Be part of the sound of Jackson.
Raw 100.5 is a community radio station for Jackson, Madison County and the West Tennessee neighbors around us, and it only works if neighbors build it. We are putting the station together now, one volunteer at a time. There is room for the person who has always wanted to sit behind a microphone, and just as much room for the person who would rather greet guests at an event, write a short announcement, fix a cable, or hang a flyer at the barbershop. You do not need radio experience. You need a little time, a good attitude and a reason to care about this town.
Why volunteers matter
Raw 100.5 is a community-run low-power FM (LPFM) station operated by the Big Hands Helping Little Hearts Foundation, a nonprofit. The station runs because neighbors give their time: on the air, at events, behind the scenes and on the board. Every volunteer helps keep local radio local.
Why volunteer
Ways to help
Pick one role or try a few. Most of our volunteers start with something small and grow into something they love.
All the roles in detail
On the air and in the studio
- On-air host or DJ. Plan, present and run a regular show: music, talk, local interviews or something we have not thought of yet. You will learn to run the board, keep to the clock and follow the station’s broadcast rules. Every show slot on the schedule is open to volunteer hosts, including the Morning Show with Chris Morgan. Training provided. Age and commitment: see What to expect..
- Substitute host. Not ready for a weekly slot? Join the bench and cover shows when regular hosts are away. A great way to learn the studio.
- Board operator / studio assistant. Run the controls for a talk show so the host can focus on the conversation. Good first role if you like the technical side more than the microphone.
- Music library volunteer. Help organize, label, catalog and preview music, including local artists’ submissions, so hosts can find what they need. Perfect for people who love details and records.
- Production and editing. Record, trim and polish interviews, station promos, PSAs and special programs. Comfortable with audio software? Welcome. Brand new? We will teach you.
Words, news and community
- News and PSA writer. Turn local events, community announcements and public service messages into clear, short copy that sounds natural out loud. Our PSA page tells people how to submit; you help get those messages ready for air..
- Community Bulletin and calendar editor. Keep the Community Bulletin and event calendar fresh, accurate and easy to read.
- Spanish-language volunteer. Help us serve Spanish-speaking neighbors: translate and read PSAs, welcome Spanish-speaking sponsors and community groups, or host Spanish-language segments. We gladly accept Spanish PSAs when the submitting group provides the script. Bilingual volunteers are especially welcome.
- Interviewer / field reporter. Head out with a recorder to talk with people at local events, businesses, schools and meetings, then help shape the result into a short feature.
Events, outreach and fundraising
- Events team. Set up, greet guests, hand out information, run a table and clean up at community events and station gatherings. Many events fall on weekends.
- Community outreach. Be the friendly face of Raw 100.5: pass out flyers, talk with neighbors, hang posters at coffee shops, churches, schools and shops, and tell groups how to submit a PSA or become a supporter.
- Pledge drive and fundraising helper. Answer phones, enter donor information, package thank-you items, or welcome supporters during drives. Shifts are usually a few hours at a time.
- Sponsor and supporter hospitality. Help us say thank you: handle thank-you notes, small gestures and follow-up. Volunteers do not sell underwriting or take payment for it; sponsor sales stay with the station’s authorized contact.
Behind the scenes
- Technical and engineering helper. Help with cables, setup, studio tidiness, remote broadcast gear and basic troubleshooting under supervision. Electronics hobbyists, IT folks and tinkerers are welcome..
- Administrative support. Filing, data entry, mailing lists, spreadsheets, answering the station email and keeping the volunteer schedule straight. Includes help keeping public-file paperwork organized under the guidance of the person responsible for it.
- Website, social media and design. Post updates, answer messages, schedule posts, tidy the website and make simple graphics.
- Photo and video. Capture events, studio sessions, volunteers and local artists for the website and social pages.
- Board and committee service. Help guide the station’s direction by serving on a committee or, when openings come up, the board of directors..
Don’t see your skill? Tell us in the form. We would rather build a role around you than lose you.
What to expect
Time commitments
- One-time help: A single event or a couple of hours. No ongoing commitment.
- Light and flexible: A few hours a month, on your schedule.
- Regular roles: A weekly shift of about two to four hours, with an ask to stay for at least three months so we can invest in your training.
- On-air hosts: A regular show slot (about an hour or two weekly), plus a short training period before your first show.
- Pledge drives and events: Shifts of about three to four hours.
Training provided
We train you; you don’t need to arrive trained. Training is hands-on and free, and it comes from experienced volunteers and station leaders. For on-air roles, training covers the studio equipment, audio software, the show clock, how to speak on mic, what can and cannot be said on a noncommercial station, and the station’s own rules. New hosts shadow before they go solo..
Roles that need no experience
Events team, outreach, pledge drive helper, hospitality, administrative support, music library, photo and video helpers, social media helper, and news and PSA writing are all fine for beginners. On-air hosting, production and technical roles start with training, so beginners are welcome there too, and you’ll spend more hours learning at the start.
