2011 Fall Radio Pledge Drive

I have been a listener of National Public Radio through its local affiliates ever since I arrived in the US almost 2 1/2 decades ago. It was a coincidence. During my first day in the US as I was wide awake early in the morning (due to 10 hour time difference) I switched on the TV and saw WGBH (the PBS station in Boston). I was impressed. The next show I saw was NBC's The Cosby Show. Then within few hours when I went to pick up a cup of coffee in a nearby bakery I heard WBUR (the NPR affiliate in Boston). Soon I started to hear Car Talk on Saturdays. Then I arrived in Tallahassee almost 19 years ago I started to listen to WFSU daily since I bought a car and drove it to work daily.

So for some years I listened to WFSU for free like most of the listeners. Then I became a member several years ago and always wanted to get involved in supporting it. Finally, I was invited to be on-air host for the 2011 Radio Fall Pledge Drive. I was happy to go.

On Monday, October 17, 2011 afternoon around 1:35 PM I arrived at 1600 Red Barber Plaza and met the pledge coordinator. She was kind enough to show me the script the procedure and the details of being an on-air host. Then I met the Pledge Director and the Audio Engineer. They explained to me more details about the two hour time slot and what to watch for. I then debuted my first ever WFSU 88.9 FM (local NPR) Radio Fall pledge drive. My co-host Bonnie of Armor Realty and I were able to get 21 new or renewing members during our 2 hour slot. Our goal was around 26. This was possible because of supporters from India Association of Tallahassee, Asian Coalition of Tallahassee, Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Dept of Biology, Leon County Public Library East side branch.

It was fun and I will probably do it more often.