Mission

From WWR

Contents 1 Internet Mission 2 Local Mission 3 Core Values 4 More information

Our "mission" is what we're passionate about. And have been passionate about during the 7+ years we've been on-the-air and on-the-internet. Much of that mission is currently facilitated by the founder of WWR, Jim Kloss. But, noted in the mission itself, one of Jim's goals is to see Whole Wheat Radio function outside of his involvement as a self-sufficient independent "online collaborative wiki radio station." Several of the mission statements are rooted in that goal.

Internet Mission

• Support independent musicians by airing their music and providing an open wiki platform for pages related to their music at no charge to musicians, fans or the general public.

• Remain a grassroots volunteer and donation-funded, non-commercial, non-grant-based, non-google-ad-based, non-hyped website and webcast where the focus is on personalized and mutual appreciation between musicians and fans and not just between "product" and "dollars."

• Involve an "open to all who contribute content" internet community in the day-to-day operations and decision making of the audio webcast and the wiki in order to foster a sense of ownership and pride and insure the healthy survival of Whole Wheat Radio beyond the involvement of the founder.

• Educate musicians about the PRO (Performing Rights Organizations) and other entities which control royalty collections from webcasts such as Whole Wheat Radio with the goal of creating a 100 percent Royalty Free webcast that benefits musicians outside the realm of financial royalties and introduces them to the power and reach of the internet while attempting to empower them rather than leach off their talents.

• Create a new paradigm of appreciation for musical creativity and discovery that prioritizes artistic expression, communication and connection within the musical community over "the biz" while at the same time demonstrating that such an organization can be run competently and with fiscal responsibility.

• Demonstrate open financial accountability by making all donation income and expense records (except names or personal information) available for online inspection by the public.

• Provide a working model for others who are interested in fostering a noncommercial, nonhyped, fiscally sustainable internet-based collaborative to support working independent musicians.

Local Mission

(Actively being defined as we've learned what this space is being used for, and how it is viewed by the community)

• Provide a "pay by value" or "pay what you can afford" location for technical assistance, wifi access and computer workshops. We do not charge for any computer services (except the workshops) or internet access but instead ask people to donate what it's worth to them. The workshops cost a nominal amount, mostly because when we offer things for free, people seem to consider them of little value. If a person feels they cannot afford a workshop, they do not have to pay.

• Provide a "direct connection" between audience and performer both creatively and financially. Artists (and WWR in general) are supported directly by participation - not grants, not typical commercial methods - but by people connecting directly with whomever is on stage. If not enough people participate in events to satisfy the creative and financial wants of the performers, we will cease to operate.

• Provide an informal meeting place for local groups prioritizing as follows:

• groups/individuals who are under-served by traditional meeting place
• groups/individuals who are unable to afford traditional meeting places
• groups/individuals who share our core values

• Educate by example. Demonstrate how it is possible for a small, grassroots, competent, dedicated group of volunteers to come together in support of creativity, independence and mutual support.

• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility by being publicly accountable for all income and expenses.

Core Values

In progress: taken from our rules page

• This is not a website for expressing political views that do not condone the peaceful non-violent coexistence of the entire human species and respect for all aspects of the natural world. The genres of music we play do not mesh with violence, war, militarism, racism, elitism, hate, intolerance, killing, cruelty to other species, environmental waste or the destruction of nature. I retain the right to immediately and permanently lock out anyone I deem as publicly disruptive to the polite sharing of ideas rooted in these core values. There are thousands of places to find support for war, hatred, corporatism, exclusivity, greed, gluttony of natural resources and intolerance - this is not one of them.

More information

For background information about Whole Wheat Radio and our 7+ year history, please refer to our FAQ and the Whole Wheat Radio page on Wikipedia. This audio slideshow and associated story from the Anchorage Daily News provide an introduction as well.