station
Current Volunteer Opportunities
** Including how to apply to be a WRIR DJ is at the end of the list ** Updated JANUARY 2013
WEEKDAY BOARD OPERATOR
Weekday Board Operators guide the listener through the day's talk programs. This is your opportunity to become skilled being on air while engineering the station's many weekday news programs. You must commit to a regular shift. Internship credit available.
SKILLS: able to multi-task without being easily flustered, good speaking voice, can read well, comfortable working with computers and audio equipment, reliable and dependable
TRAINING: you will train with an experienced WRIR board operator for a few hours over 2-3 weeks
TIME: you must be regularly available for a board op shift. Shifts are: 8-10a,10a-2p,2-5p. You can not split shifts. You must volunteer during these set times. Some board ops volunteer each week, others are on air every other week while some just volunteer as a substitute.
CONTACT: mackenzie.mr@gmail.com for more information
EVENTS TEAM
Help spread the word about Richmond Independent Radio by representing WRIR at the city's many community events. WRIR popular events like First Fridays, Earth Day, the Vegetarian Festival, James River Film Festival, etc. We need people who are enthusiastic about WRIR to be at these events. If you like going to community events, consider going as a representative of WRIR.
SKILLS: enthusiasm for WRIR's mission and programs, reliable
TRAINING: you will volunteer with members of WRIR's Events Committee and other WRIR volunteers
TIME: varies according to your schedule and the scheduled event, volunteer as much or as little as your schedule allows, attend monthly Events Committee meetings (3rd Sundays each month)
CONTACT: eventscoordinator@wrir.org for more information
LIVE SOUND ENGINEERS
Are you experienced with a sound mixer, setting up microphones, running a recording session, engineering a live band? Want to use your talents to bring live music and speakers to the Richmond community? Our Operations Committee is forming a team of experienced sound engineers who will work with the Operations Director in WRIR’s newly constructed studio specifically for live music and talk shows. This is your chance to be a part of one of WRIR’s highly anticipated projects. All positions are volunteer. Internship credit is available.
SKILLS: experience running live sound for either (or both) music and talk, knowledge of using basic sound engineer boards and equipment, familiarity with microphones and proper microphone placement
TRAINING: you must be trained by the Operations Director and certified to do live sound engineering for WRIR; training is scheduled as needed either individually or with a group
LOCATION: WRIR studio
TIME: Once trained, you will do sound engineering when needed. Usually 1-2 bands perform each week, mostly on weekends. You can also have a regular gig of doing sound for a live talk show. Live talk shows happen during the weekdays.
TO APPLY: email Wrirlivesound@gmail for more information. Please include your resume, equipment you are familiar with or a list of your experience with engineering live sound.
PRODUCTION TEAM
WRIR has as a group of volunteers who produces promotional spots for the station. Members of the production team learn digital editing, how to write for radio and how to record/produce radio spots. This is a great way to learn sound engineering through hands-on experience.
SKILLS: experience or desire to learn radio production, good writing skills, some basic computer skills
TRAINING: an extensive mentoring program with members of the production team; usually involves two or three classes to learn the basics of radio production and then 20 hours spent doing production projects for the station
TIME: 20 hours for training and then 2-5 hours a week (or month) depending on your schedule
CONTACT: If you have an interest in radio production, contact Jason at jmatty72@gmail.com
MARKETING AND SOCIAL NETWORK
Are you a fan of WRIR's facebook page or follow WRIR on Twitter? Do you have ideas on how WRIR can improve its marketing communication with current media or social networking? Come to a Marketing Committee meeting to not only tell your ideas but maybe put them into action. WRIR needs creative, saavy volunteers to help with the branding of the station.
SKILLS: (any of the following) Web site design, podcasting, gmail apps, graphic design, newsletters, social networking, media relations, messaging, public relations, etc.
TIME: monthly committee meeting (2nd Wednesday of every month) and then any time spent working on a project
CONTACT: matt.zoller@wrir.org for more information
IT SUPPORT
WRIR knows how to do a lot with a little. Take our computers. When the station started volunteers found parts in dumpsters and managed to build up computer systems for the station. Now WRIR relies on its systems to upload and broadcast many of the stations national programs. If you like a challenge, can improvise and want to volunteer with creative, innovative people, help manage WRIR's IT functions.
