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The Organisation

The Heartland FM operation is managed by two organisations. Both meet regularly and membership is open to anyone. There are opportunities to support the service, which are covered later on, but all members have the opportunity to contribute their opinions.

The original Heartland Radio Association became Friends of Heartland FM in 1994. This is the community or charitable ‘wing' of the station. Its main aim has been to raise money in order to create the service and keep it running through events, donations, merchandise sales, subscriptions and other initiatives.

The Heartland Foundation is a company limited by guarantee with an elected board of governors (directors) who are responsible for legal, health and safety, financial and other issues. Those who take part in the broadcasting aspects of the service are members of both organisations.

There is also a management team, consisting of representatives of both the Friends of Heartland FM and the Heartland Foundation. It is responsible for the day-to-day running of the service such as technical, advertising and marketing, administration, programming and co-ordinating the efforts of the volunteer staff.

How to get involved

Administration

Without the administration support the station could not function. Volunteers are always needed to answer phones, manage day-to-day finances, assist with copyright returns and maintain other back-up services. Responsibilities are shared in the admin team, giving volunteers the opportunity to make vital, regular contributions to the ‘behind the scenes' operation. No special skills are required, only commitment, responsibility and common sense.

Engineering

This is another essential, although specialised, element of Heartland FM. The engineering and technical volunteers look after the means for getting broadcasters on air including the studios, communications and the transmission. The current team consists of experienced professionals who are prepared to donate their skills to the service. They are always on the lookout for other volunteers, and although a specialised function, training can be provided to people who already have a certain level of technical/engineering ability.

Broadcasting

The station's programming is its most public face and is the main ‘product' of all the volunteers' efforts. Broadcasters are not just those who sit behind the microphone - producers, researchers, reporters and desk operators are all as important as presenters are. Heartland FM's programmes are determined by market research and by the Promise of Performance agreed with the Radio Authority. There is a great deal of scope for contributions; working as part of a programme team on a regular programme, contributing regular live or pre recorded inserts for magazine shows, recording one-off reports or features and developing new ideas are just a few examples of the opportunities. Broadcasters are expected to complete any necessary training in order to maintain the increase in standard that is expected by the audience.

Fundraising

Without donations - cash and in-kind - Heartland would not be on air, and indeed would never have been viable. Excluding wages, Heartland FM costs £28,000 per annum to run, and part of that comes from the local community. From ceilidhs to cake stalls, every penny raised by volunteers goes towards essential costs and investment that keep the operation going.

Advertising, sponsorship and marketing:

Heartland FM provides the local business community, and other organisations, with a unique way to communicate with people in Highland Perthshire. The station has a proven audience and is a unique service in the area. The costs of advertising, sponsorship and marketing using Heartland FM are extremely competitive compared with other media and working with the station gives local businesses the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to an important element of local life.

Management

The station is fortunate to involve volunteers with vital management skills and experience. Heartland FM, although a non-commercial public service, is still subject to the same statutory regulations as all other broadcasting and business organisations. These include health and safety, financial reporting and legal issues. Professional services are bought in as necessary, e.g. auditors, but the station has to have volunteers with commercial, corporate and senior management experience. There are on going opportunities for people to let Heartland benefit from those skills.