Policies

June 22 2004 DRAFT Revisions from 6/21/04 Board Meeting
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Nevada County Television (NCTV)
161 Nevada City Highway, Nevada City, CA. 95959
530-478-6400 ext. 249 Fax: 530-478-6410
Lew@nevco.k12.ca.us Web Page: www.nevadacountytv.org

POLICIES

SECTION 1 – MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of NCTV is to strengthen and enrich the spirit of community in Nevada County by fostering communication through public, educational and governmental access television and other electronic media. NCTV is committed to supporting freedom of speech and expression, encouraging diverse points of view while building common ground in our community.

SECTION 2 - GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 NCTV Definition
Nevada County Television (NCTV) is an organization operated by Nevada County Superintendent of Schools (NCSOS) under the auspices of Partners In Education (P.I.E), a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation. The NCTV Executive Director reports to NCSOS and P.I.E. NCSOS has agreed to operate NCTV under an agreement with the cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City and Nevada County. Representatives from the two cities and the county are members of the Advisory Board. NCTV’s primary goal is to empower individuals and groups from the community to produce and submit for cablecast programs by, for and about the Nevada County area. NCTV provides development in media literacy and video production training as well as providing the facilities needed to produce local community programming. NCTV helps people become effective communicators and users of traditional and emerging communication technology. NCTV operates public, education and governmental access in accordance with the cable franchise ordinances.
2.2 NCTV Governance
NCTV operations, facilities and channel space are governed by policies and procedures developed by the staff, NCTV Advisory Board, the Executive Director, NCSOS and P.I.E. Day-to-day and ongoing activities and functions of NCTV operations are carried out by a professional staff under the direction of the Executive Director. The Executive Director is contracted by and reports to the NCSOS superintendent, the NCSOS Board and the P.I.E Board. Additionally, the NCTV Advisory Board provides guidance to the NCTV Executive Director concerning the development of policies and procedures. The Advisory Board consists of one member each appointed by the city councils of Grass Valley City, Nevada City; and one member each from Nevada County Supervisors, Sierra College-Grass Valley Campus, and NCSOS. Four additional members are selected from the community by the governmental appointees. A total of nine members compose the Advisory Board.
2.2.1 Election of NCTV Advisory Board officers will take place the beginning of each calendar year and will consist of Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. Terms will be for one year.
2.2.2 Vacancies. When at-large vacancies of the Advisory Board occur, the Advisory Board will advertise on the NCTV website and the NCTV Bulletin Board. Applications will be accepted and voted on by the Advisory Board.
2.2.3 Vacancies of elected or appointed officials. Each governmental or educational institution will be requested by the Board to fill the vacancy as quickly as possible.
2.2.4 (Subjec to approval, if necessary, by the associated governmental bodies) Up to six at-large member are selected from the community by the existing Advisory Board so as to enlarge the Advisory Board to a total of 11 members. Terms of membership are for two years but members my reapply as there are no term limits.
2.3 NCTV Staff
NCTV staff trains and assists producers in learning how to create programs and operate equipment. Generally, staff assistance will be minimal after producers learn to produce, shoot and edit their own programs. Staff is also responsible for the maintenance of all equipment and facilities, scheduling the cablecasting and playback of programs on NCTV Channel 11. The administrative staff manages the day-to-day business operations of NCTV. Staff is responsible for the maintenance of the facility and all equipment..
2.4 Membership
Membership in NCTV is required to use the NCTV facility and equipment. The Advisory Board may recommend a schedule of membership dues, rights and responsibilities.

SECTION 3 - COMMUNITY USE OF FACILITY
3.1 Membership
Proof of membership is required before any individual may receive station benefits (i.e. use of studios, equipment and facility). Membership is not required to submit programming.
3.2 Age
Although there is no minimum age restriction, residents under the age of 18 years must have a Parental/Guardian Consent and Financial Liability Form on file. Programs submitted by individuals under the age of 18 must have their Program Submission Form signed by a parent or guardian. Those under the age of 16 will not be permitted to check out equipment or use the production facility unless accompanied by an adult. Users of all ages must complete all appropriate certification requirements as set forth in these rules and procedures.

SECTION 4 – TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
4.1 Workshops and Classes
NCTV will offer a basic Orientation Workshop which shall be provided free of charge. Other free or fee-based workshops and classes may also be offered. The class schedule and fees shall be available at NCTV’s offices, displayed on Channel 11, and published on the NCTV Website.
4.2 Certification
Individuals who attend required video production classes and/or demonstrate proficiency will be certified for use on the equipment covered by that certification. Completion of each production workshop and records of certification will be filed at NCTV.
4.3 Certification Renewal
To keep certification active, a member must maintain a current membership and must use the equipment or facility at least once a year. After a period of one year without use of equipment or facility, the member must pass the current certification examination.

