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Falls Area Community Television, INC.

1 Hospital Court, Bellows Falls, VT 05101

802-463-1613

Policies & Procedures

These procedures are created to insure that the equipment and facilities of Falls Area Community Television (referred to FACT TV) are used in a manner that is consistent with all applicable state and federal policies, regulations and licenses and that ensures fair and equal access for all parties.

The fundamental rationale for the existence of Falls Area Community Television and its cable channels is to provide public access users with equipment and resources that will enable them to produce quality programming that is of interest and value to the subscribers of the cable systems of Bellows Falls, Grafton, Saxtons River, Athens, Westminster and Keene and other communities served by Comcast, Vtel, Spectrum Cable Corporation or its successors.

Membership


All residents of Rockingham, Brookline, Bellows Falls, Grafton, Saxtons River, Athens, Westminster, and Keene are eligible for membership, granting them the right to vote for the Falls Area Community Television (FACT) Board during the annual meeting. Additionally, individuals who do not reside within our service area can apply for membership upon the completion of five (5) hours of volunteer service for FACT.

Community Bulletin Board


The Community Bulletin Board will be used between scheduled programs for continuous display of computer-generated graphics containing public service announcements. Local sponsorships will be displayed on the bulletin board and only be used to show business name, logo, establishment photos, contact information and hours of operation. No commercial information such as the following shall be permitted: mention of specific items, products, prices, costs, percentages, or discount information.



Public Service Announcements (PSA‘s)


FACT provides airtime for members, viewers, and subscribers (clients) of the cable systems in local communities to broadcast announcements that promote programs, activities, events, and services of community interest, called “Public Service Announcements.”

Public Service Announcements (PSA’s) will be displayed on the televised bulletin board.



Design, Edit, and Production Services:


In keeping with the spirit and mission of public access television to provide all community members access to studio, equipment, and staff to produce quality programming, FACT strongly encourages the clients to design, film, edit, and produce PSA’s. However, FACT management understands that clients may require assistance from time-to-time. If assistance is needed to design, film, edit, or produce PSA‘s, FACT will request payment for those specific services.

Channel Scheduling


Check with the station manager for specific scheduling policies and procedures. Public access programming will be scheduled on a first-come-first served basis. Falls Area Community Television may limit the use of equipment and channel time by a single user to ensure that these resources are equally and fairly available to all users.


To schedule access time, a user must submit an APPLICATION FOR CABLECASTING OF AN ACCESS PROGRAM form. Such forms will not be accepted or scheduled beyond the station manager’s specified period in advance of the time requested. Falls Area Community Television must receive program media at least five (5) days prior to the requested cable cast date.

Falls Area Community Television reserves the right to reschedule any program or equipment use when an emergency message or broadcast requires it. Although Falls Area Community Television makes every effort to cable cast all programs

that are scheduled, in the event of technical difficulties or emergency, Falls Area Community Television will reschedule the program at the next available time slot.


Eligible producers may schedule equipment use time by submitting an APPLICATION FOR CABLECASTING OF AN ACCESS PROGRAM to the station manager. Such forms will not be accepted or scheduled more than six months in advance of the time requested. Use of Falls Area Community Television equipment will be scheduled on a first-come-first-served basis. Producers requesting to transport Falls Area Community Television equipment are required to show proof of a valid driver’s license and insurance.

Training

One of the functions of Falls Area Community Television is to offer regular workshops open to FACT TV members and other community members, instructing participants in the operation and use of Falls Area Community Television’s equipment. These workshops will be conducted for a minimal charge (or no charge) to the participants.


Periodically, training workshops for certification will be held on the following subjects:


* BASIC CAMERA OPERATION: covers the

fundamentals of camera setup, operation and care of camera equipment.


* VIDEO EDITING: planning and operation of video editing and title

insertion equipment.


Other workshops maybe held as the need arises. Video production workshops may require a fee. Participants who complete a training workshop will be certified by the station and registered to operate and use the equipment of Falls Area Community Television. The station manager will maintain a registration list of certified individuals.

Use of Station Equipment and Facilities

Equipment purchased and pwned by Falls Area Community Television and or the City of Keene may be used by cable subscribers to originate and produce programming for use on Falls Area Community Television’s public access channels.


