Turnover and station management

[hykos1045]

We here at a little independent college radio station of 40 members, 104.5 FM, are looking for a way to replace station management every spring, due to graduation of our senior members. This year and last we were particularly hit hard with big graduating classes. We need a long term plan and we need it in writing.

The way we want to do it, and have been doing it since the beginning, was to invite open nominations from the entire station, anyone who had a show can apply or be nominated. Then we interview all the chosen ones to review their interests and skill sets, and then the current 6 members of the executive board can sit together and each select an individual of the most qualified 6 replacements to take over their job, and take them under the wing and personally train them. Each one graduating/retiring manager could take hold of one candidate and get them affiliated right away. The new candidate would pass training and then be subject to a yay-or-nay vote by the other 5 members of the executive board.

What are the methods you use to replace management? Are they different or similar to what I've expressed above? Who gets a say, and who gets final say?


Turnover is a difficult issue at many stations and especially at this critical time of year. I'd be interested in hearing your success stories or failures, at hykos1045 on AIM, Gmail, yahoo, or here on the board for everyone to share.

 

[radiogeek07]

Ah yes. We are wondering the same thing. Our advisor receives applications, and then the other co-station manager and I will go over the applications. Luckily, I will be a senior next year, so I can help make a smoother transition and set things up nicely for when I leave.

 

[TPO]

One local college station that I know of allows the out-going managers to pick a candidate, and the staff can nominate other candidates for each of the open positions by submitting a petition signed by 25% of the voting membership. This process starts in December and the various candidates present their platforms to the station membership in February at a special meeting. Voting takes place a week later.

This has worked well for 30+ years.

Personally I think it is important that the general staff gets to nominate and vote on the people who will lead them the next year.




> Ah yes. We are wondering the same thing. Our advisor
> receives applications, and then the other co-station manager
> and I will go over the applications. Luckily, I will be a
> senior next year, so I can help make a smoother transition
> and set things up nicely for when I leave.
>

 

[Big_Ben]

Our problem is having enough dedicated people to do anything. We're a pretty small school with a great program and spectacular equipment, but I've been basically runnin things for 2 to 2 1/2 years as a student and now as a part time T.A.

We used to have multiple MDs (for each format while we were still the old college format) but now no one wants to step up to the plate. We'll see if this crop is better than the last.

 

[LeeLHeureux]

That's tricky every where...

One thing we were fortunate enough to have when I ran my college station was a strong Community Advisory Board. I know some college stations are student only but there are considerable advantages to having a strong and loyal group of community members. They can serve as a human history book and also stabilize things during turnover, summer, vacations and so forth.

The same goes for a strong Stu-A person or faculty advisor that believes in the station.

Good luck with your changes.