PROGRAM PROPOSAL OVERVIEW

KFAI - International Women’s Day 2013

Friday, March 8 – Airwaves Full Of Women

KFAI’s 2013 International Women’s Day Committee is excited that you’re interested in submitting a program proposal for this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD). To help you plan your program and prepare your proposal, we’ve put together the following information. Please take a few moments to review it before you complete the proposal form. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Emily at or call Beth Shaw, 612-822-0832 (nights/weekends or leave a message).

DUE DATE: Completed proposals must be received by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2013. See mailing details on the attached Program Proposal.

  • Applicants will be notified whether their program proposal has been selected beginning Monday, January 28, 2013.
  • An open house for programmers will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 (time TBD).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What IS IWD?

IWD is a holiday recognized by the United Nations and is celebrated throughout the world on March 8. Although IWD isn’t widely recognized within the United States, KFAI has been celebrating International Women’s Day since 1989 – more than 20 years!

KFAI community radio at 90.3 FM Minneapolis and 106.7 FM St. Paul celebrates IWD - and to some extent the entire month of March as International Women’s Month - by providing expanded opportunities for women’s and girls’ voices to be heard on the airwaves.

We do this by partnering with girls/women, organizations, schools, and even businesses from throughout the Twin Cities area to produce special radio shows that air on March 8 and sometimes on other days/programs within the month of March.

  • What kinds of shows or topics can I cover?

KFAI is looking for a wide range of program proposals to present female voices on topics celebrating, relating to, or of particular interest to women and girls. We’re looking for shows covering music, the arts, public affairs, health, work and business, etc.

There should be a specific applicability to, or focus on, women and/or girls. For example, a show on “Cooking Local” could apply to anyone and be broadcast any day of the year. However, a show that explores how girls/women are advocating for the use of local ingredients in school lunches is an example of a show that fits the spirit of IWD.

As long as the program complies with FCC programming guidelines related to obscenity, profanity, commercialism, etc., no topic is off limits.

We’ve attached a listing of IWD 2012 programs to this document to give you an idea of past topics and the range of programming KFAI provides. Our goal this year is to schedule approximately 70% music shows and 30% public affairs/documentary/news/talk/arts shows.

  • What does the IWD Committee look for in a program proposal?

The IWD Committee is looking for proposals that reflect fully developed program ideas and that outline those ideas and probable show content in detail. For example:

  • If the program is to be an arts or music show, what artists or types of artists will be featured, and why? It’s helpful to the Committee if you include a few examples of possible playlists or interview questions. Why are these artists important? What will your listening audience learn about them?
  • If the program is to be a public affairs or documentary show, what are the subjects, and how will you be presenting them? If you’ll be interviewing people, who will you interview, and why are they important to your topic? What types of topics or issues do you expect to raise or feature?

In addition, the IWD Committee looks for program proposals that focus on the listening community rather than the programmer and her self-interest.

  • What can I do in an hour?

In general, a one-hour music show will consist of 10-14 songs, depending on song length. For a one-hour talk show, 2-4 persons (including host) should be able to discuss two to four questions/issues. Regardless of the show type, you’ll need to allow time for host introductions/transitions, station promos, and show identifications. Also, shows airing between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. will need to allow approximately 3 minutes for news headlines. We recommend you check the KFAI program schedule and listen to shows (live or via the archives) that are similar in format to the show you intend to propose; this should help you with planning and developing your proposal.

  • I’ve never done a radio program before. What help is available?

KFAI can provide a mentor to help you plan your show. If needed, KFAI will provide an engineer to run the radio equipment on March 8, if you’re not certified to do so or if you prefer that so that you can focus on show content.

We will also have volunteer support available on March 8 to help make your program go smoothly.

  • What if I don’t get a time slot that works for me?

The committee encourages you to commit to doing your show live if at all possible, since studio and volunteer time for prerecording may be limited. Program proposals for live shows will be given priority consideration.

However, when necessary, KFAI offers the opportunity for you to pre-record your program so that you need not be present at the time it airs on the radio. With 24 hours of continuous programming, it’s inevitable that a number of shows will air at non-peak times, so flexibility is good! And remember that your show will be available in the KFAI archives for the two weeks following March 8, so that listeners can listen online at their convenience.

