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Attention!
Not withstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
City of Stevens Point Telecommunications Commission reserves the right
to create additional requirements from time to time,
and/or to amend these policies and procedures.
Last Amended November, 1997
Policy & Procedure Handbook
Table
of Contents
After clicking a section number and reading that
section,
use your browser's "back" button to return to this table of Contents.
Section 1 - Introduction and Definitions
1.1
Introduction
1.2 Definitions
Section 2 - Cablecasting Taped or Live Programs on Community TV
2.1
Content Restrictions
2.2 Producer/Sponsor Responsibilities
2.3 Disclaimer
2.4 Channel Time Allotment
Section 3 - Using the Community TV Studio, Editing Facility, and Equipment
3.1
First-time Use
3.2 Non-resident Fee
3.3 Reserving Community TV's Studio and/or Editing Facility
3.4 Equipment
3.5 Portable Equipment
3.6 Acknowledgment of Community TV
3.7 Rights to the Program
3.8 Production Deadline
3.9 Other
Section 4 - Certification, Training, and Assistance Provided by Community TV
4.1
Certification
4.2 Cost of Certification
4.3 Volunteer Time Exchange Program
4.4 Classes and Hands-on Training
4.5 Assistance
Section 5 - Incentive Program for Certified Producers and Volunteers
5.1
Incentives for Certified Producers
5.2 Incentives for Certified Volunteers
5.3 Recognition Awards
Section 6 - Underwriting, Reproducing Tapes, Disciplinary Action, Other
6.1
Underwriting
6.2 Reproduction of Programs on Videotape
6.3 Disciplinary Actions
6.4 Community Bulletin Board
Section 7 - The Role of Community TV Staff
7.1
General
7.2 The TV Coordinator
7.3 Other Community TV Staff
Appendix A Example of a Program
Responsibility Form
Appendix B Example of a Community
Calendar Entry Form
Appendix C Example of an Equipment Checkout Form
Section One
Introduction and Definitions
1.1 Introduction -
By the terms of the Cable Television Franchise Agreement between the City of Stevens Point and the servicing cable
television system, and by the action of the City of Stevens Point Telecommunications Commission, Community TV or
Community Television, Channel 95/984, has been designated for the cablecasting of Government and Public Access
programs.
An editing facility and equipment for use in the production of programs to be cablecast on Community TV have been
purchased by the City of Stevens Point and housed with the Community TV studio in the City of Stevens Point's Parks
and Recreation Center. The City of Stevens Point has hired a TV Coordinator, whose office is adjacent to the Community
TV studio, to be the manager of Community TV.
The policies and procedures in this handbook have been established to encourage the use of and ensure fair and
nondiscriminatory access to the channel, studio, editing facility, and equipment by producers of both Government
and Public Access programs, and to ensure that producers receive education and training in the use of the equipment.
1.2 Definitions -
the following definitions apply throughout this handbook:
Producer -
The producer is the person in charge of making a program to be cablecast on Community TV. The producer is responsible
for all people working on the program and making all arrangements with the TV Coordinator. Other producer responsibilities
are defined throughout this handbook.
Volunteer -
A volunteer is any person involved with the making of a program to be cablecast on Community TV who is not the
producer or a Community TV staff member. A volunteer might be the director, floor manager, camera or camcorder
operator, editor, audio and/or VTR engineer, on-air talent, writer, etc.
Government Access Program - A Government Access program is any program produced, directed,
engineered, and otherwise made by City of Stevens Point government employees including, but not limited to, the
TV Coordinator and other Community TV staff members. Government Access programs provide a means of communication
between units of government within the Stevens Point franchise area and their constituents and/or provide other
public services through the medium of cable television.
Public Access Program - A Public Access program is any program produced, directed, engineered,
and otherwise made and/or sponsored by a resident or residents of the Community TV viewing area. Public Access
programs are a means of communication and expression through the medium of cable television.
