Mountain Community TV Channel 15 (MCTV15)

Mountain Community TV Channel 15 (MCTV15)
a non-profit public service organization

August 2002

“History & Purpose of MCTV15”
Mountain Community TV-Channel 15, is dedicated to bringing television and multimedia based information to all Siskiyou County communities with the premise of fair public access to community content and information through this public access channel. The mission statement of MCTV15 is to provide, manage and protect the community’s access to Channel 15 and foster a better understanding of each neighbors unique community issues

Channel 15 has been used by the City of Mt. Shasta to air static text about city services, upcoming agendas and for live, fixed camera broadcast of council and planning commission meetings since 1997. The City of Mt. Shasta has a franchise agreement with Northland Cable TV to provide the public with access to their cable allocated Channel 15. As part of that agreement, the cable company is to provide airtime for a community access channel (identified as the local Public Education and Government channel (PEG)). In 1998 Diana Limjoco Pollard, MCTV15’s President and acting Executive Director, approached the city to request expansion of the PEG to include airing of locally produced videos that serve the arts and culture, education, social and health services, community vitality. In April 2000, MCTV15 received authorization from the Mt. Shasta City Council to manage and grow the station though the efforts of interested community volunteers. A new working volunteer board of 6 community members donated their time and their financial resources to form a 501c3 non-profit public service Corporation called Mountain Community TV-Channel-15. MCTV15 moved forward to formally acquire funding and community support to manage the station, produce programs and develop community awareness about public access to channel 15(PEG15). Other service areas of Northland Cable TV have similar agreements with the company, as does Siskiyou County. As we understand it, it would be possible to expand our broadcast capabilities to the entire south Siskiyou region in the not too distant future through partnerships with the other communities and College of the Siskiyous (COS). We also seek to continue a partnership with COS and county K-12 schools to involve students in production of programs relative to their interests.

Community television and multimedia encourages collaboration with all segments of our communities including education, art, culture, environment, health care, recreation and social services. Those individuals and organization interested in sharing information now have a vehicle to do so, and can do so without the tremendous expense usually involved with media development and distribution. It enhances awareness to the significant and special programs, people and events happening in our own communities that are often invisible or underexposed. It also aids in diminishing various economic and social boundaries, as well as individual personal limitations, by allowing those who do not have the immediate opportunity to directly experience events and get information that would usually be considered unattainable. Therefore it is our goal to continue to produce shows that feature all the above segments of our communities to the best of our abilities with the limited resources we have currently available to us.

Amount of money requested and specific use

MCTV15 requests $10,000 to purchase equipment that would allow for in house filming and production of local video content out in the community. The proposed equipment purchase is for the first phase of a complete editing studio facility similar to the community access television facility funded by McConnell in Yreka for YCTV-Channel 4. This purchase is for a portable camera, one digital non-linear editing station. There is already equipment for automated playback of videos for the local community and MCTV15 has been airing shows continuously for 4 years. This grant will allow MCTV15 to meet the growing requests from our community and enhance the presentation quality of live and taped events such as special requests from the community to film their seminars, Educational Materials and student activities from K through 12 Schools, cultural/artistic events and live broadcast of local governmental meetings.

The turnkey video editing system selected was due to its ease of use and affordable pricing. Complete turnkey systems insure fewer technical issues, and this particular system includes 1 year of free technical support. It’s design and ease of use will allow volunteers and other interested individuals to quickly and competently create quality content. It also includes a 4 hour videotape class which will be used to train volunteers and interested community participants on the proper use and handling of this equipment.

”NEED FOR PROJECT AND DIFFERENCE WE HOPE TO MAKE”
Channel 15 would like to expand the public’s opportunity to capture and create information with the greatest amount of detail and the least amount of interpretation, thus giving the audience the most significant amount of information and allowing them to develop their own views and perspectives based upon individual experience.
Building our sense of community in Mt. Shasta and reaching out to the southern Siskiyou communities of Weed, Dunsmuir and McCloud can be done through use of technology in television broadcasting and internet presence. Purchase of this equipment will allow us to teach our existing volunteers to learn skills in video production and editing. Their products will be shared on public access television in their communities to inform, educate and entertain citizens. Visitors to our area as well will have access to this content as many lodging establishments have connections to the local cable television system. We believe this exposure inside and outside of our communities strengthens our economy, sense of community pride and cooperation between communities.
Celebrating Community Partners –produced with the Mount Shasta Chamber of Commerce -In Production with Camera’s on loan to MCTV15 producer/videographer to show the community the businesses supporting and giving back to the Community

Since March-2002, MCTV15 has already produced or co-produced 6 Shows for and with College of the Siskiyous (see attached production budgets, press releases etc) three show requests from area groups to film events and/or educational videos to air to the general public on the public access TV station. We are not able to meet these growing requests relying only on volunteers to offer their own camera equipment and even COS can not enough time, with students taking precidents, over COS editing stations for MCTV15 produced shows. We have an immediate need to develop our filming capabilities in order to meet these requests. For example, Mt. Shasta’s Community Economic Development committee asked us to film a promotional video to highlight community accomplishments over the previous four years and encourage public participation at their annual meeting. They also requested live filming for airing on Channel 15 that night and tape recording of this meeting for subsequent airing. This is an excellent opportunity to serve our community by sharing information and encouraging public input for the future development of the area.