If you choose to pre-record your program and you need KFAI studio time or the help of a KFAI volunteer, it’s a good idea to make sure your schedule allows you plenty of time to work on the program well before March 8. Note that while your show may be prerecorded, we will not have resources to help you edit and remix the recorded material. You should prepare to record your show in one “take” – just as if you were performing live – unless you’re able to do your own editing.

In addition, your show may be considered by the Committee for presentation on another date, perhaps as part of The WAVE Project, KFAI’s public access program. It airs Sundays from 10-11:00 a.m.

Or, there may be an existing program on KFAI that would be a good fit for your program proposal. If so, the IWD Committee may determine if the programmer of that show would be willing to work with you to present your program on that show.

  • Can men apply for a program or appear in a program?

Since the purpose of this special, once-a-year programming is intended to focus on women, the IWD Committee expects the day’s programming (hosts, guests) to feature solely women’s voices. If the show is a music show, men can be present in supporting roles within the band and in some backup vocals. If your show will or may include transgendered persons who identify as female, please note that in your program proposal.

We certainly encourage men to volunteer in off-air roles as engineers, mentors, etc. In addition, we encourage men who currently host programs on KFAI to consider special programming during March which promotes and celebrates women in conjunction with International Women’s Month.

  • Do I have to be a certain age to apply?

No. KFAI’s goal is to present programming reflecting the full spectrum of women’s and girls’ voices! With the oversight and support of an adult sponsor, girls as young as 5 have previously been involved in presenting IWD programs.

  • I would like to do a program in a language other than English. Is this allowed?

Yes! KFAI listeners encompass many communities and ethnicities and the IWD Committee encourages programming reflective of this. To the extent possible, providing bilingual content will broaden your show’s appeal and reach.

  • What are the IWD Committee’s expectations if my program proposal is selected?

The IWD Committee will notify you whether your program proposal has been selected for inclusion on March 8’s IWD schedule (or for another date in March) beginning January 28, 2013,so please mark your calendar to check email & voicemail frequently around that time. Since the selected programs will need to be ready to air on March 8, it’s important that you take responsibility to meet applicable deadlines.

Selected applicants are expected to:

  • read and comply with program rules/guidelines,
  • attend the Saturday, February 2, 2013, open house if possible,
  • be timely in addressing communications to/from IWD volunteers,
  • be proactive in seeking information/help needed to complete program requirements,
  • be proactive in promoting their shows, and
  • be flexible in arranging needed studio time.
  • What other ways can I become involved in IWD and/or KFAI?

There are a number of other ways you can support IWD specifically, or KFAI in general. For example:

  • Volunteer to help with IWD, such as distributing flyers, decorating, “day of” activities, etc. Or, consider volunteering at KFAI on a periodic or regular basis – we have a variety of opportunities to fit a wide array of interests and schedules. For more information on volunteering at KFAI, contact Pam Hill-Kroyer at or 612-341-3144, ext. 22.
  • Include IWD Schedule information on your Facebook or MySpace pages,and in blogs, tweets, etc. Help us get the word out!
  • Consider promoting your business or organization by sponsoring IWD through Underwriting. For more information, contact Sabrina Crews, Underwriting Director, , or
    612-341-3144 ext 24.
  • If you’re a current KFAI programmer, consider: devoting one or more programs during March to women’s programming (either your own or that of an IWD applicant not selected for IWD on March 8), volunteering to mentor an IWD programmer, or assisting an IWD programmer with recording and editing a pre-recorded show.
  • KFAI is non-profit, member-supported community radio. You can support KFAI and become a listener-member by going to by calling during one of our pledge drives.

Don’t miss a single show!

Listen “on demand” for up to two weeks via the KFAI archives at

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

SISTERS SHINE!!

Don’t miss a single show!

Listen “on demand” for up to two weeks via the KFAI archives at

Side One: The A.M. (With a Peek into the P.M.)

