9:30-10:35 am
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Overview
Target Audience: station managers, business managers, accounting/finance managers
Target Licensee Type: Television and Radio
Field of Study: Compliance

NASBA: 1.0 (Auditing)
SHRM: 1.0 (Business Acumen)
HRCI: 1.0

Concurrent Session I
CPB OIG – Your Questions Answered!

The OIG is continuing its regular audit, evaluation and investigative activities. We are currently operating in a hybrid environment and conducting work remotely and onsite. The OIG will discuss the areas with our most significant and recurring audit findings, what to expect from OIG audits and evaluations and how your station can remain compliant with Communications Act and General Provisions requirements. The OIG will also discuss challenges identified during recent audits and evaluations and how you can prepare to avoid these challenges by sharing best practices found in our work. The OIG will also review fraud and cyber security awareness and how remote/hybrid work can create the need for stronger for internal controls at stations.

Learning Objectives

• Learn the issues and challenges that the OIG has identified in its station audits and limited scope evaluations.
• Learn what to expect if the OIG conducts an audit or evaluation of your station and how to ensure compliance.
• Learn what you should be doing to guard against potential fraud and cyber security threats at your station.

Speakers

Kimberly Howell
Inspector General
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)

Debra Jacobson
Senior Team Leader
CPB OIG

Helen Mollick
Counsel and Assistant Inspector General for Investigations
CPB OIG

Julia Stancil
Senior Team Leader
CPB OIG

9:30-10:35 am
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Foundational
Target Audience: HR professionals and C-level stakeholders (GMs, etc.)
Target Licensee Type: Television and Radio
Field of Study: Personal Development

NASBA: 1.0 (Personnel/Human Resources)
SHRM: 1.0 (Business Acumen)
HRCI: 0.75

Concurrent Session II
Managing Burnout

Leveraging Your Strengths to Avoid Burnout. Research shows that when you invest time and energy on developing a strength you get more return, but what happens when you are feeling burned out? Could your overuse of your strengths be the cause and if so, what are some strategies to address those patterns?

Speaker

Michal Heiplik
President & CEO
CDP

9:30-10:35 am
Continuing Education

Concurrent Session III
Millennials Thoughts on our Core Values

Millennials are a growing part of public radio’s audience. Engaging with them is vital for our collective success. They also see the world very differently than older generations of listeners, including motivations for supporting the causes they care deeply about. New findings from Edison Research and Giving Agency sheds insight on what millennial “super fan” listeners find unique and valuable about public radio…and how we should reframe the way we communicate our core values and stewardship. You’ll walk away with actionable ideas to share throughout your organization to revitalize station communications, engagement, promotions and fundraising to connect more deeply with millennial listeners.

Speaker

Eric Nuzum

Mike Wallace

10:45–11:45 am
Continuing Education

Concurrent Session I
ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN and Business Opportunities

ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology will enable Public Broadcasters an opportunity to bring new applications and services to their communities that can bring revenue and/or increased funding. Hear from a leader in ATSC 3.0 deployments and innovation, Fred Engel, CTO at PBS North Carolina.

Speaker

Fred Engel
Chief Technology Officer
PBS North Carolina

1:45–3:00pm

Livestreamed to virtual audience. Recorded for later viewing
Interactive, presentation and Q&A

Concurrent Session I
Successful Public Media Mergers, Collaborations, and Strategic Alliances (CPB)

Learn about public media stations that have undertaken successful mergers, collaborations, and strategic alliances to better serve their communities and achieve significant efficiencies. This session will focus on station initiatives that received CPB collaboration grant funding and were part of a 2023 evaluation by See Change Institute, a research and evaluation firm that worked with CPB to examine the efficacy of CPB funding for collaborations, individual station outcomes, key takeaways, and best practices. CPB will share findings from See Change’s evaluation, including the key components to a successful collaboration, a sampling of individual station outcomes, and details about current available CPB funding. Since 2011, CPB has provided more than $17.5 million to support significant mergers and collaborations among public media stations.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how strategic collaborations can increase local production, grow organizational capacity, create financial efficiency and sustainability, preserve local service for at-risk stations, and strengthen connections between stations and their respective audiences and funders.

