Start-up Guide (For Low-Power Repeaters)

Transcription

1 Re-broadcasting VOAR Christian Family Radio In Your Community! Start-up Guide (For Low-Power Repeaters) Please KEEP This Guide, It Contains Important Information! Written for churches in the Alberta SDA Conference

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3 How does a small church fulfill the great commission in their community? How can a handful of believers reach the hundreds, even thousands of searching people in their own home town? VOAR Christian Family Radio Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

4 Prepared by the VOAR Team for the Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for use in establishing VOAR stations in Alberta. Published and Printed in Canada by Higher Path Print & Production Permission for churches to copy Appendix items. Page 4

5 Table of Contents What Is VOAR?...7 History: A Brief Overview...7 Radio in Canada...8 Setting Up a VOAR Repeater Station...9 Licensing...9 The Step by Step Process...10 Costs of a Typical Site Grants, Donations, and Fund-raising Opportunities!...12 Frequently Asked Questions...13 Connecting With Your Community...14 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony...14 Advertising & Outreach: Getting Creative To Make A Difference!...16 Media Coverage Guidelines...17 Appendix: Alberta Conference Application for a Rebroadcast Station...20 Alberta Conference Application for Funding...21 Technical Bulletin: Disabling night-time upgrades & How to Construct An Equipment Cabinet...22 Local Materials and Services List...23 VOAR Media Fact Sheet...24 Sample News Article...26 How to Use A VOAR Survey...27 VOAR Neighbourhood Survey...28 VOAR Religious Survey...29 Name Tag...30 Contact Information...31 Page 5

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7 What Is VOAR? VOAR is Voice Of Adventist Radio. It is a non-profit radio station, owned and operated by the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Newfoundland which operates under license from the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Operating within the restrictions placed upon it under the terms of its license, VOAR s mission is to provide a Christian alternative to the commercial radio stations within its coverage area by providing Christian music and inspiring messages from a wide variety of sources, compatible with its philosophy of bringing the good news of salvation and Christ s soon coming to both the churched and unchurched. History: A Brief Overview Harold Williams, a Seventh Day Adventist pastor, founded VOAR in 1929 with the call letters 8BSL. After many technical challenges and changes in government regulations, in the autumn of 1930 the station held official opening ceremonies with the call letters VONA. The present call letters, VOAR (Voice Of Adventist Radio), were adopted in VOAR operated under the rules of the Government of Newfoundland until 1949 when Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation. Although the Government of Canada had a policy of refusing to license radio stations controlled by religious groups, the two existing church owned radio stations in Newfoundland, VOAR and VOWR, were grand fathered at that time. This allowed them to continue operation as church owned radio stations so long as all other regulatory matters are complied with. VOAR completed a major upgrade to its network in 2002, starting with a connection to the Bell Satallite TV satellite system. This improved the signal delivery to remote FM transmitters and allowed more complete coverage of Newfoundland and Labrador. With a nationwide satellite signal, the path was finally opened for FM rebroadcast in communities far removed from Newfoundland. On December 7, 2005, the Cranbrook SDA Church completed licensing and construction of a low-power FM repeater station serving their community in Southeastern BC. Other towns quickly followed: Golden, Creston, Nakusp... Today, VOAR is heard across the country broadcasting twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, with the assistance of automation and volunteers. It is Canada s largest Christian Radio Network, and the only Adventist owned and operated station in Canada. VOAR is currently the only Christian Radio Station with a nation-wide audience on Bell Satallite TV home satellite network and with over 45 FM transmitters across the continent. With a history of telling His story for over 80 years, we look forward to continuing this heritage with an even larger audience! Now thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 Page 7

