WDIY volunteer and former Development Director Sharon Ettinger has submitted a letter of interest for the open Member Representative position on the WDIY Board of Directors.
Ettinger served in the Development Director role from 1995 to 2005. Afterwards, she became a volunteer on-air music and public affairs host. Ettinger is known by her on-air name "Rubie Green" when she hosts WDIY's Friday evening folk show, Unlimited Possibilities.
There are two Member Representatives positions on the station's Board of Directors, each serving a two-year term. Participating members of WDIY, those who have volunteered for the station at least 120 hours in the past year, are eligible to vote for the Member Representative.
Voting will take place at WDIY's annual general membership meeting on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 7:00 PM. The meeting is open to WDIY participating members and contributing members, those who have donated to the station in the last year. The meeting will take place in the 5th floor conference room of the Flatiron Building in south side Bethlehem (301 Broadway). Individuals can also attend virtually via Zoom.
Read Ettinger's letter of interest below:
Long ago, a little girl talked and sang to her stuffed animals and her dolls recording everything on a tiny tape recorder. She used various voices to tell her stories squeaky highs and scary lows to entertain and delight. Music was always around the house: Piano sonatas, symphonies, folk and gospel music, jazz, and The Beatles!
Like any kid growing up in the '60s, pop and rock music guided her through her years, informing her view of the world. The tape recorders got bigger as she recorded her self-penned songs and covers of the folk and current popular tunes she loved.
Then she discovered public radio and worlds opened up to her. An avid listener and supporter of various stations in Ohio, New York Philadelphia, and Minnesota, her worldview expanded and, along with education, her understanding of the value of public radio increased.
Hello, I'm Sharon Ettinger, and I submit this letter of interest to be considered the next Membership Representative to the Board of Directors of WDIY. In 1995, I joined the small staff of a new community public radio station in the Lehigh Valley. Charged with building membership, grant writing, fundraising, volunteer solicitation, and on-air fund drives, I was thrilled to be part of a passionate tribe of people who love great music of all kinds and who value news and information to stimulate intelligent public discourse. I served as WDIY's Development Director for ten years from 1995 to 2005. Since then I continue to be involved as a programmer of folk music music, jazz and world music, and enjoy representing the station at public events when my schedule allows.
In the coming year, I plan to have more free time to devote to activities that bring me joy. WDIY is at the top of the list for me! If elected, I will serve with dedication, integrity, a sense of camaraderie and fun. I also look forward to new media horizons that bring future stories and music to life via the airwaves, live streams and podcasts.
Thank you for this opportunity to serve on WDIY's Board of Directors as your next membership representative.
Sincerely,
Sharon Beth Ettinger
September 9, 2021
