Are you on the board or involved in the day-to-day management of a community radio station? If you'd like to hone your skills and knowledge in a range of areas, why not go to radio management school!

New Management Training Resources have been developed specifically for the community broadcasting sector are about to be piloted nationally. We are looking for people involved in the management of stations to enrol in a range of course. Best of all, it's free!

Applications close on Januuary 30

Welcome to the Community Radio School of Management!

After years of delivering training to broadcasters, the community radio sector is about to embark on one of the most exciting developments in years: Training for board members and people working in management at community stations all over the country.

The resources have been developed by some of the most experienced (and talented!) people in the sector and are about to be piloted before being made available nationally. The 13 topics covered are based on new nationally recognised units. The courses have been customised so that they relate specifically to the community radio sector, but the skills you’ll learn are recognised across industry.

A number of short courses will be offered across four states (Victoria, NSW, Western Australia and South Australia) and all the topics will be available as distance-learning courses. So if you can’t get to a course you can complete your studies in the comfort of your own station/home (see below for more information on this option).

Women managers and board members are especially encouraged to apply. In fact, we are aiming to have equal numbers of men and women, so help us reach our target by making sure that you nominate women at your station for the training!

The resources will be reviewed based on feedback received from trainers and learners involved in the pilot, before the formal roll out of management training takes place from May 2008.

Short courses are being offered in various locations in partnership with SACBA (South Australia), SCMA (regional and rural stations), CBAV (Victoria) and NNSWCMA (Northern NSW). The CBAA will also hold a pilot course in Sydney and Perth.

The pilot courses are being offered for free and learners who have to travel more than 50kms each way to attend a course will be eligible for travel and accommodation subsidies, payable after the training (subject to prior agreement). However, places are limited and priority will be given to people working in stations in the region where training will be delivered. While we will accept more than one application from each station, we may not be able to offer everyone a place.

To be eligible to apply, you must be involved in the management of a community radio station. This includes board members, station managers and other senior staff such as program, training, volunteer and fundraising coordinators. You must also be able to complete project work at your station (most of the “homework” involves on-the-job work which will benefit your station).

Please note: All courses are based on new units from the CUF07 Screen and Media Training Package and taken mainly from the Diploma level qualification. At this pilot stage, the CBAA cannot issue formal qualifications for completed assessments. However, learners may be able to re-submit their work at a later date in order to gain a statement of attainment for the units they have completed. A very small fee of $20 per topic will be charged for assessment.

The following courses are being offered as face-to-face classes.

1. MANAGING COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS
2. BUSINESS PLANNING and FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
3. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
4. MARKETING AND REVENUE RAISING
5. MANAGING PEOPLE
6. RADIO PROGRAMMING
7. COMPLIANCE and ADMINISTRATION



1. MANAGING COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS
This course covers everything you need to know about the radio industry, including regulations and new technologies as well as giving you the chance to improve your management skills. This course is highly recommended for board members and senior staff. It will also give you some skills that you can take with you to any workplace.

Trainer: David Melzer
Local Coordinator: Mike Tobin (CBAV)
Location: Warrnambool, Victoria
Date: March 15 &16, 29 & 30

2. BUSINESS PLANNING and FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
This course covers the roles of responsibilities of board members along with financial management and developing long term plans for your station. This is the kind of course which could solve some big problems at your station or help you to avoid them in the future!

Trainer: Maureen O’Keeffe
Local Coordinator: Graeme Macartney
Location: Shepparton, Victoria (SCMA)
Date: Feb 16 & 17, March 14, 15 & 16

3. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
This course covers the basic principles of project management. The principles can be applied to any project in any industry, but in the case you will work on managing a project in your radio station. Learn how to plan and develop, stay on schedule and on budget and evaluate your efforts.

Trainer: Nicola Joseph
Local Coordinator: Rhonda Fietz, SACBA
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Date: March 29 & March 30

4. MARKETING AND REVENUE RAISING
This course covers promotion and marketing of your radio station and its products. It also looks at ways of raising funds and dealing with sponsorship.

Trainer: Nicola Joseph
Location: CBAA, Sydney
Date: February 23rd, 24th & March 15

5. MANAGING PEOPLE
This course covers the area of people management. Not only does it deal with the rules and regulations, it also helps you to actively manage volunteers.