Section Two
Cablecasting Taped or Live Programs on Community TV
2.1 Content Restrictions - Under City of Stevens Point Municipal Code Chapter 17,
the presentation of lottery information and obscene or indecent matter on Community TV is prohibited. Advertising
is also prohibited on Community TV. Commercial or private use of Community TV is not allowed.
Any program which the TV Coordinator considers to be questionable in respect to the above criteria may be held
off the cablecasting schedule until the program is reviewed by the City of Stevens Point Telecommunications Commission
to insure compliance with Community TV policies and procedures.
2.2 Producer/Sponsor Responsibilities - A Community TV Program Responsibility Form must be signed
by the producer or sponsor of any program before the program will be scheduled for cablecasting on Community TV.
The signer of the Program Responsibility Form must be a resident of the Community TV viewing are area and at least
18 years of age.
Requests to have a live or videotaped program scheduled for cablecasting may be submitted to the TV Coordinator
no more than one month in advance and no less than two weeks in advance of the requested cablecasting date. The
TV Coordinator will have a list of available time slots. Refer to Part Four of this section for more details about
time allotment.
It is the responsibility of the producer or sponsor to be sure any program on video tape meets the following technical
requirements before the program will be scheduled for cablecasting on Community TV:
1. The program on video tape is immediately preceded by at least thirty seconds
of recorded black or color bars.
2. The tape is completely rewound.
3. The program on video tape is immediately followed by at least thirty seconds of black
recorded on the tape.
4. The label on the spine of the video tape includes the title of the program and the
exact length of the program in hours: minutes: and seconds.
Producers and sponsors are expected to clearly print their name and phone number on the face label of their videotape
and remove the tape's erasure prevention tab before submitting the tape to Community TV for cablecasting.
Producers and sponsors may use Community TV equipment and facilities to edit their programs to meet Community TV
technical requirements. Refer to Section Three of this handbook for details.
The program on video tape, or the outline of a program to be cablecast live, and the signed Program Responsibility
Form will be submitted to the TV Coordinator no less than one week in advance of the cablecasting date or the program
may be held off the schedule and the scheduled cablecast time slot may be given to another program.
If permission to cablecast or edit copyright materials is necessary, the TV Coordinator must receive that permission
in writing no less than 24 hours in advance of the scheduled cablecasting date or the program may be held off the
cablecasting schedule. This includes, but is not limited to, any scripts, music, or pre-videotaped portions of
a live program unless previous arrangements are made with the TV Coordinator.
The producer or sponsor of any live or videotaped program cablecast on Community TV is responsible for the program's
content and agrees to indemnify, save, and hold harmless Community Television, the servicing cable system, the
City of Stevens Point and its employees, and anyone involved with the production of the program from and against
any and all liability, claim, judgment, action, loss, cost damage, injury (including death) or expense (including
attorneys' fees), arising out of or resulting from their program.
The producer or sponsor is responsible for making all appropriate arrangements and obtaining all appropriate clearances
from broadcast stations, networks, music licensing organizations, performers, performers' representatives, and
without limitation by this list, any and all other persons as may be necessary for authorization to edit and/or
cablecast the material in their program on Community TV.
If Community TV receives a complaint about a program, Community TV may provide the complainant with the name and
address of the program's producer and/or sponsor, as required by City of Stevens Point Municipal Code chapter 17.
The producer or sponsor of any tape submitted to Community TV for cablecasting is required to pick up the tape
from Community TV within two weeks of the program's scheduled cablecast date. Any tape left at Community TV more
than two weeks after its scheduled cablecast date becomes the property of Community TV.
Community TV assumes no responsibility for tapes submitted for cablecasting including, but not limited to, damage
to the tape, loss or theft of the tape, and/or partial or complete erasure of the program or information recorded
on the tape.
2.3 Disclaimer - Immediately before and/or after all Public Access Programs, Community TV will cablecast a disclaimer which clearly reads as follows:
"The viewpoints expressed in
programs seen on Community TV
are not necessarily those of Community Television,
the servicing cable system,
or the City of Stevens Point or its employees.
