On January 20th, 1998, CJUM’s Board of Directors and Management Board finalized the station’s mission statement. The final version was adopted unanimously by the two groups, which have been working closely for the past month. Here is the official transcript:
“UMFM will provide its listeners with a distinct alternative to other radio services through a wide range of information and entertaining music and spoken programming. The station endeavours to provide a wide variety of diversity within it’s programming — creative local and quality syndicated talk and music shows are essential for what we do.UMFM is a team oriented organization that is committed to providing its volunteers with a positive and creative atmosphere in which to grow and excel. UMFM is committed to anti-racism and doing all we can to ensure we are operating in a way that supports BIPOC and provides a platform for diverse voices and experiences.”
General Rules
We don’t ask much, but we do ask that during your time at UMFM, you respect the following rules and regulations. These rules and regulations apply to all station staff, volunteers in good standing, prospective volunteers and invited guests.
Smoking: No smoking is allowed anywhere at UMFM. Federal regulations stipulate individual fines of up to $5000 and $100,000 to the station. UMFM is a federally regulated broadcaster and smoking will not be tolerated on our property.
Food and Drink: There is no food allowed in the Master Control Room, Auxiliary Production Room, Live Production Room and Live Band Room. There is a covered drink policy for both the Master Control room and both Production Rooms. Drinks that have a covered top are permitted, but should still be kept clear of the equipment.
Discrepancy Fault Binder: The purpose of this binder is to notify station staff of equipment that needs to be repaired. You will find the fault binder in the master control room. Please take the time to make note of any and all technical problems that you encounter while doing your show. This includes noting equipment which isn’t working as it should, songs/commercials that are MEMO’s on the automated system, and songs and commercials recorded too low or high, etc. We can’t fix it if we don’t know about it.
Respect and Care of Equipment: As a volunteer at UMFM, you have a wide array of equipment at your disposal. All that we ask is that you treat all the equipment within the station with care. Be conscious of what you are doing when using equipment. If you are unsure of how to use something, please ask for help. Volunteers are not to reconfigure any of the equipment at the station without the permission of station staff.
Slander and Libel: Please note that you are legally liable for what you say on the air. We encourage you to read our handouts on libel and slander so you are aware of the conduct we expect on air.
Respecting Diversity: UMFM will not broadcast material that subjects any person or group to hatred, abuse or contempt on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, mental or physical challenge, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or source of income. Such material will be aired only within the context of discussing an issue itself, or in the context of a larger issue, and only when it is necessary to ensure the listener understands the issue being discussed. UMFM supports the principle of broadcasting any and all music, information and other material if such broadcasting is done fairly, responsibly and with respect for our listeners and the community as a whole.
CANCON: Like every radio station in the country, we are required to play Canadian content between 6 AM and midnight. A minimum of 35% (at least 1 in 3 songs) is required for all category 2 shows (rock, pop, dance music). Failure to play your CANCON jeopardizes our license and is an indictable offence. Category 3 music requires 12% CANCON (world beat and Jazz). CJUM has a mandate to support the local music scene, and therefore we strongly encourage you to play at least one Winnipeg artist per hour, unless your show is ‘regional’ by definition.
Station Environment
The station must have a work environment that all volunteers are comfortable with. Volunteers must see specifically the work environment as being non-sexist, non-threatening and non-racist. This will in part help the station achieve its objective of representing the diversity of the student body. Volunteers should be asked on a regular basis (as part of an overall station evaluation conducted once per term) what they think about the station’s work environment. It will be particularly important for the station to get feedback from volunteers once they leave the station.
Employment Equity
The station as part of its license requirements must have an employment equity plan. The station’s employment equity plan will serve as a yardstick in an annual review conducted by the station’s directors. This review will deal with how the diversity of the university’s student body is being reflected through the station.
Commitment To Anti-Racism And Anti-Oppression
UMFM is currently engaging in a process of ongoing reflection of our core principles, values, and are developing a plan for how UMFM can increase diversity and inclusivity within our organization, now, and moving forward. UMFM is committed to taking the necessary steps to be an anti-racist organization and we are in full support of the Black Lives Matter movement. We are committed to providing a safer, more accessible space for the creative talents and voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour on UMFM’s airwaves.
At UMFM/CJUM we endeavour to provide a safe space for all our staff, volunteers in good standing, and prospective volunteers. Should any staff member, current, or prospective volunteer be found engaging in behaviour that is oppressive or discriminatory, or expressing views that are harmful, oppressive, or discriminatory, the situation will be dealt with immediately at the discretion of UMFM management and board of directors.
