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announcements past and present
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**current**
The annual meeting is set to be October 29th. Nominations for board members should be made as soon as possible by contacting the board. The openings are a result of terms expiring and several resignations over the past year.
There are three board positions and a number of committee positions open.
-ben 9/20/02
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Last week, the board met publicly for the first time since June. During the unusual board meeting, the agenda was pushed aside in favor of a discussion of people's concerns. I will be posting scans of the documents produced during the meeting including the administrative position proposed by Greg Bascomb and the board's response to questions of the past few months, along with a listing of committees for which the board is seeking members. In addition to the committees listed on the board's proposal, ACTV Tech Committee is also looking for a new member or two.
- ben 9/20/02
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Through negotiations this past week, Peter Marvin has returned on a trial basis to the position of production manager, while the board has appointed a replacement station head, with fewer duties, (under the title of 'administrative assistant'). Alice Swift, acting head of the board of directors, says the board will not be appointing members to head station operations for the interim.
- ben 9/20/02
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Julie Shively has been named 'administrative liaison', in charge of organizing the search for a new station manager. Alice Swift, an acting executive to the board of directors, says the station manager will be a simpler version of the job held by former executive director, Michael Billingsley.
- ben 9/20/02
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**past**
-july 30, 2002 tech committee meeting agenda. email. author: leslie mason.
-july 20, 2002 ad hoc committee invitation to july 24 bangs center meeting. letter. author: ad hoc committee.
-july 10, 2002 board restructures, eliminates ED. handout. author: board of directors.
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Agenda for next tech meeting scheduled Tuesday the 30th of July (unconfirmed)
Highlights will revolve around the themes:
Where do we stand currently regarding the state of ACTV's equipment and
facilities
Given the budget constraints, how can we use the
technology we have at the station most effectively
How do we fine-tune the process we began of tracking
equipment use and needs at ACTV with the goal of improving what we offer to
members
Please send me your thoughts and ideas.
Thanks,
Leslie
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July 20, 2002
To the ACTV Board of Directors at a June 26th meeting voted to eliminate the position of Executive Director, and thereby ending their employment of Michael Billingsley. His last days of employment at ACTV are over this coming week. This move was part of a general move toward a complete restructuring of ACTV.
In response, many of the members of ACTV have been alarmed. Several meetings have taken place, both with Board members and with general membership. We now feel the immediate need to call for a meeting of both sides and we urge your participation. These decisions on restructuring will have an effect on you. Your future use of facilities and continued level of technical access are in jeopardy.
We've invited the Board and you to discuss the future of ACTV. The meeting will be held at the Bangs Center, The Pole Room, Amherst Center at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, July 24th. Your participation in this even is crucial. We hope to see you there. Your voice is needed in helping to keep ACTV a democratically run community station.
If needed, call these members for further information;
Chris Lamb Toubeau 549-6139
Peter Morales 210-6390
Pilar Schiavo 584-4783
Please attend the meeting.
Sincerely yours;
An Adhoc committee of Concerned ACTV members.
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Handout from
Board at the Meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2002
"Greeting,
Members of ACTV (Amherst Community Television)
We
the ACTV Board of Directors are writing to you at this time to bring you
information on the many changes at the station.
Due to budget constraints we are reorganizing the station and in so doing have
eliminated the position of Executive Director. We look forward to keeping
our remaining staff levels as the budget permits and welcome members to work
with us as this restructuring occurs.
As
members we look to you to continue to volunteer with a renewed enthusiasm: to
continue creating community programming and to offer your assistance in the
coming months to ensure us all that ACTV will continue to be a vital Community
Resource.
We
will keep membership as up-dated as possible as events unfold and welcome you to
all the meetings of the ACTV Board of Directors and various committees as we
move forward. All of the meetings will soon be listed on the ACTV WEb Site
as well as posted to you all in the coming newsletter.
Thank you for your participation and we all look forward to working together
with you all to continue the traditions of Community Access Television.
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critiques, opinions and open questions
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**help wanted**
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**program schedule**
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suggestions, general and specific
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**general suggestions**
-July 30, 2002. (Board-associated) Membership Committee letter to the membership. email. Author: James Jemison and Elizabeth Burbank
-July 4, 2002. ACTV Community Member Notes. webpage. Author: John Strickland.
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To the Editors of The Newsletter:
I am forwarding the letter that was sent to all
ACTV Board Members and as many ACTV Members as possible. (perhaps 20 or less)
You may "excerpt from but not re-phrase" the letter. And /or you may print
it in its' entirety.
Thank you for creating this on-line option to submitt to the ACTV Members
Newsletter.
