Allocation of four community radio broadcasting licences for ... - ACMA

The Association is managed by a committee of management consisting of six office
bearers and four ordinary members, who are elected by the station’s members at the
annual general meeting for a one year term. Members of the current committee of
management have relevant broadcasting or management experience.
There are 12 sub-committees responsible for community liaison, works, personnel,
benefits-talent quests, sponsorship, promotions/publicity, programming, production,
training, membership, technical matters and business planning/licensing. Members
may join the sub-committees by an expression of interest. Nu Country indicates that
they are then placed on the committee which is the most appropriate for their talent
and expertise.
Nu Country gave evidence at the licence allocation hearing that it also proposes to
establish an operations committee comprising country music industry groups, for the
purpose of ascertaining the type of music they are presenting at the time. The
ultimate decision however regarding programming will be made by the programming
sub-committee.
According to Nu Country , it proposes to achieve access to, and participation in, its
decision-making processes by inviting members of the station to attend annual
meetings. It also indicates that station members and the community have the
opportunity to contact committee members for comment.
Nu Country emphasises community access and participation throughout its
application and 2000 Business Plan. Its mission statement includes providing an
avenue through which Melburnians can have unprecedented access to develop a
range of skills in the pursuit of hobbies or experience for future employment. Nu
Country claims to encourage the community to participate in the service by way of
on-air announcements, newsletters and newspaper stories. Over 175 volunteer
participated in one of its recent temporary broadcasts.
Student Youth Network Inc
According to SYN FM’s Rules of Association, membership is automatic and open to
all persons. All members have one vote only. At the time of the licence allocation
hearing, SYN FM had 643 members.
SYN FM is managed by a committee of management consisting of four office
bearers and four ordinary members. The Rules provide that three committee
members must be involved in secondary education, three in tertiary education and
the remaining two positions filled by non-education members. The Rules prohibit the
office bearer positions being held by non-education members. SYN FM has recently
removed this prohibition at a special general meeting and has lodged the amendment
with Consumer and Business Affairs. The president and vice president positions are
restricted to members under 26 years of age.
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