Dear Member,
     Over the past several months you have seen KRCB increasingly using the expression “public media” rather than “public broadcasting.” I thought you might be curious what that shift signified.
     As we have discussed in these pages over the past two years, KRCB has a broad definition of our job in the community. Our mission statement captures the commitment most clearly: “In order to encourage full participation in society and community, KRCB provides educational, informational, and cultural telecommunications services in partnership with our community.” Our goal is not simply to provide the best possible television and radio service, but to use all the telecommunications tools available to us to serve the community. So you will see an increasing amount of content and opportunity to communicate and discuss at our web site, krcb.org. We will welcome your feedback as this service develops.
     And because we are working “in partnership with our community,” you will find us very present outside of our studios, working with our valuable community colleagues to focus attention, stimulate discussion, and encourage engagement across a wide range of issues and concerns. So, “public media” encompasses all the tools available to us to carry out that very ambitious mission statement. And, as I always say, your loyal and generous support makes it possible for KRCB to be one of the most forward looking stations in the nation.
     Thanks a million.

Nancy Dobbs

   December brings two local productions to the air, both a result of partnerships with strong community organizations.
   The partnership with Climate One, a project of the Commonwealth Club, is described on page 3 in the December Open Air. We here at KRCB believe that the information presented in this series is critical to our understanding of the debates on climate change issues. Too often commercial media presents “information” in an hysterical, misleading, dis-information style, as fed to them by special interest groups. You will find on KRCB Television and Radio just the opposite —the information you need to understand the range of the debate and to make up your own mind.
   Another wonderful partnership continues to grow with Community Action Partnership (CAP) of Sonoma County. On December 28, catch the special produced by CAP teen leaders along with KRCB’s Voice of Youth team. Our young citizen journalists wanted to examine the impact of the economic crisis, close to home. Not only did the teens learn all aspects of video production (and you will be able to see their work), but we are consciously involving these youth in difficult community issues which we must all solve together. That is the stuff of great community collaboration and you help make it happen.
   Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Nancy Dobbs, President & CEO