Past President Cathy introduced our speakers, Alex and Susan. Susan is Cathy’s cousin-in-law.
Alex opened by giving us a brief history of CJNU Nostalgia Radio.
CJNU is a Canadian radio station serving the Winnipeg metropolitan area. It is operated as a co-op; individual membership is $25, couples are $40, and corporate memberships are $250. There are benefits, including a Perks card. It is licensed by the CRTC and broadcasts at 93.7 FM. Broadcasting is in English and the call letters are CJNU (chosen from available letters be because NU could stand for Nostalgia Unlimited.)
The 2,000 watt transmitter is located atop 55 Nassau, where the extra height extends coverage. They also stream online.
CJNU celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. It was founded in December 2006. Their goal is to communicate awareness of not-for-profits and charities, and to play nostalgic radio.
In 2008 they changed their frequency from 104.7 to 93.7.
Under their original licensing, they were required to go off the air for one day per month. In 2013 they applied to the CRTC and became a standard radio station, now broadcasting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. CJNU is community radio, with the other formats being commercial (e.g. CJOB) and public (e.g. CBC.) They are required to broadcast 80% music and 20% spoken word. The spoken word pieces include promoting not-for-profits and charities, and educational pieces such as history.
In 2016 CJNU became the new home of the Winnipeg Goldeyes.
Susan
Susan wears many hats, including Volunteer Coordinator. CJNU has over 120 volunteers from all walks of life and with a wide variety of skills. There are many roles for volunteers. They rely on volunteers and corporate sponsorship to stay on the air. CJNU does not have charitable status. They hold an annual 3-day pledge drive.
The listening audience is estimated to be 25,000-30,000. They are the only radio station that takes requests. They hold a library of approximately 10,000 songs, and their volunteers have approximately 40,000 songs in their personal libraries.
There were many questions for Susan and Earl.
Charleswood Rotary passed a motion at the most recent board meeting to apply for corporate membership.
Cathy thanked our speakers.