Each program's producer or sponsor is responsible for the program's content."
Producers using Community TV equipment and/or facilities to produce a program must edit this disclaimer onto the
tape after a countdown and immediately before the program. Other producers/sponsors submitting programs to be cablecast
must allow Community TV staff or a certified volunteer to edit the countdown and disclaimer onto their tape. Exceptions
must be approved by the TV Coordinator and/or the Telecommunications Commission.
2.4 Channel Time Allotment - First priority for channel time will be given to Government Access
programs including, but not limited to, live and videotaped coverage of Stevens Point Governmental meetings, Portage
County Board of Supervisors meetings, and Stevens Point Area School Board meetings.
Priority will then be given to locally produced series programs with reserved weekly or monthly time slots, and
then to non-locally produced series programs with reserved time slots.
Priority will then be given to other locally produced programs on a first-come, first-served basis and finally
to other non-locally produced programs on a first-come, first-served basis.
The TV Coordinator will schedule channel time on Community TV for both Government and Public Access Programs.
The TV Coordinator will use the following guidelines to determine how many times any single program or episode
of a weekly or monthly series program may play:
1. Locally produced series programs -
A. A half-hour episode may play eight times.
B. A one hour episode may play four times.
2. Non-locally produced series programs -
A. A half-hour episode may play four times.
B. A one hour episode may play two times.
3. Any other locally produced program -
A. A half-hour program may play eight times,
but not necessarily more than once in a week.
B. A one hour program may play four times,
but not necessarily more than once in a week.
4. Any other non-locally produced program may play
four times,
but not necessarily more than once in a week.
Any program or episode of a series program may play additional times, but not within any four-month period unless
approved by the TV Coordinator and/or the Telecommunications Commission.
Time slots may be reserved no more than one month in advance and no less than two weeks in advance of the requested
cablecasting date unless approved by the TV Coordinator and/or the Telecommunications Commission.
Reserved weekly or monthly time slots, when available, may be given to series programs with special consideration
given to programs produced by Community TV Certified Producers, programs presenting dated material, programs with
audience building needs, and other factors which the TV Coordinator considers in the best interest of the program
and Community TV's overall cablecasting schedule.
Reservations for weekly or monthly series time slots may be made no more than one month in advance and no less
than two weeks in advance of the first cablecasting date requested. The time slots will be reserved for no more
than four months unless approved by the TV Coordinator and/or the Telecommunications Commission.
Producers or sponsors of series programs will be considered in default of their responsibilities and may have their
time slot reservation canceled and/or be restricted from series time slots temporarily or completely for any of
the following reasons:
1. Failure to produce a new program two episodes in a row without giving the TV Coordinator notice 24 hours prior
to the program's scheduled cablecast time.
2. Failure to produce a new program three episodes in a row for any reason, unless special arrangements were made
in advance with the TV Coordinator.
3. Violation of content rules as defined in City of Stevens Point Municipal Code Chapter 17 and this handbook.
4. Repeated violation of any rules and policies as defined in this handbook or as posted on the Community TV premises.
Appeals may be made to the TV Coordinator. Further appeals, if necessary, may be made to the City of Stevens Point
telecommunications Commission.
Section Three
Use of Community TV Studio, Editing Facility, and Equipment
to Produce Programs to be Cablecast on Community TV
3.1 First-time use - Any individual, or any community group or nonprofit organization
represented by an individual, who resides within the City of Stevens Point and is at least 18 years of age may
reserve the Community TV studio and/or editing facility for a free one-hour session annually to produce a program
to be cablecast on Community TV. Community TV will provide a technical crew of at least one Community TV staff
member or certified volunteer for the session. If the producer wants more crew members, Community TV will provide
a list of certified volunteers whom the producer may contact.
Anyone who chooses to use Community TV's studio and/or editing facility for more time in a year to produce another
program must first become a Community TV Certified Producer. Refer to Section Four of this handbook for details.
