Celebrating 25 Years of Community Media!
Posted April 22nd, 2009 by lisa in Events, Front Page, News
Thursday, April, 9th was Access Tucson’s Volunteer Recognition, Annual Meeting and 25th Anniversary kick off!
The evening started in Studio A for a live, televised panel as part of the Building Free Speech series. This program was developed by Access Tucson 5 years ago as a part of a nation-wide effort of community and independent media organizations to address media and free speech issues. This year the focus was easy–25 Years of Community Media. There’s good company in the silver anniversary crowd— KXCI Community Radio, The Tucson Weekly and Access Tucson all turned 25 this year!
Roger Greer, KXCI, Doug Biggers, Tucson Weekly, former Tucson Mayor, Tom Volgy, Sam Behrend, Access Tucson and long-time activist and community media participant Miguel Ortega spent an interesting hour looking at the history of community media in Tucson from the inside out. They tried to determine what was in the water all those years ago that led to Tucson’s leadership in community media. What is the rich history we stand upon and where does the road lead from here?
Following the show was anniversary cake and coffee. The election results for the Access Tucson Board of Directors–congratulations to Carl Hanni, Martha McGrath and Cynthia Dickstein! And last, but not least, the best volunteers in the world received the applause and recognition they deserve!
And congratulations to Frankie McDemmons for receiving the first ever…
FRANKIE MCDEMMONS INSPIRATIONAL SERVICE AWARD
(Better known as the “Frankie”).
The Frankie is presented to those individuals whose service to Access Tucson exemplifies the courage, hope and optimism inherent in our commitment to foster First Amendment free speech expression for all.
Frankie McDemmons embodies the ideals of this recognition for her long-term service as greeter extraordinaire for Access Tucson community information program, Local Matters. Thank you Frankie!