A month or so prior to the drive we update and post the on-line sign up for our pledge phone volunteers, a joint effort between Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Glenn Mitroff and Infotech Coordinator Tom Christie. For our biggest drives (fall and winter) we need to fill 216 pledge phone volunteer shifts! Through on-air announcements (produced by the Promos, our promotional announcements volunteer production team and scheduled by Music Director Sybil Augustine) email and social networking we work to fill all of the volunteer shifts during the drive. Volunteers receive an automatic email response when signing up on-line. Then several days prior to their shift, they receive a reminder email or phone call from Glenn. Sign up for pledge phone shifts directly from the home page of WORT’s web site. 

For the fall and winter drives, Business Foundation Director Maggie Weiser solicits donations from local restaurants and businesses to provide food for volunteers working during the meal times. She schedules the donations, sends out reminder post cards and makes pick-up arrangements. (During our streamlined late spring drive, we only provide snacks and don’t solicit donations from restaurants.)

Prior to each drive, Jim Goronson organizes pledge rapping workshops for the station’s on-air programmers and their assistants from the community. Jim also organizes a training for the staff and volunteers who process the pledge folder and thank you letters from each show. Jim and his volunteers assemble a folder for each show which includes premium lists, pledge rapping tips, station facts and a tally sheet.

On-air programmers put a lot of time and effort into planning their pledge shows from scheduling special guests and organizing theme shows, procuring unique thank you gifts and lining up fellow volunteers or members of the community to assist with pledge rapping.

Finally, Operations Coordinator Norm Stockwell and Chief Engineer Laura Gutknecht hook up the pledge phones in the lobby and we’re ready to begin. The pledge drive is underway and the phones start ringing with listeners happy to support the station and its remarkable programming. Volunteer receptionists field calls from listeners to the pledge phone volunteers who write up the 1500-1800 pledges during a two week drive!
Listeners and businesses are thanked on-air, pledges are processed, thank you letters are mailed.

The work continues after the pledge drive ends with on-air thanks to businesses, processing of payments and pickup of premiums. Truly, WORT’s pledge drives are well-oiled machines, fueled with countless contributions of time, energy and finances from throughout our community (which includes the global community of listeners on the web.) Our community understands the importance of WORT and the need for us to work together to support the station so that it can continue fulfilling its mission.

Have you ever wanted to have a say in W-O-R-T programming? Well, you can!

The station’s programming committee makes recommendations on new programs — and evaluates our current programs. It has three  open seats right now. One of them could be yours.

Download an application HERE. Or call the station at 608-256-2001 to have one mailed to you.

The station’s programming committee makes recommendations on new programs and evaluates current programs. And it has two open seats right now. One of them could be yours.

The committee meets monthly at the station, though work outside of the monthly meeting is expected. Meetings are held in the evenings on the first Wednesday of the month. There are WORT programmers, staff members, Board members, donors, and listeners on the committee. Read more about our charter. (PDF) Terms are for two years.

To apply, fill out this application. (PDF)

Lauren Schmidt of Labor Radio: “Great Team Player”
Nominated by Tony Reeves
“for her excellent work reporting with Labor Radio”

Jonathan Garber of the Insurgent Radio Kiosk: “Most Dependable and Awesome Grand Master Kiosker”
Nominated by Rachel Imsland

Dave Watts of Blues Cruise: “Mentor With The Mostest”
Nominated by Sal Serio
“Dave has continually taken time to let me watch him at work behind the mixing board and get a better sense of how to be a competent WORT DJ. I can not thank Dave enough, plus he’s just a great guy and huge local music supporter!”

Harry Richardson of In Our Back Yard: “Most Dedicated and Long Suffering News Volunteer”
Nominated by Helena White
“Harry has been a dedicated volunteer for In Our Backyard since its inception – about 15 years ago. He currently volunteers on Monday nights, does great work and is 100% dependable.”

Martin Alvarado of Global Revolutions: “Best Volunteer to Blend Fabulous World Music with Awesome Political Awareness”
Nominated by Helena White
“Martin not only plays excellent and endless varied world music, but he can talk knowledgeably and at length about that music, from Norwegian fiddlers to Peruvian brass bands and everything in between. And if that wasn’t enough, he can also educate us on the important political origins and implications of music he plays.”

