Patrick's blog

Want Community Radio? We Need to Hear from You!

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be accepting applications for new Low Power FM community radio licenses from non profit organizations between Dec. 6-13, 2023. As an established non profit media organization already serving the community, Okemo Valley TV is willing to submit an application, if there is enough local interest. The application itself would be non-binding; there is no obligation nor commitment required at this stage. If an application was approved, we would have time to work everything out. A committee of interested committee members would be formed, and that committee, with guidance from us & others, would make the key decisions and help shape the radio station's future. That is how we got things started with community TV, 23 years ago. It's a formula that worked then, and could work now, with radio. This is just a small first step - right now, we just need to gauge the interest level in the community before proceeding.

If you live in the area, please take the survey below.

Create your own user feedback survey

Support Okemo Valley TV

We are undergoing our annual membership drive. This is the time to show your support for all of the local programming that Okemo Valley TV provides across our TV channels & digital platforms, and all of the free & low-cost media resources we provide to community members, such as:

Training workshops and individualized trainings

on loan equipment

consultation on media projects

access to performance & recording studio

access to professional audio & video recording & editing equipment

Please consider becoming a member or renewing your membership:

Citizens to Deliver the Constitution on TV

A small group of local residents are inviting fellow citizens into our studio to read the Constitution. This project will result in a compilation of readings- each person will read a section- which will then be televised and streamed online. Copies of the Constitution are available - thanks to Representative Peter Welch’s office- here at the station.

To arrange a time to record, please contact us here at the station by calling 228-8808 or emailing Patrick. People of all ages are encouraged to participate. The station is handicapped accessible.

We will will handle all of the technical aspects of the production, including cameras, sound light, graphics and a teleprompter, which will be set up for readers' convenience.

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Read more news here.

We're Hiring

We are looking to fill an immediate need for someone to take over the day-to-day scheduling of programming (on our 2 TV channels and streaming platforms) and to also fill-in as a back-up Field Producer. Between these two roles, the position would average approximately 20-25 hours per week. (10-15 of it to be program scheduling). There is opportunity for growth for the right person. Candidates should have a strong technical background with computers and web-based applications, some experience with AV production, excellent communication & critical thinking skills, and access to reliable transportation. Above all else, we are looking for an energetic and dedicated person who is interesting in joining our small team and to help independent community media thrive!

See more and learn how to apply here.

Photo of the Week

We've rebooted our "Photo of the Week" submissions. Do you have any photos showing off local places & scenery? Send them to us, and we will use them in community videos. And each week, we will select one to feature in our e-newsletter and social media feeds. Credits will always be provided. Send your photos to us by email.

Photo credit this week goes to Cara Philbin. Thanks, Cara, for sharing this Fall image!

Community Project

The community’s strength and recovery has been documented by nearly everyone, and now we are asking you to share that with us! Send us your flood recovery photos and videos by clicking HERE. We're looking for Town, State, and Federal officials doing their jobs, or volunteers helping to clean up, pick up, muck out, etc. , as well as before & after images showing damage and the repair work. Selections of the images we receive will be shown in various future media projects (short video segments, documentaries, etc.). We want to once again show off the strength and resilience of this community. Thank you in advance!

Program Scheduler & Field Producer

We are looking to expand our team by adding a part-time Program Scheduler & Field Producer, to cover municipal meetings & community events around the local area.

Job Description Summary:

Reporting to the Operations Coordinator, this position shall be responsible for the following:

1. Schedule daily programming on our two television and streaming channels, using web-based software;

2. Plan out program scheduling for coming weeks and months in coordination with other staff;

3. Produce video coverage of local government meetings and community events on location, including "hybrid" meetings;

4. Operate technology and equipment related to in-person as well as hybrid meetings and events (with remote participation). This includes (but is not necessarily limited to) cameras, microphones, audio mixers, computers, video conferencing software, streaming software & hardware, and sound systems.

5. Perform post-production and basic video editing tasks.

Hours: An average of approximately 20 hours per week to start. There is some flexibility with the program scheduling work, but will ideally be performed during weekdays. The production work will be at various times, as assigned, but mostly will be weeknights, with an occasional daytime assignment.

Qualifications: Candidates should have the following:

1. Strong overall technical aptitude with audio-visual equipment and computers, along with experience in digital media production.

2. Excellent oral communication skills and a good attitude

3. Critical thinking skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and problem solve

4. Access to consistent and reliable transportation.

Compensation: $18 - $22 per hour, depending on experience. Mileage reimbursement is provided for assignments when traveling more than 20 miles.

To Apply: Contact Patrick Cody, Executive Director, to express interest. Include a resume and any other information that you feel would be useful. Email pcodyokemovalley.tv

Flooding

Ludlow Village resident & Okemo Valley TV community producer Pat Moore takes a tour of the catastrophic damage early in the day during the flood event of July 10, 2023. Keep up to date with emergency management information for your Town (see above).

And then Pat goes out on another tour, showing the aftermath, the morning after the flood, Tuesday, July 11th:

Zachary McNaughton submitted the following videos showing dramatic scenes from Proctorsville:

Day of the Flood in Proctorsville

Day After the Flood in Proctorsville

Flood Recovery Information

Through this flood recovery period, the Governor Scott Administration is holding multiple press conferences per week, sharing important and timely information. Streams of the Flood Response Press Conferences can be viewed here, thanks to our colleagues at ORCA Media in Montpelier.

To view recently-recorded press conferences on demand, go HERE.

To view other programs related to the flood & flood recovery, go HERE

Other sources for emergency management information related to the flood:

Vermont 211- for State & Regional Emergency Contacts & Info

New England 511- Road Closure Info.

Okemo Valley Disaster Relief Fund

Ludlow Emergency Services

Mount Holly Emergency Management

Cavendish Emergency Info & Shelter

Plymouth Emergency Services

Producer Awards

Over the last 12 months (starting July 1, 2022), we have broadcast & streamed well over 800 new LOCAL programs. That's more than 16 NEW shows per week, and a large portion of these are provided to us by community members and volunteer producers (yes, you too can have your own show!).
The 2023 Okemo Valley TV Producer Awards were presented at the Annual Meeting on June 20th. Watch the highlight reel here:

And the winners are (shown in the collage below, clockwise from top left)....

1. Producer of the Year- Pat Pullinen & Gary Blodgett, for "Update from Expeditionary School at Black River" (with Executive Director Patrick Cody in the middle of them)

2. Outstanding Achievement- Claire McKey Berkman, for her production of "Cavendish Library shorts" (shown with our Operations Coordinator Rebekah Fontaine)

3. Community Impact- Paula VanGuilder, for "Talk with Paula" (shown with Rebekah).

4. Youth Impact- Heidi Baitz, LES 6th Grade teacher, for her annual class project - this year it was the "Identity Project" (photo credit- Otis Nelson).

We'd like to congratulate this crew for their great over the past year and to thank everyone who contributes all of the local programming!

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