I felt I could no longer ignore the people of Wallingford in the forming of my decision although most had no idea who I was.

A Collective Crisis of Confidence Story

The future of WPAA was fragile in 2009. At best it would be more of the same with less, or just, less. The volunteers with whom I served as their Cable Advisor were challenged by an impending 60% rent increase (not a typo) for the 128 Center St. location, a changing cable TV landscape, volunteer burn-out or flame-out depending on one’s perspective, a very public ‘failed’ attempt to own a community building on the Parade Ground and losing the funding adjustment for the 60/40 sunset docket (PURA #10-03-02).

I personally was conflicted. The politics of aspiring leaders, the naysayers of the attempted acquisition of the historic Constable Roger S. Austin House at 41 So Main St., exhausted me. Regrettably, the property was not listed in the local papers archival registry culled from the Wallingford Preservation Trust records. The subsequent threat to WPAA funding (PURA #99-10-05), as orchestrated by the Mayor, remained unchallenged by local town leaders.

It was another episode of me against the town’s legal team because I handled these types of matters. This was around in the arena that I won. The decision asserted that WPAA was eligible for all subscriber fees because WGTV was not compliant with the basic provisions of community access TV The Mayor asserted too much control overuse and content.

I was not sure if I were up for what another Community Building Project would require of me. In my opinion, for WPAA to be viable there were 20 years of lost potential as a community entity to overcome; thus the metaphorical project name. Only two people in town truly understood the bedrock on which Community TV was founded. One, to this day, must be publicly mute. There was more than a building to renovate and reinvigorate.

Never-the-less, I scheduled a Community Building Project Committee Meeting to see if there were any life left in that team for a go at a different property. The team was weakened when the architect, painter, and landscape designer decided to drop out. The attorney, tech, and my husband were willing to give it another go. A walk-through was scheduled with the realtor to see 28 So Orchard St., a cow barn in 1924 masquerading as an in-town business location 260 steps from the then-current Center St. location.

Important Rooms Story

The first and foremost adaptive renovation of 28 So Orchard in order for it to be a public space, required a major plumbing solution as the first floor is below ground level. I still tell all touring visitors, the most important room in the building is not the TV studio, it is the First Floor Rest Room. Without an innovative plumbing solution, there would not have been a building purchase.

There were other substantial infrastructure upgrades: a stable dry floor, structural walls, secure access, ADA compliance, emergency exits, and electric service. The list went on and on just to be a ‘legally’ habitable building. And there were process hurdles: plans, permits, and commission hearings.

And the design and installation of the TV production and distribution systems could not be an afterthought. My dreams began to be about those two huge projects consuming my waking hours. But progress was steady; the serendipity in finding people and assets to create the new TV space was invigorating despite my lack of sleep I encourage you to stop by and take a tour to hear the serendipity stories room by room.

Several skilled blue-collar workers contributed time and talent over a few years to create today’s WPAA-TV and Community Media Center. None had an interest in the services provided, nor the ideals represented. They did it as buddies of the real Huizenga behind the community building, my husband, Curt. The WPAA-TV board was not unanimous in the decision to buy. Some believed the naysayers, others became naysayers themselves. The biggest decision in the organization’s history was made with a one-vote majority. The disgruntled began calling WPAA “Huizenga TV.”

The Loan Gift Story

It is unclear why this happened. At zero-hour in the property negotiations, the property owner who agreed to hold the mortgage decided the conditions needed to change. He now wanted a substantial down payment, the interest rate was one percent too low and he would not pay the in arrears property taxes. More hurdles. WPAA needed to secure additional financing and the clock was ticking as a closing date had been set with a penalty if delayed. All overtures to consider being a benefactor or supporter were dismissed by both the property owner and the realtor. Yes, conspiracy theories did surface in my mind. I was exhausted.

Seeking financial assistance, our real estate lawyer generously reached out to in-town movers & shakers. There was one offer. It was outrageous. We declined. We needed to remain open at the current location while building at another, all within an annual operating budget of $80,000. We needed a gift, not exploitation.

On a cold November morning, as I was preparing to leave for my day job, my dad came into my kitchen and said, “Why have you not asked me for help? I can loan WPAA money. Why not! I like it. It can work for me. On a loan, I can do better than a bank CD. I think it should be interest only in the first year, too. Yep. I have been listening to your phone calls. I think 5% is a good deal. You should give my offer consideration.”