Age and youth policy
- Suggested: Volunteers are welcome at 16 and up. Volunteers under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the application. On-air hosting and any technical work at the tower or transmitter are for 18 and up.
- Younger neighbors who want to get involved can come to events with a parent or guardian.
- Youth volunteers are never alone with an unrelated adult in the studio; two trained adults will be present.
Background checks
Suggested: a basic background check for volunteers who have keys, handle donor information or money, work with youth, or serve on the board. Events, outreach and one-time helpers would not need one. We will tell you ahead of time which roles require a check, and what it covers.
Benefits
- Free, hands-on training in broadcasting and related skills
- A real record of service: we will happily provide a letter of reference or verify your hours for school, scholarships or work
- Eligibility for your employer’s volunteer-hour program or volunteer-matching gift, if your company has one (confirm with your employer)
- A volunteer T-shirt and name tag once you have completed your orientation
- Early access to events, sessions and station news before the public
- A seat at the table: volunteers help decide what gets on the air and how the station grows
- Occasional volunteer gatherings and thank-you events
- Friends, mentors and a reason to be out in Jackson
- A place on our volunteer thank-you list, if you want your name there
Not offered: volunteering does not guarantee a paid job or an on-air show, and volunteers are not paid or traded airtime for any sponsor or underwriting activity.
How to get started
- Step 1: Apply. Fill out the form below. It takes about five minutes. Tell us what you are curious about, when you are free and anything special you can offer. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian completes the signature line.
- Step 2: Say hello. A volunteer coordinator will contact you within a couple of weeks to set up a short, friendly conversation, usually about 30 minutes, in person or by phone or video. We learn what you want to do, you learn how the station works.
- Step 3: Orientation and training. Attend a volunteer orientation: the station’s mission, how we operate, our code of conduct, what we can and cannot do on the air as a noncommercial station, and a tour of the studio when it’s ready. Then we match you to a role and schedule the training for it. On-air and technical roles have additional sessions. Orientation date: Will be posted here when available.
- Step 4: Your first shift. You will not be alone. Your first shift or session pairs you with an experienced volunteer or staff lead who shows you the ropes. Ask questions. Make mistakes. That’s how everyone learns. After your first few shifts, we check in to see how it is going and adjust the fit.
Volunteer Application
Volunteer FAQ
Do I need radio experience?
No. Most roles need none, and we teach what you need for the rest. Enthusiasm and reliability matter more than a resume.
How much time do I have to give?
As little as a couple of hours at one event, or a few hours a week if you take a regular role. For ongoing roles we ask for a three-month commitment so training time pays off for everyone.
Can I volunteer if I am under 18?
Yes, from age 16, with a parent or guardian’s signature. On-air hosting and technical work at the tower or transmitter are for 18 and up.
Is there a background check?
Only for certain roles, such as those with keys, donor information, money, work with young people or board service. We will tell you in advance which ones.
Do I have to live in Jackson?
Jackson and Madison County are our home, and the nearby West Tennessee communities are welcome too. Some roles, like writing, editing, social media or translation, can be done from home.
Can I have my own show?
Possibly. Many new hosts start as substitutes or helpers, learn the studio, then move to a regular slot as openings and show ideas line up. We favor shows that serve the community and are not heard elsewhere.
Can I play any music or say anything on air?
No. We are a noncommercial community station, and there are rules about language, music rights, announcements and what can be said about businesses and sponsors. Training explains it all in plain terms before you go on the air.
Can I promote my own business or band on my show?
Not as advertising. Noncommercial stations do not run ads. Local artists can submit their music through our Local Artists page, and businesses that want to support the station can look at our Sponsors page. Volunteers cannot trade airtime for money or favors.
Can I volunteer in Spanish, or do you take Spanish-speaking volunteers?
Yes. We welcome Spanish speakers in every role, and we accept Spanish PSAs when the submitting group provides the script.
Will I be paid?
Volunteer roles are unpaid. In return you get training, experience, community and the thanks of your neighbors.
What if I need to miss a shift?
Tell your coordinator as early as you can and, if you are on air, use the substitute list. Life happens; we only ask you to communicate.
Can I volunteer with a group from my school, church, club or company?
Often yes, especially for events and outreach. Tell us your group size and dates and we will see what fits.
Can volunteering count for school credit or service hours?
We are glad to sign verification forms and provide a reference letter once you have completed your hours.
What accessibility help do you offer?
Tell us what you need on the form, and we will work with you on seating, schedules, remote options and other adjustments.
Is the station on the air yet?
We are building toward our sign-on. The site, community partnerships and volunteer team are coming together now, and early volunteers have the chance to shape the station from the start. We will announce our launch when it is real.
How do I stop volunteering, or change my role?
Just let your coordinator know. You can step back, switch roles or pause at any time.
Who do I contact with questions?
Call the station at 901-721-8829 or visit the Contact page.
Your neighbors are waiting to hear you.
Whether you have an hour or a hundred, there is a place for you at Raw 100.5. Apply today and help us build a station that sounds like Jackson.
Not ready? Join the email list, submit a PSA, or become a supporter. See also Jackson Local and Donate.