Trainer: Michele Bawden
Local Coordinator: Rob Meaton, Northern NSW Community Broadcasting Association (NNSWCBA)
Location: Bellingen,
Date: 16th & 17th February and 15th &16th March

6. RADIO PROGRAMMING
This course covers all aspects of radio programming including formats, scheduling, program evaluation, audience feedback and complaints.

Trainer: Cameron Woods
Local Coordinator: David Houchin, RTR-FM
Location: Perth
Date: March 29 & March 30

7. COMPLIANCE and ADMINISTRATION
This course covers everything you need to know about regulations but were afraid to ask. It’s a must for the management of stations which are facing licence renewal, but it is also useful as an annual health check for your station.

Trainer: Cameron Woods
Location: Sydney (CBAA)
Date: 16th, 17th Feb & 15th March

Can’t get to a training course? Sign up for the new management training through distance learning.

Note: Places are limited so get in early!

For those who can’t get to a training location, we are also offering a limited number of places for all the topics through distance learning. Distance learners will need to have access to a computer, email and Internet connection. The courses are offered as self-paced learning, which means you will be able to complete your learning and assessment work in your own time with the help of a trainer who you can contact via telephone and email. As part of the pilot project you will need to complete nominated learning activities by the end of March. We suggest you buddy with others at your station.

Ideally distance learners would only take on one topic, however, you may apply for two if you feel you have time to complete both within the specified timeframe.

Please note: All courses are based on new units from the CUF07 Screen and Media Training Package and taken mainly from the Diploma level qualification. At this pilot stage, the CBAA cannot issue formal qualifications for completed assessments. However, learners may be able to re-submit their work at a later date in order to gain a statement of attainment for the units they have completed. A very small fee of $20 per topic will be charged for assessment.

Courses being offered through distance-learning:

Governance

BSBGOV401A Implement board member responsibilities

This course is designed for current board members of community radio stations as well as staff and volunteers who work directly with the board.

Financial management

BSBFIM501A Manage budgets and financial plans

A great course for Treasurers and bookkeepers at your radio station!

Strategic/Business planning

BSBSMB404A Undertake small business planning

This course is great for board members, station managers and other senior staff.

Industry knowledge

CUFIND301A Work effectively in the screen in media industries

A great course for experienced broadcasters, board members and staff covering developments in the industry such as digital radio and self-regulation.

Effective management

BSBMGT605B Provide leadership across the organization

This course is for anyone who manages people at your station. It is also suitable for people who are in positions of leadership such as board members, station managers and senior staff.

Marketing

BSBMKG413A Promote products and services
BSBCMM401A Make a presentation

Learn about promoting your station to your audience, the community, potential sponsors and other stakeholders.

Revenue Raising

BSBPUB503A Manage fundraising and sponsorship activities

A course for members of fundraising committees, sponsorship managers and board members.

Project Management

BSBPMG510A Manage Projects

This course is a great opportunity to add to your program management and evaluation skills- the project could be anything from co-ordinating a radiothon, building a new studio or developing new programming at your station.

Volunteer and staff management

BSBHRM506A Manage recruitment selection and induction processes
SRXHRM001B Manage volunteers

A course which ensures you know everything about effectively managing volunteers and staff on a day-to-day basis.

Occupational Health and Safety

BSBOHS509A Ensure a safe workplace

A course which will ensure you understand your station’s requirements for handling all safety issues and the responsibilities involved in operating a workplace.

Program management

CUFPPM501A Develop and monitor program schedules

This course will give you an opportunity to take a fresh look at your station’s approach to programming. Learn about some of the programming techniques used across the radio industry. Great for programming committee members and programming managers.

Regulation and compliance

BSBCOM501B Identify and interpret compliance requirements

If you undertake this course you will be carrying out a total compliance check of your station. It’s a bit like an annual check up at the doctors! By the end of the course you will be able to report back to your station about areas which will need improvement. A great course for stations which are heading towards a licence renewal!

Station administration

BSBRKG502B Manage and monitor business or records system

This course is for people who are involved in the administration of community radio stations such as Company Secretaries, Treasurers, staff and, of course, station administrators.

For further information email njoseph@cbaa.org.au