Cable subscribers who have successfully completed the training course through Falls Area Community Television are eligible to use the station’s equipment at no cost. Users under the age of eighteen (18) must have an advisor/producer who will supervise and be responsible for equipment and program content.


The producer is solely financially responsible to ensure that Falls Area Community Television equipment is not left in any vehicle overnight, and will be transported in a lockable, secure, weatherproof vehicle, and that the equipment will not be exposed to an avoidable risk of theft, extreme temperatures, or damage. Falls Area Community Television may decline to authorize equipment use in cases, which represent an unreasonable risk to the equipment.


Studio space/ Equipment rental/ Production Services

If you're interested in using FACT's resources but don't wish to broadcast the content on public access or if your content is commercial in nature, FACT can happily rent out equipment or provide production services for a reasonable fee. However, please be aware that FACT cannot guarantee the constant availability of equipment, studio space, or production services. Availability is contingent upon whether the equipment or studio is currently being used by FACT members for public access TV content production.

In terms of fees and charges, these will be assessed based on the specific equipment required, the duration of use, and whether any production services from a FACT employee are needed. Rest assured, we strive to accommodate your needs while maintaining fair and transparent pricing.


Repair/Maintenance of Equipment

Falls Area Community Television will provide maintenance and repair of all station equipment. Producers are requested to immediately report any equipment failure or difficulty of operation to the station manager for repair or replacement. IN NO EVENT IS A PRODUCER TO ATTEMPT TO ALLOW OTHERS TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR OR MODIFY STATION EQUIPMENT. PRODUCERS WHO VIOLATE OR PERMIT OTHERS TO VIOLATE THIS REGULATION WILL BE DENIED FUTURE USE OF STATION EQUIPMENT.

Liability

Falls Area Community Television’s equipment and channels may be used during regularly scheduled times at no cost to the towns of Rockingham, Grafton, Athens, Westminster, Brookline, and the Villages of Bellows Falls, and Saxtons River or FACT TV members.


Producers are responsible for financial and legal arrangements involved in the production of their shows, including release forms, licenses, permits, and contracted and incurred costs.


Falls Area Community Television is a non-profit public access entity and does not operate for the profit of any person or corporation. Commercial or "for profit" use of Falls Area Community Television equipment is strictly prohibited and will result in the denial of access privileges.

In the event that any producer, photographer, or other person realizes income from a project produced using Falls Area Community Television facilities, Falls Area Community Television is entitled to 20% of such income. Commercial or "for profit" use of Falls Area Community Television's equipment or facilities is strictly prohibited unless the individual or entity has paid the rental fee for the use of the facility or equipment. Rental fees will be determined by FACT employees and will be assessed based on the facility and/or equipment used and services rendered.

Producer Responsibilities

Falls Area Community Television actively solicits and encourages volunteers from the towns served to develop and produce programming of local appeal for use on Falls Area Community Television. All programming produced using station facilities are intended for use on Falls Area Community Television channel's.


Employees of FACT (hereinafter referred to as "Employees") are expressly prohibited from engaging in the filming, editing, or any other form of production-related activities concerning your programs during their compensated employment hours, except in the case of live studio productions. Notwithstanding the aforementioned restrictions, Employees may, at their sole discretion, choose to offer their assistance to the producers in either a voluntary capacity or as independent contractors, subject to the explicit understanding that such services shall be rendered exclusively outside the scope of their regular employment hours with FACT.

Program Content

  1. Editorial Control and Disclaimer: Notwithstanding the fact that FACT does not exercise editorial control over the content of submitted programs, it retains the right to append a disclaimer to any program, absolving FACT from any association or liability arising from the content therein.
  2. Program Scheduling and Content Appropriateness: FACT reserves the right to schedule programs at its sole discretion, taking into consideration factors such as relevance, viewer demographics, and the likelihood of children being within the viewing audience. This may include, but is not limited to, the scheduling of programs containing nudity, explicit language, and/or violence during time slots when children are less likely to be watching.

Program Compliance

Presentation of the following on Falls Area Community Television channels is strictly prohibited:



  • Commercial Promotion: The submission of material explicitly promoting a product, service, trade, business, or individual is generally prohibited, with the sole exception of content related to FACT sponsors.


