Membership Campaigns

Membership Drives
Sometimes called Pledge Drives, public broadcasting fans are familiar with these radio and television fund-raisers … where banks of  telephones are answered by volunteers who take pledges of financial support from our viewers and listeners.

Television Drives
These occur in March, September, and December.  Usually we invite volunteers to help us every night from about 7 to 11 pm and, sometimes, for a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon shift.  Mostly, the “breaks” where you would answer calls from viewers are seen live … once in a great while, the programming and fundraising are pre-taped.  Each of these sessions requires up to 15 volunteers each.  We train you, feed you, help you solve problems, and do our best too see that everyone has a really good time.

Radio Drives
Here’s where we have opportunities for early birds, for two weeks in April and two weeks in October.  Each weekday shift begins at 6:00 am, continues with a mid-day lunch shift, followed by a late afternoon “drive time” shift, concluding with an evening shift in support of WHRV’s jazz or alternative rock programming.  (Daytimes are devoted to both WHRO and WHRV FM simultaneously.)

Group Opportunities
Clubs, churches, associations, and businesses of all kinds enjoy helping out during the WHRO TV and FM drives.  Besides making it easier for us to have volunteers on hand, this is a great way for the group to have its’ name mentioned several times on the air (or put on the screen).  Groups wearing uniforms make an even greater impression.  This is a really fun activity.  Group leaders should call a.s.a.p. to get the necessary details!

On-Air Spokespersons
The people you see and hear on our drives, addressing the audience and asking them to pledge their support, are volunteers.  Obviously, this activity requires a special kind of volunteer.  He or she should not be nervous in front of a camera or microphone, should dress nicely, be able to read prepared notes as if they were making up the words, take direction well, and – most importantly – be knowledgeable and enthusiastic about our programming.  Opportunities are limited, but if you would like to inquire and, possibly, get on the waiting list of on-air “talent,” call Martha Edwards, Senior Producer, at (757) 889-9332.