SECTION 5 - EQUIPMENT AND FACILITY USE
5.1 Prerequisites and Limitations
Having successfully received the appropriate certification, members may reserve NCTV facility and equipment for the production or cablecast of access programming. NCTV may establish limits for the use of the studio and other resources.
5.2 Damage or Loss
Members will sign the NCTV Equipment/Facility Request Form agreeing to be financially responsible for damage or loss of equipment during the period it is in their possession. Lost or damaged equipment must be repaired or replaced with identical equipment within thirty days. Failure to comply within this time period may result in suspension from use of all NCTV facility and all equipment until the lost or damaged item has been replaced or repaired, or may result in legal action. The member will not be responsible for normal wear and tear of equipment.
5.3 Check Out
Portable equipment will be checked out and in by NCTV staff. Equipment will be thoroughly examined both at check out and return to determine the condition of the equipment at that time. Members should allow time in their production planning for this procedure.
5.4 Practice
New workshop graduates may reserve the production facility and equipment for the purpose of practicing. It is understood, however, that access productions in progress will take precedence and the member may be required to relinquish their practice time to facilitate the production’s completion.

SECTION 6 - PROGRAMMING
6.1 Submitting Entity

All programming must be submitted by a Nevada County resident or local organization.
6.2 Program Content
Presentation of program content designed to promote the sale or exchange of goods or services is prohibited on NCTV. In regards to all other materials, it is the policy of NCTV not to preview such material for the purpose of content. NCTV shall not act as a censor to such materials prior to transmission on the access channels. NCTV shall not accept liability for programs which may subject the producer or other responsible party or parties to criminal prosecution or civil liability.
6.3 Potentially Objectionable Material
Producers are responsible for indicating on the Program Submission Form the appropriate category of the TV Parental Guidelines published by the TV Parental Monitoring Board (see www.tvguidelines.org). Programs in the following two categories must begin with a message advising viewer discretion:
a) TV14 includes one or more of the following: intense violence, intense sexual situations, strong coarse language, or intensely suggestive dialogue.
b) TVMA includes graphic violence, explicit sexual activity, or crude indecent language.
Further details shall be developed by NCTV and published in the Procedures Manual.
6.4 Viewer Complaints
NCTV staff will notify producers of the nature of all viewer complaints. Viewers wishing to file a formal complaint may do so in writing on the form provided by NCTV for this purpose. Viewer Complaint Forms and a description of the complaint process are available at NCTV upon request. All formal, written complaints will be presented to the Executive Director for review unless resolution of the complaint can be accomplished to the satisfaction of all parties at an earlier stage in the process.
6.5 Program Scheduling
All producers must submit, sign and complete a Program Submission Form which shall include their name, address, phone number, program description, requested day, date and time, as well as a statement of compliance with the rules and procedures set forth in this document. Series producers need only submit one form for each series unless there are major changes in content or rating. These requests must be submitted in person. Requests for channel time will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

6.5.1 Times - Completed programs are submitted to NCTV. Submitted programs will be scheduled for cablecast at least once. Program providers may request specific cablecast times, and staff will match channel space with requested times whenever possible, according to guidelines established by NCTV.

6.5.2 Priority - In scheduling programs on the NCTV channel, first priority is given to programs produced by Nevada County residents. Any program with a substantial amount of local production work by a local resident is considered locally-produced. Satellite or imported videotaped programs will have second priority. The person submitting the program is solely responsible for authorized distribution of the program. Repeated cablecasts of any program may be scheduled as time permits at the discretion of NCTV staff.

6.5.3 Community Bulletin Board - It shall be understood that the computer-generated Community Bulletin Board is a service provided both to and for the community. NCTV shall establish procedures for submission of announcements for the Community Bulletin Board.

6.5.4 Public Access Programming for Political Candidates - Candidates and advocates for ballot issues are welcome to utilize NCTV services on the same terms as any other access users. NCTV will not, however, schedule any programming endorsing particular issues or candidates within 24 hours of any election.

6.5.5 Special Programming- NCTV reserves the right to pre-empt any program for the presentation of a “Special” production or other non-scheduled programming. In such cases, NCTV will reschedule the pre-empted program and notify the producer of the scheduling change. All live programming must be simultaneously videotaped on NCTV stock and a copy left at NCTV immediately following the production.

SECTION 7 – RECORDING MEDIA
To ensure consistent transmission quality and protect its equipment, NCTV shall establish technical requirements and loan policies for videotape and other production and playback consumable materials. A videotape may contain only one program. A DVD may contain more than one program, but a menu compatible with NCTV’s ingestion equipment must be included.

SECTION 8 - PERSONAL CONDUCT
8.1 Smoking - Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the NCTV facility.
8.2 Alcohol and Drug Free Zone – NCTV is a drug and alcohol-free facility. Use of alcohol or drugs is prohibited at the NCTV facility. No one will be permitted to use the facility or equipment while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Membership will be revoked if alcohol or drugs are brought into or on the grounds of NCTV.
8.3 Food and Drink
Consumption of food is restricted to the classroom and table areas only. Members are responsible for cleaning up after themselves and those associated with their production.
8.4 Spirit of Cooperation
NCTV members are expected to exhibit a spirit of cooperation at all times. The facility belongs to everyone. Courtesy, understanding and flexibility will result in a more productive facility for everyone.
8.5 Harassment
It is the policy of NCTV to promote a work place free of tensions involving matters which are not related to NCTV business. It is the policy of NCTV that an environment of tension created by ethnic or religious remarks, offensive jokes or language, animosity, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or conduct of a sexual nature does not belong in the community’s television facility. Sexual considerations or favors shall not be used as a condition of employment, volunteer status, use of the facility, scheduling, or affect any personnel decisions, such as hiring, promotion, or compensation. If any such verbal or physical conduct interferes with an individual’s work performance or volunteer status, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work/volunteer environment, the offended individual shall notify management. The claim will promptly be reviewed and investigated.

