That quote, from one of my favorite childhood Saturday morning cartoon heroes, Super Chicken, weaves its way throughout my days - and, all too often, my nights and weekends - as I continue to (at least) attempt to master the art of General Managership.
It may also help to explain why I've not posted since late February. To paraphrase Garrison Keillor, "It's not been a quiet week (or month and a half) in Spindale." There is much to report.
It's the weekend, though (this entry was started 4/19, before a very, busy week hit). The morning rain here in Rutherford County is starting to let up and that means there'll soon be work to do around the property. So, for the time being, I'll limit myself to one topic (with the assurance that they'll be more to come soon).
That one topic is...the 2008 Spring pledge drive.
I'll be the first to admit that I was among those who feared the nation's faltering economy, the mind-bending increase in the price of gasoline (and the effect it has on so many other facets of the cost of living) and - seriously, this has an effect on fund raisers - North Carolina's ongoing drought and associated beautiful spring weather would combine to hinder our efforts to meet our goal.
"Oh, me of little faith."
The phones rang. The online pledges came in. Volunteers, staff and food providers drove in from all over WNCW's coverage area (and in some case, from beyond). Even Mother Nature helped out by arranging for it to rain at key moments, providing us with a captive audience who - given the opportunity and responding to our invitations to become members - pledged its support.
WNCW's Spring pledge drive was a success. To those of you who called, mailed and/or pledged online via www.wncw.org, I offer - on behalf of WNCW's staff, our volunteers, your fellow members, and Isothermal Community College - my deepest appreciation. When our program hosts say "Without you, we are nothing," they really mean it. We are - and shall forever be - listener-powered public radio.
As I sat in Pledge Central during my occasional stints answering phones (or, I'm not proud to admit, snacking on the luscious array of food and gaining far too much weight), I couldn't help but recall the line from the classic 1946 Frank Capra film, It's A Wonderful Life, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets their wings." Truly, every time a pledge room telephone rings (yes, we have the old style phones that actually ring) an angel - a WNCW supporter, in this case - give us wings. I'm certain that - somewhere - every online pledge and mailed in renewal rings a bell, also.
To all those who participated in our Spring pledge drive - listener/supporters, volunteers, restaurants, businesses who supplied tickets, books, CDs, members of WNCW's Community Advisory Board...the list could go on for pages...THANK YOU!!!!
And to WNCW's staff - who worked so hard planning and preparing for the pledge drive, put in long hours and tolerated discombobulated schedules to make it a success...I extend an equally sincere expression of appreciation. Unless you experience the monumental efforts that goes into WNCW pledge drives, or - at the very least - volunteer to answer phones and see what takes place "behind the scenes" during the drives - you simply don't know how hard WNCW's staff works to prove itself worthy of your support.
It's not enough to say that I'm blessed with an incredibly talented, dedicated and "willing-to-do-whatever-it-takes" staff. The fact is, WNCW's listener/members and other stakeholders are, too. Your support is an acknowledgment of their efforts, their talents and their dedication to bring you what we believe is some of the finest public radio programming in the nation.
The Spring 2008 pledge drive marks the "bell lap" for long-time pledge drive "trail bosses" Tom & Gail Watts who - along with their Scottish Terrier, Margaret (affectionately known as Maggie ) - take time from their full lives (chances are they're attending MerleFest in Wilkesboro this weekend) to oversee the operation of our twice-yearly fund drives. They have served WNCW - and you - with distinction, dedication, extraordinary patience, wisdom and an abiding love for the station. Through thick and thin, they have ensconced themselves in Studio B for long hours throughout each pledge drive (they're there every day, from before the time we open up the phones until long after we shut down and many of us head home), THEN they return afterward to assure that premiums are sent out and final details are attended to. Maggie keeps a close eye on things from her perch beside Gail and - when Nature calls - provides either Tom or Gail a moment or two to steal away outdoors, allow Maggie to attend to her business, and to confirm that - despite the nearly all-consuming activities inside Pledge Central - there is life outside the pledge drive.
Tom, Gail and Maggie must hear phones ringing in their sleep for months after each pledge drive.
It has been both a pleasure and an honor to not only work beside Tom and Gail (and Maggie), but to get to know them personally. They are two very special human beings (and one canine) who have led - and continue to lead - full, rich lives and deeply appreciate both the grandeur and subtleties of life. Sitting and chatting with either of them is an affirmation of lives fully lived and - undoubtedly - with quite a lot of living ahead. My respect for them is immense. My gratitude, even larger.
Just within my first year at WNCW, Tom, Gail and even Maggie have imparted to me enough wisdom, knowledge and sage advice to be included among my small, select group of mentors who hold court in my mind (home to the Great Hall of Mentors, which resembles the inside of the Supreme Court, actually) and to whom I go when seeking answers to the most difficult questions that pop up daily in the corner office.
What would Tom & Gail do (WWT&GD)? How would Maggie handle this (HWMHT)?
Maggie's answer is usually, "Take a nap." Oh, dear Maggie...if only I could.
This fall's pledge drive will be Tom, Gail and Maggie's last in their role as Head Honchos, though I suspect they'll lend a hand answering phones a time or two beyond their "retirement" date (at least, I hope so). So, if you want to experience a pledge drive, meet Tom & Gail & Maggie (believe me, you won't soon forget them) and help out the best radio station on Planet Earth (and beyond) - all in one fell swoop - join us in October. You, too, can earn your wings.
Thank you, Tom. Thank you, Gail. Thank you, Maggie. You embody the spirit of service to WNCW and its audience. We look forward to the fall and to your return. Enjoy MerleFest!
Last, but certainly not least, the Spring 2008 pledge drive actually was the "final go-round" for a member of WNCW's staff. Faith Davis, Coordinator of Audience Support and Member Services, departs these hallowed halls at the end of this month. Faith has provided assistance and support to WNCW members, planned and helped coordinate pledge drives and special events, assisted Dennis Jones with preparations for live performances in Studio B, served as WNCW's unofficial "artistic director" - creating artwork, photographs and graphic designs for everything from advertisements to WNCW t-shirts - and fulfilled quite a few other duties during her tenure. She has done so with dedication, enthusiasm and a spirit of creativity that has served WNCW, its members and Isothermal Community College quite well. She will be missed.
Life has presented Faith with a new calling - one for which I and her colleagues have great respect - and she has decided to answer and fully embrace it. We at WNCW express our deep appreciation and best wishes to Faith and her family. Fair sailing, Faith!
There's so much more to tell. I will try to catch up with all that's happening. My stepson is visiting from Austin (his first visit to NC), so today - at least - won't be the day I accomplish that feat.
Again, thank you all for your pledges of support to WNCW. I tend to get a bit emotional when I speak of how important this station is - not just to me, but to other people's lives and to the perpetuation of public radio in general. That's one reason I tend to shy away from being on the air. I choke up pretty easily. Public radio has been my life and WNCW embodies the spirit of it so truly...and yet, there's so much more to do! So - indeed - every time a pledge phone rings, I feel there really is an angel on the other end of the line.
And - along with WNCW's members and staff - Tom, Gail, Maggie and Faith have earned their wings as well.
Thank you all! WITHOUT YOU, WE ARE NOTHING!
And, yeah, Fred...we knew the job was dangerous when we took it. We also knew the job was one of the most rewarding in public radio. The 2008 Spring pledge drive is proof.
Tune in. Turn on. But don't drop out.
This is WNCW Spindale.
DEW
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