Midnight – 1 am / Irmandade: Brazilian Sisters Shine! Hosted by Helena do Sol.
Honoring the sisterhood of Brazilian women through their music.
1 – 2 am / Women In the Blues-the first generation (1920s-1930s). Host Georgia Cady.
Hear the female blues pioneers, such as Bessie Smith, Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey and others who sing about relationships and independence.
2 - 3 am / Strength, Courage & Wisdom: The Lovely Ladies of Neo-Soul & Beyond. Hosted by Emily Krumberger.
Exploring the female voices of the Neo-Soul movement around the world.
3 – 5 am / Layalli & Mawwal: Femal Improvised Vocal Poetry From The Arab World. Hosted by CassandraShore.
The art of vocal improvisation by amazing women from the Arab World.
5 – 7 am / Women in Samba. Hosted by Spitfire Sam.
Exploring the music of female artists of Brazil and the diaspora.
7 – 8 am / Women, Money & Happiness. Hosted by Nicole Middendorf.
Learn the steps to help you become a woman who is happy with her money.
8 – 9 am / The Untold Story of Women in Prison. Hosted by Women’s Prison Book Project, Corinth Matera, Beth Derenne & Sara Olson.
Voices from prison activists, educators, and insiders about the current state of women in prison.
9 – 10 am / The Spiritual Expressions of a Woman. Hosted by Lenel Strowder.
Exploring the heart of a woman through “The Cool.”
10 – 11 am / The Voices of Immigrant Women in Minnesota. Hosted by Jovita Francisco Morales.
Interviews with women of different ethnicity groups about their experiences as women, feminists, and leaders.
11 - Noon / Breastfeeding in a Bottle-feeding Culture. Hosted by Marcia McCoy.
Peer counselors with theHennepin CountyWIC program share their personal stories and their experiences helping mothers from various cultures with breastfeeding and mothering.

And here’s your peek at the p.m.!

Check out the rest – along with other Women’s History Month special programs - on side 2!

Noon – 1 pm / Winyan Dowanpi (The Women are Singing). Hosted by Jewell Arcoren and Lisa Yankton.
The First Nations Composers Initiative showcases the music of grantees and advisors from their Common Ground program.
1 – 2 pm / Iron Skillet: Formidable Women of Country Music. Hosted by Jean Silverberg.
Groundbreaking, outspoken, or just plain interesting women in 1940s through 1960s country.

Side Two: The P.M.plus Women’s History Month specials

2 – 3 pm / The Women of Lawrence Welk. Hosted by Amy Gmur.
A look back at the talented, wonderful women of Welk.
3 – 4 pm / Nerves. Hosted by Patti Walsh.
KFAI veteran Patti Walsh interrogates Gretchen Seichrist of local band patches & gretchen on the illusive nature of art, music, and being the head of a household.
4 – 5 pm / Finding the Female Funny. Hosted by Britt.
Women comedians get together to share their favorite jokes and discuss the history of women comics and the myth that women comedians just aren’t funny.
5 – 6 pm / Girls in Transition to Womanhood. Hosted by Ivy.
Girls transitioning from elementary to middle school, and then to senior high, talk about their challenges, struggles, and successes.
6 – 7 pm / Ending Violence Against Women: From the Local to the Global. Hosted by Ellen Kennedy, PhD.
Minnesota experts discuss local and global efforts to end gender violence, a tragedy that accounts for more disability and death among women ages 15-44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and war combined.
7 – 8 pm / Tenacious, Audacious Women. Hosted by Dixie Treichel.
A socio-creative perspective of women innovators and pioneers known for breaking through barriers to create change.
8 – 9:30 pm / Global Women with Rhythm. Hosted by MJ Gilmore.
Highlighting music from women around the globe.
9:30 – 11 pm / Many a Woman’s Voice: Occupy! Hosted by Rmay.
Interviews with three women of purpose: Susu Jeffrey and her efforts to save Coldwater Spring and Diana Turner and Mileah from Occupy Minneapolis.
11 – Midnight / Breast Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate. Hosted by ECHO Minnesota.
Discussing breast health, cultural challenges around treatment, and resources for learning more.
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL PROGRAMMING FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
  • Encuentro, Thursday March 1, 8:00 – 10:00 p.m., hosted by Gilberto.
  • Music interpreted by women from Latin America, Spain and Portugal, with the literaturesegment featuring a text by the Mexican writer Rosario Castellanos.
  • The Pop Shop, Mon/Tues March 6, midnight to 2:00 a.m., hosted by Liberty Finch and DJ Izzy.
  • Celebrate Women’s History Month with a special "Ladies from the '80s" edition of the Pop Shop.
  • Womenfolk, Tuesdays 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., hosted by Ellen Stanley.
  • March 6- Country/folk songwriter Sarah Morris visits Womenfolk, playing live and talking about her years in Nashville and how it shaped her new albumLonely or Free.
  • March 13 - "Womenfolk Global"- Womenfolk focuses on the best in women's folk/acoustic music outside the United States.
  • March 20- Local favorite Chastity Brown returns to Womenfolk to play songs from her upcoming release Back-Road Highways.
  • March 27- Womenfolk does a wrap-up of the 2012 South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival, highlighting the top women's acoustic acts.
  • African Rhythms, Thursday, March 15, noon – 2:00 p.m., hostedy by Brad Wrolstad & George Ndege
  • Women of African Music: Great Voices from the Continent
  • Fresh Fruit, Thursday March 15, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., hosted by Dixie Treichel
  • Rainbow Women

