ORCTV Policy on Videotaping Events in Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester
A. Introduction
ORCTV's mission is to supply video equipment, studio facilities and training classes to the residents of the tri-towns in order for them to produce videos of interest or benefit to the community. Classes and equipment/facilities are available on a first-come, first-served basis to certified current members of ORCTV. ORCTV staff will help members via consulting and training to produce videos of sufficient quality. Classes in camcorder use, editing and studio production will be offered on a regular basis.
B. Public Access Television
ORCTV staff is not available to videotape or edit public events, but will help facilitate acquiring a certified volunteer to assist with productions based on availability of said volunteers. ORCTV staff will seek and contact certified members upon request. ORCTV will publicize volunteer requests as publication deadline permits and can include them on the ORCTV web volunteer page, volunteer e-mail bulletins and newsletters. There is no guarantee of volunteer coverage for any event. ORCTV staff will make reasonable efforts to train new members on short notice.
Select town-sponsored events will be covered on a case-by-case basis such as July 4 parades, summer festivals and holiday gatherings. Extent of coverage is based on staff and volunteer availability and funding.
C. Government Access Television
Per the ORVTV PEG Access Agreement with Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester, ORCTV will supply equipment and staff to cablecast the following Marion and Rochester government meetings:
- Selectmen's Meetings
- Annual and Special Town Meetings for each town
(Note: the Town of Mattapoisett is in charge of cablecasting Mattapoisett government meetings. Please see Danny White for any requests.)
ORCTV will cover the Marion and Rochester meetings unless otherwise requested not to by the respective government body, or unable to do so due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of ORCTV.
ORCTV may cover such other Marion and Rochester government meetings as requested, upon reasonable notice by the respective government body consistent with the funding provided ORCTV pursuant to this Agreement and the reasonable availability of access personnel, contractors, and/or volunteers. Reasonable notice, which does not have to be written notice, shall be deemed to be seven (7) business days. If the requested coverage of a government meeting is less than seven (7) business days, ORCTV shall reasonably attempt to comply with such requests, working out any equipment and staffing scheduling. ORCTV does not guarantee coverage of these additional government meetings as it is dependent on staff availability and funding.
ORCTV shall comply with all lawful rules and reasonable requirements of the respective government body with respect to the camera and sound coverage of a meeting. Nothing contained in this subsection is intended to interfere with the rights of any person to videotape a government meeting pursuant to the Open Meeting Law.
Currently ORCTV can go "live" via a live feed from the Marion and Mattapoisett Town Halls. In the future ORCTV will explore doing live productions from other government buildings with iNet drops, but does not yet have the equipment to do so.
The Educational channel for the tri towns is run by the Old Rochester Regional High School under an annual financial grant by ORCTV. For all schools within the tri-town area (ORRHS, ORRJHS, Center, Sippican, Old Hammondtown and Rochester Memorial Elementary School, Old Colony and Upper Cape Vocational Schools and Tabor Academy), the District uses the grant to provide Educational Access, programming opportunities and to teach television production to high school students, and showcase programs.
The annual grant provides for two designated teachers who act as EdTV Channel 18 station managers, Debbie Stinson and Lee Shionis. All programs, training and productions on the EdTV must be arranged by contacting a designated teacher at:
Old Rochester Regional High School
135 Marion Rd. Mattapoisett, MA.
508-758-3745 x 1934.
Programs should be delivered to the front office of the High School during regular school hours 7:30am-3:00pm.
Important ORRSD education event coverage, such as graduations, are also coordinated through designated teachers. Other educational event coverage may occur as requested, upon reasonable notice. Reasonable notice, which does not have to be written notice, shall be deemed to be seven (7) business days. The requests should be made to the teacher representative and will be accommodated on a resources-permitting basis at the discretion of the ORRSD Superintendent's Office.