SKILLS: (any of the following) podcasting, gmail apps, database, web stream, computer systems, computer repairs, wiring and hardware
TIME: varies based on station needs or projects
CONTACT: operations@wrir.org
MUSIC COMMITTEE
If you love all things music and want to be around record collectors and music aficionados, come to a Music Committee meeting. You will meet other WRIR DJs and could even volunteer to review new music. Bring a CD of your favorite music mix. At the end of the meeting, you trade your CD for one from another volunteer. It is a great way to expand your musical tastes and hear unusual music.
SKILLS: (any of the following) strong interest or knowledge of a genre of music, knowledge of new music/artists, reliable and dependable
TIME: monthly committee meeting (last Tuesday of every month) and then any time spent working on a project
CONTACT: music@wrir.org for more information
YOUTH COMMUNITY CALENDAR
If you are a student and need community service hours, you can volunteer with WRIR's Community Calendar. You will be teamed up with other students (or form your own team w/ your friends) to record a weekly segment for the station. The Community Calendar promotes community events and fund raisers. Impress your friends by being on the radio.
SKILLS: basic computer skills, quick learner, comfortable taking on a project and completing it by the deadline, easily work with other students, able to take information and write it as a concise script
TRAINING: mentoring program with other community calendar teams
LOCATION: WRIR studio
TIME: the teams rotate production of the weekly calendar usually every month or two; must commit to a day of training
CONTACT: wrircommunitycalendar@gmail.com for more information
MUSIC DJ/ SUBSTITUTE MUSIC DJ -- **As of January 2013, all DJ and sub positions are filled. However, WRIR always accepts DJ application materials for future consideration.**
It is WRIR’s mission to air unrepresented music, news and views in order to provide a platform for cultural diversity in Richmond. As a WRIR DJ, you are responsible for transmitting WRIR’s mission over the airwaves and into the Richmond community. Whether your show is during the popular drive time or in the middle of the night, through the music you play (or do not play), your show is a voice for WRIR’s independent spirit. Below are the steps you must take to submit a proposal for being a DJ. It is very important you follow the instructions exactly as written -- no exceptions! If you have any questions, email WRIR's Music Program Director, Rachel Solomon at rachel.solomon@wrir.org.
SKILLS: Ability to work a sound board and audio equipment, clear speaking voice, strong knowledge of music especially a particular genre, unflappable under pressure or when equipment malfunctions, basic knowledge of posting on a blog, able to follow FCC and WRIR's rules and procedures, reliable and dependable, committed to the mission of WRIR, gets along with other volunteers
LOCATION: WRIR's studio, live (no pre-recorded shows are accepted)
TIME: Most music programs are two hours, once a week; "All Nighter" slots are three hours, once a week
TRAINING: Current DJs will train you on WRIR's equipment and procedures; the training is usually a minimum of three sessions; you must pass the training to be a DJ
How to Apply to be a WRIR DJ
1) Fill out a WRIR Volunteer application online
In the application you can specify that you want to be a DJ.
2) Attend a music committee meeting held the last Tuesday of every month, 7 pm, at WRIR Studios.
The Music Committee makes important decisions regarding the music programs of the station. You will meet other DJs and even exchange CD mixes of your favorite music. To find out the schedule for the next meeting and the agenda, email the Rock Music Director
3) Submit the following application materials to Music Program Director, Rachel Solomon (rachel.solomon@wrir.org):
a.) A show proposal, playlist AND a recording of one sample show.
WRIR's mission is to air unrepresented music, news and views to provide a platform of cultural diversity in Richmond. Will your show foster the station's mission?
To demonstrate the type of program you want to air, you need to create a two-hour playlist. A playlist for rotation shows will give us an idea of the type of music you are interested in, have access to, or would like to play. Check out WRIR's web site for playlists posted by our DJs. It will give you an idea of the diverse programming WRIR expects.
