WORT 89.9 FM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – Updated September 2021
WORT is currently still closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have adopted a phased plan for reopening to on-air volunteers, followed by volunteers who are not involved in on-air production.
The following are immediate opportunities during the pandemic.
OPEN OPPORTUNITIES:
News and Talk
Shifts are weekly unless stated otherwise. All tools and training provided! Email chali@wortfm.org for position descriptions and more information.
6pm News
WORT needs headline editors to write and edit evening headlines for our 6pm local news show. Volunteer on one day a week – whether Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays – from about 4:30 to broadcast time 6pm. Clearly write and edit 5-8 local headlines per shift.
WORT needs news reporters to produce high-quality reporting on our 6pm local news show. Volunteer on one day a week – whether Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays, from about 11am to broadcast time at 6pm. Report out in the field and from the WORT newsroom. Learn the tools of the trade, gain real-world reporting and broadcast experience, and bring untold stories to light. See position description.
WORT needs feature producers to produce a 5-8 minute weekly segment on a regular topic. This also airs on our 6pm local news show. This position has a weekly deadline but is time-flexible. Knowledge and/or expertise in a particular field is encouraged. See position description.
Insurgent Radio Kiosk
WORT needs Kiosk commentary contributors to write, edit, and record one commentary a week on a topic of interest to our listener community. Contributors should contribute commentaries on a regular theme. Commentaries must be approved by the News Director. See current commentaries here.
Eight O’Clock Buzz
WORT is in need of a web producer for the Tuesday 8 O’Clock Buzz. Post interviews online following the show, following station guidelines.
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES:
HER TURN, Sundays 11-11:30am
News and features by and about women from a feminist perspective.
Please submit supplemental Her Turn volunteer application. Click Here.
WORLD VIEW, Sundays 5-6pm
(Critical, anti-imperialist coverage of world news and in-depth interviews.)
Volunteers are needed for news reading, writing, engineering, and interviewing.
EN NUESTRO PATIO, Tuesdays 7-8pm
Locally produced Spanish language news, Tuesday 7-8pm. Collective members, especially women, are needed for news interviewing and reporting.
QUEERY, Wednesdays 7-7:30pm
Madison’s longest running LGBTQIA+ radio program needs your help. Members of the LGBTQIA community are invited to become hosts and producers.
PERPETUAL NOTION MACHINE, Thursdays 7-7:30pm
A show about science from a local perspective. Collective members needed for on-air hosting and interviewing guests, engineering, or preparing short features.
LABOR RADIO, Fridays 5:30-6pm
News by, for, and about working people. Production meetings Tuesdays, 7am. Help out as a reporter, on-air reader or producer.
Music
PANAFRICA, Saturdays, 2-4 pm (alternating hosts)
Music from all over the African continent and other parts of the world influenced by their cultures is featured in this wide-ranging program. No previous radio experience needed, just a knowledge of and passion for the music and willingness to learn the craft of hosting a radio show. To apply, click here to fill out the overall volunteer application and at the bottom, check the box for “Music” and a music host application will open up with additional questions.
For more information, please email Sybil Augustine: musicdirector@wortfm.org
SUBSTITUTE HOSTS/PROGRAM CONTRIBUTORS (various days and times)
Volunteers are needed as substitute hosts, to produce radio and podcast specials, share interviews, research and write program promotions, anchor and engineer during live remotes and more. To apply, fill out the overall volunteer application and at the bottom check the box for “Music” and a music host application will open up with additional questions. For more information, please email Sybil Augustine: musicdirector@wortfm.org
OFF-AIR OPPORTUNITIES (remote during COVID-19:)
News:
Web Content Editor
- Her Turn: News and features by and about women. Edit interviews and post them on the WORT website. Flexible schedule, any time after 11:30 on Sundays.
- Queery: An LGBTQ-centered show. Edit show and post them on the WORT website. Flexible schedule, any time after 8pm on Wednesdays.
- Thursday Eight O’Clock Buzz: A morning mix of news and entertainment (and sarcasm.) Edit interviews & post them on the WORT website. Flexible schedule, any time after 9am on Thursdays.
Music:
Music Calendar Editors
Duties include typing, using the internet and updating web calendar/pages. 1-3 hours/week of work which may be done at the station, at home or elsewhere. Email Sybil Augustine: musicdirector@wortfm.org
Music Department Blogging
Write about past and upcoming area concerts and shows, review new releases, highlight program specials and work with other music-related stories for publication on our web sites at wortfm.org and social media. Research information, links, photos, videos, etc. to add multimedia content. Bring us your own ideas, or receive assignments from staff and volunteers. (1-2 hours/week, flexible, work from home or at the station.) Email Sybil Augustine: musicdirector@wortfm.org
IN-PERSON OPPORTUNITIES (suspended during pandemic)
MUSIC DEPARTMENT ASSISTANTS
Weekday, daytime tasks working with local music promoters & record labels. Tasks include: music library and digital downloads. Email: wortpromos@wortfm.org
THE PROMOS, Tuesdays 7-10pm (day and time flexible, may change in the fall)
Get on-air and production experience with a multi-disciplinary team incorporating musical knowledge and skills in research, script writing, music selection, voice-over, engineering and audio editing with computer software. (Women needed for voice-over of announcements) Email: wortpromos@wortfm.org
AUDIO ARCHIVE MAINTENANCE
Volunteers with strong computer & data entry skills (experience with Windows XP required/Mac & Linux a plus) Familiarity with recording software preferred. Trim and edit digital recordings and transfer between different computers and media. Work with programmers to maintain updated descriptions in archive database. 1-2 times/week.
COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION
Engineering; Events; Community Advisory Board; Programming Committee.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
The CAB is comprised of community members interested in the diverse needs and interests of WORT’s listening audience. The CAB advises WORT’s Board of Directors as to how the station’s programming and policies address community needs. The CAB meets once a month except for June, July and August.
PLEDGE TAKERS
Be part of the fun that keeps the station running. 2-3 hour shifts taking pledges by phone. To volunteer, call: 608-321-9583 and ask for Adrienne Ranney or email adrienne@wortfm.org.
