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Any memberships for individuals?

G

georgethekid

Hello,

I was looking for any memberships that I can join intended for adult individuals working in or interested in the radio and TV broadcasting industries. I have tried looking into some websites, such as NAB, but they require that you are a registered broadcaster (i.e., a licensed radio station). I also checked SAG-AFTRA, but I don't meet their eligibility requirements. Please let me know if you are aware of any organizations or agencies that might be relevant.
 
If you are technical, SBE (Society of Radio Engineers) is a good group.

Home - The Society of Broadcast Engineers %broadcast engineer

The Society of Broadcast Engineers is the association for broadcast and multimedia technology professionals.
sbe.org sbe.org

They have regional meetings and a magazine for members as well as certifications and the like.

I first joined in the mid-70's and love it!
 
Your initial search ruled out the two organizations that would have been the least relevant to what your stated intent is anyway.

NAB is essentially a organization that represents broadcast stations as a whole to the FCC and other governmental entities. They also distribute public service announcements and industry on-air campaigns promoting whatever issue they are lobbying Congress about. You would be bored silly unless you were already in station management.

SAG-AFTRA is a performers' union. If you have ever had the chance to attend any union meetings in any industry, there is a preponderance of member grievances and other work-centric issues on the agenda. Not a place for a newbie to be welcome.

Unfortunately, there are no national associations for socializing. There have been regional ones in the past, but they have faded away over time (and even then, proof of experience in the industry is required for membership). The one here in Los Angeles, Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, had to curtail quarterly luncheons during the COVID pandemic; they then changed their name to Hollywood Media Professionals in an attempt to bring in new blood ... which was unsuccessful and also caused many longtime members (including me) to resign their memberships. I was invited back as a non-member for their salute to game shows brunch, but that was almost two years ago and they are only this month having the next one (a salute to Vin diBona and his creation "America's Funniest Home Videos" ... or, as I call it, "America's Stupidest People").

Socialization as a group seems to have lessened considerably in popularity, and I think the aforementioned pandemic killed off most of what had still existed in past years.

Sorry to spread gloom on your question, but I'd much rather give someone realistic information than have them hold out hope for finding something that really no longer exists.
 
One idea I often suggest is if there's a public radio station in your area, that you volunteer for their various activities, Volunteers help out during fundraisers. manning phones, assisting in their mailings, and that sort of thing. Some public stations have membership activities at the station. Some have performance spaces where members get treated to concerts or artist Q&As. Wine & cheese parties, that sort of thing. While there, you meet fans of the format as well as other people interested in radio. Some commercial stations also have loyal listener clubs where they sometimes offer similar in-studio concerts and events.

As far as socializing among broadcasters, there are several format conventions, such as Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. There used to be The Conclave in Minneapolis, but they've been on hiatus for a few years. There are educational conventions such as Morning Show Boot Camp. There are also a lot of music conferences and conventions if you like particular formats.

Some areas have local radio historical groups, and they post meetings on the local market sites on this board. The Bay Area Radio Museum is one such place. At one time, the Paley Center in NYC had a membership group that had regular speakers and activities. There are Radio Pioneer groups in places like Philadelphia and DC that get together.
 
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davideduardo said:
If you are technical, SBE (Society of Radio Engineers) is a good group.

Home - The Society of Broadcast Engineers %broadcast engineer

The Society of Broadcast Engineers is the association for broadcast and multimedia technology professionals.
sbe.org sbe.org

They have regional meetings and a magazine for members as well as certifications and the like.

I first joined in the mid-70's and love it!
Click to expand...
There's also SMPTE (as well as SBE) if you are more TV inclined.
 


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