Environmental Scan Team Gray Ginny Hannah Allison Benny

Environmental Scan Team Gray: Ginny, Hannah, Allison, Benny

KOOP ● Mission & Vision ● Volunteer communities → internal pathways ● Radio listenership → external pathways ● Site Visit ● Findings & Evaluation Photo by Hannah Hopkins

Who is KOOP?

● Austin Nonprofit Cooperative Volunteer-run ● Over 60 news and music programs→ AUDIO Photo by Janner/Austin American-Statesman “Radio for People, Not for Profit”

Mission & Vision

Diversity & Inclusion ● A broadcasting platform for community voices: ○ Outcast ○ The Common Thread ○ The Andean Hour/ La Hora Andina ● Diverse Content vs. Participation “Individual efforts have a COLLECTIVE impact” Photos: Hannah Hopkins

Background ● Started in 1994, but was 11 years in the making ● Founders influenced by 1960 s counter culture movement Participatory Community Photos from The Rag Blog

Internal Information and Volunteer Workforce

Workforce Survey ● Of all KOOP’s workforce, only four members are paid employees ○ Full-time: Executive Director, Development Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator ○ Part-time: Financial Assistant ● 100+ volunteers; 16 teams ● Volunteers are responsible for all day-to-day station operations ○ may create their own roles and responsibilities.

Internal Information Pathways ● Volunteer orientation ○ Held once monthly on Tuesday evenings at KOOP ● Online Documents and Forms ○ Yahoo Group as a Listserv ● Station meetings ○ Monthly, held at KOOP ● Extra hours of volunteer work ○ 1 -3, depending on position Form: KOOP Website

Barriers to Access ● Skill sets/aptitudes ○ Languages ○ Technical background ● Time ○ Orientations, meetings, volunteering ● Mobility ○ Bus system ● Infrastructures ○ Caretaking ○ Technical background

Radio Listenership

Austin Growth & Changing Community “The only constant in Austin is change” - Mayor Steve Adler 2017 State of the City Address “Top 15 Best City for young adults” Forbes Screenshot from radio-locator. com

FM Radio & Internet Streaming Photos: Ginny Barnes and Hannah Hopkins

Evaluation of External Information Delivery ● Facebook and Twitter ● Thousands of followers ● Low interaction

KOOP Site Visit

Community Pilot Show: Open format program Photos: Ginny Barnes

November 7, 2017 Photos: Ginny Barnes

Findings

KOOP’s largely organic approach to its participatory community comes with limitations that don’t always capitalize on potential growth.

● Active call for diverse volunteers ● Eliminate barriers to access ● KVRX DJs → KOOP DJs ● Utilize ICTs to measure listenership ● Website redesign ● i. School partnership Suggestions

Thank you!