I don’t think there’s an adjective that would be too strong to use to indicate the support CKDU provides to local independent artists. Whether you’re in a band or just a music lover consider helping them continue the support they provide by becoming a volunteer.

NOTE: CKDU is located on the 4th floor of the Dalhousie Student Union Building at 6136 University Avenue. All of the training sessions happen in our offices and studios. Our general office line is 494-6479. If you have any questions, please give us a call.

STEP 1: COME TO AN ORIENTATION.
Attending a Volunteer Orientation is the first step to becoming a CKDU Programmer. The Orientation takes about half an hour and it covers who we are, what we do and why we do it. You’ll learn about all the things you’ll need to do to become a fully-trained volunteer and a member of The CKDU FM Society. You’ll also get a tour of the station. C’mon down!

For more info:
Orientation – michael@ckdu.ca / 494-6479

STEP 2: LEARN THE RULES.
There are THREE training sessions that every new programmer has to attend. Programming Rules and Regulations, which covers basic office policies and rules surrounding what kinds of music you can and can’t play; Spoken Word Rules and Regulations, which covers all the stuff you need to know about the spoken content of your show; and Technical Training, which covers the technicals aspects of being a programmer, from how to cue up a record to using our computers.

You can do the sessions in any order, and once you’ve completed them all you’ll receive a temporary membership card that gives you access to the station after hours and on weekends.

For more info:
Programming – melissa@ckdu.ca / 494-6479
Spoken Word – candace@ckdu.ca / 494-2585
Technical – stephen@ckdu.ca / 494-6479

NOTE: All the times for upcoming orientations and training sessions are listed on our website (www.ckdu.ca) – if you don’t see days or times that match your schedule, please feel free to give us a call and we’ll be happy to set something up that works for you. Just get in touch with the relevant staff member and he or she will help you out.

STEP 3: PUT IN SOME TIME.
Alongside the mandatory training sessions, new programmers also have to do FIVE HOURS of volunteer work at the station. This can be anything from refiling records to cleaning out the microwave to voicing on air ads and promos to postering around the city for upcoming CKDU events.

We also offer an optional tour of our music library that counts towards your volunteer hours. It’s a great way to learn about our filing system and shave down your volunteer time – we recommend it to everyone!

For more info:
Volunteer hours – any staff member at 494-6479 or 494-2585
Library tour – laura@ckdu.ca / 494-6479

STEP 4: MAKE A DEMO.
After you’ve taken care of all the training sessions and have your temporary membership, you’ll be able to come into CKDU’s studios on evenings and weekends in order to get more comfortable using the equipment. You can sign up for time in our Production Control Room (PCR) and, when you feel ready, make your demo. The demo is a one-take, fifteen minute demonstration that you have the basic skills needed to get on air and be OK. We’re not listening to it and making fun of your taste in music or how your voice sounds – we’re just making sure that you know how to use the mic, how to play ads and info spots, and other basic things like that.

For more info:
Demo – melissa@ckdu.ca / 494-6479

STEP 5: GET YOUR PERMANENT CARD!
The last step in the training process is taking the permanent card test. While this may sound scary, it’s actually one of the easiest tests you’ll ever take. We’re not trying to weed anyone out or pull a fast one – all we want to do is be sure that you know the basic rules and regulations about the station so we can feel OK about leaving you alone in the studio at 2am on a Saturday night all by yourself. You’ll arrange a time to come in and take the test, you’ll get a copy of the questions and the answers ahead of time to go over, and then you’ll come in and do it. It’s a no-fail test, so if you miss a question, we’ll simply go over the answers and go through it again until you get it right.

After you’ve passed the permanent card test, you’ll get your fancy, laminated, permanent CKDU membership card and be asked to pay the membership fee. Our yearly fee is $15, but it’s free for students at Dalhousie and King’s. If you can’t afford $15, don’t worry – we’re happy to work out alternate arrangements, like extra volunteer hours or a special project.

Once you’ve received your permanent card, you’re free to start doing on-air fill-ins, getting involved behind the scenes, and applying for a show of your own.

For more info:
Card test – michael@ckdu.ca / 494-6479

Upcoming Volunteer Orientations:
05 June @4PM
14 June @12PM
18 June @ 5PM
29 June @ 3PM

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