NETA Strategic Framework
NETA invites stakeholders to join us in shaping a resilient future for public media. Together, we'll navigate complexities, learn, adjust, and emerge stronger. Our strategic framework underscores our commitment to system evolution and member station support. With a rich history as our foundation, NETA is ready to champion the future and support member stations in navigating change.
Executive Summary
NETA embraces a bold vision to be a leader in the transformation of the public media system by helping stations re-envision how they engage with communities and re-envision how they operate.
Our plans are agile and designed to be responsive to the member stations we serve. Transformation thrives on interconnectedness, and NETA commits to collaborative efforts with public media stations, national organizations, and like-minded partners.
Background
In October 2023, NETA’s board executive committee initiated strategic planning facilitated by Todd Hoskins at Canopy Gap. We conducted more than 70 interviews with station and system leaders to gather insights on future needs for the growth of public media.
Consistent themes of station transformation, expanded community engagement, local journalism, and educational direction are prominent. NETA's commitment to diversity and collaboration remains a top priority.
Agile Strategic Doing
NETA, in collaboration with public media stations, national public media organizations, and like-minded partners, is adopting Agile Strategic Doing – a commitment to learning, adjusting, and moving together toward a future where our collective impact is greater than the sum of individual efforts.
Plan / Do / Learn / Adjust
Guiding Principles
We invite stakeholders to join in shaping a vibrant future for public media
INCLUSIVE
We continually
invite, listen to,
and incorporate
more voices
CONNECTIVE
We bring together
people, ideas, and
resources with
passion and care
PRAGMATIC
We prioritize what works,
and recognize that
transformation is often about
small steps and adjustments
BOLD
We are
committed
to taking
wise risks
Strategic Priorities
NETA's strategic priorities include Education, DEIB, Content, and Professional Services.
EDUCATION
Ensure that public media
remains a leading
force in shaping
the future of learning
through technology
and new models.
DEIB
Increase access
to leadership positions,
resources, mutual
understanding, and
a sense of belonging
for all.
CONTENT
Prioritize diverse
voices, curation, and
community through
new formats,
expanded journalism,
and engagement.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Provide support to
member stations,
including financial, HR,
and leadership
development, among
other essential services.
Education
NETA envisions playing a pivotal role in supporting public media stations to actively contribute to the future of education.
- Collaboratively research, define, and amplify public media's role in education.
- Explore innovative content, engagement, and community partnership strategies.
- Support station integration of education into content and engagement initiatives.
Through thought leadership, collaboration, and support, NETA aims to position public media stations as leaders in educational innovation.
DEIB
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging are essential to public media’s mission and values, and should be infused in every element of our work.
- Reinforce the need for leadership and staff to reflect the communities they serve.
- Explore innovative content, engagement, and community partnership strategies.
- Support access to resources and mutual understanding.
DEIB is not only a moral imperative but a strategic imperative for the sustained success of the public media system.
Content
NETA recognizes that constant changes in viewer behavior and content consumption require us to recalibrate our content service.
- Prioritize diverse voices and perspectives
- Support station’s expansion of journalism and engagement
- Super serve audiences through increased curation
- Foster regional collaboration among stations including independent producers
By staying at the forefront of the evolution of content, we ensure NETA and public media stations remain relevant to new audiences and resonate with the diverse communities that shape our media landscape.
Professional Services
NETA is dedicated to fostering operational excellence across public media stations.
- Accounting
- Human Resources
- Executive Leadership
- Enhancing Financial Sustainability
- Consulting
- Executive Search
NETA's approach to professional services is geared towards empowering member stations with the tools, knowledge, and collaborative networks needed for sustained success.