Eliz. Burbank
To All ACTV Board Members and ACTV Members,
I was unable to attend last Nights meeting (16 July 02) as I was taping the
Charter Commission at Town Hall. ( E.B.)
My understanding of the meeting is that communication and information are
paramount to all of us going forward to maintain a Community Access Television
Station that can live up to our collective expectations and the expectations as
clearly defined by the Laws that govern Access Programming.
This "vision " for Public Community Access and commitment of all ACTV
members "together" can only make us a stronger, more informed and a ready
resource to and for each other. This vision should include input by members and
be shared by all members as well as members on the Board: The vision cannot "belong"
to anyone of us individually but should belong to us all. We all must look at
the long history of and the future to which we create this shared vision for
ACTV-Community Access Television.
There will be disagreements, misunderstandings and certainly mistakes will be
made. Attacking each other, making demands or threats are non-productive options
for a group of people who want to work together to reach a common goal.
These times are "muddled" by an even greater picture and immediate issues
that include Greater Laws, which exclude personality clashes and being directed
by ones emotions. Access itself is being threatened by the corporate world.
Which is it? 1.) Throw the ACTV station itself off to the ATT COM/CAS 's
of the world or 2.) Sit down and get informed about the present state of and
future for all Community Access Stations and work together respectfully to
maintain and promote ACTV and the affiliates through out the United States, I
personally prefer the latter.
I would like to hear from members and viewers what their vision of and for a
"Community Access Television Station" is and about their willingness to work
together to incorporate these ideas and suggestions as we proceed as a Board to
move forward with restructuring the station.
Any and all responses received to this question will be printed and copies
distributed at the next Board meeting.
This eMail includes a "surpressed list" which is being sent to as many
members as possible.
Thank you for taking time to consider this request,
Eliz.Burbank and James Jemison,
Co-chairs of the Membership Committee
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ACTV
COMMUNITY NOTES:4 July 2002
-John Strickland
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**specific suggestions**
-July 24, 2002. ad hoc committee's call to board. email. author: ad hoc committee.
-June 2002. some hypertext proposals. webpage. author: John Strickland.
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A VISION FOR ACTV
Ad Hoc Committee of Concerned ACTV Members
Presented July 24, 2002
We call on the Board of Directors to comply with the
following proposals:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Provide written response to the following requests by the August Board meeting:
reconsider all votes related to the
restructuring of ACTV, with input from members
respond to 7/9/2002 petition for by-law
changes and submitted written questions
authorize current staff to manage daily
operations of ACTV during transition
Establish and maintain open process
post notice of all Board meetings and cancellations in public locations
file copy of minutes of all Board meetings and Executive Board meetings at ACTV
affirm open attendance policy at all Board meetings
Furthermore, we call on our ELECTED representatives to
the Board of Directors to comply with the following directives:
DIRECTORS ELECTED BY MEMBERS
Inform members of all actions under consideration
by the Board (cc:
minutes, etc)
Solicit input of members on actions under
consideration by the Board
Convey concerns and requests of members to the
Board
Lastly, we welcome an expansion of the Board to include more member-elected positions. We are eager to support the Board once they comply with the above proposals.
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SOME HYPERTEXT
PROPOSALS
FOR THE FUTURE OF ACTV
I. That the Web
Site be re-designed to be part of an integrated system of public
access media expression, linked with our public access channels, with pages for
Board minutes & information, Staff notes & general ACTV newsletter
online (also available for mailing), and pages for each of the three channels
with useful
links for members. That streaming video be used to announce video
productions and events at the station. Other web sites for other public
access stations can be examined to select design ideas. That members be
encouraged to supply hypertext
multimedia essays for review for possible publication on our
web site as well.
II. That staff members and general members be encouraged to
videotape all classes and presentations at ACTV for a library of resources.
This is not to replace classes but to allow members to review the class by
coming in and looking at a video of a particular class. Possibly copies of such
instructional videos could be made and sold to members (and possible the general
public, especially local schools interested in video) for a nominal fee to help
with the costs of producing them. This would certainly be a community
benefit and might help to solidify and reinforce skills needed by the
independent producers trained at ACTV. (Rules and procedures for the use of
equipment-and their rationale-could be included in such instructional
videos.)
III. That a Media Resource Library be set up in the studio,
set up by volunteer members with books and other materials donated by members
and friends, including an informal conversation area for informal meetings of
members to discuss books, videos, films, production projects-something like
set-up at Barnes and Noble. Movable partitions covered with carpeting hung
vertically can be very effective for keeping sound muted along with rules posted
and formulated by all members for its use. I will be the first to contribute
some important reference books. Check out could be as simple as leaving a card
at the front desk except where there is only one copy-in which case it would
go on "closed reserve" to be read 'in house.'
