PROGRAMME DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR THE AGM November 22 1998 Barb Woolner DIRECTION IN PROGRAMMING Trent Radio has continued with the view of producer-oriented radio. As Programme Director, I seek out programmers who are knowledgable and enthusiastic about the content of their shows. I make suggestions for organizing programmes, developing ideas and making contacts. This Fall broadcast season, as endorsed by this Board of Directors, I have asked programmers to improve the content of their programmes in two ways: The first is the implementation of Foreground Programming. In short, this is the inclusion of at least 15 minutes per hour of intrinsic intellectual content related to one theme or subject. The other is to increase the Canadian Content of their programmes. Music programmers have been directed to include 40% Canadian Content. With Jazz and World music programmers including 15% Canadian Content. HOW PEOPLE GET INVOLVED When asking new volunteers and programmers what they thought I should include in this annual report, they wanted to know about the variety of ways people find their way to Trent Radio. I have included a list of some of the ways: - have been a guest on a radio programme in the past - a friend has/had a show and it inspired them - "I always wanted to", long term interest - "I was just walking by and finally had the nerve to come in" - "I don't hear anything I like", responding to programming - responded to ad in the paper, Seniors column in Examiner or announcements in Arthur - read stuff on trentu.general, Trent newsgroup - saw Radio Log column in Arthur (Trent Students' paper) - involvement in community radio at "home" - have a specific interest that they want to let others know about - projects for school, for some courses at Trent - "I have some time on Tuesday to volunteer" VARIABLES IN PROGRAMME SELECTION All proposals (received by the deadline) are reviewed by the Programme Selection Committee, an ad hoc group of experienced programmers and/or operators. Each proposal is reviewed by two people on the committee and following these are some of the things that we look for: - first impressions; Are all the questions answered? Does the applicant have a sense of humour? A positive attitude? - clarity of programme idea; how thought out is the idea? - interest; Does the idea sound interesting? Would you listen? - creativity; What is truly unique about this programme idea? - outside interests; What community (social, cultural, political etc.) or personal activities is the applicant involved in? How else may they use the medium of radio? - availability; Is there a time slot open at the time the applicant is available? - aims and licence requirements; Is this a programme/programmer that will help Trent Radio meet its aims and satisfy its licence requirements? Note that at the beginning of the Fall season there is approximately a 60% turn over. Many new programmers come to Trent Radio at this time. All programmers, new and returning complete a programme proposal. QUALITY OF PROGRAMMING Over the years, the overall quality of the programmes is improving. Generally, I define quality programmes as well organized, balanced, diverse, thought through, creative and visionary. The quality of the proposals themselves have improved so I have spent less time describing what I am looking for in programmes and more time helping to develop each programme. There continues to be space for special programmes and radio project days. The specific needs to round out the broadcast schedule for this year include: multilingual programmes, radio art, sound experiments, youth programmes, current affairs and "news" programmes, a folk music show, a hardcore show....insert favourite kind of programme here_______________________. ROLE OF OPERATORS I must continue to express my thanks for the outstanding contribution to day- to-day programming and social life at Trent Radio that Operators make. Their shifts are five hours long and they are able to do a million and one jobs including: greeting and supporting programmers and other volunteers, producing Trent Radio promos, creating announcements programmes, assisting in the use of the on-air phone, providing tech support for radio specials and regulars, teaching people how to use the production studio, coaching the programmers' guests, acting as tour guide for first time visitors, taking phone messages, doing mail lists, watering the plants, tidying up after others, acting as archive gopher... HOW THINGS ARE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR TO LAST Things around the station seem different year to year. Some of those things are a result of my approach and some of those things are a result of the people who come in to make radio. Some things I have noticed are: - Training and Orientation. Earlier this season (September), with a very sore back, I had the pleasure of spending plenty of time in the kitchen chatting with people. More time was spent one-to-one on programme development and orientation. No public information sessions were held this Fall season. Radio Salons may fill this void. Training for programmers included 1) a programme development session with the Programme Director 2) a 30-minute overview of the Trent Radio space and 3) a 60-minute studio training with the Technical Trainer. Programmers are supported in "where they are at" that is what experiences they may have had that may relate to radio. They are also encouraged to ask questions as the needs arise. - Operators and Operators at Large. There are many people who have volunteered to help out in this capacity. As the years pass, there are more trained Operators. - Number and Quality of Proposals. There was an early request for proposals this year in emails that were sent in May and August. There were about 40 more proposals this year compared to last year. As mentioned above, they were generally more thoroughly completed and thought through. - Schedule Organization. Each year the layout of the schedule changes slightly. The weekdays are still