8 Radio in Canada Two federal agencies regulate radio stations in Canada: The CRTC, and Industry Canada. The CRTC (Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission) licenses VOAR as a programming entity. Transmitter and antenna systems are licensed and inspected separately by Industry Canada. The government, through the CRTC, sets programming standards that we are required to meet. For instance, since VOAR received its first operating license from the Government of Canada, we have regularly been reminded that we have to meet the CRTC policy to satisfy our obligation to offer differing views on matters of general public concern, at the same time exposing the audience to different points of view on religion itself. This is why VOAR carries programs from other religions, such as Unshackled and Focus on the Family. Please note that we have an obligation to carry such programs on a regular basis under current CRTC policy. Another CRTC regulation we are subject to is called the Canadian Content law. Most radio stations in Canada are required to feature Canadian artists, composers, etc. to a minimum of 30% of all music broadcast. Religious stations are required to play 10%. This number may increase in coming years as more Christian stations are approved by the CRTC and Christian artists find a venue for their music. With VOAR s expansion across Newfoundland in 2002, Industry Canada granted VOAR a heritage designation, thereby allowing VOAR to keep its original call-letters in each new community. There are only three stations in the world with call letters starting in VO. All three are found in Newfoundland and Labrador. Page 8

9 Setting Up a VOAR Repeater Station VOAR is being rebroadcasted across Canada within a category called Low-Power FM. These repeater stations are easier and faster to license than their more powerful cousins. They have the additional advantage of being much less expensive, making them affordable for small congregations. LPFM stations are restricted to 50 watts or less of radiated power. That s sufficient to cover a large town if the transmitter site is carefully selected. Because the FM broadcast band produces primarily line-of-site signals, the antenna should be placed in a location that has an unobstructed view of the listening area. Only a few components are needed to rebroadcast a low-power VOAR signal: a satellite receiver and small dish; an FM transmitter, and an antenna. The equipment will take a small amount of electricity- usually about 2.5 amps. The antenna mast usually needs to be approximately 40 feet in the air. Station equipment must be secured in a locked building or cabinet to prevent tampering. Licensing Although the CRTC license is handled by VOAR, each individual rebroadcast site must be licensed by Industry Canada. Applying for a license typically takes at least six months. It costs $500 for our experienced broadcast consultant to prepare the technical brief. If everything is in order a letter is eventually received from Industry Canada giving approval to construct the station. After the equipment is installed, an Industry Canada inspector examines the equipment and conducts a series of on-air tests. If the signal meets specifications, an operating certificate is granted. Industry Canada currently performs licensing inspections free of charge. Page 9

10 The Step By Step Process 1) Get a vote of support from your local church board. 2) Have your pastor or head elder fill out the Alberta Conference Application Form (see page 20) and mail it to: The Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 3) Find a good transmitter site (the VOAR team will assist you). 4) Prepare and submit a technical brief to Industry Canada (you will need our VOAR team broadcast consultant for this step). 5) Secure a Development Permit (if necessary) from your city or regional district. 6) Fund-raise (See chapter: Grants, Donations, and Fund-raising Opportunities). 7) When you receive your letter of approval from Industry Canada, the VOAR team will order your equipment. 8) Prepare housing for equipment. Equipment must be kept in a locked cabinet or a locked room to prevent tampering (see page 22). 8) Erect the antenna structure. Be sure tower climbers comply with safety regulations. 9) Attach an eight foot high climb shield. If you have a tower you MUST have a climb shield attached to prevent children and others from climbing the tower! 10) Install transmitter, satellite components, and the on-air testing device. (VOAR team will assist you with this by phone.) 11) Disable night time upgrades otherwise your receiver will go into a sleep mode every night (see page 22). IMPORTANT: Never turn on a transmitter without first obtaining permission from Industry Canada through the VOAR team. You MUST have permission even for a short 2 minute test. WARNING: Never turn on a transmitter that is not properly attached to the antenna as this could damage your transmitter. 12) The VOAR team will request an inspection from Industry Canada. 13) Wait...(While you wait send photos of your site to your VOAR coach.) 14) Inspection. If the inspection passes, you re on the air! Page 10 Climb Shield Mandatory for all towers!