Volunteer Training
All new prospective station volunteers at UMFM must take part in UMFM’s Graduated Volunteer Training program. This program is broken up into three different steps and approximately 5 training sessions and we offer two different streams of training: Master Control Room (On-Air) Training and Basic Production Training.
All prospective volunteer training will be set up through the Volunteer Coordinator. The Volunteer Coordinator will make a variety of sessions available to the new volunteers and will advise them of the times and dates via email. It is the volunteer’s responsibility to ensure that they attend the sessions they sign up for, and/or let the Volunteer Coordinator know if they cannot make it, and reschedule.
We encourage prospective volunteers to complete their training in a consistent manner to ensure retention of new information and to complete the training process within a reasonable time frame. In situations where the proposed training sessions do not fit with the new volunteer’s schedule, then the prospective volunteer is to contact the Volunteer Coordinator in order to have alternate dates for training set up.
***PLEASE NOTE***
Due to COVID-19 we have adapted our new volunteer training program to online training.
Volunteer Orientation
All prospective volunteers to the station will be required to attend a Volunteer Orientation Session (Session #1 for both training streams). Volunteer Orientation Sessions will run at least four times a year (spring, summer, fall, and winter), and will be roughly an hour in length. However more sessions will be scheduled as needed. New volunteers may submit applications at any time throughout the year, but will not be called for orientation until the next session is ready to start.
The Volunteer Orientation Session will contain the following:
- A tour of the UMFM station, including the live band room and production room, the master control room and the auxiliary production room.
- A review of UMFM staffing. This review will give the prospective volunteers information in regards to who the station staff are, what jobs they perform at the station and how the new volunteers could get in touch with these people when required.
- An introduction to UMFM’s structure, including information in regard to the board of directors.
- CRTC Campus and Community radio guidelines and information. Volunteers will be given information on our license and what we must do to fulfill the requirements of our radio license (including CanCon rules).
- Station volunteer requirements. Prospective volunteers will be required to put in six hours of volunteer time. All volunteers are required to put in extra hours to help out with our annual fundraising event, Pledge-O-Rama.
- General station rules and regulations. These are rules and regulations set up by the station staff that all volunteers must adhere to. Included will be any University rules that apply to volunteers using the station.
Prospective Volunteers will also receive their UMFM Volunteer Handbook and will be asked to read it prior to returning to the station to start volunteering. At the end of the orientation session, prospective volunteers will be asked to choose a training stream:
A question period will also follow the Volunteer Orientation Session.
CJUM Programming Policies
GETTING ON AIR
- Volunteers will be fully and completely trained in the use of equipment.
- Volunteers will be fully and completely conversant with the policies of the station, its CRTC promise of performance, and general CRTC policies. Volunteers will need to abide by these policies in order to participate at CJUM.
- Volunteers will respect the rights and privileges of other volunteers associated with CJUM.
ON AIR
Getting a show to air requires the following steps.
- A detailed outline of the content of the show.
- A statement of how inclusion of the show will enhance the overall programming of CJUM.
- Approval of the program by the programming committee.
- Complete training on the equipment and familiarity with station and CRTC policies.
- Production of a trial show.
Generally, CJUM will produce and broadcast programs that provide an alternative in nature and content from that which is broadcast by commercial or public broadcast media. CJUM aims to maximize the diversity of programming, not for the sake of being different, but to enhance what is available from commercial or public broadcast media and to provide a complete service to the university and surrounding community. CJUM will encourage the participation of individuals, groups and organizations not represented, under represented or misrepresented in commercial or public broadcast media. The students of the University of Manitoba are the primary funding source of CJUM and the operations of CJUM are campus based. In acknowledgement of these two facts, the station’s programming will reflect the diversity of its student/university community. CJUM aims to provide an informational and cultural bridge between the university and surrounding community of Winnipeg. Towards this end, CJUM will encourage community members to participate in its programming activities. CJUM will not broadcast any material where its sole purpose is to promote the policies of a political party without providing the opportunity for equal airtime for all other parties, paid or otherwise. CJUM will accept paid political announcements from political parties as per regulations outlined in the Broadcast Act:
- Example: No candidate shall be interviewed prior (48-hrs.) to an election; airtime must be made available on an equitable (not necessarily equal) basis. No station personnel who are political candidates can do a show during the time period of the election. CJUM will adhere to the election rules as established by UMSU Council to govern UMSU elections. Faculty student council election guidelines will also be followed. In recognition of the diversity of the university community, CJUM will not exclusively promote any specific belief or political ideology. CJUM will not allow any religious or specialty program to independently solicit for funds over the air.
