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| Catherine Chapman is coordinating CKDU's annual funding drive. (Danny Abriel Photo) |
In the old days, when radios only existed in cars and living rooms, Dalhousie鈥檚 community radio station, CKDU 88.1 FM, raised money one way: over the airwaves.
Listeners called the station and donated cash in a frenzied week-long marathon.
鈥淥ld school asking for money on air still happens,鈥� says Catherine Chapman, CKDU鈥檚 Funding Drive Coordinator, but it鈥檚 just one part of a month-long drive with wider goals for the station.
鈥淢oney aside, it's a big boost of CKDU into the community,鈥� says Ms. Chapman. 鈥淒uring this whole month, we're out there constantly, having events or telling people about the pledge drive, letting Halifax know about the service we provide and why we are important."
In the age of social media, why is CKDU important? Well, Ms. Chapman says, 鈥淚 think the number one reason is that anyone can come in and we'll teach you all about radio. You can have your own show. For free."
The change in funding drive reflects a new direction for the station, one that moves out of the broadcast booth and aims to bring the medium of radio right into the community.
"CKDU has done a lot of outreach this year,鈥� Chapman says. 鈥淲e've really started to be out there more, going to events and supporting different groups, more so than just writing a public service announcement or having you in for an interview."
"The eclectic mix of shows we have on air really represents the Halifax community," she says. The many fundraising events the station hosts across the city during funding drive reflect this diversity.
While getting your voice on the radio remains as free as starting a Twitter account, keeping the station on-air still costs money.
Everyone must raise $110 for every half hour they are on the air so CKDU鈥檚 army of volunteers are already out collecting pledges to meet this year鈥檚 funding drive goal of $26,000. This accounts for a quarter of the stations鈥� operational budget.
"It's really fun to see all the programmers step up. Like Alex MacAskill,鈥� she cites, 鈥渉e is doing this big event all by himself.鈥澛燗 high school student, he's聽designed posters, booked bands, rented space and made a radio ad for a six-band all-ages show in Sackville.
Most events feature live music or food and they鈥檙e held anywhere from the 黑料吃瓜网Art Gallery, to a bowling alley to the Italian Cultural Centre.
CKDU鈥檚 on-air pledge drive takes place October 1 - 7. A full list of fundraising events, prizes, and an online pledge form can be found at fundingdrive.ckdu.ca.
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