11 Costs of a Typical Site (rough estimate) Start-up Costs Radio consultant fees $ watt FM transmitter Our tech will choose one of the following antennas depending on your area: Circularly polarized antenna OR Gain antenna (vertical polarization) Antenna coax Antenna connectors DMX-44 Tower (if needed) (+ $200 shipping) Tower climb guard (sheet metal bought or donated locally) Concrete base (usually donated locally) Bell Satallite TV Satellite receiver/dish (bought or donated locally) Audio matching device/compression unit Small TV (usually a church member will donate one) Misc. cables Equipment cabinet, if needed (for construction plans see page 22) Unless indicated, all the above are ordered by our tech, shipping not included. Ongoing Costs VOAR programming fee (per year) $ ($ if no SDA church is in the area) Bell Satallite TV fee (per year) Electricity (per year) Extra insurance if not on SDA property (per year) (Nadine will set this up for you through the conference.) Ongoing costs for MOST sites will be about $1200 a year. Page 11

12 Grants, Donations, and Fund-raising Opportunities! What if your church does not have $6000 to Start-up a VOAR site in your community or $1200 a year to keep it going? No worries... Grants, donations, and fund-raising opportunities abound! The Canadian Conference will give each church a one time grant of $1500 for each VOAR site it starts up. PLUS the Alberta Conference will provide $1250 per site. Churches may apply for these funds after they receive their LOA from Industry Canada. (See application form on page 21.) Rural communities readily welcome a new radio station. VOAR is a community service with no commercial interest so everything from the Local Materials and Services List (see page 23) can and should be donated by businesses in your community. Churches who have gone from business to business allowing the community opportunity to share their resources have been met with very positive results. Rarely will a business refuse to help. It s best to let your community own the tower as much as possible because down the road, they will most likely tune in to what they have invested in. By enlisting community support you can start connecting with your community with VOAR even before you re on the air! To take care of your ongoing VOAR costs, annual fund-raisers are a great way to go! Some churches do a citrus fruit fund-raiser every winter and end up with more than enough funds to continue VOAR year by year. Golden Harvest is an excellent Seventh Day Adventist company to deal with. After your community gets a taste of these tree-ripened oranges and grapefruit they will be your customers for life! (see the Golden Harvest Fruit materials in your VOAR Start-up Packet) Other churches have made a success of community concerts, bottle drives, and haystack dinners! One church in BC decided to set up a VOAR site in their community by faith! They were already in the process of fund-raising for an expansion on their growing church, and could see no way of paying or raising funds for a VOAR site too. Nevertheless, they agreed to go forward, and not five minutes later someone outside their church, not knowing their decision, was impressed to donate the full amount for VOAR Christian Family Radio to be set up in their community! But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Page 12 Citrus Fund-raiser

