Roundup: “Try Something New”
 |
“Try Something New”
January 7, 2025
It’s a new year and this is a popular time for people to make resolutions, join gyms, pledge to lose weight, explore a dry January, and possibly start some new activity. For the first time in ages, I don’t have some hard and fast resolutions. I keep pondering them, but have not committed to anything yet.
In the past I have resolved to look up more often and to breathe more deeply. Not this year. I just have not landed on one yet, she said looking up and breathing deeply. Have you?
Here at KWMR we strive to think outside of the box. To be open to anyone’s suggestion for a new show on the airwaves (within reason), and to not fall into the “we tried that before and it didn’t work,” or “we don’t do things like that.”
We have tried long pledge drives, short pledge drives, super short pledge drives, but we have never tried to NOT do a pledge drive, until now. We just didn’t do one this time.
And we did ok, (see above for KWMR’s End-Of-Year Appeal fundraising progress as of 1pm today) but we didn’t do as well as we had hoped. So we are thinking about next steps. We will keep you posted. If you sat this one out since you could not donate to your favorite show, take advantage of the “message” when you contribute, and check “On Air Programming” as your desired value. We will be sure that the programmer knows that you LOVE them!
Thank you to those of you who enthusiastically said you would opt in for a KWMR text during on air emergency announcements. We are working on this feature, and will keep you all informed.
As we look forward into 2025, what does that hold for KWMR? I will let you know what I am pondering….
– Continue connecting with our fellow nonprofits and businesses in West Marin. Help get their information about programs, events, and other offerings onto the airwaves, and into our digital media to help our partners (and KWMR) THRIVE!
– Work to increase community connection by hosting KWMR events and supporting our partners at their events.- Stabilize all of the digital formats including the app and the website for ease of accessing streaming audio as well as archives.
– Improve emergency information dissemination to the public and work closely with first responders and the Office of Emergency Management, as well as the Disaster Councils.
– Plan for our second annual KWMR Day (May 2nd) and Spring Pledge Drive omplete with an amazing party! (put this on your calendar).
There is always a lot to do even running a small radio station. What I truly love is that it is not boring. Not even one tiny bit. I love that we have technical equipment on the top of big hills, that we have our cozy CD filled office and studio right here in Point Reyes Station and that I can walk down the street to get the mail and interact with listeners from all over West Marin.
The cast of characters that come into the station to host their programs are an endless delight. Bringing their varied musical tastes and compelling interviews.
I’m also happy to have events back in the fold. “It’s a Wonderful Life” was, well for lack of a better word, WONDERFUL! And Sweethearts of the Radio is coming up fast and tickets are selling! Don’t be left out in the cold on February 22nd when you could be sitting with friends listening to the tunes of Laurie Lewis and Nina Gerber and Misner and Smith! And yes, the KWMBaR will be there.
So, here we go. Hold on to your hat. I anticipate that we will all need each other more than ever in 2025. KWMR intends to be here, so let’s do this!
Amanda Eichstaedt
Station Manager and Executive Director