NETA -- Opening Session Intros

Some of these notes may duplicate Tim's, below.

Skip Hinton announced the next NETA conference is in October 2011 -- for many stations, it will be in a new fiscal year.

NETA Board chair Polly Anderson welcomed attendees, offered a moment of silence for those in Tuscon. "We are facing one of the most challenging years in public television," she said. "We have to work harder to defend opposing viewpoints and civil public discourse." Public media is more vital and relevant than ever, she reminded us, asking us to take heart in the national leadership of Paula Kerger (PBS), Pat Harrison (CPB) and Pat Butler (APTS).

Becky Magura (WCTE Cookville) spoke on the "Jammin' at Hippie Jacks event. Sounds fun!

Cindy Gaillard (WOSU) and Lauren Schwarze (9 Network) were recipients of the Ottinger scholarship award, while Linda Oltham and Debbie Robertson received the new Myers scholarships.

"NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS"

Beth Curley (CEO, Nashville PTV) welcomed us to the city and introduced Karl Dean, Mayor of Nashville. We then saw segments from NPT's "Next Door Neighbors" project, introduced by Kevin Crane.

The programs look at four communities of immigrants in the U.S. We saw a 3:00 video clip, followed by explanation of the series. Nashville has 95 languages spoken in the public schools and it is a key home for immigrants to the US. The project came out of RTL workshops, as they did more workshops for immigrant community center. NPT realized the immigrant population was large, and received a grant for seed money, followed by corporate sponsors. The program offered immigrants a voice in American society and educated the community about the immigrant experience. It has been used as a tool to bring people to the table to speak to issues and understanding.

More docs are in production; 1,000 DVDs distributed and literacy workshops continue. Spoke highly of working with Harwood in terms of transforming how they worked.

LZ LAMBEAU/WISCONSIN VIETNAM VETERAN WAR STORIES

This massive community engagement project began as a conversation with 5-10 Vietnam vets, who were asked to talk about their story. After overcoming an extreme lack of trust, and a decided lack of eagerness in sharing the stories, these vets decided to give it a chance. Jon Miskowski (WPT) reports that the stories were difficult to hear and to tell. The big question: How do we reach every Vietnam veteran in the state? The components of this massive porject included a televison documentary, interview archives, a companion website, teacher's guide, community screenings and discussions, a history book (Our Veterans Remember), a traveling portrait exhibit with powerful photos and bits of interviews (art museums.) This led up to LZ (Landing Zone) Lambeau -- Wisconsin's official "welcome home and thank you," an event over three days. That weekend included a cross-state motorcycle ride, moving "Vietnam Wall," museum exhibits, motor pool exhibit, the "big map" (check the videos on this one), a lecture seris (topics: Hmong and War, Women in War, Music in War), school tours, Story Corps, a tribute inside Lambeau Field for vets that was broadcast statewide on WPT, Milwaukee Public TV, Wisc. Public Radio.

The Paper Wall included obits of fallen vets organized by counties. The Walking Map was an enormous map people could walk and write on.

A toolkit for stations is coming. Also, a reminder that Ken Burns is working on a Vietnam series.

Website:http:// LZLambeau.org/toolkit

Submitted by Jeanie Croope / WKAR (jeanie@wkar.org)