VFR retreat – a proposal
The following proposal was presented by Emily Miller at the general membership meeting on September 20, 2006.
The VFR Retreat Proposal was developed in conversation with several VFR volunteers from the Operations and the Programming Committees. It is responding to the ongoing volunteer crisis and communication problems at the radio station. It is also inspired by VFR’s one year anniversary, and a strong desire to improve the overall culture at VFR: to build a bridge between programmers and the organization as a whole. There are several important details that will need to be worked out if this outline is approved by the general membership. The Retreat’s success depends on participation and support. If you think this idea is one worth trying, I invite you to share your ideas and critical feedback between now and the next general meeting in October.
Feel free to email me with questions too.
thanks,
Emily
emilyemiller@earthlink.net
What will happen?
• VFR will suspend live programming for 2 full weeks.
• Programmers can put their shows, new or old, into automation for their regularly scheduled show times
• Programmers will come to station during their program time (unless they make arrangements to come at another time) to participate in ongoing “retreat”.
Goals?
• To build a bridge between programmers and the organization as a whole.
• To improve communications and studio management
• To support the timely and efficient follow thru on the volunteer task force plan.
• To create better conditions for everyone at VFR.
Why?
• We have a volunteer crisis and very low meeting attendance.
• There are over 100 programmers who have agreed to volunteer 2 hours a month.
• Everybody who has a show on VFR can show up for this–it makes it easier for programmers to connect and find positive ways to contribute to the station.
• The programming committee needs up-to-date contact info from programmers, both to communicate effectively and to fairly review and respond to scheduling requests.
• The Volunteer Task Force plan depends on being able to communicate with all current programmers. This retreat ensures that the connection with the people who need to be reached will be made within 2 weeks.
To Do
• update programmer information for Programming Commitee and Volunteer Task Force
• Create database for both committees (see VTF plan)
• All programmers connect to a volunteer team (see plan)
• Collect program information/descriptions for the entire schedule and create materials to distribute through out listening area.
• Studio clean-up — systems improvements
• Skills sharing
Off-air station activities
Everything happens at the station when programmers can show up.
• Programmers will connect with organization providing info:
• contact info (sign up for programming list?)
• program info (descriptions for written materials, promos)
• volunteer info (what are they doing/ do they want to do?)
• skills (production, automation, tech ?, podcasting)
• And working together to get things done:
• Database creation
• Studio improvement projects
• Planning fundraising and outreach efforts
• Skills sharing
• (Add your project here)
On-Air
• pre-recorded or archived shows playing from automation
• Regular syndicated programming
• PSAs and PROMOS
• Automated music
• frequent announcements to public about what we are doing and when we will be returning to our regular schedule of live programming.
Facilitation Resources
Op-com
Programming Committee, and
Volunteer Task Force
studio managers
collective liaisons
Week 1 focus on data collection and communication systems
Week 2 : volunteer teams and skills sharing
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