Mary Moyer of Healthwriters: “Best New Health Reporter”
Nominated by Steve Blank

David Pouncey of the Promos: “Mentor Extraordinaire”
Nominated by Kathleen Suhainen
“He has showed me the same audio things over and over again patiently and with a smile!”

Kurt Westbrook of the Promos: “Team Player Extraordinaire”
Nominated by Kathleen Suhainen
“Not only has he trained us patiently, but he stays to the bitter end when promos need to be done.”

Natalie Hinkley of Queery: “Saves the Day” award
Nominated by Victoria Echeverria
“For taking on the role of lead producer for Queery. For rescuing and revitalizing Queery, and for recruiting a new family of volunteers for the show.”

Roberto Garza of En Nuestro Patio: “Latin Lover of the Show”
Nominated by Maria Azocar
“It is impossible not to surrender to his good boy charm, plus, he is the best musician in town!”

Lucas Osmond of Rolling with Scissor: “The KING of Darkness!”
For holding down the late nights all these years (Lucas’s on-air moniker is the “Prince of Darkness.”)

Dave 3000 of Kosmik Radiation: “Bursting at the Themes”
For all his great theme shows & specials

Schinky of Wake Up Futuristic: “Most Shameless Self-Promotion on behalf of WORT”
For his annual Wake Up Futuristic benefit parties

Ted Offensive of Friday on My Mind: “Live & Local Connection”
For hosting & recording the most live bands on-air

Dave Leucinger & Art Schuna of Blues Cruise: “Saturday Knights” Award
For staying late and covering the territory till midnight as needed

The Real Jaguar of Who Cooks For You: “Revolving Door Award”
For having the most on-air guests

Heidi Olson of Psychoacoustics: “Co-Host Who Always Has Your Back”
Nominated by Co-Host Reverend Velveteen

Nelly Mitchell, receptionist: “Fill in the blank receptionist shift”
For frequently filling in holes in the receptionist schedule

Nancy Mae: “Radio Pilot Volunteer Editor Extraordinaire”
For her off-site work editing the Radio Pilot from various locations on the planet

Julie Rogers: “WORT3D visionary”
For coming up with the idea for the new website
and leading the team that made it happen

Miriam Frost: “WORT3D coding powerhouse”
For countless hours of screen time making the
new website look fantastic and behave intelligently

Lucas Osmond: “All Star Volunteer”
For steadfast service in many roles: late night rokker
as host of Rolling with Scissors, vital member of the web
collective, past president of the Board of directors, engineer, receptionist and more.

Rob Roush: “Master Machine Maker”
For coming up with a plan for building new computers
for the station and then getting out the screwdriver and
making it happen

Need a dose of Reality Sandwich? Aztec Calzone? Ozarks Smoked Carp? Health-Nut Booze Balls? Kabocha Curry? Bachelor Spackle? Or perhaps some nice, comforting SPAM Casserole.

This is the cookbook for you, your friends, your family, your neighbors. But it’s not just a cookbook. It’s a tale of our state in an uproar and a cookbook that simmered along with public sentiment. Over 250 recipes from WORT listeners, community members, and even the Fab 14 are collected here along with photographs of the Wisconsin Uprising, food trivia, recaps of movies about food, and quotations from the famous and the infamous.

Rejuvenate yourself and your loved ones with a healthy serving of memories and your favorite dish. Delicious food is good for your soul. Tune your radio to WORT 89.9FM and dine happily.

The book can be paid for and picked up at the station, 118 South Bedford St. from 9am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Checks, cash, Master Card and Visa credit and debit cards will be accepted. The books are $25 each (no tax charged). Shipping available for an additional $5. If you will be paying with cash, please bring exact change.

Books will also be available at the following locations:
(We recommend phoning first to check availability.)

