WEFT's Mission
What makes WEFT different from all commercial stations and most public radio stations is that we are owned by the community that we serve. Members of WEFT's Board of Directors are elected by our membership, the Associates, and current Board members. Our programming is selected by the Programming Committee, whose members are elected by the Board and the Associates.
The biggest difference is our relationship with our listeners and our community, a relationship spelled out in our mission statement.
WEFT-FM is a non-commercial radio station locally owned by Prairie Air, Incorporated, a not-for-profit organization.
WEFT-FM is an accessible, responsible, and responsive radio alternative, serving the diverse communities of radio listeners in East Central Illinois.
Our Mission Statement tells why Prairie Air exists in the first place, why this particular group of people have come together to make radio. Everything that happens at the station - making a policy decision, evaluating the content of a particular program, or deciding whether or not a specific person is doing their job - is measured against the Mission Statement.
Accessible means that WEFT will strive to make the airwaves available for use by the entire community. This means WEFT will provide the equipment and training necessary for anyone who shows the creativity, initiative, and capability to produce or participate in a radio program.
Responsive means that WEFT will strive to represent those who are under-served and under-represented by other media in our community. This is evident by a quick look at our program guide, which includes programming for women, gays and lesbians, Native Americans, Latino/a's and others.
We also offer programming that, while not directed at any specific community, is very different from the fare offered elsewhere on the dial: world beat, heavy metal, techno, youth-produced programs, experimental rock, bluegrass, folk, and many other genres.
Diversity is an important area towards which WEFT strives in its programming. WEFT is responsible for providing the community with a forum to voice opinions as well as provide a wide spectrum of music and unique entertainment.
These points define what we aspire to do for our community as well as our volunteers. WEFT makes it possible for members of the general public to broadcast their own programs over their own radio station.