3.2 Non-resident Fee - Upon payment of a $10 Non-resident Usage Fee, any individual, or
any community group or nonprofit organization represented by an individual, who resides within the Community TV
viewing area, but not within the City of Stevens Point, and is at least 18 years of age may reserve the Community
TV studio and/or editing facility for a one-hour session annually to produce a program to be cablecast on Community
TV. Community TV will provide a technical crew of at least one Community TV staff member or certified volunteer
for the session. If the producer wants more crew members, Community TV will provide a list of certified volunteers
whom the producer may contact.
Anyone who chooses to use Community TV's studio and/or editing facility for more time in a year to produce another
program must first become a Community TV Certified Producer. Refer to Section Four of this handbook for details.
3.3 Reserving Community TV's Studio and/or Editing
Facility - First time users, as defined
above, and Community TV Certified Producers in good standing may reserve the Community TV studio and/or editing
facility to produce a program to be cablecast on Community TV. Reservations may be made no more than one month
in advance and no less than one week in advance. Under no circumstances will any walk-ins be allowed with less
than 24 hours notice. A producer may only use the studio and/or editing facility to produce one program at a time.
Exceptions must be approved by the TV Coordinator and/or the Telecommunications Commission.
First priority for studio and editing facility use will be given to the production of Government Access programs.
Second priority will be given to production of weekly and monthly series programs with reserved cablecasting time
slots. Priority will then be given to production of live programs, and finally to production of other programs.
The TV Coordinator will schedule studio and editing facility time for the production of both Government and Public
Access programs.
Community TV Certified Producers may reserve a four-hour studio or editing session for the production of a program.
Community TV Certified Producers may reserve more than one session if necessary, but there will be a four-hour
break between sessions, unless approved by the TV Coordinator.
Cancellations of reservations for studio, editing facility, and/or equipment use will be made at least 24 hours
in advance. In cases of circumstances beyond the producer's control requiring cancellation of reservations, the
producer should notify Community TV as soon as possible.
All persons using Community TV's studio, editing facility, and/or equipment will follow the rules and policies
in this handbook and those posted on the premises of Community TV or be subject to disciplinary action.
All studio and editing sessions will take place
during normal Community TV hours of operation when a Community TV staff member is on the premises. Anyone wanting
to reserve a session outside of normal Community TV hours of operation will agree to pay $15/hour for a Community
TV staff member's time, if one is available.
3.4 Equipment -
Equipment provided by Community TV for any studio session will include:
A. Three studio cameras connected to a video switching/mixing system with
character generated graphics.
B. Three microphones connected to an audio switching/mixing system.
C. An adequate studio lighting system.
D. A VTR for recording the program, and a video tape.
A standard checklist of other equipment available for use in the Community TV studio will be made available to
Community TV Certified Producers who wish to reserve such equipment. The request for this equipment should be submitted
to the TV Coordinator as soon as possible when reserving a studio session, but will be accepted as late as 24 hours
in advance of the session if the equipment is available.
Only Community TV staff members and Community TV Certified Producers and Volunteers who are qualified may operate
Community TV's equipment. Refer to Section Four of this handbook for details.
3.5 Portable Equipment - Some portable equipment, which may be removed from the Community
TV premises, will be available for checkout by Community TV Certified Producers who have reached the certification
level required to operate that equipment. Such equipment might include camcorders, tripods, microphones, and audio
mixers.
All portable equipment will be picked up and returned as arranged by the TV Coordinator. Late fees may be charged
to anyone in violation of the arrangement.
A security deposit of $50, payable in cash or check, is required of anyone checking out portable equipment valued
at $50 or more. The security deposit is to be paid to Community Television, Community TV, before the equipment
leaves the premises of Community TV. Community Television may, at its option, withhold and/or debit the security
deposit to pay any late fees owed or to repair or replace any equipment that was damaged while it was checked out.
