Dear Q&A
We run a small but well supported station in the South of England. Thanks to some imaginative and diverse programming we are pleased not to be short of volunteers but there’s a problem. We only have funds for me (station manager) and a very part time finance officer who also deals with grants. This means there’s no one to answer the non studio phone, answer letters, look after the running of the office etc apart from me and I’m doing everthing else aside from a little volunteer training.
I feel like I’m being pulled in several directions and know we really need some volunteers to help with back office duties. We’re very good at attracting people who want to produce a show, be a DJ or write some news but no one comes forward to help with adminstration. I am skilled enough to train someone and know at the moment these are valuable new skills for a volunteer to have…but how canI attract a suitible volunteer or two? Is there anything else I should consider?
Thanks
A very tired manager
3 Comments, Comment or Ping
Hi
Have you considered factoring in admin requirements when you allocate programme slots to DJs?
E.g. you could suggest that programme slots are in demand, so if you are given the opportunity to present we would require 1-2 hours of admin support as part of the volunteer agreement.
When we interview new volunteers we have a section on the application form which asks what other areas volunteers are willing to help out in (e.g. admin, publicity) – potential DJs should be encouraged to offer additional support, and if new applicants aren’t willing to offer help in these areas perhaps they should not be given preference against other people who will.
Tom
August 11th, 2010
yes i must fully agree with the above statement,large number of people come foward to offer there services to produce programing for delivery to output, this role can be filled with the drop of a hat usually as there is no shortage of this caliber of assistance. however some how we must sex up the office duties and try and make people understand that the whole organisation works on a pyramid system all working to allow the correct output to air,the presenter is but the last link in that chain…
problem is that to the casual listner the presenter appears to have the by far the most inportant role in the oganisation.
terry ellis.
August 19th, 2010
Loads of people are looking for internship opportunties while at uni, after graduating, or even at A levels. Once they join the team and become part of the family, it’s quite easy to keep people on, especially if they feel what they are doing is worthwhile.
We are holding monthly hot-pot parties, to make the work a social occasion, and so all the presenters can meet each other. After all, volunteering is as much a social activity as a work thing.
Apart from that, there are other schemes run by the govt and job centres, about getting people into the workplace. Also there are numerous charities which help discriminated against people get back into the workplace, or those for one reason or another, (eg lack of confidence) don’t apply for jobs but want to… you can try contacting them.
Hope that’s a help!
Another tired manager …
September 2nd, 2010