1. 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.

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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 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 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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