  • Trademark and Brand Usage: The inclusion of any product, service, trademark, or brand name in submitted material must not be in connection with commercial purposes, except for content pertaining to FACT sponsors.


  • Fraudulent Material: Content intended to deceive or defraud viewers, obtain private information, or containing false or misleading representations, promises, or pretenses is strictly prohibited.


  • Solicitation of Funds: Direct or indirect solicitation of funds is disallowed, with the exception of fundraising activities undertaken by or on behalf of FACT.


  • Political Advertising: All forms of political advertising are prohibited. However, candidate or issue forums to which all relevant parties have been invited, as well as public meetings open to all candidates, are permitted.


  • Unlawful Material: Submitted content must not constitute libel, slander, pornography, or infringe upon trademarks or copyrights. Additionally, all submissions must comply with local, state, and federal laws, including Federal Communications Commission regulations.

Copyright Liability

It is the sole responsibility of producers to abide by all applicable state and federal policies regarding copyright law for both visual and audible programming. Falls Area Community Television assumes no liability relative to copyright clearance or expense.


Producer Privileges

Producer Representation: Producers must identify themselves as "Community Producers" and are strictly prohibited from presenting themselves as representatives of FACT's cable channel providers, their successors, or as representatives of FACT itself, unless expressly authorized to do so in the context of covering a specific event for FACT. Producers bear sole responsibility for their programs and must comply with all applicable FACT policies and procedures, as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations.


Suspension or Revocation of Access: FACT reserves the right to suspend or revoke access to its facilities, equipment, or other resources for any producer who:


  1. Misuses or abuses equipment;
  2. Fails to return equipment in a timely manner;
  3. Verbally or physically abuses employees, interns, or volunteers.


Maintaining a Safe Environment: Should any FACT staff member perceive a person as posing a physical threat to others, FACT management, Board, and staff reserve the right to have the offending individual removed and reported to the appropriate authorities. Anyone disrupting the orderly conduct of business will be asked to leave immediately.


Equipment Tampering: Any individual found tampering with station equipment, particularly if it results in programming interruptions, will have their privileges revoked.


Indemnification: All users of FACT channels, facilities, and equipment must indemnify and hold harmless FACT, its staff, volunteers, subcontractors, Greater Rockingham Area Services, and the Board of Directors of FACT against any and all liabilities arising from such use or any breach of operating policies.



Problem Resolution

Mission: Falls Area Community Television is to provide all community members the opportunity to produce local programming on the PEG access channels. We are committed to serving the Public, Educational, and Government sectors of the community on a first-come, first-serve, nondiscriminatory basis, by ensuring that people have access to the studio, equipment and staff that will enable them to produce quality programming that is of interest and value to the members, viewers, and subscribers of the cable systems in the local communities served by Comcast Cable Corporation or its successors.

Equipment and facilities of FACT are used in a manner that is consistent with all applicable state and federal policies, regulations, and licenses. FACT makes every effort to ensure fair and equal access of equipment and facilities for all community members.



Problem Resolution: Part of FACT’s commitment to the community is to encourage an open and frank atmosphere in which members, viewers, and subscribers may voice any problem, complaint, suggestion, or question; and that concerns receive a timely response from FACT management.

FACT strives to ensure fair and honest treatment to all members, viewers, and subscribers. Members, viewers, subscribers, and FACT management are expected to treat each other with mutual respect. Members, viewers, and subscribers are encouraged to offer positive and constructive criticism.


As members, viewers, and subscribers, you have the opportunity to contribute to the success and growth of FACT by voicing your concerns. The management of FACT welcomes and encourages all positive and constructive suggestions. Quality communication and solutions benefit both FACT and it’s members, viewers, and subscribers.


If a member, viewer, or subscriber disagrees with established rules, policies, or practices of FACT, they can express their concerns through the problem resolution procedure by making use of the following steps set forth by the Board of Directors:


  1. Member, viewer, or subscriber presents the problem to the Executive Director. The Executive Director responds to the problem during discussion with the member, viewer, or subscriber.
  2. If the Executive Director is unavailable, or the member, viewer, or subscriber believes it would be inappropriate to contact that person, the problem may be presented by the member, viewer, or subscriber at a regularly scheduled board of directors meeting. The problem may also be presented to the President of the Board of Directors or any member of the board. A problem presented to the President of the Board or other member of the board will be placed on the agenda of the regularly scheduled board of directors meeting for discussion with the Executive Director.
  3. The Executive Director responds to the problem after consulting with the Board of Directors, as appropriate. Executive Director documents and files the problem resolution.