13 Frequently Asked Questions Which churches can access this? The CRTC exemption under which we re operating is valid in many Alberta communities. Nathon Hall has developed a program that allows us to see, within minutes, if an area meets the criteria. Edmonton and Calgary are too large, population wise, to qualify. Communities that are already served by a Christian radio station will probably not be allowed to have VOAR. Churches may sponsor sites outside their community. One church in BC sponsored VOAR sites in two communities that did not have Seventh Day Adventist Churches. Within a couple years a church plant was started in one and Bible studies in the other. Local church involvement is essential. The VOAR effort must be underwritten by a local SDA church. How much area will the signal cover? Can we boost the signal to cover more area? A 50 watt transmitter can serve a circumference of 15-30km. We are legally limited to a maximum of 50 watts ERP (Effective Radiated Power). Ours is a tiny signal compared to commercial broadcasts. Some people in our Christian community have radio experience. Can we insert local programming? No. The CRTC exemption we operate under requires that we rebroadcast VOAR s signal in its entirety. No additions, deletions, or modifications of any kind are allowed. If we wish to have local Alberta content, at this time, it will have to be a program suitable for the entire VOAR network and aired as part of the Newfoundland signal. Any such regional programming will have to be approved by VOAR and under their control. Why choose VOAR over 3ABN or some other Adventist station? Until 3ABN receives a CRTC license and observes Canadian broadcasting rules, they can not broadcast in Canada. The rules for Christian broadcasting in Canada are remarkably different and very restrictive compared to the USA. VOAR had been operating for over 80 years in Newfoundland. They have an excellent track record with the CRTC and with communities they serve. By providing their signal to our Alberta communities we re partaking in a long and successful legacy of service. It is important to note that VOAR is not just for Adventist listeners. It is a community service provided by our church. In broadcasting the VOAR signal, we make use of a public resource, the radio spectrum, which belongs to all Canadians. Thus, we provide a Christian radio signal that carries programming from Adventist and other Christian sources. The inclusion of non-adventist programming is actually a CRTC imperative. How much skill/effort does it take to run the station? Very little. Ideally, the equipment will run for months, even years without intervention. Who is responsible should the station experience technical problems? Each church should have at least one designated operator for the radio station. Whoever runs the PA system at your church probably has the skills to watch over the radio equipment and troubleshoot any problems with the help of one of the VOAR team technical experts. Page 13

14 Connecting With Your Community It s possible to minister to your community through VOAR by simply raising a tower. Your church might never leave it s pews, so to speak, yet reach souls for the kingdom through VOAR. Some listeners might even find their own way to your church doors! But to get the most effectual use out of the station, your church will want to do more! Ideally, your church will begin connecting with your community with VOAR even before your station is on the air, as we ve already mentioned. Once you are on the air, many more connecting opportunities will open up. In the next few pages we will share some ideas of what your church can do, such as a ribbon cutting ceremony, advertising, and much more. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony At last, VOAR is on the air and your community is excited! Most rural towns have few radio stations so the new voice on the block will be quickly noticed. Now is the time to organize your ribbon cutting ceremony! Ribbon cutting ceremonies are a time of celebration. A ribbon cutting ceremony is also an opportunity to thank all those donators who helped get this station on the air. And, of course, a VOAR ribbon cutting ceremony is a newsworthy event so you will want to get your tower or antenna s picture in the paper! Don t miss this opportunity to let everyone in your town know you are now on the air from an unbiased source like your local newspaper! HOW TO PLAN A RIBBON CUTTING EVENT Give yourselves plenty of preparation time 3-4 weeks is sufficient. Check with your key participants before you set a date for your ribbon cutting ceremony. You want them all to attend. Choose a date that avoids major conflicts with other community events and holidays. Chose a master of ceremonies. Invite! Invite! Invite!...your Alberta conference president,...your Alberta Conference VOAR Coordinator, Elder Don Corkum!...your pastor, elders, deacons......your church members, neighbours, friends......other church denominations!... your mayor!...your newspaper reporter/photographer...and especially your donators! Contact the Newspaper. Page 14

15 Print posters or flyers and place them in prominent places around town: in schools, grocery stores, post offices, and other places with foot traffic. Design an invitation, which should include the date and time, location, and name of the ribbon cutter(s). Who should cut the ribbon(s)?...your conference president...your Alberta Conference VOAR Coordinator, Elder Don Corkum!...your pastor (or head elder)...your mayor... any key participant in the project! Set up program schedule: welcome and introductions, speeches, ribbon-cutting, recognition of contributors, and closing. Hand deliver invitations. Purchase appropriate ribbon(s) to wrap around your tower. If you re having more than one ribbon cutter, layer several ribbons and have several pairs of scissors so each ribbon cutter can cut through a ribbon. Have plenty of VOAR Christian Family Radio program guides available to hand out to everyone. Special stuff you can add to your ribbon cutting event......voar decorated cake and juice...live music by local Christian musicians...pizza extravaganza!...potluck picnic...whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God! 1 Corinthians 10:31 Page 15

