What is the structure of ACAB?
ACAB has a membership and an executive committee who are voted in to position on an annual basis.

When do we meet?
Our annual AGM is at conference. Conference is held at a different venue each year. It is usually hosted by the local Access Station.

Who is the membership?
ACAB members are described as entities. Each entity is a local Access Station, and each entity has one vote at the AGM. The representatives of each entity can be anyone who has been given that task by their local members.

 Who do we speak on behalf of?
ACAB only speaks on behalf of the members. Consultation is taken via different forms. eg: teleconferences; emails and face to face meetings.

Do we make decisions on behalf of access stations?
Only if stations agree and give ACAB that voice. ACAB does not make decisions on a local level for stations. Each station is an independent entity.

What input do stations have?
All stations give full and frank views to ACAB meetings about issues under discussion. Frequently these views are followed up by written explanations of why a station has formed specific views.

History of body and why formed?
United we stand divided we fall. Originally ACAB was set up in the early 1990s in response to the enthusiasm of Station Managers following a meeting in Wellington at NZOA. This meeting was the first time many of the managers had met each other and it was very exciting to be able to share experiences. A recognition of how isolated some stations were, then lead to the set up of ACAB.

What are the main functions?
ACAB mainly sees itself as a lobbying and resourcing organisation. Lately the main role is lobbying both NZOA and politicians for increased amount of funding. The aims of the Association shall be to promote, develop, foster and support Community Access Broadcasting in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Staffing? Current contacts?
There are no paid staff and ACAB has not to this point taken up any contracts.

How does ACAB fit into general radio picture?
ACAB is a national body that represents Community Access Radio Stations with their non-profit and wide community based interests. ACAB is primarily there for those stations, and is has not so far, expanded to undertake any other form of activity. There are national organisations that represent other forms of radio in New Zealand , but there are no connections between these organisations and ACAB. ACAB however, is similar to ARMARC the International Community Radio Organisation and CBAA the Australian Community Radio organisation.