Entre-Season co-Programme Director's Report:
  per Operations Report BoD 22Jan 98

Bill Thompson Entre Season co-Programme Director - Dec 97

Tim Cromey and myself organized the holiday season on Trent Radio this
year, which ran between December 13th and 24th.  It began immediately
after the radio marathon and was finished with a German Christmas eve
show hosted by Henry and Barb Holtman.

Tim and I were both quite surprised at how easy it was to organize this
nine day season.  I expect ease of organization was aided by early
advertising.  Advertising for programmers for the holiday season began
two weeks before the season was to begin. We posted a sign-up sheet in
the kitchen of TR house, posted to trentu.general, and created some
radio carts, then sat back and waited for the sign up sheet to fill.
The response was incredible, giving us at least seven hours of
programming per day (usually more).  Our scheduled hours were between
9am and 4pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with operators being given the
opportunity to continue after this time.  On Sundays, due to interest
expressed by programmers, hours were between 10am and 7pm.

One disappointing aspect of this season was that there were no new
people in to the station.  It was hoped that the holiday season might
provide a chance for people who did not have a regularly scheduled
programme to try their hands at radio.  Barb Woolner gave me a list of
people who had expressed interest in a show earlier in the season, but
unfortunately due to time constraints caused by exams, I did not have
a chance to contact all of these people.

The only real problem encountered during this season was that some
programmers were unsure as to when the season ended. When the season was
advertised, it was stated that the season would run between December 13th
and 24th, "depending on interest".  I should have followed that up at some
point in the season to make it clear when it did end.

There were reports of loss of a large number of CDs during the holiday
season.  This is extremely unfortunate, but I do not think this
problem is a result of an entre season.  We started our day with
seniors programming, then at noon an operator came in to take over
responsibility for the station,.  There was no point in which the
station was left unattended.  Security during this season was as good
as it is at any time of the year.  Any security problems we experience
at the station during the regular course of operation were experienced
during this season as well. More may have disappeared now simply
because it appeared easier, since our regular staff were not around.

I think this break in the regular schedule is very good for
programmers.  It gives them a chance to try an idea they may have for
a programme that they have not tried yet.  Several programmers (myself
included) did just that.  It also gives programmers a chance to take a
break from their regular show, and maybe recharge their batteries for
the spring season.  I think it reflects really well on Trent Radio and
the environment we have created here that so many of our programmers
and operators wanted to take part in this additional season.

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