etown

In a world where most news is bad, it is rare to hear stories about people who are doing good.

etown, a national weekly radio show based in Boulder, Colorado, is glad to fill this need among its hundreds of thousands of listeners.

The hour-long show features two musicians, an interview (most often with a community activist, author, poet, environmentalist or policy-maker), and the e-chievement award, one of the most popular segments of each show, judging by listener response.

Nick Forster, founder/host/executive director/president of etown (“My title seems to fluctuate a bit,” he confesses), says that the e-chievement award embodies the same spirit as the Argosy Foundation. This seeming connection led Argosy to begin a partnership with the program in 2005 through a $100,000 grant.

“The e-chievement award highlights individuals from across the country that have done something extraordinary for their community, nation or the world,” says Nick. “Like Argosy, it recognizes unsung heroes – people who are coming out and seeing a problem and taking matters into their own hands to make a difference.”

Real-life heroism

Nick stresses the need for the e-chievement award: “We all have access to more information now than at anytime in history, but so much of it is negative. It's easy for any media consumer to become disempowered and disengaged from the process of collaborative living. There aren't enough examples of real-life heroism going on around us,” he says. “e-chievement award stories are proof that one inspired and committed person can make a big difference. They also remind us of the power of community and commitment to the common good.”

Every year, etown listeners submit hundreds of nominations for the e-chievement award. Of these, roughly 30 recipients are chosen by etown and interviewed and honored on the show (by phone or in-person) by Nick and his co-host and wife, Helen Forster. “We are honored and humbled to share these stories of how a person's inspiration led them to action with a demonstrable effect,” says Nick.   

Although the e-chievement award has been in place for nearly 14 years, Argosy's partnership has contributed significantly to the program's evolution. According to Nick, Argosy has allowed etown to allocate more staff time and resources to the research and pre-interviewing of award nominees so the show can be as compelling as possible.

As a result, he says, the e-chievement award is able to leverage awareness and support in ways not previously anticipated. “We're just now starting to formally track the effects on award winners of being recognized on the show – and how this recognition affects listeners. It's all so inspiring,” Nick says. “Award winners report that their exposure has moved the public to support their respective causes through surprising amounts of funding and volunteerism, and listeners are writing and calling to find out how they can replicate the work in their own hometowns.” 

With Argosy's continued partnership, Nick hopes to introduce a cash award for e-chievement award recipients to help further their work. He also dreams of creating a center in Boulder where recipients can “teach people what they do” by hosting workshops and educational programs.

A stand-alone jewel

Argosy's sponsorship of the e-chievement award represents the first time that the program has not been sponsored by a corporation. “It's not about commercializing this. It's all about inspiration,” Nick says. “The e-chievement award is really sincere and authentic, and conversations with some companies about sponsoring it just didn't feel right.”

Conversations with the Argosy Foundation, however, felt great. “The overlap of the e-chievement award with Argosy's mission was perfect. Each has a viral effect, inspiring others to do good.” 
 
Thanks to Argosy, Nick adds, “We are able to honor the e-chievement award as a stand-alone jewel in etown's crown.”