PROGRAM PROPOSAL

KFAI - International Women’s Day 2013

Friday, March 8, 2013 – Airwaves Full of Women

Please take a few minutes to read the FAQs above and then complete and return this proposal to KFAI by Friday, January 25, 2013,6 pm. The best way to submit your proposal is by emailing it to: . Or, you can mail or hand-deliver it to KFAI, IWD Box 120, 1808 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN55454). If you mail or hand-deliver your proposal, we recommend you also send an email with your contact information and program title; this will help us prevent lost proposals.

If you need help with this proposal, please email us at or call Beth Shaw (612-822-0832; eves/weekends best, or leave a message).

The default show length is one hour; however, KFAI retains the discretion to approve a show for a shorter or longer run-time.

  1. Program Title:

  1. What type of program will it be? (Please check one):

Talk / Documentary / Music / Other (describe):

Describe your program in one sentence. (This is for publicity purposes.)

  1. Tell us about your program. Information to include: the names or types of persons/artists you’ll have in the program, a sample playlist, topics/themes to be covered (if applicable), why you think this show is a good fit for IWD, and what you think listeners will gain from your program.

If more space is needed, please attach another sheet. You may also submit your proposed program on CD or DATif it has already been produced.

  1. Do you plan/prefer to do your show: Live in studio Pre-recorded To be determined
  1. If you selected “pre-recorded” above, which of the following resources will you need?

KFAI volunteer to do the recording

KFAI studio time only (I have experience with the studio & Pro Tools)

None – I have another resource for recording & editing

  1. Would you like to have a mentor help you develop and produce your program? Move to first page?

Yes

No, I am a KFAI programmer

No, I have experience through ______

  1. Will you need an engineer (person running the radio equipment) for your program?

Yes No, I am a KFAI board-certified engineer.

  1. What time of the day would you like your program to be aired? (Please put 1 next to your first choice, 2 for your second choice, etc. However, times are not guaranteed.)

Midnight to 6 AM 6 AM – 12 Noon 12 Noon – 6 PM 6 PM – 12 Midnight

  1. If we are not able to air your program on March 8th, would you consider airing on another day/program during International Women’s Month (March 2013)?

Yes Maybe, tell me more No

  1. How did you learn KFAI was seeking IWD Program Proposals?
  1. Are there other women’s organizations you think we should contact about International Women’s Day? Please list names and contact info. (Continue on the back of this sheet if necessary.)
  1. Would you like to contribute to International Women’s Day in other ways?

Sponsorship / Volunteering / Other:

If KFAI selects this program proposal, you will receive information about FCC and KFAI rules/guidelines as they apply to your show. By submitting this proposal, you agree to comply with all such rules/guidelines.