October 7, 2012
Dear
Jazz Fan,
CKCU-FM is a
remarkable and unique institution; starting thirty-seven years ago as a campus
radio station, it saw and accepted the challenge of the needs of the diverse
communities who live in Canada's National Capital Region, and today, as a
campus/community station, it broadcasts not only in English but in fourteen
other languages spoken in the region. I also believe that our quality of
programming in blues, classical, country, dance, jazz and world music is
unsurpassed by any other Canadian radio station.
We are
listener-supported radio; this means we receive no subsidies whatsoever from
any level of government [federal, provincial or municipal] and can only survive
because of your contributions and our volunteers' dedication.
I
am writing to ask if you would consider sponsoring one hour of
alternative/community radio at CKCU-FM 93.1 in Ottawa. CKCU provides at least six unique and
valuable services to the community:
(1) We present a whole range of alternative
music that you'll never find on commercial radio, presented by people with
passion and authority. Our jazz, blues, dance, world, country and classical
music programs cover the whole history of these musics, are presented by
acknowledged experts in each area, and reject the superficial fashion-conscious
“Top 40” approach you’ll hear on the region’s commercial stations.
(2) We provide a voice and a community
billboard for many of the communities that make up our population; we have
regular Cree, Creole, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Inuktitut, Mandarin,
Pashto, Serbian, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu & Vietnamese programming.
(3) We give an independent and diverse
point of view on political and community affairs. We are not owned by a large
profit-oriented corporation or a government, and our volunteers and our Board
reflect the diverse opinions and viewpoints of the communities they come from.
(4) We bring you the renowned BBC World
news four times every weekday, respected internationally for its independence
and broad coverage.
(5) We support local musicians by
publicizing their gigs and airing their CDs.
You don’t have to be a big name to get heard on CKCU.
(6) We keep you informed of upcoming jazz
and blues concerts that you might otherwise miss, by mentioning them on our
programs and playing upcoming artists.
As
a former Treasurer and Chairman of the Board, I can assure you that CKCU has a
bare-bones budget. Because most of us are volunteers, we are able to bring you
world-class radio at a cost of a little over $50.00 per hour! We have three revenue sources:
A voluntary levy paid by the students
of Carleton University
Income from organizations who sponsor
particular programs
The community of listeners and
musicians [You!]
Our
community Funding Drive
runs this year from Friday October 19 until Sunday November 4. Our target for
2012 is $120,000. You can Dial and Donate at 613-520-3920 or 1-877-520-3920.
You can complete a Pre-Pledge form. You can pledge by
E-mail
at www.ckcufm.com. However you pledge, you will receive a tax receipt for
donations over $25.00, as we are a registered educational charity.
When you pledge, please
mention “In A Mellow Tone” if you want to support my program specifically.
Please
see if you can sponsor just one hour of alternative/community radio. It's your
community and your radio station and will cost you a tax-free $50.00. [Less
than one
dollar
a week for 24/7 quality entertainment!].
With my sincere
thanks for anything you can do,
Ron Sweetman.
(CKCU Volunteer
since 1976)
