Board Meeting September 5, 2007

Easthampton Community Access Television

Channel 5


Board Meeting September 5, 2007


1.

The Board finished looking over a proposed contract between ECAT and the City of Easthampton. Greg will make all the changes that the Board discussed, and send this new draft to the board for approval. Upon the Board’s request, the contract will then be sent on to ECAT’s lawyer for perusal before sending it back to the Mayor.

5.5 Section of ECAT’s Bylaws were discussed, to be able to ensure that no more than one third of the Board changes terms at one time. A schedule was set up for this procedure.


2) A meeting this summer with Debbie Carter, School Superintendent, resulted in an agreement with ECAT that the school will charge $100 / month for temporary rent of the space the station is currently occupying at WBMS. After six months, this agreement will be re-negotiated, should ECAT still need the space. Once ECAT moves out, the control room and wiring for multicamera shoots in the music room and theater will stay in place. ECAT will or will not pay for this space within WBMS, depending on the negotiations.


3) Real estate possibilities were discussed. Greg and Becca will both continue with calls around town. ECAT is looking for a building in town with a large open space for studio shooting, plus several office areas for editing, computer labs, and staff offices. If anyone knows of a compatible building for sale, please contact the station.


4) Tuition for Brian to take a workshop on training volunteers was proposed. $100 dollars for registration for four sessions, plus staff time. This will give the staff at ECAT experience in recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers for the station. Becca motioned to accept this proposal, and Bob seconded it.


5) Proposed purchase of several pieces of equipment to get the recently purchased video server technology functioning smoothly. $1075.95 for a faster computer, capture card, network switch, and parch cable. This process will soon be converting the station’s current programming and archives into a digital format. The media will be stored and preserved that way, and also broadcast from the digital video server. Since this work is time consuming, Brian plans to work on digitizing the tape library this Fall while the non-profit status, city contract, and real estate for the new station is worked out. Bob made a motion to accept this proposal, and Jennifer seconded the motion.


6) Greg plans on filming interviews and booths at the upcoming Fall Festival, but not having a booth. Glyffy volunteered to help with the interviews.


7) Payment for a Yellow Pages listing under “TV Stations” for $177 was voted down unanimously. The white page listing, and our website (and link through the town of Easthampton’s site) makes us easy to find.


8) Becca will bring ideas for new series to air on Channel 5 to the next meeting. Glyffy spoke about a DVD series on Mental Illness that she’d like to involve local classrooms with, and air on Channel 5. Greg suggested she talk to the health coordinators at the schools to see if they are interested in using this resource in their curriculum. Also, the small business administration offers free lecture series. The possibility of taping these and airing them was discussed.


9) At least one round of workshops will be offered by Brian this Fall.


Next Meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 24th 6:00 pm at ECAT Station, within the White Brook Middle School.



Notes For This Month :

(not to go into the posted Meeting Notes – just for the board)

-Greg will call more local real estate agents and check into the former FlyWheel space to see if any of the current renters want to buy their portion of the building.

-Becca will check into One Cottage St. and call Gawle’s offices. Also will look into program series possibilities.

-Glyffy will contact school health coordinators to see if there’s interest in the above mentioned project.