Dramatic nationwide declines in local programming have generally resulted in the homogenization of musical programming and superficial treatment of complex issues. The vast majority of the radio landscape can now be regarded as "infotainment" designed to sell products.

 

BCR's Philosophy:
Boise Community Radio (BCR), is a group of local volunteers, who believe that it is vitally important for residents of the Treasure Valley to have access to a more democratic form of radio programming—one that better reflects the character of our community. We are currently without a radio alternative that is responsive to community concerns, emphasizing locally programmed content.

BCR will provide listeners with a delicious variety of music, while engendering true representation in the discussion of local issues. Programming will be a result of choices made by and for members of our community. By giving residents of our area a public voice, BCR seeks to reincorporate citizen advocacy and community interest in the civic decision-making process.

BCR's Values:
Boise Community Radio's programming priorities will be based on principles of public interest and musical diversity. They will be governed by local input and feedback gathered from various segments of the community regarded as citizen and organizational constituents heretofore underrepresented in existing commercial and public radio broadcasts in the region. Additionally, BCR will continually strive to provide a performance platform for the creative skills of local musicians and verbal artists.

Boise Community Radio will provide an educational media clearinghouse in areas of public interest for the distribution of news, events education, issues reporting, and other information impacting the community, not reported or not fully reported in the Treasure Valley.

BCR will act as a conduit to public affairs organizers seeking to make available information about community services and other activities serving the welfare of the community.

 

 

We are well on our way to establishing a new public resource in the Treasure Valley. BCR still has an exciting window of opportunity in what is one of the largest areas for proposed service by a community radio station in the nation.

 

Listed below are the successes that BCR has had, thus far:

• March 2002: First Board established
• April 2002: Preliminary technical feasibility analysis
• February 2003: Obtained preliminary tower space agreement
• March 2003: Incorporation/501C3 status recognized
• April 2003: "100 Founders Campaign" initiated
• May 2004: Initial broadcast testing, signal strength surveys
• October 2004: Received federal planning grant from U.S. Department of Commerce
• July 2005: Launched 24-hour Internet broadcast and initiated local issues oriented programming
• February 2006: Carriage agreements with KRFP (Moscow) for distribution of "Sagebrush Variety Show", "Idaho Skies", and "Outside The Frame"
• July 2006: Live broadcasts from Record Exchange, Fall for Boise, Worldfest
• November 2006: Amy Goodman benefit event
• September 2007: Board expansion
• September 2007: Awarded grant from Idaho Humanities Council/NEH
• October 2007: Filed broadcast license application with FCC
• January 2008: Awarded grant from Boise City Arts Commission
• January 2008: Filed settlement agreement with FCC obtaining "singleton" status
• February 2008: Filed U.S. Department of Commerce "construction funding" application
• March 2008: Awarded grant form Fund for Idaho
• April 2008: Granted construction permit from FCC authorizing terrestrial operations on 89.9 FM

• Expand fundraising and outreach programs
• Continue to recruit volunteers
• Solicit programming proposals from the community
• Establish Standing Committees
• Continue to refine technical solutions pertaining to the broadcast network

BCR's Board of Directors:

Jeff Abrams, Executive Director/Chair - Jeff has been in Boise for over 10 years. After living in the Salt Lake City area listening to community radio station KRCL, he recognized the value of listener-supported radio, produced by and delivered to a local audience; He has worked professionally in the communications media field of graphic design and advertising and as a biologist for Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Kim Thompson, Vice-Chair - Kim has ten years experience in advertising, marketing and media; She was Senior Account Manager at public radio station KQED responsible for community relations, major account sponsorships and underwriting participation and has been a regular volunteer for the Tibetan Resettlement Project.

James Turner, Vice-Chair - James is a local business owner and a fine artist who designs and installs ceramic tile applications. James has volunteered in Boise's non-profit community as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Idaho Wildlife Federation, and the state chapter of the National Wildlife Association.

Steve Fulton - Steve is a owner of AudioLab studios; Live concert production; Audio Engineer/ Producer; Sound designer/editor and composer for Film and Video; As a musician has commercially released full length studio recordings and toured in the United States and Europe. He is also the creator and producer of "Words & Music" a showcase of singer/songwriters.

