MINUTES
ACTV Board Meeting
March 13, 2008, 7:30 pm
Call to Order: 8:00 pm, Isaac BenEzra presiding
Board Members present: Ruth Backes, Isaac BenEzra, Paulette Brooks,
Anna Carter, Frank Gatti, Josna Rege, Alan Root, Eduardo Suarez
Board Members Absent: Kathleen Anderson, Jeff Lee
Quorum status: This constitutes a quorum of the Board.
Also present: Lauren Goldrich (camera), Zardon Richardson (camera), Jim Lescault (ED)
President’s/Executive Committee Report
At the March 4th Executive Committee Meeting, in conjunction with the ED, the Committee approved a contract for $147.50 with John Chao, student at Hampshire College, for development of graphic design for ACTV on-screen logo (later to be animated).
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Anna Carter presented the January 2008 budget report. Income: we are currently doing very well with income from Comcast. Income is also above projections in areas of Membership and Subscriptions/Workshops. Overall, expense are slightly below projections.
MOTION
A motion was made and seconded to:
Accept the Treasurer’s Report, subject to audit.
The motion passed unanimously.
Approval of February Minutes
MOTION
A motion was made and seconded to:
Approve the February 2008 Minutes, as amended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Committee Reports
By-Laws Committee:
Anna Carter reported on the March 13, 2008 meeting (Attendees: Anna Carter (Chair), Ruth Backes, Jeff Lee, Alan Root): The By-Laws Committee met Tuesday, March 11, 2008, from 6:15-7:15 p.m. Articles 1-4 have been reviewed and recommendations for revisions are complete. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2008, from 5:15– 6:15 p.m.
MOTION
A motion was made and seconded to:
Approve bylaw committee report
The motion passed unanimously.
Technology Committee Report:
Alan Root presented the report for Committee Chair Jeff Lee: Here is an overview of the topics we covered and some of the directives that came out of the meeting- held on Feb. 19, 2008.
Copier:
Discussion on broken service contract with KCB Business Products; failed attempts to find another service provider in Greater Amherst area. Jim Lescaut presented conversation he had with the Financial Leasing Services- De Lage Laden; copies of Lease given to members. Handouts on the proposed replacement- Ricoh 1600- specs. After discussing the pros and cons of leasing vs. owning, decision was made to table final decision until we can look at various options and considerations such as the ultimate use and internal needs of any future copier. Until final decision: keep buying toner for existing Sharp unit.
Tricaster:
Presentation on the equipment needs of the Town Meetings held at the Middle School. ED explained what the Tricaster could do to make overall productions better. Topics covered: character generator, switcher, projector input for cable cast vs. shooting off of the screen. Three quotes have been sought out and received. All very close in amount with one including software and training not covered by others. Alan Root asked if this equipment would have other potential usage other than Town Mtgs. ED reported that any three or more camera shoots could benefit from this equipment. Discussion led to whether it could also be used in the Town Room for general coverage of Select Board etc. Alan requested ED get some feedback from those presently using Tricaster.
Update: Jim Lescault called NOHO Access Director, Al Williams about their experience so far with the Tricaster.
Town Room:
ED explained latest round of obtaining three quotes for the Town Hall Room. The numbers were almost twice as high then had been anticipated. ED questioned whether there were too many whistles and bells attached to what should be a simple but very high quality job. With the previous discussion on the Tricaster being considered for use in the Town Room- ED suggested that he would like to get another opinion on the space and equipment from the Video Engineer, Michael Kesten. Michael had done some work recently for ACTV and ED felt he would be honest about meeting our basic needs without shortening quality. ED was encouraged to set up meeting and see if Kesten was interested in submitting a quote.
Update: ED to meet Mike Kesten, Town Room, Friday, Feb.22
Digital World:
Alan led a discussion on the need for ACTV to keep in mind the changing world of broadcast. The Feb. 17, 2009 changeover to all-digital and out with the analogue was explored to how this might affect ACTV programming capabilities. ED offered to contact local ComCast technical person, Scott Hurley, about what they are hearing in relationship to our cable signal and equipment needs of the station for the future digital world. ED was asked to check with Mass Access to see if they have any information on High Definition HD.
Structure of Tech. Subcommittee:
Suggestions were given by all on how the subcommittee might be structured. One idea was to have few sitting members, maybe a total of four or five, counting the existing two members. There would be an attempt to incorporate diversified fields in those asked to sit on the committee. Rather than filling a committee with all the expertise we will need, topical areas of expertise would be on specific agendas with invited person or people knowledgeable in that field to speak to the committee and help us understand the topic at hand. This would be an attempt to streamline but build a very wide base of experts who would possibly be willing to help us in their area when we need it.
Areas of Expertise that might be suited for members on Tech Committee:
Internet; Broadband; digital servers; engineers; college video production personnel; Communications Dept. Chair; 5-College Dark Fiber; Town Hall IT, Pioneer Connect. Names were given concerning some matches: John Brunner Hampshire College Video Production Personnel; New Chair UMass Communications Dept.; Rob Kushner
Executive Director’s Report (see attached written report)
—Anna Carter asked for more details on the recent meeting of the Western Mass Access Center EDs, hosted by ACTV.
—Isaac BenEzra asked for an update on the Interns program. He also asked for an update on ACTV oversight of completion of programs by producers.
Old Business
—Anna Carter raised question of when the newly proposed Programming Committee would meet. Frank Gatti said that he would convene a meeting.
—Jim Lescault asked viewers to check the newly aired Research Channel on the Educational Channel (15). Isaac BenEzra made a pitch for Classic Arts Showcase.
—Anna Carter suggest that it may be time to prepare another article on ACTV for the local media. Jim Lescault would like to propose a “pick of the week” box in the Amherst Bulletin’s ACTV listings. He reported that ACTV had more than 300 hits on ACTV’s link on the Amherst Chamber of Commerce website.