2. Learn about three primary predictors of collaboration success: (1) stations that were at risk but committed to a successful outcome for their communities; (2) stations that had pre-existing trusting relationships with their collaborators; and (3) stations that were prepared for roadblocks along the way.
3. Learn about the CPB grant programs to support strategic collaborations and consolidations that benefit individual stations and the public media system overall.

Speaker

Kate Arno
VP CSG, and Station Initiatives
Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Shawn Richardson
Director, Business & Administration, Innovation and System Strategies
Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Beth Karlin
CEO, Research Psychologist and Program Evaluator
See Change Institute

Beth Walsh
VP System Strategies
Corporation for Public Broadcasting

1:45–3:00pm
Continuing Education

Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Overview
Target Audience: general managers, development professionals, Chief Financial Officers
Target Licensee Type: Joint Licensee
Field of Study: Fundraising

NASBA: 1.5 (Finance)
SHRM: 1.25 (Business Acumen)
HRCI: 1.25

Concurrent Session II
Accounting & Auditing Update, AFR Tips, and Grant Revenue Recognition

Learn about the most recent and pertinent updates from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) that may impact your station. Gain insight into the accounting, auditing and AFR submission process gleaned from numerous successful audits, including how to work with your auditor for successful AFR submissions. Obtain a thorough understanding of grant revenue recognition for proper reporting under generally accepted accounting principles, including a deep dive into the requirements under FASB and GASB.

Speaker

Jane Lastinger
CPA Director
James Moore & Co.

1:45–3:00pm
Continuing Education

Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Overview
Target Audience: general managers, development professionals, Chief Financial Officers
Target Licensee Type: Joint Licensee
Field of Study: Fundraising

NASBA: 1.5 (Finance)
SHRM: 1.25 (Business Acumen)
HRCI: 1.25

Concurrent Session III
Disengaged Employee? The Why, The Risks and the Solution

Because disengaged employees now represent almost 87% of the workforce, we cannot avoid or ignore this problem if we want a productive team. This presentation will provide the steps on how to spot it and address it to create an environment in which they will thrive.

Speaker

Monica Cruz
Chief Human Resources Officer
WLRN

4:30–5:30pm
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: Anyone working in the digital content or fundraising space, especially those at risk-averse stations
Target Licensee Type: Television, Radio, and Joint Licensees
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge & Application

NASBA: 1.0 (Specialized Knowledge)
SHRM: 1.0 (Business Acumen)
HRCI: 1.0

Concurrent Session I
Fostering Funding through Community Impact

Since releasing our Public Media Model for Community Engagement for stations nationwide 15 years ago, Nine PBS has grown our community impact work exponentially, raising millions of dollars each year in support of our Early Learning Initiative, Pathways to Work, and Special Projects and building a team of sixteen full-time and part-time staff. With the increase of funder support, Nine PBS quickly responded – putting in place a range of processes to effectively steward resources. In this presentation, Nine PBS’s finance and community impact teams will share strategies that have been successful for engaging the community, assessing impact, tracking expenses and revenue, and attracting new grant funding sources. This interactive presentation will also reflect on challenges, learnings, and ah-ha moments that have informed our financial strategies over the years.

Speakers

Angela Carr
VP & Chief Impact Officer
Nine PBS

Lizzy Peterson
Nine PBS

4:30–5:30pm
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Target Audience:
Target Licensee Type: Joint Licensee
Field of Study: Personnel/HR

NASBA:
SHRM:
HRCI:

Concurrent Session II
Breaking down barriers to application through position description development

Today’s workforce is quickly evolving. The Boomer generation is retiring, younger generations have different workplace values, and organizations are facing unprecedented challenges in hiring. Recruitment is on everyone’s mind. Who is leaving next? When can we get a replacement? How can we make this process faster? How can we attract a more diverse applicant pool? These are questions that frequent the minds of hiring managers. In this session, you’ll learn an updated approach to drafting position descriptions that help mitigate current challenges we face in recruitment, eliminate barriers to application, and why it will be a benefit to your organization.

Learning Objectives:
Learn how outdated, traditional position descriptions and recruitment practices can result in a less diverse applicant pool and a less equitable process and/or end result.