Volunteers are meeting this request through the generosity of Northland Cable TV and an intern student at COS is offering his own camera for the promotional video. Board and community volunteers are assisting with the production.

The Senior Project coordinator at Mt. Shasta High School expressed interest in steering students to us to learn video taping and editing skills, but we do not have the necessary equipment, only the resources of mentors and volunteers.

Leadership Siskiyou County would like to engage us to help film some success stories from their annual program to help educate the public and promote their program on air, encouraging county wide collaboration on projects and issues.
Rural Elders sees an opportunity to have their Alzheimer Awareness seminars filmed and rebroadcast for citizen education.

Police and Fire groups would like the opportunity to film safety videos that could assist citizens during times of crises or hazardous weather conditions, as well as offer interactive programming to improve city/citizen relations.

The College of the Siskiyous (COS) with the support of their technology department has already funded and co produced the MCTV-15 7 shows called Spotlight on Education. Their proposed mission is to network Siskiyou County communities and assist in their endeavors by facilitating a central operation of local cable programming that reflects the diverse interests, activities and viewpoints of citizens county wide. COS can play a pivotal role in providing additional technology, expertise, student intern support,administration,staffing and developmental leadership to MCTV15 and all other P.E.G. endeavors.(see attachment of newspaper article highlighting COS’s “Spotlight on Education” series developed in cooperation with MCTV15).
IN PRODUCTION:
Celebrating Community Partners –produced with the Mount Shasta Chamber of Commerce -In Production with Camera’s on loan to MCTV15 producer/videographer to show the community the businesses supporting and giving back to the Community

THE FAIRE DEVINE- a Classical concert and Shakespeare concert sponsored by the Siskiyou Arts Council- a playback so those who could not attend this spectacular classical event can watch it free from home. (Still photo recaps can be seen on MCTV15 website at

“Itemized project budget detailing all aspects of how the project will be funded.”

As defined,this project is for the equipment purchase for community access television. We have attempted to paint the bigger picture of direction that MCTV15 is going with the financial and in-kind assistance of community, public and private contributions in the next section. With McConnell Foundation’s help to provide first phase field and editing equipment, MCTV15 can then approach corporate sponsors for various video productions, enabling us to cover the financial needs of overall organizational goals. We will not only be able to provide a variety of programming services to all facets of the community, but would also be able to edit the product ourselves and offer products for sale to produce regular income for the organization.

Volunteer participation
MCTV15 has a volunteer board of 7 variously skilled and highly dedicated members doing daily what it takes to share our community’s information; taping and scheduling shows, programming the community shows and our text based PSA’s (Public Service Announcements), marketing, various TV and multimedia exposure, general office duties, filing, bookkeeping. Our board meets monthly to collectively discuss our ongoing projects and look at future goals. We are also working with Yreka Community TV Channel 4 to collaboratively cover and air events throughout Siskiyou county. Northland Cable has and continues to donate technical assistance, cables, channel 3 exposure, and related equipment. Their contributions as well as the other volunteer contributions are outlined in detail. See attachment #
Community television allows a unique opportunity for communities, to the share information and experiences that are of direct significance and importance to those who live there. It creates a natural environment of exchange of ideas and information, and promotes that concept that information, experiential and educational, can be created and shared by those most directly involved. Community television is also an educational vehicle both in content and in concept. Due to the fact that these entities rely heavily on volunteer support, community television provides an environment where individuals can obtain training and access to multimedia equipment for use on projects in their own communities.

see attachment#

“Project time line, including a projected completion date”

MCTV 15 is ready with an equipment list to purchase as soon as funding becomes available. The “project” is the purchase of equipment, which we would like to complete by July 2002 in order to meet the many requests from the community for location shooting and airing of edited products on our public access Channel 15. Long-term projections for its use in and around the Mt. Shasta and southern Siskiyou County areas run well in to the future.

“Personnel responsible for carrying out the project”

Equipment purchases will be made by volunteer Executive Director, Diana Pollard with the assistance of volunteer Vince Reinig from Northland Cable TV. The MCTV15 Board of Directors will be accountable for coordinating volunteer training on the equipment, scheduling of its use, and record keeping of equipment use. The City of Mt. Shasta has provided for secure space for storage of all equipment with access by authorized personnel only until such time as larger studio space can be obtained.
“Plan for supporting project after grant funds have been expended:”

Since the inception of the idea to develop the community access television station in the Mt. Shasta area over four years ago, we have come a long way due to the efforts of outstanding volunteers, and support from our city and community. We now request that the support from the community be matched with grant funding to purchase needed camera and editing equipment. MCTV15 wants to meet the requests from the community for expanded PEG broadcasting through volunteer efforts and strengthen our partnerships with College of the Siskiyous (COS), Mercy Hospital, Mt. Shasta School Districts, Siskiyou Arts Council, Northland Cable TV and eventually, the south Siskiyou communities of McCloud, Dunsmuir and Weed whose events we already cover, but cannot yet air in those towns.

