The Voice of the Shuswap Broadcast Society
Your Community Radio Station
The Voice of the Shuswap Broadcast Society (VSBS) is a non-profit whose mandate is to operate a community radio station in the Shuswap area. Station CKVS-FM 93.7 The Voice is public radio for the community, by the community, and about the community. We are not a commercial radio station. We are creating local programming, music, information, news, and emergency services to the Shuswap by volunteer community members. VSBS will use its facilities, and the initiative and skills of its membership to create the environment and medium for balanced expression of the varied perspectives of our community. Our hope is that CKVS-FM 93.7 will become a centre for community building in the Shuswap.
WHY WE MATTER
Community Radio stations are an integral part of Canada and today over 75% of Canadians are able to receive a local community radio station at home. Across Canada Community Radio has programming in more than 65 languages. The National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA) has over 80 members who engage more than 6,000 volunteers. The NCRA has roots that go back to Queens University in 1922 and since then there has been growing support from local community radio stations. Today the NCRA is a valuable asset for all starting and established community radio stations. Already it has proved a valuable resource for the VSBS.
HOW THIS ALL STARTED
The idea of community radio really started in the Shuswap with presentations to community groups and based on the feedback from those meetings it was determined that there was sufficient support here to start a radio station. In February of 2010 the first public meeting was held and three subsequent meetings resulted in the birth of the Voice of the Shuswap Broadcast Society. In August of 2012 our CRTC application was approved and a licence to operate station CKVS-FM 93.7 was granted. CKVS-FM 93.7 draws from the rich variety of skills and perspectives that the Shuswap’s communities have to offer in order to create quality programming and to better serve the community. CKVS-FM 93.7 is a volunteer-based radio station recognizing the essential contribution of volunteers, and supports them in their efforts to express themselves through radio.
PROMOTE OUR COMMUNITY
VSBS is committed to the advancement of education and creating an awareness of community activities. VSBS is committed to the adequate and continuing training of all volunteers, and in encouraging all to participate in as many areas of station operation as they can. Our station CKVS-FM 93.7 broadcasts programming which is different in nature and content from that broadcast on commercial radio. CKVS-FM 93.7 will provide alternative programming, not merely for the sake of being different, but rather with the intent of providing a complete service to the community. The exposure and discussion of local concerns and events is emphasized. CKVS-FM 93.7 serves as a vehicle for supporting and furthering local talent.