Cowichan Valley Community Radio (known as CVC Radio and CICV 98.7FM) Mission Statement

Community Radio vs. Public Radio

In general, public stations are connected both physically and financially to colleges and universities, or to large public broadcasting entities. Public stations are generally run by professional staffs and are largely supported by corporate and foundation donations. Almost all public radio stations receive programs from, or are members of, either Public Radio International (PRI)(which was called American Public Radio or APR until June of 1994) or National Public Radio (NPR). Frequently, the bulk of what many public stations broadcast comes over the public radio satellite from these two sources.

Community Radio, on the other hand, is based in the community. Most stations are owned by community organizations whose directors are elected by the station's listeners, by volunteers working at the station, or by both. Community stations are financed in large part by listener subscriptions something that helps these stations remain independent (although it may also keep them poorer than public radio stations). Most of the airtime at community stations is filled with locally produced programs, although many stations also use some programs available on the public radio satellite (such as BBC or CBC News broadcast on CVC Radio). Community stations are also unique since they usually put great importance on serving underrepresented communities in their area.

What Makes CVC Radio Unique?

The thing that makes CVC Radio different from all commercial stations and most other public radio stations is that we are owned by the community that we serve. Our Board of Directors is elected by our listeners who support us and by our active volunteers and DJ (CVC Radio's term for onair host or dj). Our programs and programmers are selected by a Programming Committee that is elected by both the Board and by the station's volunteers.

The biggest difference is our relationship with our listeners and our community, a relationship spelled out in our mission statement.

CVC Radio is a noncommercial radio station locally owned by Cowichan Valley Community Radio Society, a not-for-profit organization.

CVC Radio strives to be an accessible, responsible, and responsive radio alternative, serving the diverse communities of radio listeners in the Cowichan Valley, BC.

Our Mission Statement tells why Cowichan Valley Community Radio Society exists in the first place, why it is that this particular group of people have come together to make radio. Everything that happens at the station making a policy decision, evaluating the content of a particular program, or deciding whether or not a specific person is doing their job well is measured against the Mission Statement.

Accessibility means that CVC Radio will strive to make the airwaves available for use by the entire community. This means CVC Radio will provide the equipment and training necessary for anyone who shows the creativity, initiative and capability to produce or participate in a radio program.

Responsiveness is our way of saying that CVC Radio will strive to represent those who are underserved and under-represented by other media in our community. This is evident by a quick look at our program guide, which includes programming for women, gays and lesbians, Native Americans, Latino/a's and others. We also offer programming that, while not directed at any specific community, is very different from the fare offered elsewhere on the dial: world beat, heavy metal, techno, youth-produced programs, experimental rock, bluegrass, folk, and many other genres.

Diversity is an important area towards which CVC Radio strives in its programming. CVC Radio is responsible for providing the community with a forum to voice opinions as well as provide a wide spectrum of music and unique entertainment.
These points define what we aspire to do for our community as well as our volunteers. CIVC Radio makes it possible for members of the general public to broadcast their own programs over their own radio station.
 

Blues

Rock

World Music

Country

Radio Plays

Classical

Local Events & News

Talk Radio

Locally Produced