Portable multi-camera switching systems and other technically advanced equipment will be made available for checkout
by Community TV Certified Producers who have reached the certification level required for that equipment. A Community
TV staff member will accompany such equipment or systems, as a supervisor, and the producer checking out the equipment
will agree to pay $15/hour for the staff member's time.
Community TV's multi-camera switching system will not be checked out to anyone when it is being used by Community
TV for government productions, and will always be returned to Community TV no less than two days before any date
on which it is needed for government productions.
Producers are financially responsible for any damage to or theft of Community TV's equipment while it is in their
use. Should a piece of equipment be damaged, the damage will be assessed by the TV Coordinator and charged to the
producer with privileges suspended and security deposit withheld until payment for repair or replacement of the
equipment is received by Community TV. Should there be a dispute over the amount owed, the producer may appeal
to the TV Coordinator. Further appeals, if necessary, may be made to the City of Stevens Point Telecommunications
Commission.
Producers are responsible for any claims arising out of their use of Community TV's equipment and/or facilities
and agree to indemnify, save and hold harmless Community Television, the servicing cable system, the City of Stevens
Point and its employees, and anyone involved with the production of their program against any such claims or any
claims arising out of the use of the material in their program to be cablecast on Community TV or any breach of
the signed Program Responsibility Form and/or Statement of Compliance with Community TV Policies, including, but
not limited to, any claims in the nature of libel, slander, invasion of privacy or publicity right, noncompliance
with applicable laws, and unauthorized use of copyright materials.
3.6 Acknowledgment of Community TV - Any producer using Community TV's studio, editing facility,
and/or equipment will include a graphic at the end of their program, immediately following the end of the program
content or any end credits, which clearly reads as follows:
Production Facilities provided by
Community Television
Stevens Point, Wis.
346-1535
(Year of Production)
3.7 Rights to the Program - Community TV reserves the following rights to any program
produced using Community TV's studio, editing facility, and/or equipment:
1. The videotape master is the property of Community TV.
2. Community TV may, at the discretion of the TV Coordinator and/or the Telecommunications Commission, cablecast
the program at any time.
3. Community TV may use the entire program or edited portions of the program as a promotional tool for Community
TV or as an instructional tool.
4. Community TV may make and distribute or sell a copy of the program to anyone who resides within the Community
TV viewing area.
After the program has been cablecast on Community TV, the producer of the program may purchase a copy of the program
from Community TV. The producer of the program will then be given the right to make and sell other reproductions
from their copy, and to submit their copy or copies to other cable or broadcast stations to telecast in its entirety.
Community TV will keep all videotape masters for at least one month after the program's first cablecasting date.
Community TV will not guarantee how long the master will be kept after that, if at all. Producers who wish to purchase
a copy of their program are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
Refer to Section Six of this handbook for details about reproducing tapes.
3.8 Production Deadline - A producer who uses Community TV's studio, editing facility,
and/or equipment will submit their finished program for cablecasting within one month of use or be subject to disciplinary
action. An extension of time may be granted at the discretion of the TV Coordinator if sufficient need is shown
and a program outline is submitted by the producer.
3.9 Other -
Producers requesting services from Community TV staff members above and beyond those free services described in
Sections Two through six of this handbook will agree to pay $15/hour for the Community TV staff member's time.
This includes, but is not limited to, requests for Community TV staff members to perform the duties of camera and/or
camcorder operators, directors, audio and/or VTR engineers, editors, and other technical crew positions except
as described in Part One of this section concerning first-time use of Community TV. Requests for such services
and/or exceptions must be approved by the TV Coordinator.
Section Four
Certification, Training, and Assistance Provided by Community TV
4.1 Certification -
As mentioned in other sections of this handbook, the following individuals, groups, and/or organizations may become
Community TV Certified Producers:
1. Anyone who wants to use Community TV's studio, editing facility, and/or equipment, beyond their first
one-hour session annually, to produce a program to be cablecast on Community TV.
2. Any producer who wants to check out portable equipment from Community TV.
Anyone who wants to operate any of Community TV's equipment will first become a Community TV Certified Volunteer.
