I guess you've come here because you represent a student station wanting to become part of our ever-growing community of student stations, or you're an individual looking to participate in our activities.
Still not sure of the benefits of SRA membership though? There are loads – so please be patient with this huge list!
- Our constitution defines what we do as:
We represent any radio station which is linked to a place of eduction and exist to encourage and facilitate communication between student stations, to assist in their development, and to offer support and advice to new stations just setting up. - We look after 65+ student radio stations across the UK, ranging from Universities to FE Colleges and even local youth stations, so we know what you're up against, and most importantly, we know what we're doing! We know the problems you face as stations and we're on hand 24 hours a day with help, advice and support, as well as solutions. We also have a network of regional representatives around the country, to offer support and advice in your area.
- To get into this industry, or indeed any media field, it's often who you know - and we know a lot of people! Joining the SRA offers member stations links with the other 65+ stations on our books, previous members now working in a variety of industries, and also links with the radio industry in a variety of forms, from radio stations themselves to Ofcom to radio advertising and PR specialists. As a result we're able to offer expert advice and also work in conjunction with these companies to offer work placements and opportunities that you wouldn't necessarily get if you weren't a member.
- The Student Radio Awards is one of the highlights of the SRA calendar, and is a chance for member stations to meet each other, celebrate student radio success, and also meet industry professionals, such as Head Judge 2007 Jo Whiley, hosts Scott Mills and Edith Bowman and former student radio extraordinaire Greg James. We are also extremely lucky to have Huw Stephens as our Chair of the Awards 2008-2010! Only members can submit awards entries for judging and only member stations can attend the event and win the prizes, which have previously included work experience at BBC and commercial stations across the UK, as well as solo slots on Radio 1. The event is so popular amongst our members that last year we had over 400 people attend - a recordbreaking number! The awards are a hugely exciting period in the SRA calendar because the prizes given out and the recognition received for winning looks fantastic on your CV's.
- Only membership to the SRA gives you the opportunity to take part in the student radio conference, the most recent of which took place at Leeds Universities April 6th-8th. The conference is usually hosted by one of our member stations, giving them the opportunity to hold a massive 3 day event that will see over 200 students in attendance, not to mention a large number of industry professoinals. The conference is where industry professionals are on hand to offer advice and give lectures on different aspects of the radio industry. Stations and students find this a really productive event and a great way to make contacts from all over the radio sector and student radio network. You are given tips and advice, and if you have any problems you are able to ask for solutions. The conference is specifically all about encouraging learning and advancement of our members and your stations, and we hope that the knowledge you take away from the conference enables you to create better and improved radio.
- The SRA also runs training days throughout the year via either Regional Officers who represent stations within a certain area, of national events that we encourage all of our members to attend. These events give you the opportunity to meet your stations, meet the SRA exec and ask questions, and often feature interesting sessions and learning opportunities.
- The SRA also looks after an innovative project called the Student Radio Chart Show - a chart show which brings stations together across the UK and unites them for a few hours every week. Everyone taking part in the chart gets to host a session and this is linked up with all of the other stations involved, so you're able to broadcast across several different stations and counties at the same time! Only member stations can get involved, and the space for places makes it a highly competitive and sought after project to get involved with.
- The SRA also gives stations the opportunity to get involved with one another, something that has proven highly successful with the charity-fundraising event Hearing Aid. The event runs every year and involves stations across the UK all trying to out-perform one another to raise money for charitable causes, and last year was hugely successful with challenges ranging from sitting in beans, waxing, and a Top Gear-style race across the channel.
- The SRA is also a fantastic network of people who can offer you all the help and advice you need, something which is highly important to everyone, from those starting out with a brand new station to the oldest stations in the UK. Your membership to the SRA allows you direct access to all of the people across the network who can be of use to you and help you make your station a success.
- The SRA gives students all the up to date information and news from the radio industry, making sure that if there are any changes in law, in technology or wherever, that our stations are aware of it and are so best able to provide for the changes.
- The SRA is a completely not-for-profit organisation - everything we make in terms of membership, ticket sales and sponsorship monies goes directly towards covering the costs of the conference and awards, as well as the other projects we run throughout the year, including the Student Chart Show. Everything we make is put directly back in to running a more improved and better performing association, year on year. The association is run for the benefit of our members and for no other reason.
- Over the last year the SRA has grown massively and turned a corner. We now have a fantastic-looking brand new website, as well as a weekly newsfeed that contains all of the latest up to date information and news. This year, for the first time ever, we have begun to process awards entries online, cutting down massively on the time needed by our members to package up entries and send them on. The SRA is growing all the time, and we are lucky to have support from the BBC and Commercial stations across the UK, enabling us to continually challenge and improve.
These are just some of the benefits available to you if you choose to join up. As an organisation we are continually looking for new and interesting ways to get our members involved, and we hold regular forums to receive their feedback so we can correct any mistakes and focus on our members needs. This year we intend on running more training days than we ever have before because we know our members love to get involved, meet each other and gain experience and learning outside of their stations.
Membership to the SRA runs from Jan 1st to Dec 31st and costs just £69 inc. VAT for an entire station.
Half year membership begins Jul 1st to Dec 31st and costs just £34.50 inc. VAT for an entire station. This will get you entry to the awards and other events in the second half of the year, but you will not be able to enter the awards until you renew your membership in January.
(Prices are inc. of VAT at 15% - correct at time of writing – subject to change with VAT increase).
If you have any questions about any of the above, you have any suggestions or just want a chat, please don’t hesitate to contact Sarah.
Individual Memberships are designed for anyone who wants to take part in our activities, but who don't have the fortune to belong to one of our member stations, this includes:
- Students on broadcasting degrees who don't have a student radio station to join.
- Students who belong to a Student Radio station who don't have members status
- Students who participate in hospital or community radio who wish to attend our events (these members would not be able to enter the student radio awards).
Individual membership is a bargain at £5.75 (inc VAT) and give the same status as other members with the exception of voting rights in meetings.