I

I. MEMBERSHIP

All persons, firms, corporations, businesses, organizations, institutions, and other entities in the City of Newton who subscribe to the purpose of the Newton Communications Access Center, Inc. (NCAC), and who support the Corporation by participation, or with a contribution of money, service or equipment, shall be eligible for membership in the Corporation. In addition, bona fide candidates for public office for whom Newton residents may vote are entitled to free access as detailed in here.

A. Types of Membership

1. Individual Members shall have the following privileges:

receipt of Newsletter and programming information;
ability to cablecast programs at no charge;
access to workshops and use of equipment;
be eligible to receive technical advice from the NCAC staff for program production; and,
be eligible to vote at NCAC General Membership meetings (one vote per individual member).

2. Family Memberships shall be issued to up to four persons within the same household (at the same address) who apply together for membership. Persons joining NCAC under a Family Membership shall have all the privileges of Individual Membership, except that only one vote can be exercised for each family membership.

3. Non-Profit Organization Membership shall be available for any firms, corporations, organizations, or other entities recognized as non- profit, tax-exempt by the IRS. Groups joining NCAC under non-profit membership shall have all the privileges of Individual Membership, except that only one vote may be exercised per Non-Profit Membership. Non-Profit organizations are eligible to receive training for up to seven (7) people per membership year with training for additional people available at $10 per person. In addition, Non-Profit Organization Members may receive specialized group training by contacting the NCAC Executive Director.

4. Institutional Memberships shall be available for any City of Newton Department, any Newton Public School, and such institutions as the Newton Free Library and other publicly funded departments or bodies. Institutional Members are eligible to receive training for up to ten (10) people per membership year with training for additional people available by arrangement. In addition, Institutional Members may receive specialized group training by contacting the NCAC Executive Director. Finally, Memberships within a Member Institution (such as a school or class) may be passed on from one class member to a succeeding class member, so long as the institution's Membership is current, and the individual completes all necessary training and other requirements of use.

5. Business Membership shall be available for any Newton-based, for-profit firms, corporations, organizations, institutions or other entities. Businesses joining NCAC under Business Membership shall have all the privileges of Individual Membership, except that only one vote may be exercised per Business Membership. Business Members are eligible to receive training for up to four (4) people per membership year with training for additional people available at $25 per person.

B.Membership Fees

The Board of Directors of NCAC may establish membership fees, which shall be published annually.

C. Requirements of Membership

In order to become a member of NCAC, a person or organization must meet all of the following conditions:

provide proof of Newton residence or corporate address in Newton (Post Office Boxes are not acceptable);
complete a Membership Application Form;
sign the Agreement with these Rules and Procedures;
pay the required membership fee.

D. Membership

Orientation

Orientation Sessions are held regularly on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the NewTV Studio. Attendance at an Orientation Session is a prerequisite for voting rights at the NCAC Annual Meeting as well as any NCAC training or facilities privileges.

E. Membership Identification Number and Term of Membership

All members will be issued a Membership Identification Number in the Facility Reservation Data Base (FACIL). All memberships are recognized as active for a one-year period from the date of application. Membership must be renewed on each members' anniversary.

F. Representation

Members do not represent NCAC and should refrain from implying such representation. False representation of NCAC may result in suspension of membership privileges. Such false representation might include (but not be limited to) statements such as "I am producing for NewTV..." or "I work at NewTV...". A Community Producer may inform interested persons that he or she is "a volunteer community producer, working on my own TV program which I produce at Newton's PEG access facility, NewTV. I am responsible for the entire production...", or words to that effect.