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There are many community radio stations in Northern Tasmania that people can listen to but did you know over 2,500 people tune into Heart FM every week?
The McNair Research Group does surveys every two years. In 2010 it found that over 2,500 listen to Heart FM and that in fact 60% of Tasmanians listen to community radio in general. What makes Heart FM different from other community radio stations? Heart FM is different because of our purpose, community, and vision of hope!! Nice words but what do they mean? Let me explain these words in reverse order: HopeOur station doesn't just have news and local stories that you would find on TV news or current affairs shows. We believe our world can be a better place as we make choices in the way we serve each other, believe in each other, and desire the best for each other. Hope rises as we see a vision of a better tomorrow.CommunityOur station isn't just a group of people volunteering in different roles at a radio station. All community radio stations have lots of volunteers - on average between 100 and 150 - but often they are ships that pass in the night or worse still - ships of war firing shots at each other. Heart FM on the other hand - when we are at our best - creates space for people to be themselves, care for others, be supported through carefully thought through structures and systems, and champions a values-based culture. We have fun and are committed to being a team. This creates a very special feeling of family and community.PurposeAt one level our purpose is to be a local radio station but Heart FM is more than just a radio station. Heart FM is a gift to the Northern Midlands, an asset, a resource, and a hub. Our purpose isn't to steal listeners from other stations in a ratings war. Our purpose isn't to make huge profits for the benefit of shareholders or astute businessmen.Heart FM exists to help our 2,500 listeners to serve, network, build social capital, and change the world The reason why Heart FM exists is to help our 2,500 listeners do four things:
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And we do this on-air by playing music they enjoy, having presenters they identify with, and local content that instils a sense of pride in our region
and we do this off-air by building a team that is creative, caring, and fun... huge amounts of fun!! Heart FM is a place people arrive early and
leave late because they love hanging out together and making a difference. And we also do this by being a part of the community - attending community events,
promoting local needs, and more recently being invited into community development with invitations from local government and community
organisations to sit around the table and contribute to social policy and social action. Heart FM is valued by others as an asset and resource.
People are buying into this vision. Six months we were a team of four. We are training 10 new presenters - 9 from outside of Poatina. Some are about to move into the next phase of training as they enter into a live studio. Another 10 people are yet to start their training. Others are joining the team in off-air roles that range from being on the Committee of Management to production, community liaison, and sponsorship. Over 30 people are now involved or considering being involved. This year we are planning to replace our aging computers, audio software, and broadcasting equipment through a number of funding grants. We will have brand new radio broadcasting industry standard equipment that will make listening a whole lot better and volunteering a whole lot more fun. This new chapter in the remarkable story of Heart FM is just starting and we have some critical needs that challenge that launch into the future: We've tripled the station's income in the last 6 months, but that is still only half the income we need to stay afloat and pay off debts and loans. Most critically we need more 20 businesses to sponsor the station and boost our income and we also have some external trade creditors that we owe money to and it is absolutely critical that we can raise a quick $25,000 to clear these. Though we are forming a bigger team we still need a few extra people with specific skill sets
I mention this because the resources may be in this very room. You may have contacts with businesses who may like to become station sponsors. You may know people who are skilled in specific areas that may help the station go from strength to strength. You may be that business or that person - or you may have connections of some sort to others. As a listener of Heart FM you are not just supporting a radio station but a team of people who not only are they making the world a better place but helping 26% of the population of our Northern Midland region in making the world a better place! Can you imagine 2500 people just in this part of Tasmania actually intentionally making a difference? That is the vision of Heart FM! Is that something you would like to be a part of? What we are really looking for are people who would give it a go - come along and give it a shot at leading and managing a team and complexity of teams of 2,500 people - drawing people into the unfolding story that is Heart FM. "In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it." - Marianne Williamson |
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