Your playlist must include the following information: Artist, Track, Recording, Label, Year of Recording, Time. For example:
The Pernice Brothers/ The Ballad of Bjorn Borg/ The World Won't End/ Ashmont Records / 2001/ 3:51
The Pinker Tones/ S.E.X.Y.R.O.B.O.T./ Wild Animals/Nacional Records/ 2008/ 4:33
William Shatner/ It Hasn't Happened Yet/ Has Been/ Shout! Factory/ 2004/ 3:46
To record your show you can burn a CD of your songs on your playlist and in the order you would air them. Think of this CD as an audio file of the show you hope to produce each week on WRIR. It helps if you include a bit of your voice doing the voiceover and intros but this is not required. Once you make your CD, mail it or drop it off at the station along with the other required materials.
b.) A resume with contact information.
Your resume should include your address, phone, email and other contact information, your education and work background, and personal goals. We're also interested in any prior radio, DJing, office, computer, broadcast, audio engineering, or music experience you have; the source of the recordings you'll play (personal collection, WRIR library, etc.); your personal scheduling needs and desires; and anything else you think we should know. You don't have to have prior DJing experience. WRIR trains volunteers at all levels of expertise.
c.) Three album reviews.
As a WRIR DJ, in addition to knowing a good deal about music, one responsibility includes reviewing the new music that comes to WRIR's extensive library. Submit three concise, informative album reviews of recent (within the past six month) releases you feel represent your area of music expertise. Consider WRIR's mission to air unrepresented/lesser-known artists in this process (i.e. try to avoid Top 40 releases).
Music Review Format:
Artist:
Album:
Date Released:
Label:
Genre:
Brief Review:
RIYL (Recommended if you Like):
Top Tracks:
FCC Banned Tracks:
Reviewed by:
d.) List of "shadowing" and subbing requests.
In becoming a WRIR DJ, a volunteer must sit in or "shadow" three shows and receiving training in on-air technique and policies. Consult the WRIR website's schedule of programs and submit a list of shows/DJs you'd most like to train on, as well as a list of programs you would feel comfortable subbing (guest hosting) based on time slot and format/theme.
5) Follow WRIR's requirements for on-air volunteers.
If your show is accepted, and you want to host a program, you are required to become a member of WRIR by making a tax-deductible financial contribution at least once a year. The Virginia Center For Public Press (VCPP), WRIR's parent organization, is a private, non-profit foundation. Contributing members must make at least a $45 donation to WRIR. You can make a donation at our website, or you can write a check payable to “Virginia Center For Public Press.”
All on-air volunteers are also required to volunteer during the station's fund drives. WRIR has two fund drives a year. You must volunteer for a shift during each fund drive. Professionalism, promptness and proficiency are expected of all volunteers, especially WRIR DJs. You will follow all station procedures as outlined in the Volunteer Handbook and any other manuals (i.e. FCC regulations, etc.) A WRIR DJ must be in compliance with the FCC's policies. Failure to fulfill these requirements could terminate your position as a WRIR volunteer DJ.
6) Get your DJ Application packet to WRIR's Music Program Director.
You can send mail it or drop it off at the station. Written materials (show proposal, playlist, reviews, request lists) should additionally be sent electronically to PD Rachel Solomon at rachel.solomon@wrir.org.
Remember to include:
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A playlist and proposal for a two-hour show
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A CD recording of the playlist
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Your resume with your contact information
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Three recent album reviews
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List of shadowing AND subbing requests
Mailing address:
WRIR Richmond Indie Radio
Attn: Programming Director/ NEW DJ PROPOSAL
P.O. Box 4787
Richmond, VA 23220
1621 W. Broad Street
Near Lombardy and Allen
(Call the studio 804-649-9737 to make sure someone is available to open the office door)
Once you have completed these requirements, the Programming Director will contact you. If approved, WRIR will set up training sessions, and discuss how shows are handled. It is advised that one of these training sessions be during an "All Nighter" slot (3-6 a.m.) as this is the time slot that generally becomes available first for new volunteers.
DJs who are accepted must understand that they are responsible for doing the show every week for a period of at least 6 months, and are subject to review at anytime. Show contracts are renewable after 6 months, but are not guaranteed.
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