“List of Board members”

Diana Pollard, Acting Executive Director and Board President – 530-926-1230 or 530-918-1039

Audra Gibson, Secretary, Mt. Shasta City Council liaison- Tel 530-926-5966

Joan Lucas, Program Director- 530-926-6635
Lisa Stevens, Treasurer-
Cindy Summers- Multimedia production/videographer
Maciej Mrotek, COS technology student/videographer

Advisory members: Vince Reinig, Northland Cable TV/videographer
Greg Jones, College of the Siskiyous
City Administrator of Mt. Shasta (Interim Administrator, Bob Christofferson).

“Current Income and Expense Statements and Balance sheet”

MCTV CHANNEL 15

Income Statement

As of August 2002

Date CKNum Description Memo Category ClrAmount

11/27/01 DEPOpening DepositDonation 91.00

2/7/02 DEPJanice EdwardsAiring donation 25.00

4/16/02 DEPCollege Of The Siskiyous Production 420.00

4/16/02 1 Ray Berry-COS-MCTV15 with Greg Jones-Producer fee -380.00

4/18/02 2 Robin TaylorMarketing expense -20.00

5/23/02 DEP Dunsmuir H.S/COS show " Our water" Production 200.00

6/5/02 3Ray BerryCOS-MCTV15 with Greg Jones-Producer fee -140.00

6/5/02 4Maciej Mrotek-student Intern-Videographer fee -20.00

6/5/02 5Greg Jones-COS"Our water " with Dunsmuir HS-Producer fee -30.00

7/1/02 DEPWeed H.S. & COS Distance Learnin-Production420.00

7/1/02 6Ray BerryCOS- with Greg JonesProducer fee -280.00

7/1/02 7Greg JonesProducer fee-90.00

7/1/02 8Maciej MrotekStudent InternVideographer fee-20.00

7/6/02 DEPCollege Of The SiskiyousGear Up ShowProduction100.00

7/8/02 9Greg Jones- Producer fee- 90.00

7/16/02 1001Advanced Video Systems-Leightronics Model # PRJVIR pro bus new switcher to broadcast 2nd show -107.93

7/24/02 DEPCity Of Mt. Shasta-MS City 500.00

7/24/02 1002Diana PollardMCTV15 T-shirts for 4th July Events-150.00

8/8/2002 DEP Lisa Polevoy- Cash donation +25.00

TOTAL 11/27/01 - 7/24/02 453.07

BALANCE 7/24/02 453.07

TOTAL INFLOWS1,756.00

TOTAL OUTFLOWS-1,327.93

Other 0

EXPENSES:
Donations/In-Kind $35,268.80

NET CASH BALANCE $236.28

NOTE: All accounting activity to date has been in the form of either cash donations ($236.28), in kind service donations ($28,968.80), or equipment in kind donations ($6,300.00)

MCTV CHANNEL 15

Balance Sheet

As of August 16, 2002

ASSETS:

Current Cash Assets:

Checking /Savings Scott Valley Bank$ 236.28

Total Cash Assets: $236.28

In kind Services

Northland Cable- $17,445.00

DJL Digital Designs-website/continued updates $ 4,443.80

City of Mt. Shasta- office space annual free rent $ 1,800.00

Aiello, Goodrich & Teuscher- State/federal filings $ 450.00

New Earth Monkey Productions-Marketing/promotions $ 1,000.00

Yreka Community Television-show edititng $ 525.00

Joan Lucas - Programming $2,100.00

Siskiyou Arts Council- Rent-old office space 1 mo. $ 750.00

Pages Copying Center-flyers $ 65.00

Community Access Implementation Guide $ 190.00

Scott Valley Bank - meeting space, accounting $ 200.00

Total In kind Services $ 28,968.80

Fixed Assets donated:

Equipment In kind

DJL Digital Designs- 2 PC’s and 1 VCR $ 600.00

Mole Richardson Studios Hollywood-1 PC-runs switcher $1,000.00

City of Mt. Shasta - Switching Software/1 Copy Machine $4,500.00

Doris Moss Realty - 1 VCR $100.00

Barnes - 1 VCR $100.00
1 TV playback monitor-Northland Cable $150.00

Total Equipment In kind $6,300.00

Fixed assests purchased from MCTV funds
2nd Leightronics automatic switchers to run shows 107.93

TOTAL ASSETS $35,505.08

TOTAL LIABILITIES $0.00

TOTAL EQUITY

Capital Contributions (In kind and Donations) $35,505.08

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $35,505.08