At its All Volunteer meeting on November 14, the community in Belfast Community Radio was bursting at the seams. Held in the conference room at Belfast Creative Coalition due to their recent association with the station, the numbers of people attending filled up all the chairs in the suite of offices. The mood was high as Coordinating volunteers talked tech, programming, fundraising and governance. Launch Coordinator Jennifer Hill, reviewed the past few weeks and the group’s stunning accomplishments: “We didn’t have much time to get things moving. Yet, we’ve nearly completed our fundraising goal, our studio is soundproofed and ready, and we have a plan for our equipment purchases that will be implemented this week.” Erik Klausmeyer, incoming Station Coordinator, said he believed the studio might be up and running by Christmas.

Attending his first All Volunteer meeting was Jon Fishman, who offered the group equipment that will make remote broadcasting possible. Jon joins station angel Casey Dowdell, who has been donating time, equipment and financial backing since the initial Fundraising event in October. Altogether, equipment donations come to $7,000, a significant portion of the overall budget, bringing the total raised to $18,000, just shy of the group’s stated goal.

Contributions from Revision Energy, Rollies, Darby’s and Coyote Moon will pool with individual gifts from Belfast City Counselor Mary Mortier, Barbara Bell, Ned Lightner of Community TV, Pete Zuck, Elaine Kief, Mary Jean Crowe, Erik Perkins and Ernie Cooper. On behalf of Belfast Transition, individual contributors include Beverly Roxbury, Bindy Pendleton, Charlie Crane, Martha Speiss, Cloe Chunn; and towards the UU’s Founding membership, individual donors include Corliss & Rick Davis, Diane Braybrook, Jasmine Fowler, Joanne Mossewilde, Karen Wigglesworth, Kathy Muzzy, Maret Knight, Scott Denman & Wendy Watkins, Happy & Cary Bradford, and Liz & Rick Fitzsimmons. Volunteers have been donating cash, too, including Erik Klausmeyer, Zafra Whitcomb, Jennifer Hill, Bryant Richardson, Petra Hall, and Caryn Converse. These donations are being added to the many cash contributions stuffed into glass jars at events, and to the quiet gifts by Anonymous.

All those who have contributed to the station’s launch before December 1 will be celebrated as its Founders. Individuals are urged to empty the penny jars, because no donation is too small. All those interested in being part of the group of Founders need to make contact with the station organizers this week at info@belfastcomunityradio.org. Tax deductible donations may be made at Belfast City Hall, at both Belfast branches of Bangor Savings Bank, and online at www.gofundme.com. Upcoming activities may be found at the group’s website www.belfastcommunityradio.org or at Belfast Community Radio on Facebook.

November 17, 2016