I almost laughed as I cried. He was so sincere. He obviously had given this idea measured consideration. He was right. His offer would be good for WPAA. I also had no idea he had any money. If you knew him you would understand.

The loan offer needed another WPAA board vote. Again, it was not unanimous. The “Huizenga TV” moniker became even more brazenly tossed about. Rumors of my profiteering began. I pretended to be an ostrich.

It turns out my dad was a true fan of the station. He watched nightly. He loved the Classic Arts Showcase TV. It played for six hours beginning at midnight. There was too little local content to fill a 24 x 7 schedule. It truly was to my surprise that my dad became the gift that made it possible to purchase 28 So Orchard. He passed away unexpectedly in November 2010, a year after the purchase. Honoring dad’s memory, my son and sisters and brothers who inherited the loan to WPAA-TV, waived all interest extending his gift further. Free money So much for profiteering. Different if I had waited to retire this week at age 65. And yes much of the difference in me and my community is about who has walked through the doors of WPAA-TV.

Postscript: 12.31.2019

The one goal in the strategic goal dashboard that seemed unattainable happened. On 12.31.2019 the first mortgage was paid off. Yes, but it was refinancing with a temporary 0% credit line. This will yield a $7,000 overall savings. We plan to ask the community to rally to retire our “building debt” during #GreatGive2019. The wistful full bring this full circle is to have our 1st ever video annual report impress the Hometown Judges and much as it did the volunteers and their annual celebration.

Postscript: 5.01.2019

WE WON BEST in THE US for our size as determined by a panel of our peers. Does it matter?

Be the Community Story

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.

 

Better, But …

We can be better. But “Great Again?” They may be slanderous words.

When were our doors open so often, our schedule of programs so diverse, our rooms so filled with civic and creative use? Never. Our performance on nearly every possible ranking continues to trend upward sometimes doubling prior periods. Tell me exactly what is the greatness you mud-slingers cling to? Are those the moments you were made to feel like the world center, that you were the raison d’etre for this community resource to exist?

The harassers continue to surface and make slanderous claims. I won’t allow it to pull me down. We can do better. The better we need has nothing to do with the taunts of those who disenfranchised themselves. The better we need is happening one encounter at a time. One new understanding, one proud moment, one hope-giving story at a time. The better comes from moving forward in spite of those who demean and accuse and are clueless as to what it takes to be a nonprofit with a building. Being better means to maintain policies, to adhere to regulations, and to comply with and enable free speech.

spaceTruth is, we are not supported like our peers in other communities whose public, education and government aspects of Community TV are connected by more than a designation. Truth is our potential is limited by the perception of value. Our value is now tangled in the chaos of a changing landscape.

  • When the first job holder declares, “I am a photographer!” clueless as to what a camera could do just one year ago
  • When the decade-old editing system does not have “auto-save”
  • When the room that once held racks of tape decks now has 20 TB of server storage that no longer seems to be big enough
  • When the … and the list goes on

The past few weeks, filled with days that felt longer than usual, included a plethora of disheartening messages. Then, the truth breaks through. The thank-yous, the hugs, the genuine appreciation. Comments such as:

I can’t say that enough. Volunteering at WPAA-TV and learning from you has helped me tremendously.

 

 

Trolls

Will things get better or worse or is incivility status quo?

Public discourse, Rich Hanley, Quinnipiac University associate journalism professor said, is “a huge chunk of civic society” but online discourse often devolves into “a cycle of rage people get caught up in.”

The rage, foul language and lack of empathy is nothing new, … and was clear in the early days of the internet.  “The whole idea of free and open discussion, the great democracy of forums, but the rules of decorum and respect disappeared and became foul.”

Source Record-Journal

Four major themes about the future of the online social climate

My Town, sorta

I live in a rather conservative suburban community. Calling it my town does not land well on my ears. I prefer to be from Greater New Haven.

It does NOT have the ‘walk for blocks and inhale humanity feel’ of communities like Portland or Providence, Boston or St. Louis. What it does have is hiking trails and some artisan shops, great local bakers and potential. The potential lies in areas where our community data exceeds the norms and kindness can make-a-difference; challenges like opioid addiction, racism and food and housing insecurity.

It has the most wonderful public library, an incredible variety of eateries, wineries, a repertory theater, chorus, YMCA, farms with CSAs and orchards. There is a thriving senior center that I have been old enough to join for some time now, but have not. It is home to an internationally recognized private school with which I have no true connections. I do have a few strong indirect connections that I have had no good reason to leverage. And, of course, there is this place I am trying to bring into its potential (with the help of others); the community TV station. #YourTownYourStation#YourVoice

Do the work and it will speak for itself.