- CJUM retains the right to organize on-air fundraising campaigns for its own causes. To reflect our respect for the diversity of our community, CJUM will not broadcast any material that subjects any group or person to hatred, abuse or contempt on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, mental or physical challenge, sexual orientation, or source of income.
- Such material will be aired only within the context of discussing the issue itself, or in the context of a larger issue, and only when it is necessary to insure the listening public’s understanding of the issues being discussed.
CJUM supports the principle of broadcasting any and all music, information, and other material if such broadcasting is done fairly, responsibly, and with respect for our listeners and the community as a whole. - CJUM will not broadcast any material that contravenes its CRTC promise of performance or conditions of license.
- CJUM does not, under any circumstances, arbitrarily censor any recording or material.
- As responsible broadcasters, programmers will exercise caution when airing material they feel may be construed as obscene or indecent or offensive, especially during the daytime or early evening hours or at times when children may reasonably be expected to be listening. In these instances, programmers will always indicate that the language, content or topic they are about to hear may be offensive to some listeners, whether or not the material is, in fact, obscene or indecent.
- Material that may be construed as obscene includes, but is not limited to, any use of obscene language, or anything that is sexually explicit. Current CRTC regulations make it an offence to broadcast “any obscene, indecent, or profane language”.
Music
CJUM promotes Canadian talent with particular influence on Manitoba and Winnipeg artists through the broadcast of their music and the support and promotion of their activities. CJUM aims to broadcast genres of music styles that are under-represented, or not represented on commercial or public broadcast media.
CJUM broadcasting will emphasize music by artists on both independent and major recording labels. Preference is given to musical selections that have not achieved hit status and to music from cultural groups that are otherwise not given, or receive limited airtime, in this area.
News and Spoken Word
- CJUM will provide fair, objective and balanced news coverage. Both sides of a contentious issue will be given fair coverage and equal access to express their views [except in cases where expression of a view violates the policy forbidding hatred, contempt or abuse and/or where the view is ridiculous e.g. anyone who wants to claim the earth is flat does not get equal access]. Further on diversity, CJUM will allow those segments of the community who are under-represented, misrepresented, and/or marginalized by commercial and public broadcast media a forum to express their views.
- The goal of such programming is to convey views and philosophies not commonly or accurately presented in commercial or public broadcast media.
- CJUM will inform listeners of local artistic, cultural, political, educational, and recreational happenings.
- CJUM will not broadcast defamatory opinions. Spoken word programming will follow the guidelines set out in the CRTC regulations regarding libel.
- “Slander” is intentional oral defamation of an individual, group or organization/business, and is a serious offence. Volunteers are allowed to make on-the-air criticisms of an artistic nature on their own initiative.
- The host shall clearly state that the opinions expressed are their own and do not represent the views of CJUM. Should the expression of an opinion involve an accusation of illegal action, unethical activity or other serious reputation-damaging acts, then the volunteer is directed to request that the news department cover the issue as a news story.
- As a news story CJUM will apply principals of journalistic fairness and accuracy, get both/all sides of the dispute, procure documented evidence, and if necessary, consult a lawyer before the story is broadcast.
Show Reviews
All shows on UMFM will be reviewed on a regular basis based on the following criteria:
- Attendance
- CRTC Regulations (CAN CON)
- UMFM Regulations (Completing show logs, fulfilling the new music requirement and observation of the UMFM rules)
- Show Promotion
- Station Voluntarism
- Format Fulfillment (Is the show staying true to its proposal/outline?)
- Back-up Plan / Archiving
UMFM staff will work with the show host to try and improve the overall quality of the show before any final decisions are made in regards to cancellations.
Importantly, the onus is on you to reach out for support, or to contact staff if your personal circumstances have changed. We would much rather you be honest with us about your ability to commit instead of failing to show up or not producing new content. There is nothing wrong with taking a break or realizing that at a given time you are not able to contribute in ways you once were able to. We will always leave the door open for folks who need to take a break. You can re-apply to resume your show (or a different one) when the time is right.
Show Cancellation
Getting a show to air is not a guarantee of keeping it on the air. Shows can and will be cancelled for the following reasons.
- Poor quality: One of the objectives of CJUM is to constantly raise the standards of performance of its volunteers and the station’s programs. Towards this end the station will require volunteers to monitor and evaluate their own programs. As well the appropriate director will also do program evaluations on a regular basis and give feedback to the programs volunteers. CJUM maintains the right to cancel a show due to poor quality. Prior to any cancellation for this reason the volunteer will be notified their show is of substandard quality and given support in raising the quality. If quality does not improve then the cancellation will be referred to a committee comprising the music/spoken word directors, program director, volunteer coordinator and station manager. Decisions reached by this committee can be appealed to the station manager. Decisions by the station manager are final. CJUM maintains the right to monitor content of broadcast material and insure that the station’s promise of performance to the CRTC is being met.
