MEMBERSHIP
Memberships last for one calendar year starting January 1, and must be renewed yearly. A membership fee is established by management, and may be waived on a case-by-case basis in return for volunteer activity. To join, persons and organizations must fill out a membership form and pay a membership fee. Individual memberships are $25; family/business/organization memberships are $35; and seniors/students are $10.
Types of Membership
BevCam provides three types of memberships – individual, senior/student and group.
- Individual Memberships
Individual members shall have the following privileges: ability to cablecast programs; access to workshops and use of equipment; eligibility to receive technical advice from the BevCam staff for program production; and, eligibility to vote at BevCam annual membership meetings (one vote per individual member). - Senior/Student Memberships
Seniors are classified as anyone 65 years of age or older. Students are classified as anyone currently enrolled in an academic program, either high school or college. Senior/student members have the same privileges as individual members. - Group Memberships
BevCam has two categories of group membership. - Family: Persons living in the same household who apply together for a membership.
- Organization/ community group/ public agency/ business: Any firms, corporations, organizations, institutions or other entities. Each group membership allows members of that group to receive training and use the facility. Group members have the same privileges as individual members, with the following exception:
A group membership must have a designated representative who will be the person entitled to vote at the annual members meeting. Said representative may vote acting as that group’s representative and may not also vote either as an individual member or as a representative of any additional group.
PAID VOLUNTEERS
There are times when staff is not available to tape off-site, off-hours events that BevCam is committed to cover. In these cases, we will engage on an individual basis non-staff personnel to cover these events, which are restricted to productions wholly produced by BevCam airing on Ch 8, 22, or 99 (i.e. Municipal meetings, special events and high school athletics). To be considered, an individual must be a member (fee will be waived) of BevCam and must have been trained by BevCam staff on equipment. The following pay schedule will apply.
- Sporting Event – On Air Talent: Hosts & Sports Commentators: $50.
- Sporting Event – Camera Operators & Other: $25.
- Community Events – Camera/B-Roll: $50. (editing: an extra $50)
- City Meetings: $100.
- Pre-paid gift cards may be offered instead at the discretion of management and the agreement of the volunteer.
CHANNEL USE
Community Bulletin Board
The Community Bulletin Board (CBB) is a series of graphic screens appearing on BevCam’s channels whenever there is no scheduled programming being cablecast. The CBB is a service maintained by BevCam for publicizing noncommercial notices, activities, and events of interest and/or benefit to residents of Beverly. It is not to be used as a forum for persuasion or advocacy. In addition to posting announcements of community interest, BevCam uses the CBB to post information about itself and its services, including training, program schedules and channel information.
Eligibility
Messages submitted for the CBB will be posted if they are from:
- A Beverly city department or agency;
- A federal, state, county, or regional agency, provided the requested message concerns the citizens of Beverly;
- A Beverly-based non-profit, community group or membership organization.
Messages submitted by agencies and non-profit organizations from nearby cities and towns may be posted at the discretion of the Executive Director.
CBB Requirements and Considerations
- Messages can be submitted to BevCam by email, regular mail or fax.
- Messages will be displayed for a period appropriate to the event as determined by management.
- BevCam reserves the right to edit messages for clarity.
CBB Restrictions
- The Community Bulletin Board may not contain any commercial announcements, advertising or direct appeals for funds (although it may contain announcements for fund-raising events).
- Election Committees representing candidates or ballot initiatives may submit messages announcing their events.
