Welcome to the NEW Westbank and District Community Radio website!
Thanks for visiting 95.1 FM WDCR Community Radio Society
WESTBANK COMMUNITY RADIO CELEBRATES 11TH ANNIVERSARY, JULY 25TH, 2024!
THE LAUNCH OF WDCR COMMUNITY RADIO SOCIETY (ABOVE) TOOK PLACE ON JULY 25TH, 2013, at the Governor's Landing Shopping Center in West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, and was attended by a number of local politicians and dignitaries, including founding STATION MANAGER R.J. SMITH, M.A. (fourth from left) along with nearly 400 concurrent listeners, online, from over 20 countries all over the world !
After 11 years of being on the airwaves, 95.1 WDCR has since gone on to generate 455,000 total internet and terrestrial listeners, making it the most listened to community radio station in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley, of all time. With 75 corporate sponsors signed up, it is also the most sponsored non-profit, community radio station, ever, in the Okanagan, along with the longest-serving, non profit terrestrial radio station.
"There's no question that WDCR has put West Kelowna on the map, with listenership in 75 countries around the world," says WDCR President and founder R.J. Smith. "Some of our listeners don't even know where West Kelowna is and, if they do, they think of West Kelowna mostly as a traffic congested, fire-ladened, tourist trap. That would explain why tourists no longer visit this area, anymore?"
"Westbank Community Radio, therefore, dispels the image of a tourist unfriendly, "fire-trap," and brings new friends to the community, a welcome change for a "same old, same old" place that mostly drinks from the Kelowna media cool-aid."
WDCR also holds the record for the most local news/sports programming generated of all time by a local community radio station (2500 plus hours). This includes four years as play by play host of the West Kelowna Warriors Junior A hockey club (broadcasting nearly 400 games) and two seasons doing semi professional baseball play by play (Kelowna Jays, 23 games broadcast).
"We've noticed that WDCR's unique blend of oldies, folk, indie, and harder-edged musical programming, has since been "borrowed, emulated" by a number of Kelowna's commercial radio stations,(including the West Kelowna Real Canadian Superstore p.a. system), which is a good example of, "if you can't beat 'em, then, join 'em?"
(From left, MANDY CARROLL, Westbank First Nation Communications Officer, DOUG FINDLATER, former West Kelowna Mayor, R.J. SMITH, Station Manager/President, EVAN FERGUSON, WDCR Volunteer, and ANDREW DEANS, Business Manager, of the West Kelowna Warriors.
Mayor Findlater launched the very first song on WDCR, at about 11:00 am Pacific, that day: If I had a Hammer, by the late Trini Lopez.
WDCR needs new volunteers. No exp. required. Call (250) 768-1111 or email: generalmanager@wdcr.ca
(photo courtesy of Westside Weekly Newspaper)
WDCR APPOINTS NEW VICE-PRESIDENT:
Westbank and District Community Radio Society is please to announce the promotion of MS. RENEE LECLERC (pronounced Renay LE CLARE) to Vice President, Director, effective July 25th/24.
R.J. notes: "An original volunteer with WDCR Society, since 2013, Renee brings an impressive writing and media background to the Society, spanning more than 40 years. She also has shown loyalty to our group, which is very commendable (and appreciated)."
Renee replaces Frank Fuller, Ph.D,, who served as Vice-President of the WDCR Society from 2022 to 2024, and will continue to serve as a director.
"We thank Frank for his valuable advice and contributions to our non profit group over the last few years," says WDCR President R.J. Smith.
"That said, Renee has been the victim of much discrimination throughout her life, not just by her own family, but by her Kelowna church."
"Surprisingly, we were actually told by her church's (male) lead pastor that Renee was "not suitable" to be a board of director, perhaps, because she identifies as a woman who struggles with mental health challenges or worse, as a "French-Canadian woman".
It's rather arrogant, though, for an outside group to tell us what to do or who to hire.
But I believe that Renee was the victim of harsh judgementalism by her own church by merely being a disabled woman?
However, I have also been the victim of judgementalism as a volunteer radio station manager and have been told I am "not suitable" to manage a radio station, due to my own disabilities?. So, I guess that the critics of WDCR will have no choice but to just accept both Renee and myself?"
"That said, broadcasting, in general, cannot be preaching "rainy day" inclusivity, in my informed opinion".
"Radio stations are either inclusive and progressive, or it's back to the good old days of slavery, the monarchy, and medieval times. Therefore, Society must make up its mind what it wants to be?" You are either a "do-gooder," or a "bastard", but you can't be both !
"That said, we, the WDCR board, are quite satisfied that Renee Leclerc will do just fine," R.J. adds.
Biography of Renee Leclerc: (the Okanagan's first "disabled," female radio executive)
2013 to present: appointed to WDCR Society as a volunteer (June, 2013), then, volunteer board of director (2022), Vice-President (2024), former WDCR Sales Executive, 2013-2014, (one year), former WDCR news desker and scriptwriter, human rights/journalist, 2013-15, (two years).
