Creating a community-based low-power radio station takes more than engineering expertise, it takes grassroots and political organizing, the ability to work with different types of people, fundraising savy, and a sensible organizational structure. The staff and alumni at Prometheus have put together a variety of tips and resources for you as you work to create your own station. Some of the information overlaps but it is all useful.
In this episode, Antioch Intern Caroline Nappo has compiled this look at several radio stations' organizational models.Your station could employ any one of these models. Mix and match, or even come up with something completely different. In addition to how you are going to structure your station internally, here are a couple of other things to consider:
History
Founded in the early sixties, this station broadcasts at over 13,000 watts out of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. WISU serves as a classroom exercise in radio broadcasting for students of the University.
Organization
A handful of the University students oversee the day to day operation of the station, with the exception of two professional staff members; the station manager, and the engineer. Some students in more integral positions receive a salary. Most of the students' participation corresponds to school class crediting. Students are responsible for maintaining strict adherence to station guidelines and regulations.
This is not the place for improvisation and forging new aural territory. WISU's apparent mission is to run something akin to a commercial station, with the intention of breeding radio professionals. Like commercial stations, WISU requires certain songs be broadcast at specific intervals, such as songs that are in the current Billboard top ten. DJs are responsible for knowing which songs are in heavy or medium rotation and must play those songs according to their popularity. DJs in effect are there strictly to learn how to operate the boards, not to develop their own interests as a programmer.
| WISU is a "laboratory experiment" for aspiring radio broadcasters. |
While WISU features specialty programming like alternative music and blues, this station is not about fostering creativity. Their website showcases a "Hall of Fame" that lists WISU alumni who have gone on to exciting professional jobs. You can find them at www.indstate.edu or wisu.indstate.edu/. Although this is a community station, this functions more like a commercial station. If their extensive station manual is any indication, the management is serious about sticking to procedure. (The students must take a quiz each term to determine competence).
This model requires a large amount of people to fill all the positions. In this model, there is minimal full time staff. In this case WISU employs two, the station manager and the engineer. All other positions are volunteer or involve small part time salary. All of the other director positions are staffed by students, with the remaining positions filled by volunteers.
The station manager has final say over all decisions and issues pertaining to the other staff/volunteers. The amount of power within the station descends from the station manager on down. S/he ensures that the staff/volunteers are following the guidelines. This model is hierarchical, so those with greater responsibility have more of a voice in procedural matters. Participants are expected to comply with procedure. WISU, like most community stations, receives financial support from underwriters. However, their costs are partly absorbed by the university as well. The University also provides the space for the station and its facilities.
Wrap up
As stated in the manual, the station is a "laboratory experiment" for aspiring radio broadcasters. Their handbook warns that students are not there to "play radio". There are two full time staff, an engineer and station manager. The station manager has complete control along with the University. Volunteers/other PT staff are ISU students. Follows commercial broadcasting format and students are expected to adhere to format. Although students and other staff are the overwhelming majority, they really have little or no say in programming and format. The station is very high tech. It requires someone with specific knowledge of engineering for upkeep (hence one of two paid FT positions). Ideal for someone who doesn't want any surprises in his/her station, and only wishes for employees/volunteers to stick to a format.
