Timeline

February 2021

In response to the growing need for local radio and a forum for local conversations, Scott Weir posts on Golden Community to see if anyone would be interested in talking about starting a community radio station. A capacity survey was used to determine what skills and interests existed in our community. Many respond. There are a few enthusiastic meetings via Zoom with 5-8 people attending each. A group of people interested in doing the work to research and eventually form the station begin doing just that.

May 2021

Four people attend the 3-week online program Co-operative Now! hosted by BC Co-op Association. This intensive bootcamp helped to equip the aspiring founding members with many of the skills, training and planning needed to build and start a cooperative organization.

June 2021

A survey is shared with the community, serving as a first nod toward a feasibility study. There are 130 responses.

November 2021

Golden Co-op Radio is registered as a community service not-for-profit cooperative with the Province of BC.

February 2022

First Annual General Meeting, February 28, 2022. The board is formed (Scott Weir, Kyle van Es, Brianna Burley, Matt Clifford, Carly Munro, Brenna Ward, Claire Dibble).

Golden Co-op Radio becomes a member of NCRA (National Campus and Community Radio Association).

March 2022

www.goldencoopradio.ca is launched.

April 2022

Membership drive, with the goal of gaining 200 general members and 100 sustaining members.

June 2022

Purchase ‘Radio In A Box’ as essential starting equipment.

Training sessions for members interested in becoming programmers.

Apply for CRTC broadcasting license.

September 2022

Begin broadcasting via internet radio, as a trial and as a way for programmers to practice and gain skills in advance of terrestrial broadcasting.

Move into a studio space. Work with partners and engineer to prepare for broadcasting from towers.

January 2023

Begin broadcasting on the FM dial (fingers crossed!)

June 2023

Purchase equipment necessary for maintaining broadcasts throughout a power outage.

February 2024

Third Annual General Meeting, with 300 members in attendance to help celebrate the excellent programming available all the time on air via Golden Co-op Radio.