IV. That a logbook be kept of all volunteer work at the studio
so that grants can be applied for which typically ask for such information &
so we can be given credit for our volunteer work as crew members above and
beyond what is required for certification for a particular course. (Are
there similar procedures at other public access stations?)
V. That members be encouraged to give talks or offers
courses or discussion seminars for other interested members to attend. If
a sufficient number of interested persons sign up, then the event could be
scheduled and announced. An upper limit could be suggested just to comply with
building codes, etc. for numbers of persons in a particular room. (If a large
number signed up, perhaps a school space could be secured for the meeting.)
VI. That regular meetings with the membership of other public
access stations be arranged for sharing information, points of view, and
experience in production.
VII. That the copyright issue be clarified so that a video
produced even by "independent producers" using ACTV equipment clearly
belongs to the producer-a standard practice for all photographs now. Why not
the 'moving photographs' of video production? The current statement
about "shared copyright" is not satisfactory. Any author-whether
writer, photographer or videographer-has the right to his or her own labor.
Non-commercial videos meeting the requirements for public access television
might sometime be valuable at a later date-a value created by the hard work of
the producer. Doubtless, all the independent producers trained at ACTV
will wish to "repay" ACTV for the help with equipment, editing, etc. but not
to the extent of forfeiting the copyright to the work. A clear contact can
be drawn up to give ACTV "first use" and ongoing rights to air the
work, but all other rights should be retained by the producer except by explicit
agreement. Saying that the producer may not receive any money for such a
video until ACTV has been paid back for rental fees at professional rates is
just plain nonsense. No records are kept and the whole issue becomes
"open-ended" in the worst possible way. Better to give some monetary
value at the outset for each 'rental' etc. by a producer so that a producer
can see what 'value' he or she is getting for free. Should the video
later make money, then there is some finite and foreseeable end to the amount
that must be paid to ACTV before the producer is able to earn any money from the
same 'windfall.' (See the American Society of Media Photographers for
guidelines-ASMP.) If
you want an abundance of possible productions to air on public access, you have
to be fair to your producers with respect to copyright. "Shared
copyright" is not clear or equitable as currently stated.
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meeting info, all board and other meeting minutes available
________________
-July 30, 2002. Tech Committee Meeting Notes. Author: Leslie Mason.
-coming soon: board minutes from June and July
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Tech
Com Mtg notes of 7/30/02
Present:
Leslie Mason
Jeremiah Burbank
Elizabeth Burbank
Jim Jemison
Steve
Svoboda
1.
Update on where we stand currently regarding the state of ACTV's equipment and
facilities
Corner
editing suite is not in use. Michael donated his speakers, so room could be set
up for editing if computer with Final Cut Pro was available.
2.
Given the budget constraints, how can we use the technology we have at the
station most effectively to serve the greatest number and diversity of members?
Discussed current use of rooms, including new suites. Various changes suggested
for maximizing the equipment we have, including using an Imac from the classroom
in the transfer suite and using the new computer in the transfer suite as a
second computer for Final Cut Pro. We currently have 2 FCP licenses, one in the
Producers Suite, one in the staff suite.
The conference room/Imac room is also studio ready in terms of connections.
Would it be a good trade-off to use at least part of it as a daylight studio?
The shape is long and narrow, so doesn't lend itself to bigger productions.
Windows also bring in street noise, as do bathrooms on other side.
Trade-off discussed regarding having all Imacs in one room for teaching purposes
versus spreading the Imacs out so that some left in Imac room, some - maybe 3 -
put in what is now Producer suite to give more privacy for editing.
Carols
or dividers for Imacs for greater privacy?
Reviewed what classes are being taught for the summer and how many people have
signed up for each. Discussed where the biggest demand is - Studio Camera and
Imovie. Talked about why the current FCP course isn't full - it has one
sign up so far. Is it the $50 dollar fee? The pre-requisites? The summer?
Suggestion for tech members to submit proposals for room
use to Leslie for compilation as a working document for later review by staff
and input from membership. Idea is to dovetail these proposals with
restructuring in general as over-arching goals for the station are defined.
Suggestion of easing up process of learning equipment by having new members join
an on -going production. This would give a more hands-on, immediate
"come join us, it's easy" feeling to ACTV. Mentors and/or
interns could be used as guides for new members to learn equipment in addition
to more formal courses.
Leslie will clarify how capital budget vs. operating budget has been used for
new purchases and repair. How do we best gauge how much we'll need for
maintenance and repair, and how much we'll have for new equipment purchases.
Goal is take the longer view of where we want to go from here with technology.
3.
How do we fine-tune the process we began of tracking equipment use and needs at
ACTV with the goal of improving what we offer to members?
