Report of the General Manager Trent Radio AGM 13Feb99 John K Muir Administrative Mission The provision of radio production equipment and related training, direction and facilities in support of radio programming activities and programmer development. And, general support for the artistic, research and administrative activities by those involved in the organisation. In carrying out that mission the following responsibilities are performed: The operation and maintenance of 715 George Street which houses, an archive, two radio studios, associated meeting areas, offices, storage facilities, and a revenue producing residential rental apartment. The operation and maintenance of a licensed 250 watt radio transmission facility at Television Road, with the addition of a internet accessible stream source The provision of salaried and contracted programming personnel with the specific charge to provide direction, support, and inspiration to volunteer programmers. Overview: Operations reflect on-going and project priorities established over the last three years, as well as moving towards making support of the mission more manageable. a) the purchase of a new transmitter and related equipment. b) the purchase 715 George Street - Trent Radio House. c) the establishment of a Spoken Word Archive. d) the production of exceptional Radio Drama pursuant to inspiring imaginative contributions of original work and furthering our community's artistic development - with monies for scripts, direction and production e) production and distribution of publicity (Trout Rodeo & guides) f) support for the development of radio art pursuant to stimulating innovative programming. g) support of the Radio Salon series to promote the power and potential of radio. h) on-going maintenance of the music archive i) general on-going programme direction j) general day-today administrative and technical direction and support k) related office, building & technical overhead l) developing on-going and new sources of revenue in support of the above. Financial Overview The Bad News: Expenditure on repairs and new equipment have been articulated in detail in the Physical Plant and Technical report, and the two year decline in student memberships was noted in the Membership and Fundraising report. The modest deficit at the end of last fiscal year is due in part to the above, a decrease in sponsorships, and a contract commitment scheduled for the fall of 2004. It is anticipated that after experiencing a slight increase in this fiscal year ending 31 August 2000, first year enrolment at Trent is uncertain due to various controversies. Increased activity and added equipment, increase utilities usage, and take its toll in wear to the fabric of the building and equipment repair. The good news is that there are about 30 months of mortgage and loan payments left. Taken together these amount to an approximate annual burden of about $10,500. At last year end the total of these amounted to about $23,000. The end is nearing. Some details A grant of $3,836 was received from the federal government to hire a student for thirteen weeks during the summer. During the last fiscal year, $3,776 was received under the Ontario Work Study Programme. This represents as 75% wage subsidy to hire student who are in receipt of OSAP to work in various roles at Trent Radio. A net total of about $2,835 was generated from Sponsorship activities (down from $4,700), with a further $9,316 coming from brokered programming revenue, and inflow of $6,600 new funds from the provision of services to Trent University and the Full Moon over Killaloe project. It is now a more distant hope that brokered programming will expand to an hour in the early morning hours, and generate a total revenue of about $18,000 per year. A major component of Programming Expense ($700) is a license fee paid to SOCAN who administers the copyright for musical works. A new licence fee of $100 per year is being sought from Trent Radio by the Neighbouring Rights Copyright Collective. We are disputing their assessment of us on the grounds that Trent Radio is a registered charity. The cost of utilities rose by $200 (6%) from $2,560 to $3,340, mainly due electricity costs associated with increased activity over the summer. Y2K? Nothing happened, proving that Trent Radio's careful consideration plan to strive to be Y2K Complacent was effective. Actually the need to obtain computers capable of running Windows 9.x has meant a major outlay of cash and many headaches. CRTC Several submissions were made to the CRTC by Trent Radio during their review of policies concerning campus and community radio, which were largely ignored. It may be a blessing that they did not try to define art. The CRTC now designates Trent Radio and its ilk as "campus based" and has abandoned its role of inspiring broadcasters to make imaginative contributions. Some have commented that instead of raising standards, the CRTC has watered down its programming expectations of licensees. One new directive which the Membership may wish to consider in the future is that licensee's change their Board structure such that Directors sit for a two year term with roughly half the Board elected each year. The text of the policy statement is on the CRTC website and also our own. The new "streamlined" renewal process requires very little work, however, it is anticipated that a comprehensive promise of performance will be filed with the renewal application. PROJECTS Full Moon over Killaloe ... a radio art camp in the Madawaska Valley with artists Michael Waterman and Hildegard Westerkamp and about 14 participants was a great success. It is hoped to remount this project in August of this year. RaDio Burst a radio art festival and companion event to "Soundescape" a conference on acoustic ecology being held at Trent University in the last week of June this year. More news when we hear about our grant application. INTO THE FUTURE As you may know Corus, an amalgam of Shaw and other communications interest has purchased Power Broadcasting's holding here in Peterborough, pending CRTC approval. If goes through, Corus will be Trent Radio's antenna landlord. There is much to discuss in regards to where Trent Radio stands (literally) in relation to Trent University, and the Trent and Peterborough communities. Also, our Internet activities should be thought through. Is it a new programming channel? In any case, Trent Radio's on-going policy of proceeding such that proposals are judged by how well they further programming and programmer's development has served it well and will do so in the future. FINAL NOTE Trent Radio continues to awe me. It is dizzying to see and hear so many people with so much energy, pulling together in so many diverse ways to make radio and to aid others in making theirs. My gratitude to; all those who work and play radio, and inspire us all, the Operators without whom 92.7 would be an unmodulated carrier, those with whom I work on a day to day basis, my Board, and to our Programme Director. Thank you for your support, encouragement, good humour, patience and hard work. John K Muir, 13 Feb 2000