• Absolutely Art, 2322 Atwood Ave., 249-9100
• Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative, 426 West Gilman St., 257-6050
• Community Pharmacy, 341 State St., 251-3242
• Manna Cafe, 611 North Sherman Ave., 663-5500
• Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Monroe St., 255-8211
• Wisconsin Historical Museum Store, 30 N Carroll St., 608-264-6555

Top 30

1. GUIDED BY VOICES The Bears For Lunch GBV Inc.
2. TY SEGALL Twins Drag City
3. DEADMAU5 Album Title Goes Here Ultra
4. CODY CHESNUTT Landing On A Hundred Vibration Vineyard
5. MENAHAN STREET BAND The Crossing Dunham (Played a great show in Madison last Wednesday night!)
6. TILLY AND THE WALL Heavy Mood Team Love
7. TURBO FRUITS Butter serpents and snakes (Coming to town Sunday night!)
8. JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION Meat And Bone Mom And Pop-Boombox
9. TWO FINGERS Stunt Rhythms Big Dada
10. NEIL YOUNG AND CRAZY HORSE Psychedelic Pill Reprise
11. NIGHT MOVES Colored Emotions Domino
12. DUM DUM GIRLS End Of Daze SUB POP
13. THE COUP Sorry To Bother You Anti (Coming to town Monday night!)
14. BOB DYLAN Tempest Columbia
15. DIAMOND RINGS Free Dimensional Astralwerks
16. BIN MEN Sensible Haircuts [EP] self-released (Local band had their CD release party Saturday night. 2 of my fellow staff members are in this one!)
17. CORIN TUCKER BAND Kill My Blues Kill Rock Stars
18. MOON DUO Circles Sacred Bones
19. SOLID GOLD Eat Your Young Totally Gross National Product (RIP to former member Paulie Heenan…shooting by police officer is under investigation)
20. AIMEE MANN “Charmer” [Single] Superego (That was supposed to be the full length…She just played Madison Saturday night!)
21. METALOCALYPSE: DETHKLOK Dethalbum III Cartoon Network
22. CLINIC Free Reign Domino
23. AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD Lost Songs Century Media
24. BLACK MOTH SUPER RAINBOW Cobra Juicy Rad Cult
25. SONIC YOUTH Smart Bar Chicago 1985 Goofin’
26. OF MONTREAL Daughter Of Cloud Polyvinyl
27. PINBACK Information Retrieved Temporary Residence Limited (Just played here in town Sunday night!)
28. ULTRAISTA Ultraista Temporary Residence
29. BETTYE LAVETTE Thankful N’ Thoughtful Anti
30. SWANS The Seer Young God

top adds

1. GOSPEL CLAWS Put Your Sunshine Away Common Wall
2. VARIOUS ARTISTS Music From The Comedy – A Film By Rick Alverson Jagjaguwar
3. BABIES Our House On The Hill Woodsist (Just performed in Madison Monday night!)
4. MASSIVE ATTACK Blue Lines EMI
5. NOUS NON PLUS Le Sexe Et La Politique Terrible Kids

rpm/dance/electronic adds

1. ERRORS New Relics Rock Action
2. MASSIVE ATTACK Blue Lines EMI
3. HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR DJ-Kicks K7
4. FREE ENERGY “Dance All Night”/”Electric Fever” [Single] self-released
5. OCTOPUS PROJECT “Whitby” [Single] Peek-A-Boo

world/international

1. MATISYAHU Spark Seeker Self-Released (Just performed a great show in Madison!)
2. FATOUMATA DIAWARA Fatou Nonesuch
3. RUPA AND THE APRIL FISHES Build Electric Gumbo Radio Music
4. ANDRA KOUYATE & SEKE CHI Saro
5. SOOTHSAYERS Human Nature Red Earth
6. EGYPTIAN PROJECT Ya Amar Six Degrees
7. TIM MAIA World Psychedelic Classics 4: Nobody Can Live Forever: The Existential Soul Of Tim Maia Luaka Bop
8. EASY STAR ALL STARS Easy Star’s Thrillah Easy Star
9. THE ORB The Orbserver In The Star House The End
10. DEBO BAND Debo Band SUB POP