Individuals, groups, or organizations who want to support Community Television by donating money or volunteer time,
but are not otherwise required to become certified, may become Community TV Certified Producers or Volunteers if
they wish. Anyone less than 18 years of age who wants to become certified will have all necessary forms signed
by their legal guardian who will assume all legal responsibility.
Community TV Certified Producers and Volunteers will receive an I.D. card, a wall certificate, and the Community
TV Newsletter. Community TV Certified Producers and Volunteers will be enrolled on the Community TV Incentive Program
as described in Section Five.
Certification may be paid for in cash or check, or through the Volunteer Time Exchange Program. Payment of either
money or hours must be received in full before Certification privileges will begin. Certifications will be valid
for one year.
4.2 Cost of Certification - The categories of certification and their costs are as
follows:
1. Individual - $10 or 5 volunteer hours.
2. Non-Profit Organization - $40 or 20 volunteer hours.
3. Volunteer - Successful completion of required Community TV class or training sessions.
Individuals or organizations who reside within the Community TV viewing area but not within the City of Stevens
Point will pay the $10 Non-resident Usage Fee described in Section 3.2, in addition to the above fees, before certification
privileges will begin even if they chose to skip the one hour introductory studio/editing session.
Community TV Certified Producers will successfully complete an introductory level television production class taught
by the TV Coordinator, another Community TV staff member, or a qualified Community TV Certified Producer or Volunteer,
and will sign a Statement of Compliance with Community TV Policies before certification privileges will begin.
Such classes will be offered once a week at a time to be arranged by the TV Coordinator.
4.3 Volunteer Time Exchange Program - As mentioned above, producers may pay for certification
through the Volunteer Time Exchange Program. The following rules apply:
1. All hours will be completed before certification.
2. The candidate will keep a record of the hours they work in a journal provided by Community TV.
3. All hours worked will be supervised or witnessed by the TV Coordinator or other Community TV employee, who will
verify the entries in the candidate's journal.
4. The types of activities acceptable as credit toward payment of certification will be defined by the TV Coordinator.
A list of such activities will be available to each candidate.
5. Successful completion of classes taught by Community TV staff will equal a number of volunteer hours
predetermined by the TV Coordinator.
6. Candidates will notify the TV Coordinator or other Community TV employee before performing such
activities if the volunteer wants the time to be credited toward payment for certification.
4.4 Classes and Hands-on Training - Community TV will offer various television production classes
free to residents of the Community TV viewing area. Such classes will be taught by the TV Coordinator, other Community
TV staff members, and/or qualified Community TV Certified Producers and/or Volunteers. The classes will be offered
on a regular basis and/or as necessary to provide training to Community TV Certified Producers and Volunteers.
Community TV will also provide hands-on training sessions free to Community TV Certified Producers and Volunteers
as necessary. The length of such training sessions will be determined by the TV Coordinator and will vary according
to the skill being taught. The sessions will be pre planned and organized in such a way as to be as effective as
possible for anyone receiving the training.
Training sessions will be scheduled no more than one month and no less than one week in advance of the requested
date. Exceptions must be approved by the TV Coordinator. Training sessions will take place on the Community TV
premises and during normal Community TV operating hours, unless otherwise arranged by the TV Coordinator.
4.5 Assistance - Community TV will strive toward self-sufficiency of its Certified
Producers and Volunteers.
After completing any hands-on training session as mentioned above, a Community TV Certified Producer or Volunteer
will receive close supervision from a Community TV staff member or qualified Community TV Certified Producer or
Volunteer during their first studio and/or editing session. After that, assistance available from Community TV
staff members may be limited to answers to questions, advice, and suggestions except in cases of technical problems
or other emergencies.
Section Five
Incentive Program for Community TV Certified Producers and Volunteers
5.1 Incentives for Certified Producers -
1. Hat - Awarded after completed production of 10 programs.
2. T-Shirt - Awarded after completed production of 25 programs.
3. Jacket - Awarded after completed production of 50 programs.
Each program will be at least 25 minutes in length. Exceptions must be approved by the TV Coordinator.