16 Advertising & Outreach Getting Creative To Make A Difference! Advertising VOAR, starts when you go business to business with your List Of Materials and Services (see page 23). It continues when VOAR goes on the air and radio listeners discover your brand new station. Your ribbon cutting event and subsequent media coverage will significantly advertise your VOAR broadcast, but you don t want to stop here. What else can you do to keep the ball rolling? Creative Advertising & Outreach ideas: Put up VOAR posters* on every bulletin board and store front window in town! (Ask permission first!) Set up a table in your local mall and pass out VOAR program guides*! Order VOAR bumper stickers* and pass them out to all your church members for their cars! Order VOAR t-shirts, VOAR canvas bags, VOAR hats,... And be a VOAR advertisement wherever you go! Go door to door with a VOAR survey (see pages 27-29) and give every home a VOAR program guide*. Leave one tucked in the door for those not home. Organize your church to do a sweep of your community with VOAR door hangers*! Have VOAR lawn signs* made for church members yards! Have a big VOAR banner* made for your VOAR tower site! Pass out VOAR colouring books* to kids with VOAR children s programs and times listed on the back! Use VOAR to sponsor your next evangelistic series! Have a VOAR fund-raiser! Have an annual VOAR community picnic. Create a VOAR float for your community Christmas parade! (One church did this and won a ribbon and got their VOAR float s picture on the front page of their local newspaper!) (*All these materials (marked with a *) can be customized for your church and they are available from Higher Path Print & Production, see VOAR Printing & Materials sheet in your VOAR Start-up Packet.) Page 16

17 Pastor Warren Fulmore of the Alliance church, Elder Mark Johnson BC Conference Vice President, Alliance Church Conference Official, Karen Hamling Mayor of Naksup, Dr. Tim Wiseman, Head Elder Naksup. (At the time of photo.) Media Coverage Guidelines Ideally, your local newspaper reporter/photographer will attend your ribbon cutting ceremony. Be sure to ask them to attend. Don t assume they know it s happening. If for some reason your local reporter, at the last minute, cannot attend your event, you should have someone with a good camera prepared to take several photos of the ribbon cutters around the tower, group shots, some full views of the tower, and even a close up of the antenna, which can be sent to the newspaper afterwards. Whether the reporter takes photos and writes the article or you are sending them in, make sure you also give the media, the VOAR MEDIA FACT SHEET (see page 24, 25). This will supply the reporter with the resources he needs to write an article about your VOAR site. If churches write their own article they may include their own local content, but VOAR Christian Family Radio MUST be presented to the public with the information gleaned from the VOAR MEDIA FACT SHEET. Before you send your article call the newspaper and ask about their editorial deadlines so your information will arrive on time for consideration. After you have sent in your material follow up a few days later to make sure it was received and to see if there are any questions that need to be answered. Page 17

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19 Appendix Page 19

20 Alberta Conference Application for a VOAR Rebroadcast Station Return to: Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 5820 Highway 2a, Lacombe, AB T4L 2G5 Attention: Irma Hartley Sponsor Sponsoring Church City or Town City/Town/Community to be covered by signal: Local Leadership Contacts Project Manager Project Assistant Phone Fax Phone Fax We understand the opportunity for community outreach with VOAR Christian Family Radio and recognize the requirements and responsibility of our church as presented in the VOAR Start-up Guide. Application By: Board Chairman Signature Date Pastor/Head Elder Signature Date Date approved by the Church Board Page 20

21 Alberta Conference Application for funding for a VOAR Rebroadcast Station Return to: Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 5820 Highway 2a, Lacombe, AB T4L 2G5 Attention: Irma Hartley Sponsor Sponsoring Church City or Town City/Town/Community to be covered by signal: Local Leadership Contacts Project Manager Phone Fax Project Assistant Phone Fax We now have received our letter of approval from Industry Canada to construct a VOAR Christian Family Radio station and request financial assistance. ($1250 from the Alberta Conference and $1500 from Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada.) Application By: Board Chairman Signature Date Pastor/Head Elder Signature Date