Chalked on my message board is “A king, a czar, an emperor, a few godfathers and Peter Pan live here.” I need to add ‘maven’: the accumulator of knowledge, simplifier of process, and enabler of story.

For Community TV there is a bitter-root anchored in stories that precede my arrival in town. They remain wrapped in mysteries about parody, slander and fear. It makes organizational survival hard and the ability to succeed ever more daunting. There is a constancy to roadblocks. The reality is that one public harasser can set the work back way-too-quickly and has. I have been the target of harassment twice and bullied by town elders a few times. As a counterpoint, I have also been a best friend to ‘the other” often and a life-line to more than I can count. Herein is both the problem and the solution: the vulnerability of connections. To build community the work is making a human connection with both the disavowed and the bullies.

Our community building TV work is more than providing tools & stage. It requires an attitude that says ‘Our doors are open for just-works.’
I must remain optimistic that together with those who come through the doors we can dispel bitter-roots that rage & rumors magnify and uplift stories that humanize us all.

AnyOneCanBeFreeman

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?

Freeman Business Card
Do you have what it takes to be a card-carrying ambassador?

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

More than TV – Make Movies

If you are a filmmaker and want to know more about opportunities at WPAA-TV check out the guidelines at Film Initiative at studioW.  Or consider participating in our 3-minute movie challenges throughout the year.

3-Minute Movie Challenge

 

The program More.Than.TV Make Movies is now three times a year. It includes underwriting qualifying films for festivals. Three of the 2017 3-minute movies have been submitted to the Alliance for Community Media Hometown Video Festival. We wish the following movies good luck.

  • 06492rocks 3 Minute Movie about Wallingford CT Producer: Emma Higgens (Age 10);
  •  Dinner Time  1st production by youth team Ugly Chicken Wings Media Group Dennis Courtland King Jr, Tyler & Zachary & Aidan Koenig, and
  • something from The Sparrow Falling: The Council Scene.

If you missed the TV play of the sneak peeks of last year The Sparrow Falling you will need to be a Video Festival Judge to see it before it appears in a future episode.

Good luck to all of you.

Policy and Programs encourage film & movie making

Wallingford Public Access Association’s active support of filmmakers is now part of the mission. It was codified in policy in 2017 such that

Filmmakers are not required to be Wallingford residents. Use of any tools & stage resources by nonresidents will be subject to the guidelines of the Filmmaker Initiative in place at the time of reservation/application inclusive of a film proposal in lieu of Program Plan. Revenue seeking ventures will be subject to partnership agreements.

However, special conditions of support really began in 2013. The first policy change eased some very essential community TV requirements for filmmakers entering festivals. With proof 1st play as TV requirements could be waived. First play exemptions can be approved for documented film festival entries. 

Updates about some films

At this time support of filmmakers is random. Our location, studio and resources can be used, When support happens it means much to those filmmakers.  We provided the space and catering for producer and former intern Deanna P.

The largest project to date has been The Sparrow Falling. Episode One was released on Halloween with a screening at WPAA-TV. The filming component of the project took 180 days and involved 100 participants. Episode Two of Ten will soon be released.  The last day of filming was March 9th with this post of gratitude. To Follow The Sparrow Falling join this Facebook Group. To View: Subscribe

I choose daily

He is 22. His prospects for employment elsewhere are diminished by his capacity to focus. He tells me “I choose to work here in User Support because it makes-a-difference.” He will gladly chatter about how the shows he schedules to play as TV are important to watch until he is reminded: Yes, it is time to schedule those shows.

AARP Purpose Prize Stories  tell of thousands being served through organizations seeded and nurtured by individuals 50-plus. My cost-benefit mind does somersaults at the idea of serving thousands in meaningful life-changing ways. I am curious about the connections, teams, dollars and obstacles that are dynamics within each of these stories. I also wonder how many 50-plus individuals facing a down-turned economy created themselves paying jobs. In my heart I applaud those who turned a personal loss or wound into something worthy. The stories are inspiring and I look forward to reading about more each year. And yes, I do wonder what would I do with a “purpose prize” that is different than what I choose to do daily?

