HCMI Board Meeting August 19, 2020

Meeting minutes of Holyoke Media – August 19, 2020

Meeting held remotely via zoom.

Agenda

Present:

• Scott MacPherson, ED
• Jennifer Myszkowski
• Carey Baker
• Mike Hines
• Denis Luzuriaga
• Al Williams

Not present:

• Patty Norris Lubold

Call to order: 6:37 p.m.

Policy review timeline for approval

Minutes:

• Motion to accept minutes from 7/15/2020: 
  • Motion: Carey
  • 2nd: Mike
  • Vote: Unanimous

Directors report 

• Balance Sheet
•  P and L 
• Discussions related to:
  • Hiring a Director of Production. Carey asked about thinking behind the suggestion to post in October, interviews in December. Hiring towards ends of year, starting in January of February. 
  • Jennifer and Carey suggest delaying hiring until early 2021
  • Consensus on making sure new hire is able to adapt to “new normal”
  • More applicants than normal expected because of current unemployment situation
  • Possibly commissioning larger “documentary” works (following the successful response to the Journalism Fellowship response. Carey asked for clarification on some of the details of a possible expanded program
    • Scott will provide more specific proposal around this idea for the board to review
    • Jennifer suggests possibly including other opportunities for commissioning work such as “sketch comedy”
  • Denis agreed that supporting and even commissioning works of art is a great idea
  • Scott asked that we all decide on what a standardized name for our new building
  • Discussion of importance on sticking with the timeline to reading and commenting on all policies (see link above).
  • Ideas talked about possibly using the education channel to collect/curate/create content for school-aged persons.
• Strategic Plan
• Full Operational Policy ToC
  • Elections Policy
  • Underwriting and Grants
  • Access To Channel Time
  • Equipment and Facilities rental
  • Violations and Sanctions
  • Responsibilities and Insurance
  • Grievance Procedure

Old Business

• COVID response

Standing items for discussion:

• Building (discussed in E.D.’s report)
• Discuss the specific action steps can we take as an organization to combat systemic racism both within our organization and the wider community (permanently ongoing)
• Membership check-in (E.D. will have a proposal for the next board meeting). Policies need to be in place first
• Permanent Spanish translation on all media – Scott and Mike discussed specifics around the technology with other board members weighing in.

New business:

• Operational policy manual
• Journalism fellowship
• Strategic plan
• Translation
• Personnel

Next meeting:

• Schedule next meeting – Wednesday September 16, 2020
  • Agenda: TBD

Motion to adjourn:

• Motion: Mike
• 2nd: Al
• Vote: Unanimous

Adjourn 8:13 pm