Patty Haller - Patty is the Assistant Director of the Idaho Office for Refugees. She has also worked in state government and higher education and has written and managed several federal grants.

Art Hodge, Secretary - Art is a Grammy award-winning music producer who has composed music for notable films, TV shows and commercials; he is also an adjunct professor at BSU teaching music production to local aspiring musicians and holds a law degree.

Dave Krick - Dave founded Bittercreek Alehouse in 1995 and has since opened five restaurants in Downtown Boise. Founding member of Treasure Valley Food Coalition, a non-profit with a mission to develop a local/ regional food system. Former Chamber of Commerce Board/Executive committee member and former President Downtown Boise Association Board of Directors. Currently serving on the board of Idaho Green Expo, Sanctuary Homeless Shelter and Treasure Valley Food Coalition. Twelve years in manufacturing management/training at HP.

Jerome Mapp - Jerome is a former Boise City Council member and acted as Council Pro-tem for one year and two years Council President. He has previous radio experience in Pocatello at Idaho State University (KBGL-FM) and KWIK-AM and co-hosted the Soul Patrol with the late Jim Edwards on KBSU-FM. He also had short stays at two local stations KIZN and KISS radio. He has been an avid music listener and collector since he was five years old.

Scot Oliver - Scot works as special projects manager for Boise's redevelopment agency, and is a singer/songwriter and guitar-maker. He was a founding board member and DJ at WMMT-FM, a community-based station in eastern Kentucky that just celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Jack Van Valkenburgh - Jack is the Executive Director of the ACLU of Idaho. He has served two terms on the national ACLU's Executive Directors Council - the association of ACLU state-affiliate executive directors. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Ada County Human Rights Task Force and on the board of directors of Freedom Means Choice.

BCR will draw on the rich experiences, interests and ideas of its volunteers, providing an outlet for the energies of the community, weaving a vibrant fabric of programming, reflective of the region.

BCR's Steering Committee:
Gwen Sanchirico - Operations and Technology
Robert McMinn - Public Affairs
Dave Foster - Development and Outreach
Jason Duncan - At-large member
Jeff Abrams - General Manager

BCR is committed to developing and sustaining civic relationships. This has been evidenced in our ability to engage a widely diverse group of community organizations and individuals that have provided feedback for programming principles and evaluation of BCR's project goals.

Already, dozens of diverse organizations, individuals, and businesses have contributed to initial success and momentum of BCR. These groups seek to expand awareness of issues such as: freedom of speech, cultural identity, arts and humanities, public health, environment, disability awareness, social welfare, women's issues, and public governance. The following individuals and organizations have provided formal endorsements of BCR:

American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho, Mr. Rick Ardinger - Idaho Humanities Council, Betsy Dunklin, Idaho Nurses Association, Idaho Peace Coalition, Idaho Rivers United, Idaho State Independent Living Council, Idaho Smart Growth, Idaho Womens' Network, Mr. Paul Shaffer - The Cabin, Office of the Mayor of Nampa, Dr. Ed McLuskie - Professor, Boise State University Communications Department, Dr. Mary E. Rohlfing, PhD - Professor, Boise State University Communications Department, Representative Anne Pasley-Stuart, Former Representative Ken Robison, Snake River Alliance, Women of Color Alliance, Diane Ronayne, Mr. John Hess - General Manager, Boise State Radio, Mr. Dave Bieter - Mayor of Boise, Mr. Paul Woods - Ada County Commissioner, Ms Gail Heylmun - Fund for Idaho, Mrs. Mary Jane Oatman-Wak Wak - Executive Director - Idaho Indian Education Committee - Idaho Dept. of Education, Ms Rowena E. Pineda - Executive Director - Idaho Community Action Network, Mr. Anthony Haws - executive Director - Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho, Mr. Jan Reeves - Idaho Office for Refugees, Mr. Jim Hansen - Executive Director - United Vision for Idaho, Mr. Phillip Kushlan - CCDC