Speaker

Angie Rosas
Chief of Staff
Wisconsin Public Media

Fred Schulze 
HR Manager
Wisconsin Public Media

4:30–5:30pm
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Overview
Target Audience: Chief Financial Officers or financial/accounting staff from any organization that creates financial reports and/or undergoes an audit—both institutional and non-institutional licensees
Target Licensee Type: Joint Licensee
Field of Study: Accounting

NASBA: 1.0 (Accounting)
SHRM: 1.0 (Business Acumen)
HRCI: 0.75

Concurrent Session III
Stress-test fundraising

When was the last time your organization’s finance team sat down and analyzed the risks associated with operating a ‘business’? Whether it is multiple vendors, changes to technology and infrastructure, remote or reduced staff, or even ‘acts of God’, stations must do more than strive to keep the lights on. In moments of crisis, the ability of your organization to successfully serve your local community rests in the steps you make today to ensure business continuity before a crisis strikes. In this session, you will learn how to assess the often-overlooked risks in running an organization and make steps towards reducing risk by deploying readily available strategies that help ensure predictable revenue no matter the fundraising climate.

Speaker

Michal Heiplik
President & CEO
CDP

8:30–9:45am

Livestreamed to virtual audience, speakers to appear on camera.

Concurrent Session I
Understanding Your Community Service Grant (CPB)

This session provides a substantial overview of CPB’s radio and television Community Service Grant (CSG) programs. CSG grantees and those who are new to the public media system will gain insights into the components of the CSG awards, how the awards are calculated, grant terms and conditions, and how to estimate a grantee’s fiscal year 20254 CSG, and recent policy changes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will gain a solid understanding of the radio and television Community Service Grants (CSGs) and how they are calculated.
2. The presentation will provide attendees with an overview of CSG eligibility criteria and the terms and conditions of their grant awards.
3. Attendees will obtain information on sources of online training and help desk support for their grant compliance efforts.

Speakers

Katherine Arno
Vice President, Community Service Grants and Station Initiatives
Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Tim Bawcombe
Director of TV CSG Policy and Review
Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Andrew Charnik
Director, Radio CSG Policy & Administration
Corporation for Public Broadcasting

8:30–9:45am
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: Managers, division directors, department heads at university and other institutional licensees
Target Licensee Type: Radio, TV, and Joint Licensees to institutions/universities
Field of Study: Business Management & Operations

NASBA: 1.5 (Business Management & Organization)
SHRM: 1.25 (Business Acumen)
HRCI: 1.25

Concurrent Session III
Leveraging AI for HR Excellence: A Path to Transformative Strategies

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, Human Resources (HR) professionals face the dual challenge of managing traditional HR functions while adapting to the digital age. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a remarkable opportunity to reshape HR practices, streamline processes, and unlock valuable insights. This proposal outlines a session that explores the integration of AI into HR operations, focusing on how it can drive HR excellence, improve decision-making, and enhance the overall employee experience. The intent is to present innovative and unique strategies for HR professionals, reflecting the dynamic nature of public media stations. We will provide fresh perspectives on the evolving relationship between HR and AI, showing attendees new possibilities for their stations.

Speaker

Sonja Pasquantonio
VP | Human Resources, Training and Development
Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc

8:30–9:45am
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Overview
Target Audience: Human Resources and those supervising HR; personnel responsible for FCC compliance
Target Licensee Type: Joint Licensee
Field of Study: Personnel/HR

NASBA: 1.5 (Personnel/Human Resources)
SHRM: 1.25 (U.S. Employment Law & Regulations)
HRCI: 1.25

Concurrent Session II
Sponsorships for Vehicle and Real Estate Donation Programs

Corporate sponsorships and underwriting partnerships have long been a staple in public media. Quite often inventory for these on-air spots compete with your vehicle donation and/or real estate donation spots. What if there was a way to combine these spots into a two-for-one promotion?

