WORT 89.9 FM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – Updated May 2022
WORT is currently still closed to guests and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Spring 2022 we have reopened the station to on-air and off-air volunteers only, including new volunteers.
OPEN OPPORTUNITIES:
Music
Show Tunes Host(s)
Better Living Through Show Tunes (Sundays, 2-3 pm) needs one or more hosts who are into Broadway musicals and show tunes to take on the first and fifth Mondays of the month. Email musicdirector@wortfm.org for more information.
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
The 6pm news needs headline editors to write and edit evening headlines for our 6pm local news show. Volunteer on one day a week – whether Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays – from about 4:30 to broadcast time 6pm. Clearly write and edit 5-8 local headlines per shift.
The 6pm news 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.
The 6pm news needs feature producers to produce a 5-8 minute weekly segment on a regular topic. We have two openings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 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
The Kiosk needs a scriptwriter to write our daily calendar of community announcements and community resources. Position description is here.
The Kiosk needs a Kiosk commentary producer to produce 2-minute segments from members of the community.
Eight O’Clock Buzz
The Monday 8 O’Clock Buzz is in need of a web editor. Post interviews online following the show, following station guidelines.
The Tuesday 8 O’Clock Buzz is in need of a web editor. 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.
Her Turn is in need of producers, reporters, and especially an engineer to get the show on the road on Sundays.
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
Most of our music shows have individual hosts, so opportunities for a new show of your own are usually limited. However, we’re are always looking for volunteers to train as substitute backup hosts. For information email Sybil Augustine: musicdirector@wortfm.org.
ONGOING ON-AIR OPPORTUNITIES:
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 separate music host application will open up with additional questions. For more information, please email Sybil at musicdirector@wortfm.org
OFF-AIR OPPORTUNITIES:
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
Music Promotions Assistants
Weekday, daytime tasks working with local music promoters & record labels. Tasks include: music library and digital downloads. Email: wortpromos@wortfm.org
IN-PERSON OPPORTUNITIES
THE PROMOS, Tuesdays 7-10pm (day and time IS flexible, and may change)
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 are always 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. To volunteer for the CAB, email adrienne@wortfm.org.
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.
