Close Window

1.1 The name of the organisation shall be Radio Firebird.

2.1 The objective of Radio Firebird shall be to relieve sickness, infirmity and old age amongst the persons visiting Prince Charles Hospital.

2.2 To provide programmes of interest to all of the hospital’s patients.

In furtherance of the objectives set out in the preceeding clause but not otherwise,

Radio Firebird shall have the following powers :

3.1 To present, promote, organise and provide such radio programmes of music, drama, current affairs and documentaries, as are conducive to the furtherance of the objectives aforesaid.

3.2 To purchase or otherwise borrow such property as may be necessary for the

purpose of or in connection with the objectives of Radio Firebird.

3.3 To raise funds and to invite and receive contributions, providing that in raising

funds the management team shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law.

3.4 To do all such other things that are lawful and legal to further the aims and

objectives of Radio Firebird

4.1 To heed the rules and constitution and to follow the training and guidance of Radio Firebird.

4.2 To be courteous and of a clean, smart appearance.

4.3 To act in a professional manner and to be responsible for their own equipment as well as the station’s.

4.4 To follow health and safety procedures.

4.5 To respect the views and opinions of fellow members.

4.6 To be involved in all aspects of the station to which their ability allows.

 

5.1 To provide all necessary training and guidance.

5.2 To set a good example.

5.3 To perpetuate a good atmosphere and working relations with the volunteers and hospital staff.

5.4 To maintain all equipment belonging to the station and to respect all volunteers.

5.5 To follow Health and Safety regulations.

6.1 As stated before, Radio Firebird wishes to encourage anyone who is willing to give his or her time and services to the station. It is our policy not to voice opinions of a discriminatory nature on air and to behave as courteously as possible at all times to fellow members and the public but especially the hospital staff.

 

 

 

 

 

7.1 Membership Of Radio Firebird shall be open to anyone willing to give their time and services in anyway as to further the objectives of Radio Firebird.

7.2 Junior membership will be offered to those under 18. Although there is no voting rights associated with junior membership.

7.3 Membership applications must be in writing on the official application form and must be approved by the management.

7.4 Before membership can be accepted, references must be provided.

7.5 On acceptance of their application, relevant training will be given to all our members.

7.6 Whilst on hospital property, you must act in a dignified way and be courteous to hospital staff.

7.7 Radio Firebird ID must be carried at all times.

7.8 No food or drinks are to be consumed near the electrical equipment.

7.9 Each presenter shall leave the room clean and tidy.

7.10 Prince Charles Hospital is a NO SMOKING area and that includes the Radio Room.

7.11 Alcohol is banned from the studio. Presenters will not be allowed to broadcast

if alcoholic beverages have been consumed.

7.12 Ensure that the radio room is locked when unattended and the keys must be returned to the Porters room.

7.13 Members must not tamper with media or equipment in the station. If any equipment is damaged then the person will be expected to pay for it and they may be dismissed.

7.14 Radio Firebird’s tapes, C.D.s or Minidisks are not to be removed from the station.

 

7.15 Members should acquire permission from one of the management team before admitting non-members to the studio.

7.16 The telephones are not to be abused. Personal calls are to be made from the pay phones outside the radio room by the lifts.

7.17 Members must sign the station’s logbook in their full name after entrance to the studio for the reasons of security. Misuse of the log book can lead to disciplinary action being taken.

7.18 Members leaving property in the radio station do so at their own risk, Radio Firebird will not be held responsible for lost or damaged items.

7.19 Members may not open the correspondence of another. The management reserve the right to open any correspondance that enters or leaves Radio Firebird.

7.20 Members must ensure the successful development of reputation and image. It is also essential that Radio Firebird members monitor the appearance of all posters, headsets, etc and report any concerns to the management team.

7.21 Any private disputes between members should stay private and not interfere with the general running of the station.

8 Programme Presentation

8.1 Radio Firebird’s policy is to use the term "Presenter" rather than "DJ". This is to reflect that we believe that we are a professional radio station and not a disco

or nightclub.

8.2 Presenters must be-able to commit to a regular programme and be adaptable if a revised programme schedule is compiled.

8.3 Presenters who can not attend their programme must find some one to cover for them, failing this, contact the Programme Controller.

8.4 Presenters who frequently miss their programme without an adequate reason will be subject to suspension from the timetable.

8.5 When requests are broadcast, they must be played without comments which may offend listeners.

8.6 Bad language is strictly prohibited on air.

8.7 Members may only start a regular programme after being deemed suitably proficient as a consequence of submitting a demonstration tape to the

Programme Controller.

 

8.8 Presenters from time to time may be asked to provide a recording of their programme so that the quality can be monitored. The Programme Controller will then make constructive criticism privately on a one to one basis, or as appropriate.

8.9 The presenter producing the programme has the final say on who can sit in on their programme.

8.10 To ensure a smooth hand over of shows, presenters are asked to arrive 15 minutes before their own show.

9 Management Team

9.1 The Administration of Radio Firebird will be in the hands of a Management Team consisting of :-

Station Manager

Assistant Station Manager

Secretary

Treasurer

Programme Controller

Public Relations Officer

Fundraising Officer

9.2 The duties of the Station Manager shall be to administer all meetings in accordance with the rules and procedures and to control the running of the station.

