Organisational structure in participatory media MA in communications and cultural studies, 2001 Andrew Ó Baoill Good Evening. As many of you know, my project is on the organisational structures of participatory media projects, and sepecifically on the involvement of volunteers in the management and policy development process.

Basic principles AMARC Charter: Community Radio Stations “Operate management … practices which oppose discrimination and which are open and accountable to all supporters, staff and volunteers” How are we to measure the extent to which a station meets this commitment, specifically with regard to volunteers? The anchor point for my research is the AMARC Community Radio Charter for Europe. AMARC is a global organisation of community radio stations, and they have spent some time developing agreed positions on the essential nature of community radio. One of the points addressed in their Charter is that management structures should be open and accountable to volunteers, amongst others. This is the point on which I concentrate in my research. How can we measure the extent to which a station meets this commitment?

Habermas’ lifeworld- systems perspective Personality Culture Economic System Administrative System Habermas' theories have evolved over the years. In recent times he has developed the concept of the lifeworld-systems perspective, which allows him to integrate two separate approaches to the world. The lifeworld is viewed as the "unproblematic bakground of shared experiences and beliefs". In a modern rational society, not only the contents of the lifeworld, but the structure - in terms of the division between personality, society and culture - is open to rational analysis and construction. This means that debate takes place in the context of rational, agreed, norms. However, increased rationality also leads to the development of guiding systems, such as the administrative and economic systems, which are themselves rule-based rather than rational norm-based. Society

The paradox of rationality Through Enlightenment, we move from norms to rational norms Increased rationality can lead to colonisation by systems We then move from rational norms to rules The result is that rational society is a state of unstable equilibrium. The ideal state - where decisions are taken on a rational basis, in a spirit of inclusiveness and desire for understanding - is difficult to maintain.

The project Describe and critique the L-S perspective Develop a practical model appropriate to community radio Compare with the actual situation in Flirt FM Does the model apply? How does Flirt FM meet the ideal? The essence of my project is to describe and critique the lifeworld-systems perspective; to apply this model to the specifics of community radio; and to compare this with the situation in Flirt FM. There should be two classes of results: - A review of the strength of the model developed. - A review of how well Flirt FM meets the ideal situation

The case study Flirt FM: Galway’s Student Radio Station “Radio by Students for Students” Broadcasts for 35 hours per week Started in September 1995 1 Paid Employee (Station Manager) Approximately 60-65 active volunteers Station Manager reports to Board of Directors My research is based on a case study in Flirt FM, one of three student radio stations currently operating in Ireland. The station started on air in 1995. Given the rapid turn-ver in students, the station can be regarded as a mature project, having progressed beyong the start-up and 'adolescent' stages. The station is managed by a single paid employee, the station manager, who reports to a Board of Directors. There are currently in the region of 60 active volunteers, who are primarily involved in programme production.

Volunteers / programme teams Flirt FM’s structure Volunteers / programme teams Station Manager Board of directors College campus radio ltd. Habermas' theories have evolved over the years. In recent times he has developed the concept of the lifeworld-systems perspective, which allows him to integrate two separate approaches to the world. The lifeworld is viewed as the "unproblematic bakground of shared experiences and beliefs". In a modern rational society, not only the contents of the lifeworld, but the structure - in terms of the division between personality, society and culture - is open to rational analysis and construction. This means that debate takes place in the context of rational, agreed, norms. However, increased rationality also leads to the development of guiding systems, such as the administrative and economic systems, which are themselves rule-based rather than rational norm-based. Board of management

The case study Field Work Structural Analysis Questionnaire Distributed by Keith 50 returned, of 62 names Questionnaire Analysis Interviews Seminar/Workshop Structural Analysis Existence of spaces Volunteer Morale Fair access for all Rationality of Knowledge Solidarity of members System restrictions This slide outlines my planned fieldwork. I had considered having a focus group prior to finalising the questionnaire, but for a number of reasons decided not to do so. I hope to have a focus group at a later stage in the research. I am currently analysing the results of questionnaires received. The right hand side outlines my proposed project layout.

Results - existence of spaces The Board of Management is not currently active There is no forum for communication or consultation with volunteers Volunteers feel they receive little information on issues such as station accommodation and schedule changes While I am still in the midst of my questionnaire analysis, there are a number of interesting results which have already emerged. Most volunteers are happy with their involvement

Results - volunteer morale Volunteers are happy to be involved 70% plan to be involved next year 92% answered 6 or 7 to “I enjoy being involved” 74% of students agree that they feel part of the station. 8% disagree. Many volunteers value the informality of the station Some say the lack of input into decisions damages their morale While I am still in the midst of my questionnaire analysis, there are a number of interesting results which have already emerged. Most volunteers are happy with their involvement

Results - fair access for all Very few GMIT students are involved Distance - especially in wet weather? Different social interests? 38% of volunteers are female, although 60% of NUI, Galway students are female Socialisation of gender roles? 70% of volunteers say their home residence is in Galway city or county While I am still in the midst of my questionnaire analysis, there are a number of interesting results which have already emerged. Most volunteers are happy with their involvement

Results - rationality of knowledge Volunteers have a confused knowledge of the station structure Station difficulties are blamed on a vague ‘them’ ‘The Watershed’ There is little training, other than introductory training in studio use and media law While I am still in the midst of my questionnaire analysis, there are a number of interesting results which have already emerged. Most volunteers are happy with their involvement

Results - solidarity of members There are few opportunities for volunteers to meet each other and/or interact Newer volunteers are less likely to feel part of the station Only 75% of those who joined in the last 2 years, as opposed to all of those who joined in 1997 or earlier One volunteer wrote that they had never been asked to train new volunteers While I am still in the midst of my questionnaire analysis, there are a number of interesting results which have already emerged. Most volunteers are happy with their involvement

Results - system restrictions Many people mentioned IRTC/licence rules as preventing changes in the station The current scheduling method, with individual slots for each volunteer, was seen by many as being the only possible means of arranging the schedule ‘The Watershed’ Further involvement = committee membership While I am still in the midst of my questionnaire analysis, there are a number of interesting results which have already emerged. Most volunteers are happy with their involvement