Community Bulletin Board
Eligibility
Any BevCam member in good standing and any Beverly-based public agency is eligible to place programming on BevCam. In order to show a program on BevCam, requesters/producers may first be required to attend an orientation meeting. Producers must also complete/sign a “BevCam Access User Agreement Form”. Those requesting cablecasts of programs:
- Must agree to take responsibility for the content of the program;
- Must take responsibility to obtain clearances and permissions, as may be needed, from any and all organizations, individuals and groups to cablecast this material on the access channel and to provide BevCam, prior to cablecast or other distribution, any program, copies of any talent releases, licenses or other permissions for content that is copyrighted or subject to ownership or royalty rights obtained with respect to the program ;
- Must accept complete liability for any false, misleading or slanderous statements in the program and be fully responsible for the program content and compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws;
- Must agree to hold harmless the City of Beverly, Beverly Cable and Telecommunications Corporation (BevCam), cable providers (i.e. Comcast, Verizon), their directors, employees, or successors, for any liability, loss, claim, cost or damage of any nature whatsoever which may arise by reason of any claim that any material cablecast or disseminated by me (the requester or producer) infringes or violates any rights of any person or organization, or any and all liabilities arising out of use of facilities and resources or out of breach of the Producer Agreement and Access Policies, Rules and Procedures;
- Must sign a statement accepting such liability and agree to indemnify BevCam for any legal action arising from the cablecasting of the program, whether due to alleged or actual harms, including, but not limited to, defamation, copyright infringement and invasion of privacy;
Restrictions and Requirements
The following restrictions and requirements apply to all programs submitted for airing on BevCam.
Content Restrictions
For the most part, BevCam will not exercise control over the content of programs submitted for cablecast. However, presentation of the following material on BevCam’s channels is prohibited:
- Any commercial programming or advertising;
- Any material which constitutes libel or slander
- Any obscene material or pornography
- Any unauthorized use of copyrighted material or publicity rights, and invasion of privacy
- Any material in violation of FCC regulations; and
- Any material that violates local, state or federal laws.
BevCam typically will not pre-screen submitted programs to ensure compliance with these prohibitions. Program requesters are responsible for ensuring that their programs do not contain such prohibited materials.
However, if in the course of preparing a program for broadcast, BevCam staff becomes aware of material it believes might be in violation of these prohibitions, the program will be withheld from cablecast, pending a review of the material, a discussion with the program requester and removal of prohibited material, if any. In doing this, BevCam may ask to be provided with copies of any written releases or use permissions it believes may be required before cablecasting the program.
Political Advocacy Programs
BevCam’s channels are a forum for constitutionally-protected, non-commercial speech, and we welcome the use of our resources for the expression of everyone’s free speech rights. We treat political programming advocating for candidates or issues the same as any other program.
These programs must adhere to the same restrictions on content (detailed above) as any other program we air. Additionally, the intro or outro must include an “Opinions expressed…” disclaimer.
Prohibition of Financial Benefits
No individual or organization may receive any financial benefit/remuneration from having a program cablecast on BevCam’s channel in accordance with BevCam’s 501(c)(3) IRS non-profit status, unless through a third-party awarded grant.
Underwriting Acknowledgements
While commercial advertising is not permitted on the access channels, producers may acknowledge support received from businesses, foundations or other sources.
- Producers can acknowledge donors with text announcements which may include their product lines or services, location and phone number.
- Donors or providers of products and services used in a program’s production can be acknowledged at the beginning or at the end of programs, in the final credits.
Media Formats & Technical Requirements
As BevCam’s playback equipment evolves, BevCam management may add or remove media formats that can be accommodated and may also add or change media preparation requirements.
BevCam can accept most digital file video formats submitted as programs to be aired.
Program Scheduling
Timeslots
BevCam staff will schedule timeslots for programs, and will attempt to accommodate requesters’ first choice for specific timeslots. However, in scheduling the channel, BevCam will also take the following considerations into account:
- Where the program is/was produced
- Timeliness of program
- Regularity/longevity of program/series
- Repeat, live, or first-run program
- Availability of channel time.
BevCam reserves the right to determine the portion of the weekly or daily schedule to be set aside for any category of programming.
Safe Haven for Potentially Offensive Programming
Program requesters must alert BevCam staff to programs that may be inappropriate for younger viewers. BevCam reserves the right to cablecast programming with excessively violent material, offensive language, nudity or sexually explicit material after 11 PM and before 6 AM, in order to preserve a safe haven for viewing by all audience members. BevCam reserves the right to require this disclaimer before and after any program containing potentially offensive programming: “The following program contains material which may be offensive to some viewers or may be inappropriate for viewing by children. This program content is solely the responsibility of the producer(s) of the show.
EQUIPMENT USE
Eligibility
Any member wishing to use BevCam’s equipment and facilities to produce programming must complete an orientation and appropriate training as determined by BevCam staff.
