Dear Friends and Supporters of MAIN and MAIN-FM:
We had a huge turnout Thursday evening of producers, volunteers, staff and listeners, out of which came a multifaceted “Saved Our Sound!” campaign to keep MAIN-FM on the air!
A campaign steering committee was also formed. Members are: Debbie Keefer, Phil Davis, KP Whaley, Wendy Owens, Keith Fisher, and Wally Bowen. The steering committee will meet this weekend to finalize the “Save Our Sound!” campaign.
Volunteers to assist with the campaign are still needed. We especially need folks with contacts among local businesses interested in reaching a progressive audience. We also need folks who are comfortable answering the phones. In general, we just need folks who are passionate about keeping MAIN-FM on the air!
To find out more about volunteering for the “Save Our Sound!” campaign, please e-mail: volunteer@main.nc.us
We are very encouraged that via a mix of donation pledges, new under-writing clients, and new webhosting clients, we will be able to raise – by Nov. 1 – an additional $3,500 a month to cover the station’s monthly operating expenses. But all of us – producers, volunteers, listeners, and staff – must pull together to make this happen.
In fact, there are two “silver linings” in the dark cloud hanging over MAIN-FM:
1. This crisis is an unprecedented opportunity to build a stronger sense of community among our staff, board, producers, volunteers, and listeners – especially given the influx of new listeners who are Thom Hartmann fans.
2. There is an excellent chance that our signal will be fixed within the next six months, as the Local Community Radio Act has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives (on a bipartisan voice-vote) and has a great chance of passing the U.S. Senate before the end of this year.
Finally, here is a preliminary breakdown of MAIN-FM’s monthly operating expenses. You will note that these expenses do NOT include technical and administrative support (accounting, IT support, FCC compliance, grant-writing, marketing, volunteer coordination, and policy advocacy) provided by MAIN’s administrative and IT staff.
MAIN-FM Monthly Operating Expenses:
Studio Rent: $650
Tower Rent: $445
Tech/Ops Staffing: $1,025
Liability Insurance: $448
Phone/Webstream: $300
Repairs/Maintenance: $350
Dish Network: $35
Pacifica Dues: $10
NFCB dues: $25
College Music Journal: $35
ASCAP/SESAC License : $30
BMI License: $25
Supplies: $35
Postage/Delivery: $40
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Monthly Total: $3,453
Since MAIN launched its radio station in 2003, there has been confusion about the station’s operating costs. Despite our best efforts, we were never able to overcome a persistent belief among some that the radio station generated surplus revenue, which was then used to support MAIN’s ISP operations and advocacy work.
In fact, the opposite is true. MAIN’s ISP operations have ALWAYS subsidized the radio station. Indeed, the synergy between our ISP (and advocacy work) and the radio station is central to our vision of enabling local citizens to spend their Internet dollars via the ISP (MAIN’s Internet access and web hosting), and thereby support alternative media like MAIN-FM.
MAIN-FM, in turn, was envisioned as being a powerful media platform for raising public awareness that, instead of writing a check to AT&T, Charter, or Go Daddy, progressives can keep our Internet dollars local to support media reform advocacy and the alternative voices of MAIN-FM.
If this crisis finally lays to rest the myth that MAIN has been using the radio station as a “cash cow,” it will be worth it – provided we succeed in keeping MAIN-FM on the air!
Remember,you can make a secure, tax-deductible donation online, or mail your donation to: MAIN, 34 Wall Street, Suite 407, Asheville, N.C. 28801. Please note that your donation is designated for MAIN-FM.
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