9.3 The duties of the Assistant Station Manager shall be to administer all meetings in accordance with the rules and procedures and to asssit the manager with the running of the station, also to deputise whilst the Manager is absent.

9.4 The duties of the Secretary are to conduct the administration of Radio Firebird in accordance with station rules and procedures and to make themselves aware of said rules and procedures. They should also be available at all meetings and other station events.

 

9.5 The duties of the Treasurer are to provide Radio Firebird with regular updates on the financial situation of the station and to administer all monies incoming and outgoing.

9.6 The duties of the Programme Controller are to monitor and control the output and schedule of all programmes, with the added bonus of being able to have input into individual programmes where it has been requested or required.

9.7 The duties of the Public Relations Officer are to promote Radio Firebird internally and externally as determined by the Management Team.

9.8 The duties of the Fundraising Officer are to work alongside the Public Relations Officer. Also to make themselves aware of the rules and regulations regarding fund-raising and to put forward a good image to the public.

9.9 They shall all be eligible for re-election at the AGM.

9.10 Members of Radio Firebird shall only be eligible for a Management post when they have served 6 complete months as a member of the station.

9.11 No two members of the same family/existing relationship must hold a Management post.

9.12 If a Management post becomes available mid-term then it shall be available for nominations at the next meeting.

8.13 Management posts and what they involve must be known to all members. Applications for any post must then be received five days before the AGM in which they are to be presented.

9.14 The candidate/s will have an opportunity in the meeting to put forward their case further on request by the Station Manager. This will take no longer than five minutes. The candidate/s will then be proposed and then seconded by the members there present.

9.15 If any candidate/s are not present then the Station Manager will read out their letter of application. Absence will in no way prejudice an application.

 

9.16 Applicants will not be allowed to vote in a contest which involves themselves. The Station Manager has no vote.

9.17 If more than one candidate is proposed then a secret ballot will take place. This will take the form of pieces of paper being written on with the name of the candidate. Two members will then count the ballot papers in another room, the result will then be read out by the Station Manager.

9.18 In the occurrence of an equal number of votes, the Station Manager will have the casting vote.

9.19 The elected nominees shall be the one with the majority.

9.20 The Management shall have the power offer honorary membership to any person it considers to be worthy.

10 Financial

10.1 The Financial year of Radio Firebird shall be May 1^st to April 30^th. Cheques drawn up on Radio Firebird’s bank account shall be signed by any two authorised members of the Management Team.

10.2 The Management Team may raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of donations and otherwise, providing that Radio Firebird shall not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds for the primary charitable purposes of Radio Firebird.

10.3 Radio Firebird is a voluntary organisation, this means that all members are unpaid.

10.4 Travelling expenses may be paid out for but by the discretion of the Management Team.

10.5 Other station expenses (excluding travel) will be reimbursed subject to the Management’s authorisation.

11.1 Meetings may take place as and when they are required. The Annual General Meeting will be held each May.

11.2 Meetings shall start on time.

 

 

11.3 The Quorum in order to conduct any business or take a vote on a particular issue must be 10 or 1/3 of the total membership, whichever is less.

11.4 Members who can not attend any meeting must send apologies to the Secretary.

11.5 Any queries from the previous meeting’s minutes will be asked for , when there are no more, it shall be agreed by those present that it is true and accurate account of what took place.

11.6 The Management Team will speak first and discuss important station matters, the floor will then be opened to the other members under the heading of "Any Other Business"

11.7 The meeting shall last no longer than 90 minutes.

 

12 Constitutional

12.1 This constitution may only be altered at the AGM, given that the amendments have been forwarded in advance. Provided that no alteration to Clause 2 (Objectives), Clause 11.2 (Dissolution) or this clause shall take effect without authorisation from the Hospital Broadcasting Association or other governing body, and no alteration shall be made which would have the effect of causing Radio Firebird to cease being a voluntary Organisation by law.

12.2 If, on the winding up of Radio Firebird, there remains after the satisfaction of all it’s debts and liabilities, any assets whatsoever shall not be paid to or distributed among any members of Radio Firebird, but shall be donated to a charitable institution having similar aims and objectives to Radio Firebird.

13 Grievance Procedure

13.1 If any member has a complaint then they should take it up with the s

Station Manager. If the complaint concerns the Station Manager then they should take it up with the Assistant Station Manager.

14 Termination

14.1 It has been decided that Radio Firebird, although a voluntary organisation, must have some sort of rule to protect the station against any disruptions regarding members’ behaviour. As with any job, if there is a gross misconduct by a member then it should warrant instant dismissal. Depending on the offence, if it were less serious, then this would be taken into consideration and then ruled upon by the Management.

 

14.2 Any member subject to such termination of membership is to be notified in writing.

14.3 All terminated members have the right of appeal which must be acted upon within 28 days of the decision being made.

14.4 The appeal will only involve three people, the interested party, a member of the Management Team and an impartial mediator.

14.5 All involved must decide the best course of action for Radio Firebird and the interested party

14.6 If there are to be conditions of a successful appeal, then these must be reported to the Management Team so as to follow them through.

14.7 Ignorance of the constitution will be no defence in the case of non-compliance.

14.8 The decision made by the appeal is final and binding.

This constitution shall remain legally binding until any future constitution can be published and adopted, it must also be signed by the Station Manager and

Assistant Station Manager before distribution may take place. The month and year must also be provided so as to determine when the constitution became active.