Volunteering at KSER
KSER is a volunteer-powered community public radio—most of our radio hosts are volunteers. The station operates with a small paid staff and thus relies on the talents and energies of many volunteers for almost all of our on-air and off-air activities. As a community public radio station, KSER needs the support of volunteer participation.
There are a variety of ways you can contribute to the station on-the-air, behind the scenes, or in KSER Foundation governance.
Off-air Volunteer Opportunities
General Station Volunteering
Some of the most important jobs here at the station are the less glamorous tasks. Working in our membership department, cleaning, upkeep and maintenance of the building, as well organizing the music library are examples of things that must be done on a regular basis and are essential to keeping the station going. If you can volunteer a bit of time on a regular basis, let us know.
Event Ambassador
Volunteer to be an ambassador for KSER in the community. KSER is frequently out in the community at events. We need friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to table and generally spread the word about community public radio.
If you are interested in volunteering to help represent KSER at events, please contact Sarah Allen at 425-303-9070 or via email sarah@kser.org.
Membership Drive
KSER is listener-supported community radio. More than half of our operating budget comes directly from listeners. To raise that support, we hold on-air membership campaigns and pledge drives each year, as well as maintain year-round membership relations. We are always in need of volunteers to do this vital work:
- Help answer phones and take pledges during pledge drives.
- Help during and after pledge drives to process pledge payments.
- Collate and organize membership renewal mailings.
If you are interested in volunteering during or after the membership drive, please contact Sarah Allen at 425-303-9070 or via email sarah@kser.org.
Foundation Governance
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the KSER Foundation, the license holder of KSER. The Board has three primary roles: set policy for the station, provide fiscal oversight of station operations and taking a leadership role in fundraising. The Board is a vital extension of the station’s philanthropic network, and individual Board members are each expected to make a leadership gift and are responsible for raising funds for the station each year. If you are interested in serving on the Board, please send an email to board@kser.org.
Commitment
As a volunteer-powered, community public radio station, there are a variety of ways you can contribute to KSER. One important warning, though: community public radio, like many small-budget non-profit organizations, labors under the burden of doing a lot with very little. A lot of things that big companies can do without blinking an eye, are beyond the resources of community public radio. That means your commitment as a volunteer is extremely important: maintain a fixed schedule of volunteer hours, complete the work assigned to you, do it on-time, find a substitute in your absence, etc. Above all, be reliable and professional in your volunteer work at KSER.
Think of community public radio as a potluck. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves, work with others to plan the menu and help prepare the meal together—there won’t be a Chef or clean-up crew to do everything for you. Like all community endeavors, Community Public Radio takes patience, engagement, determination and an investment of your energy. When you see a need to be filled, offer your help to fill it. When you see staff struggling to get everything done, find a way to become part of the solution. That’s what true community is all about.