ATTN: Do you really have time for the Incubation Lab?

The “Lab” with its continued commitment to working in public spoke with dozens of public media leaders during the 2019 PRRO Super Regional Meeting in New Orleans, LA October 16 and 17. Photo by Lab member Kaytee Nesmith.

The short answer is: maybe. When the call for applications appeared in my email last Spring, it just happened to catch me in the right mood. I was frustrated at some of the outcomes of a recent collaborative endeavor and I felt like I had something to add to the, “Working better together,” aspect of the current Lab rotation’s theme.

A quick primer: WKMS is a small station in rural western Kentucky. We have nine full-time staff, an annual budget of $1.3 million, just under 1,500 members, and our coverage area is around 10,000 square miles. We’re also highly leveraged in multiple collaborative projects, that are inextricably tied to the station’s success and growth.

Was my station in the “right” position to allow me 16 weeks to focus intently on the Incubation Lab’s work? Probably not. But, as a small station manager, it’s easy to talk yourself out of opting into anything that threatens time you could spend with your station. One could equate it to the saying that it’s never the “right time” to have kids.

Lab members hard at work “ideating.”

But, here are just a few of the dozens of reasons you might apply for the upcoming third round of the Incubation Lab:

• You believe the future of the public radio system depends on the sustainability and growth of all stations.
• You need a push outside of your comfort zone, especially related to the future of audio.
• You view the future of public media as a system of colleagues working together rather than individual stations vying for domination.
• You want solutions and future-oriented thinking to infuse your station or team.
• You’re eager to expand and deepen your connections across the public radio system.

Now for some additional answers to questions, you’ll undoubtedly have:

1. Will I work for NPR now?

Sort of: you do get a badge and an email address! But technically you’ll be a contractor, your paycheck will still come from your station and you’ll retain benefits. Your station is fully compensated for your time so that your role can be backfilled if you choose to do so.

2. Can I still do some day-to-day work for my station?

Inevitably, especially for someone from a small station, there are duties that no one at your station can do, other than you. Additionally, the Lab will cover the costs of a backfill for your position, if one is available. In short, while the complexity and intensity of the Lab’s work is demanding, the Lab team is very understanding and works well with shifting schedules.

3. But what about pledge drives….?

Yes, this rotation likely will overlap with your station’s pledge drive and, again, the Lab is understanding about the needs needs of your station.

And, a quick note to managers of rising stars in your shop… please encourage them to apply. Remember that their contributions to this project could influence the whole system and it’s a tremendous professional development opportunity.

Lastly, if in doubt, go ahead and apply and trust the process.

Good luck!