Similarly, I am curious about the stories unknown to me about what I voluntarily commit to everyday in a narrow one-engagement-at-a-time, sort-of-way.  Who may be learning English or Spanish? Who may be inspired by a science video, or a story of a woman at mid-life, or helped by community minded therapists? Who feels more connected by stories of our the community?  Who will get a home repaired, better access to health care, help with taxes, domestic abuse or discover a local nonprofit committed to a better community for all. Some may even make a life changing connection because of something they have seen on citizen-made community-oriented television? I know I have.

who else will Choose to join?

To keep this hyper-local experiment in democracy, Community TV , going it takes a few others to be committed along with me to this idea of exploring, creating and informing in the public interest. However, I am keenly aware that if I did not show up each day this experiment would not be all it can be and that choosing each day to ‘be present’ is good; but still not enough.

Fifty Thousand Dollars

When I made this post I was feeling with intensity that we may have lost 365 days of closeness to the goal to be mortgage-free because of unexpected ghost-like equipment breakdowns. I mused that if I could win a purpose-prize or find some other means to raise $50,000 I would encourage the governance team to check off one strategic goal related to sustainability: To  finalize ownership of the property at 28 So Orchard St. Wallingford CT.

Being debt-free would enable a strategic plan now targeted to start in 2022 to support more programs with modest increases in staff. The hours for that 22 year old could be more than 10 per week and others who may still not have discovered us could become part of a team making informing connection to each other and their community with televised stories. In reality it may not be a whole lot different — except for one thing keeping the doors open  would no longer be depending on me.

I choose daily to serve my community keenly aware that it matters more that community voices are heard and make-a-difference one connection at a time after I am gone.

Susan Adele Huizenga (Volunteer) Executive Director

 

Scoring low on Diversity bothers me …

As I reflect on my year with WPAA-TV, I open a large manila envelope that contains review comments about the 2016 Video Festival Reel which was edited to represent what made 2016 different during our year together.

The reel was submitted with this description of 2016.

We hope you enjoy your video visit to wpaa.tv viewing our compilation reel: More.Than.TV

About our year 2016:
More.Than.TV was adopted in a strategic planning session. In an Aha moment our board realized the new logo [a ‘play-button’ between our organization abbreviation WPAA (Wallingford Public Access Association) and TV] essentially said what we want to be, when typed: WPAA > TV. Yes, we are ‘greater than’ TV.

What constitutes More.Than.TV
In January, we launched Destination Station to attract performance artists and filmmakers. By April, a local producer started a bi-monthly/audience welcome show, Music with Purpose. Both attracted dozens of new visitors per show in addition to versatile talent, Be The Music, our hyper-local loop of music by local musicians, concurrently got a boost when we added musicians performing at WPAA-TV to those eligible to be our alternative to a radio station backdrop to local messages.

Word did get out. Filmmakers began to understand that our equipment was available at no charge, and we distributed content with a duration other than 30, 60 or 120 minutes. Some used our studio, others borrowed remote equipment or editing tools to make short films. By Christmas, a newly forming ensemble of actors joined a local producer on a 10-episode film for 2017 release, The Sparrow Falling. The initial 20 seconds show tease “the orb” was re-purposed art from our #PowerfulWildFree4Arts sculpture exhibit.

Supporting nonprofits and finding more ways to engage local business was our counterpoint to the arts. Some businesses joined with producers, civic groups and citizens to make a Holiday Greeting, a decade-old WPAA tradition. Others participated in a new show CommUnity Conversations. Some did event Public Service Announcements. (PSA) In August, #In2Languages, a four-way community-outreach and business collaboration, was successfully launched. #In2Languages uses free Global News content in English from German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, available to all Access Stations, with locally donor-funded versions of the same content in Spanish.

In 2016, WPAA-TV was sought out as a host training location for differently-abled individuals. Our graphics and audio capabilities were enhanced with these affiliations. We included some new promotional graphics at the end of our submission for overall excellence with samples of announcements including our own programs such as #GoodEnough2Share.

About the video festival
As a judging location, we take this festival and the commitment to judging very seriously.

Our score was two out of five in the criteria about representing different segments of our community. Two comments in support of this low score merely said, “needs more diversity.”  Nothing explained what was perceived as missing. This was perplexing. In addition to having content in two languages, we considered that being inclusive was our strength.

A 20-minute reel represents about 3,000 plus hours of content. Our reel had the following:
Types of programs Performance, Talk Shows, PSAs, Four different styles of film, Animation, LIVE, Remote, and Community Message Graphics;
Ages Kids, Youth, Seniors and everything in between;
Religion Christian, Jewish, Muslim;
Issues  Fitness, Mental Health, Business-Local, Manufacturing and Nonprofit, At-Risk Children, Veterans, African Dream; and
Race  More representative than our community.
Topics ranged from Medieval History to event promotion to role of nonprofits in the community to celebrating community.

