Open Signal Closed This Weekend for Stories for Change

We're closed to the public on Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1 for Stories for Change, Alliance for Community Media NW's summit for independent media-makers.

Representatives from some of the northwest's premier media centers will be gathering to talk about using community media for social change, including Open Signal, Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), XRAY.fm, Multnomah County Library, KBOO, Access Sacramento, Tacoma Public Library, MetroEast Community Media and more.

But, you don't need to work at a media center to attend! All you need is to have an interest in television, radio, video or other media. 

The summit's keynote presentation will be delivered by Ramón Ramirez, president of PCUN (Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste), Oregon's farmworker union and the largest Latino organization in the state. Ramirez will discuss how he built PCUN's community through their radio station, KPCN Radio Movimiento.

Other events include: 

• A panel on how media centers can share technology with people who don't otherwise have access to it, with André Middleton from Open Signal, Seth Ring from MetroEast, Colleen Dixon from Free Geek and Charly Eaton from Multnomah County Library
• A showcase of short films that foster social change, with work by Julie Perini, Dawn Jones Redstone, CymaSpace, Laura Gleim and others
• "Restructuring organizations for disruption and innovation," with Open Signal Executive Director Justen Harn and MetroEast CEO Martin Jones
• Baby Ketten karaoke at the Barrel Room

Stories for Change will culminate with the Best of the Northwest Awards, which showcase exceptional programs in community media. This event will kick off with a reception, transitioning into the award ceremony and then a dance party! 

Check out the full schedule. Stories for Change is sold out but tickets to the Best of the Northwest Awards are still available.

Open Signal is offering FREE summit registrations to those who complete a volunteer shift. Contact Open Signal Media Technical Lead Chris Lawn for details, at chrislawn@opensignalpdx.org.