BROADCAST COMMITTEE REPORT
RCC MEETING on DECEMBER 14, 2005

BAD NEWS

Technical Problems Continue

Channel 50 has had limited broadcast capabilities since before I became chair of BC.  At mercy of shipping broken equipment back to manufacturer which involves 5 week turnaround.  2 separate problems which involved 2 turnarounds.  New equipment that will be ordered in January will help eliminate problems because its better and we will have some backup.  If not, we will have to reevaluate alternatives.  Bob and Richard can give more details.  Richard announced at the meeting that Channel 50 technical problems are fixed as of 12/13/05.  Hooray!

Trained Volunteer Shortage

Have two new shooters ready to go, but editing talent remains a problem.  Bruce Barton and Rich de Asla are following up with students from the 2 edit classes that Rich taught under auspices of the computer club.  It was a joint effort by BC and Computer Club that resulted in the purchase of the 4 pieces of equipment by the computer club so that the classes could be held.

Having to turn down requests for filming because our numbers are limited.  Same folks who do the work and train new folks are the ones who would develop recruiting video.  Time constraints are limiting any progress in this area.

Limited time of paid personnel to broadcast caused delay in written instructions for the new XNS system on Channel 51.  But the draft document by Ryan has been sent to the volunteers, Bob Rasmussen tested it, and Richard is applying the finishing touches.  Final document will be available this week.  Coverage will of necessity be skimpy over the holidays with volunteers out of town.

Morale Problems

These factors are contributing to down turn in morale of volunteers, who are the main component of broadcasting.  One of our more qualified volunteers, Walt Jankowski, took a part time job and has become inactive.

Bob Cloutier, who oversaw the Channel 51 volunteers for many years, has resigned.  He was a GIZMO expert and was interested in pursuing other matters.  I’d like to ask that Perry, as Head of the RCC, write Bob an official thank you letter for his many years of service.  In the interim, I’ve been overseeing this group, but Bob was the substitute as well as go to expert and now he’s gone.  I’m in danger of losing 2 of the 5 remaining, but think their frustrations with the new system now that we have written instructions will go away and they will stay.  We’re having a meeting of this group on January 9 and I’ve asked for one of them to take over. 

GOOD NEWS

Channel 51

We’ve got a marketing plan in place to get our users/audience back which will kick off at the ICC meeting with all the new club presidents on January 13.  That gives our volunteers time to become more familiar with the new system so that we can get more info on the air.  We’re looking for substitutes and will use the written documentation to train them with back up from Ryan and Richard.

At that time, Channel 51 will be stabilized with basic info and all energy can focus on getting Channel 50 going full speed and the new equipment installed.

Channel 50

Sunrise Readers continues to be successful.  However, some of the mike problems have turned out to be a talent problem, so additional training is needed.  Hal Dutton has joined the BC and he’s going to talk with Marci Baggetta about helping out in that area.  The fact that Hal is camera ready as well as knowledgeable and experienced will benefit the BC in many ways.  We’re delighted to have him on our team.

The Saturday morning, He Said, She Said, They Said continues to evolve.  Richard is taking care of sign for new show.  Marci, Bob, Bruce and I are doing some brainstorming in early January.  And Bob Haskett has set up a live interview with Col. Janis Karpinski in early March to coordinate with the VC meeting on March 20 that we will be taping for rebroadcast.

Bruce Barton and I have just worked out the details with Steve Koehl this week on a pilot program with the Community Theater.  We will tape the production part of their Jan, Feb and Mar meetings for rebroadcast.  We will be exploring other broadcast options with the Community Theater group after the first of the year that will rely mostly on their talented folks.  One of their members is interested in pursuing a programming idea.

Our programming sub committee will next meet on January 5.  Dan McGuire is back on board after some health problems and is going to learn about editing to add to his shooting talents.  I’ve even hear a rumor that Bob Rasmussen may take a look at doing some editing.

Both the Quarterly Meeting on January 26 and The Forum Club with new Division President Scott Middleton on January 27 will be broadcast live.  We should have our broadcast crew jackets for those shows to help our visibility and recruiting efforts.  Today a live broadcast requires the full team about 7 hours of set up.  The plans for the new facility request that that stuff be hardwired.  I can’t emphasize how important that is to the future success of broadcasting.

I’d ask that Richard address Channel 50 and 51 access through the new web site.  I think the word streaming has entered out jargon and that might not be available.  The streaming through the web site will not be live streaming. 

Other items to do

1. Develop an annual programming calendar and additional ways to get programming info to community.
2. Formalize the filming request process so we can plan and execute more efficiently.
3. I’ve got someone to approach about the recruiting video and will throw myself on their mercy.  Targeted clubs are computer, theater and photography.
4. Educate the community about broadcast – many think we are a club while others think we cost the community a lot of money and don’t see much return.  We’re like a baseball team. We’re moved from Little League to the Pony League and our sponsorship is dirt cheap because we’re operating mostly with volunteers and not the most expensive equipment.  We’ve got to emphasize the volunteer service aspect of broadcasting.  We’ll be asking for recognition by the events/clubs that we broadcast to increase visibility and recruiting.
5. Take a look at our needs re the 5-year planning process.

Blessed with good people, many who have shown a long term commitment to broadcasting.