formatted somewhat. The differences so far include: the "seniors'" programme is 8:00-11:00 (rather than 9:00-noon), there is a short announcement programme at 11:00, a variety music show at 11:15, an interview or local "news" show at 1:00, Smooth Operator and local arts at 2:00, a foreground music show at 2:30, youth programming at 4:00, mish mash programmes between 5 - 7, Smooth Operator at 7:00, a foreground spoken word show at 8:00, a foreground music show at 9:00 and music based programmes after that. - What's Hot. Last year Hip Hop. This year "rave". - Radio Project Days. Last year, there was at least one a month but this year, there is yet to be one. There is one being organized for December (Youth Day). These radio days have been organized by volunteers who want to explore an issue or topic in depth. ARCHIVES Trent Radio's music and spoken word archives have been updated and maintained by Co-op and Work Study positions. The music listing is also on Trent Radio's web page. Last year there were weekly archiving parties where other volunteers helped out in the process. This year, there hasn't been an urgent need for this as Mathias Kom (Archiving Leader) with other volunteers have managed well. The spoken word archive (in the Operators' Room) has received a lot of attention since the last annual general meeting. Brendan Edwards was last years' archive leader and along with Nancy Logger and Emma Carney began a process or organizing tapes of lectures, Radio Project Days, Special Programmes and programmes from "out of house". This year, Nancy Logger and Anne Harrison have taken on the project. TRENT RADIO WITH THE TRENT AND PETERBOROUGH COMMUNITIES Trent Radio desires to bring together both the Trent and Peterborough communities. I have been pro-active in this area in many ways such as distributing programme schedules, encouraging groups to send in public service announcements and saying YES to the ideas of others. For any special programming or events to occur, Trent Radio relies on the goodwill of others. - Public Service Announcements. By and large it is community groups that send PSAs to be read on air. Details about Trent events come from programmers themselves and also the Arthur. - Student and Community Clubs and Groups. Some groups arrange Special Programmes. There have been other regular programmes over the broadcasts seasons that have focused on the local music scene, local groups, Trent News etc, - Radio Project Day. I strive to have Radio Project Days once a month. Since the last AGM, the themes have been Common (non)Sense, Valentine's Day Sucks, Black History Month Celebration, International Women's Day, Aboriginal Voices, For Laughter (Comedy Day). The regular programming on these days is preempted to make way for something extraordinary. Depending on the theme, there is a range of people involved from all walks of life. - Specials. Time is available for anyone who would like to do a one-off or series of programmes. This provides non-regular programmers the opportunity to do a programme. Some things that were done this past year include: What is World Music?, Anthropology and Tourism, Brownie Circles, Education is a Right, Brock Street Mission, Tenant Protection Act, Multi-lateral Agreement on Investment, My Piano Teacher, Ridpath French students.. - Open House. There are open houses at the beginning and end of each broadcast season and on Radio Project Days. Visitors are welcome to get a tour of the station, meet programmers and ask questions. - School and Group Visits. Over the past year school groups and Girl Guide groups have visited Trent Radio and all have made a contribution to radio. - Visitors. Sometimes people are walking by the station and decide to drop in to see what is going on. - Guests. Programmers periodically invite guest hosts and interviewees on their shows. This offers enriched programming as well as an opportunity for someone else to learn about radio. - On Air Phone. A way for guests to be on air from their home or office. Also a way to have unexpected guests participate in the programme. - The Open Line. This is a interview and call-in programme of local politicians and is produced by Cogeco Community Television. Trent Radio simulcasts their programme Wednesday at 7:00pm. - Prof Rock. A new programme off to a slow start. The idea is that each week a guest host will invite their favourite Trent professor to bring their record collection to do their own show. - Band and Musician Interviews. Either live or over the phone line, programmers set up their interviews. This is an opportunity for the programmers and listeners to meet the band before the concert. It is also gives some promotion for the concert itself. - Remote Broadcasts. This is where Trent Radio goes to a location and broadcasts live. This works particularly well for on the spot interviews. There have only been a few this year; at the Trent University Club Day and the Open House for the Trent student government. IMPACT OF FREQUENCY CHANGE Trent Radio changed it's frequency to 92.7FM and increased its power to 250 watts in April 1997. Since this time there have been call-in guests and requests for programme schedules from communities outside of Peterborough but also from people within Peterborough who could not pick us up on the old frequency. Some people think that we are now a "serious" and "legitimate" radio station, a judgement that I don't agree with because Trent Radio was already those things. Perceptions are interesting. It is funny to think that programmers are broadcasting to places they have never been or in some cases, ever heard of. In most of these places the only presence of Trent Radio is the radio waves. That is to say no schedules or propaganda has made its way there other than requested material. There have not been any programme proposals from people in the new listening area. TRENT RADIO AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE Trent Radio is a community oriented, educational and cultural organization. It provides a service for the public at large and to