Becoming a volunteer

Becoming a volunteer

There are a variety of interesting jobs to be done, and volunteers bring a wide range of skills to the organisation. Some volunteers are in full time employment, others are retired and the mix is useful to cover daytime and evening production sessions. It is important to us to have the right person in the right job, either in front of the microphone or behind the scenes. Reliability and commitment are essential amongst all the volunteers.

Below is a list of the main jobs. If you are interested in finding out more about them, why not visit the studios and meet the volunteers and see if you would like to be part of the team. Training is provided if needed. Contact Swindon Talking News on stan@swindontalkingnews.org.uk or telephone 01793 522511 and leave a message on the answerphone.

Jobs

Whatever the job, all volunteers:
  Are able to join in with other volunteers
  Some volunteers can carry out their roles from home if they wish

  Enjoy helping out
  Receive an introduction talk and appropriate training
  Make tea or coffee!

Presenter

The presenter is responsible for the introduction and links between the different sections of the memory stick. A running order will be provided a couple of days before the recording session, to allow time for preparation. The presenter needs to be available one Wednesday evening a month, between approx 6 and 7.00pm.

Editor

The editor selects the news stories from the Swindon Advertiser and the Link magazine. The editor:
  Scans the Swindon Advertiser for the previous 14 days

  Selects enough stories to last 45 minutes
  Edits out certain words e.g., today, yesterday etc.
  Ensures incomplete court cases are concluded with 'case     continues'
  Prepares a short section to be recorded, with details of upcoming events (eg theatre, art centre etc)
  Training and any help will be provided as needed. The editor may also be one of the newsreaders.

Sound Engineer

The job of the engineer is to download any podcasts that are needed for that week and record the news and other items, ensuring good sound quality on the master digital recording. Training will be given.
The sound engineer needs to be available one Wednesday evening every 4 weeks, between approx 6 and 8.30pm.

Newsreader

Two, three or four readers read the articles selected by the editor. Variety in the reader's voices adds to the interest of the listener so it is essential that the four readers are different in sound but work as a team. Newsreaders are needed between approx 6.45 and 8.30pm on Wednesday evenings on a rota basis. The readers are also responsible for copying the memory sticks for sending out to listeners. Training will be given. Readers:
  Must have a clear voice
  Must be proficient readers
  Must be at studio at 6.45pm to scan the news items for misspellings, difficult words etc.

Administrator (Wallets)

The administrators are responsible for keeping records of listeners and keeping track of memory sticks sent out and returned. Most of the administrator's tasks are done on Wednesday evenings, and include:
  Barcode scanning of wallets
  Registering new listeners
  Dealing with letters and messages from listeners
  Keeping a record of any donations received
  Keeping records of, and announcing, listener's birthdays
  Co-ordinating all memory sticks going out

Publicity Officer

Publicity is needed to ensure people in the Swindon area know about STAN's service. The publicity officer:
  Gets the aims and objects of Swindon Talking News known in and around Swindon
  Reaches potential listeners, volunteers and benefactors
  Produces quality information in various formats

Fundraiser

STAN depends on donations to maintain its service to listeners. Fundraisers:
  Raises finance for Swindon Talking News
  Organise events
  Keep individual accounts for each event then submit to the treasurer

Treasurer

Keeps a record of all incoming and outgoing finances
Ensures accounts are in credit
Invests financial assets in a safe investment and receive good return
Makes easy arrangements to be able to pay into accounts
Arrange to have three signatures which allows for two to sign at any time
Attends Committee Meeting and reports financial status
Arranges for audited accounts to be presented at the AGM

Secretary

The secretary is responsible for correspondence and meetings of the organisation.
Minutes and Agendas of Committee Meetings
Minutes and Agendas of AGM
Minutes and Agendas of Production Meetings
Minutes and Agendas of Sub-Committees

Generates correspondence when required
Replies to letters.

Chairman

Chairs Committee Meetings and AGM
Manages the overall organisation
 
Producer/Co-ordinator

Manages the day to day organisation
Resolves any problems relating to listeners or volunteers
 
If you are interesting in any of the jobs described above, please contact the Swindon Talking Newspaper Association on stan@swindontalkingnews.org.uk or telephone 01793 522511 and leave a message and contact number on the answerphone.

·  Becoming a listener

·  What's on the usb stick

·  Producing the local news

·  Donations to STAN

·  About us

·  How to contact us

·  Useful links

·  STAN home page

Swindon & District Talking Newspaper Association
Registered Charity No. 284665
stan@swindontalkingnews.org.uk
Telephone 01793 522511