Note that as a Frenchman I have no idea what you mean when you say “I have been doing this for just over a year without “doing my part” and contributing.”, though from the following context I guess there’s some system in your country (the states, right?) where public radio is supported by “pledges” and … “calling”? (like, you pay on the phone?)
Sorry for the ethnocentricity of my post. In the US, most radio stations are private/corporate entities funded by advertising, public radio stations are usually not-for-profit and do not have ads. If you believe their numbers between 50 and 90% of the funding comes from “members”, people who donate to the station (the fraction depends on the station). Several times a year they do a pledge drive. For a week or two, they interrupt the usual programming with 5-10 minute pledge breaks, when the radio staff tell you how much they need to raise and what gifts they will give you for donating. Traditionally they have multiple people waiting by phones to take callers who pay over the phone or arrange a monthly payment plan (pledging). Again if you believe their numbers, only 10% of listeners actually pony up and become members.
Hope that clears it up.
Note that as a Frenchman I have no idea what you mean when you say “I have been doing this for just over a year without “doing my part” and contributing.”, though from the following context I guess there’s some system in your country (the states, right?) where public radio is supported by “pledges” and … “calling”? (like, you pay on the phone?)
Sorry for the ethnocentricity of my post. In the US, most radio stations are private/corporate entities funded by advertising, public radio stations are usually not-for-profit and do not have ads. If you believe their numbers between 50 and 90% of the funding comes from “members”, people who donate to the station (the fraction depends on the station). Several times a year they do a pledge drive. For a week or two, they interrupt the usual programming with 5-10 minute pledge breaks, when the radio staff tell you how much they need to raise and what gifts they will give you for donating. Traditionally they have multiple people waiting by phones to take callers who pay over the phone or arrange a monthly payment plan (pledging). Again if you believe their numbers, only 10% of listeners actually pony up and become members. Hope that clears it up.