Program Proposal
In order to use BevCam facilities and equipment we recommend potential producers fill out a “Program Proposal Form”. We also recommend they participate in a pre-production session with BevCam staff. The purpose of this is to assure that the producers have all the resources needed to produce their shows and that they are using the methods and materials best suited to their productions.
General Rules
Public, educational and government access programming is created by members and depends on the participation of many active, trained members who use video communication tools in order to independently reflect their ideas. Staff will assist residents in assembling production crews from among trained and qualified members. Non-profit organizations and municipal agencies planning to do programs on a regular basis are encouraged to form a television production crew, which BevCam will then train.
- Access users must be properly trained and have completed all required planning and equipment forms approved by the staff before the equipment or facilities will be scheduled.
- Reservations for equipment or facility use may be made with staff in person, by telephone or e-mail.
- Additional materials for productions, beyond those supplied by BevCam (i.e., sets, graphics, other materials) must be supplied by the member
Portable/Field Equipment
Access Users holding equipment reservations must follow these check-out and check-in procedures:
Check-out:
- Equipment requested must be related to a production project intended for cablecast.
- Sign all required forms and equipment checklists.
- Determine if equipment is in working order.
Check-in:
- Equipment must be returned on time.
- Any problems with equipment or damage must be noted on the equipment checklist and brought to staff attention.
- Equipment must be picked up and returned during staff hours.
Editing and Post-production
Video editing work stations are available in the studio for post-production work. Please contact us ahead of the time if you want to come in to edit to be sure there will be equipment available.
Studio Facilities
Studio productions typically require a crew, talent, set, props, etc. The producer is responsible for organizing these elements. BevCam staff is usually available to assist in all aspects of producing a program.
OTHER CONDITIONS
Misrepresentation
Members must not misrepresent themselves as employees of BevCam or as having the ability to speak for BevCam. Such actions may result in a suspension of access privileges.
Facility Upkeep
Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the building. Subject to approval, members may, at their own risk, store sets and props associated with their productions. From time to time, BevCam management may review and reapportion such storage availabilities.
Right to Refuse
BevCam staff reserves the right to refuse the use of the facilities to any individual who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or who interferes with the orderly conduct of business.
Indemnification
Users of BevCam’s channels and facilities shall indemnify BevCam, the cable operator, and the City of Beverly and its employees against any and all liabilities arising out of any use of the facilities and resources or out of breach of these Rules and Procedures.
Interpretation
Where the implementation of these procedures is subject to interpretation, decisions shall be at the discretion of the Board, Executive Director or designee.
Amendments
The Board of Directors reserves the right to amend these policies on an ad hoc basis. Members will be notified of any such changes.
Unusual Situations
Any situation in which there is not an operating rule or procedure will be temporarily governed by the judgment of the Executive Director or staff person on duty and the issue referred for discussion at the next Board of Directors meeting.
VIOLATIONS
In order for these rules and procedures to be effective and to keep operations running smoothly, violations can result in loss of privileges/membership. The Executive Director or a designee is authorized to issue warnings and suspensions. Membership fees will not be refunded to a member whose privileges have been suspended or revoked.
Violations
- Commercial or profit-making use of BevCam facilities
- Abuse of staff or other members
- Smoking in BevCam’s facilities
- Misrepresentation of members’ affiliation with BevCam to others
- Falsifying forms
- Taking equipment without staff permission
- Abuse of equipment
- Tampering with, copying or deleting BevCam software or data
- Creating any disturbance to other BevCam members, producers, guests or the public
Any subsequent violation will result in the permanent loss of BevCam equipment and facilities privileges
Adopted by the Board of Directors
Created June 11, 2003
revised October 15, 2003
revised March 23, 2007
revised January 15, 2009
revised July 2, 2009
revised September 20, 2010
revised January 18, 2012
revised February 27, 2014
revised January 21, 2021
This page outlines the rules for programming, facility use, and community announcements, with a strong focus on noncommercial use and producer responsibility. It also explains how BevCam memberships work, including access to training, equipment, and the ability to produce and air content. It also Clear guidelines for scheduling, equipment handling, and conduct ensure that members can participate while keeping operations organized and compliant.