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National Friends of Public Broadcasting (NFPB) records

 Collection 0179-MMC-NPBA

The National Friends of Public Broadcasting (NFPB), incorporated in 1970, is an autonomous and independent national organization for public broadcasting volunteers. Its purposes are to help local volunteer groups organize, encourage community involvement and support for public television, and create an informed national constituency of lay people to represent concerned citizens and the needs and problems of public television. It emphasizes the role and importance of the volunteer and promotes cooperation between station management and volunteers and the exchange of ideas among local volunteer groups. The collection documents the foundation and development of NFPB and its attempts to acquire initial funding, its early relationship with CPB and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and its later developments and endeavors.

Dates

  • 1964-1994
  • Majority of material found within 1966-1989

Use and Access to Collection

This collection contains restricted material, please check the series and folder listings for additional information.

This collection must be used in the Special Collections reading room. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

Duplication and Copyright Information

Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.

Extent

11.00 Linear Feet

Scope and Content of Collection

The inclusive dates of the National Friends of Public Broadcasting Records range between 1964 and 1994; however, most of the materials date between 1966 and 1974 and between 1983 and 1989. The collection traces the foundation and development of NFPB with its attempts to acquire initial funding, its early relationship with CPB and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the group's later developments and endeavors, such as its awards and conferences, as well as its interests, broadcasting, and volunteerism. Types of documents include by-laws; correspondence, particularly to and from Frances Schuman; reports and minutes generated by various boards and committees; materials related to taxes and finances; materials, including correspondence, collected or generated by various chairs, especially Sally Ouweneel and Diane Papedo, relating to the management of the group; conference information, such as advertisements, promotions, and registrations; membership information and directories; award nominations; and program guides.

Administrative History

Promoting the support of public television and volunteerism, the National Friends of Public Broadcasting is an autonomous and independent national organization for volunteers in public broadcasting. It was born out of a series of meetings held in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The first of these occurred in May 1969, at WNDT (Channel 13) in New York; it was attended by representatives of seven major public television stations, and chaired by Frances Schuman, who at that time was the Chairman of the Friends of 13, the volunteer group at WNDT. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the potential establishment of a national organization for volunteers in public television; the consequence was the creation of the Committee for the Formation of the National Friends of Public Television. Subsequently, additional formal meetings of the organizing committee took place in 1969 and 1970, resulting in the formation of the National Friends of Public Broadcasting in May 1970, with Frances Schuman as chair. During these developmental stages, an ad hoc committee helped to solve initial problems by writing a statement of purpose and draft by-laws; the basic organizational structure, such as the Board of Trustees, officers, and various committees, were also established during this period. Frances Schuman resigned as the group's chair in 1975.

On July 27, 1970, after initial support from Channel 13, NFPB was officially incorporated, therefore receiving non-profit and tax-exempt status. Also, during this period, the organization obtained in-kind support, including working facilities, such as secretarial support and office space, from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In October 1970, a grant was received from the Carnegie Corporation of New York for the amount of $281,000, which was distributed over a three year period. In its fourth year, the group received grants from the Markle and Rockefeller Foundations, in addition to continuing support from the Carnegie Corporation. Circa 1974/1975, stations were asked to contribute financially for the first time. Later, after the loss of external funding, NFPB depended solely upon money raised from membership dues (both group and individual) and annual conferences, and occasional in-kind support from stations. Currently, all officers are non-paid.

The purposes of NFPB are several. It helps local volunteer groups organize and existing groups to solve difficulties. It encourages community involvement and support for public television, and it creates an informed national constituency of lay people to represent concerned citizens, as well as the needs and problems of public television. Furthermore, it emphasizes the role and importance of the volunteer by aiding the establishment and development of local volunteer groups and by promoting volunteer activities at the station level. NFPB also promotes cooperation between station management and volunteers, the exchange of ideas among local volunteer groups, volunteer efforts to raise funds and increase membership, and the effective use of volunteers. To fulfill these objectives, the organization holds annual and regional conferences; publishes a newsletter; maintains a communications network among station volunteer representatives, station managers, the media, national organizations dedicated to public broadcasting, and the public; and has founded a speakers bureau. NFPB's goals and purpose have essentially remained the same over time.

NFPB holds a conference each year in conjunction with the annual meeting of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)/Association of America's Public Television Stations (APTS). The first of these occurred in May 1971, in New York City. During these conferences, a series of awards is presented to deserving individuals or groups with multiple winners in each of three major categories, including awards for outstanding public broadcasting volunteers and for community development and fund raising efforts. Finally, the uniqueness of this group lies in its support of both public radio and television, its purpose, and its officers, particularly the fact that the group was established and led by women which continues today.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in 12 series. Unless otherwise noted, all series within this collection are organized chronologically.

  1. Series 1: Founding Documents
  2. Series 2: Executive Board Materials
  3. Series 3: Officers Files
  4. Series 4: Awards
  5. Series 5: Chronological Files
  6. Series 6: Conferences
  7. Series 7: Financial/Funding
  8. Series 8: Membership Materials
  9. Series 9: Program Guides
  10. Series 10: Subject Files
  11. Series 11: Publications
  12. Series 12: Oversize items

Custodial History and Acquisition Information

The National Friends of Public Broadcasting records were received by the University of Maryland Libraries in two sections. The first part of the collection was acquired in January 1995, while the second arrived in October 1996. They were donated by Beverly Lundquist and Diane Papedo.

Related Material

Special Collections in Mass Media and Culture also holds the Corporation of Public Broadcasting Records: John W. Macy Files. See the finding aid.

Processing Information

Documents were placed in acid-free folders which were then put into acid-free boxes.

Title
Guide to the National Friends of Public Broadcasting (NFPB) records
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Melody J. Haymire, May 1998.
Date
1998-05-01
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2007-04-15: EAD markup checked and verified using JEdit software by Karen E. King.
  • 2013-06-18: Finding aid notes and container list added.
  • 2017-11-05: Finding aid reviewed and edited by Rebecca Thayer.
  • 2019-01-17: Finding aid reviewed and minor edits made by Duncan Griffin.
  • 2021-08-20: Jim Baxter re-wrote the collection abstract.

Library Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives

Contact:
University of Maryland Libraries
Hornbake Library
4130 Campus Drive
College Park Maryland 20742
301-405-9212