Not every problem can be resolved to everyone’s total satisfaction, but only through understanding and discussion of problems can members, viewers, subscribers, and FACT develop confidence in each other and the service provided to the community. This confidence and understanding is important to the operation of FACT and it’s quality service to the members, viewers, and subscribers.


Subcontractor Policies/Agreement

Members, viewers, subscribers of the cable systems services, as well as volunteers are encouraged to film public, educational, and governmental meetings and events to ensure quality programming in the Greater Bellows Falls Region.

Compensation is provided for filming some public, educational, and governmental meetings and events. Members, viewers, subscribers of the cable systems services, as well as volunteers may be contracted as subcontractors at a flat fee to conduct filming.


Restriction:

When being considered for a subcontracting assignment, the individual must fit the profile of an independent contractor and not an employee. It is understood and agreed between the subcontractor and FACT that the agreement for services rendered does not create an employment contract, nor does it create a joint relationship or partnership between the parties.


Termination:

Either the subcontractor or FACT can terminate the relationship with or without cause at any time.

At the end of a subcontractors relationship with FACT, the subcontractor shall return any materials, property, or equipment to FACT.


Business Ethics, Confidentiality, and Conduct:

The successful business operation and reputation of FACT is largely built upon the principals of fair dealing and ethical conduct of FACT management, employees, and our subcontractors. Our reputation for integrity and excellence requires trust and a scrupulous regard for the highest standards of conduct and personal integrity. FACT is dedicated to preserving the trust and confidence of the public. Subcontractors must exercise good judgment and care at all times to avoid unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential information. Good judgment, based on high ethical principals, will guide subcontractors with respect to lines of acceptable conduct. If a situation arises where it is difficult to determine the proper course of action, the subcontractor should discuss the matter openly with the Executive Director of FACT to determine the proper course of action. Compliance with fair dealing and ethical conduct is the responsibility of every subcontractor.


Responsibilities:

It is the responsibility of the subcontractor to communicate with FACT management to set up the equipment for filming; to film the event; and to arrange to take down and return the equipment to the studio.


Expenses:

All personal expenses related to services rendered including, but not limited to, travel and meals are borne by the subcontractor.


Equipment:

Equipment is provided by FACT for the filming of public, educational, and governmental meetings and events. It is the responsibility of the subcontractor to care for the equipment in a responsible manner, and to report any technical problems, defects, or damage to the equipment. Prompt reporting of damage or defects could prevent possible injury to others, and deterioration and excessive cost for repairs of equipment. Negligent or improper conduct leading to damage of FACT equipment, and theft or inappropriate removal or possession of FACT property and equipment is prohibited. Any recordings produced by the subcontractor are the property of FACT. Equipment and facilities of FACT are used in a manner that is consistent with all applicable state and federal policies, regulations, and licenses.


Payment for Services:

NOTE: Compensation to subcontractors for services are limited to those set forth by the Board of Directors of FACT.

At completion of services rendered, the subcontractor will submit the invoice/job sheet to the Executive Director within 30 business days for review. Upon approval, the invoice will be submitted to the Office Manager with instructions for payment as requested by the Executive Director (not to exceed 15 business days).

The subcontractor may receive compensation by: 1.) Coming to the office and receiving the check directly, 2.) Certified mail, 3.) Other individuals may pick up a subcontractor’s check only upon prior signed, written notice from the subcontractor naming the specific individual picking up the check.


Acknowledgement:

In order to retain necessary flexibility in the administration of procedures, FACT reserves the right to change, revise, or eliminate policies. The only recognized deviations from the stated policies are those authorized and signed by the Board of Directors of FACT


FACT TV Originated Programming

FACT originates programs for civic meetings and other events. FACT employees, volunteers, subcontractors and or board members shall not under any circumstance attempt to participate in a meeting while operating equipment during such meetings or events. To participate in a civic meeting, FACT’s employees, volunteers, subcontractors or board members must sit in the public seating area and clearly state that they are speaking for themselves as an individual and not as a representative of FACT.

Terms and conditions • Privacy policy

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