- A show may be cancelled for being gratuitously offensive.
- A show may be cancelled if it no longer meets the stated programming mandate.
- A show will be cancelled for not following station and CRTC policies and regulations.
- CJUM is committed to providing diversity in broadcasting. To maintain this principal a show may be cancelled if it is redundant (i.e. similar to other shows).
- A show may be cancelled in order to provide broadcast time for a new show, which will add diversity to the overall programming. CJUM maintains the right to pre-empt any show if there are scheduling conflicts. Existing shows may be pre-empted for sports, special programming etc. Such an occurrence is generally not a permanent cancellation.
CRTC APRIL 14⁄94 From the Radio Broadcasting Regulations (1986) Section 3©: a licensee shall not broadcast any obscene or profane language. The broadcast of sexually explicit material or material containing strong language that is likely to offend some listeners is generally prohibited by the broadcast regulations.
- However, music and spoken word material of this type may be aired with the following considerations:
a. Potentially offensive material, particularly that which is most difficult to justify as socially relevant, should be broadcast at times when younger listeners are less likely to be tuned-in: between 9pm and 6am
b. Listener warning messages should accompany the broadcasting of all potentially offensive material. The frequency of these advisories would be dictated by how much potentially offensive material is aired on a show. For individual selections a simple note by the programmer that the upcoming song may contain strong language would be sufficient. However programs (such as some rap music, safe sex/AIDS awareness, etc.) that are of longer duration would need warnings on a regular basis at the beginning and throughout the program. Between two to four messages per hour are suggested.
c. The airing of potentially offensive material must be justified by the socially relevant expression contained within the piece. - BY IMPLICATION
a. Between 6am and 10pm the airing of potentially explicit material will be limited to isolated obscenities and subject matter that is socially relevant. Also, disclaimer carts must be aired before the song or spoken word material is broadcast and the DJ should attempt to justify why they are airing this material.
b. Any shows that regularly feature material containing explicit subject matter and/or language will only be aired between 9pm and 6am. Also, disclaimer carts must be aired regularly during the show in question.
Compact Discs
New CD’s will be filed in the CJUM music library. Volunteers may only sign CD’s out in order to listen to them at the station. The station cannot afford to lose CD’s or to chase down those people who have not returned CD’s. When volunteers bring their own CD’s into the station they must sign them in, so there is no confusion as to ownership of the CD. UMFM’s Program director will co-ordinate all networking with record companies on behalf of the station.
Promotional Material
All promotional items sent to the station will be officially accounted for when received. As well, how the items are distributed and to whom they are distributed will be recorded. This will be done so that distribution of promotional items can be reviewed periodically as to the fairness and effectiveness of the items’ use.
Safety
CJUM 101.5 FM strives to make sure our volunteers are not only safe but are aware of all the safety features available to them. Please review the following list of safety procedures/features and become familiar with them in the event of an emergency.
Locks: All doors at the station (save for the Master Control Room and Auxiliary Production Room) are auto locking and require a programmed app or swipe card to be unlocked. Due to the security reasons, only volunteers in good standing will be provided with the necessary to unlock the station doors.
Fire Alarm: If the fire alarm rings, all people within University Centre (which includes our station) must exit immediately from the building. You must ensure that the automation is on before leaving the station. Should there be an event where a fire prevents normal exit from the station, please exit via the alternative exit at the end of the hall (turn left at the end of the hall).
Fire Extinguisher: Should a fire occur in the station, there is a fire extinguisher next to the entrance to the station (located across from the show hosts mailboxes). The fire extinguisher is designed to be used on electrical equipment such as sound boards and computer equipment. You are never expected to attempt to put out a fire. Please ensure your safety first.
Security: Should the need arise for security to be called; we have campus security available to us, as well as a safe walk service. They can be reached at 204−474−9312.
Security Log
The station will have a security related incidents log, for volunteers at the station to report things such as crank/prank phone calls or suspicious looking people who are hanging around the station. With such a large audience (potentially) and so many different views and opinions (hopefully!) being broadcast it would be wise for the station to take precautions. Precautions that not only protect volunteers but discourage any sort of threatening behaviours in the first place. The maintenance of the security log should be co-ordinated with the University Centre Security department.