22 Technical Bulletin Disabling night-time upgrades To disable the night-time upgrades on the model #4100 Bell Satallite TV receiver. On remote, click: MENU #6 System Setup #1 Installation #6 Updates (Window-popup: Enable night-time updates during inactivity comes up on the TV.) Click: Disable Save Then go back to normal monitoring. How to Construct An Equipment Cabinet This cabinet is side-mounted with both front and back ends opening. The front opens with a door. The back opens by unscrewing the screws. In order to easily install your equipment you will need the back to open. The critical dimensions are the interior ones. The rack has to be exactly 19½ inches wide inside. The inside height is 24¾ inches. The inside depth is 23½ inches. The rear panel is structural- it works against the weight of the equipment trying to make the whole thing sag. In other words, it has to fit rather snugly to keep the cabinet square. Make sure the front door is fitted with a cabinet lock. The vents were purchased from Home Depot. The equipment generates a lot of heat. The rear vent is fixed behind the transmitter cooling fan - don t alter it s placement. Back panel - open Front - door open Back panel - closed Front - door closed Page 22

23 For Tower: (If a tower is needed.) Local Materials and Services List (This list is not exhaustive. It is simply a starting point) Backhoe to dig a 1 cubic meter hole (every church so far has gotten this service donated locally) Scrap plywood to line hole, if ground is sandy Rebar Wire to tie rebar Grounding rod Electrical wire for grounding rod Need four 8 foot 2x4s to hold tower in place while pouring concrete Need enough 2x4s to build a frame around top of hole to finish concrete off nicely 1 cubic meter of concrete (again, every church has got this donated) Galvanized metal to make a climb shield - need three 8 foot long, about 2 foot wide pieces (Mandatory for every tower!) To Erect Tower: Here are a couple of different ways you may erect your tower: You may use scaffolding, attaching it securely to your tower as you go up! (Be sure to wear a fall arrest harness connected to the tower as well!) You may attach each section from the bucket of a cherry picker or boom lift. Services of a lift or scaffolding may be donated! Local Equipment: Bell Satallite TV receiver and dish Materials for Equipment Cabinet: (If a cabinet is needed.) (3) 4x8 sheets of Melamine (or similar wood product) (2) adjustable shelving brackets (2) cabinet hinges (2) louvered vent middle atlantic RRF10 rack rails or alternative ( (Rails can be purchased at Interior Electronics ) Cabinet lock Screws Page 23

24 VOAR Media Fact Sheet What is VOAR? VOAR is Voice Of Adventist Radio. It is a not-for-profit radio station, owned and operated by the Seventh Day Church in Newfoundland which operates under license from the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). VOAR s Mission VOAR s mission is to provide a Christian alternative to the commercial radio stations within its coverage area by providing Christian music and inspiring messages from a wide variety of sources, compatible with its philosophy of bringing the good news of salvation and Christ s soon coming to both the churched and unchurched. VOAR s History: A Brief Overview Harold Williams, a Seventh Day Adventist pastor, founded VOAR in 1929 with the call letters 8BSL. After many technical challenges and changes in government regulations, in the autumn of 1930 the station held official opening ceremonies with the call letters VONA. The present call letters, VOAR (Voice Of Adventist Radio), were adopted in Radio VOAR operated under the rules of the Government of Newfoundland until 1949 when Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation. Although the Government of Canada had a policy of refusing to license radio stations controlled by religious groups, the two existing church owned radio stations in Newfoundland, VOAR and VOWR, were grandfathered at that time. This allowed them to continue operation as church owned radio stations so long as all other regulatory matters are complied with. VOAR completed a major upgrade to its network in 2002, starting with a connection to the Bell Satallite TV satellite system. This improved the signal delivery to remote FM transmitters and allowed more complete coverage of Newfoundland and Labrador. With a nationwide satellite signal, the path was finally opened for FM rebroadcast in communities far removed from Newfoundland. On December 7, 2005, Cranbrook completed licensing and construction of a low-power FM repeater station serving their community in Southeastern BC. Other towns quickly followed: Golden, Creston, Nakusp... Page 24

