FM Station Kicks of Semi-Annual Fund Drive

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GREAT BARRINGTON - Volunteers at WBCR-LP, the low-power FM radio station headquartered on Main Street, say their ongoing fund drive is the most critical one yet in the station's three-year history. The community radio station's semiannual fund drive began Oct. 22 and continues through Oct. 28. The more than 100 on-air programmers, in addition to volunteers who help keep the station running behind the scenes, are counting on this fund drive to generate the needed capital for WBCR-LP's anticipated move from its current studio beneath the Pink Cloud Gallery to the Granary Building on Rosseter Street. They also seek to raise the funds required to file for and receive a full-power FM license from the Federal Communications Commission, a move, which if successful, would give Berkshire County its only full-power FM station and increase the listenership of Berkshire Community Radio by thousands. The station broadcasts on 97.7FM and can also be accessed through a live stream on the World Wide Web at www.berkshireradio.org. WBCR-LP has come to terms with landlord Joan Ackerman and is already paying rent on the Rosseter Street space but requires a successful fund drive to pay for the costs involved in renovating the space and moving the entire broadcasting facility. The new studio will be larger, finally giving the station room to house its substantial music library, meeting space to conduct its business on-site, and handicapped accessibility. "We want to let people know that that this is a very critical time for this station. We're doing things we've never done before," said Serene Mastrianni, co-chair,am with Laura Checkow of the fund drive and also co-host of the award-winning WBCR-LP discussion program "Radio 2 Women." "We really want to highlight the critical fact that this is a do-or-die kind of fund drive. There's a sense of urgency around it," she continued. Another benefit of the new studio space would be the ability to use the Mixed Company theater upstairs for broadcast events. "We're hoping it'll be like cultural center and attraction for people in Berkshire County and especially South County," Mastrianni said. The FCC's upcoming move to make additional FM frequencies available for full-power broadcasts is typically a once-in-a-generation opportunity and may not be repeated again in the foreseeable future. WBCR-LP must spend thousands of dollars up front to apply for a license and, in anticipation of a successful application, is also starting to raise money to upgrade to full power, including acquiring and mounting a new antennae for the radio broadcast, during a set amount of time or else lose the opportunity. The goal is $21,000, the highest yet for a WBCR-LP fund drive. The most recent drive in March surpassed its goal of $14,000 by raising $18,000 in donations from the community. "We're going to be really encouraging people to come down to the station," Mastrianni said. "One of the fun things we're doing is if you want to contribute and be part of the program you can come to the station and be part of the action. We're really trying to bring the community into the fund drive and give them the opportunity to go on the air live." WBCR-LP is the only fully community-supported radio station in the region. One hundred percent of its operating funds come from community donations, with the bulk raised by two fund drives annually and additional income arising from benefit events and concerts as well as the sale of WBCR-LP merchandise, including "WBCR Live Volume 1," a CD compilation of songs recorded live. Listeners who donate $35 during the drive will receive a copy of the CD. WBCR-LP is seeking community organizations that would like to offer "incentive grants" that kick in if and when the station raises its goal of $3,000 on a given day. Each of the station's previous fund drives have met or exceeded their targets, Mastrianni said.
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Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.
 
Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.
 
They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
 
College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.
 
She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 
 
"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."
 
Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.
 
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