Speaker

Beth Carter
Vice President Partner Support
CARS

3:20–4:35pm
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of their station’s vehicle donation program
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: Chief Financial Officers, business management & finance, high-level leadership
Target Licensee Type: Joint Licensee
Field of Study: Business Management & Operations

NASBA: 1.5 (Business Management & Organization)
SHRM: 1.25 (Business Acumen)
HRCI: 1.25

Concurrent Session I
State of fundraising: deep dive in station performance and latest trends

Public media has faced numerous challenges over the last decade. As we look towards the next decade, let’s explore the largest collection of station fundraising data to help us define the next decade in fundraising. In this session, stations gain insight into latest trends and factors that impact our collective fundraising, new channels of acquisition, payment methods, and even behaviors of donors as it relates to our content. We will highlight stations that lead the country in their fundraising practices. Collectively, we will learn from efforts and translate them into action that any station can utilize in their market. This session will draw on data from over 200 stations (CDP’s National Reference File), Passport viewership trends, donor capacity, and demographic indicators. It will also dive into trends observed at other non-profits.

Speaker

Deb Ashmore
Strategic Analyst
CDP

3:20–4:35pm
(Gardenia 1&2)
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Foundational
Target Audience: General Managers, Supervisors, Human Resources, All Staff
Target Licensee Type: Joint License
Field of Study: Personnel/HR

NASBA: 1.5 (Personnel/HR)
SHRM: 1.25 (Learning & Development)
HRCI: 1.25

Concurrent Session II
Emotional Intelligence; Improving communication with your audience and staff

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a valuable skill for every level in the organization. Being able to connect with your donors, audience, and staff members where they are, will help improve communications and make stressful situations a little easier. Without emotional intelligence it is hard for individuals to step outside their perception to see a situation through anyone else’s viewpoint.

Speaker

Tina Nguyen
CARS

3:20–4:35pm
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: None
Knowledge Level: Foundational
Target Audience: Members and Nonmembers
Target Licensee Type: Television, Radio, Joint Licensee
Field of Study: Personnel/HR

NASBA: 1.5 (Personnel/Human Resources)
SHRM: 1.25 (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion)
HRCI: 1.25

Concurrent Session III
Fundraising & Administrative Challenges at University Licensee Stations

With varied reporting structures and slow-moving bursaries, university and other institutional licensees face roadblocks to productivity, fundraising, gift processing and a myriad of what should be straight-forward tasks. Share the most frustrating challenges among your colleagues and share ideas and brainstorm ways to overcome those obstacles to success.

Speaker

Peter Dominowski
University Station Alliance

9:30–10:45am
Continuing Education

Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: None, although a knowledge of the legal obligations required of public broadcasters will be helpful
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: General Managers, Chief Financial Officers, and Compliance Officials
Target Licensee Type: All Licensees
Field of Study: Compliance

NASBA: 1.5 (Specialized Knowledge)
SHRM: 1.25 (U.S. Employment Law & Regulations)
HRCI: 1.25

Deep Dive Session I
Leveraging Your Greatest Asset: Taking Data from Insights to Action

You already have the most powerful tool there is to increase and stabilize your revenue – data. But turning that data into actionable strategies requires understanding where you have opportunities to move the needle in the right direction and which needles make the most difference. Using the largest collection of public media fundraising data in the United States, gain insight into the latest trends and factors that impact your fundraising, learn from combined group efforts and discussion, and translate that into action.

Speaker

Deb Ashmore
Strategic Analyst; CDP

Susannah Winslow
Sr. Directory Innovation & Partner Services
CDP

9:30–10:45am
(Poinsettia 1)
Continuing Education

None

Deep Dive Session II
Creating & Implementing Compliance Programs Within Business Operations

Public broadcasters must comply with even more legal requirements than other broadcasters. But how do you make sure you meet these rules and regulations and also prove you’re doing it right? Your organization must establish and incorporate a consistent compliance program as part of your ongoing business processes. This session will cover ways to create and implement an effective compliance program to help ensure your station meets (and can document it meets) legal obligations. It will also cover strategies for using your compliance program to prepare for compliance audits or investigations and include examples regarding frequent compliance issues faced by stations to discuss how an effective compliance program can mitigate potential vulnerability to adverse findings and potential consequences.

Speaker

Robert Winteringham
Founder, Counsel & Consultant
Public Media Consulting Group