WVMO segments, "Let's Be Civil" series and 10th anniversary plans highlighted at committee meeting

Committee members used the March 13 meeting to discuss station programming at WVMO and to recruit volunteers to record short, edited segments for the station’s "Let's Be Civil" series. Joe Martin, who identified himself as a Monona employee working in the community media department and the day-to-day person at WVMO, said he has lined up local participants for recordings and is seeking moderators and volunteers to broaden voices on the program.

"My hope is that we can get a variety of voices," Joe said, noting planned recordings with Sukhar and Elizabeth Cook, the Monona Grove School Board president. Joe asked committee members to suggest moderators and volunteers and said recordings would be edited for broadcast.

Members suggested pairing city staff or community leaders with volunteer moderators so listeners hear friendly conversations that humanize city staff. Nancy and others proposed senior-center and other community voices for segments; Molly and Diane were mentioned as potential guests for senior-center coverage. Joe said additional recorded segments should be ready by April.

Will outlined WVMO’s 10th anniversary plans: a beer garden kickoff at San Damiano on Aug. 14 featuring Wheelhouse, and efforts to schedule a national act around the week of Aug. 18. He noted Aug. 20 is the station’s 10th anniversary and National Radio Day, and the Friends of WVMO are seeking volunteers to staff tents at summer beer gardens and to support anniversary events. The Friends will hold a meeting on March 18 at 7 p.m. at City Hall to plan anniversary activities and staffing needs.

Committee members encouraged new voices to volunteer for short, edited segments and asked Joe and station volunteers to circulate opportunities and scheduling information.