KSER's Voice of the Community Awards

Thanks to the more than 200 people who packed the Weyerhaeuser Room at Everett Transit Station Saturday night for the 5th annual KSER Voice of the Community Awards Ceremony.

The KSER selection committee faced the challenge of determining award recipients from among an amazing list of individuals and organizations that make our community special.

Roger Pawley; Jan Vance; Lillian Ortiz-Self

The KSER Voice of the Community Award for Cultural Impact was presented to the Snohomish County Music Project.  Executive Director Roger Pawley runs the Project which was founded in 2011 by refocusing the Everett Symphony.  The group educates the public on the importance of music instruction and advocates for the funding of music educations programs.

The award for the category of Community Impact by an Organization was presented to MS Helping Hands of Edmonds.  MS Helping Hands is a statewide, all-volunteer organization formed to increase awareness of Multiple Sclerosis to the public and provide people with MS and their families a resource of education and support. MS Helping Hands Executive Director Jan Vance accepted the award.

And the award for the category of Community Impact by an Individual was presented to Lillian Ortiz-Self who drew a standing ovation for her powerful speech advocating for greater equality within the Latino community.  As a counselor at Everett High School, Lillian provides Latino students and their parents with vital information.  She also serves as an advisor for the Latin Image Club, which gives Latino students a safe place to express their ethnicity and bridge barriers to their academic success.  She has also served as the Chair of the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs and developed the Leading Change through Advocacy training program to bring together parents and community members to learn how to be better advocates for Latino children in public schools.

Congratulations to the award winners and all the nominees and thanks for making our community so special.  And thanks to everyone who attended and made the sold-out evening such a success! 

News That Gives Voice to Struggles

Many KSER listeners tell us there is one host and one show that they try to absolutely never miss: Amy Goodman and Democracy Now!

Amy Goodman

Just like KSER, Amy Goodman and Democracy Now is a non-profit, proudly independent broadcast that relies heavily on the financial support of listeners.  As regular KSER listeners know, Amy asks questions many reporters won't ask; get's guests that many media organizations wouldn't touch; and even get's arrested for her efforts.

The New York Times published what some describe as the definitive Amy Goodman article late last year.

And while it would be rare to see the major network Sunday morning talk shows include Amy as a guest, she did appear last month on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher.  You can see the program here.

Juan Gonzalez

Amy and co-host Juan Gonzalez are supported by a great staff of leading progressive journalists, producers and volunteers.  You can read about the Democracy Now staff here.

And remember, Amy and Juan are working for a non-profit program that's being aired on non-profit community supported stations like KSER. Her model is dramatically different from the typical network television news reporter or anchor. You may remember the media buzz recently over the $25-million annual contract for NBC's Matt Lauer.

The Daily Beast recently did a report on the salaries of Lauer and others. Diane Sawyer makes $12-million annually; Anderson Cooper: $11-million.  You can read the Daily Best network salary story here.

That's not to suggest that those anchors aren't worth the money they are paid by the corporations that own the networks.  After all, they generate ratings that sells advertising that keeps the corporate networks profitable.

But think about that the next time you're listening to Amy Goodman and wondering why she's covering stories and asking questions you won't hear almost anywhere else.

Reminder: Time's running out if you want to make a nomination for KSER's annual Voice of the Community Award.  Nominations must be received by this Wednesday, August 15.  You can find out more and make a nomination here.

And of course, you can always help support KSER and independent public radio. It just takes a few clicks and a few minutes online. Thanks!