Current sign up sheets for equipment seem to be being thrown out. Steve
will make sure records are kept so that we can track usage.
Elizabeth will continue process she began of tracking equipment use by category.
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**meeting descriptions**
-July 18, 2002. Station officials stay firm (Daily Hampshire Gazette). Author Tom Ollila.
-July 13, 2002. ACTV cuts director, stirs protest (Daily Hampshire Gazette). Author Tom Ollila.
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Station officials stay firm
By TOM OLLILA
Thursday, July 18, 2002 -- AMHERST - Despite concerns from members, officials
at Amherst Community Television say they will not reconsider a decision to save
money by eliminating the executive director's job.
A scheduled meeting of the board of
directors Tuesday was canceled because of low attendance. Seven of the 12
members are needed for a quorum, but only three showed up.
However, more than 20 ACTV members -
those who participate in producing shows for the station - stayed for more than
two hours to express disappointment over the loss of Michael Billingsley, the
director.
They complained they hadn't been
informed that the board was considering the move. Billingsley said last week
that he hadn't been told, either.
"I don't know how we can be
involved if we don't know what's going on," said Pilar Schiavo of Hadley.
Board member James Jemison of
Kellogg Street countered that it's the responsibility of members to stay
involved in the station.
Board member Steve Svoboda of Pelham
said the decision is "irrevocable." He cited a $50,000 cut in funding
from AT&T Broadband, which has an agreement with the town to help run the
station. Billingsley's annual salary was $42,000.
Several members questioned why more
hadn't been done to raise money as an alternative way to remain solvent.
"If it came to the money, there
should be some way," said member Ernest Brill of Pulpit Hill Road.
"($40,000) to $50,000 isn't a lot of money. Could we all brainstorm on how
to keep this position?"
However, Svoboda said that if the station runs a deficit, it would no longer be able to run as an independent nonprofit. Rather, it would be run by the town Leisure Services and Supplemental Education department, or be shut down.
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ACTV cuts director, stirs protest
TOM OLLILA
Saturday, July 13, 2002 --
AMHERST - More than 30 Amherst Community Television members attending a board of directors meeting Tuesday expressed anger over the recent termination of the executive director.
Members of ACTV asked why they didn't know this decision was coming up and praised former executive director Michael Billingsley.
"This station is a model station," said member Joel Saxe of Northampton. "It's amazing what he has done."
ACTV faces cutbacks of around $50,000 after a federal ruling allowed AT&T Broadband to provide less funding to the public-access cable station.
Billingley's salary was around $42,000, said board member Alice Swift.
The board explored several options, including a cutback in all employees' salaries, said board member Mary Jane Laus. They decided in late June to cut Billingsley's job.
"This was a very complicated decision," said board member James Jemison. "We thought it was the best decision."
Billingsley, interviewed by phone after the meeting, said he is unclear exactly why his position was cut. "I'm just pretty much in the dark. Most of this occurred at meeting I didn't attend or couldn't attend."
"There was some suggestion that financial concerns make this necessary," he said. "But more than a thousand cable access companies are getting their funding cut, and I don't think any of them are solving that by getting rid of their executive director ... I don't understand the rationale and I don't understand the benefit."
During most of Tuesday's heated three hour meeting, members were on the offensive and the board was on the defensive. But by the end, those attending the meeting pointed to AT&T.
"AT&T needs to be taken into accountability," said board member Lee Larcheveque, the representative from the schools. "For companies that operate on budgets of tens of billions, $40,000 is only a few minutes of revenue. This is real people's livelihood."
Many members said the board could have done more.
"We should have been out six months ago demonstrating to get more equity," said Isaac BenEzra, who hosts the "Conversations" program on ACTV. "There were other things we could have done and you haven't tapped into these resources."
Tuesday's meeting was intended to provide a forum for members. The board plans more open meetings after they can discuss the concerns raised. The next board meeting, which is open to everyone, is scheduled for next Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the ACTV studios on 246 College St.
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board members, ad hoc committee members, web guys and others
-Ad Hoc Member Committee Contacts
-Board-formed Committee Chair Contacts
-Webmaster
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Ad Hoc Member Committee Contacts
Chris Lamb Toubeau 549-6139
Peter Morales 210-6390
Pilar Schiavo 584-4783
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Contact The Board:
By Telephone: Leave Messages with Front Desk at (413) 256-1010
By Fax: Send to (413) 256-0038 Attn. Board Member
By Postal Letter: To... (Board Member), 246 College St. Amherst, MA 01002
By Email: [email protected]
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Tech committee: Leslie Mason email: [email protected]
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Webmaster: [email protected] (all submissions, suggestions accepted, subject to priority restraints)
(No claims are made as to the accuracy of any of this information. Please use independent verification before taking action.)