25 Today, VOAR is heard across the country broadcasting twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, with the assistance of automation and volunteers. It is Canada s largest Christian Radio Network. VOAR is currently the only Christian Radio Station with a nation-wide audience on Bell Satallite TV home satellite network and with over 45 FM transmitters across the continent. Rebroadcasting VOAR VOAR is being re-broadcast across Canada within a category called Low-Power FM. These repeater stations are easier and faster to license than their more powerful cousins. They have the additional advantage of being much less expensive. LPFM stations are restricted to 50 watts or less of radiated power. That s sufficient to cover a large town if the transmitter site is carefully selected. Licensing Although the CRTC license is handled by VOAR, each individual rebroadcast site must be licensed by Industry Canada. VOAR Programs VOAR carries a wide variety of programs that reaches many different people groups from children to the elderly. There are daily sermons, programs on how to manage money, programs on how to improve your relationships, old fashioned Christian radio drama, character building stories for children, programs especially for women, and news. VOAR has something for everyone. The music range covers contemporary, gospel, country, children s, and chapel. If listeners don t hear their favourite Christian music they can call in and request it during the live request show. There is also a prayer requests program where listeners can call in their prayer requests (off the air) and VOAR staff will pray for them. VOAR antenna/tower on SDA church property VOAR Antenna on an existing tower site VOAR antenna/tower on private property Page 25

26 Sample News Article Please allow the newspaper to come to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and write their own article using the VOAR Media Fact Sheet. IF, ONLY IF, the media does not come you can use the following sample article and submit it yourself. Tune In, VOAR FM is now on the AIR!! According to Statistics Canada*, while television viewing is on the decline, radio listeners stay fairly constant. And now those listeners have a new choice here in. All the way from Newfoundland, VOAR is now on the air here in on FM. There was quite a buzz on the tower grounds for the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this morning (afternoon, etc). In attendance was the Mayor,, MLA, etc. (Go in to detail about this local event.) VOAR was founded in 1929 with the call letters 8BSL. The present call letters, VOAR, were adopted in Radio VOAR operated under the rules of the Government of Newfoundland until 1949 when Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation. Although the Government of Canada had a policy of refusing to license radio stations controlled by religious groups, the two existing church owned radio stations in Newfoundland, VOAR and VOWR, were grandfathered at that time. This allowed them to continue operation as church owned radio stations so long as all other regulatory matters are complied with. VOAR completed a major upgrade to its network in 2002, starting with a connection to the Bell Satallite TV satellite system. This improved the signal delivery to remote FM transmitters and allowed more complete coverage of Newfoundland and Labrador. With a nationwide satellite signal, the path was finally opened for FM rebroadcast in communities far removed from Newfoundland. Today, VOAR is heard across the country broadcasting twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, with the assistance of automation and volunteers. It is being re-broadcast across Canada within a category called Low-Power FM. VOAR is Canada s largest Christian Radio Network and is currently the only Christian Radio Station with a nation-wide audience on Bell Satallite TV home satellite network. This new station FM is a Christian alternative to regular radio, providing Christian music and inspiring messages from different Christian denominations. VOAR carries a wide variety of programs that reaches many different people groups from children to the elderly. There are daily sermons, programs on how to manage money, programs on how to improve your relationships, etc., old fashioned Christian radio drama, character building stories for children, programs especially for women, and news. VOAR has something for everyone. The music range covers contemporary, country gospel, children s, and chapel. If listeners don t hear their favourite Christian music they can call in and request it during the live request show. Specific programs include: Focus on the Family, Voice of Prophecy, Unshackled, Adventurers in Odyssey, Bible Answers Live, Joni and Friends, and many more. There is also a prayer requests program where listeners can call in their prayer requests (off the air) and VOAR staff will pray for them. Now (town here) has more options on the radio dial with this new radio signal, so turn your radio on to and see what it s all about. * From Statistics Canada, Page 26