programmers as well. - Skills for programmers and other volunteers in public speaking, organization, interpersonal communications, co-operation, production, interviewing, technical etc. - Volunteers learn about how a non-profit and volunteer organization functions. - Volunteers and programmers challenge their limits, grow personally and gain an appreciation for others' passions. - The public at large is exposed to new ideas and new musics. - Programmers and the public alike learn about what events (lectures, concerts, protests, exhibits etc) are taking place in town WHY ARE THERE SO MANY SHOWS ABOUT FOOD? You must all know that my educational background is Anthropology and most people ask what Anthro has to do with running programming at a radio station. Well! The basis of this report has been about the happenings in programming and the importance of radio to people. Food is the main theme of four regular running programmes. In addition, several other programmers have used it as a one day theme for their shows. There seems to be a proliferation of programmes with "basic needs" as the raison d'etre. This includes health issues and healthy living, food, sex and sexuality. Also, the simple pleasure of doing radio programmes for fun, sharing a particular topic or music. I too am asking why so many programmes on these topics this Fall season compared to other seasons. I ask a further question about what is happening in society at large that is inspiring people to address these basic needs in this way. TRENT RADIO AND THE CRTC Overall, it is my opinion that 1) Trent Radio's programming is balanced. and. 2) Trent Radio's programming is in compliance with its Promise of Performance submitted to the CRTC on 4 December 1992 and the Radio Regulations as promulgated by the CRTC. All programming is recorded and kept for one month. Operators and Programmers are reminded to check that all logger tapes are rewound entirely before recording begins. There are cassette tapes available for back up if necessary. All programme logs are used and kept for one year. Programmers are reminded to sign in and to check for sponsorships. All music sheets are kept for one year. Programmers are reminded to account for all music played noting Canadian content. WRAP UP As I reflect on the previous broadcast season and relish in this one I am very proud of the work that I do. I think that what is happening within the walls of Trent Radio and within the radius of the broadcast signal is magical. Over a hundred people who do their programmes week to week share this space. In a world of "zero tolerance", I try to make a space where there is tolerance and open mindedness for a wide range of people to "do their thing". They do need to back up what they say and have creative and well planned programmes. I look at each day as an experiment and I can do what I do because of the goodwill of others. I thank all the Operators that I have worked with who have supported me in my work and have created an encouraging and fun atmosphere for others. Thank you to the out-going board for your hard work. Thanks to John Muir for his support as employer and friend. Thank you to my partner, Paul Cleveland for helping me develop crisis management skills, helping out with unexpected events and for accepting the position of Trent Radio's Official Scapegoat. It's been a blast! THE PROGRAMME DIRECTOR'S WISH LIST OF SIMPLE PLEASURES - may every programmer prepare a programme promo tape for their show - may every programmer prepare a back-up tape of their show to be used when they are away - may every programmer paly around in studio B and prepare a station ID - may programmers cross-promote other programmes - may programmers remember their headphones and the use them - may professors commit to being a guest on Prof Rock - may "Darren" stop hounding programmers to play I Mother Earth - may musicians come to the station and play live on air - may there be lots of competent people to do late night programming - may there be plenty of Operator lunches - may the radio guide (Trout Rodeo) be distributed throughout the land - may programmers cut down on the "hits" they play - may blessings and thank yous be heard over the Trent Radio airwaves PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS YEAR IN REVIEW December 1997 * archiving parties each Wednesday afternoon * studio training each Thursday afternoon * end of season Open House * fundraising marathon * Entre-Season Programming * Special Programmes - World Music students * Special Programmes - Anthropology and Tourism students * Radio Project Day - Common (Non)Sense January 1998 * new season started Monday January 5 * workshop - Interview Skills * Special Programmes - Brownies prepared programme February 1998 * Special Programme - Education is a Right * Special Programme - Brock Street Mission * Special Programme - The Tenant Protection Act * Radio Project Day - Valentine's Day * Radio Project Day - Black History Month Celebration March 1998 * workshop - Programming Ideas * Special Programme - Social Assistance Reform Act * Special Programme - Literacy * Special Programme - St Patrick's Day * Special Programme - Multi-Lateral Agreement on Investment * Special Programme - My Piano Teacher * Radio Project Day - International Women's Day * Radio Project Day - Aboriginal Voices April 1998 * Open House to celebrate the end of season * End of Spring season (April 24) * Special Programme - Girl Guides on the Air * Special Programme - St Paul's School students * Special Programme - Ridpath French Students * Radio Project Day - For Laughter May 1998 * Open House (on Convocation Day) for Trent Radio graduates and their families September 1998 * PreSeason begins (September 8) * Remote Broadcast - Symons Campus, Club Days at Intro Week * Remote broadcasts - Trent Central Students Assoc Open House * Studio Trainings * Fundraiser - NEXXUS rave * Open House * High School Co-Op placement begins October 1998 * Radio Salon - public discussion on alternative media etc November 1998 * Katimivik placement for 2 weeks