WFHB FireHouse Broadcasting

Community invited to help ponder the future of local community radio station

WFHB is proud to announce the launch of a strategic planning initiative, a major step forward in protecting and improving the institution of community broadcasting in south central Indiana.  The entire community is encouraged to be a part of this initiative.

"Strategic planning" refers to a rigorous collaborative process used to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of an organization, examine its mission, gather input on where key stakeholders want the organization to go, and provide a blueprint on how to get there.  After many years of talking about strategic planning, the station’s board of directors has authorized General Manager Chad Carrothers to enter into a contract with Strategic Development Group (SDG), a local firm that has put together a frugal yet comprehensive approach to plotting the station's future.  The plan's total cost is $10,700, but the station will pay only $2,500 thanks to the fundraising efforts of former GM Brian Kearney, who has secured private donations to pay for the majority of the process.  The plan is broken down into three phases spanning a six-month period and includes a survey, focus groups, a public forum and much more.

General Manager Chad Carrothers says such an initiative is long overdue.  “WFHB is as strong as it’s ever been in terms of programming and community support, but the media landscape is ever-changing.  Strategic planning will help us plot a steady course, balancing fiscal health with our mission to serve the community.”

All community members are encouraged to “stay tuned” to the airwaves, social media, and the station website for dates and times of upcoming community input sessions.  Station staff have created an online repository for documents, dates, and other information related to the strategic planning process:

https://www.wfhb.org/blogs/strategic-planning

It’s been a great year so far for WFHB – in late March/early April the station held its most successful fund drive in station history, surpassing its goal of $40,000 by 22% to raise $49,000 in pledges from 517 community members and nine local business sponsors.  Then at the end of April, WFHB brought home twenty awards for excellence in broadcast journalism from the Indiana chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists – that’s HALF of ALL awards given to Indiana radio stations this year and includes a clean sweep of the Best Newscast category - first, second, and third place.  A full list of winners, links to our award-winning productions, and a special six-minute audio clip from the ceremony is online at www.wfhb.org.