—Isaac BenEzra will host all five Select Board candidates on Conversations.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Executive Director’s Report
To the
ACTV Board of Directors
March 13, 2008
Outreach:
Met with:
John Chao- Hampshire College student, @ submittal of an on air ACTV logo design
Jericha Senyak, Hampshire student, about doing projects for ACTV
Kyle Brodie, Hampshire student, recently taught a multi-media workshop for ACTV members @ future interactions
Tom O’Brien @ proposed studio program on home design
Tom Flittie and Leo Maley @ March 6th League of Women Voters studio shoot “Case Against Casinos”
Chris Powell, UMASS Film Studies student, conducted field camera competence, he covered first Valleywood presentation 3-8-08, will be cablecast
Town Meeting Coordinating Committee @ future interactions, schedule and possibility of shooting warrant review @ ACTV’s studio 4-9-08
Bob McCormack, member, took camera to Washington, DC to cover hearings on Winter Solders
Talked with:
Julie Schobohn, West Springfield, arranged a tour for her and others to see how ACTV operates as compared to their city
Scott Morley, Cub Scout Leader, tour of ACTV for 15 cubs and their parents on Sat. 3-29-08- confirmed
Valerie Hill, MA College of liberal Arts student, @ summer internship lives in Belchertown
Personnel:
With the dismissal of the Production Manager I have had to step in and directly contact our new college interns (9) and (1) High School intern for this semester term. Many of the interns have had the opportunity to assist with studio productions. Xiao and Steve who are back from last semester have continued to cover most of the government shoots. Afton, a Hampshire student has covered a number of the School Committee meetings. When she has not been able to cover then Lauren, Production Assistant has stepped in.
Lauren Goldrich, Production Assistant, recently conducted a training workshop for those interns in need of field equipment exposure. This was a closed training for the five students. Lauren is currently scheduling a field equipment training for our newest members, which will be advertised on our web site as well- to ensure we don’t miss anyone.
The existing staff including, the part timers, Darol and Lauren, have really helped in picking up the additional duties as we go through this transitional phase. I have received names of potential production people for either teaching specific workshops and/or part time help in production coordination. Interviews via telephone and subsequent personal meetings have started specifically for qualified trainers in Final Cut Pro.
I have been giving serious consideration on our job descriptions in regards to future initiatives such as the move towards being a Media Center. I have received job descriptions from Cambridge Access to use as a primer for a new position, possible called Media Access Coordinator, more to come on the job specifics.
I believe we need to reevaluate the Production Managers job description, reducing the responsibilities. I am currently looking at formulating a part time position that would be responsible for all scheduling and finalizing all government shootings. Additionally, I have begun to negotiate with Darol Bishop on his role at ACTV the four mornings he is here to be responsible for the changes and set-ups required by studio shoots a well as up-grading the Studio Control Room and Studio B as well as certain trainings related to Studio Productions.
Any recommendations for changes will be submitted to the Personnel Sub-Committee for review and recommendation to full Board of Directors.
Fund Raising:
ED submitted a grant for Organizational Support for Media Arts to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, met the March 3 deadline.
An exciting, ten (10) minute DVD was created by Hampshire student, Jericha Senyak. Jericha did an exceptional job in a very short turn around time. This DVD is used as our primary supplemental support to the written narrative. The DVD depicts ACTV’s variety of Media Arts coverage and cable casting.
An application was prepared for J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism to launch participatory news ventures. Deadline was Feb. 20, 2008.
Town Room:
All quotes were much higher than initially anticipated. I revisited the equipment as outlined in our request with Michael Keston, our contracted Engineer, to see if stream lining could occur. We were able to create a much more streamlined list with very specific terms on what each piece of equipment must do, given actual brand and model numbers when appropriate and/or comparable equipment. This was done to try to keep the vendors within a certain cost range.
Each of the three original companies who submitted quotes will be asked to resubmit based on the new list.
Town Meetings:
After analyzing last Falls Town Meetings and adjusting our production standards to achieve a better overall quality with the equipment we had, I begin to research for equipment that would expand our capabilities.
After researching the Tri-caster as explained in last month’s report- I have decided to ask Michael Keston to review our existing road box and make recommendations as to how best to up-grade to meet our needs.
Training/Meetings:
Executive Directors/Administrators from 11 area Access Centers totaling 15 people met at ACTV on Friday, Feb. 29. This was a follow up to the initial meeting held in November.
A prepare agenda (see attached) was adhered to and guided a robust and engaging dialogue. For many it was the first time that they had met. A master list has been designed by Gretchen and sent to all of those centers we have found so far. The group wants to do another by the end of May perhaps in Greenfield.
Many stayed afterwards for a tour of our station during which I explained our vision to expand as a Media Access Center, which was universally endorsed.
James O’Connor and I attended a training/workshop in Easton last Friday on our digital server, Tightrope. This was extremely informative for both of us to grasp the magnitude of the differences of service provided by the upgraded model. This will help us while considering our future options whether to stay with Tightrope and get a trade-in with an upgraded model or to seek out another provider such as Princeton.
Afterwards the ED drove to Plymouth to meet up with some of the Amherst Rotarians to help and observe the live auction conducted at Plymouth Access TV station. ED observed Friday night and for three hours on Sat. afternoon. He met with technicians and Plymouth ED asking questions on process and responsibilities. Very good first hand experience observing the mechanics of producing a very busy and active live shoot.
ED will be following up with local Rotarians setting up studio camera workshops and eventual full studio productions.
ED met with the Technology Sub-Committee and went over the various issues confronting ACTV in both the short and long term. A good planning session helped to get us started with specific goals.