The best advice for facilitating the actual day of the event is "relax".

Or, in other words, be as detailed as you can possibly be in planning a participatory communications event, but when it happens, be flexible, friendly and supportive. Think community social rather than professional media production.

We usually start the broadcast with recoded CDs a few hours before the volunteers arrive. This ensures an audience before the live production and lessens the pressure on the volunteers.

Use your schedule as a guide - but don't be upset when people arrive late or not at all.

Designate one of your volunteers to greet people and show them the food and drink. Welcome people talking among each other in the room.

You will receive calls telling you listeners can hear other voices - aside from the on-air people - but it is public space radio after all.

Remember to keep a detailed log of the broadcast. If you're using the Ryakuga CD recorder, try to separate each segment of the program as a different track.

Put a program wall chart up so everybody can see what is going to happen next. A wall clock is useful as well.

This is a social event so be conscious of the needs of the people in the hall, whether performers or audience. It helps to have the broadcast (especially the recorded material - be careful of feedback of live mics) audible in the building. You can use a PA or radios.

Ergonomics from the Community Television Guide (1992)

Moderating Tips from the Community Television Guide (1992)