O K, that was a trick. I really don’t have anything to rant about. But I do have a rather unique perspective I’d like to share with you, maybe once, maybe once-in-a-while!
I’ve had the privilege of patrolling the halls here at JQ99 and 1260 THE PLEDGE long before they were JQ99 and 1260 THE PLEDGE. How many of you remember the call letters WJBL? O K, you’re forgiven, and I’m certifiably OLD! But that’s all right. It’s been a wonderful career full of great opportunities to help and be helped.
You see, I’ve been able to have a half-dozen different careers without ever changing work addresses (if you don’t count our move to Zeeland a few years ago). Since I first walked through the door on April 7, 1977, (told you I was old) I’ve been a staff announcer, a news director, an operations manager, a business manager, a sports director, and an advertising consultant (a fancy term for salesman).
It’s in my current capacity as a member of the sales staff that I’ve made the acquaintance of several Development Directors and/or Executive Directors who have the unenviable task of keeping non-profit organizations afloat. They, understandably, see a Christian radio station as a handy way to keep in contact with their constituents...which usually means an appeal of some sort, either for volunteers, products or, frankly, money.
Here’s where my perspective comes in. Over the years, the successful operation of a commercial Christian radio station has become, like everything else, more of a challenge. It used to be that all we had to do to get large numbers of people to listen to us was turn on the transmitter. Now, as in almost every business, we have more and better competition...competition that forces us....not to just do what we do...but to do what we do GOOD! Realizing that, now, we compete with the best that secular radio has to offer, we have to measure up. Specifically, that means we have to play as much music as they do...plus, we have to be good stewards of the only commodity we have to sell, namely our air time. You see, this ministry does not exist on donations from its listeners. Our only source of income is the commercials we sell and our clients buy. And those commercials must be effective.
So, free air time for non-profits is pretty much a thing of the past. But, I (we) want to help! For instance, I spent a couple of hours recently touring the Gen 1 Arts Camp at Camp Geneva. What a treat! Over 200 kids spending a full week learning about their own creativity and the Creator who gave it to them. It was a leap of faith for Gen 1 to move out to Camp Geneva, and it was a leap of faith for Camp Geneva to virtually give up a week of their normal camping program for Gen 1. And the economy is, well, the economy. I don’t know of any non-profit that’s not feeling the pinch, and I feel their pain. Frankly, Gen 1 needs more money, or they’ll have to cut way back on the great program they’ve offered over the past several years.
Here’s what I’ve got in mind. With the permission of the people who employ me, I’d like to offer this space to any legitimate, faith-based non-profit. If you’ll take the time to educate me about your organization and your needs, I’ll take the time to write a blog for you. No cost. No obligation. I’ll even let you proof-read it before it’s posted. No, it’s not free air time, but it is a way to connect with our listeners through jq99.com…an extremely popular website.
There has to be a way for us to help. This is a small step, but just maybe one that will offer some assistance.
I found a quote recently from Edward Teller. He said, “When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.”
Let’s learn to fly, together!
Roger
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