world adds

1. TRIBECASTAN The Twisted Christmas Evergreene (Band with Madison roots!)
2. LIJADU SISTERS The Afrodisia Reissue Series KFR

loud rock/metal/hardcore

1. CRADLE OF FILTH The Manticore And Other Horrors Nuclear Blast
2. PRO-PAIN Straight To The Dome Goomba
3. GRAND SUPREME BLOOD COURT Bow Down Before The Blood Court
4. PIG DESTROYER Book Burner Relapse
5. ALL THAT REMAINS A War You Cannot Win Razor and Tie
6. KAMELOT Silverthorn SPV
7. ANTROPOMORPHIA Evangelivm Nekromantia Metal Blade
8. METALOCALYPSE: DETHKLOK Dethalbum III Cartoon Network
9. EARLY GRAVES Red Horse No Sleep
10. HAARP MACHINE Disclosure Sumerian

loud rock adds

1. SINISTER The Carnage Ending Massacre
2. VARG Gutentag Napalm
3. THE BRONX Ribcage [Single] ATO
4. FINSTERFORST Rastlos Napalm
5. UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS Blood Lust Svart

jazz

1. NINETY MILES Live At Cubadisco Concord Picante (Coming to Madison 11/29!)
2. SAM RIVERS / DAVE HOLLAND / BARRY ALTSCHUL Reunion: Live In New York Pi Recordings
3. PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND St. Peter And 57th Street Rounder
4. ANAT COHEN Claroscuro Anzic
5. BRAD MEHLDAU TRIO Where Do You Start Nonesuch
6. FRED HERSCH TRIO Alive At The Village Vanguard Palmetto
7. DAVE DOUGLAS QUINTET Be Still Greenleaf
8. ROB MAZUREK PULSAR QUARTET Stellar Pulsations Delmark
9. PONCHO SANCHEZ AND HIS LATIN JAZZ BAND Live In Hollywood
10. LIONEL LOUEKE Heritage Blue Note

On December 1, 1975, WORT’s airwaves went live for the first time.  37 years later, we are still making history.  We’ve got a lot to celebrate:   award-winning coverage of this year’s turbulent events at the capitol, special coverage of the recall elections, RNC, and DNC, a new website, a new logo, forward progress on our long-range planning process, and so much more.  We value all the volunteers and listener-sponsors who made it all possible.  To celebrate, we’ll be throwing ourselves our annual WORT Birthday Party at the High Noon Saloon on Saturday, December 1st from 5-8pm.  Tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 day of event.  New Orleans Take-Out will provide a buffet, and we’ll have birthday cake.  Of course, this is WORT, so we can’t forget THE MUSIC!!  The Dang-Its (country/western/swing) and Tony Castaneda’s Latin Jazz Supergroup will provide entertainment.  We hope to see you on the dance floor, celebrating 37 years of Community Radio in Madison!!  Tickets available at www.high-noon.com.

SPECIAL ELECTION for a vacant seat on the Back Porch Radio Broadcasting, Inc. (WORT-FM) Board of Directors.

WORT is holding a special election to fill one Participating Member (volunteer) seat on the Board of Directors of Back Porch Radio Broadcasting, Inc., for a term that will end in June 2013. The WORT Board has nine members, eight elected by the  membership in two categories (five station volunteers and three listener-sponsors) and a staff representative elected by the paid staff.

Participating members can vote by special ballot – which will be distributed to you in your mailbox at the station, or by mail to the address you have on file in the volunteer database.

According to the station’s bylaws: ARTICLE II: Section 2.1 (b) A participating member of WORT shall be any person who has voluntarily performed at least five (5) hours of work in each of three (3) consecutive months within the period bounded by October 1^st of the previous year through March 31^st of the current year.

Ballots must be received by mail or in the Blue Ballot box in the station lobby by 5pm on Friday October 19^th to be counted.

To view candidates applications, click on these PDF links:

WORT_BOD_App_Cobb_Spec12

WORT_BOD_App_Herrick_Spec12

WORT_BOD_App_Ringwood_Spec12

For more information, please contact the Elections Committee: Amy Mondloch, Dean Loumos & Norman Stockwell – 256-2001