I agree that our producers did not take great care about ‘audio cable visibility…’ but to identify WPAA-TV as lacking diversity… Makes me wonder if I need to represent the people on the margins rather than what walks in the door to be considered achieving our mission with excellence.

We Adapt to be Relevant, But …

WPAA Corporate Statement of Purpose
To provide all manner of support for the creation and distribution of non-commercial community media

What are our communities of interest? Actually, there are a few: the people engaging with what is happening locally, the people developing their media skills, and our peers supporting the creation and distribution of content.

Four decades of technology and communications transformation means there is no status quo regarding outside forces that impact the creation and distribution of community media. This means relevancy needs to connect to an assessment of the original vision, the make-up of communities, and the cultural influences on communications. What this means on the ground at WPAA-TV is that policy is subject to change, that decisions and regulations of the past are subject to reassessment, and that we cannot assume we will remain funded or that our communities of concerns, skills, and interest will consider us relevant.

Seizing Opportunities

It has been said that we are flexible for whatever or whoever walks in the door. In so many ways this is true and vital to our ability to serve. Essential to the success of our adaptive process is curiosity, impulse control, the ability to create space between thinking and re(action) and the checking of egos at the door. We adapt to be relevant. However, there are policies and responsibilities that we adhere to for fairness, good stewardship of the tools & stage, and to ensure organizational viability.

Can agility beGET Failure?

An agile organization plans and adapts. An agile senior is one with keen mental acuity. Agile is a Project Management Methodology marked by short phases of work and frequent reassessment and adaptation of plans intended to support quick and nimble forward movement. Effective outcomes in agile change processes paradoxically rely on a firmly established vision, goals and norms as well as adaptive leadership by both the administrator and governance team. To move quickly and easily has great value when a toddler is learning to walk, but once you are able to walk you need to know where you want to go to turn walking into success.

Community TV attracts egos like bears to honey so being prepared for their impact, good or bad, is critical to a station’s successful outcomes. Community TV, by design, helps people discover and use their voices, collectively. Egotistical people can disrupt the discovery process intended to be available to everyone. There is real potential for one emphatic person who lacks skills or experience or framework for communication, or buy-in to a shared vision, or openness to alternatives, to implode a team experience.

Guidelines and documented processes, often considered oppressive by the egoistic, are essential for transformative uncharted discovery. Every encounter can be a learning opportunity that feeds the institutional knowledge of the organization. Agile sans vision, or openness to learning by all, can be the reason that efforts to thrive can sometimes fail to survive. Process matters; improved process matters more. Equitable beneficial engagement is the vision agility must support.

Can ‘Status Quo’ be Disruptive FOR THE GOOD?

Community TV is compelled to move forward on two different footings: one geared toward efficiency and stability and the other innovation and change. Is there some aspect of doing the same things, maintaining the status quo that disrupts progress toward these ends? Is there intrinsic value in some status quo behavior? Societal transformation will happen due to the sheer ability to carry a computer in one’s pocket. Can clinging to the status quo, in an environment where the pace of change and the expectations of a population are enabled, be disruptive or retarded? It is widely assumed that status quo behavior is a barrier to change, that change is not readily adopted, and change can lead to either failure or success. Inertia can lead to opportunity costs losses, because in reality, outside forces are moving.

As survival and strategic direction is assessed it is the status quo values of democracy and equity and service that still frame any discussion of relevancy.

Crowd sourcing of ideas AND RESOURCES

Collaborative engagement has appeal in a world of diminished resources. It also appeals to funders. But it is not without its pitfalls. Small organizations, almost by definition, have limited resources. In a more connected world, engagement and collaboration are potential tools to overcome resource limits. However, it is essential to identify shared visions early in the collaboration process as these opportunities are also resource consumers and being on the giving without the receiving end of a collaboration not only feels bad it can create more imbalance. Alliances need to include an assessment of mission similarities, conflicts and opportunities. It is not as simple as a chat and a handshake to keep forward momentum and achieve outcomes across multiple domains of interest. As rules and/or policies help manage within the limits so do memoranda of understanding.

Having individuals and organization partners hypothetically infers the plausibility of relevancy. But if the only commitment of the partnering is promotion of the service you are providing is not happening, then you are merely a service provider not a partner or collaborator. Actions ultimately determine relevancy.