Community Radio Operator

  Argentina

• Other Cities in Argentina: 
Esquel

Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks

Description: One of the Education and Culture projects promoted by MAPU Association is the organization of an FM community radio in the city of Esquel, where MAPU is based in Patagonia. Currently we are looking for the financial resources to establish the radio. The radio is expected to start functioning around February 2010.

Volunteering Placement Description: As a volunteer in the Community Radio Operator placement, you will be responsible for controlling the broadcast equipment, carrying out broadcasting activities, mixing sounds, and other tasks related to the community radio functioning.

Also, according to your experience, you will be able to help with setting up the studio, organizing the production equipment, controlling the acoustic balance of the studio, etc.

Objectives: The aim of this volunteering placement is that you help achieve professional performance of the local community radio, and that you contribute your knowledge and experience in the field

Qualifications: Requirements: For this volunteering placement you need to have studies and/or experience as a radio technician/operator. Also, you need to be flexible, proactive, creative and able to work in an autonomous, systematic and organized way.

Languages: Intermediate level of Spanish

Minimum and Maximum Length: 1 month minimum  flexible maximum

Cost in US$: 420 USD

By paying the annual membership fee, which you can decide whether or not to renew each year, and by paying to have your volunteer placement organized, you will directly contribute to financing MAPU Association projects in Patagonia. At the same time this will allow you to keep volunteering in the future, as a MAPU member, without further placement payments.

Prospective volunteers sometimes question the need to pay a fee to willingly offer their resources, time and energy to performing a project in Patagonia. You need to bear in mind that while you are contributing your work with commitment and responsibility, you are also benefiting from a number of services, performed voluntarily by MAPU members, which are fundamental for you to organize your Patagonia experience and get a meaningful volunteering placement. Thus, you will have more time to make a difference in Patagonian communities and help with their social and environmental struggles. More importantly, your fees contribute directly, without any intermediaries, to promoting and financing activities and development projects in Patagonia, South America.

    * Organization of your volunteer work placement with clearly defined activities and objectives according to your profile and your host organization´s needs.
    * If necessary, translation and/or edition of your Letter of Intent and Curriculum Vitae for host organizations to decide whether your profile is suitable to their projects.
    * Regular communication with Patagonia Volunteer's Coordinators, who will answer your questions, give you advice, tell you about their own experiences as volunteers, and help you with the practical aspects of organizing your trip.
    * Access to orientation material which will give you clear and realistic expectations about your Patagonia experience while providing you with some tools to get ready to give your best during your volunteering experience.

During your volunteer work in Patagonia:

    * Patagonia Volunteer - Patagonia, Argentina, South America Orientation workshop (when volunteering with a host organization other than MAPU): analysis of the various local realities and tools to interpret them, role and position of the international volunteer, information and preparation for each specific project, etc.
    * Guidance and supervision from the Patagonia Volunteer's Coordinators and from your host organization coordinator.
    * Organization of your accommodation with a host family, including search, full description, contact details, introduction upon arrival, and follow up. (It does not include the cost of accommodation, which is paid directly to the hosts upon arrival. Accommodation prices are in local currency, always kept as low as possible, but also fair for the hosts).
    * If necessary, organization of private Spanish classes, also at a local price. (It does not include the cost of the lessons)
    * Help finding a local partner for practicing Spanish and engaging in a language exchange.
    * Information, tips and suggestions for trips and extra activities that you can engage in while in Patagonia.

After your volunteer work in Patagonia

    * Patagonia Volunteer - Patagonia, Argentina, South America Possibility of staying involved with MAPU Association's projects through virtual volunteering.
    * As a MAPU member, access to monthly online meetings to discuss updates, existing projects progression, and new projects.
    * As a MAPU member, right to propose new ideas and vote for projects to be supported.
    * Opportunity to return to Patagonia to perform another volunteer project, as often as you want or can, without having to pay the volunteer organization placement fee again.
    * A network of friends with common interests, objectives, and goals with which to share experiences and discuss differences.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

MAPU Association's Mission Statement: MAPU Association is a young non-profit, founded in Madrid, Spain, in April 2006. The main objective of MAPU Association is to encourage and promote cooperation and development projects within the communities of Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia in order to foster local self-sufficiency, augment the locals' resources, and improve their capabilities for positive and sustainable development. Patagonia Volunteer is a program developed by MAPU Association as a community, social and environmental development tool in the frame of International Cooperation. Its goal is to offer solutions to the locals' needs, problems and social interests, while contributing to fostering fairer relations between this southern region and the developed countries of the north.

Year Founded: 2006