1986-87: Bank of Montreal head office, Montreal, PQ, (full time, public relations).
1986: worked for a noted monthly print magazine in Montreal, PQ (writer/journalist).
1985-86: 93.9 CFCQ-FM educational radio station, Trois Rivieres, PQ (junior advertising sales executive, two years)
1981: Community Theatre, Trois Rivieres, PQ, (built props and set construction for a local children's theater group).
1981-85: La Nouvelliste Daily Newspaper, Trois Rivieres, PQ (newspaper reporter/writer, four years)
1980: "HEBDO" weekly newspaper, Cap de la Madeline, PQ, (newspaper reporter/writer, one year)
Education: undergraduate degree in French Literature at "UQAM" (Universite de Quebec a Montreal)(late 1980's)
CONGRATULATIONS/FELICITATIONS, RENEE !
About the writer: R.J. Smith, M.A., can be reached at 778-581-8205 or generalmanager@wdcr.ca
JOIN THE OKANAGAN'S MOST LISTENED TO COMMUNITY RADIO STATION OF ALL TIME !*
WEST KELOWNA, B.C. - WANT TO GET ON THE RADIO ? 95.1 WDCR NEEDS DEEJAYS, NEWS AND SPORTS ANNOUNCERS, PLAY BY PLAY HOSTS, AND BEHIND THE SCENES PEOPLE !
SENIORS, COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, MUSICIANS, PUBLIC SPEAKERS, ENTERTAINERS AND SALES PEOPLE ARE MOST WELCOME !
NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN RADIO REQUIRED, BUT YOU MUST BE COMPUTER LITERATE AND OWN A DESKTOP COMPUTER WITH A "WIRED" INTERNET CONNECTION?
FREE 25 HOUR TRAINING COURSE AVAILABLE TO ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS.
SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT ? PLEASE SEND US A ONE PAGE RESUME AND MP.3 FILE OF YOUR LATEST ANNOUNCING WORK TO: generalmanager@wdcr.ca or phone (250) 768-1111, asap !
* WDCR Society has obtained 450 thousand plus total internet and terrestrial listeners over 11 years. Proof of audience available on request.
CONGRATS TO WDCR COMMUNITY RADIO for over 455,000 HITS SINCE 2013 !
- West Kelowna, B.C.'s FIRST radio station !
- Okanagan, B.C.'s FIRST "not for profit" radio station !
- Okanagan, B.C'.s FIRST 24/7community radio station ! (est. July 25th, 2013)
CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AND 'X', formerly TWITTER !
WESTBANK COMMUNITY RADIO CELEBRATES 11TH ANNIVERSARY, JULY 25TH, 2024!
THE LAUNCH OF WDCR COMMUNITY RADIO SOCIETY (ABOVE) TOOK PLACE ON JULY 25TH, 2013, at the Governor's Landing Shopping Center in West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, and was attended by a number of local politicians and dignitaries, including founding STATION MANAGER R.J. SMITH, M.A. (fourth from left) along with nearly 400 concurrent listeners, online, from over 20 countries all over the world !
After 11 years of being on the airwaves, 95.1 WDCR has since gone on to generate 455,000 total internet and terrestrial listeners, making it the most listened to community radio station in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley, of all time. With 75 corporate sponsors signed up, it is also the most sponsored non-profit, community radio station, ever, in the Okanagan, along with the longest-serving, non profit terrestrial radio station.
"There's no question that WDCR has put West Kelowna on the map, with listenership in 75 countries around the world," says WDCR President and founder R.J. Smith. "Some of our listeners don't even know where West Kelowna is and, if they do, they think of West Kelowna mostly as a traffic congested, fire-ladened, tourist trap. That would explain why tourists no longer visit this area, anymore?"
"Westbank Community Radio, therefore, dispels the image of a tourist unfriendly, "fire-trap," and brings new friends to the community, a welcome change for a "same old, same old" place that mostly drinks from the Kelowna media cool-aid."
WDCR also holds the record for the most local news/sports programming generated of all time by a local community radio station (2500 plus hours). This includes four years as play by play host of the West Kelowna Warriors Junior A hockey club (broadcasting nearly 400 games) and two seasons doing semi professional baseball play by play (Kelowna Jays, 23 games broadcast).
"We've noticed that WDCR's unique blend of oldies, folk, indie, and harder-edged musical programming, has since been "borrowed, emulated" by a number of Kelowna's commercial radio stations,(including the West Kelowna Real Canadian Superstore p.a. system), which is a good example of, "if you can't beat 'em, then, join 'em?"
(From left, MANDY CARROLL, Westbank First Nation Communications Officer, DOUG FINDLATER, former West Kelowna Mayor, R.J. SMITH, Station Manager/President, EVAN FERGUSON, WDCR Volunteer, and ANDREW DEANS, Business Manager, of the West Kelowna Warriors.
Mayor Findlater launched the very first song on WDCR, at about 11:00 am Pacific, that day: If I had a Hammer, by the late Trini Lopez.