5.2 Incentives for Certified Volunteers -
1. Hat - Awarded after 25 hours of volunteer work.
2. T-Shirt - Awarded after 50 hours of volunteer work.
3. Jacket - Awarded after 100 hours of volunteer work.
The following rules apply:
1. All hours will be completed before the award will be given.
2. The volunteer will keep a record of the hours they work in a journal provided by Community TV.
3. All hours worked will be supervised or witnessed by the TV Coordinator or other
Community TV employee, who will verify the entries in the candidate's journal.
4. The types of activities acceptable as credit toward the award will be defined by the TV
Coordinator. A list of such activities will be available to each volunteer.
5. Successful completion of classes taught by Community TV staff will equal a number of volunteer hours
predetermined by the TV Coordinator.
6. Volunteers will notify the TV Coordinator before performing such activities if the volunteer
wants the time to be credited toward earning an award.
5.3 Recognition Awards - Recognition Awards for outstanding achievement in Government and
Public Access programming will be awarded quarterly to Community TV Certified Producers.
A ceremony will be held annually to present awards for outstanding achievement in Government and Public Access
programming to Community TV Certified Producers and Volunteers.
Section Six
Underwriting, Reproduction of Tapes, Disciplinary Actions, and Other Policies
6.1 Underwriting -
Acknowledgment of underwriters providing financial support to Community TV for the production of a program is allowed.
Acknowledgment of each underwriter will be in the form of a graphic - superimposed over an exterior shot of the
business or other video - which presents the following information at the beginning and/or end of the program:
Funds for (name of program) were
provided (in part or) by
Name, address, and phone number of underwriter
The message may be read by an announcer and/or may
be accompanied by background music from Community TV's production music library.
The cost to Community TV of producing a program is the amount of Community TV staff time involved multiplied by
$15 per hour. Community TV will not accept underwriting in excess of the cost of producing the program.
To receive acknowledgment, an underwriter will provide finances for at least one hour of staff time. Exceptions
must be approved by the TV Coordinator and/or the Telecommunications Commission.
6.2 Reproduction of programs on video tape
- Community TV may make and distribute or
sell copies of any videotaped program produced by Community TV staff or by anyone using Community TV's studio,
editing facility, and/or equipment. The following rules will apply:
1. Community TV will not copy, or allow to be copied, in part or in its entirety, any program until
after it has been cablecast on Community TV.
2. Persons wishing to purchase a copy of a program from Community TV will provide a blank video tape
and pay a dub fee when dropping off the blank tape.
3. The dub fee for making a copy of a program is $2.50 per 15 minutes of recording (program length). Time will
be rounded up or down to the nearest 15 minutes.
4. The minimum fee for any copy is $2.50.
5. Without exception, any tape submitted to Community TV to be recorded on must be blank. Community TV assumes
no responsibility for the partial or complete erasure of anything previously recorded on the tape.
6. Community TV will notify the person purchasing the copy as soon as the copy is made. Any copies left at Community
TV one month after they have been made will be considered abandoned and will become the property of Community TV.
7. There will be no refunds.
6.3 Disciplinary Actions - Community TV reserves the right for the TV Coordinator
and/or the Telecommunications Commission to refuse services on a temporary or permanent basis or otherwise initiate
suspensions of services, disciplinary actions, sanctions, or otherwise legal action against individuals or organizations
interfering with or jeopardizing Community TV's operations or otherwise violating Community TV policies and procedures
- as presented in this handbook and/or as posted on the Community TV premises - under which Community TV provides
training, equipment, facilities, channel time, and other services.
Community TV staff members may request that an individual or individuals leave the Community TV premises immediately
as follows:
1. If an individual appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or consumes, sells or
dispenses drugs on the Community TV premises; or
2. If an individual interferes with the orderly conduct of Community TV staff, activities, facilities, or programs;
or
3. If an individual is currently under any membership sanctions or other disciplinary action.
Should a dispute arise, producers and/or volunteers should contact the TV Coordinator and arrange a meeting to
discuss the dispute. Appeals may be made to the Telecommunications Commission.
6.4 Community Bulletin Board - Community TV will maintain a computer generated Community
Bulletin Board for the purpose of publicizing Community TV programs and services, Community TV's cablecasting schedule,
agendas of units of government within the Community TV viewing area, public services of general community interest,
and a Calendar of Community Events.
Persons or organizations residing within the Community TV viewing area who wish to have an event publicized on
the Community Calendar will submit a signed Community Calendar Entry Form no earlier than one month before the
event and no later than two weeks before the event. Exceptions must be approved by the TV Coordinator and/or the
Telecommunications Commission.
The information on the form will include:
1. The name of the event sponsor, if any.
2. The name or description of the event.
3. The location of the event.
4. The date and time of the event.
5. The purpose of the event, if any.
6. A local phone number viewers may call for more information.
No commercial or private use of Community TV is allowed. Events publicized on the Community Calendar must therefore
be open to the general public and noncommercial or nonprofit in nature.
Section Seven
The Role of Community TV Staff
7.1 General -
The TV Coordinator and other members of the Community TV staff are regular part-time employees of the City of Stevens
Point and will follow all City of Stevens Point personnel policies.
7.2 The TV Coordinator - The TV Coordinator is the manager of the Telecommunications Department
of the City of Stevens Point, i.e., Community Television or Community TV. The TV Coordinator is directly supervised
by the Director of the City of Stevens Point's Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department. The TV Coordinator will
regularly report to the City of Stevens Point Telecommunications Commission.
In accord with the policies in this handbook and/or as posted on the premises of Community TV, the TV Coordinator
will manage and/or coordinate the following:
1. Use of Community TV, Stevens Point's Government and Public Access Channel.
2. Use of Community TV's studio, editing facility, and equipment.
3. Community TV's Certification and Training programs for producers and volunteers.
4. Community TV's Incentive program for certified producers and volunteers.
5. Development and management of Community TV's annual budget.
6. Hiring, training, and work of other Community TV staff members.
Other duties of the TV Coordinator will include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. Purchasing and maintaining equipment and purchasing other supplies.
2. Establishing and maintaining records of channel use, studio and editing facility use, equipment use, equipment
maintenance, requests for TV time, certification and training of producers and volunteers, etc.
3. Development and publication of Community TV's weekly cablecasting schedule.
4. Publicizing Community TV's certification, training, and incentive programs and other services provided by Community
TV.
5. Developing and maintaining correspondence with community groups and other potential producers of Public Access
programs.
The TV Coordinator will be the producer of Government Access programs including, but not limited to, live and/or
videotaped coverage of government meetings in the Stevens Point franchise area.
7.3 Other Community TV staff - Duties will be assigned by the TV Coordinator with consideration
given to the following priorities:
1. The Community TV staff members will take part in the production of City of Stevens Point Government Access programs
including, but not limited to, live and/or videotaped coverage of government meetings. They will transport, set
up, and/or operate the necessary equipment, performing the duties of Director, Audio Engineer, VTR Operator, Camera
Operator, etc.
2. The Community TV staff members will maintain the Community TV studio, editing facility, playback system, and
office. They will operate the playback system and update the Community Bulletin Board.
3. The Community TV staff members will operate the equipment in the Community TV studio and/or editing facility
as necessary for the production of programs by first-time users of Community TV during that producer's first studio
and/or editing session. Refer to Section Three of this handbook for details.
4. The Community TV staff members will teach classes to, provide hands-on training for, and assist Community TV
Certified Producers and Volunteers on the Community TV premises. Refer to Section Four of this handbook for details.
5. Community TV staff members, when available, may be required to perform the duties of camera or camcorder operators,
directors, audio and/or VTR engineers, editors, and other videography positions when requested by producers and
approved by the TV Coordinator.