4RPH

OPEN MIKE – December 2015

Our last Newsletter was in September, and so much has happened since then......

What's new.

We've signed the lease, and all going well, we're here until November, 2020.

We have a new carpet, new vinyl in the kitchen, and we've discarded a goodly bit of furniture, and re-arranged a bit more. The desk in Studio 1 has been replaced with one donated by John Tennock. The discarded furniture is in the garage. If you see something there that you can use, tell Nadine....then it's all yours......

AGM.

The Board of Directors is:- President: Graham Bailey, acting Vice President : Steve Richardson, acting Secretary: Ed Richardson, acting Treasurer; Terry O'Neill, Directors: John Macnaughton, John Tennock, Brenda Bailey, Barry Holland. We hope to make some exciting announcements during 2016.

Bob Harris.

Our long serving Treasurer / Bookkeeper who had a nasty fall a while ago and has been incapacitated as a result, is improving in leaps and bounds, and will be returning in the not too distant future.

What Makes Us Tick.

Have you been interviewed yet for "What Makes Us Tick"? Brenda has recorded 32 so far but more are needed, so ring Brenda on 3161-9479, or mobile 0413678557, or email her on or leave your phone number when you are at the station and Brenda will phone you. You can listen on Wednesdays at 9.50am to hear the programme, and request that an mp3 copy of your interview be emailed to you. Programmes approved by the interviewees are available on our website to listen to or to download.

Marketing 4RPH: The Future
Ever since I first discovered the station, while scanning the car radio dial looking for something worth listening to, 4RPH has been an important part of my life. I love the straightforward approach to sharing valuable information free of spin, celebrity personalities and trivial or sensationalised commentary.
I always loved reading aloud to my kids so it was easy to step into the role of reader. I didn't foresee that over the years, I would add the roles of announcer, webmaster and board member, and that my wife would also become involved. A real family affair! I have discovered that stories like this are quite common among the 4RPH volunteer crew. They are part of our cultural heritage.
Since joining the 4RPH board in August last year, and then being asked to co-ordinate our marketing efforts, I have given a lot of thought, and had a lot of conversations, about what this means for 4RPH in an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing media landscape.
Broadly speaking I suppose it means increasing the visibility, and relevance, of 4RPH to potential listeners, volunteers, sponsors and donors.
Before wasting time and money following dead-end paths I would love to have a discussion with as many members as possible about how we might we do this?
I am convinced that the development of a successful marketing strategy starts with asking the question Why? For example:

  • Why do we, as individuals, do what we do within 4RPH? What drives us? What gives us satisfaction?
  • Why does 4RPH as an organisation do what it does? Who benefits?
  • Why would a potential sponsor choose to pay for a 'spot' in our line-up? What is the experience of our existing sponsors?
  • Why would a generous philanthropist consider 4RPH a worthy recipient for a financial donation? What makes our story 'special'?

I'm sure that there are many different answers to these questions and I plan to organise a workshop early in 2016 to provide an opportunity to discuss these as we progress from the question Why? to plan specific actions that answer the questions What? When? and How?
I will send out more information about this workshop as the details become clearer. Meantime I would love to receive your responses to these questions, as this will help define the content and structure of the workshop. Please email me at . If you would rather meet up for a chat feel free to phone me or SMS to 0428 439 001.
You can also respond by filling in a confidential survey form on our website here.
John Tennock, Director Marketing

Nadine's Desk.

I can't believe 2015 is almost over. The year has gone by so quickly and we all look forward to a new and exciting 2016 ahead. In this last year we've had a change that some will obviously notice right away and that is the carpet has been completely replaced. No more mouldy smells and having all the areas the same makes the office look fresh and exciting. So far no more flooding in the office and the recent storms haven't given us the downpours we have been promised...thank goodness!

For all those musically enthusiastic people...Steve Sparrow (one of our wonderful production technicians) has finally finished his new album. You can download it on i tunes or I have hard copies (CD's) in the office. They are $20 each and after listening to it a few times I'm very impressed. It's always great to encourage new and local talent. If anyone would like a copy please let me know and I'll keep one aside. The album is called "Paint Your Cactus Green" if you prefer to purchase from i tunes. (Album Cover attached)

If you have tuned in over the past 2 months you'll have noticed we have been playing reruns of Audrey Harris's programmes. Bob had taken a fall and as a result Audrey has taken a break from recording to be his carer. I have heard Bob has almost completely recovered and is chomping at the bit to return to 4RPH. He thanks everyone who took to time to wish him well in his recovery. We look forward to both their returns and after such a long break!

Exciting news about our "What Makes Us Tick" programme. We have placed approved interviews you did with Brenda Bailey, up on the 4RPH website so you'll be able to download the podcast and listen at your leisure. If you happen to miss the airing or wanted to hear yours or anyone else's again then make sure you check it out. We have been seeking permission from all who did one. We have had a huge positive response and they will be placed very shortly. You'll also notice that a 'Donate' button has also been placed on the website.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank EVERYONE for their support during 2015 with live readings and recorded programmes. We wouldn't be here without you. Thank you also goes out to our production techies (Richo, Paul and Sparrow). You do a terrific job. Thank you to Judy for giving me a break and being in the office when it can sometimes be a mad house. You are very much appreciated. Thank you to Ed for his persistence in attending even when he's obviously not always well. I don't know anyone who has as much fortitude as you. There's a lot to be said for being passionate about what you do...but Ed does go overboard. I defy anyone to give as much.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I look forward to an exciting and new 2016.

Cheers

Nadine

(Christmas Willow attached)

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone connected with the Station a Happy and Healthy New Year.

That's all for this month.

Cheers, Mike