WDCR needs new volunteers. No exp. required. Call (250) 768-1111 or email: generalmanager@wdcr.ca
(photo courtesy of Westside Weekly Newspaper)
WDCR APPOINTS NEW VICE-PRESIDENT:
Westbank and District Community Radio Society is please to announce the promotion of MS. RENEE LECLERC (pronounced Renay LE CLARE) to Vice President, Director, effective July 25th/24.
R.J. notes: "An original volunteer with WDCR Society, since 2013, Renee brings an impressive writing and media background to the Society, spanning more than 40 years. She also has shown loyalty to our group, which is very commendable (and appreciated)."
Renee replaces Frank Fuller, Ph.D,, who served as Vice-President of the WDCR Society from 2022 to 2024, and will continue to serve as a director.
"We thank Frank for his valuable advice and contributions to our non profit group over the last few years," says WDCR President R.J. Smith.
"That said, Renee has been the victim of much discrimination throughout her life, not just by her own family, but by her Kelowna church."
"Surprisingly, we were actually told by her church's (male) lead pastor that Renee was "not suitable" to be a board of director, perhaps, because she identifies as a woman who struggles with mental health challenges or worse, as a "French-Canadian woman".
It's rather arrogant, though, for an outside group to tell us what to do or who to hire.
But I believe that Renee was the victim of harsh judgementalism by her own church by merely being a disabled woman?
However, I have also been the victim of judgementalism as a volunteer radio station manager and have been told I am "not suitable" to manage a radio station, due to my own disabilities?. So, I guess that the critics of WDCR will have no choice but to just accept both Renee and myself?"
"That said, broadcasting, in general, cannot be preaching "rainy day" inclusivity, in my informed opinion".
"Radio stations are either inclusive and progressive, or it's back to the good old days of slavery, the monarchy, and medieval times. Therefore, Society must make up its mind what it wants to be?" You are either a "do-gooder," or a "bastard", but you can't be both !
"That said, we, the WDCR board, are quite satisfied that Renee Leclerc will do just fine," R.J. adds.
2013 to present: appointed to WDCR Society as a volunteer (June, 2013), then, volunteer board of director (2022), Vice-President (2024), former WDCR Sales Executive, 2013-2014, (one year), former WDCR news desker and scriptwriter, human rights/journalist, 2013-15, (two years).
1986-87: Bank of Montreal head office, Montreal, PQ, (full time, public relations).
1986: worked for a noted monthly print magazine in Montreal, PQ (writer/journalist).
1985-86: 93.9 CFCQ-FM educational radio station, Trois Rivieres, PQ (junior advertising sales executive, two years)
1981: Community Theatre, Trois Rivieres, PQ, (built props and set construction for a local children's theater group).
1981-85: La Nouvelliste Daily Newspaper, Trois Rivieres, PQ (newspaper reporter/writer, four years)
1980: "HEBDO" weekly newspaper, Cap de la Madeline, PQ, (newspaper reporter/writer, one year)
Education: undergraduate degree in French Literature at "UQAM" (Universite de Quebec a Montreal)(late 1980's)
CONGRATULATIONS/FELICITATIONS, RENEE !
About the writer: R.J. Smith, M.A., can be reached at 778-581-8205 or generalmanager@wdcr.ca
JOIN THE OKANAGAN'S MOST LISTENED TO COMMUNITY RADIO STATION OF ALL TIME !*
WEST KELOWNA, B.C. - WANT TO GET ON THE RADIO ? 95.1 WDCR NEEDS DEEJAYS, NEWS AND SPORTS ANNOUNCERS, PLAY BY PLAY HOSTS, AND BEHIND THE SCENES PEOPLE !
SENIORS, COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, MUSICIANS, PUBLIC SPEAKERS, ENTERTAINERS AND SALES PEOPLE ARE MOST WELCOME !
NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN RADIO REQUIRED, BUT YOU MUST BE COMPUTER LITERATE AND OWN A DESKTOP COMPUTER WITH A "WIRED" INTERNET CONNECTION?
FREE 25 HOUR TRAINING COURSE AVAILABLE TO ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS.
SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT ? PLEASE SEND US A ONE PAGE RESUME AND MP.3 FILE OF YOUR LATEST ANNOUNCING WORK TO: generalmanager@wdcr.ca or phone (250) 768-1111, asap !
* WDCR Society has obtained 450 thousand plus total internet and terrestrial listeners over 11 years. Proof of audience available on request.
CONGRATS TO WDCR COMMUNITY RADIO for over 455,000 HITS SINCE 2013 !
- West Kelowna, B.C.'s FIRST radio station !
- Okanagan, B.C.'s FIRST "not for profit" radio station !
- Okanagan, B.C'.s FIRST 24/7community radio station ! (est. July 25th, 2013)
CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AND 'X', formerly TWITTER !
This web-site is owned and operated by the Westbank and District Community Radio Society !
If you always do...
what you've always done,
you'll always get....
what you've always GOT !
("Winnie the Pooh" philosophy !)
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