27 How to Use A VOAR Survey Wear a VOAR name tag (see page 30). It helps if you also carry a VOAR bag. Avoid looking like a Jehovah Witness or Mormon BE YOURSELF! Sample Dialogue: Hi, my name is YOUR NAME HERE. I am from VOAR Christian Family Radio (HAND them a VOAR Program Guide right away so even if they don t do the survey you have left them with something for God to work with!! You can print your information on a bookmarker insert and place it in the program guide -- see samples in your Start-Up Packet.). Do you have one minute to do a survey for me? (Go through the questions. Keep your ear open for prayer needs and offer to prayer with them if appropriate. Be natural!) When you are finished with the survey thank them for their time. You should keep these surveys so that when you are going to offer one or more of these programs you can hand-deliver an invitation to those who expressed an interest. Keep it simple. If they ask who you are with repeat that you are with VOAR Christian Family Radio. If they ask specifically which church you attend, then tell them you are a Seventh-day Adventist. Feel free to customize one of the following surveys to what your church can offer. If your church needs resources for putting on programs, here are some ideas: (This is not an exhaustive list!) Depression Recovery Program -- Dr. Nedley Marriage Seminar -- Stress Management Seminar -- Stop Smoking Program -- Vegetarian Cooking Class -- Vacation Bible School -- Prophecy Seminar -- Small group Bible Study -- One-on-One Bible Study -- Many pastors have their own, other ideas: Marriage Heart to Heart DVD set: Lifestyle Matters Diet & Stress (available at the ABC) Lifestyle Matters Living Free (available at the ABC) Find a good cook in your church and share favourite recipes. (If you need more help there is a DVD set that helps you put on a cooking school available at ABC Bookstore has various materials. (ADRA also has a series with materials available for free online: (Talk to your pastor.) (Talk to your pastor or personal ministries leader.) If your church doesn t have a Bible worker, the ABC has dozens of prepared studies you can use. An excellent resource is: Mark Finley s, Studying Together. Page 27

28 1. How often do you listen to radio? VOAR Neighbourhood Survey everyday several times a week seldom never 2. How do you generally listen to radio? car home work online 3. What is your favourite radio station? 4. Do you listen to VOAR Christian Family Radio? yes no If Yes: How often do you listen to VOAR Christian Family Radio? everyday several times a week once a week less What are your favourite VOAR programs? 5. Would you be interested in any of the following seminars (check all the apply): Depression Recovery Program Marriage Seminar Stress Management Seminar Stop Smoking Program Vegetarian Cooking Class Vacation Bible School (for children) Prophecy Seminar Small group Bible Study One-on-One Bible Study (If yes, be prepared right then, to set up an appointment for a Bible study with them) Name: Address: Phone number: Prayer Requests: Page 28

29 Name Tags You can use the enclosed VOAR stickers to make your own name tags. If you need an electronic form of the logo to make your own name tags or you would like more stickers feel free to contact Angela Poch at Higher Path. Or photocopy and use the ones below (fits standard plastic 3 x 4): Page 29

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31 Contact Information Elder Don Corkum Alberta Conference VOAR Coordinator Nadine Crombie VOAR coach Russ Stelmack Broadcast Consultant th Street S Cranbrook, BC V1C 1W8 OTHER Contacts & Materials VOAR promotional materials - brochures, banners, postcards for invitations, VOAR coloring books, posters, bumper stickers, bookmarkers and more. Higher Path Print & Production Angela Poch angela@higherpath.ca Fund-raising fruit sales Golden Harvest Fruit Sales, Inc Debbie Marshall debbie@goldenharvestsales.com VOAR materials - jackets, t-shirts, bags, and hats MEGA Silk Screening Heather Oglestone Page 31

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