SECTION 9 - PROGRAM AND TAPE RIGHTS
9.1 Prior Permission for Dubs of Others
NCTV will not make copies of programs for anyone without the producer’s permission. Crew and talent may be given prior permission for dubs by including them in the “Crew and Talent” section of the Program Submission Form.
9.2 NCTV Playback Rights
Upon permission from the producer, NCTV may play back any program at any time, to “bicycle” the program to other cable systems for non-commercial use, and to use excerpts of programs in promotional events.
9.3 Procedure for Requesting Dubs
With permission of the producer, NCTV staff will make dubs for a fee. Members may not make dubs using NCTV equipment.


SECTION 10 – FUNDING ACCESS PROGRAMS

10.1 Sources for Financial Aid

A producer may recover costs through grants from foundations, organizations, individuals or underwriting.

10.2 Underwriting

Community producers are permitted to seek underwriting for their productions. The producer may give on-air credit to the person or organization that has given financial or in-kind support for the production or promotion of a program subject to the following guidelines:

10.2.1 - Underwriting credits must name the donor in mission-statement terminology that is neither commercial nor promotional in language. Underwriter credits may include:
a) A logo or slogan that identifies but does not promote;
b) Location, phone number, email address, or web site;
c) Value-neutral descriptions of a product line or service with no use of comparative or qualitative descriptions such as “efficient, economical, dependable, dedicated, prompt, fair price, reliable and excellent.”

10.2.2 - Place credits at the opening, logical mid-breaks and/or ending of the program with a maximum of two credit sequences per half-hour;

10.2.3 - Individual underwriters credit time shall not exceed 15 seconds in length. Total credit time for all underwriters shall not exceed 3 minutes per 30 minutes of program time.

10.2.4 - Free use of access facilities and equipment is not intended for the financial gain or employment of the producer. NCTV facilities are available to the public for the purpose of non-commercial community access cablecasting. Any use of these facilities that is commercial in nature and/or not intended to result in a program cablecast on the access channels is forbidden. Non-compliance to the above may result in being banned indefinitely from the facility.

10.2.5 – Independently-produced programs are the property of the producer.

10.3 Exemptions for Non-profit Organizations

10.2.1 - For the purposes of this section, “Non-profit Organization” includes tax-exempt non-profit corporations operating in Nevada County and local government agencies.

10.2.2 - Non-profit organizations may solicit funds for purposes consistent with their charter and/or Articles of Incorporation a maximum of two times in a calendar year. Any solicitation is limited to no more than one minute per thirty minutes of programming.

10.3 Organizational Underwriting

NCTV’s underwriting policy will allow individuals and businesses to be solicited to underwrite the general operational costs of NCTV.


SECTION 11 – MEETING SPACE
NCTV will provide meeting space for any member for planning during regular station operating hours. Based upon availability, space is scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Set-up and cleanup are the responsibility of the member scheduling the meeting space.


SECTION 12 - LEASING EQUIPMENT
NCTV facility and equipment may be available for lease for the production of video programs on materials for commercial or private use. NCTV staff will not reserve equipment for lease if, in the judgment of the on-duty staff, such use would negatively impact community access use.

SECTION 13 - SERIES PROGRAMS
13.1 Producing a Series
A series is a group of programs with a similar theme or idea. Series producers who utilize the NCTV facility are encouraged to complete a video production certification and to volunteer on two other shows prior to beginning production on their own series.
13.2 Series Scheduling
Series will be scheduled in regular time slots which may be reserved in 13-week segments, then reviewed to make sure other locally produced programs are not waiting for available time slots. To ensure that channel time is available to as many producers as possible, NCTV is under no obligation to continue a program in the same time slot beyond the maximum 13 week period. NCTV has the right to rerun any episode of the program it needs to fill available time slots. Series may be weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly as scheduling permits.
13.3 Program Delivery
New episodes must be delivered to NCTV in a consistent and timely fashion. Failure to provide new programs for two weeks in a row with no good cause may result in the loss of the regularly scheduled time slot.
13.4 Series Agreements
All series producers sign an agreement with NCTV agreeing to produce a specific number of programs for cable-casting on specific dates. Failure to produce and provide timely episodes as per agreement without good cause may result in the cancellation of the series.
13.4 Series Length
Series Agreements will be for no more than 12 months. Monthly series have 12 programs; semi-monthly series have 24; bi-weekly series have 26; weekly series have 52.

Updated: June 28, 2004 by Dave Bloch