MINUTES
ACTV Board of Directors’ Meeting
Thursday, July 10th, 2008, 7:30 pm
(prepared by Anna Carter)
Board Members Present: Paulette Brooks, Isaac BenEzra, Jeff Lee, Ruth Backes, Kathleen Anderson, Anna Carter, Frank Gatti, Alan Root
Board Members Absent: Josna Rege, Eduardo Suarez
Others Present: Steve Kim, Diego Angurita, Mary Savarese (camera and control room crew)
Quorum Status: This constitutes a quorum of the board.

Call to Order: 7:35 pm, Isaac BenEzra presiding

Treasurer’s Report (May Budget Report)

MOTION
A motion was made and seconded to:
Accept the Treasurer’s Report, subject to audit.
The motion passed unanimously

President’s Report
Isaac BenEzra reported that the Executive Director has worked for nearly 10 months. The station has stabilized. Regional outreach gains have been great, greater diversity is evident. Interns are running the cameras and control room.

Community outreach efforts should be a priority to encourage participation in all Committees in order to expand the responsibilities for growing the station..

There has been excellent response from the community members for Amherst and Regional events.

Government coverage has improved significantly. Community members have expressed friendly and positive response.

The community is encouraged to offer suggestions for topics for Fall Series programming.

We will tap the community potentials and develop youth programs.

Isaac BenEzra announced that his end date of Service as a Board Member will be June, 2009; adding that, “I will not leave until we are ROCKING.”

Approval of Minutes, May Board Meeting
Minutes not available.

Executive Director’s Report (see full text of report below)
See full text of report below, with bold type indicating the items highlighted by Mr. Lescault.

Committee Reports
Personnel
Chair Paulette Brooks reported that Jim Lescault has chosen a candidate for the Government Coordinator position, Brendan R. Toller. The terms will be 20 hours/week @ $14.50/hour and 45% cost of individual health premium. Subject to a 4-month positive review, the salary will increase to $15/hour. The committee recommends approving Jim’s recommendation.

The committee recommends approving the Program Manager, James O’Connor’s positive evaluation submitted by Jim Lescault and recommends a 15% increase in salary retroactive to January 1, 2008, the anniversary of his hiring date.

MOTION
A motion was made and seconded to:
Approve the Personnel Committee report, including the hiring of Brendan R. Toller for the Government Coordinator Committee and James O’Connor’s evaluation.
The motion passed unanimously.

By-Laws
Chair Anna Carter reported that the By-Laws Committee met on July 8th to review Board members’ comments and suggestions. The committee members will provide a document which clearly indicates previous and new language and rationale for changes in order to facilitate Board member review. This will be completed in the next few weeks.

MOTION
A motion was made and seconded to:
Approve the By-Law Committee report
The motion passed unanimously.

Technology
Chair Jeff Lee reported that Kelly Albrecht has been consulted regarding hosting the ACTV website using CMS (content management system) technology..

The Town Room upgrade proposal went out to bid and one bid only was received from Great Northern Video at a reasonable cost of $38,000. The Town participated in and has reviewed the bid. Jim Lescault has reviewed and is in favor of accepting the bid.

Jeff reported that there was not a great profit margin on this job so that may explain why no other bids were received.

There had been a previous issue with Great Northern, and after investigation it was discovered that a 3rd party was involved and Great Northern was not at fault.

The Committee recommends accepting Great Northern’s bid for the work in the Town Room.

MOTION
A motion was made and seconded to:
Approve the Technology Committee report and to approve Great Northern’s bid for work to upgrade the Town Room.
The motion passed unanimously.

Program Committee

Frank Gatti will soon convene a meeting. Kathleen Anderson and Alan Root also serve on this committee. Members are encouraged to serve as well. This committee recognizes good opportunities to work with the schools.

ED Report
Jim Lescault was not present. He was attending the National Alliance for Community Media Convention in Washington, DC.

Jeff Lee reported on highlights of the ED monthly report:

The front training room has been reorganized and is being used for iMovie, Digital Animation (for high school students), Final Cut Pro, and Field Equipment classes. A large video monitor in the training room enhances the classroom format. All Classes have been fully subscribed.

Jim is working with the Amherst Public Schools to work out a plan to offer a Professional Development workshop for teachers.

Several new productions have been completed by member producers:
—Sustainable Energy
—Springfield Museum event
—Taste of Amherst filmed on location
—Community Gathering – Human Affairs awards to children

Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm