Community Access Corporation

120 White Bridge Road, Box 45

Nashville, Tennessee 32709

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

October 7, 2009

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Dear Friend,

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Thank you for your support of Community Access Corporation, Nashville’s Channel 19. Because of some of the energizing things going on at the PEG Studio, this year you’re receiving a letter instead of a postcard, and you’re receiving it a bit later than usual.  We include in this mailing people who haven’t been involved at Channel 19 in years, in the hopes that CAC’s membership, and therefore CAC’s programming, will grow.  For those of you who have stayed with Channel 19 through the years, a special thank you for your loyal support. 

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

I hope you enjoy the following updates and will renew your membership while you have this letter in your hand.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Website

Tony Pratt, CAC Board member and producer, has been working on the Channel 19 website, and soon, we hope you’ll find it to be a rich resource.  We plan to include production class materials, policies and procedures, membership information, and producer resources. When you renew your membership, please be sure to include an email address, so we may inform you as new features become available.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Membership

In an effort to better communicate with our members and keep accurate, detailed records of membership gifts, Colleen “CC” Curtis, CAC Board member and producer, cleaned up and updated our member database. We plan to send out periodic emails with announcements to keep you apprised of happenings at your community access channel.  To keep costs down, next year, all membership renewals will be sent via email, and so it is essential that we have a current email address for all members.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Technology and Equipment

Mike Jennings and Marcus Petway, CAC Board members and producers, recently started the process of fixing the lights in the studio so that our producers are able to light and shoot shows better. 

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Jesse Goldberg, CAC Board member and producer, is in the nascent stages of working with Metro 3 staff (the Metro Government PEG channel, operated by Metro Information Technology Services), who are volunteering their time to troubleshoot and come up with a upgrade plan regarding the control room.  As many of you know, that facility is in need of updating and we have some equipment that simply no longer works.  We’re fortunate to have the generous support of capable engineers from Metro 3, along with producer members who are assisting in this process, as well as onsite help from John Ferguson of MEAC.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

John Ferguson has also been invaluable as we begin the process of automating our playback operation.  At this stage, it is essential that we move to a digital format – our DVC Pro players are old and extremely expensive to repair, and, eventually, automation will allow us to better allocate our limited resources to directly serve our members.  We will move to automation in the coming year.  Once again, all updates regarding format changes, and trainings related to the transition will be sent via email and will be posted on the website, so please be sure we have an active email address for you.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Orientation/Training Classes

The CAC Board recently established a committee to revamp the class format, instructor selection and supervision, scheduling process, curriculum, and producer certification.  We plan to have a basic class and an advanced class, and reference materials will be available on our website.  We already have a waiting list for classes, and so are working as quickly as possible to resume a class schedule.  For those of you on the waiting list, we appreciate your patience and hope that the wait will prove worthwhile.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Programming

Jesse Goldberg has had the pleasure of adding new programs to our schedule and is working through, with the advice of members, clear programming policies to allow each producer fair access to the channel. Thanks to those of you who are producing new shows, and to those who are thinking about doing so, please stop thinking and help us get your fresh programs on the air!

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Possible Reorganization

Last year Metro Nashville’s Finance Department conducted an audit of both MEAC (channels 9 and 10) and CAC (channel 19).  The findings of the audit have been helpful to CAC as we try to operate in efficient and effective ways to fulfill the mission of the organization.  In addition, the audit of all three channels contained recommendations for reorganization of the PEG channels.  Using the audit report and recommendations as a starting place, Metro ITS (the Metro department charged in the PEG charter with providing support to the PEG channels) held meetings with members of the executive committees of the concerned boards, Metro Council members, and other interested parties. Through this series of meetings, multiple iterations of a reorganization plan developed. More meetings are in the works, and there is not yet a final proposal to present.  The process remains transparent and fair, and we’re encouraged that reorganization may bring to bear technical, fiscal, and facility management from Metro ITS that will significantly bolster CAC’s ability to serve our community.  All parties agree that an essential requirement of any reorganization is that Channel 19 will maintain independent control of program content.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

To remain apprised of news related to CAC via email, your membership must be current.  To be current, we must receive your membership form (enclosed) with a correct email address and your full payment (check or money order only – please do not send cash), postmarked no later than Monday, October 26^th. To ensure that we receive them, please mail your payment and form – please do not hand-deliver it to the PEG Studio. 

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

We’ll post news and meeting announcements on our website, http://nashville19.org/, and we’ll also send out emails to current members.  CAC does not have the capacity to send mail or call members with this information.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Thank you for taking time to read this letter and for renewing your support of Channel 19 through your membership.  Please remember that the postmark deadline for membership renewal is Monday, October 26^th 2009.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Sincerely,

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Liz McLaurin

CAC Board Chair

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Below are email addresses of CAC Board members who might be able to assist you with questions. Remember that all board members are volunteers – please be respectful of their time if you contact them.  Also know that not all board members check email daily, and that some questions may need to be presented to the full CAC Board before an accurate answer may be given.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Membership

Colleen “C.C.” Curtis

entropy64@me.com

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Programming and training

Jesse Goldberg

jessetunes@aol.com

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Human resources

Luther Wright

LWRIGHT@BA-BOULT.COM

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Web site

Tony Pratt

pratttony@gmail.com

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Public relations

Marcie Smeck

marcie.smeck@ywcanashville.com

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Equipment/technology

Mike Jennings

nashvillespotlight@comcast.net

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Marcus Petway

marcuspetway@yahoo.com