In attendance:

Scott MacPherson, E.D.
Jennifer Myszkowski, President
Carey Baker, Vice President
Ismary Santiago (remote)
Jayne Melendez (remote)
Daniel O’Sullivan
Gloria Caballero
Denis Luzuriaga, Clerk

Not attending:

Mike Hines
Carolyn Rogers-Harris

6:33 p.m.: Call to order

Acceptance of prior meeting minutes – October 19, 2023.

• Motion to accept prior meeting minutes: Carey
• Second: Daniel
• Vote: Unanimous, motion carries.

Director’s Report

P and L 

Balance Sheet

Draft Budget

• Scott spoke about the contract proposal by Comcast. Specifically that the formula for calculating capital funding for 10 years would be based on yearly cable TV subscribers. The current contract is based on predetermined “lump sums”.
• Scott has reached out to (former board member) Al Williams, who is now helping us with cable contract re-negotiations. Scott will be speaking with Michael Bissonette (Assistant City Solicitor) about working with Al.
• Board comments on the proposed cable contract should be submitted by December 1st.
  Acting Treasurer Daniel O’Sullivan will be meeting with our C.P.A. to go over the budget as well as to discuss his new role as Acting Treasurer.
• Daniel asked Scott about what kinds of measures should take place to account of a likely reduction in funding for the next 10 years. Scott gave a few specifics about the Reserve and Contingencies fund. Daniel argues that because of the predicted reduction in funding, we should – at this point – argue for a higher capital payment from Comcast.
• V.P. Carey Baker inquired about a “Conflict of Interest” policy for our organization. Scott will find it and provide us with it.
• The group agreed that the “Diversity Statement” needs close attention by a group of board members as well as Holyoke Media staffers. Scott will reach out to our diversity consultant on the matter as well.
• We discussed the topic of inviting the public to our meetings. There is a general feeling that we’d like to announce our meetings to the public, and come up with a sensible method that allows for a public comment period, and allows for an organized 1-½ hour monthly board meeting.
• Ticketing for events

Old Business

• Cable Contract Renewal Update

Standing items:

• Membership update
• Personnel check-in
• Marketing update
• Organizational development plan
• Diversity statement update
• Latest anti-racism consultant actions
• Metro E Circuit update
• Update on strategic initiatives
• Update: Studio use policy re: nonprofit vs. community use
• Check in on sign repair
• Establishment of youth advisory committee

New business

• YouTube replacing BoxCast for video hosting?
• Scott will look into the details of Youtube vs. Vimeo vs. Boxcast for Live Streaming ad-free.
• Staff person to manage the event space?
• Jennifer brought up this need and how we can find a way to fund it. Among other things, it would help to lighten the load for E.D. Scott MacPherson.
• Replacing Gloria on the Board (when she takes office)

Task review and due dates

• Board comments on the proposed cable contract should be submitted by December 1st.
• Daniel will meet with Dave Morton, our C.P.A.
• V.P. Carey Baker inquired about a “Conflict of Interest” policy for our organization. Scott will find it and provide us with it.
• A group of board members and H.M. staffers will meet to work on the “Diversity Statement”.
• Carey will look into Eventbrite for announcing public discussion periods for future meetings.
• Scott to revisit the establishment of a Youth Advisory Committee with Iohann Rashi-Vega.

Motion to adjourn:

• Motion: Denis
• Second: Carey
• Vote: Unanimous, the Board of Directors meeting is adjourned

Adjourn 8:04 pm