Celebrate MAB’s 60th Anniversary in Grand Style!
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters will be celebrating its 60th anniversary at the 2009 Annual Meeting & Leadership Retreat. The conference will kick off with a welcome reception, followed by dinner in the historic Salle á Manger (Main Dining Room). Make plans to join us in celebrating broadcasting’s rich history in one of Michigan’s most well known historic locations, the Grand Hotel.
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Special Events at the Grand Hotel on Tuesday, July 14
Want to have some fun while at the Grand? Join the MAB Foundation during the Golf Scramble Fundraiser on the Grand Hotel’s beautiful Jewel Golf Course overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. Cost is $150 per person and includes 18-holes, greens fees, cart and lunch; Or consider attending "Oktoberfest in July", MABF's private beer tasting event at the Gate House Gazebo! Cost is $65 per person and includes private beer tasting and snacks.
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Stay and Play at the Grand Hotel for Half Off!

Special MAB Bonus! The Grand Hotel is offering all MAB attendees half-off the group rate for the night of Wednesday, July 15! This incredible offer is open only to MAB conference attendees, on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Commercial Specifics
by Jeffrey Hedquist, Hedquist Productions, Inc.

Which sounds more believable? “Hundreds to choose from!” or “We have 324 of these widgets in our showroom right now.”

Want to give your commercials more power? Use specifics. Examine each of the claims that you make in a commercial. Replace the generalities with specifics and you’ll have a more believable story.
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U.S. Supreme Court Enforces Terms of Collective Bargaining Agreement Requiring Arbitration of Discrimination Claims
by Terry Kasiborski, Butzel Long

By a narrow 5 – 4 vote, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision this month in which it enforced terms mandating the arbitration of discrimination claims that were set forth in a collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”). Previously, the Supreme Court had enforced terms providing for the mandatory arbitration of discrimination claims that were set forth in individual employment agreements but had ruled that a CBA could not waive a union member’s right to pursue discrimination claims in court.
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Recent Supreme Court FOIA Decisions
by John Ronayne, Bernardi, Ronayne & Glusac PC
In two recent cases, the Michigan Supreme Court has made significant rulings with respect to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”).

In a case brought by the Michigan Federation of Teachers against the University of Michigan, the court considered – seemingly for the umpteenth time – whether the home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees were subject to disclosure.
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State Revenues Continue to Plummet
Over half the gains in the state’s annual jobless rate occurred since December. It was reported that the state’s unemployment rate jumped to 12.6% during the month of March. That is a full five percentage points higher than it was this time last year, rising at a faster pace than any 12-month period since 1980.
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Get the latest legal updates by reading the MAB Legislative & Legal Monitor!
The MAB Legislative & Legal Monitor is published as neccessary with the latest information important to broadcasters. Not receiving the monitor? Please email Dave Jessup at jessup@michmab.com to sign up TODAY!

Past issues are available in the Members Only section of the MAB website. Click here to view the latest Legislative & Legal Monitors.

Sign-Up Now For 2009 Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program
Can you afford a FCC fine? Can you afford not to take advantage of a great savings opportunity to get your station fully FCC compliant and free from a routine FCC inspection for three years?

The MAB has opened up scheduling for the 2009 Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP). The inspections are a no-risk way to check your station's FCC compliance.
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Legal & Regulatory Webcast with David Oxenford
Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 2pm-4pm
Communication Arts & Sciences Building, Michigan State University

Please join us...either online or in-person... for an informative afternoon with MAB's Washington DC Attorney, David Oxenford. David will be in Lansing on May 7, 2009 to discuss the latest legal and regulatory issues facing broadcasters today. You can attend in-person for FREE or join online for only $40! Click here to sign-up.
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Merritt Mattson Offers Free Follow-up to GLBC!
Merritt Mattson’s sessions at the Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference focused on selling in tough times and how to get the most dollars out of your clients that still insist on using Yellow Pages for advertising.

As a special follow-up, Merritt is offering MAB members free follow-up information on Yellow Pages in your market.
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Looking for a Tax Write-Off? Donate to the MAB Foundation and Help your 2009 Taxes!
The MAB Foundation is looking for fun and exciting items to be auctioned off as part of the Online Auction. Do you have tickets for sporting events, the theater or movies that you can donate? How about overnight stays, vacation packages, golf or ski?
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MAPB Presents Social Media: The Next Big Thing
My Space, Facebook You Tube and blogs have gone mainstream and are playing important roles in the daily lives of your listeners and viewers. To help members learn how today's social media sites can become powerful tools for your station, the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters is presenting an afternoon-long session at Michigan State University on Tuesday, May 19 from 1 - 5pm. Presenting the session will be David Martin, CEO of Media Arts & Sciences.
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Governor Granholm On Statewide Call-In Show
Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm took telephone calls from across the state during a live call-in show aired on Michigan Public Radio Network stations on April 1.

"Michigan, What's On Your Mind? An Hour with Governor Jennifer Granholm" was hosted by Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network managing editor and state capitol bureau chief.
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WKAR Radio Drive Reaches Goal Early!
WKAR Radio wrapped up its spring membership campaign earlier than expected with a grand total of $130,111 from 1,072 members. The goal for the campaign, which began Friday, March 27, was $130,000 and 300 new members. The campaign concluded one day early during the Thursday, April 2, edition of "All Things Considered." The campaign brought in 255 pledges from new members.
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MAPB Accepting Nominations for 2009 Pioneer Awards
This year marks the seventeenth year of honoring Michigan's public broadcasting pioneers. Help MAPB continue this long-standing tradition by nominating a deserving individual for this year’s program. Up to two broadcasters will be honored for their contribution to public broadcasting in Michigan - one Professional (radio, television or joint) and one Volunteer.
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MAPB and MPRN Elect 2009-2010 Officers
The Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters (MAPB) has elected Steve Schram of Michigan Public Media, as MAPB President and the Michigan Public Radio Network (MPRN) has elected John Sheffler of Central Michigan University Public Broadcasting as its President for the 2009-2010 Board term. Elections took place during the March 11 meetings at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids.
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MAB Legal Hotlines Save Members TIME and MONEY!
Are you taking advantage of your MAB Legal Hotlines? One of the nation's leading communication attorneys, David Oxenford, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, can help you with your FCC and regulatory questions. It's FREE to you because MAB has a special arrangement and we pay for all members to get their questions answered.

Say your corporate office has an attorney and you use them for advice and cousel. That's great, but you can sound a lot smarter when you call them by getting to understand the issue better by speaking with David first.
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Thank You 2009 MAB Associate Members!
special associate member page here